PBP: 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship: USA vs. U.S. Virgin Islands 11/3 6:00 ET

We beat a pub-team 13-0. Most of those USVI players weren't any better than the average high school soccer player. What was the point of that game? I also thought we played terrible, but the fact that we can play terrible and beat a team 13-0 shows a lot of what's wrong with this format.

Ochoa had very little to do, but he did have one shaky moment that shouldn't be happening. Perez had no defending to do. Above-average going forward, but nothing terribly impressive. The goal was nice, but I'm watching more for high level plays, not scoring against a pub team. The goal was a very nice run though, and probably his best moment of the game.

Nothing for the two CB's to do defensively. Araujo did well passing out of the back, McKenzie did well scoring two goals. Thats my preferred CB partnership from this group of players. Real managed to play mediocre against a team we beat 13-0. Thats impressive. The captain might need a seat on the bench. I think its problematic to name one of your worst players the captain.

Fontana had nothing to do defensively, but moved the ball around well. I liked his goal. Showed some composure that most of the team didn't have. Wouldn't be against giving him another game or two. Angking did mostly nothing, and I've noticed he's very one-footed. Amaya was awful. Doesn't belong at this level. I know we had a lot of players that weren't released, but Amaya shouldn't have even been in consideration to replace those players.

Llanez was too good for these defenders. Dangerous game for him. They have no chance defending him, so they just foul him constantly and takes swings at his legs, ankles, knees, feet. I doubt he broke a sweat against this level of competition. Good idea to take him off at the half. Dorsey was even worse than Amaya. Also doesn't belong at this level. His football IQ is bad, he has almost no skill, he's very one-footed, and he has no composure. He's a decent athlete, but not much more than that. Akinola did well for the way he plays, but his selfishness showed. Tried to take a goal from Llanez that was rightly credited to Llanez, and then he tried to take another from Rennicks that had to be called offsides because he touched the ball.

Rennicks played well. Limited player, but knows his role, and doesn't try to do more than he's capable of. I had seen him play once or twice before and wasn't impressed. I think he's the player whose stock has went up the most through two games. I don't think he'll be more than average MLS player, but I wouldn't have even thought before this tournament that he'd be that. What was Mendez doing with that penalty that Dorsey drew? Takes the ball off him, and argues with him for a minute about it. Also took an ill-advised shot or two. I understand its hard to buy into playing against a team like this, but I wasn't impressed by his attitude when he came on. Pomykal is the same situation as Llanez. Best not to have him play much against a team that will try to kick him because they can't defend him.

 

If you just analyze his talent, I don't think he's as bad as some other players on this team, but the way he plays makes it so hard to say he's not the worst player on this team. I remember thinking the same thing about the U-17 WC team. I thought there were a couple players with worse talent, but he was the worst player for what he contributed.

 

Pomykal.

It has to be stated again that its not a slight towards Llanez (because he's one of the best players on this team), but playing up a cycle is very hard to do, and it shows how many "first teamers" are actually on this roster. I think maybe 1/3 of this team would be on the roster if everyone was available.

I was going to say that, but ended up not saying so. I'm not surprised someone else noticed it. Thats not a bad outcome. He'll make 100-200k per year being Herrera-level.

 

He played in those friendlies against France. That game was a much better way to judge his ability than this game. Didn't like his athleticism or defensive instincts, so thats a problem right away. He better be Dani Alves technically and creatively, otherwise, and I don't think he's more than above-average in that area. He has good ball control and can create some space. Better than most RB's in those areas. The Herrera comparison @SUDano used is a pretty good one, IMO.

One issue we see every cycle is that there are always some older year players who have no business getting so many call ups, but do purely because they are older players. I think Its made worse this cycle because the 99's don't have much depth, IMO. A player like Dorsey has no business on this team. Neither does Real, probably Fontana, Rogers, Rennicks wouldn't be on this team (even with the absences), if they weren't 99's. I understand why Ramos does this. It happens a lot in sport, but I'd prefer not to watch so many non-prospects (or close to it) in a youth team.