I don't mind Reyna dropping into the CM. But I don't want to reduce Pulisic to a pure winger, and I wouldn't want to change McKennie's role much. You're basically deciding between replacing Reyna with an Aaronson on the wing or a Weah-type or bringing a more defensive lineup with a Musah, etc. With Lletget playing there, it seems a no brainer ... ...but just keep in mind that Reyna is going to have to play some of the shuttler connector role in a game like yesterday if he's in the midfield. That will pull him back quite a bit. But yeah, he has the talent, of course. It's all trade-offs. I just happen to think that he's getting a bunch of good touches now as well. My biggest issue is what was mentioned -- we're not consistently getting the fullbacks to provide the width nor the striker to provide options ... if moving Reyna solves some of that I am game.
GK: Steffen, Horvath, Guzan D Dest, Cannon, Robinson; Brooks, Long, Richards, MacKenzie, Ream. DM: Adams, McKennie, Musah, Lletget, AM: Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Morris, Ledezma FW: Sargent, Weah, ?
I'm saying as a fifth center back with flexibility to left back, his WC role would be to get you through one game with minimal incompetence. He can do that.
I don’t agree with the choice but appreciate the logic. If Pierie commits, he’s my dude to fill that role.
I don't know the kid's mind but his history with the Dutch Youth Teams makes me think that a switch is pretty slim. And I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record but if we want someone that can play CB that also has flexibility then I think Sands should get the shot. I would trust him right now to play CDM, center CB in a 3CB system and Right CB in a two CB system. The kid is a tackling machine... is secure with the ball and he is great at breaking the lines with passes out of the back. The one drawback I see with him is that he isn't much of a threat on offensive set pieces. But oddly enough the guy will lay it all on the line to clear dangerous balls inside his own 18.
It's nice how everybody is enjoying the prospect of returning to the biggest international stage and enjoying this promising and still-growing array of talent we have in the MNT setup. Let's just refer to the collective group of players as, I don't know, "Michael." So enjoy all of the upcoming matches and I know we will have to navigate hills and valleys, I'm prepared to do all of that. But....I'm a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall Michael - if he is to be kicked in the head by a Honduran defender, or found hung dead in his hotel room before the Mexico game, if he should be struck by a bolt of lightning during pregame in Costa Rica - then I'm going to blame some of the people in this message board; and then I do not forgive. But with that said, I pledge - on the souls of my grandchildren - that I will not be the one to break the peace that we have made today.
Guzan isn't anywhere close to the team... The other picks seem fine except I don't see Ream still on the squad by then.
Oh, I'm not saying he's irreplaceable in that role. Another way to do it, possibly, is to choose a different center back and cover b/u left back with Acosta, for instance.
I honestly don’t see that happening again for decades. I won’t say ever again simply because I hate that. So many unlucky factors had to align, and we were a bit arrogant on different levels.. it was an anomaly. And while our talent might have dips throughout the years, I don’t see it falling far from where we are at currently given how youth programs are developing.. qualifying for world cups is no longer a concern of mine moving forward.
GK: Steffen; Horvath, Turner FB: Dest, Robinson; Yedlin, Cannon CB: Brooks, Long; Richards, Ream CM: Adams, McKennie; Musah, Acosta, Lletget WM: Pulisic, Reyna; Aaronson, Weah, Morris CF: Dike, Sargent
if 36 yo tim ream is on the world cup roster im done with soccer. for real. gonna have to learn about rugby, or curling or something. edson buddle TODAY would be a better world cup selection.
Yeah, but what about 35-year-old Tim Ream? That’s how old he will be during the World Cup. and, for the record, I am happy with the job he’s doing now given our injury issues, but I also do not want to see him on the World Cup roster, both because of age and talent.
This is essentially a year from now. Pretty crazy when you think about it. The youngsters will still be young. Forwards may still be a crapshoot. Hopefully Tyler Adams gets healthy and a viable backup emerges who can do a lot of what he does.
He was born on October 5, 1987, and the World Cup is in November-December of 2022. Please tell me what I’m missing.
The idea that we have to push Dest to LB sometimes makes me sad. Such a waste. Also, did McKenzie play his way off your team the other day?
Not too far from my guess... trying to maximize raw talent and upside without getting into unrealistic prospects. I think we only bring three fullbacks, given that Dest can back up Robinson at LB and CBs like Reynolds and Che can provide emergency cover (plus Acosta at LB if he makes it)... Only taking three fullbacks means you don't waste a roster spot on one who won't be used (see Timmy Chandler in WC14), and can instead bring an extra midfielder. Or given that a few of the wide midfielders can also play more centrally, perhaps replace the last CM with a third striker option such as Siebatcheu or Hoppe or someone else who emerges in the next 500 days. That would probably be ideal for maximum flexibility, but some forward has to earn it... otherwise Gregg would probably sneak in Zardes... hoping for that guy to be Folarin Balogun. GK: Horvath; Steffen, Turner FB: Dest, Robinson; Cannon CB: Brooks, Richards; McKenzie, Che CM: Adams, McKennie, Musah; Busio, de la Torre, Pomykal WM: Pulisic, Reyna; Aaronson, Weah, Morris CF: Dike, Sargent Just missing at each position: GK: Ochoa, S Johnson FB: Reynolds, Yedlin CB: M Robinson, Miazga CM: Acosta, Lletget WM: Arriola, de la Fuente CF: Siebatcheu, Hoppe Also keeping a close eye on Clark, Cowell, Bassett, Williamson, Sands, Otasowie, Mighten, Llanez, Ledezma, Rubin, Pepi...
Post nations league 23 gk- steffen, horvath, Ochoa Fb- Dest, bello, cannon, Reynolds Cb- Brooks, Richards, McKenzie, Zimmerman Mid- Adams, mckennie, Musah, lletget, Clark, Busio Fwds- Sargent, dike, weah, Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson notes- Antonee Robinson for me, just isn’t skilled enough. If bello transfers this year, he’s got time Reynolds might be too ambitious. Long- don’t expect full recovery so went with Zimmerman Clark and Busio- they’ll both be in a top 5 league and they do things that would be added depth to key positions Pefok isn’t good enough. Hoppe vs Sargent will be a battle over next 16 months.
I mean, he started against Mexico in our first win over them in a competitive game in like 8 years. I’d say that he’s doing a decent enough job given that he’s probably like 6th choice center back, and wouldn’t have been in the squad if Richards and long were healthy. it’s easy to point out that Ream isn’t very good in relation to the players got really good national teams, but berhalter can only work with our pool, and the guys who were not called in all have their own flaws as well. It’s not like we have Ruben Dias sitting at home waiting for a call.
Ledezma? Please explain. He's a far off from making this team. Morris is also a long shot as well, I just don't see it happening. Ream? No way that happens.
morris is supposed to be back jan, so he will have a solid 8 months to show fitness. hes fairly proven. im sure some would argue for him over weah (or just against weah) but it would almost certainly take an injury/position change.