Pre-match: WCQ: Game 10. US at Canada. January 30.

This performance was pretty bold.

 

The key for me is how we handle Laryea and Buchanan.

 

Well we’ll see how much fight is in our “big” dog. The conditions will require a toughness that frankly I’m not sure enough of our “talent” has it. This will be a nice proving ground for some of our players to show they have the fight in them, because we know Canada will bring it. There’s also a possibility that GB protects some of them, and starts a group of scrappers instead (Aaronson and Arriola/ Morris). I think if I was coach, I’d probably go in this direction myself as I see this game as who can outwork the other and less about skill and flair in the conditions I’m expecting this game to be played in. To be clear, I think Weah could play a big roll as a sub coming in against tired defenders.

 

Normally I’d be right there with you, but it’s clear that CP created the spacing issues even after being told to stay high. I’m not sure if CP is willing to do the adjustment required to fix it; he wasn’t last night.

 

I think this would be an excellent game for him to be played.

 

That's a good point about Yedlin. Cannon would be the next choice.

 

I don’t disagree. I was just commenting on how much more intense opinions get in the game thread. CP needs to change his mind set for both club and country. I hope he has the right resources around him to do that.

 

My lineup for Canada. Attackers: If CP can accept it, I’d like to see him come off the bench, and start Aaronson out right and Morris out left. If he cannot, I’d start CP over Morris. (Up to Gregg to assess CP’s mind set.) Pepi at CF (Zardes late sub if we are leading). Morris first winger sub, unless we go up two goals (in which case I would bring on Arriola).

MMA midfield, with DLT the first sub for either of the 8s.

Same back line as last match, except MRob for Zimmerman. (Some didn’t like Richards’ performance; I thought he was particularly good.)

Turner in goal.

 

Well you certainly got that part right because Weah isn't even travelling to Canada.

 

It's not just BS. The most prominent in-depth podcasts praised his play. Half Spaces' system was a fan. The metrics gave him one of the highest grades on the team.

Sargent is a false equivalence because that assist in 1 start by Ferreira is more than Josh has achieved in all his many games competitively above Cuba level. He was making moves and finding players Josh doesn't. The 4 key passes would be Josh's career high by far for the US against opponents w/ a pulse. And Josh never beats his man to get in scoring position on Ferreira second best chance (which had like a .2-.3 xg, as fans tend to overrate what is the empirical likelihood of scoring from most positions on an individual chance).

Ferreira showed better than Josh has at striker, let alone what's been their best positions right now of 10/SS and winger, respectively. You can see how his elite skills could be utilized mostly at the latter, and he shouldn't be going anywhere in the rotation or a situational role.

 

Kind of a rock-paper-scissors element here. Canada has given defend-and-counter looks; they've had pressing, swarming looks. They can do a lot, and I could see Herdman choosing any of those approaches. Berhalter has to guess a bit.

 

If they sit back, there's a strong possibility of a 0-0 for them at home. This game we'll have Zimmerman defending instead of Brooks and Canada won't have Davies on the break.

The most I could even envision Canada scoring is 1 goal against the trio of Miles-Zimmerman-Turner. So that's not much separation in their realistic best case scenario offensively and wouldn't give them much margin for error.

If Canada possesses or presses, they'll probably be out-dueled in cm this time against the trident of MMA. Against lesser groups physically Piette has bullied us. But they have physical disadvantages against us in mf when we're at full strength (which we haven't been yet vs. them). That would open up to a lot of chances against, given how lethal we can be on the counter. Just hope Pepi/Zardes, Aaronson, Morris/Pulisic brought their finishing boots this time.

 

In his defense, he was better after halftime.

Getting Pulisic on the plan without any escalation might be one of the more important goals of the window.

 

Haha how Morris had our best g+a/90 adjusted for opponent by a wide margin before the injury and has started a few times since.

Also it's funny how you think it's ridiculous when Weah's unavailable & Pulisic hasn't had a good game for the US in comp since Jamaica 2 and a half years ago, he'd be overworked unless he sits the final match, + isn't a good fit next to Aaronson or on a counter.

Haha, you think it should be Arriola instead of Morris?!?! Those are probably the two viable choices.

MLS pays Doyle for his slant. I'm assuming yours is free.

 

He can pass but Berhalter has told him to defer to Zim because the latter has been "there" before. Concacaf quali's with a teenage midfield ain't Bundesliga. I like Richards. He was well trained at Bayern. While Miles is a better athlete, Richards makes up for that with technique. He's just very young.

 

Not really true unless you define the best analysts as the ones who agree with you.

CBS - 4 (tied for lowest on the team with CP)
NBC - 4 (tied for lowest on the team with CP)
MLS web site - 6 (about average for the starters)
90min.com - 7 (tied for fourth highest on the team)
SBI - 6 (4th highest)
The YouTubers overall were not generally high on his performance, though there was a mix of opinions

 

Herdman is a soccer nerd, one of those rare coaches who never played the game at the pro level (he was semi-pro).

Such types can be dangerous. Unlike former pro players who tend to have a bias based on the role they used to play (in general, I think that's also why defenders make for the best managers in general: a defender watches what the whole team does, from the back --also, IMO defense is the most important part of the game, you can win a tournament if they can never score on you, even if your attack sucks), soccer nerds are very focused on numbers and connections.

Of course, you don't need to be Einstein to see how covering Pulisic disarms this team (in part because he's expected to be the main motor in attack, in part because he won't release the dang ball in time), but for us a very important connection in defense has been between Adams and the CBs. In fact, Adams plays at times like a 3rd CB. He comes forward, however, to distribute (or try to, how good we look depends greatly on whether Adams is having a good or bad day sending the ball to the wingers/wide forwards) and in those moments we're particularly vulnerable, with fullbacks who are really wingbacks and take their sweet time to return home.

We're lucky Davies is out. Still, that Buchanan/Adekugbe pair can cause us harm. I may prefer having Cannon on the right over Dest. With Weah out, we could use someone to help Jedi on the left --and that would mean moving Puli to the right, or just not starting him.

Acosta starting over Musah is not out of the question either. I don't think this is the right game for LDLT, he's a bit too light for Hutchinson.

It's going to be a fun game, actually.

 

Maybe the reason Richards' stats are so good is that he is smart enough to defer to his experienced partner when he isn't sure of his target instead of 'trying stuff' in back line.

 

The kid is composed, smart and talented. He plays in high pressure situations every week.

 

Apparently his vaccination status, while sufficient for both the US and France, is not up to Canadian standards.

 

Actually thought they were very fortunate to come away without a Loss let alone 3 points. Ceded a ton of possession and needed several brilliant saves as a result.

I expect the USMNT to dominate possession as Canada bunkers down in hopes of springing Buchanan or David. Not having Weah is going to hurt our chances of unlocking the bunker though. He’s been creating everything for us the last few windows.

 

its not entirely clear, but its been reported since yesterday. not late-shaming you or anyone else but its weird how little known it is...

the only clarification ive seen is that its not a vax issue and he will be available for hon (so not covid and probably not injury). just cause, i guess.

cant start him over arriola if hes not in the same country (semi-joking)...

one comment on your lineup, though- since you actually put thought into yours- i think a set change at the half to replace musah is something to look at. on an admittedly small sample size ive been a little wary of his (not actual movement/covering ground) stamina but his effectiveness. and right around the half of a second match is where ive seen it.

maybe that will (or has, for all i know) lessen since hes finally getting real minutes with valencia, but its definitely something ive noticed.

 

Gregg Berhalter confirms Tim Weah did not travel to Canada. Canada did not let him into the country because it doesn't consider him fully vaccinated, even though US Soccer says Weah is considered fully vaccinated where he lives in France. Weah will be available in Minnesota.

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) January 29, 2022

I’ve looked at the Canada vaccination requirements versus the French ones and haven’t figured it out yet, but Weah not coming because he doesn’t meet Canada’s requirements.