Nick Lima

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Bruce S, Feb 2, 2019.

  1. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    Even considering that this was our B team and Panama's/CR's B teams, I have rarely seen a player adapt to the international game better. Maybe some you who follow MLS closely were expecting this, but he is unusually skillful for a defender. I always admired the Brazilians for having these guys at outside back who were so skilled and were essentially an extra play maker: Dani, Marcelo and Roberto Carlos before them. What a great weapon to break down organized defenses. I hope this wasn't a fluke and he can keep raising his game. I'd be interested in analysis from folks who see him more and know more about him. B
     
  2. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  3. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    he trialled at hertha this offseason and did well - i think he didnt make a move just because hertha can get him for free next year.

    he's always looked good offensively - his make or break will be defensively.

    another thing is that i think the overall level of MLS has gotten a lot closer to the international standard than people's perceptions have adjusted for.

    look at someone like lewis who could barely get on the field for his MLS team and was loaned to USL this year and now looks good for USMNT.

    Or tyler adams - who waltzes into his CL-caliber Bundelsiga team and stands out positively. i realize he was planning for it way in advance and is in a similar system so that helps a lot. but it still says to me top-level MLS players can play on any team/league basically now.....

    To me, the new norm is that any american on an MLS roster could be an asset for the USMNT...and even USLers like Lewis could be as well.

    i've been saying it for a whole now and my biggest beef with JK and BA etc was their player selection - it matters now more than ever and will continue to - the waters are much murkier than ever before and players are scattered all over the globe - there is quite a bit of variation in terms of who is called in and what the team looks like - much more than ever before!
     
  4. due time

    due time Member+

    Mar 1, 1999
    Santa Clara
    I'm really anxious to see how Almiron does at Newcastle. I'd like to see this trend continue. Also Davies at Bayern.
     
    Mahtzo1 repped this.
  5. due time

    due time Member+

    Mar 1, 1999
    Santa Clara
    He's been the most enjoyable player on the Quakes to watch, IMO, and it of course it helps that he's a local kid.

    Before Panama I was hoping he'd get time to really see, but was unsure if he was ready based on his defending liabilities. 3G found a great way to accentuate the positives and minimize his negatives.

    The other thing that I really like about him is his strong will. He just really, really wants to push himself and make a difference in games. That came though with 'the tackle' v Panama, and another run up the line v CR where he went to ground battling for the ball, won it, got up, pushed the ball passed his marker and made a strong run and shoulder barge to get back onto the ball.

    His ball skill and ability to take 'forward-like' shots on goal definitely set him apart from the run of the mill MLS defender. All those attributes he learned at lower levels when playing forward.
     
  6. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    Looks like our best defender going forward. He also looks tough as nails.
     
  7. Sombrerito

    Sombrerito Member

    Arsenal
    United States
    May 6, 2018
    He literally muscled 3 Costa Rica players down the line and eventually won a corner. Dude is a beast I would not be surprised he goes to Europe in the next few transfer windows
     
    Mahtzo1 repped this.
  8. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    Kid even has some back to goal skills.

    The fact that he used to play forward makes sense watching him play.

    I like that low center of gravity and thick body. Kid could well have a future and appears to offer a better combo of skills than most of the people we have been playing over there, including a guy playing for NUFC.

    Let's see how he does when the 'FULL SQUAD" is present. But he def earned a place in the next squad IMHO.
     
    Mahtzo1 and Bruce S repped this.
  9. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    I agree-I like Yedlin a lot but his skills are limited and so what he can do is limited. Lima has that power, low center of gravity and skill. He may not have it all yet but he's got quite a set of tools. Coaches also rave about his hunger-he would chew glass to win the play.
     
    Excellency and juveeer repped this.
  10. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    I have mixed feeling: I'd love to see him in Europe but the standard in MLS is getting pretty high. I'd watch SJ games to see him.
     
    Honore de Ballsac and juveeer repped this.
  11. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    He has his uses for the NT, but I think he's behind Yedlin, Adams and Cannon at RB. Can he play LB at the NT level? He might be more useful there. Not a bad depth option at RB, if it gets to that.
     
  12. Sombrerito

    Sombrerito Member

    Arsenal
    United States
    May 6, 2018
    If he was behind Cannon the. Why did Reggie play zero minutes these two friendlies? Berhalter already said he’s trying to build consistency with the team going forward and that he won’t rotate many players which he didn’t. We’ll have more answers in March but I’ll be surprised if Lima isn’t called up.
     
  13. Sombrerito

    Sombrerito Member

    Arsenal
    United States
    May 6, 2018
    It is but it’s still not the level of the top euro leagues. I’d love to see him play in Bundesliga, La Liga, or the Premier league
     
  14. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    I was giving my opinion. I think he should be behind Cannon. He's probably ahead of Cannon on Berhalter's depth chart, but the cycle has barely began.
     
  15. Sombrerito

    Sombrerito Member

    Arsenal
    United States
    May 6, 2018
    Hmm we’ll see but it doesn’t look like it for Cannon not playing at all. Likewise the hybrid cm/rb position gives Lima advantage over Cannon. Nick is just far better in attack and decent in defense too. You can tell he used to play as a forward
     
    juveeer repped this.
  16. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    His new nickname is "Edelman".
     
  17. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    similar build
     
  18. Pragidealist

    Pragidealist Member+

    Mar 3, 2010
    Have to think he’s planning to use Adams there
     
    ussoccer97531 and jjmack repped this.
  19. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Adams is a right footed defensive midfielder. I'd think he'd play in front of Lima, but yes, he could also play right back, and I think has done so with NYRB. Having both those players on the right side is pretty solid.
     
  20. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    He reminds me of a Chilean defender/midfielder..
     
  21. nobody

    nobody Member+

    Jun 20, 2000
    Will be interesting to see if Lima can raise his game when the competition level rises, but he certainly looked solid in these first couple games. I just wish a couple of our solid right back choices were leftys. I've seen good play by LIma, Yedlin, and Cannon in that spot and that's not counting Johnson, who was spectacular as a right back in Brazil. Huge difference between the right side and what we have on the left. If Lima was this good as a left back, he'd look like an almost sure starting player.
     
    largegarlic repped this.
  22. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I wish he would have gotten a half to try that as left back is much weaker in prospects at the moment (and historically).
     
    Sombrerito repped this.
  23. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Repped for use of 'chew glass' as metaphor for dedication.

    I hope he stays in MLS at this point and gets a lot of reps from Berhalter. Between Berhalter and Almeyda he will be in good hands.
     
  24. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Medel.
     
    russ and juveeer repped this.
  25. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Berhalter is playing the offensive minded players at this stage which makes sense. When they start to leak he can plug in the defensive guys. So far GA 0.
     

Share This Page