Pre-match: USA v Panama WCQ 10/10/21

That's when it makes the most sense because it'll be at home and in the first game or two you'd have had the opportunity to sub him in to establish comfort.

Ironic you'd try to use that against me because I had him in the xi v. Jamaica. Same went for Honduras in UNL iirc. These are home games vs. beatable opponents that projected to go smoother. Also, Musah came in w/ startin experience, unlike Richards. He just took one step up accordinly.

In what limited action he's played in, he surely has. He was very indecisive passing out of the back, turning the ball over, and comin close to really bad ones. Also rotated slowly on a score by Jamaica.

He admitted to nerves and we've seen examples. So that's evidence, not "total assumption". And in must-win situations coaches logically opt for known commodities, which we have a few of. 3 goals in 10 games says you're not in position to take major risk, unlike w/ Pepi, who was an attacker, and I also preferred to start that match because Josh + Pefok scuffled.

 

Ever since we dominated a weak Jamaica squad at home, I keep reading these insinuations that McKennie, Reyna, Pulisic = has-beens. I don’t see it. But I do agree that it is nice to have depth.

 

McKennie played in the match. He didn't play well, but he'd have been part of that domination, so I'm not sure I'd understand the mindset.

It also wasn't a domination, offensively, in context of the opponent, or period. We had the same xg as in more difficult situations. I'd have thought it would help the stock of creators on and off the roster.

If Pulisic's perception should be hurt one would think it was by only 1 g/a in his ten toughest competitive matches, and it was a pk he didn't deserve.

I feel like he's proven he can help you a lot vs. opponents of Jamaica's ilk but not the best in CCAF. And you should think of opting for some of that perceived depth instead, in those situations. Aaronson, Reyna, Weah, etc. might actually create a more potent, functional offense v. better teams, while Pulisic just shows danger.

 

This is ridiculous. The best refs in the region are from Mexico. I’d rather have a Mexican ref in a match vs. Mexico then the clown from the last match.

 

Fully rotated (almost) line-up for this one?

-----------------------Zardes------------------------
-----Hoppe------------------------------Weah-----
---------------Lleget-------DelaTorre-------------
----------------------Acosta-------------------------
Bello-----McKenzie-----Richards-----Yedlin
----------------------Turner-------------------------

Notes:

• Dest was hurting/cramping - protect
• Arriola went 90 and was run.
  
• Aaronson said legs were Jello - protect
• Adams 90 all 3 last time then got hurt - protect
• You could run the MR/WZ CB combo again.
• Wouldn't mind riding Pepi
  
• Musah for Luca would be ok, or Busio instead there too.
• Might trust Moore over Bello at LB.

 

The television situation is not acceptable.

 

Paramount + production values are at least pretty good. Great pre and post shows with Deuce, Gooch and Davies. Great to have English language coverage of the rest of region. I know it’s sucks it’s not free but it’s worth the money in my opinion.

Surely you could watch for free on Spanish language right?

 

Then what is the point of having all our depth? Great to say "play the game in front of you". But this is about qualifying. Its a marathon not a sprint. We have another game on Wednesday. You can't nor should play what anybody perceives as the best XI every match. Thats crazy at this point in the Ocho.

Besides. Our depth is really good and the game conditions in Panama are more suited for some sluggers than the most skilled players.

Totally fine with that lineup with one caveat. Do not play Adams against CR. If you want Adams in another match it needs to be today.

 

We’ll have to agree to disagree, the passing was much more forward and the spacing was significantly better. We didn’t carve out many chances (although had Jamaica not committed DOGSO twice in the first half it’d look better), but the play in general was streets ahead of Canada and El Sal.

 

Being a confident contrarian is not the same thing as being right or analytical.

61-39
17-7
7-2
7-1

It looked fairly dominant to me, despite the few decent chances Jamaica produced.

 

just cause i do like a little mayhem- gritty, full of heart, works harder than pampered euros paul arriola was in that team.

 

For road matches, you want an experienced referee who knows about tough environments. You hope that the referee isn't going to be swayed by the home crowd.

Sure sounds like a Liga MX or MLS referee to me.

Ismail Elfath, quite clearly a US referee, has worked Mexico matches. I'm sure El Tri fans are happy to have an American referee work their matches - particularly road matches - for the exact same reason.

I'm a lot less worried about this assignment than I was about Radix for the Jamaica match and Parchment (a Jamaican who let the Mexico-Canada Gold Cup semi go straight into the toilet) working our game against Costa Rica. There are really only two non-Mexican referees I trust for a match like this - Ivan Barton (El Salvador) and Said Martinez (Costa Rica). Barton has Covid. CONCACAF is trying to not assign referees from the next opponent on the match, so that takes Martinez out of the equation. So that leaves the Mexican referees. Ramos has worked a World Cup. I'm as comfortable as I can be with the assignment.

 

I get it; I think you’re making really good points. I think it’s a hard balance to strike but we do have more depth, broadly, and perhaps it’s better to go the rotation route

 

Actually Zimmerman had a better game than M. Robinson. So he may start with McKenzie or Richards in this game.

 

I would take LigaMX refs in every game, even against Mexico, as opposed to what we got now.

I don't really think LigaMX refs are going to bring much bias, and even if they did, it's probably better than the no holds barred style matches we get now.

 

i disagree. i thought the selections/setup were a lot better but play was just as aimless, sloppy and dire.

that said i thought we genuinely played pretty well in the second half for this first time.

obviously we unloaded on honduras in the second half but that was primarily due to honduras' complete loss of legs, not particularly strong play from us. we also seem to do pretty well the more chaotic a match gets (nl final vs mex for another example).

overall play in the second half vs jamaica is the goal for me (what should be the floor, honestly).

 

When was the last time you saw ANY team in the world draw two DOGSO in the first half of a match? And neither get called? How can you not give the team some credit for that? Not their fault the ref was a total idiot. Those were both very good attacking plays.

 

So you want us to prepare on ankle breaking, ligament tearing shit pitches? No thanks.

 

As @thedukeofsoccer said above, it's likely that Richards will start in Columbus. Starting his USMNT career on a crappy pitch in central america would not be my way of 'easing him in.'

Turner will pay all 3 games. MRobinson will play all 3 games. I expect Aaronson will start all 3.

 

None of that has to do with quality chances, conveniently. That's what determines how you played, not if you can hold meaningless possession, and take cheap shots for most of the match, surrounded by periods of more potency.

We played the same style of match v. El Salvador, statistically, & in reality. The opponent had the same impotent offense, while the US carved out solid chances here and there, especially later in the match. But Sargent (as you know) and Pefok aren't the finishers that Pepi is.

This match was only dominant defensively, so then it's not dominant. Dominant means comprehensive. You ain't dominant if you do practically zilch of value to offense for almost an entire half. Maybe it was a dominant half, but less so than at Honduras.

And yes, playing the little sisters of the poor matters, which you admitted.

If not, that would mean what? Then you'd have to again question the efficacy of Pulisic, who the US also played better w/out at Honduras. But in my case I didn't think the US dominated, as they should, v. Jamaica. So there's the case for Pulisic, vs. the easier half of hex/ocho opponents at least.

 

Mexican refs have historically been more than fair when reffing USMNT games.