It's funny you mention that, because i saw this video and the first thing that came to mind was his similarities to Stu. I like this guy already!
I would love to see a front 4 of ------Altidore------ A.J--Dempsey--Donovan. I know it's not his most comfortable position bt if he can play it better than our other LW options why not..
I would rather have Shawn Parker starting at LW Aron, GAM, Julian Green and Zusi as our 4 attacking options off the bench at the WC
To be fair, these are the same CONCACAF teams we have to beat up to qualify for the WC. And we're the hunted now.
it will definitely be interesting to see where Klinsman thinks he lines up best. Competition won't hurt to push Fabian and Zusi on the wings. Everyone knows that Donovan is taking one of those spots. If on the left then Fabian drops back to LB and Beasley goes to the bench.
You would think everyone who has been watching the USMNT for the last 10 years would know this by now. Some watch the US beating up on minnows and suddenly think Donovan should play in the center to deal with tight spaces and physical marking that will surely come his way against real teams. Leave LD outside with the freedom to move in.
Seems to me that the 2018 team may be really really good. Lots of young talent making their way onto the USMNT. Excellent.
Boyd is 22 and a starter for Rapid Wien. Parker is 20 and a starter for a mid table club in a top 3 league. Julian will likely be a starter in the Bundesliga before he's 20.
So we have too many wingers/attacking mids/forwards to get them all on the field at the same time. Remember when we ran out Robbie Findley against England to start the World Cup. What a great problem to have. I say let Altidore, Bacon, GAM, Herc, Dempsey, Donovan, Zusi, Fabian, Beasley, Joe Benny, Ale, and Mix all fight it out for those four or so spots with a few (Zusi, Mix) possibly pushing Bradley and Jones in the middle and of course Beasley and Fabian as options at wing back. No favorites. Not even Dempsey is guaranteed a spot. May the best players in the best form get the playing time.
I do, I like both of their long term potential, just don't think they're as talented as the four I mentioned. I see Boyd competing with Juan to be Jozy's primary backup at target forward next cycle. As for Jack I think like Boyd he'll be competing for a key bench role, as the primary backup at the off forward slot (if JK retains a similar system next cycle).
Not really. It's not like I'm suggesting Sean Johnson start over Howard here. I'm suggesting we put our best player in a free-ish supporting role behind Jozy, where he has the freedom to make runs, and interchange as he sees feet.
Ummm how? When was the last time Landon played "in the hole" for a stretch with the A-Team? When was the last time Landon played "in the hole" for a stretch with Jozy at FW and Clint and Zusi/Fabian/Corona on the wings? Never. Until we try it out.
Yup. Especially attacking midfielders, which has been the bane of the USMNT for a while. Green, Lletget, Rowe, Zelalem, Arriola, Gatt, etc. Obviously, not all of those guys will make it (nor elect to play for the US) but I'm digging the odds. Exciting times
If Shawn Parker comes our way I'll be praying because that would be clear sign the end of the world is near.