US U23s lose to England 1-0. No surprise given the squad.
Two part interview with Klinsmann. Part 1, Part 2.
Decent piece on Klinsmann
Two part interview with Klinsmann. Part 1, Part 2.
Decent piece on Klinsmann
USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
U23s looked so disjointed going forwad. At the back they played well, but had to, because England more chances. England could have had 3 more goals; a chip over Steffen's head, clanged off the post. I'm not sold at all on Steffen. Young GKs. . .
Infield Infidel said:
I didn't see the game, but I'm not surprised that this team doesn't look all that great. The squad selected for camp is very weak at fullback, has little width in the midfield or in the attack and is missing our best forward (Morris). Hernandez, Rodriguez, and Kiesewetter starting in the attack? Yeesh. The only good news is that we do have better players out there, who will hopefully be healthy and available for qualifying.
If everyone is healthy and available (except Yedlin & Brooks), I might go with something like this for a qualifying roster:
GK Cody Cropper
GK Ethan Horvath
GK Zack Steffen
RB Desevio Payne
RB/LB Eric Miller
CB Matt Miazga
CB Shane O'Neill
CB Cameron Carter-Vickers
DM Wil Trapp
DM/CM/RB Matt Polster
CM Emerson Hyndman
CM/AM Gedion Zelalem
CM/AM Luis Gil
AM/LB Dillon Serna
AM Paul Arriola
AM Julian Green
AM/FW Jose Villarreal
FW Jordan Morris
FW Rubio Rubin
FW Khiry Shelton
Morris ---- Rubin
Villarreal ------------------Green
Trapp -- Polster
Miller -- O'Neill -- Miazga -- Payne
Cropper
BTW, it's surprising and kind of sad how easy it would be to drop Luis Gil for someone else. I took pity on him, but I don't see him starting now. Not much separating the three GKs at the moment. No true LBs are worthwhile; Herzog mentioned he was impressed with Miller, who played against England, so he gets the nod. Okwuonu sucks and Sorto does too, so hopefully Payne will be available. If not, we might have to bite the bullet and use an out-of-position DM like Polster or Kellyn Acosta. Trapp/Hyndman is a more natural fit in terms of their roles than Trapp/Polster, but collectively I'd have concerns about defensive bite.
Meanwhile, the U-20s are getting wrecked in Serbia. They lost 3-1 to the hosts yesterday and 6-1 to France today. I suspect a number of players in camp will not be called back in the near future.
https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/639927308770521088
I'm heading to dinner and am going to miss this one.
I'm heading to dinner and am going to miss this one.
Omar doesn't close on the ball (tracking an imaginary runner), then provides the deflection for looping goal. 1-0 Peru.
Ream's tried to get forward a couple times and has looked less than graceful. Orozco is parked in our half, and as a result Peru is owning the ball.
Ugh, Altidore with the touch of an elephant ballerina.
At least guys are pressing and getting forward now.
At least guys are pressing and getting forward now.
Quick thoughts:
-Besler should start, easily one of our best defenders and makes the whole back line play better. Not sure if he can play with Brooks because they're both left-footed (would have been great to have experimented with this in a few friendlies), but other than that snag on paper they'd make a great pairing.
-Cameron should also start, whether at center back, right back, or midfield.
-I was really impressed with Tim Ream, glad he gives us options at left back.
-Zardes and Yedlin both played well I thought. Not sure if they can play at the same time either, but glad to have them now and for the future.
-Besler should start, easily one of our best defenders and makes the whole back line play better. Not sure if he can play with Brooks because they're both left-footed (would have been great to have experimented with this in a few friendlies), but other than that snag on paper they'd make a great pairing.
-Cameron should also start, whether at center back, right back, or midfield.
-I was really impressed with Tim Ream, glad he gives us options at left back.
-Zardes and Yedlin both played well I thought. Not sure if they can play at the same time either, but glad to have them now and for the future.
For the Brazil game, Michael Bradley, Sean Johnson, and Jordan Morris have been added to the roster. Matt Besler and William Yarbrough have left camp and Clint Dempsey isn't coming after all.
Dempsey isn't 100% despite playing against Toronto over the weekend. He was pretty wrecked by the Gold Cup and he's just getting back, so I tend to think that there's no need to push him with a midweek friendly on the other side of the country.
Kansas City requested Besler's return for a midweek game against Portland. Klinsmann put out a positive statement about him in the departure notice.
Dempsey isn't 100% despite playing against Toronto over the weekend. He was pretty wrecked by the Gold Cup and he's just getting back, so I tend to think that there's no need to push him with a midweek friendly on the other side of the country.
Kansas City requested Besler's return for a midweek game against Portland. Klinsmann put out a positive statement about him in the departure notice.
No Neymar in starting line up, per Wahl.
US:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COayHjRWUAAgZIO.png
Sorry, that didn't post like I thought it would. Guzan, Cameron, Orozco, Alvarado, Ream, Bedoya, Yedlin, Bradley, Zardes, Altidore.
Edit 2: Oops -- and also Jones.
US:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COayHjRWUAAgZIO.png
Sorry, that didn't post like I thought it would. Guzan, Cameron, Orozco, Alvarado, Ream, Bedoya, Yedlin, Bradley, Zardes, Altidore.
Edit 2: Oops -- and also Jones.
DDB i thought that was a pretty bold strategy starting 10 against Brasil.
Guess we really are trying all sorts of guys on D at this point.
I am still confused about why Howard signed up. Bored during the international window? Gearing up to start v Mexico?
The worst part of this game - seeing the stupid ESPN crawl about the 'breaking' Spygate article.
Guess we really are trying all sorts of guys on D at this point.
I am still confused about why Howard signed up. Bored during the international window? Gearing up to start v Mexico?
The worst part of this game - seeing the stupid ESPN crawl about the 'breaking' Spygate article.
Maybe Howard for the second half? I assumed he was going to play against Mexico, but kind of thought if that's the case he ought to be out there tonight.
Plus. While it is only a friendly, beating a team like Brasil is always a good confidence boost before you take on Mexico in a month. Having Timmeh out there makes that more likely to happen.
Can we kick off? America's game starts at 10.
Can we kick off? America's game starts at 10.
There is no way Jozy actually meant that cheeky heel flick to Yedlin right?
Cause as I type he has his 3rd turnover.
darke and twellman are reading Vinho's post.
Cause as I type he has his 3rd turnover.
darke and twellman are reading Vinho's post.
That was atrocious. Bedoya got smoked. Guzan gave up. And the 2 CBs plus Yedlin didnt mark Hulk. (This wouldnt be Yedlin's responsibility so I'll give minor credit he was actually the closest defender.)
you'd think taking Chuck Blazer's 10% off the top would reduce the prices some, but nopeVinho Tinto said:
It's a slight travesty that Bedoya is in there, yet Feilhaber hasn't gotten a sniff in 20 months.
I'd love to see Bedoya gone, but I'd prefer someone younger than Feilhaber in his place. Also I don't think Benny is all that good, so I don't see a reason for him to make it.Infield Infidel said:
Yedlin and Cameron combining nicely on the right so far. I would like to see zardes get some more touches on the left tho.
Bedoya and Jozy need to take a break.
Edit. Wtf was that Jozy?
Bedoya and Jozy need to take a break.
Edit. Wtf was that Jozy?
Jones isn't the best player on the field, but he does have a calmness about him -- the game or competition don't seem too much for him. He really seems to be comfortable with the ball at his feet and a Brazilian player headed his direction.
Bedoya has stunk tonight, but this is fucking Brazil. You think this is going to make him a better player? Crushing the guy on national tv in a friendly doesn't really seem to make sense. Just take him out at the half.
Jozy is a shitty player, he's just nowhere near good enough to play striker against good competition.LuckyBen said:
Great sub. I'd love to see this free JJ up a bit more.
I don't think the US looks good or anything, but Brazil is just outclassing them- putting on a fun show to watch. Pressure the US into silly passes and then burn them with speedy runs or calm and smooth passing combinations.
I don't think the US looks good or anything, but Brazil is just outclassing them- putting on a fun show to watch. Pressure the US into silly passes and then burn them with speedy runs or calm and smooth passing combinations.
At the end of they day, who you think will be a starter come 2018? He has been surpassed on the oustide and doesnt seem to have the defensive chops to play behind Bradley. Let Williams get some burn and see if he stabilizes things.
Auditions are being held for Beckerman's role.
Edit. In response to DdB re: Bedoya. At least how I view it.
I also agree on your past point about Jones. Excellent word 'calmness.' Plus he is still playing back into form.
Auditions are being held for Beckerman's role.
Edit. In response to DdB re: Bedoya. At least how I view it.
I also agree on your past point about Jones. Excellent word 'calmness.' Plus he is still playing back into form.
Has Brazil looked good? Sure, Costa and Willian have had some nice individual dribbles, and Willian's run on the goal was great, but the goal itself was pretty lucky. A seleção hve not had any real nice chances.
So we took off Zardes and kept on Jozy? He must do something amazing in practice to keep earning chances.