I think i heard a couple months back that Pulisic made the most tackles / ball recoveries in the attacking third in the bundesliga last year.
Quality pressing, sure. He made a tackle and it deflected over the goalies head and into the net. Would have preferred a 35 years banger.
So what? Not everyone is Zlatan. I actually like this sort of goal better in the context of a young US player. CONCACAF is about grinding it out and making your luck. The pressure and timing exhibited there actually is more satisfying.
Michael Bradley’s shit defense just let a goal in vs. Tigres. He has totally lost his ability to play. I wouldn’t let him coach my daughter.
I find interesting the conflicting reports on whether Oscar Pareja has interviewed for the USMNT, and the fan reaction and feeback on whether he is a good fit. From 2014 - 2017 Oscar Pareja averaged 55 points per season with Dallas. He won a Supporters Shield and an Open Cup. From 2014 - 2017 Gregg Berhalter has averaged 48.75 points per season with Columbus Crew. He has never had a 55 point season. He hasn't won jack shit. His team currently sits 6 points behind Pareja's in 2018. I guess what I am saying is that Oscar Pareja is a better and more accomplished coach than Berhalter and maybe Gregg isn't a shoe-in for the USMNT job.
I personally haven’t thought Ggg is a “shoe-in;” I keep hearing he’s a leading contender. I’m concerned that as NT coach, he’ll be fitting a square peg in a round hole, trying to force his formation into the program where he doesn’t have the tools and against opponents where it won’t work. Trophies aside, if Pareja can select talent, challenge and mold that talent, and adjust tactics to exploit opponents, then I’m ok with him. Question is, of course: who can do that best?
NT is a different game from club soccer. Löw wasn't a huge hit as a club coach, for example. So it's hard to predict.
Ben Sweat, who couldn't get a game for Cbus, just got called up to the national team Guzan and Bradley are back as well. Cbus repped by Trapp and Steffen again. Pos. Player Club GK / Brad Guzan / Atlanta United GK / Ethan Horvath / Club Brugge GK / Zack Steffen / Columbus Crew SC D / John Brooks / Wolfsburg D / Reggie Cannon / FC Dallas D / Cameron Carter-Vickers / Swansea City D / Aaron Long / NY Red Bulls D / Matt Miazga / Nantes D / Antonee Robinson / Wigan Athletic D / Ben Sweat / NYCFC D / DeAndre Yedlin / Newcastle United M / Kellyn Acosta / Colorado Rapids M / Tyler Adams / NY Red Bulls M / Jonathan Amon / Nordsjælland M / Michael Bradley / Toronto FC M / Julian Green / Greuther Fürth M / Weston McKennie / Schalke M / Christian Pulisic / Borussia Dortmund M / Kenny Saief / Anderlecht M / Wil Trapp / Columbus Crew SC M / Tim Weah / Paris Saint-Germain F Andrija Novakovich Fotuna Sittard F / Josh Sargent / Werder Bremen F / Bobby Wood / Hannover 96
What's the point of this? It's bad enough we are disturbing players for useless games by a third rate coaching staff but bringing in Bradley? That's a PSV sized kick in the balls to the fans.
At what point will you be okay with games for the US? Yeah, Bradley is a terrible idea, but is there ever a point where you are cool with the team playing? I saw there was a new post in this thread, and I immediately started thinking about how you'd whine about it. You're predictable.
Immediately? I feel loved and important. Thanks, Timon. I'll feel much, much better when we have a coach in place. Sarachan is college level at best and we learn nothing from him being in charge. I'll feel better when certain players past their prime are set out to pasture. I'll feel better when we aren't wasting our players time and realize some are better off with their club at this moment. I'll feel better when the team has some purpose or direction instead of being on TV for the sake of being on TV. Good enough for you?
Gaining experience playing for the US, even just the extra travel and workload of being an international player, is still important. A lot of these will still be called in when we have a new coach. Not a total waste, that's nonsense.
I don't think the experience is as important as you do. We tend to overvalue NT experience and think of it as some high pressure situation that cannot be replicated. Tomorrow, Wigan-Swansea will feature two players we called up both knowing PL promotion may be a possibility. Far more pressure and better experience than Peru B team and being led by an Arena tactics disciple. I think most of the roster is better left alone right now whether it's playoffs or keeping yourself sharp in a foreign league. I also see they called up Nova again after benching him the last time. That was a dick move by Sarachan.
So just disband the team until Earnie Stewart can lure someone away from whatever job they currently have?
I don't know about disband but keep in mind what the priorities should be. Let's break this roster into group A) players that can use this camp B) players that should never wear the jersey again and C) players that should focus on club duty. A has Acosta. B has Guzan and Bradley. C has everybody else. The risk/reward just isn't there and Sarachan will be hopefully relieved soon. It's bad timing right now for a number of reasons. Having an actual coach would raise the value. I am also a huge fan of Camp Cupcake because the coach can look at a large number of players without disturbing clubs. But we need a coach and anything until then is a distraction at best. After all that, yes I will probably watch.
FWIW, Peru & Colombia both called strong squads. A couple players missing, but B+/A- for sure. Both teams are better than we are.
Just saw the rosters. Better than I expected. I fail to see Sarachan coaching as an advantage in any way. Let the players rest.