Jamaica Friendly Roster: ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals) GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 7/0), Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC;8/0) DEFENDERS (9): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG; 7/0), Omar Gonzalez (Club Atlas/MEX; 49/3), NickLima (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 5/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 3/0), MattMiazga (Chelsea/ENG; 12/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 28/1), Antonee Robinson (Everton/ENG; 6/0), Walker Zimmerman(LAFC; 6/2) MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 145/17), Duane Holmes (Derby County/ENG; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget(LA Galaxy; 9/2), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 8/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (SeattleSounders FC; 9/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 15/0); Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0)* FORWARDS (8): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 110/41), Jonathan Amon (Nordsjælland/DEN; 1/0), Paul Arriola (D.C.United; 19/3), Tyler Boyd (Vitória Guimãres/POR; 0/0), Joe Gyau (Duisburg/GER; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC;27/5), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 6/2), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 44/7) * denotes not on provisional 40-man Gold Cup roster, thus not eligible to play in the the 2019 Gold Cup
Glad to see Holmes, Boyd, CCV, Robinson, Amon. Also like the look at Yueill -- even though I don't think he will ever be quite good enough. No Adams; resting, I assume. No Baird, either.
USMNT - June 2019 Updated Version GOALKEEPERS: Trust: 1. Zack Steffen, 1995(27), Manchester City FC > Fortuna Dusseldorf 2. Ethan Horvath, 1995(26), Club Brugge Contenders: 1. Sean Johnson, 1989(33), New York City FC 2. Brad Guzan, 1984(37), Atlanta United 3. Tyler Miller, 1993(30), Los Angeles FC 4. Jesse Gonzalez, 1995(27), FC Dallas 5. Bill Hamid, 1990(31), FC Midtjylland > DC United 6. Alex Bono, 1994(28), Toronto FC Olympic: 1. JT Marcinkowski, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes 2. Jonathan Klinsmann, 1997*(25) Hertha Berlin 3. Brady Scott, 1999*(22) FC Koln 4. David Ochoa, 2001*(20) Real Salt Lake 5. CJ Dos Santos, 2000*(20) Benfica 6. Justin Vom Steeg, 1997*(25) LA Galaxy ------------------------------------------------------ Pretenders: 1. Steffen Frei, 1986(36), Seattle Sounders FC, 2. Tim Melia, 1986(36), Sporting Kansas City, 3. Luis Robles, 1984(38) New York Red Bulls, 4. Matt Turner, 1994(27), New England Revolution, 5. Evan Bush, 1986(36) Montreal Impact, 6. Jeff Attinella, 1988(33) Portland Timbers, 7. David Bingham, 1989(32) LA Galaxy, 8. Quentin Westberg, 1986(36) Toronto FC Longshots: 1. Joe Willis, 1988(33) Houston Dynamo, 2. Tyler Deric, 1988(33) Houston Dynamo, 3. Joe Bendik, 1989(33) Columbus Crew, 4. Ryan Meara, 1990(31) New York Red Bulls, 5. Matt Lampson, 1989(32) LA Galaxy Prospects: 1. Chituru Odunze, 2002*(19) Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2. Damian Las, 2002*(20) Chicago Fire, 3. Trey Muse, 1999*(22) Seattle Sounders, 4. Justin Garces, 2000*(21), Atlanta United RIGHT BACKS: Trust: 1. DeAndre Yedlin, 1993(28), Newcastle United *Injured* Contenders: 1. Nick Lima, 1994(27) San Jose Earthquakes 2. Reggie Cannon, 1998*(23), FC Dallas 3. Tim Chandler, 1990(32) Eintracht Frankfurt 4. Sergino Dest, 2000*(21) Ajax Amsterdam > Jong Ajax Olympic: 1. Brooks Lennon, 1997*(24), Real Salt Lake 2. Julian Araujo, 2001*(20) LA Galaxy 3. Marlon Fossey, 1998*(23), Fulham 4. Manny Perez, 1999*(23) Celtic FC > North Carolina FC 5. Matthew Olosunde, 1998*(24), *unattached* ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Shaquell Moore, 1996(25), Levante, 2. Eric Lichaj, 1988(33) Hull City FC, 3. Keegan Rosenberry, 1993(28) Colorado Rapids, 4. Matt Polster, 1993(28) Rangers FC, 5. Jake Nerwinski, 1994(27) Vancouver Whitecaps, 6. Tommy Thompson, 1995(26) San Jose Earthquakes, 7. Graham Zusi, 1986(35) Sporting Kansas City, 8. Zarek Valentin, 1991(30) Portland Timbers, 9. Marlon Hairston, 1994(28) Colorado Rapids, 10. Eric Miller, 1993(29) Minnesota United, 11. Andrew Farrell, 1992(30) New England Revolution, 12. Tristan Blackmon, 1996(25) Los Angeles FC Longshots: 1. Chris Duvall, 1991(30) Houston Dynamo, 2. Raymond Gaddis, 1990(32) Philadelphia Union, 3. Hector Jimenez, 1988(33) Columbus Crew, 4. Desevio Payne, 1995(26) Excelsior, 5. Ashton Gotz, 1993(28) Roda JC Prospects: 1. Joseph Scally, 2002*(19) New York City FC, 2. Kyle Duncan, 1997*(24) New York Red Bulls CENTER BACKS: Trust: 1. John Brooks, 1993(29), Wolfsburg 2. Matt Miazga, 1995(26), Chelsea Contenders: 1. Cameron Carter-Vickers, 1997*(24), Tottenham Hotspur > Swansea City 2. Aaron Long, 1992(29), New York Red Bulls 3. Walker Zimmermann, 1993(29), Los Angeles FC 4. Miles Robinson, 1997*(25), Atlanta United 5. Ventura Alvarado, 1992(29) Necaxa 6. Tim Parker, 1993(29), New York Red Bulls 7. Omar Gonzalez, 1988(33) Atlas Olympic: 1. Chris Richards, 2000*(22) FC Dallas > Bayern Munich 2. Auston Trusty, 1998*(23), Philadelphia Union 3. Justen Glad, 1997*(25), Real Salt Lake 4. Eric Palmer-Brown, 1997*(25), Manchester City > NAC Breda 5. Mark McKenzie, 1999*(23) Philadelphia Union 6. Aboubacar Keita, 2000*(22) Columbus Crew 7. Donovan Pines, 1998*(24) DC United ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Brendan Hines-Ike, 1994(27) KV Kortrijk, 2. Jonathan Campbell, 1993(28) Seattle Sounders, 3. Matt Hedges, 1990(32), FC Dallas, 4. Ike Opara, 1989(33) Minnesota United, 5. Matt Besler, 1987(35) Sporting Kansas City, 6. Steve Birnbaum, 1991(31) DC United Longshots: 1. Michael Parkhurst, 1984(38) Atlanta United, 2. Nick Hagglund, 1992(29) FC Cincinnati, 3. Daniel Steres, 1990(31) LA Galaxy, 4. Geoff Cameron, 1985(36) Queens Park Rangers, 5. Eriq Zavaleta, 1992(29) Toronto FC, 6. Michael Orozco Fiscal, 1986(36) Lobos, 7. Shane O’Neill, 1993(28) Orlando City SC, 8. Kortne Ford, 1996(26) Colorado Rapids, 9. Jalil Anibaba, 1988(34) New England Revolution, 10. Jimmy Ockford, 1992(29) San Jose Earthquakes,11. Josh Williams, 1988(34) Columbus Crew, 12. Brent Kallman, 1990(31) Minnesota United, 13. Tomas Hilliard-Arce, 1995(26) LA Galaxy Prospects: 1. Lennard Maloney, 1999*(22) Union Berlin, 2. Sam Rogers, 1999*(23) Seattle Sounders , 3. Hugo Arellano, 1998*(24) LA Galaxy, 4. Jacob Akanyirige, 2001*(20) San Jose Earthquakes, 5. Michael Edwards, 2000*(21) Wolfsburg, 6. Tommy Redding, 1997*(25), unattached LEFT BACKS: Trust: 0. None Contenders: 1. Kik Pierie, 2000*(21) Herrenveen (*Netherlands dual-national – Prefers Netherlands*) 2. Antonee Robinson, 1997*(24) Everton > Wigan Athletic 3. Fabian Johnson, 1987(34) Borussia Moenchengladbach 4. Daniel Lovitz, 1991(30) Montreal Impact 5. Tim Ream, 1987(34), Fulham 6. Chris Gloster, 2000*(21) Hannover 96 7. Brek Shea, 1990(32) Atlanta United Olympic: 1. George Bello, 2002*(20), Atlanta United *Injured* 2. Matthew Real, 1999*(22), Philadelphia Union 3. Aaron Herrera, 1997*(24) Real Salt Lake 4. Danilo Acosta, 1997*(24) Orlando City SC 5. Jaylin Lindsey, 2000*(22) Sporting Kansas City ---------------------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Andrew Gutman, 1996(25) Celtic FC > North Carolina FC, 2. Justin Morrow, 1987(34) Toronto FC, 3. Greg Garza, 1991(30), FC Cincinnati *Injured* , 4. Edgar Castillo, 1986(35) New England Revolution, 5. Ryan Hollingshead, 1991(31) FC Dallas, 6. Ben Sweat, 1991(30) New York City FC, 7. Jorge Villafana, 1989(32) Portland Timbers, 8. Miguel Ibarra, 1990(32) Minnesota United Longshots: 1. Brandon Bye, 1995(26) New England Revolution, 2. Dave Romney, 1993(28) LA Galaxy, 3. Seth Sinovic, 1987(35) Sporting Kansas City, 4. Connor Lade, 1989(32) New York Red Bulls, 5. Ryan Laursen, 1992(30) OB (*Denmark dual-national – undecided*), 6. Shea Salinas, 1985(36) San Jose Earthquakes, 7. Jordan Harvey, 1984(38) Los Angeles FC, 8. Dillon Serna, 1994(28) Colorado Rapids, 9. Donny Toia, 1992(30) Real Salt Lake Prospects: 1. Kobe Hernandez-Foster, 2002*(19) LA Galaxy, 2. Marco Farfan, 1998*(23), Portland Timbers, 3. Sam Vines, 1999*(23), Colorado Rapids, 4. Stuart Ritchie, 2001*(20), FC Groningen, 5. John Tolkin, 2002*(19) New York Red Bulls HOLDING MIDFIELDERS: Trust: 1. Tyler Adams, 1999*(23) Red Bull Leipzig Contenders: 1. Wil Trapp, 1993(29) Columbus Crew 2. Michael Bradley, 1987(34) Toronto FC 3. Alfredo Morales, 1990(32) Fortuna Dusseldorf 4. Russell Canouse, 1995(26) DC United Olympic: 1. Jackson Yeuill, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes 2. James Sands, 2000*(21) New York City FC 3. Chris Durkin, 2000*(22) DC United 4. Edwin Cerrillo, 2000*(21) FC Dallas 5. Christian Cappis, 1999*(22) Hobro IK 6. Keaton Parks, 1997*(24) New York City FC 7. Brandon Servania, 1999*(23) FC Dallas 8. Derrick Jones, 1997*(25) Philadelphia Union --------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Sean Davis, 1993(29) New York Red Bulls, 2. Danny Williams, 1989(33) Huddersfield Town *Injured* Longshots: 1. Caleb Stanko, 1993(28) FC Cincinnati, 2. Nick Besler, 1993(29) Real Salt Lake, 3. Scott Caldwell, 1991(31) New England Revolution, 4. Fatai Alashe, 1993(28) FC Cincinnati, 5. Jeff Larentowicz, 1983(38) Atlanta United, 6. Dax McCarty, 1987(35) Chicago Fire, 7. Victor Ulloa, 1992(30) FC Cincinnati, 8. Perry Kitchen, 1992(30) LA Galaxy, 9. Eric Alexander, 1988(34) FC Cincinnati, 10. Fernando Arce, Jr, 1996(25) Dorados de Sinola, 11. Kyle Beckerman, 1982(40) Real Salt Lake Prospects: 1. Wan Kuzain, 1998*(23) Sporting Kansas City, 2. Chris Goslin, 2000*(22) Atlanta United, 3. Juan Torres, 1999*(22) New York City FC, 4. Cameron Lindley, 1997*(24) Orlando City, 5. Jack Maher, 1999*(22) unattached CENTER MIDFIELDERS: Trust: 1. Weston McKennie, 1998*(23) Schalke Contenders: 1. Paxton Pomykal, 1999*(22), FC Dallas 2. Sebastian Lletget, 1992(29), LA Galaxy 3. Cristian Roldan, 1995(26) Seattle Sounders 4. Darlington Nagbe, 1990(31) Atlanta United 5. Djordje Mihailovic, 1998*(23) Chicago Fire 6. Kellyn Acosta, 1995(25) Colorado Rapids 7. Marky Delgado, 1995(27) Toronto FC 8. Joe Corona, 1990(31) LA Galaxy 9. Kenny Saief, 1993(28) FC Cincinnati 10. Memo Rodriguez, 1995(26) Houston Dynamo Olympic: 1. Alex Mendez, 2000*(21) SC Freiburg 2. Cole Bassett, 2001*(20) Colorado Rapids 3. Giovanni Reyna, 2002*(20) Borussia Dortmund 4. Frankie Amaya, 2000*(21) FC Cincinnati 5. Luca De la Torre, 1998*(24) Fulham 6. Kyle Scott, 1997*(24) Chelsea 7. Gedion Zelalem, 1997*(25) Sporting Kansas City 8. Omir Fernandez, 1999*(23) New York Red Bulls ----------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Emerson Hyndman, 1996(26) Bournemouth, 2. Sidney Friede, 1998*(24) Hertha Berlin > Royal Mouscron (*Germany dual-national – undecided*), 3. Kelyn Rowe, 1991(30) Sporting Kansas City, 4. Joel Sonora, 1996(25), CA Talleres Longshots: 1. Alejandro Guido, 1994(28) Club Tijuana, 2. Jacori Hayes, 1995(26) FC Dallas, 3. Alejandro Bedoya, 1987(35) Philadelphia Union, 4. Benny Feilhaber, 1985(37) Colorado Rapids, 5. Lee Nguyen, 1986(35) Los Angeles FC, 6. Sacha Kljestan, 1985(36) Orlando City SC, 7. Brandt Bronico, 1995(26) Chicago Fire, 8. Luis Argudo, 1995(26) Columbus Crew, 9. Ian Harkes, 1995(27) Dundee United, 10. Tommy McNamara, 1991(31) Houston Dynamo, 11. Alex Roldan, 1996(25) Seattle Sounders Prospects: 1. Taylor Booth, 2001*(21) Bayern Munich, 2. Anthony Fontana, 1999*(22) Philadelphia Union, 3. Ben Mines, 2000*(22) New York Red Bulls, 4. Owen Otasowie, 2001*(21) Wolverhampton Wanderers , 5. Ian Hoffman, 2001*(20) Karlsruhe, 6. Isaac Angking, 2000*(22) New England Revolution, 7. Eric Calvillo, 1998*(24) San Jose Earthquakes, 8. Gilbert Fuentes, 2002*(20) San Jose Earthquakes, 9. Matt Hundley, 2000*(22) Colorado Rapids, 10. Eryk Williamson, 1997*(25) Portland Timbers WINGERS: Trust: 1. Christian Pulisic, 1998*(23) Chelsea FC Contenders: 1. Timothy Weah, 2000*(22), Paris SG 2. Tyler Boyd, 1994(27) Vitoria de Guimaraes > Ankaragucu 3. Paul Arriola, 1995(27) DC United 4. Duane Holmes, 1994(27) Derby County 5. Jonathan Amon, 1999*(23) FC Nordsjaelland 6. Jonathan Lewis, 1997*(24) Colorado Rapids 7. Corey Baird, 1996(26) Real Salt Lake 8. Joseph Gyau, 1992(29) MSV Duisburg Olympic: 1. Brendan Aaronson, 2000*(21) Philadelphia Union 2. Konrad De La Fuente, 2001*(20), FC Barcelona 3. Ulysses Lanez, 2001*(21) Wolfsburg 4. Richard Ledezma, 2000*(21) PSV Eindhoven 5. Emmanuel Sabbi, 1997*(24) Hobro IK 6. Timothy Tillman, 1999*(23) Bayern Munich > FC Nurenberg (*Germany dual-national – Prefers USA*) 7. Sebastian Saucedo, 1997*(25) Real Salt Lake 8. Andrew Carleton, 2000*(21) Atlanta United 9. Mukwelle Akale, 1997*(25) Villarreal CF 10. DeJuan Jones, 1997*(24) New England Revolution 11. Efrain Alvarez, 2002*(19) LA Galaxy (*Mexico dual-national – Prefers Mexico*) --------------------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Lynden Gooch, 1995(26) Sunderland, 2. Romain Gall, 1995(27), Malmo FF, 3. Fafa Picault, 1991(31), Philadelphia Union, 4. Chris Mueller, 1996(25) Orlando City, 5. Alex Muyl, 1995(26) New York Red Bulls Longshots: 1. Gboly Ariyibi, 1995(27) Motherwell FC, 2. Kekuta Manneh, 1994(26) FC Cincinnati, 3. Rubio Rubin, 1996(26) Dorados, 4. Ethan Finlay, 1990(31) Minnesota United, 5. Bradford Jamieson, 1996(25) LA Galaxy, 6. Chris Pontius, 1987(35) LA Galaxy, 7. Harry Shipp, 1991(30) Seattle Sounders Prospects: 1. Danny Leyva, 2003*(19) Seattle Sounders, 2. Kevin Lankford, 1998*(23) FC St Pauli, 3. Joshua Perez, 1998*(24) Los Angeles FC, 4. Nick Taitague, 1999*(23) Schalke, 5. Cade Cowell, 2003*(18) San Jose Earthquakes, 6. Zyen Jones, 2000*(21) Schalke, 7. Lagos Kunga, 1998*(23) Atlanta United , 8. Thomas Roberts, 2001*(21) FC Dallas, 9. Indiana Vassiliev, 2001*(21) Aston Villa, 10. Jacobo Reyes, 2000*(21) Monterrey, 11. Tajon Buchanan, 2000*(23) New England Revolution FORWARDS: Trust: 0. None Contenders: 1. Jozy Altidore, 1989(32), Toronto FC 2. Gyasi Zardes, 1991(30), Columbus Crew 3. Josh Sargent, 2000*(22), Werder Bremen 4. Sebastian Soto, 2000*(22) Hannover 96 5. Andrew Wooten, 1989(32) SV Sandhausen 6. Jordan Morris, 1994(26), Seattle Sounders 7. Andrija Novakovich, 1996(25) Reading FC > Fortuna Sittard 8. Bobby Wood, 1992(29), Hamburg 9. Julian Green, 1995(26) Greuther Firth 10. Jordan Siebatcheu, 1996(26) Reims (*France Dual National – Prefers France*) 11. Christian Ramirez, 1991(31), Los Angeles FC 12. Dom Dwyer, 1990(31), Orlando City Olympic: 1. Jeremy Ebobisse, 1997*(25), Portland Timbers 2. Jesus Ferreira, 2000*(21), FC Dallas [*Colombia dual national – Prefers USA*] 3. Haji Wright, 1998*(24), Schalke 4. Gianluca Busio, 2002*(20), Sporting Kansas City 5. Ayo Akinola, 2000*(22), Toronto FC 6. Ricardo Pepi, 2003*(18) North Texas SC 7. Griffin Yow, 2002*(20) DC United 8. Alfonso Ocampo-Cavez, 2002*(20) Seattle Sounders 9. Brandon Vasquez, 1998*(24) Atlanta United 10. Justin Rennicks, 1999*(23) New England Revolution -------------------------------------------------------- Pretenders: 1. Teal Bunbury, 1990(32) New England Revolution, 2. CJ Sapong, 1988(33), Chicago Fire, 3. Juan Agudelo, 1992(29) New England Revolution, 4. Terrence Boyd, 1991(31) Toronto FC, 5. Jann George, 1992(29) Jahn Regensburg, 6. Brian White, 1996(26) New York Red Bulls Longshots: 1. Patrick Mullins, 1992(30) Columbus Crew, 2. Niki Jackson, 1995(26) Colorado Rapids, 4. Erik Hurtado, 1990(31) Sporting Kansas City, 5. Chris Wondolowski, 1983(39) San Jose Earthquakes, 6. Aron Johannsson, 1990(31) unattached (*Injured*) Prospects: 1. Benji Michel, 1997*(24) Real Salt Lake, 2. Josh Pynadath, 2002*(20) Ajax Amsterdam, 3. Mason Toye, 1998*(23) Minnesota United , 4. George Acosta, 2000*(22) Boca Juniors, 5. Nebiyou Perry, 1999*(22) FC Koln, 6. Shaft Brewer, 1999*(22) Los Angeles FC, 7. McKenzie Gaines, 1998*(24) Darmstadt, 8. Isaiah Young, 1998*(24) Werder Bremen, 9. Siad Haji, 1999*(22) San Jose Earthquakes, 10. Pierre DaSilva, 1998(23) Orlando City SC , 11. Dante Sealy, 2003(19) FC Dallas
Thanks for your update Bravo.... it takes a lot of work and is well thought out. Yikes... only 8 total players that you trust... and there are 11 spots on the pitch! I totally agree with your assessment about not trusting any Forwards or Left Backs. I am heartened by some of the guys on the U20 WC squad that have made your contender category.... Soto, Weah, Dest, and Gloster to be specific. I am hoping that one or two players on the current MNT step up during the GC and help solidify the roster... but I am think there should be quite a bit of turnover before 2022 arrives. I really hope that Tyler Boyd is one of those players that proves himself in the coming weeks. He looks like a flat out difference maker in Turkey based on his YouTube highlight video. Seems to have size, speed and good ball skills. Unfortunately, I don't know what Forward on the current Roster can be trusted to put the ball in the back of the net.?.? At any rate, thanks again.
Another thing that makes the whole thing worse right now is that w/o Brooks and Yedlin... that leaves a single Defender that you trust! Crazy.
The eye test from the recent games tells me that this is the correct assessment. Same issue for forwards, although Jozy had a good 2nd half vs. Venezuela. He's still the best in the pool right now.
All true and very painful/frustrating. This GC could be very embarrassing. I mean, if you can't beat Jamaica on your home soil?... And it wasn't bad luck... they got dominated. Not sure adding in Pulisic and Weston will make that big of a difference. The Boys better show some effort/pride.
I am going to pat myself on the back for this one.... Boyd was the headliner of the game against Guyana. I am hopeful that a significant portion of current squad will not be a part of, or starting, in the WC 2022. This GC should be about identifying the players that will be part of the team and rebuilding confidence and pride. It is only one game.... but Boyd was a difference maker in Turkey when they brought him in... They said on the broadcast that he was a major reason why his club team was not relegated.... scoring and assisting at a high rate in the limited games they had left down the stretch when they brought him in. Last night he showed: 1) the ability to get separation in the box. 2) that he strikes the ball well when said separation is achieved. 3) creativity w/ passes in the final third. 4) a great deal of potential w/ respect to his corner kicks. Adams, Pulisic, Weston, and Boyd.... Really hoping that the latter can be added to Bravo's list of trusted players... and it would be a great GC if we could identify a couple more. Arriola played well too... so if he can follow it up I think he would be a solid bench piece. On the flip side... I am not sure how I can be disappointed with a performance that includes a goal... but IMO, Zardes does not belong in the starting lineup. His goal was obviously luck... but I think he had chances near the goal that he didn't do enough with. The D also looked weak to me again... and I am not at all confident that they will not give up numerous silly goals in this GC due to giving away the ball in their own end. Again, it is only one game... so I can't indict the players I cited in the negative... just as much as I can't assure that Boyd will be the answer up front.
Boyd looked good but c'mon, it was against a true minnow. Let's age him out a bit but it's certainly better than if he didn't shine in this game.
He looked good in his previous game as well. He was easily the best player for the US. The kinds of things he did well translate against good teams. The issue is more sample size than the opponent if you ask me. But I'm very excited to see more from him. He's pretty much the only player I'm very excited to see more of on this team.
I did say it was only one game.... and that I hoped that he would be part of Bravo's trusted players in the future. I never said he was a lock to be a stud. That being said... I don't apologize at all for my enthusiasm. In the face of a pretty lackluster roster... particularly at Forward and D... I am willing to really embrace any positives.
US Soccer reached out to me and told me I was the hero they didn't deserve but the hero they needed. So I fixed all of our problems in less then 3 minutes.... welcome to the lineup that would give us the technical ability to compete with anyone in the world.
I like Weston a lot and think he belongs in that starting lineup. He is so good in the air and has the ability to defend as well.
This logic is exactly why we suck...... if you want to do well on the world stage we should not be excited about winning the ball in the air and defending "well" from our midfielders. Defending is a team aspect based on tactics and the ability to pressure as a team. McKennie gives the ball away way to much to be anywhere close to a team that competes at a high level.
That is way harsh IMO. So I didn't list out other qualities... he is one of the best players on his team in the Bundisliga... and he was rewarded for it by being offered a significant extension. He plays multiple positions, he is fast, has good vision and he is 20 years old.
Right, and he is not better than Tyler Adams and he does not have the technical ability of Yueill and Akale. So he does not make the cut.