Who you got as your starting XI? Here's mine: https://chasingacup.com/underdog-olympic-qualifying-usmnt-friendlies/ U23 Olympic Qualifying Squad
Given the potential talent technically eligible for this, it feels incredibly disappointing to head to Mexico with Lewis and Lennon at the wings. I also don't think Atlanta release Robinson.
what about.... Ferreira Servania Pomykal Yueill Parks Sands Vines Robinson Trusty Herrera Id add Soto to the team since he isnt getting any playing time with Hannover. People Id love to see but doubtful to see them.. Uly Llanez Richie Ledezma Emmanuel Sabbi Christian Cappis Sebastian Soto Carter Vickers Robinson When is the qualifying... I mean we arent likely to get anyone on the roster who is starting like Dest at Ajax.
Who would you put on the wing that is likely to be released from their club for a youth qualifying tourney?
That's a lot of CMs including 3-4 #6s not sure we would want to leave Ferreira so along in the attack? I like Soto as well. Yeah I don't think we would have a shot at anyone on that list according to US soccer. I spoke with them on Tuesday. No one starting or close to starting and I'd guess anyone that is in a meaningful game (because they might be called upon) or non-meaningful game because they may get their opportunity then will be called in. March 20-April 1.
No question it'd be great to have more, but who would you call that is going to be released from their clubs?
I think llanez and ledezma arent in the current plans at their respective clubs and the clubs may release them for play. Also I think Konrad could get release by B.
I agree on Conrad, TBD on Llanez and Ledezma - Llanez has been on fire. Ledezma just got a 3 game ban so we'll see how they respond to it.
Yeah, I think what you selected (sans Robinson) is pretty likely; I just don't love the selection. I think perhaps a better option -- move players like Pomykal or Ferreira to the wing and supplement the central midfield with guys like Parks and Sands. It's not ideal, but since getting players like Reyna and Uly seem unlikely, it may be a better way to go. Or maybe we do get players like Uly and Ledezma released. A frontline of Uly - Ledezma - Paxton with Ferreira, or Toye leading the way would be pretty good. Or maybe Soto if he's anywhere near in shape.
Goalkeeper... Our weakest position. It’ll be one of JT Marcinkowski or David Ochoa who makes the cut - I’ll guess JT Marcinkowski. I also guess Matt Freese is still a contender, but we don’t really have any legitimate options in goal. Right Back... This should be Reggie Cannon all day long. There’s still some options for back ups, such as Julian Araujo and a few others, such as Joe Scally, Sebastian Anderson, and Kyle Duncan. Center Back... I imagine Carter-Vickers, Richards, and Palmer-Brown won’t be released. And Miles is hurt. Therefore, this will be the Justen Glad-Mark McKenzie show. Auston Trusty could re-emerge as a back up. I guess Donovan Pines too. Not our best position. Left Back... Bello is hurt, Dest & Antonee won’t be released (neither will Gloster or Hamalainen either)... Sam Vines is probably the de facto starter and Aaron Herrera might be the third full back option, considering he can play both sides. Kobe, Lindsey, Sousa, Gomez, and Real seem like they’re behind the curve. Midfield... This should be Yuiell-Pomykal-Aaronson show. James Sands should contend for a back up spot. Cole Bassett too. Keaton Parks seems to be on the decline. Hassani Dotson needs to step it up. Mihailovic has fallen off a cliff. And Servania is hurt. Durkin, Mendez, Ledezma, Otasowie, and Cappis won’t be released. Obviously, Reyna, Adams, McKennie, and Pulisic are above receiving a call up. Johnny would be an option for me if he could secure a release. Cerrillo, Leyva, Amaya are probably too far behind. I feel pretty good about our midfield. Wingers... I’d like Ulysses Llanez, Konrad de la Fuente, Emmanuel Sabbi, Indiana Vassilev, Sebastian Saucedo, and Niko Gioacchini to be available, but they won’t be released. What happened to Jonathan Amon? That leaves Brooks Lennon, Thomas Roberts, Gianluca Busio, and Jonathan Lewis as the contenders. I’m going with Brooks Lennon and Gianluca Busio. Forward... Sargent won’t be there. Weah is hurt and wouldn’t be there anyways. I don’t see why Soto couldn’t join, but it’s doubtful. Nonetheless this is Jesus Ferreira with either Jeremy Ebobisse or Mason Toye as a back up. Alternatives include Ricardo Pepi, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, and Brandon Vasquez. And the guys who won’t be released: Charlie Kelman, Haji Wright, Matko Miljevic, Johan Gomez, Josh Pynadath, Jalen Hawkins, Maurice Malone, and Cameron Harper My XI —————-Toye——————— —-Busio—————Ferreira—— ——Pomykal—-Aaronson——— —————Yuiell——————— Vines—————————Cannon ——McKenzie—-Glad————- —————Marcinkowski———- Bench: Ochoa, Trusty, Sands, Herrera, Bassett, Lennon, Ebobisse Alternates: Freese, Pines, Araujo, Lindsey, Parks, Amaya, Lewis, Roberts, Vasquez, Pepi
Not unreasonable. I'm one of the bigger Busio fans here, I think, but I really don't like him as a winger, so I don't want to see that. Cole Bassett gets so little love on Big Soccer, but he scored two against Mexico recently and has had a good pre-season with Colorado from what I've seen. He'll be really interesting if he starts being goal productive.
Saucedo has been off to a strong start in the LigaMx. Ferreira had 8 goals and 6 assists last season. Ebobisse had 11 goals and 1 assist last season. Euro players can be incorporated, if available.
Absolutely agree if we get those guys replaced, play them. Chris Kerr from Underdog mentioned Pomykal as a winger I agree could be interesting and he's versatile enough to pull it off.
LigaMX may not release since they'll be in season. I believe Ebobisse is hurt but a good option and provides versatility. I'm told by US Soccer that if they are even close to first team minutes there is no shot and they won't be released for qualifying, even if they are possibly released for the actual Olympics.
Jonathan Lewis had 5 goals and 3 assists in 900 minutes for Colorado, last season. Not sure what the bellyaching over him is about. He's one of the more productive players in the pool. Are LigaMx teams not going to release Mexican players for Qualifying? Forward pool of my 4222 would be: Lewis, Toye, Vazquez, Pepi Amid pool would be--Parks, Busio, KDLF, Llanez, Vassilev, Bassett, Aaronson, Amaya Dmid pool would be--Parks, Sands, Amaya, Cerillo, Otasowie, Mihailovic, Dotson LB: Gloster, DeJuan Jones, Nelson, Farfan, Danilo Acosta RB: Araujo, Herrera, Dotson, Lennon
The tourney is in Mexico. They'll release a plethora of players to El Tri. If Saucedo isn't released, it would probably be to sabotage the U.S. If he is made available, I want him on the squad, maybe starting. In form, performed well v. Brasil.
Cannon is probably the starter at right back, but Araujo must be on the squad for his caliber and versatility. He was arguably the best domestic right back but LA is bad about full integration. Reportedly is having a good preseason. Kreis was in attendance for a game and had to be impressed w/ his performance v. Netherlands. Also, we have to at least find a game for him. Multiple times he's been brought to camps/competitions and just rode pine the whole time. Not ingratiating ourselves per se w/ a talented dual.
Looking at some of the posts--- Imo, the pool is not strong at wing. Lennon is a grinder winger who has been moved to RB. Servania isn't a winger. Lewis doesn't play enough defense for the wing. Looks to be ace at forward. Aaronson needs more development.
W/ the Euros: - I think the US can and will pry Llanez away. Wolfsburg is being stubborn about integration and this squad needs creation/scoring. - Same thing w/ Richards. And Miles Robinson's injury increases his importance. Should start. - Otasowie is in similar position and impressing. Doesn't fit the ball circulating 6 role, but provides cover there, and could be helpful at cb. - Ledezma and Cappis are 50-50 types. May or may not be released, and the US may have as good or better alternatives. - Hard No on KDLF. Nothing for club or country suggests he'd be an asset.
Aaronson is an indispensable player from what we saw in the Canary Islands and he's reportedly having a good preseason. He can play either centrally or wing, bringing some creation off the dribble there. Yes, he needs to improve his final ball, but everything else is strong - dribbling, maintaining/advancing possession, defense, etc. - and makes him an asset.
i have watched the majority our youth wcs/qualifying tournaments (a little spotty on u17s, but im paying attention from u20s on) for about a decade now, a little longer. im pretty familiar with things but by no means an authority. a lot of these predictions feel a little top-down, potential/closeness to sr team heavy. theres always more lower profile (at this point) guys than that. i think theres a completely unrealistic expectation of euro clubs releasing players. it doesnt have anything to do with being in their plans currently, "why not let them get some minutes and exposure", etc. they are investments for their clubs, and you dont let other people play with your investments.