Japan and the Netherlands play after we do, so we'll need a few hours to see how the group is shaping up. Senegal got in after Guinea was disqualified. Here's a link to their roster: https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/teams/team/1889670/
Tough to predict what Senegal will look like at this level, but their U20 team was very defensive and did not press much at all. They preferred to sit back and force teams to recycle possession before hitting on the counter. They surrendered very few shots despite being one of the lowest teams in terms of ball possession. Senegal's U20 team was one of the tallest, on average, in the tournament. That is not the case with the U17s where they are slightly below average height.
I really think we have a quarterfinal team at min, don't think they are good as last cycle but there is talent.
Not a lot, and not at all with them playing off each other as dual strikers. When they've been on the field together its been with AOC on the wing. In any case, we are not lining up in a 442.
Fine w/ it, outside the random liability lb. It's a compulsion for US soccer. They even had Bello on the roster, if bound to start a left-footer. I would have started AOC at a-wing over Yow, but it's understandable not to since he's not a natural winger at this point. Yow gives us somewhat more creativity on the ball. May end up being necessary given Busio is not a creative 10. He can pick up Yow's rebounds.
Pretty much what I expected. I’d rather have Armour than Bello for this game and start Bello for the next two.
Kobe is playing center back due to lack of depth/talent in that position. It's also debatable whether or not he would actually be more effective at left back than center back at this level. His distribution from deep can be a game changing factor in how this team plays. The idea is that, even though he would have this ability at senior level, he wouldn't hold up there nearly as well defensively (mostly due to his height), but at the youth level, it's not as big of a factor.
Who's ready to overreact and proclaim teenagers as either future superstars or doomed failures? I know I am, let's ********in do this.
Frankly, I watch the U games to check out the individual progress.of our boys. In this last U20 WC I was very surprised how good they played as a unit. Gives me hope for the future.
FS1 is claiming a 442 with Leyva as the RM in their infographic. That would be ... odd. Looks like a 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 from a personnel standpoint. Even the announcer was questioning.