That's what makes Tyler Adams so special. He WANTS to be the piano mover. That's simply not generally the case. We are very lucky to have one of our better players asking to do the work for others. It's why there is no reason to even consider moving him elsewhere on the field.
I think this is interesting. I also think we have taken the piano mover analogy almost as far as it can go, but I'll play. 1. I think we have to remember that some players can be both given the situation. For example if I go play in a local men's league I get to hang out in the center mid, and pull some strings. If I play at a good level I have to spend my time defending and shuttling the ball from point A to Point B. Obviously these are different worlds but the concept is the same. Some of the best teams have players that would be allowed to be special in in other situations, but are willing to play a role in order to try to win a world cup/champions league. 2. Examples a. I think Germany is a great example of this. Players that could individually do more but are willing to fit a role to win the championship b. I think that Brasil is an example of a country that at times has done this and at times hasn't. When they have players who are willing/able to do this they are won championships. When they haven't, they haven't. 3. I think some players are willing to make the change and some aren't. I think some are capable and some aren't. Some players understand the game at a level where they can say " That guy is better than me so this is my role TODAY but tomorrow he isn't playing so I get to do more tomorrow" Some guys have the skill set that they can do both and some don't. Some guys have the mindset that they are willing/can do both and some don't. 4. Now the question that was asked. How many special "piano players" can you have? a. I think having special players that naturally fit together helps a lot. I think the best example of this not working right now is Barcelona. Certain players struggle to play with Messi. (Griezmann) comes to mind. He is a player who likes the same spaces as Messi, so he either has to adapt and fill a role or not play. He is struggled with this. ( and I'm a Griezmann fan) Finding special players that a. Naturally compliment each others in skill set and spaces on the field or b. Can adapt or change their game to make things work is so important. b. The other piece of this is what your other players can do to let your special players concentrate on being special. (Or playing the piano if you will) I believe that Adams and Mckennie have to potential to provide a base that allows for more freedom and expression or an extra attacking player if we can find the one's that don't step over each others feet.
"Berhalter basically says that Dest can only be a stretcher on the right." I've been working on a schemata for our new players and it involves triangles on right OR left. This lineup lacks height forward and I was thinking one of the cb's could move forward with Musah or Adams falling back to defend in those instances. ---------------morris----------------------------------adams -----------puli------musah---------------------dest-------gio -------------------------------------- ----------------------cb--------------cb-----------cb basically a 352/343/3142 system because we play with 3 cb's. -------------------------morris-----gio -----musah-----puli-----------adams----dest --------------------------- --------------cb-----------cb--------cb Berhalter spent too much time on trying to break down Wales with two players on the wing (Gio + Dest) and no 9 and no mid to create a triangle. We should get ready to face bunkers and double teams in concacaf. Having Adams or Musah forward means that Dest or Gio or Puli could lose a dribble and suddenly Musah(l) or Adams (r) would immediately counter press in the wing area and hopefully maintain possession. However, that would involve convincing Adams to give up the quarterback 6 role.
It depends on who we are playing. If we are playing a team that is going to out posses us, and we are playing D and counter, then I want Adams, McKennie, and Musah in CM together. Pulisic & Reyna wide. If we are playing a team that is going to bunker, then I want only 2 of McKennie, Adams, & Musah in CM, with Reyna as CAM, and someone else out wide (Morris, Weah, KdlF, etc). A real minnow might mean only 1 DM/CM type, and another attacker. Either 2 forwards or a more attack minded 8/10 type along with Gio centrally. A team about equal to us is the tougest strategic call. 3 CMs with Reyna wide or just 2 & Reyna central. Personally, I am not a fan of this stretcher/ dropper stuff. A good player should be able to do both, depending on the situation. Unless they just lack vertical speed. I'd move that type inside. If they can only do one, they are a reserve in my book. Since Musah isn't tied yet..... ----------------------Steffen-------------------- Dest----Miazga-----Brooks----ARob ----------Adams-------McKennie--------- Morris----------Reyna--------Pulisic ---------------------Altidore------------- I like to move guys around. Pulisic can pinch central and Reyna moves wide. Being a dropper for ARob to overlap with. Reyna can drift right, and be a dropper for Dest to overlap, with Morris sliding up front and McKennie advancing to make more of a diamond 442 look. It should be fluid & adaptable, yet have some grounding principles and responsibilities.
Of course good players should be able to do both. We have two of them (Pulisic, Dest on the right) in five spots. All the rest are either 17 and playing CM for club really (Gio) or stretchers. The stretcher/dropper thing might just be a scheme to work with Zardes and Morris and Robinson. Or any two of those three. But yes, what you have seems like the obvious solution and Gregg is probably over thinking everything.
I brought this up before but against a Germany or another powerhouse where possession will be rare and we bunker , I want Weah, Gio and CP as the front 3. Add another 8 to McAdams(tm) and look to hit teams on the break.
I think I put Reyna between WM and Adams. If Mussa signs then I deal with that problem when it comes. I have Morris as one of my front 3. Until Morris has a poor USMNT outing he is in my 11. I am not sure why Morris' stock is so low. The guy has a done a job for the USMNT and has been effective even when he doesn't score. Not completely sold on Weah, but if not Weah, then there are three or four other guys, maybe Sargent that might be in form for any given international break. I also think we have to have some MLS guys on the field as the Don will not allow an all euro USMLSNT. Morris meets the MLS requirement and he has been good for the NT. Zardes could be a late see out the game sub for any of those guys. Maybe Lletget could take some of the midfield minutes. Altidore for late game need a goal sub. As to center Forward pick the hot hand for that spot, be it Sargent, Weah, some other player not named Jozy. I think the way the USMNT should play, pressing high and playing direct, JA has only limited use as a late game sub when down a goal. CP Sargent/Morris/Weah Morris WM TA Reyna Arob/Cannon JAB idunno Dest I wouldn't bunker against anybody. We have to play on the front foot. When defending I still want Sargent and CP pretty high. The defense can slide left and Morris drop back and play like a 4-4-2 with Sargent and CP alternately pinching down in the middle and the half spaces. Hope beerholder can rise to the occasion and just keep it simple.
Without Musah, for a best XI, right now, then-- ------------------------Morris------------ -----------Pulisic---------------------Dest-------- ----------------McKennie----Reyna------ ------------------------Adams----- ----Jedi-------------------------------------Cannon----- ---------------Brooks-----Zimmerman---- ------------------------Steffen----- Dest would play more of two-way, Willian-type role. Pulisic would play as a wing-forward. Dest upfield is more about getting him closer to goal than getting Cannon on the field.
I think this is a good way to think of it. Against opponents where we may need a stiffer central defense, having three very strong defensive CM seems like a real plus. That would either slide Reyna to the wing or to the bench. Against weaker opponents, playing something closer to a 4-2-3-1 would give us more attacking options, and allow for players like Reyna or Ledezma to play in the midfield and give us more options for breaking down a bunker. I do wonder if in the first situation we have to find a way for Morris to be on the field, as he's one of our best counterattacking players.
The last 2 matches was the first sign of a fluid-adaptable-let the boys play scheme that I have seen from Berhalter! The core pool screams for a Christmas tree like the one we started 2012 WCQ! Sargent Pulisic Gio Weston Adams Musah ARob Brooks Richards Dest Steffen The strong trio's ability to rotate, cover ground, and boss the midfield on defense and be press-resistant on offense frees up ARob or Dest to overlap while keeping Reyna and Pulisic as attacking midfielders. Aaronson could be a viable alternative to Musah if he shows well at RB Salzburg
Aye. Le Christmas Tree. I've been thinking about that too. Makes a lot of sense. I've thought a 3-4-2-1 with Puli/Gio under the striker maximizes both to the best of their abilities. Musah now fits in real nicely at RM. With Dest it's basically a 3-4-2-1 in attack and a 4-3-2-1 in defense. I think it's too complex for Egg Head. Cheers.
We lost at Jamaica with that Christmas tree in WCQing in 2012. As for the present, the formation isn't the best for running a modern press.
Musah is gonna play for the USA, it is pretty simple. England is super deep right now so unless he is gonna be dominant in the next few years it is unlikely. At 18 he may have to wait til his 23 or so to get a look in. So that makes it Ghana and the USA. Both regional powers though it is infinitely easier to qualify from C-CAF as opposed to CAF. Also let's be honest, the amount of hungry kids coming up putting pressure for a position every year as opposed to the USA is far less while being with a media giant guaranteeing solid publicity. It is a no brainer.
I believe in bunkering and realizing that against some opponents you will be getting very limited possession so you may only get a few chances in open play and set pieces. Anyone else notice how poor we have been in set pieces last few years. In these situations I want to be able to have Brooks break up a pass get it to McAdams and then a 50 yard diagonal to one of CP, Gio or Weah with a 15 to 25 meter sprint to the goal.
some good convos in this thread. for best 11 right now, most of us see it and agree. CF. Sargent has the lead, but thats still debatable and open. does Morris get the start, or is he late game sub. CM and Winger. if Musah is in, Reyna is a winger. we can start either at a CM spot, with a different winger getting a chance. again, Morris with the lead right now. Dest. right or left FB. Antonee and Cannon, one starts based on how we use Dest. im loving the formation discussions and tactics. very much agree that vs better competition we must b more defensive and counter. with the players we have i belive that a 4123 is our best option. i feel like it can easy turn into a 4141 and thats pretty defensive. can even have one of the CMs drop even lower. goal scoring vs even competition or better is a huge concern imo. is pulisic + sargent enough? can reyna and the other mids do enough random scoring? can Dest help enough with scoring and assists and general offense? i like the idea of using him as an outside midfielder, but, i wish wed see him used as an OM a few times to see how he does. doubt he gets that chance with Barca r we going to be ok, if we get Draws or win games 1-0 or 2-1 ? i feel like fans are expecting the team to score multiple goals, especially with all this excitement we have with the young guys starting at bigger clubs. could b we turn into a team that possesses well, and deflates the other team, while getting Draws and only scoring 1 or 2 goals. it doesnt sound eciting or fun, but, whatever gets the job done is fine to me
-----------Sargent----------- Pulisic---------------Reyna ---Musah*---McKennie--- -----------Adams------------ Robinson-------------Dest --Brooks---Zimmerman-- -----------Steffen----------- Mind you, I think that the 2nd RCB position is really an open race between several guys both in Europe and MLS, that Robinson is merely the slight front-runner between several guys for the fullback opposite Dest who could be placed on either side (and I frankly like Cannon more, but prefer Dest on the right), and Musah might not choose to stick with us, which could impact both our midfield and forward pecking order.