So disappointing. A no-contact penalty that may earn Porto a point. May have been a stumble instead of a dive, but definitely no contact that I guess looked like contact from the ref's angle. He was in decent position, to it's just a miss.
Full time. Schalke will feel hard done by on the penalty call, though I think the game was played relatively even. McKennie represented himself well overall, highlighted by a high quality assist. Big endorsement to be in the 11 for the CL opener as well.
7.3 for McKennie on whoscored. Only Sane and the keeper with higher ratings. I know he'd been shuffled around a bit in the lineup due to injuries, but great to see him have such a nice showing back at his more natural position.
As I said long ago, this guy panning out is going to be even more important for our NT than Puli: we desperately need a good CM. We usually get guys who're not good enough for the attack and not good enough for the defense playing there. I'm so glad to see him get out of his funk.
Wondering is his funk was like mine when it comes to the USMNT. I'll get fired up once the USSF pulls it's collective head out it's arse and hires a real coach. How we expect players who play for big clubs and in the ECL to get fired up for friendlies with an interim coach who doesn't get roster or tactics right is crazy. Tedesco is a really good coach. He's getting the most out of McKennie IMO. And I think we desperately need both he and CP to move the USMNT along. One without the other was what we just saw in the last 2 games. Not sure who's more important but I get your point totally.
Played the advanced middie in Tedesco's 3-5-2, and according to whoscored, 81% of his passes were forward, with the majority of them in the attacking third. Seems like a way different role this season with Goretzka and Meyer gone. Bentleb was doing the dirty work, with Serdar also providing grit. Wes only attempted 2 tackles in his 90 minutes, surprisingly. Still, Schalke was toothless and looked pretty bad.
He doesn’t play like that for the US because he has Trapp behind him... he needs to defend way more often
It wasn't a funk. McKennie is a good player that can't do everything when playing for USMNT. He needs quality help.
1st half: Thought he was bad, sloppy on the ball, not making tackles. Out of sorts. Was making those straight runs forward and got a nice chance. Fortunate touch got him a nice look on goal. Seemed to be a step behind. 2nd half: holy awesomeness. The lead up to the assist was great, fought to win the header and the makes the great run forward, gets played in and puts a nice square ball for the assist. Was all over the field, making crunching tackles in his own box, and always getting forward. Watch a joy to watch. Not graceful, not taking people on, but doing all the blue collar things that needed to be done. Allowed to roam free offensively and so disciplined on defense.
I mean his two previous games for Schalke (vs. VW & Hertha), actually. He wasn't looking that good IMO.
I don't follow Dortmund enough to know if they have a quality midfield. How does theirs compare to the US, other than relative experience?
Their best starting midfield is any combo of Kagawa, Witsel, Weigl, and Götze. Dahoud is a bench/depth option. All of those players, save Dahoud, would be locked in starters on the USMNT and better than anything we currently have.
The concept that a major league UCL midfield is comparable to the US' midfield which recently has been comprised of young-ish MLS players and WM is apples-to-oranges.