Agree and disagree. He's probably not ready, but without a way to get him ready, I'd like to see him just be given the chance. Let him surprise or disappoint rather than atrophy. I don't see practices so I don't know what he's doing there and Berhalter has been searching for a wing solution by playing everyone and giving them all a chance. None has stepped up. Pipa with his 4 goals (mostly PKs, yes they count, but come on) isnt' exactly doing a whole lot for us out there since the All-Star game. I'm about ready to turn it over to someone else right now (if he were healthy). Why not?
Because our playoff spot is not yet solidified. Pipa still finds the open spaces no one else does, moves the ball quicker and makes the passes our other attackers can't. It's time to phase Pipa out, especially on turf, but is Sosa the future? One way to find out.
Pipa the last couple games has slowed the attack, taken bad corners, turned the ball over with dumb one time passes and flicks and shot the ball right at the keeper. He hasn't been on the score sheet for...a bit. With Sosa hurt it's a moot point and when he's back he won't be fit, so maybe next year. I protect him for sure though.
We should play 352 the rest of the year. Our wingers do not produce goals anyway and Mullins does. Plus, I am not real comfortable with any 2 cb combination we put out there. Choose your wingbacks for more defensive (Afful, Jimenez, Valenzuela) or offensive (Santos, Meram, Opoku, Grella, Hansen, Marinez, Sosa, etc). -----------------Steffen------------- ----Mensah--Sauro--Abubakar Afful----Trapp----Artur---Santos ------------------Pipa----------------- ---------Zardes------Mullins------- Bench: Kempin; Williams, Jimenez/Valenzuela; Clark, Meram + 2 from: Opoku, Hansen, Grella, Martinez, Sosa, Argudo, or Valenzuela/Jimenez.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...er-schelotto-leaves-door-open-next-season-mls Guille coming home? I know this isn't roster, but #SaveTheCrew and #Berhalter4USMNT and I see this as a really great thing to look forward to!
These are maps of player touches for #Crew96 in 2018. A few observations:1. Valenzuela hugs the touch line more than Afful or Jimenez2. Martinez and Santos are all over; other wingers that stick to one side3. Trapp is clearly the distributor4. Zardes gets the ball in the box pic.twitter.com/b9AUOCt9kP— Eliot McKinley (@etmckinley) August 30, 2018 Touch map of the lads. Pretty interesting.
How funny would it be if a ref took his can of shaving cream and made such an outline around Santos on the field the next time he's rolling about. I'd LOL.
Steffen, Trapp, and Zardes have been called up to the USMNT for the upcoming friendlies. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...s-roster-upcoming-friendlies-vs-brazil-mexico
Glad they are getting some respect. Although, I'm sure Ggg wouldn't mind getting a look at some other players to see what they can bring to his future NT squad.