Interview at SBI: https://sbisoccer.com/2019/11/after...ales-hoping-for-usmnt-call-for-nations-league Morales put in a strong shift in a defensive midfield role against Cologne, helping contain the visitors with his tenacious coverage of the middle of the field. He also contributed to the attack, drawing a penalty kick to set up his team’s opening goal. “I thought he did well,” Steffen said of Morales. “He battled the entire game, like he always does. He’s really important for us. He brings the physicality, and the intensity, and he doesn’t stop running. I’m happy he’s back, and I know the whole team is happy.”
It wasn't his best game overall IMO... offensively, he missed several transition passes that could have led to scoring opportunities... but that run to draw the penalty was huge and he showed a piece of skill I didn't know he had. Defensively, he brings a lot to the table as he hustles around the pitch and sticks is nose into challenges. Ideally, he would be a backup CDM for Adams as I see him as a lesser version of Weston. Really hope he stays healthy and GB gives him a roster spot.
I suspect Trapp was just a placeholder for Mike, as in "look, Mike is better than Wil, so time to bench the latter and give Mike the starting slot, it's obvious he's the best we got!"
It isn't even close... If GB brings Trapp back in over Morales it will be the definition of stubborn. The guy is even campaigning to be part of this Nations League squad. Morales is so much better than Trapp it borders on silly... and Morales is far from perfect. But you are spot on in that Morales has a spirit that GB should be promoting rather than ignoring.
Ives also had this to say: Alfredo Morales talks after Fortuna Dusseldorf’s big derby win. When asked about the #USMNT he made it clear he is hoping to get the call for Nations League, giving American media in Dusseldorf a smile and an “I better get a damn call” stare as his response: pic.twitter.com/vZvaYCGPxa— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) November 3, 2019
Again...the kind if attitude this team needs. Furthermore, one has to think the rumbles about GBs roster choices is in fact widespread among the players.
88 Bundesliga appearances (8 with Hertha in 11/12, 51 with Ingolstadt in 15/17, 29 so far with Fortuna in 18/20) yet only 14 caps with the USMNT. It's a bit puzzling.
It isn't puzzling to me when you consider GB is the coach and favors MLS players... even when they consistently demonstrate they don't belong [see Trapp, Zardes and Lovitz]... It is a bit more difficult to understand before GBs reign. Perhaps it was due to Bradley being considered the veteran of the group and he plays the same primary position. But with the media attention that Fredo has drawn in this latest tweet I will be interested to see if GB is still stubborn in this regard. This guy deserves a spot on the squad.
Morales isn't a ball progressor, he is limited toward goal, and he is not a sit at home defensive midfielder. We have had more useful 8's. Now with the national team in a transition and him playing well, he should continue to get callups
Well, it wasn't just Egg, but the coaches before him who ignored Fredo. I agree with this. He's mainly a distributor and mobile guy to cover any holes left. We've seldom used the type, and our style requires either a stay-at-home pure DM with two CMs in front to do the distribution, or pulley CMs venturing forward by turns. I can sort of understand why he has not got more caps with the NT. Still, there have been times (not just now) when he may have been an upgrade, given the chance.
He's more of a direct replacement for Adams than anyone else, so he should be on the next roster at least. I'd also keep him around as a backup when (if) Adams comes back. He'd also be a useful sub to help kill games off.
I would also like to see Adams at the 6. For me Morales is a 6 as well. He doesn't offer enough going forward to play as an 8.
He can play a killer pass when the opportunity presents itself, and he’s actually much better technically and has much better touch than given credit for. I suggest USA fans watch him more carefully.
Many of us have watched him for years in the bundesliga and the national team back when he got caps. We know what he can do. How many career assists does he have?
In my opinion, he was never given much of a chance because he was behind Jones-Bradley. To break into the midfield he had to be better, not the same as those two. Morales was never tried at the 6. That was Beckerman's house. Morales was a better passer but it was JK's choice to always go with Beckerman.
JK played him when either Jones wasn't in the roster or to replace him during garbage minutes. Morales did well in the Netherlands and Germany friendlies, won by the US.
No kidding. Guy hasn't seen a USMNT kit since... checks notes... September 2019! What was everyone sleeping on?!