US vs. Mexico 11/12/2021: the pre-pre-pre-match thread

Yes there is a way Aaronson doesnt start. GGG loves the 433. His wingers are Gio and Puli. Midfield is MMA, that leaves off BA.

Personally I like BA's game a little more right now but it doesnt fit GGG's system for him to start. Musah is still solid so I dont have a huge problem with it.

 

Plus with Pulisic's injury issues you never know if BA could be a future starter.

 

I thought he meant there's no way the US starts without either of Aaronson or Reyna.

 

Really good but subtle movement from Busio to be available for the ball several times in that short sequence. And an excellent pass!

 

Well, Gio not looking good for November.

MLS concludes 11/7. I know MLS breaks until 11/20, but I could see 3G trying really hard nit to play MLS guys 180 minutes. Mexico is your best XI, but maybe lean on the Euro's a bit for Jamaica.

Best Guess roster:

GK: Turner, Steffen, Johnson
FB: Dest, Jedi, Yedlin
CB: Brooks, Miles, Zimmerman
CM: Adams, Wes, Musah, Acosta
AM: Pulisic, Aaronson; Weah, Arriola
ST: Pepi

That is 18. If I have to pick 5 more today: Bello, Richards, Lletget, Busio, Zardes.

But I could easily see any of these guys instead of or in addition: McKenzie, Miazga, Long, Vines, Scally, Moore, Cannon, Sands, LDLT, Roldan, Morris, KDLF, Hoppe, Sargent, Pefok, Dike. Throw in another GK to get to 40.

 

Pulisic hasn't played since his 62 minutes on September 8th and it looks like he's still not back in training.

 

if pulisic is cleared at 6:45 the day of the game w/a 7 o clock kickoff he starts.

 

I personally like Aaronson as a winger more than Reyna in the wing position. Hell, if Jordan Morris were to find his health, speed, and form after his knee surgery, I like HIS game as a winger better than Reyna's. Which is why (if it were me) it would come down to 2 of these 4 players in the 8 position (Reyna, Musah, McKennie, and Busio). And (for me) the midfield would not be the Musah and McKennie duo that everyone else seems to love. They can do a job but I do not think they are the best combination of those 4 players in the 8 positions. But what the hell do I know.

 

Yeah I agree that we need more creativity in the midfield but GGG is too stubborn I feel.

 

Sure, but I suspect he was being a bit “saved” in case McKinney couldn’t go against Costa Rica.

 

Well with GGG you never know.

 

shouldnt it be a sweltering rainy night in panama?

 

That no longer matters for this cycle, as the USA has already played its away match in Panama.

 

Pulisic is also not looking good for November.

https://t.co/zhknetc6As

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) October 19, 2021

 

Hopefully, he'll be healthy for the January window then.

 

I'm not sure how you get that he won't be ready for November from that, but okay.

 

This is what Truchel had to say not sugar coated by this press release.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea...ly-suffering-to-overcome-injury-thomas-tuchel

 

Sounds like Nov to me

 

He could be back for November. Whether he'll be match fit or not is another question. He hasn't played a lot. Didn't he have COVID right before this ankle injury?

According to transfermarkt.............Christian Pulisic has played 2 club games this year for a total of 159 minutes.

 

Hes officially injury prone. I dont see him lasting much longer at Chelsea.

 

To be completely fair, Pulisic might be physically available, but he may not be close to match fit. I hope that isn't the case, because we obviously would prefer he play than not. But right now, I'm preparing myself that Pulisic will be available for at most limited minutes and will be pleasantly surprised if he's anything more than that.

 

The Mexico game is 3 weeks from Friday. Even if Pulisic gets back in training next week he will have at most two weeks of training to get fit. Possible but every day that goes by makes this o less likely.

 

Does anyone know what the injury is? The tumble he took didn’t look that serious but apparently it was. He does take a beating.

 

Could he play? Maybe. Would he be close to 100%? Doubtful. If Reyna is out it may lean GGG to playing him. If Reyna is in I'd consider starting BA. Maybe bringing CP off the bench.

 

Depends on the opponent/situation. Against a bunker, then McKennie & Musah may be lacking. Against teams that are gonna have the ball more, it will work well.

I actually like Musah's potential more than McKennie's. Adams, Musah, Reyna would be interesting. Though Musah has to improve the defensive motor.