Ramos sticking with his guys for now. Let's hope it isn't basically the previous U20 World Cup team going to the Olympics in 2 years. I see a problem with Ramos having both the U21 and U20 position at the same time. Not sure if his job as U21 coach is permanent or temporary. But you can see the possible issue with him playing his guys and having tunnel vision.
This could be a one-off, but the geographical distribution of these players concerns me a bit as far as our focus. I mean I'm born and bred Californian, and expect it to overweight due to some obvious reasons, but 12 of 21 with CA connections? What happened to soccer in New Jersey and the once fertile Northeast? One guy from Maryland, and that's it?
That's really not an impressive U21 roster. I'll be more interested for future camps when the Euro's are included.
Agreed Shipp by a healthy margin so far this year but I've loved what I've seen of Koval so far. He can play anywhere across that back line and as a DM so his versatility should lead to more minutes.
I know last youth cycle Serna played RB during qualifying but he's been playing as an attacker this year so I don't get how Ramos brings along 5 defenders one of which is Serna. Boneheaded, this is the time to cast that net and bring in some new faces from college which of course he didn't do.
The roster was only players born in '93 and '94 from North America and it was missing players like Yedlin and Miller anyway. I wouldn't worry yet.
He actually looked pretty good filling in there, not a long term solution but passable. Judging by his past decisions I suspect that he has his guys picked for the fullback spots and wants to experiment elsewhere.
I, too, am interested in JJ Koval's trajectory and I think that he will get his chances beginning next month while Bernardez and Goodson are called up for extended absences with their respective national teams for the World Cup and camps.
Quincy Amarikwa with his 4th goal of the season after he makes a nice run and holds off Farrell. Great ball by Harry Shipp as well to split the defense.
Amarikwa is finally being a consistent player this year...and its great to see. He plays like Davies preinjury
Philly is playing 433 against Houston with Maidana - casey - wenger line but the spacing is really bad. Having said that, they are playing their 3rd game in 8 days which is tough. Wenger is too convinced that he is dangerous centrally. He is worth a lot of money as a Bale winger and worth nothing as a Dempsey 2nd striker. Dont get why that is so hard to understand.
Prediction for tonight: with Evans back in the lineup and Cooper moved off the right-wing Yedlin has a monster game and the Sounders look better defensively.
Q also ran him down on a ball over the top and forced him into a deadly turnover in the box that Shipp picked up, dribbled past a couple guys in tight spaces before it fell to Nyarko for a shot at the 6.