USMNT Talk

[Schwallacus]

I was thinking further about this while listening to the latest MIB podcast at work this morning. Who would be your starting XI and full 23 right now? I understand things will change as we get to the 2018 World Cup as form improves/regresses for some players, but we have so many different, interesting interchangeable pieces, its kind of a tough puzzle to figure out at this moment.

I do think the Hex (and hopefully we get some friendlies against some good competition on the calendar) will help shake things out as players get some exposure to better competition, but I'll take a crack at my top 23, followed by starting XI based on 3 different formations:

GK: Howard, Guzan, Horvath
DEF: Brooks, Cameron, Birnbaum, Besler, Yedlin, FabJohnson, Acosta
MID: Bradley, Pulisic, Gooch, Kljestan, Nagbe, Bedoya, Arriola, J. Green
FOR: Altidore, Dempsey, Wood, Morris, Rubin

There are a few players above I'm not completely sold on (Rubin), and some of them were included due to their positional flexibility (Acosta, Besler) off of the bench.

4-4-2

Altidore-Wood (They will figure out how to play with each other)
Kljestan
Pulisic-Gooch (assuming one of them can play on the right)
Bradley
FabJo-Brooks-Cameron-Yedlin

4-3-3

Pulisic-Altidore-Wood
Nagbe-Klejstan
Bradley
FabJo-Brooks-Cameron-Yedlin

4-2-3-1

Wood
Pulisic-Kljestan-Gooch
Bradley-Cameron
FabJo-Brooks-Birnbaum-Yedlin

A few thoughts on the above:

• I have yet to actually watch Gooch play yet, but have heard great things. I am therefore plugging him in there based on assumptions. I have also heard he's been playing on the left side. Can he play on the right? I think Pulisic is talented enough to switch sides, but until I see him do it (and since he's been very damn effective on the left), I'd like to keep him on the left.
• Kljestan - I know a lot of people here may not like my inclusion of him, (and as much as I love to hate him) he is very deserving here. He's great at freeing attackers making good runs and I think he has guys he can connect with on this team. The Hex games are going to be crucial in finding out whether or not he belongs in the starting XI over Nagbe.
• Altidore - everyone knows he's injury prone, but he has really been putting it together lately. I know him and Wood were not playing well together the last 2 games, but I'm assuming in a 4-4-2 that they eventually figure it out.
• Fabian Johnson - I would absolutely prefer him as a left mid but with Pulisic and Gooch preferring to play there, and a lack of other LB options, I think he's stuck playing back there
• Bradley - I know some people don't think he's all that great, but I think he's terrific at playing initial balls out to start the counter
• Dempsey - I really, really like Clint as a super sub off the bench. He had a great Copa but give me his fire off of the bench when we need a spark. (Also I realize he has some significant health concerns now, so maybe this doesn't fit my "right now" scenario, but fuck off)

For whatever reason I just think Julian Green isn't going to amount to much if he stays at Bayern.

Also, what about that little punk Miazga on defense, any chance of him potentially breaking through??

 

[SoupInNYC]

For whatever reason I just think Julian Green isn't going to amount to much if he stays at Bayern.

Also, what about that little punk Miazga on defense, any chance of him potentially breaking through??

I definitely think there's a chance for Miazga, even for 2018, but I wouldn't put him in the 23 right now. Lets see how he does at his new team.

I think the problem he has now is we actually have some depth at CB and guys who are versatile or are good at doing a particular thing. For example, no way Brooks or Cameron should be left off the field this moment if healthy. I know Cameron has flexibility at RB and CDM, but most likely he's at CB. Besler has the ability to also play fullback, so while he may not be viewed as a Starting XI option (IMO at least), he provides quality depth on the bench because he can come in at fullback if needed. Birnbaum is amazing in the air. He may not be a starter but could be someone JK plugs in near the end of the game to help in that regard.

And we still have a few other talented CBs. I know Ventura Alvarado didn't do the most with his chances but he's young and could feasibly find his way back into the squad (somewhat like Kljestan). Cameron Carter-Vickers is also a young CB option for the future.

I hope Miazga does well and forces these kinds of decisions to be even tougher (and its much much easier to hope he does well now that he's no longer with NJ).

 

[Midas Mulligan]

I definitely think there's a chance for Miazga, even for 2018, but I wouldn't put him in the 23 right now. Lets see how he does at his new team.

I think the problem he has now is we actually have some depth at CB and guys who are versatile or are good at doing a particular thing. For example, no way Brooks or Cameron should be left off the field this moment if healthy. I know Cameron has flexibility at RB and CDM, but most likely he's at CB. Besler has the ability to also play fullback, so while he may not be viewed as a Starting XI option (IMO at least), he provides quality depth on the bench because he can come in at fullback if needed. Birnbaum is amazing in the air. He may not be a starter but could be someone JK plugs in near the end of the game to help in that regard.

And we still have a few other talented CBs. I know Ventura Alvarado didn't do the most with his chances but he's young and could feasibly find his way back into the squad (somewhat like Kljestan). Cameron Carter-Vickers is also a young CB option for the future.

I hope Miazga does well and forces these kinds of decisions to be even tougher (and its much much easier to hope he does well now that he's no longer with NJ).

I predict that CCV is ahead of Miazga by then if we're projecting (and I don't remember if you were projecting or basing it on current form).

The fact is, we have great depth at CB. I could see Besler or Birnbaum or maybe even both not making it. Klinsmann has shown he has no qualms in using people to qualify and then not taking them. Besler and Birnbaum may be the CONCACAF aces of this go 'round.

 

[Ulrich]

I'm going to throw in a prediction for Tillman and Julian Green, not based on current form of course. It's a prediction. I would project either of them over Johannsson. I think Aron has some incurable shit that you never know when it messes him up.

With that philosophy, you can include Altidore to the watch from the sofa group - he's the poster child for injuries that develop with no warning.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I predict that CCV is ahead of Miazga by then if we're projecting (and I don't remember if you were projecting or basing it on current form).

The fact is, we have great depth at CB. I could see Besler or Birnbaum or maybe even both not making it. Klinsmann has shown he has no qualms in using people to qualify and then not taking them. Besler and Birnbaum may be the CONCACAF aces of this go 'round.

In my original post I was attempting to not project and go based on current form. But was guilty a little bit of straying from that (ie. Dempsey).

 

[Midas Mulligan]

With that philosophy, you can include Altidore to the watch from the sofa group - he's the poster child for injuries that develop with no warning.

It wasn't a joke. He has a neuralgia or something.

Was Besler playing LB last night for KC?

 

[Midas Mulligan]

For whatever reason I just think Julian Green isn't going to amount to much if he stays at Bayern.

Also, what about that little punk Miazga on defense, any chance of him potentially breaking through??

He's the, not a, THE backup striker on arguably the best team in the world. That's not bad for a kid people had decided to write off because ????

For reference, Jordan Morris is 8 months older than him.

Julian would look a lot better in US team that has Pulisic. Go look at what Ancelloti says about him.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Bobby Wood scored today against Leverkeusen. Haven't seen video of the goal yet, but he keeps putting it in the back of the net

 

[CCMore]

Bobby Wood scored today against Leverkeusen. Haven't seen video of the goal yet, but he keeps putting it in the back of the net

Saw the second half of the game, that was an incredible hat trick by the sub for Leverkeusen.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Okay, I will bite. Tough choices here, but that is a good problem. This is today. I expect substantial change as younger players (Carter Vickers, Gooch, etc.) and players coming off injury (Johannsson) break into the lineup.

GK: Guzan, Howard, Hamid
CB: Cameron, Brooks, Besler, Gonzalez
FB: Yedlin, Lichaj, Chandler, Orozco
MF: Johnson, Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Nagbe, Kljesten, Pulisic, Beckerman
F: Dempsey, Wood, Altidore, Morris

Starting XI (4-4-2)

. . . . . . . Dempsey - Altidore
. . . . . . . . . . . . Pulisic
. . . . . FabJo - - - - - - - - Bedoya
. . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley
Lichaj - Cameron - Brooks - Yedlin
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Guzan

 

[ktdNYCFC]

And we still have a few other talented CBs. I know Ventura Alvarado didn't do the most with his chances but he's young and could feasibly find his way back into the squad (somewhat like Kljestan). Cameron Carter-Vickers is also a young CB option for the future.

Tim Parker as well. 23 is old compared to guys like Pulisic, but I think he could be useful down the road.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Okay, I will bite. Tough choices here, but that is a good problem. This is today. I expect substantial change as younger players (Carter Vickers, Gooch, etc.) and players coming off injury (Johannsson) break into the lineup.

GK: Guzan, Howard, Hamid
CB: Cameron, Brooks, Besler, Gonzalez
FB: Yedlin, Lichaj, Chandler, Orozco
MF: Johnson, Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Nagbe, Kljesten, Pulisic, Beckerman
F: Dempsey, Wood, Altidore, Morris

Starting XI (4-4-2)

. . . . . . . Dempsey - Altidore
. . . . . . . . . . . . Pulisic
. . . . . FabJo - - - - - - - - Bedoya
. . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley
Lichaj - Cameron - Brooks - Yedlin
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Guzan

If it's today, why Lichaj? Seems like Klinsy doesn't rate him. Is that your preference?

Frankly, I don't think all that much of Lichaj. Not bad, not special. Villafana and/or keep bringing on Acosta for me.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Figuring out LB is really tough, but I want to see someone who can play there and let Fabian play his natural position. Whether it is Lichaj, Bornstein, Rogers, Villafana, Chandler, Acosta - I don't care as much. We need to pick two guys and develop them.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Figuring out LB is really tough, but I want to see someone who can play there and let Fabian play his natural position. Whether it is Lichaj, Bornstein, Rogers, Villafana, Chandler, Acosta - I don't care as much. We need to pick two guys and develop them.

Another potential option there is Tim Ream.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Another potential option there is Tim Ream.

Agreed.

 

[JayH]

Please do NOT caption this photo.

 

[EganSoccerWords]

Figuring out LB is really tough, but I want to see someone who can play there and let Fabian play his natural position. Whether it is Lichaj, Bornstein, Rogers, Villafana, Chandler, Acosta - I don't care as much. We need to pick two guys and develop them.

I think there is a major argument for playing FabJo over some of the wing options that we have like Bedoya, Zusi, etc, but it is just not true to say that he is more of a natural midfielder than fullback. His game fits as an attacking fullback, a wingback, or wing that can track back and help on defense depending on the system we use. Don't take this as an attack on you, but I just think natural position is one of the most overused sports cliches. I personally think that he has the skills to be great in all three roles it just depends on what is the best cost vs benefit of playing at one position over another based on our talent and unfortunately LB is probably weaker depth wise than on the wing.

In the 442, since we don't really have wing options that are good besides Pennsylvania Messi, I would love to push him more forward. However, if we ever convert fulltime to a 433 to get our young attackers and central midfield options on the field at the same time, his best fit is probably at fullback so we can fit some combo of Pulisic/Altidore/Wood/Morris on the field at the same time in our front three. His best position, which is playing right now for gladbach, could be wingback and with our depth at CB I would love to see a 3-5-2/5-3-2 with FabJo and Yedlin as attacking wingbacks.

I would also love to see JK say fuck it and play no touch Zardes at LB. I thought he did really well during Copa America at tracking back on defense. Overlapping LB is probably where you get the most out of pace, workrate, intelligent runs, and minimize his weaknesses.

 

[413Blue]

oops wrong thread.

 

[QuigrNYCFC]

He's the, not a, THE backup striker on arguably the best team in the world. That's not bad for a kid people had decided to write off because ????

For reference, Jordan Morris is 8 months older than him.

Julian would look a lot better in US team that has Pulisic. Go look at what Ancelloti says about him.

Agree whole heartedly with this. Julian Green is going to play a big role for the USMNT barring a terrible injury. He's basically doing exactly what Klinsy wants. Fight and grind for playing time at big clubs instead of come home to MLS.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Agree whole heartedly with this. Julian Green is going to play a big role for the USMNT barring a terrible injury. He's basically doing exactly what Klinsy wants. Fight and grind for playing time at big clubs instead of come home to MLS.

And I think on this note, he probably would have received a callup for the qualifiers, but I'm sure Klinsy wants him to get as much time with Bayern for now so he can continue to fight for minutes.

That is the same reason Klinsy didn't call up Gooch. He wanted Gooch to continue to receive minutes at Sunderland and have him solidify his spot over there.