Review: 2019 GC in retrospect

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by manfromgallifrey91, Jul 8, 2019.

  1. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He has flaws in his game but his athleticism is likely the best pair next to Brooks. Especially in this system if our CBs are gonna be asked to defend in space.
     
  2. Craig P

    Craig P BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 26, 1999
    Eastern MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He had a poor game against Curaçao, including some really bad turnovers at times when the U.S. didn't want to be wasteful in possession.
     
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  3. ceezmad

    ceezmad Member+

    Mar 4, 2010
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Red Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The players that did not come to the Gold cup for Mexico are mostly young and on offense.

    On the other hand, this was the top defensive line up for Mexico, except perhaps Layun, but he is over 30 I believe.
     
  4. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    When you take a player that has been injured to a tournament, and that player is never fit enough to go 90'; that is a costly error. We just saw a USWNT that is so dominant in their sport. But a major reason they had been knocked out of the previous tournament, is the coach took a player that was not able to play a full game.
     
  5. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    So it's another day and I have inured myself a little to all the negativism. Here goes my observations.

    The most important aspect that needed to be worked on this tournament was for the program to advance to a point where:
    a) we saw improved cohesion with a flexible, positional system
    b) our best players were in their best position
    c) team morale was improved

    All of those were improved to a certain point but they also still have various question marks.

    a) Cohesion
    Background:
    Berhalter's number one goal is to take the USMNT to a more modern, European style system that leans heavily on positional play where players use coordinating movements and switches that makes plays predictable to us but confusing to the opposition.
    Pros: The Jamaica game was probably the single most important advance that we had in showing cohesion. It was also the only game against the level of opponent that we need to beat. We needed desperately to go back to the level that shows that we are at or near Mexico's level and this game was very good for us. The T&T game was also good but looked a little mechanical still against a very bad opponent. The positional play really showed well against these two and their players often had a shell-shocked look and body language.
    Cons: Against more technical and tactical teams like Curacao (filled with players trained in the Netherlands) and Mexico we were only adequate. Those teams adjusted to our play much quicker than other teams and when that happened we struggled. Against Mexico, there was even lack of cohesion between Berhalter and the players about how to play Mexico in the second half. The players wanted to play direct with long balls. Berhalter was struggling to introduce changes to the lineup to force a situation where we gained midfield control. As I have posted before, our system needs to be flexible and handle both situation but the problem in this is how to handle a tweener opponent like Mexico that is only a little better? I think Berhalter made a mistake here and I hope he learns from it. Alternatively, he may just select players that default to control which may be the case for the new generation coming in.

    b) Pulisic's position
    Background:
    The big topic revolving around Berhalter was how he would play the AM and the DM given that he has built Columbus around Trapp and Higuain. Two players completely different from Pulisic and Adams. This topic should have been Pulisic and Adams' position but the latter's injury forced it to the side.
    Pros: Pulisic played the best set of games I have ever seen him play. He was given the freedom to go central or wide and be influential. Should Pulisic play centrally or from the sides? Berhalter's system allowed him to play both. I was not expecting things to go this well so soon and I give Berhalter full credit here.
    Cons: Adams' injury was both good and bad for Berhalter. I think that in his first month Berhalter took a look at the changes he needed to install and decided that there was only so much he could change his style. The back 5+GK play basically the same style he had in Columbus while the front 5 were retooled to play with Pulisic and Altidore. It's the sane decision to make. With Adams not available it also became the right decision to make. The con is that there is no resolution to an idea that has set many fans against him. Eventually, Berhalter will have to tackle the DM issue.

    c) Team Morale
    Background
    : Couva. How can we exorcise that feeling and how can we make sure we never get there again.
    Pros: We pummeled T&T and Jamaica. Against Mexico our players showed aggression and passion.
    Cons: Curacao. We didn't put that team away early enough. In that day there were reasons to not waste energy but it felt too close. Also, all of these games were in the US. Until we see a full hex played well we will always have that lingering feeling.
     
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  6. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    I don't think people have been giving proper credit to our defense. It didn't create a ton of turnovers in the midfield or help us own possession, to be sure.

    But there were very few good chances for opponents all tournament. I don't know what the number is, but I'd bet the percentage of shots taken from outside the box was extremely high. We got peppered a couple of times, but overall, it was bend but don't break.

    Long in particular showed well, I thought.
     
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  7. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    I think there were chances by Guyana, T&T, Panama, and Curacao that were poorly taken by poor players. Curacao drew the best save by Steffan. But in each game, shots from the penalty arc, uncontested, were given up. Someone, maybe Panama, had a free header in the 6 yd box they flubbed. Jamaica and Mexico the defense had to be better and was. Mckennie also dropped deeper starting in the Jamaica game.

    Long and Miazga were generally good. Zimmerman was good defensively, but poor in distribution. Cannon was good. Ream was good in the last two games.
     
  8. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great breakdown. I particularly liked your estimation of Bradley, but think the rest of your ratings are also spot on. I'll highlight what you said about MB because I agree wholeheartedly and I think it needs to be said again: "He worked really hard, he offered good distribution, he seemed like a leader, but it’s clear he’s getting old and can’t be relied on as a mainstay. There’s no shame in that. Hell, Eddie Pope was past his prime too and kept getting call ups just because of his name. What I gathered about Bradley is that he could serve the US in an “oh shit” situation, but he’s clearly standing in the way of the vastly superior Tyler Adams. Thus, it should be interpreted that I am complimenting Bradley’s performance, but I’m rightfully worried that he’s going to be a weak link in next three years. Hopefully, Berhalter sees it."
     
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  9. DGreat

    DGreat Moderator
    Staff Member

    CD Guadalajara
    Mexico
    Oct 5, 2007
    El Ombligo
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    Not quite true in regards to Mexico being at 30.
    Lainez 19
    J.González 20
    R. Alvarado 20
    E. Álvarez 21
    A. Vega 21
    Antuna 21
    C. Montes 22
    O. Pineda 23
    Lozano 23
    Gudiño 23
    J. Gallardo 24
    E. Gutiérrez 24
    J. Gallardo 24
    Pizarro 25

    The Gold Cup was a great opportunity for Mexico to initiate the transition to the next generation. Having all the Euro guys not participate was a blessing in disguise as it helped begin forming the new cycle of players. Vela as indifferent as he is about the NT provided this same reasoning, he will be 33 and just taking an up and comer spot thus "retiring" from the NT.

    Cheers
     
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  10. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    I don't mean to say there weren't good chances. But there weren't many. Even when the opponent wasn't wildly outshot, most of the shots were from outside the box. That's just simply good defense, even with the issue that Ream lacks mobility and we didn't have a couple of our best defenders.

    The defense's biggest issue was failing to get possession in the midfield, not giving up good chances, whether on the counter or in opponents' possession.
     
  11. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    All true, but I like our young guys better. Alvarez and Alvarado look good, and Lozano is great.

    But I didn't think Pizarro was all that special and honestly can be a defensive liability. If we had a stronger 23, he'd have been exposed.

    Antuna is the most overrated player I've seen in a while -- he had a hat trick against Cuba and was largely wasteful the rest of the tourney. He's a Man City player like Mix Diskerud is a Man City player.

    It remains to be seen whether they will reach the heights of Vela, Chicharito, Guardado, etc. Then again, the same can be said of some of our youngsters.
     
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  12. DGreat

    DGreat Moderator
    Staff Member

    CD Guadalajara
    Mexico
    Oct 5, 2007
    El Ombligo
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    In regards to Pizarro he has all the tools to make the jump. He is a champion in LigaMX and Concacaf Champions league. Unfortunately his sticker price is to high for most Euro clubs.

    Definitely agree with the last statement there is a lot of young talent with potential on both sides. Who develops and breaks through will be seen at the end of this WC cycle
     
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  13. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    I get you. I guess I would see any good opportunity by Guyana or a similar team as a serious breakdown. In other words, a good chance by Guyana is almost as worrying as a goal from Mexico. Maybe that is harsh on Guyana; but I don't think the players from those teams are better so any chances are a system or personal break down.
     
  14. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Long fits in the best as the other back with Brooks, Miazga and Zimmerman. All three are helped by a mobile partner. However with only Brooks being a truly great passer there's a big need for a mobile back that can also pass great. Richards, Araujo and Kobe all have an opening to be a starter if they can fast track their progress. Are there any other mobile backs that cam pass that I'm not remembering?
     
  15. Patrick167

    Patrick167 Member+

    Dortmund
    United States
    May 4, 2017
    I know he is forgotten now, but a certain captain of our 2017 U20 team is mobile. He could pass well enough to play DM for Ramos.
     
  16. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    EPB
     
  17. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Is his passing in the Brooks category? I know he's mobile and have been hoping he advances.
     
  18. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I mean it’s hard to be in the Brooks category. He’s the best passing CB we’ve ever had. He’s also not playing at as high of a level as Brooks but his passing from the little I’ve seen is good. Will he develop and be able to do it against better opposition will be the real question. Only time will tell.
     
  19. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
  20. TOAzer

    TOAzer Member+

    The Man With No Club
    May 29, 2016
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That is exactly what describes how Bradley played...Yet, there he is, repeating that same crap for the full 90 in the final.
    You sayin' that what's good for the goose ain't applicable to the gander?
     
  21. TOAzer

    TOAzer Member+

    The Man With No Club
    May 29, 2016
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If I was a fan of the Latin opposition to the USMNT, I would be doing everything I could to keep Mikey on the team as "Captain for Life". And if it is mad General Egg who can keep that gift of laughter going, then butter-up that Egg!

    soon enough we'll have "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Berhaldo De La Mancha", penned by some Miguelito Cervezantes, cited as evidence for the world's admiration for the wonder that is General Egg and his faithful DM Sucha Putza.
     
  22. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    He's from South America. Heck, so am I. I've been on this board cheering the USMNT much longer than you.
     
  23. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  24. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    Not a success. Not a complete failure.

    The positives.

    There was strongly discernable pattern of play, which makes for a nice contrast to the chaotic displays of the JK era.
    That system generated 5 prime scoring chances in the Final.
    MLS defenders. The standard has risen considerably. Zimmerman, Long, Cannon, and Lima have been superb during their time with the team.

    The negatives.
    We lost to the Mexico B Team.
    The only opponents with comparable talent--by way of the players' league affiliations-- were Mexico and Curacao. We scored a total of one goal against them.

    Decisions:
    Is this the last of Ream, Bradley, and Altidore?
    Will the gimmick underlapping rb tactic be dropped for good?
    Pulisic: better if moved out of central midfield?
     
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  25. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    EPB is moving to the B1.
     

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