These late starts are killing me. The US plays another huge game tonight on the road. After an overnight flight from San Jose, let's hope the boys are well rested and ready to go. Panama will be fired up as they currently sit third in the Hex. The US can overtake them tonight with a win and even get into 2nd place if CR loses.
In more injury news, Sebastian Lletget could be out up to 6 months following his injury vs Honduras.
For Spain Russia figures to still be an Iniesta/Silva show, and then a full youth movement after. Iniesta and Silva are still otherworldly.
I like it for goal situations. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Every major sport has it.
Cameron-Gonzalez-Ream-Beasley
Bedoya-Bradley-Pulisic-Nagbe
Dempsey-Altidore
Jon...that's what I'd expect too.
Unlike the NFL which could do the same thing but is too fucking greedy with the commercials to bother making it game/fan friendly. The ref has to stop the game, walk over to the booth, watch the damn video, then render the decision - allowing for four or five commercials.
Also, the Deulofeu goal was pretty sweet. Awesome play by Busquets.
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Cameron-Gonzalez-Ream-Beasley
JONES-Bradley-Pulisic-Nagbe
Dempsey-Altidore
I think Jones starts... he will play a similar role to what he did in 2012. I think he can be disciplined.
Ream is just a natural fit hes also a lefty iirc.
I wonder if they look to be direct again or sit back a bit since they are away.
We are 11-3-2 alltime. We lost in the third place game in the 2015 goldcup in pks
We won in panama in 2013
Go Terps : 3/25/2017 12:11 am : link : reply
This kid is real.
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.
Pulisic, he's the real deal, the only concern is hamfisted teams deJong'ing him start to finish, he's still really young and not filled out, susceptible to being physically punished
I disagree re. Bradley, as I have for a couple of years: I think Bradley played ok, he was effective, but I think it wasn't so much Bradley facilitating the midfield and communication between MF and forwards as the overall play, shape, off-the-ball movement, and awareness played into Bradley's strengths. As I saw it, a lot of the play and cohesion did not even turn on Bradley as a fulcrum: he was an effective part of a functioning 10.
Nagbe--way overlooked, and good that GT mentioned him: I saw him as a minor Kanté (LC and now Chelsea, you see the difference) in the USMNT midfield; he covers huge ground, is disruptive, cuts off channels, and is a decent distributor. He seemed to fade for stretches, but he was playing deep to prevent Catrachos from setting up, he was a very significant factor
Gonzales - it will not be too soon when he is not part of the starting back 4. Had there not been the injuries, I think Cameron (pounding his chest for his Premier League credentials, meh) would have been inside with Brooks, but that's not ideal either. Agree with a different GT post: we need fullbacks.
Jozy: anyone who saw him play with Toronto toward the end of last MLS season saw a completely different player than the statue who was laboring for the USMNT most of the last two years. He is quick, he is aware, he is working to set up Wood/Pulisic/and now Dempsey, he is finding space and holes in the attacking third. imo he's been nothing short of revelatory in his new form, and he seems to be relishing it: for him it is not all about finding both. With varying combinations of Pulisic/Altidore/Dempsey/Wood, this USMNT has a really good opportunity to be really good.
The challenge against good teams is going to be the back 4: need to get some of the injured back and healthy, but I still don't see the optimal CB pairings, there's got to be someone in the woodpile we haven't seen yet.
And I'm with Joey, I think Arena wants to see how Jones blends in with this midfield group, with Bedoya coming on later for some pace and pressure.
If we were going that route though I prefer Acosta. He's probably as good if not better now, and he's 21.
That said, if tonight is a scrappy affair it caters to his game a bit...but not enough to play him IMO. He's just such a liability. Bedoya's a much smarter, more disciplined player with experience in scrappy contests himself.
That said, if tonight is a scrappy affair it caters to his game a bit...but not enough to play him IMO. He's just such a liability. Bedoya's a much smarter, more disciplined player with experience in scrappy contests himself.
Easy to agree with that BUT why have him on the intial roster if he's not playing this game? I expect to seem him in some capacity
Bedoya was fine didn't do anything of note and didn't do anything bad.
Does a solid job previewing and reviewing the usmnt as well as epl big events and mls.
As far as Jones - I feel like he was more of a Klinsman guy but we'll see how that plays out, could see him coming on in 2nd half. Still don't like having Cameron wasted away at RB, he's far more effective in midfield.
As far as Jones - I feel like he was more of a Klinsman guy but we'll see how that plays out, could see him coming on in 2nd half. Still don't like having Cameron wasted away at RB, he's far more effective in midfield.
He did a great job winning balls at rb. I hope he can be the right cb but yea I see your midfield quandary.
Shows the BEin feed. English
Howard
Villafana
Gonzalez
Ream
zusi
Jones
Bradley
Nagbe
Pulsic
Jozy
Demsepy
Howard
Villafana
Gonzalez
Ream
zusi
Jones
Bradley
Nagbe
Pulsic
Jozy
Demsepy
Bruce is trying to get in their heads by starting Zusi. He's very much a villain to Panama and their fans stemming from when he scored the tying goal to knock them out of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Check out Grant Wahl's tweet about their recent newspaper headline.
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Dempsey Jozy
Pulisic
Nagbe Jones
Bradley
Villa Ream Omar Zusi
Or am I seeing things?
It's like watching a headless chicken.
I'm watching in Spanish on Telemundo/Universo HD, channel 775 here on Verizon FIOS in NY, but I'm sure it's different where you are.
BeIn Sport. Channel 5497 on your cable box.
BeInSports, Telemundo, Universo
Stream is less choppy, but it isn't HD. May have to trade off the language barrier.
I wont post the link, but you go to the soccerstreams subreddit...there is a topic for streams for the game. The current top voted post is a nice HD youtube livestream in English.
Nothing will ever be worse than the Cuba match.
(tough stretch for Isles after that big win just a week ago, I know, not this thread)
Thank GOD... I thought Pulisic had blown out his knee or something.
They are, and the kid is manning up so far. He seems pretty tough despite his slightness of build.
(tough stretch for Isles after that big win just a week ago, I know, not this thread)
This is why it sucks that Klinsmann fucked up any cushion we might have.
Holy shit.
Why did Cameron get benched again?
Ream has been absolute shit.
Ream has been absolute shit.
Ream literally ducked instead of heading the ball away.
Brutal. He and Zusi are just not good enough.
And per usual, Jones is a complete liability.
Why did Cameron get benched again?
Hurt
And of course when he's asked to mark someone on a free kick he leaves his man and forces Pulisic to scramble too late.
They should take the number off his shirt and replace it with a minus.
Huh? Where'd you see that?
That has been rumored for a bit.
Gotta at least secure a result. Can't lose the game.
Get him out of there.
Get him out of there.
For who Jon?
What a liability.
Leading to a counter the other way and an eventual near goal by Tejada.
Jones. Sucks.
What a liability.
He's got an appropriate name on his back.
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Bruce needs to make a sub. Get Jones off.
So I'll say it.
Jones sucks ass.
Plenty of fleas still. But a complete turnaround after the JK debacle to start the campaign. Tonight was about a result. Get the point and get home.
Beat TnT in June. Maybe get a point in Azteca - probably not - try not to get murdered. Then beat Panama at home.
Just hold serve and you're in.
This is why it sucks that Klinsmann fucked up any cushion we might have.
A draw on the road is not bad in WCQ, other than w/r/t to the hole that was dug as GT says. I think we'll move on, but it shouldn't be as difficult as it will be.
Yes please on Jones.
I just can't. Did we watch the same game?
I' haven't watched Fulham since Dempsey played but is Ream really going to be playing in the EPL next year? He was not good as well as zusi who is not Demarcus Beasley. Zusi was getting crushed.
Another hot take was pulisic tried to do to much? Too many dribbles. Does that make sense? I need to rewatch I was fading during the second half. Ant get up at 5am and go to bed at 12
Hot
Many fouls
NO YELLOWS how was that possible
Or it was easier for him because the play was worse.
they pull the ball back farther and farther away
a few times over the middle line !!!!
The ONLY player who would drive the ball forward when he got the ball was Pulicic!!!!
this kid is great - the future of US soccer
too bad too many old players are still on the field
Not that you should ever be playing Jones any more, but you definitely can't play them both in the same midfield. Literally just gaps everywhere.
Gmen1982 : 8:00 am : link : reply
We need to beat these shit teams at their place. Mexico and then maybe Costa Rica are the only away games that a draw is acceptable. It used to be a cake walk to make the World Cup. Now other countries have gotten better and we haven't kept up with our dominance. I don't think we would even qualify in South America or Europe.
It has always been difficult to look at some of these away games as a gimme. They are playing on fields that are sometimes worse than HS fields, in front of crowds that are often allowed to be unruly to the point of being dangerous, and officiated by guys who are intimidated by the crowds and let physical play go unchecked.
A cake walk to make the World Cup is also an exaggeration. This time 4 years ago, Mexico was in worse shape than us and had to play a team from Oceania to make the World Cup. We will probably easily qualify and this discussion will be moot, but to act as if CONCAAF is shit and the US is a power that easily dominates them is simply untrue.
That is completely incorrect. The US did not make the World Cup until I was 38 years old. We went from 1950 to 1990 without making the Cup.
And when we did start making it, it was no cake walk.
What are some of you smoking?
The holy shit moment for me was when he got the ball with his back to the defender near midfield, turned and raced up the sideline with seemingly no room. It was the work of a magician. The dude is special.
Nagbas run through their team had me hyped too.
There's plenty of young talent to be excited about.
And for those that think Pulisic is better now than Donovan ever was go back and watch some games from the 2002 World Cup, where Donovan was absolutely incredible as a 20 year old. Problem was Donovan never wanted to push himself against the best, and never realized his potential as a result. Let's hope Pulisic has that drive and continues to play thrive against the top competition in Europe. It's going to be fun to watch him develop.
We are probably looking at the best American player ever, and Pulisic will become to my son what Donovan, Howard and Dempsey have been for me, but I believe at an even higher level.
We are probably looking at the best American player ever, and Pulisic will become to my son what Donovan, Howard and Dempsey have been for me, but I believe at an even higher level.
I would agree with this. I would also add that both were/are very direct pacey players but Pulisic to me is a better dribbler.
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It used to be a cake walk to make the World Cup..
That is completely incorrect. The US did not make the World Cup until I was 38 years old. We went from 1950 to 1990 without making the Cup.
And when we did start making it, it was no cake walk.
What are some of you smoking?
Sorry I don't count pre-1990. I guess as someone involved with soccer for 30+ years and always being told that we would be a dominant team soon is making me a little impartial. I still remember in high school (1997ish?) hearing how we were developing academies that would take us to the next level. I don't have an answer but I feel like we should be better.
In the 2nd leg, Pulisic drove a dominant Dortmund performance and often looked like the best player on the field even with their striker Aubemayang netting a hat trick.
The next tie up vs Monaco will be very interesting, as he will be going up against Kylian Mbappe, another 19 year old who shone in the CL win over Man City. April 11 - put it in your schedule. Depending on the exact line-up, the two may match up directly against each other.
1. European based players who had to travel an incredible distance and are playing in a climate they are not remotely acclimated to
2. MLS players that are just entering season and not in top form nor acclimated to the climate
In CONCACAF you qualify for the World Cup by winning home games and trying to take points on the road. Arena has us back on that path.
Germany
Brazil
Spain
Argentina
France
Italy
Chile (maybe)
After that, we're right there with everyone else. Breaking into that top group is very difficult, and is something that may not happen in our lifetimes.
Ha no kidding.
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Pulisic and Donovan at their young ages is creativity. Pulisic has the ability to create his own shots and passes a little better than Donovan did. A lot of the good strikers have patience in the box, so that aspect is similar, but Pulisic is excellent at creating space and then taking advantage of that space.
We are probably looking at the best American player ever, and Pulisic will become to my son what Donovan, Howard and Dempsey have been for me, but I believe at an even higher level.
I would agree with this. I would also add that both were/are very direct pacey players but Pulisic to me is a better dribbler.
Pulisic is better on the ball and attacking defenders than Donovan was. Both have/had great vision, speed, and composure and new how to make runs (unlike, say, Jermaine Jones!).
I was most impressed by Pulisic's defensive work last night. Did a good job tracking back and at least putting in the effort.
Germany
Brazil
Spain
Argentina
France
Italy
Chile (maybe)
After that, we're right there with everyone else. Breaking into that top group is very difficult, and is something that may not happen in our lifetimes.
I think your overall point is correct, but if we had played Chile in the Copa, they would have smoked us. A Belgium that has its act together maybe makes that list (yet to be seen). But overall no other teams are that far away.
The Netherlands national team is a shambles right now and has been for the last year. Plenty of teams that might be better than the US but in a one-off game only few are head and shoulders better where we wouldn't have a chance.
As for Belgium, for years that team has been less than the sum of its parts. Had we not been managed by a coward in 2014 we had the people to beat them.
We are probably looking at the best American player ever, and Pulisic will become to my son what Donovan, Howard and Dempsey have been for me, but I believe at an even higher level.
No way Donovan had that level of dribbling skill needed to create the goal, especially that last move when Pulisic rolls the ball with his right foot. In fact, I'm hard pressed to think of another American player with the same level of dribbling skill that Pulisic showed on the assist.
I've taken to watching more Dortmund this year (admittedly, mostly for Pulisic though they're a fun team to watch with Aubameyang, Weigl, Dembele and co) and he's been keeping a huge money signing and German International Schurrle on the bench more or less. It's incredible.
Sokratis!
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I think people are really forgetting how good Donovan was at his peak. Go watch some of his highlight videos....some of his passing was unbelievably good and his finishing was tremendous. I think one of the reasons he's not more appreciated by fans was that he would have games and long stretches where he was incredibly passive and simply disappeared. For example, from memory his entire 06 World Cup was just awful.
I think this world cup should be the swan song for Howard, Dempsey and hopefully Bradley - everyone else old should be phased out beforehand.
Fair point.
Also, I was really impressed by that one run by Nagbe. I haven't seen him play much, but holy crap is he fast with the ball.
Zusi gets a pass as playing out of position, though necessary given the injuries. Jones is too old and there is no way he can contribute more than a short time each game. Ream should play outside, even though that has not worked well always. Again the injuries necessitated the defensive moves. In truth the US should have lost 3-1 last night, but was saved by Howard and some poor shots from the Panama side. Take the point and get the hell out of town. Burn the film though. Go young Bruce!
Somebody tell me how this wasn't a red card when others were given yellows for less.
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Yedlin, Brooks, Wood, Johnson are four regular starters that missed yesterday's game. Then throw in Zardes, Lleget, Morris, and you can see how undermanned we were.
The one thing I'm fairly confident in is that he'll be much more flexible in roster composition than JK was.
While I agree that the Chelsea move was horrible and said it from day one. They don't play youth! It's not true that he is barely playing at Vitesse. He's starting virtually every game (including a 1-0 loss to Ajax 3/19) these days and playing well from what I have read.
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Will he get any burn ever? Sold to Chelsea loaned out to Dutch team and barely plays. Not good.
While I agree that the Chelsea move was horrible and said it from day one. They don't play youth! It's not true that he is barely playing at Vitesse. He's starting virtually every game (including a 1-0 loss to Ajax 3/19) these days and playing well from what I have read.
That's good news then! I looked awhile ago and was under the impression he was just a late sub sometimes. Thank you for correcting me!!!!