I'm pretty sure Zusi will leave after the game tomorrow, so he should be available. I wanna say same for Roger.. but not as sure on that one
Tough night for the Catrachos, but Roger can still hold his head up high. Not taking anything away from the USA team, but the goalie for Honduras was complete garbage.
Anyone have a suggestion for a way to watch the USMNT vs Panama game if you don't get the beIN Sports Network?
I was doing some reading on the USMNT forum and Zusi was taking a lot of fire for his performance vs Panama. Maybe I am a bit biased, but I thought he did a fairly good job. He made one mistake that put an attacker into the box undefended, but he mostly took care of business all night.
In my book, he got abused all night. He was barely keeping up with that winger (had to watch it without sound and on my phone, so I don't remember who it was). Only once made any sort of worthwhile attack contribution.
Well, I have never understood the desire to play him on the flank anyway. Since I never played the game competitively, I always defer to those who have, but it's plain to see that he's too slow to play him balls into space, and has no recovery speed on the other end. Certainly there have been wingers who lacked pace, but neither PV nor Arena use wingers that way as far as I can tell. You put him on an island out there and he's in trouble if his opposite number possesses any sort of pace. When I consider his core attributes (great ball striker, intelligence on and off the ball) I don't think of a winger, I think of someone who plays a Michael Bradley type of role, but with probably less ground to cover. The problem for Zusi is that Bradley has all that and more and plays at a higher pace, so he's unlikely to ever unseat MB.
I love the guy but I don't see a home for him on the national side at all anymore. He's put in a surprising number of great games in the USA shirt, so clearly hustle and brains work enough.
To be fair to him, he was called in as an injury replacement originally, and only started because of another injury. At best he's 5th or 6th on the depth chart there, but because of injuries at RB that's where we were down to.
I think he is a good emergency right back. And really the criticism I saw of him was kind of harsh. Tim Chandler is great in the Bundesliga but he sucks in Central America or anytime he is in a US Kit. I would start Zusi over Chandler with little hesitation. Frankly, I don't think you could find many more solid or versatile bench players than Zusi given his experience. I thought Jurgen used him the right way, subbing him as a more defensive option with the lead. I would rather call up a Zusi and have him on the bench than to take European based kid, take him away from his club only to sit on the bench. Tim Ream may have acquitted himself a little in the second half, but I still would have started Besler over him. Also, I know Benny and Jermaine aren't like for like, but geez. It's time for Jermaine Jones to go. Woof.
reads to me like Arena is gonna call Dwyer up this summer (Gold Cup probably). https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=Unpaid
Throwing around some dates: If US U-20 is knocked out in the Group Stage, EPB could be available 06/03*. If US U-20 is knocked out in the Round of 16, EPB could be available 06/10*. If US U-20 is knocked out in the quarterfinals, EPB could be available 06/10*. If US U-20 makes the semifinals, EPB could be available 06/17*. *These are the earliest dates possible and probably only represent an absolute defensive emergency. Especially the farther they get into the tournament, Vermes would probably be resting EPB at least a week on his return. We also have World Cup Qualifiers on June 8th and 11th. Anyone called up to those would miss the game on 06/10, and potentially miss part or all of the game on 06/17 depending on how (not) well rested they are. Then there is Gold Cup. Call-Ups are made about two weeks before the start of CONCACAF Gold Cup (which starts on July 7th). Assuming a June 23rd-ish call-up date and assuming our players are available for the 6/24 games against the Galaxy, that would mean our Gold Cup call ups will be gone starting with the 7/1 game against Portland. Then... If USMNT is knocked out in the Group Stage, call ups could be available 07/22**. If USMNT is knocked out in the quarterfinal, call ups could be available 07/29**. If USMNT makes the semifinals, call ups could be available 07/29**. **Blahblahblah. So, all together now: 05/27; @ Colorado (No EPB) 06/03; Minnesota (No EPB [Group Stage]) 06/10; Montreal (No EPB [quarterfinal]; no WCQ Call Ups) 06/17; @ San Jose (No EPB [semis/final/3rd]; tired WCQ Call Ups) 06/24; @ Los Angeles 07/01; Portland (No Gold Cup Call Ups) 07/06; Philadelphia (No Gold Cup Call Ups) 07/22; @ Real Salt Lake (No Gold Cup Call Ups [Group Stage]) 07/29; Chicago (No Gold Cup Call Ups [final]) 08/06; Atlanta Then we return to our regularly scheduled program... until September WCQs. Looking at that schedule, we have a potential to be very thin on 06/10 and very tired on 06/17. The four game stretch in July without Gold Cup Call Ups (potentially: Besler, Zusi, Feilhaber, Dwyer, Opara, Melia; Mustivar; Espinoza) is going to be brutal as well. Fun times.