The 2016/2017 off season thread

Preseason games have highlighted a few things in my view at least:

• Royer is legit
• Davis/Adams look up for the job
• Striker and CB depth still suck - Veron in particular hasn't shown up

 

I am 100% on board with Adams and Davis. I think both guys are ready now, and I think Adams is one of the brightest young players in the USMNT pool. I like the wide options, as well, but I'm very concerned with our forward corps. I just don't see any real MLS guys behind BWP. Allen looks far too lumbering to me. Veron has been largely underwhelming in almost any role.
I also think that RB is an area that could have been easily upgraded. Sitting back and filling needs on the cheap aren't really the way this league is evolving. That type of old-school MLS thinking will get you passed by in a hurry. There seems to be a lot of money left to play with. I just don't see the proactive front office activity I expected.

 

Royer excited me from word one. Love that guy.

 

It may very well be that he or someone in his family is sick or otherwise taking his attention away from the team.

OTOH, there's this: Marsch calls McCarty trade “unfortunate”

 

Report: Michael Amir Murillo finalizing switch to New York Red Bulls

 

Woohoo, we did it! We signed someone who wasn't already physically in New Jersey!

 

And McCarty is on record as saying what RBNY are doing to Ali Curtis is unfair.

Fun times, folks. Fun times.

 

Tyler Adams in US U-20 Roster

 

Hype train is really gaining momentum with Adams, seen some very knowledgeable people suggest he could easily push Davis and Felipe for minutes if he has a good tournament.

 

That does not surprise me. I like his attitude and work rate.

 

I was wondering about what happened:

Bulls (not) Abroad: Injured Borges out of U-20s

 

Meanwhile, still no word about Ali. What an effed up situation this is.

 

We were on YES yesterday and beat NYCFC 2:0. Kljestan scored both goals.

 

Red Bulls officially announce that Ali Curtis has left by "mutual consent".

 

It appears the USA lost to Panama 1-0 in the U-20's first qualifying group match today. No report, yet.

It appears that this is the usual story, lots of shots and possession, not a lot to show for it and some sloppy play along the way. They also committed slightly fewer fouls than Panama, which at least suggests a lack of assertiveness that is also a hallmark of US teams. Going into a major tournament, it would come as no surprise if they just didn't play with the required sense of urgency.

 

Report: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/clu...mnt-falls-down-in-1-0-loss-to-panama_aid41475

So in addition to a lousy performance, Adams goes off injured in the first half. Yuck!

 

Oh wtf.

 

some guys on the mend:

http://www.onceametro.com/2017/2/19...ng-just-in-time-for-concacaf-champions-league

 

you forgot to say that we played a man up for like forever...

 

:48-1:08 for the Adams stomp

 

thanks...that could have easily broken his leg

 

RBII just finished up a 2-2 draw with Houston. After going down in the first half 0-2, they staged a comeback in the 2nd. Don't know the lineup or who scored but they got the gegenpress going and made Houston look pretty average.

 

Pretty much a "meh" draw with Vancouver on Wednesday. Essentially a sterile first 45, followed by more of a sense of urgency. The new formation and combinations will take some time. Aaron Long looked steady at the back, which will be HUGE this term.

 

Am I alone in having no single solitary clue what to expect this term in any competitions?