ha! Maybe Klinsmann does what he should have done vs. Argentina and doesn't trot out the experienced but ineffectual guys whom he subbed for
Bedoya, Jones, and Wood. Maybe we see some of Pulisic and even Nagbe.
But chances are he starts the same group as vs. Ecuador except that Yedlin will go back to outside right, maybe Johnson moves up to left mid with Besler moving to Johnson's spot. It would give me hope if I never see either Zusi or Wondo on the USMNT pitch any more.
I thought this was a pretty good piece, reflected much of the commentary here on BBI last week.
A thorough butt-kicking inflicted by Argentina was fairly represented by the scoreline and had the Americans been at full-strength rather than deprived of starters Alejandro Bedoya, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood the margin would have been narrower. The best teams in the world are still much better than the USA as has been the case for many decades, but the insertion of Graham Zusi, Kyle Beckerman and Chris Wondolowskiaccentuated the differences.
There doesn’t seem to be much consensus about what can be done to ramp up the national team, other than magically transform MLS into one of the world’s greatest leagues and turn every domestic elite player into a potential World Cup starter. But what can be done is to look at the semifinal and determine what hidden truths, if any, can be comprehended.
LINEUP CHOICES. Not for the first time in his tenure did Klinsmann take on a tough task and make it worse through questionable decisions.
Why Klinsmann excluded an experienced, reliable defender in Matt Besler -- who manned the left-back slot in the quarterfinal against Ecuador -- with a shorthanded squad taking on the best player in the world is difficult to fathom.
need a lot more time against the highest end competition in order to get to that next level. They aren't getting it in CONCACAF or MLS. As much as youth development gets all the attention, stretching ourselves at the very top is also necessary to give the US a higher ceiling. We aren't as bad as we looked against ARG the other night, but we have to honestly face the work still to be done to get into a top 10 peer group.
Doubt the Colombians play their best 11 or that they are going to be enthused about the game, hope the US plays its best 11 and that they truly understand the importance of this game. Also hoping that we see some of the younger players against this level of competition. Only way for them to develop is games against quality opponents.
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He's actually only 20. Definitely not writing him off at all.
Wow only 20. Thanks Jon. I thought he would have been a stalwart by now.
I still think the future is getting brighter - if JK would cut loose with the old fogeys.
By how wide open the game is and the way the US team is holding its own. Would have expected more of a defensive approach with two of the back four missing.
I do not expect perfection from any of them-- even the best lose their mark particularly when the execution is so precise. Orozco had to vacate his spot to cover the outside attack
is a wonderful passer in tight situations. He's our best out and out striker, but he has 3 assists this tournament and probably should have more if he wasn't playing with Zardes and Bedoya.
The US is going for it. They've still got a lot of work to do developmentally when it comes to building attacks and finishing outside of Dempsey
Agree with this completely. I believe that was one of the better halves the team has played, particularly considering who is missing. Though Brooks had a poor game against Argentina, his presence in the middle of the back line changes attacks. Not a knock on either Besler or Cameron who both played well but you simply cannot replace Brooks size.
Seems like everyone wants to move on from Dempsey Â
Question: with the style Klinsmann has had the team playing, would a healthy Aron Johannsson have made any difference, and if he can ever overcome the injury bug, is he of value to this squad?
Link - ( New Window )
Bedoya, Jones, and Wood. Maybe we see some of Pulisic and even Nagbe.
But chances are he starts the same group as vs. Ecuador except that Yedlin will go back to outside right, maybe Johnson moves up to left mid with Besler moving to Johnson's spot. It would give me hope if I never see either Zusi or Wondo on the USMNT pitch any more.
I thought this was a pretty good piece, reflected much of the commentary here on BBI last week.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/69321/if-the-song-remains-the-same-how-can-it-be-rewrit.html
There doesn’t seem to be much consensus about what can be done to ramp up the national team, other than magically transform MLS into one of the world’s greatest leagues and turn every domestic elite player into a potential World Cup starter. But what can be done is to look at the semifinal and determine what hidden truths, if any, can be comprehended.
LINEUP CHOICES. Not for the first time in his tenure did Klinsmann take on a tough task and make it worse through questionable decisions.
Why Klinsmann excluded an experienced, reliable defender in Matt Besler -- who manned the left-back slot in the quarterfinal against Ecuador -- with a shorthanded squad taking on the best player in the world is difficult to fathom.
Lots of other pithy stuff
Hopefully Nagbe and Pulisic do, but knowing Klinsmann, I doubt it.
Hopefully Nagbe and Pulisic do, but knowing Klinsmann, I doubt it.
Real Madrid will throw a conniption fit if James plays in a third place game
Nothing good. I believe he turned down a transfer to Hannover, and didn't play all that well for the second team.
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kid Green that scored the goal against Belgium after they went down 2-0 in OT in the WC?
Nothing good. I believe he turned down a transfer to Hannover, and didn't play all that well for the second team.
He's still only 23... Too bad, looked like a great find for USMNT.
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In comment 13009094 section125 said:
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kid Green that scored the goal against Belgium after they went down 2-0 in OT in the WC?
Nothing good. I believe he turned down a transfer to Hannover, and didn't play all that well for the second team.
He's still only 23... Too bad, looked like a great find for USMNT.
He's actually only 20. Definitely not writing him off at all.
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He's actually only 20. Definitely not writing him off at all.
Wow only 20. Thanks Jon. I thought he would have been a stalwart by now.
I still think the future is getting brighter - if JK would cut loose with the old fogeys.
What a fucking joke.
Also, get Jack Harrison on the USMNT immediately. What a beast.
What a fucking joke.
Also, get Jack Harrison on the USMNT immediately. What a beast.
Sorry, not quite accurate. They're playing Besler for Brooks and Orozco for Johnson.
Both injured.
Is this Stu Holden doing color? He's doing a great job.
Even so they'd prefer that James sit so there is no risk on getting at least a decent part of their transfer fee back
GREAT save by Howard!
Yes, wide open.
What a difference from that stiff Wondolowski. That dude shouldn't even be on the bench. He should be cleaning porta potties.
What a difference from that stiff Wondolowski. That dude shouldn't even be on the bench. He should be cleaning porta potties.
Yup. He should have moved past Jozy as our 1st choice striker IMO.
Wood + Morris is the future strike partnership.
Besler fouls James who almost kicks him back in the nether regions
Better chances. One stupid defensive lapse.
Zardes has been infinitely better on the 1st touch tonight.
Agree with this completely. I believe that was one of the better halves the team has played, particularly considering who is missing. Though Brooks had a poor game against Argentina, his presence in the middle of the back line changes attacks. Not a knock on either Besler or Cameron who both played well but you simply cannot replace Brooks size.
Great save.
Messi would have scored.
Ospina plays a lot better for Colombia than he does for Arsenal. That goes in when Ospina is screwing up at club level
I caught the "not today buddy" as well on Univision. So freaking great.