MLS Flavors of the week: 2019 Edition

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Sombrerito, Dec 20, 2018.

  1. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Side note and he isn’t a flavor but damn for 5’7 Josef Martínez is filthy in the air.
     
  2. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Speaking of Zardes, Morris' touch and hold up is discernibly better than his. That's an area where he's improved over time in MLS. And he gets in behind like no other in the pool. Plus he's a big gamer. So pick your spots and play him there. You could still typically start Sargent/Altidore and then when a game requires a field stretcher go with Morris up top or as part of a duo. Don't be married to a system.
     
    largegarlic and Excellency repped this.
  3. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    miazga was marking no one.
     
  4. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will say this, Id rather have seen Morris over Zardes at ST but neither would have been there if I was making the 23. His flexibility of Wing/ST is nice and should get him in the 23 from time to time based on injury. However, I feel he’s stagnated. At 24 he could improve but I’d rather see Weah in that role of hybrid Wing/ST. Don’t want to get into a debate of whether one is better than the other. Just simply feel this past gold cup was a wasted opportunity and we should be looking to nations league against minnows now as another chance to blood these youngsters with talent and upside. I’ll be very upset if it’s the same group from the GC rolled out again minus the few injuries.
     
  5. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Don't we have to win friendlies to keep our FIFA ranking at top 6 to stay in hex?

    Maybe we should wait for Weah to get some looks at Lille before firing Morris.
     
    tomásbernal repped this.
  6. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We should have no problem in the friendlies with Weah vs Morris. We should have no problem against the minnows either. Weah will do just fine against Canada and Cuba. Weah is arguably better now anyway. We aren’t close to falling out of the top 6 by the way. We’d have to be abysmally bad to do that.
     
  7. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    My memory is failing me at the mom. Remind me what Weah did in friendlies so far. I remember him struggling a lot under Sarachan. We've plenty tape on Morris setting up and scoring big goals.
     
  8. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He’s shown ability at the age of 18 that Morris still hasn’t shown. He’s also got a strong and fast frame. In those friendlies he’s played against much better players than the camp cupcake games Jordan’s got or even the GC games outside of Mexico. He struggle at times but id rather let him get the chance to work it out and see what’s there vs an older Morris who’s been given chances and hasn’t done enough with them. Please point to the big goals and assists Jordan has done. I can only think of one and that was against a team we should beat every time. Who are they against again? He’s got 5 goals and 4 assists in roughly 33 games. Don’t have the time to figure out the minutes. Weah has 1 goal and 1 assist in 8 (only went 90 in 3 and played 6 in another).
     
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  9. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Tiny sample size for Weah, but contributing to 2 goals in 8 games is actually slightly less than 9 in 33. Just saying.
     
  10. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    #1735 Excellency, Jul 14, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2019
    I was looking for the assist @ Netherlands (Wood goal which was a nice one under Klinsmann who picked Morris out of the college crowd) but first search result was this one vs. Mexico



    Then there's the winner which awarded us the Gold Cup 2017 title which I will not include here. Instead, let's to to HOlland for....

    Morris to Wood for the winner v. Holland, but do enjoy the whole hi-lite reel. Williams goal, Zardes outta midfield:thumbsup:, a young Bradley - not a back pass in sight - clearance off the line by Rasta to deny Van Persie his 50th international goal...….lotsa good stuff. Too bad UEFA got all chippy about soccer in the USA and got FIFA to rig the table...….



    Let's see Weah put the big boy pants on before we anoint him USMNT quality. Morris already did years ago.
     
  11. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If you do the basic math (not accounting for actual minutes) it’s a similar rate. The only difference is one hasn’t had the cupcake games the other has and one was 18 while the other was 21/24 for the bulk of his “stats.” Tho there is much much more that we need to look at. I mean come on 4 of his goals are against Martinique and T&T. That’s not really impressive. Morris keeps getting calls when he’s been poor in the league. I’d rather give Weah at 19 a run out and see what he can do against those same lower level sides. Than Morris at 24. Especially considered the 19 year old is in a tough competitive environment that will force him to develop where the 24 year has stagnated at weaker level. I’m not saying drop Morris forever. Just that Weah should be given a chance and I think he fits the same player type role that 3G has Morris in.
     
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  12. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Brek Shea has a couple of nice moments should we bring him back and start him at wing? Morris has stagnated and given several chances. Weah who is 5 years younger has flashed much much more than Morris has. He fits a similar profile for 3G and should be called in over Morris for the next set of games.

    I’d argue he’s better now and would do better than Morris in the MLS if he settled but forget all that for a second. It’s not important in the least. Not every game needs to be the best 23. Circumstance and context of the situation and timing is important. Weah should get a run out.
     
  13. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    You guys have brought soccer wayyyyyyy down. Go enjoy yourselves as you watch us crap out of quali's for a second time in a row.
     
  14. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have my hopes that Weah pans out. I think his new club situation is very positive. I also think that Morris is a decent player that works very hard. He's definitely worked at developing a left foot. Morris isn't likely to be among the best ever for the US. Weah, at this stage, is equally unlikely to be. Weah will get his chances if and when he gets regular and productive minutes on a first team.

    To bring this back to "MLS flavors of the week", Morris has been a solid pro with a year-plus interruption due to major injury. Regards to the NT, we'll just have to see how things progress because they're both still plenty young for the next World Cup. No need to drain the tub while the water is still running. That's just wasteful.

    EDIT: I clearly did the basic math: 2 in 8 versus 9 in 33, as stated in my earlier response. Works out to slightly higher production from Morris. But it's a moot point.
     
  15. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes that’s totally on me and whoever you’re lumping me in with. I don’t see how wanting to see Weah play against some minnows will lead to us crapping out of qualis and why that would be enjoyable for me. I’d wager dropping Morris for Weah and we wouldn’t miss a beat but if we dropped Wes for your boy Roldan we would be significantly worse off.
     
  16. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Zelalem vs Vancouver:

    Gets the start again. 1st sub after 60 min up 2-0.

    Not good or bad, rather just very little impact on the game. A couple unusual bad touches but otherwise typically calm and solid on the ball. Put in 2 nice strong tackles, otherwise a traffic cone, countless times he gets 1-2'd around because he takes bad angles.

    Had an amazing possession at the top of his own box, turning and fainting in tight pressure, was classic GZ.

    Zero actual playmaking in this game. Seems determined to put in tight balls to his forwards feet, no more thru balls in gaps. Sometimes just way too tight and forward turns it over with defender getting a foot in.

    Had one transition oppt, maybe 4v3 and is too slow, tries to cut back a ball but is intercepted by trailing defender. That was a bad moment for our guy.

    I've been critical of his lack trailing runs, pr secondary runs, as would be expected from a CAM/CM/8. Did it twice in this game, but way too many times he chooses to not get involved in the break. I dont get it.

    Great that he started, solid on the ball but just no impact on the game.
     
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  17. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yea the sorry the point of basic math was cause neither of us wanted to do a deep dive and break down the minutes. Wasn’t accusational more so just clarification of that. I’m actually not as high on Weah as many others are around here. Time will tell how it plays out but I’d like to see him given a run out. I think there’s far more to gain from it and the next games are friendlies. Don’t see any harm in it in the nations league either with the murders row were up against. But you’re right... enough of side tracking this thread.
     
  18. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why do you say Morris has stagnated? Have you watched him in league play? I see a player who has improved a lot on his greatest deficiencies in the last two years. He's no world beater, but he's a smart player capable of improvement, and still only 24. I hope that Weah doesn't do an Adu impression (not that I think he will, but high-and-mighty can always come crashing down).
     
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  19. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Roldan cant play the middle third. He's not my boy. Roldan is a 6/10 which is why Berhalter selected him. He doesn't play the 8 position. Berhalter doesn't play 8's. How many times have I got to point this out to you guys.
     
  20. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    As a fan of Morris I have to say his ACL tear prompted hesitation. Hopefully he can overcome it but that's something to watch. In the meantime he has worked on his left and scored goals with it.

    I always like to say "enjoy Morris while you can because his career is likely to be short". Why people cant wait 6 / 12 mos for Weah to show at Lille is beyond me. So far so good and now we watch to see him blossom. Why is that a problem?
     
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  21. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Because must have right now and f*ck you if you don't agree with me immediately.
     
    Excellency repped this.
  22. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Whatever you say man... I’m over it. Have a good night.
     
  23. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Or because certain players got called in when theyve been bad in the MLS. Morris has been bad this year (coming off a serious injury no surprise), Zardes same and it doesn’t stop there. Omar, does anything else need to be said. Lovitz, the list goes on. Long who I like was poor so far and gets a pass (and I have given him one as well) but these players in Europe have to prove 10x more than the players in the MLS. It’s crazy. And sadly feels agenda driven. But yea my argument has def been summed up with f*ck you cause you don’t agree with me. Great characterization of it.
     
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  24. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    The USA gave up 2 goals in the entire tournament, gold cup, and Long was bad?

    Would you mind explaining?
     
    gogorath repped this.
  25. btlove

    btlove Member

    United States
    Sep 29, 2017
    Austin Texas
    The guy is making an honest argument, you guys are the one with the f*ck you if you don’t agree attitude with garbage comments like these that don’t further the conversation. And the “you guys have brought soccer wayyyy down” but yeah. Truefan is the one with the “f*ck you” attitude. What a joke
     

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