I agree that this is a good way of thinking about it, but I am not yet ready to anoint Pepi into this and lead company.
Playing in a diamond would be a better fit than would playing in the false 9 role. If a creative fulcrum in one of the wide forward spots was wanted then Reyna would also make sense there.
people who like to say formations dont matter would say a 442 diamond and a 433 with a "false 9" are the same thing.
i say play your players in their best positions/roles, cramming guys into spots where thats not the case (to get all your best players on the pitch) only lessens those players and having starter "level" players on the bench is a good thing. i say a rotation of mckennie/reyna/musah at the 8s, pulisic/weah/aaronson on the wings around a couple of actual st/cfs (for that spot) who arent especially close to that level is far preferable to any alternative.
Since I'm one of those who believe more in roles than formations, I want to see Reyna in a role where he's working in the central part of the field feeding those heading toward goal (in other words, how he's used for Dortmund when he's playing). Whether that's as an inside forward in the half-space, a false 9, at the tip of a midfield diamond, underneath the strikers in a 3-4-1-2, in the center of a 4-2-3-1, or as the more advanced attacking mid of a 4-3-3, that's where I feel like Reyna's strength lies. Where I don't feel like he's the best fit is as one of the wingers making runs behind the defense. It's not his strength, and there are others on the team (Weah, Pulisic, Aaronson) who fill that role more effectively.
Formations and roles exist side by side. The same nominal role in a given formation can have varying tactical roles. Different formations can assign the similar tactical roles to different positions. But players have defined skill-sets, which determine maximum utility in a given role. At wide attack in a 433 or 4231, Reyna would function as a creative hub. At cm in 433, he would be a mezalla. He would function as a true cam in a diamond 442 or in a 4231.
-------------------weah -------pulisic----pepi-----sargent -----------adams---aaronson ---scally----miles----zim-----dest ----------------gk: Turner
I am not sure Weah is a full time starter yet. He maybe still a good sub off the bench. If we assume Reyna not come back to full form at Jan window, then we probably don’t have any center forward on form (MLS offseason puts both Dike and Pepi off, Hoppe isn’t playing). So that is a hole needs to plug. Maybe playing Aaronson as false #9 with Pulisic on left, Sargent on right.
You really will go to any lengths to keep McKennie off the field. A two man midfield with Aaroson? Ridiculous.
It's only worth noting for the benefit of any new folks viewing these forums. Otherwise, the rest of us already know damn well how @Excellency feels about McKennie.
The problem with having such a hard on about a player like Excellency has over McKennie is that it just totally kills any credibility he may have over other topics where he may have some good points.
When Aaronson is hot, he's up there with Puli though. People are forgetting because he had a couple of mediocre outings with us in November, but before that he was electric.
He's 'up there will Puli'? Seriously? Maybe I don't understand the adjective. Inflation is rising. He's never looked like a CP on form nor do I think he'd fit in at Chelsea just yet. Hopefully someday he will.
Aaronson did a terrific job in pressing against Mexico. Jamaica who weren't trying to possess limited the US to playing a lot of balls over the top. Obviously, Aaronson wasn't going beat them for pace.
We're talking NT here. I'd argue on average so far for the NT Aaronson > Pulisic. Pulisic just had the better last two games, and people here have short memories.
To me, Weah>Aaronson. And at RW, Weah>Reyna. Weah creates opportunities galore from that spot, more so than Reyna. Also presses better. Stays wide, which complements Dest. Reyna at least as dangerous when working centrally, and serviceable outside, but not as good a RW for USMNT IMO.
I’m sure that’s why you left him off. Also, latest update is there is no ligament damage and they described it as a knock. Real reason to hope he’ll be back for the next round of qualifiers.
Here are some criteria you need to consider more carefully imo. a) Aaronson's shot on goal cannot compare to Pulisic's ..... yet, that is.( Actually I saw Brenden said that his brother is a better finisher than he is. ) b) Pulisic has taken his game to another level which is why he is having better games.in the last two. His footwork and vision and decision making has improved markedly. He always had problems with coordination in the past but now he is tying it all together in one impressive package. At his present level I think Pulisic has regained the title of best soccer player in America which I had given to Reyna. Reyna now has catch up to do if he wants to recover the award.
Technically, Pulisic is the best player we've ever produced. He just didn't show enough brains with the NT, but you're correct that he's showing improvement in the tactical aspect. We'll see.
Are we talking about his last two games for the US, where he came off the bench? Or are we talking about his recent games for club where he's...also coming off the bench and not in his natural position? Aaronson has better field awareness, thinks quicker and is a better passer than Pulisic in the AM position. I expect the same is true of Reyna, who has one of the best rates of chance creation in the Bundesliga. Aaronson definitely outplayed Pulisic in the match against Canada. Despite Juve getting blown out, Weston was much more influential for his team in the CL match they played against each other as well (although again Pulisic was out of position at false 9). Pulisic has performed well in situations where the scope of his responsibilities have been narrowed, mostly due to coming in as a sub -- hard to rank him above Americans who are starting in their positions. For me, McKennie is playing at the highest level currently: vs. Chelsea in UCL group play: 90 mins, 63 touches, 88% for passing, 4 tackles, 1 key pass, 1 shot on target.
Dude this is the worst lineup you've ever posted. I'd like to have a beer with you as I think it'd be an entertaining convo.
ok, I'm revising my lineup but I'll have to convince besler to un-retire otherwise they are all raring to go. -------------wood---jozy -----------------pulisic ------------nagbe--arriola -----------------bradley --villafana--besler--omar--yedlin -------------gk: johnson