Im ok with moving on but that also describes altidore. Given that we’re building around a guy whose older than Williams and “was” a worse player in 2018, I’m just pointing out that posters are making declarative judgments without having seen him at all.
So Williams is on the wrong side of 30 and injuries have made him a shell of the player he formerly was? Hmmm, that's an interesting take, and I agree, a disqualifier for USNT service. Wait a minute...
People here were lying saying that Williams wasn't playing "because he's injured" even though he was sitting on the bench. I don't get what's the fascination with the guy.
Why would anyone be surprised that a guy who comes back from a major injury doesn't immediately claim his spot? As to the "fascination", it's pretty simple. We're building a team around Michael Bradley and the person who got the most time at the most central position behind him is Will Trapp. Given the lack of depth that we obviously have at this position, poster are looking everywhere for options - much like 7 month younger and often injured Altidore is clearly in the mix (and should be). What's your confidence level that Williams isn't better than Bradley or Trapp? He was better than both in early 2018 and both MLS players have declined as international players from then IMO. He was seriously injured and no one has seen him since he's regained "full" fitness (which I'd say he wasn't even when he returned to Hudds at the end of last season). I'll further make the argument that the most important issue is how he impact his fellow midfielders and defenders: Bradley makes Weston, Roldan, Pulisic and our CBs play worse. Let's be clear: I have my doubts he's good enough but there's a reasonable chance he's better than Bradley and a very good chance he's better than Trapp. He also provides much needed bite in our midfield. And no one has seen him play.
Williams came back from injury. Was given a shot. Twice. By a coach who's also a Yank Abroad. In a team dead last on the table, where the guy he was replacing was terrible. He was even worse. High. Even if he looks decent against the likes of Doxa or Paralimni, that'd prove very little. But at this point, at least for me, it's impossible to evaluate him fairly, I have no way to watch the league where he's playing. My general rule of thumb is to forget about the Yanks Abroad playing in leagues weaker than MLS --not that I won't try to follow them, but to forget about calling them for the NT. MLS is low enough as a minimum threshold.
I'm not pro- or anti-MLS, I'm just a very logical type. MLS is my lower threshold for the simple reason that there are so many USMNT-eligible players there, so taking the time to try players in leagues beneath it would be a waste of time. In this sense, I can see why Egg is not bothering calling the likes of Williams and I fully support him. There is zero logic in calling players plying their trade against teams weaker than the ones found in MLS. If he had the time, he could start calling the guys who look nice in Israel or Scandinavia too. But the only league there above MLS level is, right now, the Danish one.
Jozy is also a much rarer talent than Williams. Playmakers are as rare as hen's teeth for the USMNT on most rosters of late.
Altidore is at least defensible since we don’t actually have another striker that’s remotely proven, and Jody at least bumslays CONCACAF. Bradley has no business being out there either so I doubt you’re going to find anyone to defend that one
I can see the attraction of calling up a starting left-back from a mid-table team in a country smaller than greater NYC with the population of Rhode Island and a league that's ranked below SPL...
We'd have taken bumslayer Alitidore in Cuova. 13/42 goals in Altidore's career have been against Caribbean teams, 5 of whom were against Trinidad... But, aside from Jozy's injuries, he's a very streaky player form-wise. Makes it hard to rely on him when you need goals. If we're going to call in someone to replace an injured/out-of-form Jozy, I'd muuuuch rather see Sapong and Sargent instead of Sargent and Zardes. Sapong is a very good veteran striker, and offers similar holdup play to Jozy. Plus, I think Sargent could get some good advice from Sapong on his game.
But Jozy occupies defenders even when he hasn't got the ball. That's something Sargent still has to learn judging by his display at BMO Field.
He also makes a lot of dangerous passes. In the Costa Rica debacle at Red Bull Arena he set up CP in the box multiple times.
The reason is very simple. He wants Cobi's cap record. It's ego and nothing more, and if he has to burn the program to the ground to get it, so be it.
I don't want Bradley in the team in most cases anymore, but I am 100% OK with players being competitive and confident enough that we have to drag them off the field. Personally, I blame the guy who keeps picking and playing him, not Bradley.
This x1000. there are very few players who have the self-awareness and grace to step down at the right time. That's not the standard. I'm sure Landon and Jones would accept call ups if offered.
Why would Bradley retire from international soccer? He thinks he's good enough, as does his NT manager apparently.