I am sorry but this is nonsense! You think the English are obsessed with Americans!? You have to 'get over yourselves', the British had an Empire 100 years ago, Empires are a product of their times - that's why they no longer exist have you actually caught up to the 21st century? So what has the BRITISH Empire got to do with the ENGLISH football fan exactly? Listen I know how the average English football fan 'thinks' because I am one, I AM the horses mouth, if you think Pulsic's nationality is some kind of hindrance to him you are plain WRONG it wouldn't even be an issue if he was French, Australian Scottish or German (these are nations that the English actually DO have a sporting rivalry with). Like I said before there is ZERO rivalry between the US and England, nothing, da nada, zilch, nowt, bugger all, (certainly on the English side and considering the US have traditionally not played English sports I imagine the same can be said the 'other' way) so why on earth would the 'English' have a problem with Pulsic because of his nationality?
It is a bit absurd to think the world is nearly as obsessed with everything American as many Americans seem to believe. Then again, it's also absurd to believe that the English or any other group of people operate with complete objectivity and have no preconceived notions of Americans or anyone else for that matter. But, if Pulisic steps in and produces, no one will care at all where he is from and being American may actually make it a bit novel and fun to watch if he succeeds. If he doesn't produce, it won't be for lack of opportunity. American or not, they splashed out enough cash to believe he will be given every opportunity to succeed. Once he's on the field, its up to him to deliver.
I think that some of the difference in viewpoints about Americans in England stems from the internet - while it may be true that the great majority of English fans could not care less whether a player, manager, owner, etc. is from as long as they are successful, there is an opposite impression left by the extremely high number of trolls that concentrate on the "Americans call it soccer", "Americans are so overrated", etc. memes. Since we're on a message board, it's exceedingly likely that many of us have encountered the negative stereotypes as expressed frequently in comments on boards, Twitter, etc. BTW, this doesn't just apply to English football fans or trolls - it's a characterization that is found in many places in Europe (and likely in Latin America as well). It's just more obvious to us when it's in English...
Perhaps a bit but not that I saw where he had slam dunk options he should have taken instead of shooting. And we want guys who look to pull the trigger.
Not his best game, but first time in this system. Give him a little time to adjust and a competent front three and he is going to be very dangerous in this role.
Yeah, he didn't look very comfortable (or special) v. Ecuador, tbh. Not sure that set-up plays to his strengths. I know he, and many fans, think he's best in the center, but I've seen some of his best minutes come on the left.
The only Euro based guy who looked comfortable was Brooks as he was asked to just as a center back and we didnt have much defending to do. Pulisic didnt look good, but there were many plays that showed his value playing centrally. From his all touches video.... 2:10 - almost dribbles through defense 2:20 - turns with the ball, setting up arriola for a good chance (if arriola wasnt there CP would have been striking it with his left) 4:28 - receives the ball deep and centrally, runs at defence, shot is deflected for a corner 5:25 - Runs off Zardes and trips over himself In addition to these plays centrally, he drew one free kick, made runs wide (2:55), made diagonal runs inside Arriola (2:35), and made simple passes opening up play (3:55). He will draw a lot of attention and open up space for the wide guy or central partner. He will also get hacked down less or we will get many more dangerous free kicks. He didnt have a good game and even if the position isnt perfect for him, he much better than anything else we have right now. I think he needs time to settle into the role and we have better attacking options to put out there with him.
Maybe. It comes down to options. Are the better options out wide or a different player centrally - or playing without a 10? But if he's going to be out 10 he needs at least one strong creative attacking middle partner to help him when he attracts attention.
Did anyone notice after Pulisic scored and did his slide, his right leg got caught up in the grass a little bit. Does anyone think the post goal slide may have caused his injury? Just reminds me of when Bill Gramatica tore his ACL on a soccer jump celebration after kicking a field goal.
Raised eyebrows? Snide comments? In England? What has happened to this world. Interesting tidbit number 1 from this thread: Pulisic apparently is Bob Bradley. I did not know that. Going way off topic, I'm echoing befuddled here on the injury. Is there something to learn from two young players flying back across the Atlantic for friendlies and both leaving with injuries? Of course, the injuries were freak sort of things. But maybe there is something about the situation that says they aren't? maybe messing with their established rhythms at a young age isn't ideal?
Says every German club coach known to man . I swear they hate their players flying trans-Atlantic for international duty more so than other coaches.
These games during the European season should be played in Europe or the northeastern US, preferably somwhere with nonstop service to London, Berlin, Frankfurt, etc. Flying from London to NYC is not that big of a deal, especially in business class. But Germany to Houston via Florida is a different story. If I were a German club I would not want my players going that far for friendlies.
And that's exactly why FIFA has rules about international breaks. German clubs probably wish that Conmebol and Concacaf didn't exist!
South American and Asian players regularly fly much farther for internationals. It's not like Pulisic and McKennie are sailing across the Atlantic in a schooner, enduring the elements and fighting off scurvy. They're flying in a modern jet. A couple extra hours in first class is unlikely to be the root cause of their injuries.
Time zones mess with the body. Certainly messes with the rhythms German clubs look to establish with their players.
The Germans are just going to have to deal with it the same way every other club does. This has been going on for years, and it isnt/shouldnt change. Rolling the dice on stuff like this is part and parcel of the soccer business.
While circadian rhythms are important, I don't think you can blame it for the injury, and I don't think the one-hour difference between NYC and Houston would've been so impactful. When Pulisic was limping, I have doubts he was thinking, "Oh man, if only I was playing in Eastern Standard Time! Damn you, Calder Act of 1918 that standardized US federal time zones! Damn you to hell!"
I don’t blame it for the injury. But, you only have to look at how often US players on German clubs are held out on Saturday matches after returning from international duty overseas to get an understanding how they feel about the rhythms and proper recovery. Six and seven hr time zone differences are not inconsequential.
Two celebrations to never do: knee slide and twisting karate kick thingy. Both have given guys bad injuries over the years and knee slide seems to be CP's default celebration. Kid, who about a nice little hop with fist pump? Or hands to ears? Yeesh, injuring yourself while celebrating is a pain in the ass
10 goals, 7 assists, and responsible for many more in his first 25 games/1,597 minutes. Pretty impressive stuff! It is sad he keeps having to play with so many crap players.
Not sure you're correct on the shouldn't. Players make all of their money off their clubs, and players like making money. What the clubs want should be a consideration. Chelsea just paid $70m for him. I would guess that their concerns will be heard, at least by him. Players in Pulisic' position don't need nats games any more, as their career paths are established and the money is already massive. Obviously, they like it. But this is now his fourth muscle injury in one season. He hasn't been playing much lately because he's just off the injury list, though also because he's been a bit out of favor before the injury. Were 8 days and two pointless friendlies in any way worth it, when the alternative was let him stay and rest and heal at his normal place (for now). The reality is BDort probably could not care less about his long term health at this point. They've already been paid. but if he doesn't end the season with a good run of 4-6 injury free matches, is it wise for him to risk playing this summer? This summer the games matter much more and with a longish nats camp he will actually have time to integrate and adjust his body to a new system. But he's also on his way to Chelsea, and showing up there fully fit and fresh for preseason probably is more important to his career than a Gold Cup. I mean, McKennie turned his ankle going for a ball. It probably had nothing to do with the travel and accompanying exhaustion and trying to play in a new system. but maybe the circs meant he was half a step slow in his movement or thinking and that was responsible for the injury. Again, he needs club games right now more than he needed a friendly. Was it worth it?