Pre-match: International Friendly: USA vs Mexico; September 6th

Not sure how I feel about giving minutes to someone who might not be there for our meaningful games, I'd rather have Cannon starting as there's a chance he'll be our starting RB for WC qualifying. Cannon did well in the GC final but I want to see how he holds up against Mexico's A team

 

He will be there if he’s called.

 

Part of giving him the minutes is to increase his chances he is there when qualifying happens. Maybe GGG will play both Dest and Cannon, either would be better than Ream or Lovitz at LB.

 

Amazing.

 

You could add we just saw Cannon play Mexico. Granted that Mexico isn’t as strong as this Mexico is but it will at least be an interesting way to compare the two.

 

I don't agree with the last statement at all. I completely concede that the Netherlands is better and will likely be better than us over time, but I can build a compelling argument around the size of the role Dest would play in the rise of a national team -- a very special generation -- that will culminate in the 2026 World Cup. He'll be 25, and there will be all of America watching as our program takes a massive step forward. He'll do it with his friends from the U20 team and be remembered forever.

Okay, that may be projecting a bit much, but the reality is that the opportunity for Dest with the US is so much more in so many ways. He's so much more likely to play, start and play a major role with us than he is with the Dutch.

And that's before we factor in that we're the ones who believed in him, and that the Dutch still don't -- they needed pressure to even offer a U23.

There's a reason for picking the US.

 

We have a true embarras de richesses at RB: Cannon, Lima, Yedlin, Dest, Adams, Moore. It reminds me of some point during the Klinsmann years when we had up to 7 guys who could play the defensive CM role (6/8 hybrid) in the team.

Of course, one can do like JK and start three or even four defensive CMs, but one can only use one RB, at most two if you push one forward to be a pseudo-winger.

 

If I had to guess I would say yes, to some extent, especially when they are new to a team. People tend to identify with people with whom they have commonalities. With time they may gravitate toward one person or another but sharing some of the same experiences may provide an initial bond.

 

That is the gist of my feelings on where our development system is at the moment. We are at a point of rapid improvement where the exponential nature becomes apparent.

In our last cycle we had one new young player that could very likely turn into the best player in our history to this point and already there are young players with apparent ceilings that could approach or even surpass those heights. Pulisic last cycle, Richards, Adams, Pomykal, Leyva, Reyna and many others this cycle. (I don't count duals like Dest because they are American but not a reflection of the US development system)

Of course there are a number of reasons that any one or all of the players mentioned above won't reach or surpass Pulisic's level but it's pretty safe to say that the pool of young talent in the US has never been this rich...and it appears to be getting better.

 

Could start Dest at LB against Mexico.

 

If he passes to Holden I will be very impressed. Those Booths are way up in the box seats

 

??? GGG, is that you posting?

 

pulisic, brooks, morales, steffen and johnson will be released after the mex match which is vaguely interesting in a couple of ways.

first- youd THINK that would indicate morales will start this one, but also i wonder if gonzalez will get the start vs uruguay. thats assuming no one is added (which i wouldnt be surprised by a couple of mls additions) or, obviously, berhalter doing the most boring thing possible and going with guzan.

 

Great post. I’ve been thinking it will be a shame if our ceiling this cycle and next is limited by the quality of our coaching and fed. Not saying it will happen but Imagine what this same group of guys might accomplish with a Tata for example.

 

I’m with McBride on this one. Exact XI I want to see.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=3935667

 

Good lineup. Morales and Pom outside midfielders, though? Does that make sense?

Either way, we lose this one 4-0.

 

I don’t think they would play like that under our system. More likely Morales at 6 and Pom and Wes dual 8/10s.

 

Will be interesting to see. Wish we had Adams so the McKennie partnership can mature. A shame this injury has kept him out so long.

Edit: Of course, Berhalter may want Adams at right back, which is idiotic.

 

If the Mexicans keep yelling that Puuto chant of theirs, will the referee have the balls to stop this friendly?

 

My line up tonight:

—————Sargent——————-
Pulisic——————————-Boyd
———Pax——-—-Wes(C)————
——————Fredo———————
Dest———————————Cannon
———-Brooks——Long—————
——————Steffen——————-

Note: at the half, switch Cannon and Dest.


Bench:
Guzan
Robinson (Long) 85
Lima (Dest) 85
Yuiell (Fredo) 70
Lletget (Pax) 70
Zardes (Sargent) 90
Morris (Boyd) 70

 

Zardes is my go-to 90 minute sub as well. Unless we are in extra time at a tournament.

 

you guys know Trapp and Zardes are starting, yes?

 

For me, start Dest, start Morales, start Sargent. Pomykal is probably too hurt/tired to have a good start so give him 45 or 30 minutes. Also, I just want to see Lletget get a decent start.

 

is that a 730 kickoff or a 730 beginning of a lengthy pregame show? anyone know?

 

The Clint Eastwood XI...………………..
And I don't care about the scoreline. We won't lose 4-0, but I don't really care if we do.
This friendly is about building and learning. This seems like a fairly common lineup suggestion, so its sure to be totally wrong.

--------------Sargent------------
Pulisic------------------------Boyd--
-------McKennie--Pomykal----
----------------Morales-----------------
Dest---Brooks---Long----Cannon
-------------Steffen-----------------