Well it begins for real tonight - the Bruce Arena Part II era and the road to Russia. Game is in San Jose, hence the late start on FoxSports1. Should be an interesting lineup and everybody's favorite whipping boy Wondo is back and he's gonna poach absolutely zero goals for this team. Looking forward to the game tonight and seeing if the train is back on the tracks.
But i expect something like this 4-1-3-2.
I 100% percent expect dempsey and altidore to start
villafnia - Orazco - Brooks - Cameron
Bradley
Pulisc -Sasha - Nagbe
Altidore dempsey (stacked)
and teh game time is brutal
Game won't actually start until 10:50p. What the fuck.
my favorite whipping boy GZusi back, because of injuries in the back
add Lichaj to Fabian so they're going to give Graham a go, even though he's flamed out there as well
Our favorite whipping boy Timmy C is unavailable, along with Jermaine (who is Terps' favorite whipping boy, but I think he's done ok, he is what he is), because of suspensions
Hopefully, we get a good look at Lietget, Dax. Losing Wood is a pity
It's complicated.
If USMNT won every game left (highly unlikely) they would get 24 points. Still plenty of points left on the table. If they could come away from these 2 games with a total of 4 points they'll be in good shape.
Howard
Cameron Gonzo Brooks Villafana
Bradley Lletget
Pulisic Deuce Nagbe
Jozy.
Villafara brooks gonazlez Cameron
Bradley
Nagbe lletget
Pulisic
Dempsey altidore
Is absurd. Couldn't start this at 10?
Altidore fantastic ball
The officiating is a joke, though.
2-nil. Fuck you Lopez.
Breath of fresh fucking air.
Great job by Bradley! I haven't given up on him.
He's so good
The talent has always been there.
But I can't say enough good things about Bradley's movement off the ball and the impact it's having on the shape of the team. His intelligence is allowing for Pulisic, Nagbe, and everyone else up front to express themselves.
Jozy has also been involved in everything, and he's devouring the center backs. It's giving Pulisic acres of space in which to operate.
Oh my God, I got shivers when I read this. Because it's so completely true.
Truth. This will suffice against the Honduras and Panamas of the world, but Mexico on up is going to devour us on the flanks.
He's going to be a wonder to watch. He's already one of the youth brigade in the Bundesliga making a difference.
Total bullshit.
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I hope he doesn't make the mistake of coming here to play
Total bullshit.
Yea he's going to be there for awhile. I selfishly want him to play in England so we can see him more often.
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Fuck no.
You realize the backbone of the team all either played or plays in MLS, right?
For that matter the entire bench as well.
There's something to be said for dominating in the MLS instead of playing out of place or on the bench in the BPL. Playing in the MLS also lets our players establish and work towards refining our style of play.
I get they vetter competition argument, I just don't think it applies fully in this scenario.
Money. Plain and simple it is money. MLS cannot pay top dollar like the Euro leagues can. The sponsorship money and fan bases are just not there to pay $10 of millions. Hell the NFL and MLB cannot pay what Europe pays its megastars. Europe has double the population and only ONE major sport. All that money is concentrated on one sport.
In CT
This is the key point, the structure of the US soccer system is different than Europe - there's no high school/college level of play. The academy organization is still in its infancy here, and I think over the next generation it will evolve further.
CP is obviously a world class talent and was when he went to Dortmund, but he wouldn't be nearly where he is now if he were toiling in an MLS academy.
CP is obviously a world class talent and was when he went to Dortmund, but he wouldn't be nearly where he is now if he were toiling in an MLS academy.
He lost his place at Roma. That's why he left. I'd much rather him be at MLS playing with other Americans than toiling in some second tier European league.
If the options are playing for a 2nd division team in England vs. MLS, that's one thing. But If an American player can start/get real playing time on a team in England/German/Spain/France/Netherlands, I think they (and our national team) are better for it.
Why the fuck is he coming all the way back to the cbs to collect the ball?
That shit has to stop. He needs to connect the cbs with the rest of the team. Not be a cb
Why the fuck is he coming all the way back to the cbs to collect the ball?
That shit has to stop. He needs to connect the cbs with the rest of the team. Not be a cb
What???
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Bradley did not play well.
Why the fuck is he coming all the way back to the cbs to collect the ball?
That shit has to stop. He needs to connect the cbs with the rest of the team. Not be a cb
What???
I don't think he played well. Okay obviously he had room score the goal, great. Nice left footed shot.
He misplayed passes and he was not great in a defensive effort, seemed late to challenge(maybe the field). And like i said i wish he'd do a better job of connecting the cbs with the rest of the midfield.
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In comment 13407203 Joey from GlenCove said:
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Bradley did not play well.
Why the fuck is he coming all the way back to the cbs to collect the ball?
That shit has to stop. He needs to connect the cbs with the rest of the team. Not be a cb
What???
I don't think he played well. Okay obviously he had room score the goal, great. Nice left footed shot.
He misplayed passes and he was not great in a defensive effort, seemed late to challenge(maybe the field). And like i said i wish he'd do a better job of connecting the cbs with the rest of the midfield.
Usually when a CDM drops to pick up the ball, that's because the CBs are having trouble finding him, not vice versa.
Villafina ream cameron zusi (Whos left to play defense?)
Jones bradely nagbe
pulsic
dempsey altidore
Crazy how many injuries we have
The ref red-carded two Greeks yet allowed Mertens to pinch a guy's nose (not kidding) and then get called for diving yet produce no card. That plus the near-brawl at the end of the game between Lukaku and Manolas. A lot to take in on a Saturday.
The way Bradley was utilized was the exact way he should have been utilized for the past several years under JK, and it is apparent, just from watching this one game, how fucked up JK's system really was.
Having Bradley as the focal point through which the offense is run allowed his skill as a distributor and decision maker shine. In almost all of the critical runs, he started the sequence that led to a score or an excellent opportunity, whether it was getting the ball to Pulisic so he could make a run, or getting a ball to Altidore who then pushed it over to create a chance, etc.
Arena in one game has already opened up the team - and he did that not through magic, but by putting players into the positions and roles they are best suited for. The way Bradley was used is exactly what he's strong at and it showed.
The way Bradley was utilized was the exact way he should have been utilized for the past several years under JK, and it is apparent, just from watching this one game, how fucked up JK's system really was.
Having Bradley as the focal point through which the offense is run allowed his skill as a distributor and decision maker shine. In almost all of the critical runs, he started the sequence that led to a score or an excellent opportunity, whether it was getting the ball to Pulisic so he could make a run, or getting a ball to Altidore who then pushed it over to create a chance, etc.
Arena in one game has already opened up the team - and he did that not through magic, but by putting players into the positions and roles they are best suited for. The way Bradley was used is exactly what he's strong at and it showed.
Im sorry he did not play well sb nation actually does a great job describing it.
It goes on to say he played better after a tactical change by Arena. Actually a well written article
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Arena has put Bradley and the other players in a better position to succeed, and you saw the results of Bradley's distribution and field generalship when Arena utilized the tactics.
Bradley's prime years were wasted by JK, and he's never going to be in the form he once was, but if he continues to be the focal point for distribution, this team will be fine.
That article doesn't say Bradley played poorly - it said he struggled early in the game and then flourished when put into a simplified role.
Was Bradley great? No, but he was far better than under JK and had a good overall game.
Arena has put Bradley and the other players in a better position to succeed, and you saw the results of Bradley's distribution and field generalship when Arena utilized the tactics.
Bradley's prime years were wasted by JK, and he's never going to be in the form he once was, but if he continues to be the focal point for distribution, this team will be fine.
That article doesn't say Bradley played poorly - it said he struggled early in the game and then flourished when put into a simplified role.
he was clearly played out of position during jks tenure until the very end. SAD!
Anyway hopefully during the goldcup arena will look to the youth. I'd like to see acosta start
After that, you'll see a new makeup of the team, IMO.
You'll have a full turnover with Cameron, Jones, Beasley, Besler, Wondo too far past their times. Some of those guys might not even make it to Russia.
The transitions already started with Pulisic, Wood, FJ, Yedlin, Brooks and others.
Jones might not make it, although I think he'll be there. Zusi is probably a slim chance.
Depends on if arena wants to have a veteran team sprinkled with youth or go predominantly with youth. 6 months ago, I'd have said Dempsey would be unlikely to play (as well as Bradley), but I think those two, assuming health is fine, will be there.
As for Jermaine Jones, he should never play for USMNT again. There's only one position where his lack of discipline doesn't unbalance the team, and that position is firmly Pulisic's.
Jones might not make it, although I think he'll be there. Zusi is probably a slim chance.
Depends on if arena wants to have a veteran team sprinkled with youth or go predominantly with youth. 6 months ago, I'd have said Dempsey would be unlikely to play (as well as Bradley), but I think those two, assuming health is fine, will be there.
a veteran team hurt the US in 2006. anyway i bet howard is there if in form.
Horvath - should have been on this team, cant say im following him but hopefully he will play in the EPL or another top league. hes currently in blegium on the bench
i think you see hamid, horvath, rimando/bimgham/yarbrough at the gold cup.
MNT Mar 25, 2017
CHICAGO (March 25, 2017) – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena has added midfielder Paul Arriola to the roster ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifying match in Panama. The Club Tijuana midfielder will join the USMNT in San Jose, Calif., prior to Saturday night’s departure for Panama City.
Additionally, defenders John Brooks and Michael Orozco, midfielder Sebastian Lletget and forward Jordan Morris have been released from camp.
After scoring the opening goal, Lletget was forced to leave Friday’s 6-0 win against Honduras in the 18th minute after suffering a left foot injury and will be further evaluated in Los Angeles. Having dealt with a sinus infection during the week, Brooks also departed in the 70th minute.
Morris (right ankle) and Orozco (right knee) carried injuries into Friday’s game against Honduras and did not dress for the match.
With the changes, the MNT roster now stands at 23 players ahead of the team’s departure for Panama City on Saturday night. The U.S. takes on Panama on Tuesday, March 28 at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, live at 10 p.m. ET on beIN Sports, Telemundo and NBC Universo.
Updated Roster by Position (Club; WCQ Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids; 34/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo; 33/6), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 10/1), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG; 20/2), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 13/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 3/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas; 0/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 16/3)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 1/0), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 1/1), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 7/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 32/6), Jermaine Jones (LA Galaxy; 16/0), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls; 18/2), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers; 4/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 6/3)
FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 35/16), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC; 37/17), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0)
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Arena's got a right to push his overall point here, but he's only half-right. Pulisic's pace and style of play are inherently German and Dortmund. Yes, he had a good base coming out of the Academy and our players coming up are overall better than they used to be, but Pulisic got exponentially better being at Dortmund.
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Arena's got a right to push his overall point here, but he's only half-right. Pulisic's pace and style of play are inherently German and Dortmund. Yes, he had a good base coming out of the Academy and our players coming up are overall better than they used to be, but Pulisic got exponentially better being at Dortmund.
That's a very very difficult case to prove.
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In comment 13408722 Go Terps said:
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Arena's got a right to push his overall point here, but he's only half-right. Pulisic's pace and style of play are inherently German and Dortmund. Yes, he had a good base coming out of the Academy and our players coming up are overall better than they used to be, but Pulisic got exponentially better being at Dortmund.
That's a very very difficult case to prove.
The US system bears the burden of proof, not Dortmund. The club's track record speaks for itself.
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In comment 13408763 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
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In comment 13408722 Go Terps said:
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Arena's got a right to push his overall point here, but he's only half-right. Pulisic's pace and style of play are inherently German and Dortmund. Yes, he had a good base coming out of the Academy and our players coming up are overall better than they used to be, but Pulisic got exponentially better being at Dortmund.
That's a very very difficult case to prove.
The US system bears the burden of proof, not Dortmund. The club's track record speaks for itself.
He's played in Germany since he was 16 so for 2 years.... he clearly was a great player when he left not raw like others.
Giuseppe Rossi on the other hand was developed in @ parma. he left here when he was 11/12
I don't know why people insist on shitting on soccer in the US.
I don't know why people insist on shitting on soccer in the US.
It's the hip trendy thing to do. The MLS isn't "cool".
I don't know why people insist on shitting on soccer in the US.
I don't see where I'm shitting on US Soccer. I said Arena has his point but it's not the whole picture. While the academy gave him a good base, this specific club has been vital in Pulisic's growth. Look at Emerson Hyndman as an example. Same generation, similar talent, but he went to a club with a crappy player development system. Dortmund is essentially the new Ajax in this regard.
You guys are so dug in with MLS that you take any counterpoint as a slight. Almost ALL of the U-20 players are in the MLS system. It will have its chance to prove its worth.
Since they're facing Panama who currently sits 3rd in the hex, a win would put the US into 3rd after Mexico and likely Costa Rica (a CR loss could get US into 2nd).
A loss wouldn't end their chances, but just make it significantly harder to avoid the play-in game. That said, tonight is only game 4 of 10.
Also rooting for Honduras (vs CR) and T&T (vs Mexico) tonight.
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Did you watch the 2016 Euros? It was complete dogshit. Did you watch the 2016 Copa America? Far, far better soccer being played.
European soccer isn't as healthy as you think it is. This is especially true for England, who right now can't field a better national team than the US.
Doesn't the 4th go on to a 'play-in' game against Asia? Likely a team the USA should beat, but you never know.
Did you watch the 2016 Euros? It was complete dogshit. Did you watch the 2016 Copa America? Far, far better soccer being played.
European soccer isn't as healthy as you think it is. This is especially true for England, who right now can't field a better national team than the US.
I watch EPL and La Liga pretty consistently. I also feel that I'm able to assess what I see on the field. I also can use when we play those better teams as examples that we are behind. If you try telling me that the MLS can sniff any of their jocks we will just have to agree to disagree. South America has some pretty good teams as well. I don't know how the Copa America is defending my claim that players will benefit from playing in other leagues.
The MLS is probably somewhere around the 7th-9th best league in the world. Outside of the US, it has little following. Most Euros look at it as a last gasp money grab to end a career.
But the Premier league is overrated here. I don't believe it is the best league in the World. I'd put it 3rd right now, but even that view can be argued because La Liga and the Bundesliga are very top heavy.
In these discussions, we shouldn't compare the level of play in the Copa America to the Euro Cup though if you want to discuss the merits of the MLS. Comparing the level of play in the MLS postseason vs. games from top teams in other leagues is not even a contest. That Toronto-Montreal 5-2 match was a complete shitshow last year and the final was a snoozefest. When the MLS is able to have young US talent come up through the fledgling academy system, that's when we'll see the growth needed to boost the MLS. But right now, it might be a good arena for the majority of US youth to play in, but that's about it. It's a second/third tier league.
World Top 10 Football Leagues
NO# LEAGUE POINTS
1 Spanish La Liga 48
2 England Premier League 47
3 Germany Bundesliga 42
4 Italian Serie A 37
5 Portuguese Liga 35
6 French Ligue 1 31
7 Dutch Eredivisie 27
8 Argentine League 21
9 Brazilian Serie A 20
10 USA MLS 20