Shame the Jesse Gonzalez hasn't been confirmed in time for this roster--assuming reports that the paperwork has indeed been filed are true. On a similar note, not thrilled to see Guzan on the roster. Predicting he'll get a lion's share--if not all--of the time between the posts during the group stage. Would really love to see other options step up at keeper. I've got to say though, I'm pleased with Bruce's willingness to test the waters with promising new faces. My lone serious gripe remains with neglecting a big chunk of talent in the middle of the pitch, snubbing the Bennys, Sachas, Nguyens, and Williams of the world, the former three offering us a level of attacking incisiveness not seen in the pool after Pulisic. We can be successful without them, but I have a nagging feeling we'll come across a gameplan or two that'll really miss having one those guys at our disposal at a critical time in qualifying or the WC itself. Not seeing anyone with their ability on this roster means that gameplan, that relief for a centrally deployed Pulisic when he's not available, will continue to go untested. That's a shame. Otherwise, there are plenty of reasons to clear the calendar for some fun USMNT matchdays this July, something that I've not quite felt for the last few summers.
The most interesting pick IMO is Dwyer. If he has a good showing, we could finally have someone that can score up top and possibly turn Jozy into a bench player. I also dont understand why Zardes made the cut or Zusi either. Zusi is to Arena as Beckerman was to JK
They are not CAM's. Not one of them is competent to play at 10. No one on this entire roster is a playmaker centrally. This roster reeks of wingers attempting crosses into the box looking for a header. Little to no potential of building out of the middle, holding possession, or creativity. The lack of a 10 is such a glaring hole for the US and this GC roster isn't even attempting to find someone to fill that spot for Russia.
Emphasis mine, for the purpose of pointing out that it is equally possible that Bruce knows what he has with the individuals you mentioned, making it more important to determine depth in a system without a dedicated CAM for the matches where Pulisic isn't there to do it (cards, etc.). Do you have your eye on an emerging/YNT player who performs this role that you think should be here? Not a challenge, just curious as I no longer make the time to follow those players....
#1. If Pulisic is our 10 in Russia, we are going to be tough to watch. His best position, at this point in his career, is LW. #2. Feilhaber is our best NT pool 10. Hell, I can't stand how slow Sacha is but even he'd be an upgrade in the midfield. Nguyen would also help. We will look absolutely terrible against WC level competition if we do not fix our midfield. It's mind blowing that this issue isn't being at least worked on.
Benny is pretty much the only option at #10 that we have, Pulisic will do that in the qualifying. I also don't like that we can bring more players in during the second round, that doesn't make any sense.
Still would have liked to see Christian Ramirez get a shot on this roster...homer that I am...but I suppose I can wait until Camp Cupcake.
He's always had a hard on for these type of veterans who can sort of do anything if he puts them in. Just look at his MLS rosters, always has an expereienced type of player such as the older Hedjuk or Eddie Lewis or with RBNY when he would have a Hunter Freeman to be a 'pro.'
I hope Saief's 1v1 ability comes to life as no other attacker on this roster has any. These games could be pretty ugly. No creativity on this roster for the most part.
You're not a homer for suggesting a guy with 9 goals this season should be in the team ahead of Morris and Zardes who have a combined 2 goals between them. I personally think there's politics at play behind the scenes with Ramirez and that him going from the NASL to a few months in MLS to leapfrogging Zardes/Morris might not make some people look too good. I mean, going off actual production and quality there's no argument for taking those two over him. Forget the goal difference, he actually can control the ball with both feet which the others two cannot.
I think it is one of his better practices. Those who have coached know how much time and energy is wasted trying to explain "how we do things here," vs bringing a few guys who demonstrate "how we do things here" by example. Makes it visible and obvious to the new guys, and sets an immediate tone.
Save for the lack of a #10 (again), it is fine. The forward crop looks pretty weak as does our ability to beat people off the dribble. Maybe we see Zardes up top? Would have loved to see Ramirez. Don't mind the Zusi experiment to continue. Good measuring stick for Lichaj (if he's not better than Zusi at RB.....). You have to mix knowns & unknowns together to see where the new guys stack up. Should be fine for the early rounds. Plus, Mexico won't bring their A team after Confed Cup.
Personally excited and/or interested to see: - How has Miazga matured after his year in Holland, and where does he stand in the pecking order? I thought he was on track to be one of the best US defenders in the pool, and hope Vitesse has accelerated his development. - How does the midfield perform without Bradley? Love him or hate him, we have come to know what to expect from a US midfield with him in. Will someone else replace him in a like-for-like fashion, or will it be replacement by committee? - Where does the creativity come from? Specifically I will be keeping my eye on Agudelo, who can be a pretty good creator from the front line, and Saief, who admittedly I do not know much about. I also want to see whether any of the fullbacks on this roster can provide attacking width to open up channels.
As I am very familiar with most, I will be playing close attention to Roldan and Rowe. Isn't Rowe a creative player?
Can't complain. This is nearly identitcal to the roster I was hoping for. Granted, I think Bedoya is a waste, and I would have preferred Alfredo Morales or Danny Williams...but neither were on the 40 - which may be understandable due to them going into preseason. For that reason, Bedoya injects some experience into this young team. Christian Ramirez was still on the verge of being an outsider of the 23 although, he too should have made the 40. In fact, I'd say I probably only would have brought Garza in for Villafana because we could benefit from resting him. Aside from that, maybe Jonathan Spector and CJ Sapong but their absence doesn't break the roster. Still, I think Zusi was a wise choice because Arena rates him and he could use some time at RB if he is to be counted on in any game that matters and this team needs some vets too. Happy to see Miazga. Ready to see what Dwyer can do. Excited to see who steps up to the plate!
There is no creative #10 in the Feilhaber mold, but I do think this roster has some creativity. Roldan and Acosta are both fairly good in the final third and can create attacking chances. Maybe not 10's, but fairly creative as 8's. Agudelo is probably our most creative forward counting all NT players. Rowe is not east to west creative, but he is north to south creative. Good crosser, combines well, good shooter. He can definitely pick up goals and assists. I get your point, but we are playing teams from CONCACAF. We really shouldn't struggle with any of these teams other than Mexico or Costa Rica.
I hesitate to tag him with that. "Inventive", in a spur-of-the-moment sense, at his best. But on this roster against this (group stage) competition, he might show something.
In these type of tournaments, I either bring a B team and do good or bring a good team and win it. That being said, what are the expectations? Do we win this tournament?