NFT: USMNT at Panama tonight - World Cup Qualifying - 10:05p

Unfortunately, I assume Jones will find his way back into the lineup (replacing Lletget?).

Espn2. Halftime 0-0.

They look pretty goos with the new manager. He's incorporating the younger guys (who he managed at U21). The one guy that I have been waiting for to take over the team is Thiago. If there were ever going to be a next Xavi, it's him. Enormous potential.

For Spain Russia figures to still be an Iniesta/Silva show, and then a full youth movement after. Iniesta and Silva are still otherworldly.

Been waiting a while for him.

what do you think about the video review that they're experimenting with today?

I like it for goal situations. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Every major sport has it.

I saw they used it a couple times. Did it take very long to get the call right?

Howard
Cameron-Gonzalez-Ream-Beasley
Bedoya-Bradley-Pulisic-Nagbe
Dempsey-Altidore

And they got both calls correct. One disallowed for France. And one given for Spain. The pk was questionable.

If it's a quick turnaround, I'm all for it.

Jon...that's what I'd expect too.

the referee stays on the field and communicates with a replay official and the call comes right away. Very efficient.

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.

Excellent execution of the review. If that's the procedure, fantastic.

Also, the Deulofeu goal was pretty sweet. Awesome play by Busquets.
Link - ( New Window )

Howard
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

so for the Canaleros, with permission, I'm going to use a post from our house expert Go Terps to offer some comments, in the rear view mirror:

Quote:

Pulisic is rightly going to get enormous attention from this 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.

I could see Jones in a 4-2-2-2.

If we were going that route though I prefer Acosta. He's probably as good if not better now, and he's 21.

and I forgot to add, other than the arrogant Alexei, no one was eager to throw JK under the bus, the difference was so stark, there was no necessity. The movement, hunger, drive, synch between MF and forwards, just night(mare) and day.

My disdain for Jones aside, he's 35 years old and plays in one of the deeper positions for the US. I think it's unlikely he's part of the trip to Russia provided we make it.

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.

In comment 13409792 Go Terps said:

Quote:

My disdain for Jones aside, he's 35 years old and plays in one of the deeper positions for the US. I think it's unlikely he's part of the trip to Russia provided we make it. 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.

"The total soccer show"

Does a solid job previewing and reviewing the usmnt as well as epl big events and mls.

So get in, get out with the W, no injuries. Not really messing with a lineup that won 6-0 means Bedoya comes in for Lleget, and as others have said, likely Ream for Brooks.

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.

.

In comment 13409818 Nitro said:

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So get in, get out with the W, no injuries. Not really messing with a lineup that won 6-0 means Bedoya comes in for Lleget, and as others have said, likely Ream for Brooks. 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.

played to a draw a little while ago. Mexico and T&T scoreless at halftime.

You can also stream the game for free in the go90 app

Shows the BEin feed. English

Starting 11 will also include zusi. No Cameron. Wtf?

Howard
Villafana
Gonzalez
Ream
zusi
Jones
Bradley
Nagbe
Pulsic
Jozy
Demsepy

Jones and Bradley in the middle

In RE: your great 6:02 post and specifically about Jozy, you mention a change in his form compared with his of two years prior. What do you attribute that to? Just returning to full health? You always have a good feel for things, so asking because I'd enjoy your opinion.

In comment 13409953 Joey from GlenCove said:

Quote:

Starting 11 will also include zusi. No Cameron. Wtf? 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.
The Ghost Returns - ( New Window )

4-4-2.

Dempsey Jozy
Pulisic
Nagbe Jones
Bradley
Villa Ream Omar Zusi

Altidore up top, Dempsey behind him.

both playing DM.

That said "Viva Panama....carajo (fuck)?"

Or am I seeing things?

I'm watching on Kodi but the stream is choppy as hell

Jones has already completed a Jones hat trick: blindly chased the ball, pulled out of position, lost his footing.

It's like watching a headless chicken.

In comment 13410021 FatMan in Charlotte said:

Quote:

I'm watching on Kodi but the stream is choppy as hell

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.

In comment 13410021 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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I'm watching on Kodi but the stream is choppy as hell

BeIn Sport. Channel 5497 on your cable box.

In comment 13410021 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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I'm watching on Kodi but the stream is choppy as hell

BeInSports, Telemundo, Universo

they're playing on. I've seen better rec fields. What an embarrassment.

thanks. Just saw it is on Univision. The feed I have is for beinsports, but I don't get that channel, but it is the announcers from the other night.

Stream is less choppy, but it isn't HD. May have to trade off the language barrier.

In comment 13410021 FatMan in Charlotte said:

Quote:

I'm watching on Kodi but the stream is choppy as hell

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.

In comment 13410030 B in ALB said:

Quote:

they're playing on. I've seen better rec fields. What an embarrassment.

Nothing will ever be worse than the Cuba match.

looking all that great early on. Bradley with two bad turnovers already. Could easily steal Panama stealing this if they aren't careful.

In comment 13409965 pganut said:

Quote:

In RE: your great 6:02 post and specifically about Jozy, you mention a change in his form compared with his of two years prior. What do you attribute that to? Just returning to full health? You always have a good feel for things, so asking because I'd enjoy your opinion.

hey, pga, thanks for kind words (always in short supply, lol): maturity, playing for a coach he can relate to--clearly not JK, too stuctured--he's getting to free lance, and, shocker, he's good at it, because with his size and increasing savvy, he's not easy to mark and deny. When he was stationary, it made the task so much easier...so, my ignorant two cents.

(tough stretch for Isles after that big win just a week ago, I know, not this thread)

I imagine they'd look just like this.

Thank GOD... I thought Pulisic had blown out his knee or something.

I'm in a hotel with limited channels but have a TV subscription so should be able to watch on an app...

Panama fouling a lot. Targeting Pulicic as expected.

is such garbage. It doesn't work on my computer, my Mac, DirectTV app, and their own crappy app. Tried it on Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge.

Midfield wide open. Looks familiar.

===> not very attractive soccer.

In comment 13410046 B in ALB said:

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Panama fouling a lot. Targeting Pulicic as expected.

They are, and the kid is manning up so far. He seems pretty tough despite his slightness of build.

In comment 13410041 ColHowPepper said:

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hey, pga, thanks for kind words (always in short supply, lol): maturity, playing for a coach he can relate to--clearly not JK, too stuctured--he's getting to free lance, and, shocker, he's good at it, because with his size and increasing savvy, he's not easy to mark and deny. When he was stationary, it made the task so much easier...so, my ignorant two cents. (tough stretch for Isles after that big win just a week ago, I know, not this thread)

Thanks. It definitely seemed like he wasn't the same from his dynamic earlier days. It's good to see him hungry. As for your last statement, it is the source of some disappointment-laden agita here. But as you said, for another time.