USMNT Talk

[FredMertz]

I hate to be that guy, but are we past "Peak Pulisic"?

He definitely thinks he's at least a little better than he is. He could not beat anyone 1 v 1 last night.

 

[Keith Putnam]

thinks he's at least a little better than he is

This is like the forum's new player evaluation catchphrase.

My take was that Ecuador was focused entirely on defending, left no space to operate, and the midfield was jammed up. Plus this is literally his first time playing in Berhalter's system, so I'm not making any judgments.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I hate to be that guy, but are we past "Peak Pulisic"?

He definitely thinks he's at least a little better than he is. He could not beat anyone 1 v 1 last night.

Pulisic was off last night for sure. Some poor touches and that stumble in the box on the layoff from Zardes. It happens. Ecuador's bunkering didn't help.

Definitely makes sense to call in a defender who plays on a team with basically the worst defense in the Premier League.

Ream as a LB fits in well with the strategy for Adams at RB. When we are attacking, our RB roams into the midfield and the LB tucks in as a 3rd CB in a 3-man backline. When we are defending, he returns out wide as fullback.

Ream fits the profile of a player who can switch between LB and CB. I thought he had a decent game last night, other than that one howler.

 

[Keith Putnam]

Ream fits the profile of a player who can switch between LB and CB

He does, but he can't be the only one (or the best one) in the pool, can he?

 

[Gotham Gator]

He does, but he can't be the only one (or the best one) in the pool, can he?

Ben Sweat?

 

[Gotham Gator]

To be a little more serious, LB is a perennial problem for the U.S. (and for most teams). Add to that a requirement that this player be able to defend like a CB while sometimes also defending in space, and it's even more limiting. Players who figure as potential LBs for us - Villafana, Robinson, even F. Johnson, are not this kind of player.

The person to look for would be a left footed CB who has enough skill to play out wide and hit a good pass. What I wouldn't give for Alex Callens, to be honest. Not sure who else on the national team can fit that bill. Besler and Brooks are left footed, for what it's worth.

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

This is like the forum's new player evaluation catchphrase.

My take was that Ecuador was focused entirely on defending, left no space to operate, and the midfield was jammed up. Plus this is literally his first time playing in Berhalter's system, so I'm not making any judgments.

He seemed annoyed/frustrated in the post game interview. He seemed very upset with Arriola for not finishing that chance and I would imagine it being difficult playing with a team of guys who don't know the system Berhalter wants them to play and don't have the quality he's been used to on his club team.

Overall, it was kind of a shit game to be honest.

 

[Keith Putnam]

Pulisic was off last night for sure.

Tenorio and Berhalter (publicly, at least) disagree with you.
https://theathletic.com/882763/2019...tional-team-takes-another-small-step-forward/

 

[Ulrich]

I hate to be that guy, but are we past "Peak Pulisic"?

He definitely thinks he's at least a little better than he is. He could not beat anyone 1 v 1 last night.

Maybe if he played with a cast around him that caused concern would he look like his normal self (that led the US in scoring last cycle).

Zardes, Ariola, NoNeck and Trapp aren’t our first choice guys and don’t strike fear.

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

u-23 stream here if anyone wants to watch the second half.

 

[Ulrich]

u-23 stream here if anyone wants to watch the second half.

Diamond?

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

Diamond?

What do you mean?

 

[Ulrich]

What do you mean?

Does Kreis have the u23’s playing in a diamond 442?

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

Does Kreis have the u23’s playing in a diamond 442?

ah. tough to tell. I've been half watching through work. They don't look good by any stretch when I've been paying attention.

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

Does Kreis have the u23’s playing in a diamond 442?

It actually looks a bit like the berhalter system from last night. 3 on defense when we're attacking and 442 when defending.

 

[Yankeedom]

Weston McKennie rolled his ankle really badly. I wouldn't be surprised if Schalke can't field him for a month.

Yeah that looked terrible. Can anyone confirm if Wes left the stadium with his ankle still attached?

ETA: I really hope it's not a season-ending injury which is what I thought when seeing the replays. Although it appears he remained on the bench for the rest of the match, so I'll take that as a good sign.

 

[FredMertz]

This is like the forum's new player evaluation catchphrase.

My take was that Ecuador was focused entirely on defending, left no space to operate, and the midfield was jammed up. Plus this is literally his first time playing in Berhalter's system, so I'm not making any judgments.

It’s what I immediately think when someone keeps getting stuffed 1 v 1.

 

[Ulrich]

I hate to be that guy, but are we past "Peak Pulisic"?

He definitely thinks he's at least a little better than he is. He could not beat anyone 1 v 1 last night.

Not anyone you say?

https://apple.news/ATfmZuGaUQDiuJWQrIGj_4Q

 

[Yankeedom]

https://sbisoccer.com/2019/03/weston-mckennie-diagnosed-with-ruptured-ankle-ligament

Hearts may have broken, but at least bones didn't.

 

[Gotham Gator]

These weekly writeups by Brian Sciaretta at American Soccer Now are worth making regular reading. He summarizes the performances of Americans in Europe. Most interesting news from this week involves details on how much Tyler Adams is killing it at Leipzig and the interesting tidbit that Aron Johannsson was in the 18 for Weder Bremen.

http://americansoccernow.com/articl...-adams-wooten-saves-miazga-amp-holmes-impress