PBP: Schalke v. Leverkusen, Bundesliga, 12/19/18 (McKennie and Wright starting)

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad Gameday' started by GiallorossiYank, Dec 19, 2018.

  1. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    BT announcers are singing McKennie's praises endlessly right now.
     
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  2. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    Leverkusen is marking Wright hilariously closely - didn't read (didn't have?) the scouting report, I guess.
     
  3. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #53 thedukeofsoccer, Dec 19, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2018
    He didn't touch the ball much to speak of because on the hold-up attempt he'd let the defender circumvent him and he couldn't close to footballs in his area due to lack of quickness + anticipation. He also needs to pursue balls on the ground him or in the air harder. It's not a coincidence McKennie was a lot more involved than he was in the final 3rd even. These are things he needs to get better at if he's actually going to stick as a striker in the BL.
     
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  4. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
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    Arsenal FC
    Wright off in the 54th for Skrzybski
     
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  5. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
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    United States
    Wright off. Both commentators are kind of scratching their head with the change considering Wright scored. I don’t blame them. Interesting........ it’s not like he had a great game aside from the goal but I agree confidence soars after scoring. Tedesco could have let him stay on just a tad bit longer.
     
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  6. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The Fox Sports' announcers have been the polar opposite. I think BT are closer to the truth. He's had a strong game. Just won another 50/50 header. FS even critiqued his ability in that area. He's short, but that's a clear advantage he has. He's been pretty ubiquitous in this game. Becoming substantially leaner has done wonders for his range and explosiveness.
     
  7. taylor

    taylor Member+

    Jun 9, 2000
    Fav team: FC CARL ZEISS JENA
    Club:
    --other--
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    To my knowledge, which is pretty extensive, the "yanktastic" is the first EVER that two "real" (usmnt) americans get assist and goal in a first division league. @Dave Marino-Nachison ?
     
  8. Jazzy Altidore

    Jazzy Altidore BigSoccer Yellow Card

    Sep 2, 2009
    San Francisco
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
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    United States
    Does anyone have a replay of the goal
     
  9. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
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    1075459532585926656 is not a valid tweet id
     
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  10. an1310

    an1310 Member+

    Jun 2, 2003
    Atlanta, GA
    Maybe Wright coming off was a planned change? He hasn't been with the 1st team that long - perhaps fitness is an issue. He wasn't out of place, though.

    McKennie is a damn beast. I'm a bit surprised how advanced he's playing, but then I haven't watched too much of Schalke this season.
     
  11. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    When Yedlin scored, some soccer journalist was complaining it had be 3-4 years since a Yank (Cameron, I think) had scored in the EPL. I was so tempted to come back with the 40+ goals scored by USMNT capped players in the Bundesliga in the same period.
     
  12. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He not really that short, listed at 6' and maybe makes it with his haircut. He's very stout though and seems to have both a low center of gravity and great leaping ability. He times his runs and leaps very well and the thing I love most about him is he's so tenacious in both attack and defense. Even if he doesn't get by you, he's still making sure you don't get by him.
     
  13. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    He wasn't particularly involved. He only completed 4 passes.
     
  14. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    Wright coming off makes perfect sense - he's an emergency starter and the worst, if not close to the worst player in the starting 11. He gave them a bunch of minutes, finished his best chance, and did what he was asked. Letting another fake striker take a shot at it for 35 minutes makes sense to me.
     
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  15. Jazzy Altidore

    Jazzy Altidore BigSoccer Yellow Card

    Sep 2, 2009
    San Francisco
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    Nice instinctive finish. Too bad he was subbed out.
     
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  16. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

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    That attempt by Konoplyanka is the worst shot I've seen in months.
     
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  17. an1310

    an1310 Member+

    Jun 2, 2003
    Atlanta, GA
    Speaking of nice instinctive finishes -- that was almost comical from Konoplyanka.
     
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  18. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    McKennie should've been attacking the space the defenders opened up on that run instead of jogging though
     
  19. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    OMG that was absolutely awful from the Schalke player. Take the damn shot. You did everything right and then have no clue how to pull the trigger when you basically have the keeper to beat and the far post open for a shot
     
  20. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    That was disappointing. Of course, Konoplyanka never looked to pass as he had already picked out that spot eight yards wide of the goal to shoot it. from close range.
     
  21. Thundering165

    Thundering165 Member+

    North Carolina FC
    United States
    May 1, 2017
    Raleigh
    Bit of a leap there, I was just using an isolationist catchphrase tongue in cheek. I figured a soccer message board would be the last place I would need to clarify that I am not a Nazi but times are weird these days.
     
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  22. an1310

    an1310 Member+

    Jun 2, 2003
    Atlanta, GA
    That was a great touch by McKennie. How was that not a foul?
     
  23. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    McKennie gets an opportunity off of a corner, hard shot on frame doesn't make it through traffic.
     
  24. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    McKennie yellow shirt tugging to stop a counter. Not a great decision - wasn't much of a counter.
     
  25. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    McKennie blasts a corner over the bar.
     

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