Paxton Pomykal Thread

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by jond, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Playing on a u20 team that goes to the finals and doing well in the finals puts a player on the USMNT depth chart automatically, imo.
     
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  2. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    I agree. I was trying to think of one player that fits the following criteria that looked bad for the USMNT:

    1. Was very good at the U20 World Cup
    2. Was #3 on the depth chart for a UCL team

    Certainly, I can't think of any player that made the 18, consistently, for a UCL team that looked below the level for the USMNT.
     
  3. Mahtzo1

    Mahtzo1 Member+

    Jan 15, 2007
    So Cal
    Perhaps that is why neither name ever occurred to me.
     
  4. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    I do think a kid does have to do "something" in club soccer.
    Last season in Germany, Mendez only played 12 games at the U19 level. 3 goals 1 assist. Not Freiburg II. The U19 level.

    I'm not disagreeing with you. I just think its a while before he gets a USMNT callup. More to prove.

    That's just the benefit of being an MLS youngster. Those kids like Pomykal and a plethora of others, are playing first team soccer that we see on a weekly basis.

    And by the way, when we can watch kids on a weekly basis we can see their flaws. Unless somebody is watching Freiburg U19s, all they're seeing is short highlight clips of his standout moments. In the case of Mendez those clips are often put on twitter by his agents and their harpies (Gary Kleiban and 3four3). They have an agenda.

    I'm not saying I don't like Mendez for the USMNT. I just need to actually see "something" against adult professionals before I can really make a decision on that.
     
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  5. cyberthoth

    cyberthoth Member+

    Nashville SC
    Aug 7, 2000
    Nashville, TN
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not if they aren't actually getting minutes with a real professional team.
     
  6. footer20

    footer20 Member

    Jun 9, 2014
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Are you talking about Dest now? Because he's very much in the picture.

    But if we're talking AM and RL, it doesn't matter their raw quality. They haven't even been entertained by their clubs at any level above U19s. I'm a big fan of both, more so Ledezma, but let's relax.

    I think we should also taper these U20 discussions. Pomykal was a workhorse all tournament. I came away impressed but worried about how high his ceiling actually was.

    Mendez was youth world class against Nigeria but was kind of a liability in other games and he didn't even play when we put our best foot forward against France.

    Ledezma was very proactive and encouraging but did he even get 90 minutes all tournament.

    Let's relaxxxxx.

    Pulisic, Holmes, Lletget, Pomykal, Green, and Hyndman are all ahead of them right now and probably for the coming 12 months unless one of the two make a jump.
     
  7. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    Wasn't talking about anyone in particular. Just the level of player that has historically been USMNT quality. Hard to think of UCL squad players that were American. Kirovski was a fringe UCL player who consistently got caps.

    We haven't had many players at these top clubs, I would think anyone near the starting 11 should be called. Why wait?
     
  8. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    The two conditions for the individual to be on the depth chart

    1) played on the U20 team that went to the final
    2) did well at the final

    Mendez didn't do all that well. He did well then not so well. Up and down. Ditto for Durkin. Sargent did well with 20's and is on our depth chart. Dest is on the depth chart because after a tough first game he came on strong as the tournament went on. Where they go next on the depth chart is up to them.

    I thought you were talking about Richards. I'd say he's on the depth chart for us along with Dest and Pom and Sargent and Servania and Soto and Weah. Ledezma did well but I think he has a special situation with his fitness, injury history. He'll have his chance to strut his stuff if he's with PSV. I've never been a Gloster fan but that's me.

    p.s. edit: Being on the depth chart isn't the same as calling somebody up. In fact, it's about NOT calling somebody up if the person isn't better than the ones above him. Some people seem to think being on the depth chart means they get called up. Some players might be really good and not on (my) depth chart because they would be too old to play in Qatar.
     
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  9. Mantis Toboggan M.D.

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jul 8, 2017
    Weah and to a lesser extent Sargent have gotten meaningful minutes with professional clubs, that puts them way ahead of the rest of the guys on that list in terms of being NT ready right now.
     
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  10. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    To bring this back to Pomykal the DaMN had a write-up on him today saying he wasn't pulled at the friendly the other day and not played against KC because of injury but because ""He felt a load and fatigue that wasn't comfortable that he was feeling before the Sevilla match," basically load management and he's never played this much before. says he should be back for the next game.
     
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  11. laxcoach

    laxcoach Member+

    United States
    Jul 29, 2017
    intermountain west
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Miles ahead.
     
  12. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  13. Mahtzo1

    Mahtzo1 Member+

    Jan 15, 2007
    So Cal
    I suppose it is possible that both are correct.

    Either way, I do think the initial report/"company line" illustrates a real dilemma regarding young players and playing time: on one hand, more playing time is generally considered a good thing but kids that are still developing need a great deal of rest; they are, imo, susceptible to injuries caused directly and/or indirectly by overuse and fatigue over the course of a long, grueling, professional season.

    Pomykal has close to 1200 minutes in the MLS season alone, add in friendlies, add the U20 world cup and travel, add in the way he plays...covering huge amounts of ground, going in hard and drawing fouls....that's a lot for any 19 year old.

    The way that Aronson has been used (and a few others as well) is probably close to an ideal, although not always practical, approach. Aronson has made 16 appearances so far but has only gone 90 three times and one time 81 (all near the beginning of the season). He has almost never missed a game but he generally plays between 45 and 60 minutes. I'm not sure that it has been by design but I feel like this is the best possible approach because he gets enough time on a regular basis to develop, make mistakes and learn but he isn't getting the heavy workload he would receive if he were going 90 every week (or twice a week). I also tend to bell eve that 3 60 minute games is far more beneficial for a young player than two 90's.
     
  14. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Unfortunately, FC Dallas is trying to win games. This is the deal with being young and being relied upon as a core player. I'm sure Paxton wouldn't have it any other way.
     
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  15. Mahtzo1

    Mahtzo1 Member+

    Jan 15, 2007
    So Cal
    Definitely true. I wouldn't expect any player worth his salt to want to play less than 90 each week. Show me a player that wants to rest and I'll show you one that won't get very far. that's why others, (trainers, coaches etc) have to make those decisions for him.

    The coach has to decide on the best way to approach the situation. play the kid more and risk losing him later or save him but risk putting the team in a disadvantage going into the end of the season. I wouldn't expe
     
  16. matabala

    matabala Member+

    Sep 25, 2002
    Apart from Mosquera being clearly offside, it was a good pass that showed very good field vision. "Great" is a bit too much.
     
  17. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    That's not a great pass, that's amazing pass. Mosquera was kept onside by Toia.
     
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  18. matabala

    matabala Member+

    Sep 25, 2002
    He was well offside and you are too easily impressed. Such is the infinite variety of human perception, long may it continue to amaze.
     
  19. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    He wasn't offside and you apparently can't enjoy an amazing play. Hopefully you will be able at some point.
     
  20. wrench

    wrench Member+

    May 12, 2007
    NYC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Adams made the identical pass to spring...forget his name, for a goal with RBLiepzig just before he played the game that injured his whatever it is. Deep lying playmakers don't come along every day. Seems we have a lot of prospects at many positions in many age groups. I like it.
     
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  21. gunnerfan7

    gunnerfan7 Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Jul 22, 2012
    Santa Cruz, California
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great pass by Pomykal, but Adams' pass was orders of magnitude harder. No contest, and certainly not "identical".
     
  22. bsky22

    bsky22 Member+

    Dec 8, 2003
    Sorry for the delay. I was the one who posted it. I dont think it is a good idea, but Berhalter might. I suggested that mendez would be a better solution for the non-defensive, distributing #6 than Trapp. I dont think his defense is strong but it isnt about willingness. I personally like him in a three man midfield with a guy like Adam's or mckennie behind him and CP or a guy like Ledesma as the #10. I just think he is a bit better in a slightly deeper role.

    I think Pomykal is also best as a #8 but has very different strengths and weaknesses.

    Mendez has a number of passes from 0:20 to 1:00 in the video below like the one people are raving about Pomykal making. Many defensive plays and of course his long range shots are included.

     
  23. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Poulsen. He's a great Dane.
     
  24. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Mendez will not be 19 before September. I remember Adams was pretty bad for the U20's when he played for them at 18. Mendez was actually better tbph. Still, I think any problems he had are down to his age and we just sit back and wait as we watch the next 1/2 years of his development. I hope they make him more ambidexterous.
     
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