Pre-match: 2018 World Cup Qualifying: USA vs Honduras; March 24th in San Jose

I would sub out Green for Notsogood.

 

Why?

 

I don't think he's been good for the US at all, and these are must-win games and I'd rather have someone I knew I could count on to at least run his face off trying than someone who's club form is giving him a free pass to be mediocre.

I realize that's at odds with the idea that everyone should get a fresh start under Arena, but I'm tired of watching attacks die at his feet and hearing about his "pedigree" when he is middling at best for the NT.

 

he's our best winger and LB

 

I like Green a lot and am very optimistic about his future, but I cannot fathom a rationale for starting him ahead of Wood at this time, especially with what I have seen from Wood in the last few games.

 

No way Green starts over the Terminator.

 

Alexi thinks Rimando will start.

 

In FIFA 17, maybe.

He's not even close to that in terms of how he actually plays.

 

Dude FJ plays on a CL team...big difference from the MMLS.

 

The fact that he plays for a CL team has zero bearing on how he plays for us, and serves as a blinder for a lot of otherwise bright people when it comes to evaluating how he plays for the US.

Fair point. Perhaps I should clarify my point and say that unless he's playing LB I'd prefer he not be on the field.

As a midfielder, he's mediocre for the US.

 

Who should Bruce use then in MF instead of FJ?

 

As far as productive wide attackers are concerned, there are multiple better options.

Gyasi Zardes is a more productive NT player than Fabian Johnson. Consider that.

 

Gyasinho???

 

Ball don't lie; Zardes shows better for the NT in the midfield, comedy first touches and all.

Johnson should be at LB or on the bench.

 

No thanks to the donkey touch

 

His performances have dropped in quality since the World Cup. However, he's still easily our best LB right now and any player one might argue to get a chance there in the future is untested. Villafana I'd like to see gold cup but not to start in march. Beasley I'll pass. Ream isn't a LB outside of in a pinch. Lichaj and Chandler both play on the right. Lichaj has been used on the left more than Chandler but I'd want either to have a camp of reps prior.

In the midfield I think his performances suffered because of a lack of continuity. When he spoke with Bruce his comments were very telling. Bruce asked him where he wanted to play, he said anywhere Bruce thinks would most benefit the team but that once Bruce settles on that position to leave him there. Wish I could find the article.

I'd still take him over Bedoya or Zardes but don't have time for that debate.

 

How about we settle on Johnson performs poorly for the NT and Zardes doesn't belong?

 

Last Cycle's Hex home match v Honduras! Fun to watch Fab perform poorly!

The sequence starting at 37 secs illustrates one of the big difference between Fab for club and Fab for the USMNT. It starts with JJ dropping a 40 yd pass on a dime to a sprinting Fab...

 

I know when I want to counter a point about a guy being mediocre since 2013, I use a video of a game from...2013.

 

My group:

GK: Howard, Guzan, Rimando

RB: Yedlin, Chandler

LB: Villafana, Johnson

CB: Brooks, Birnbaum, Zimmerman, Hedges (Marshall)

DM: Bradley, Cameron (Morales)

CM: Feilhaber, Kljestan

L/RM: Nagbe, Pulisic, Arriola, Lletget

FW: Altidore, Wood, Morris, Green
------

----Altidore--Wood-----
Nagbe--Feilhaber--Pulisic
----------Bradley--------
Johnson-------------Yedlin
---Brooks--Zimmerman--
----------Guzan-------------

 

not sure why the US has always had a problem putting two creative midfielders on the pitch. sascha and benny could work some magic against honduras, but i think they are thought of as the same type of player - and US coaches "must" have a more defensive player in the middle. reminds me of reyna and ramos in '98... why not play both?

 

That's damn near exactly what I'd have, though I prefer Fab as a winger and I'd think hard about calling Hyndman.

 

I love the props for Arriola and don't mind Lichaj at all, at all.

Arriola is definitely playing well enough to merit a March call, & versatile Lichaj should absolutely be in the mix in a thin fullback pool https://t.co/o4b2m1F0Bv

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) February 9, 2017

 

Lichaj should have been getting calls up the last 5 years.