The Gyasi Zardes thread

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Scotty, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    #1751 IndividualEleven, Mar 28, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2019
    Zardes has 7 goals and 9 primary assists across 33 matches worth of minutes which is outstanding when also factoring his Copa record. That's a bit more than an ignorant/patronizing 'hardworking' appellation. He has an excellent record at forward as well as at wide midfield.

    His record at forward in MLS is also outstanding.

    Individual coaches have their reasons for moving players around; see, for example, Adams. Under Berhalter, Zardes has a goal and primary assist in 4 matches at forward. He is scoring/assisting at his normally excellent historical rate.
     
    juveeer and laxcoach repped this.
  2. laxcoach

    laxcoach Member+

    United States
    Jul 29, 2017
    intermountain west
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In March/April 2019, Zardes isn't an issue for me. His work rate, his energy and sometimes good play is more than enough when looking at this roster that Berhalter puts out. I'd take him over Altidore for a couple reasons. But Sargent is the future and that means the next WC IMO. No way Zardes is the mad then, but I'll still take him on the roster over Wood or Altidore. Those 2 that surrounded him are more an issue moving forward. No way Arriola or Baird are international quality. Baird has time to get there but we have young guys that are at an international level now regardless of their club situations.
     
  3. gunnerfan7

    gunnerfan7 Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Jul 22, 2012
    Santa Cruz, California
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He had one good assist and a lucky goal in two games against good teams. He had two awful games in the January Camp against two bad teams. He certainly has a role on the team, but I'd like to see better strikers get an opportunity to play there to see where they're at. Novakovic, Sargent, and Weah come to mind.
     
    UncagedGorilla and laxcoach repped this.
  4. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I notice that other Concacaf teams, even the minnows are much more willing to take a rip from distance.

    Is this a US coaching thing?
     
    juveeer repped this.
  5. gunnerfan7

    gunnerfan7 Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Jul 22, 2012
    Santa Cruz, California
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It sorta seems like it. Our guys almost never take pot-shots. Certainly, when someone new takes the field and "tries stuff", like Aron Johansson back in 2013(?), it stands out as being exciting/effective. I remember the first couple of times he got the ball, away to some team. He was tricky with the ball at his feet, and took shots when they presented themselves. Didn't score, but was very exciting to watch.

    I'd like us to test the GK more.
     
    50/50 Ball repped this.
  6. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    Agree that guys like Weah and Sargent are the future. Hopefully they get big minutes at club level, over the next couple of years.

    Arriola has 3 goals and 2 primary assists in 12 games worth of minutes. That's excellent for a winger. Just as importantly, he defends well. His game has been improving. He isn't a lock starter, but deserves to be in the rotation.

    Baird isn't ready. But his selection, which wasn't tied to previous connections to 3G or to league dominance, did help to shed light on what Berhalter wants from his wingers--namely, workrate, pace, and physicality.
     
  7. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    It's a soccer thing. If you don't shoot, you can't score.
     
    juveeer and Master O repped this.
  8. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    I say this with all due respect: pump the brakes a little (unless you are his Mom. In which case I say: I admire your restraint Mrs. Sargent).
     
    sregis2 and Grumpy in LA repped this.
  9. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    what';s the likelihood that he may be getting overseas interest (again)?
     
  10. sregis2

    sregis2 Member

    Jun 4, 2014
    Club:
    --other--
    probably is. yet what would be the real incentive? why rock the cushy little boat he's in now and jeopardize his standing?
     
    LouisianaViking07/09 repped this.
  11. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    Because he may actually believe in himself as a soccer player. He may take feedback from teammates and coaches, instead of BS from BS.
     
  12. sregis2

    sregis2 Member

    Jun 4, 2014
    Club:
    --other--
    oh, god- one hopes he doesn't take advice from "us". personally, i think he's being placed above his calling...and he knows it. just a hunch.
     
  13. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    most pro athletes believe in themselves. Otherwise they could not function.
     
  14. sregis2

    sregis2 Member

    Jun 4, 2014
    Club:
    --other--
    this is less about belief than it is about mid career ambition. we shall see.
     
  15. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
  16. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    Any Body Part Will Do!
     
    LouisianaViking07/09 and 2in10 repped this.
  17. Cannons

    Cannons Member+

    May 16, 2005
    Ask yourself this question....... if GB was not the coach, would Zardes even be on the team? I think the answer is obvious, You can throw Trapp into that same question too
     
    moleman repped this.
  18. moleman

    moleman Member

    Jan 7, 2017
    I’m sure both of these guys give it their all in practice/are nice guys, but they just don’t have what it takes to play at the international level. Playing with them against any top opponent is playing two men down from the get go.
     
  19. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Zardes has been mercurial and is having an average season. So yeah. I mean Altidore isn't even healthy too.

    Trapp is having a bad season however, no explanation there.
     
  20. ChrisSSBB

    ChrisSSBB Member+

    Jun 22, 2005
    DE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, Zardes has 44 caps and he sure didn’t get them all under Berhalter.
     
  21. superdave

    superdave Member+

    Jul 14, 1999
    VB, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It’s a form of torture to watch him. But he is statistically pretty productive. At a certain point, it ain’t luck. He hustles and gets in good positions at an A+ level. Once there he plays at a D level.

    How do you assess that? ******** if i know.
     
    juveeer and TOAzer repped this.
  22. ChrisSSBB

    ChrisSSBB Member+

    Jun 22, 2005
    DE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don’t know how to assess either but coaches are going to look at different phases of the game snd I am sure Zardes gets very high marks for his off the ball work, both in defending and in transition. Plus, he can do this for 90 minutes. If he was merely average in these areas or can be counted to fade significantly at 75’, I doubt we would see much of him.
     
    Berks and 2in10 repped this.
  23. Jazzy Altidore

    Jazzy Altidore BigSoccer Yellow Card

    Sep 2, 2009
    San Francisco
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You assess by watching him play and seeing how many of his goals and assists have been literally accidental.
     
  24. Sebsasour

    Sebsasour Member+

    New Mexico United
    May 26, 2012
    Albuquerque NM
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In fairness, Sarachan was calling Trapp too
     
    2in10 repped this.
  25. 2in10

    2in10 Member+

    LA Galaxy, Internazionale
    United States
    Jun 19, 2016
    Sparks, NV
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't muddy the whine by throwing in facts.
     

Share This Page