USMNT Talk

Gotham Gator said:
If you are looking for guys who might lead us in the next WC cycle (2-6 years away), it's a really interesting list. Sticking with people 28 or younger...

Zardes (24) or Wood (23) - Altidore (26) or Johannsson (25)
Johnson (28) - Bradley (28) - Nagbe (26) - Pulisic (17)
??? - Brooks (23) - Miazga (20) - Yedlin (22)
Horvath (21) or Cropper (23) or Hamid (25)

That leaves left back, for which we have Ream (28), Garza (24), Lichaj (27) and Vincent (22), none of whom were on the team this past month.

Some interesting guys on the bench.

F: Morris (21), Kiesewetter (23)
M: Hyndman (20), Zelalem (19), Green (21), Mix (26), Kitchen (24)
D: Birnbaum (25), Gonzalez (27)
Click to expand...

LB: Jorge Villafaña (26), please
 
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Gotham Gator said:
If you are looking for guys who might lead us in the next WC cycle (2-6 years away), it's a really interesting list. Sticking with people 28 or younger...

Zardes (24) or Wood (23) - Altidore (26) or Johannsson (25)
Johnson (28) - Bradley (28) - Nagbe (26) - Pulisic (17)
??? - Brooks (23) - Miazga (20) - Yedlin (22)
Horvath (21) or Cropper (23) or Hamid (25)

That leaves left back, for which we have Ream (28), Garza (24), Lichaj (27) and Vincent (22), none of whom were on the team this past month.

Some interesting guys on the bench.

F: Morris (21), Kiesewetter (23)
M: Hyndman (20), Zelalem (19), Green (21), Mix (26), Kitchen (24)
D: Birnbaum (25), Gonzalez (27)
Click to expand...
That's almost enough to make me feel good about the future. :praying:
 
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HYPE TRAIN BACK ON TRACK

Look at what a simple position change does. IDK if Green would be creative enough to be successful at the wing or #10, but moving to CF has been great for him. Wood-Green has the potential to be our striking combo for the next 10 years.
 
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derek_villa said:
HYPE TRAIN BACK ON TRACK

Look at what a simple position change does. IDK if Green would be creative enough to be successful at the wing or #10, but moving to CF has been great for him. Wood-Green has the potential to be our striking combo for the next 10 years.
Click to expand...
Jordan Morris may have something to say about that....
 
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We're also pretty set on our backline with Fabian, Geoff, Brooks, Yedlin.

I think the big questions over the next 2 years will revolve around midfield and keeper.

And we also can't forget that Altidore is still relatively young, but I hope he never starts for the USMNT. We're not as dynamic with him in there. As a target forward sub when the game calls for it and for depth purposes is a great role for him. But I don't want him starting anymore over the 4 kids mentioned above.
 
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adam said:
Just the fact we have 4 young forwards who all have star potential, been blooded on the NT and all excelled is amazing. Wood, Morris, Pulisic, Green.
Click to expand...
adam said:
We're also pretty set on our backline with Fabian, Geoff, Brooks, Yedlin.

I think the big questions over the next 2 years will revolve around midfield and keeper.
Click to expand...

Isn't Pulisic a midfielder?
 
adam said:
We're also pretty set on our backline with Fabian, Geoff, Brooks, Yedlin.

I think the big questions over the next 2 years will revolve around midfield and keeper.

And we also can't forget that Altidore is still relatively young, but I hope he never starts for the USMNT. We're not as dynamic with him in there. As a target forward sub when the game calls for it and for depth purposes is a great role for him. But I don't want him starting anymore over the 4 kids mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Hyndman will be coming through soon. And Jack in about 5 years. The midfield is behind but will ultimately be fine.
 
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mgarbowski said:
Isn't Pulisic a midfielder?
Click to expand...
Wide forward is where he has played most at the senior level for club and country, but all indications are he is being brought along at BVB to play high up in the attack as a 10.

I think he's going to be the kind of player that is good across the front 3 or 10 slot. So whether he's a mid or forward, even at this stage, depends on what you are asking of your wide attackers. At BVB, it's a definite forward role.

Also, we could see Rubin get back on track after injuries last year. He had a breakout year at 18 where he unexpectedly burst onto the scene due to injuries to teammates, a tough one as a 19 year old when the bug crawled his way, and now looks poised to regain a big role at Utrecht, especially when/if they sell his competition (as is rumored).

Another guy not to sleep on is Gboly Ariyibi, who is a young, fast, technical winger at a League 1 club. He's by far their most dangerous player when he plays, and there is lots of chatter he's Championship bound.

Even younger, Akale is perhaps the most technical US player I've ever seen. He's an attacking mid/wing player at Villareal B/C.

I am in agreement that our midfield is the big question. I'd love to see Hyndman and Zelalem make the leap this year and force their way into the picture.

I think our best team in '18 would be one where the real MB90 (the one from 3 years ago) defeats the evil doppelganger who replaced him and holds down DM with Kitchen as a backup. Nagbe claims one spot in front of him, and either Hyndman or Zelalem take the other. Dark horse candidates to be on the squad in a mf role would be Danny Willliams and Alfredo Morales, both of whom have been good for club and non-factors for country so far.

I really feel good about the back and front. It's our midfield that's so scary. For right now, we need JJJ in there. He has a motor, heart and skillset that we can't replace with anyone who is a regular callup.

Oh, and quick call/prediction: we will have a Bayern Munich player on our '18 squad. It will not be Julian Green. Lots of indications that Tillman is switching from Germany soon, including his younger brother accepting a recent call up for the 15s and he himself being left off a DFB competitive roster (while unverifiable, implication being he must have turned it down, as he's seen as a big-time prospect throughout Germany).
 
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Ulrich said:
Hyndman will be coming through soon. And Jack in about 5 years. The midfield is behind but will ultimately be fine.
Click to expand...
Not fine yet. But there are some promising players.

Says a lot that we haven't even mentioned Gyau, who was starting to be included in the BVB 18 before his last injury. Really hope he comes back and finds his footing somewhere. Seems like a good kid.
 
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Midas Mulligan said:
Wide forward is where he has played most at the senior level for club and country, but all indications are he is being brought along at BVB to play high up in the attack as a 10.

I think he's going to be the kind of player that is good across the front 3 or 10 slot. So whether he's a mid or forward, even at this stage, depends on what you are asking of your wide attackers. At BVB, it's a definite forward role.

Also, we could see Rubin get back on track after injuries last year. He had a breakout year at 18 where he unexpectedly burst onto the scene due to injuries to teammates, a tough one as a 19 year old when the bug crawled his way, and now looks poised to regain a big role at Utrecht, especially when/if they sell his competition (as is rumored).

Another guy not to sleep on is Gboly Ariyibi, who is a young, fast, technical winger at a League 1 club. He's by far their most dangerous player when he plays, and there is lots of chatter he's Championship bound.

Even younger, Akale is perhaps the most technical US player I've ever seen. He's an attacking mid/wing player at Villareal B/C.

I am in agreement that our midfield is the big question. I'd love to see Hyndman and Zelalem make the leap this year and force their way into the picture.

I think our best team in '18 would be one where the real MB90 (the one from 3 years ago) defeats the evil doppelganger who replaced him and holds down DM with Kitchen as a backup. Nagbe claims one spot in front of him, and either Hyndman or Zelalem take the other. Dark horse candidates to be on the squad in a mf role would be Danny Willliams and Alfredo Morales, both of whom have been good for club and non-factors for country so far.

I really feel good about the back and front. It's our midfield that's so scary. For right now, we need JJJ in there. He has a motor, heart and skillset that we can't replace with anyone who is a regular callup.

Oh, and quick call/prediction: we will have a Bayern Munich player on our '18 squad. It will not be Julian Green. Lots of indications that Tillman is switching from Germany soon, including his younger brother accepting a recent call up for the 15s and he himself being left off a DFB competitive roster (while unverifiable, implication being he must have turned it down, as he's seen as a big-time prospect throughout Germany).
Click to expand...

Part of me is also hoping for Miazga to progress to the point where we can start him and Brooks and be able to move Cameron to DM, but I think Jurgen's love affair for Bradley is too strong for that to be an option unless he gets hurt.
 
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derek_villa said:
HYPE TRAIN BACK ON TRACK

Look at what a simple position change does. IDK if Green would be creative enough to be successful at the wing or #10, but moving to CF has been great for him. Wood-Green has the potential to be our striking combo for the next 10 years.
Click to expand...
Only thing with this is once the big guns get back, I think it'll be hard for Green to find some playing time. He's going to be behind Lewandowski, Müller, Coman, Costa, Robben (if his injury isn't terribly serious), & Ribery. I do enjoy that he is having a decent early preseason, but it remains to be seen where Ancellotti places him once everyone is back.
 
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Obviously he is not going to be starting, but if he moving to CF full time he only has Lewandowski and Muller ahead of him. He would be a great bench option for either. FCB also played like 55 games last season not including friendlies so there is playing time available for him. Ribery and Robben both are getting older and more injury prone so he could be a bench option at winger too.
 
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