Pre-match: USA v Netherlands Round of 16 12/3 10 am ET

So that's what the kids are calling it these days.

 

Holland is a good team, obviously, but the way I see things Brazil and France are head and shoulders above everyone else, England and Spain are in the tier below, and then Holland is in with Portugal, Argentina, and Germany (if the latter two get their ish together and get out of the group) as contenders but somewhat long shots.

So, I think we have a fighting chance here if we play as well as we did against England.

 

This is the question, right? But like you I don't think you can change out players. If you' really want to role the dice I guess you could rotate first half and hope they don't score? Then bring on MMA in the second. But I think you keep doing what's worked and worry about later later.

 

FWIW, the Dutch play 3412.

1) 7 players started all 3 matches.

Noppert (GK), van Dijk (CB), Ake (CB, YC), Blind (WB), de Jong (CM), Dumfries (WB), Gakpo (CAM/F).

2) We have 9 guys in that category: Turner, Dest, Ream, Jedi, Adams, McKennie, Musah, Pulisic, Weah.

 

Largely agree. But I'd put Croatia in there as well.

 

As for lineups, I'd play our best XI I can get at least 45 out of. Yellows are not a factor.

Berhalter has had a tweak for England (442) and Iran (CCV for passing). I would not bet against one for the Dutch.

For me, Turner, Dest, Ream, Jedi, Adams, McKennie, Musah, and Weah are must starts unless they have noodle legs in training.

Pulisic and Sargent too, if healthy.

That leaves a CCV/ZIM decision. I'd go ZIM but get CCV.

If Sargent cannot go, Ferreira. Or maybe a Reyna/Weah/Morris up top. No more Wright.
Actually, I'd prefer Weah or Reyna up top, but Gregg just won't do it.

Looks like Puli is good from Wes' tweet. If not, Aaronson.

 

538 Win Prediction:

Saturday, Dec. 3


Netherlands 66%
USA 34%

 

I though the Dutch looked rather slow against Senegal and especially Ecuador.

 

Since this will be Concacaf vs UEFA, who will be the referee for this match?

 

I only watched most of the Senegal game. Will watch Ecuador tonight. I would say methodical as opposed to slow. My biggest fear is them just wearing us down mentally.

However, we have the ability to take it to them. Hopefully, the close games in the opening round actually is a positive for the team and gives them some confidence.

Good thing Reyna is rested for this game.

 

Please watch the Ecuador game. The Dutch had 2 shots the entire game and were fortunate not to lose.

 

I still haven’t forgiven the Dutch for what Nigel de Jong did to Stuart Holden. It’s finally revenge time.

 

Yeah, England aren't in the same tier as Spain.

 

Damn straight! Never forget.
I'll root for anyone playing the Dutch, except perhaps Brazil (see elbow to Tab) in which case I'll just root for injuries.

 

From the BBC:

USA relishing Dutch battle - with or without Christian Pulisic

 

These Dutch guys only have one “van______”. They’re ripe for the picking.

they used to have Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, Van Persie, Van der Vaart, Van der Sar, Van der Wiel.

now they’re just a bunch of de-losers! Let’s whoop em

 

Talk about a guy who could’ve never played in the era of VAR. he’s be a red card every other game

 

I understand the calls for rotation. We looked gassed.

There's just only a few spots where there isn't a pretty big drop off. Is there value to rotation if a sub basically knocks you out of the tournament? Saving for a tomorrow than never comes can be a bad move.

The biggest issue is midfield. Musah and McKennie have bother struggled to go the whole way, and there's no great substitution for them from a defensive/solidity standpoint. Aaronson or Reyna have the talent, but I don't know if the physical aspect and more defensive posture works with them.

Or do you plan for 45' or 60' subs?

I think there's an added challenge here from a locker room standpoint. If Pulisic is healthy, he's playing. If McKennie is healthy, he's playing. There are just times when you have to ride your horses because the impact of not riding them affects the whole team.

--------------------

The crazy alternative is to try and play conservative with a few key backups to halftime or something then switch. But you can only do that with like 3 guys. I can't see benching someone like Jedi, for example, in that scenario.

 

The benefit of a young team is quicker recovery of the players. Maybe Aaronson has to sub in for Wes instead of on the wing but there is no way Gregg can’t start MMA.

Also have to go back to Zim just to mark VVD on set pieces.

 

Maybe Ledezma knows how to mentally goose Gakpo? (Remind anyone of Todd Gack: "I think it's Dutch")

 

Van Dijk has not been having his best year, so we have that going for us.

 

The US needs to study what Ecuador did to the Dutch. We need to play like them.