This is a must win game for the USA, as a draw all but guarantees that we will not advance. We'll know by the end of the day today for certain. A draw would advance the USA if the following results happen today: - Nigeria win - Ecuador win - New Zealand and Canada draw A loss means that the USA places 4th and their tournament is over. In my opinion, Reyna needs to start, as does Odunze. Leyva did well against Japan but I worry about his fitness going into his 3rd game. Saldana is replaceable, and has played two straight games. I fully expect to see Kayo, Dietz, or possibly even both. I would select Carrera over Gray based on performance but it's close. If Scally gives us the best chance to win he should start, but I'm not convinced he does. I have no strong opinion on Anderson, though; I wish we had Cuevas. The Netherlands is missing Bogarde, and even with a win is unlikely to advance due to the pounding they received thus far in the tournament. If the above results happen, they can advance with a win; if not, they need to win by a lot or be eliminated. I honestly could see this going either way; Netherlands may have the talent edge but have been dominated in two straight games.
Australia beats Nigeria and is a 4 point 3rd place team. 2 points will not be enough, we have to win. The Netherlands can still advance with a win and will be gunning for us.
USA U17 Starting XI vs Netherlands (kick off at 4 pm on Fox Sports 2): Gray returns in place of Carrera, Reyna replaces Pepi pic.twitter.com/79qj6Ke2j9— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) November 2, 2019 Pepi is out w/ the injury, so he has an excuse there, but still really poor lineup choices overall. Why not AOC up top and our best player at his best position? Still not using Kayo for more athleticism/ball-winning in cm. No rotation in cm. Those kids could be tired. Dobbelaere and Jasson still means no creativity at a-wing. Benching Carrera is inexplicable. Should move Kobe up the field where he'd be better utilized and have more impact. Scally is still questionable used as a right back if at all right now. Hoping for the best though.
Jasson huh? Soooo no creativity or pace on the wings yet again. My countryman is not giving me confidence.
This is the first game I've looked forward to watching. Busio has been growing on me. I think he was fully mature at 15 and I always wondered how many of these levels he would make it thru. So far so good.
Reyna just doesn't seem to know when it is the right time to let go of the ball. Unfortunately, he is at Dortmund which produces those types
I wouldnt say that. It's probably about defense and keeping it close so things don't spin out of control.
Swear down, the USA defensive shape and effort is shit. They just run after the ball without any positional sense.
I think what Wicky will learn this go-round is that at this level sometimes it is best to overlook athleticism in midfield and shade towards a brain. Carleton last cycle was an example. I would have brought Stroud to Brazil. He would have delivered that one ball which goes for a goal after going thru the xgoal chain. Continental snobbery towards WestHamfootball, Wicky?
Reyna looks solid as a forward. It’s hard to blame him for holding on too long when the one time he releases it his teammate doesn’t shoot on an empty net.
You can’t have two players in Reyna and Busio who don’t close down the ball at all. The team is getting overrun in midfield because of it.