The approach the each team takes in the Mex/US game will be interesting. Herrera has yellow card accumulation, so I think he is out. It would be possible for the US to have a sizable advantage in midfield. But I would think that you wouldn't risk Adams. And how much would you want to play Musah and McKennie? By the same token, looking at the table Mexico would probably be happy with a tie, but I can't think that would sit well w/ their press or fans. Both coaches have some choices to think through.
As said by another poster, I am talking about whom I think should be called in. Another poster suggested Scally should not be called in and said he has 'no chance' of being called in for the next qualifying window, then suggested Paredes could be called in even though Scally has been called into qualifying and has been starting (at least was) in the Bundesliga whereas Paredes has never been called into qualifying and as of now hasn't even made a game day roster in the Bundesliga, let alone started. That made no sense. And I can't think why anyone would put Lennon or Cannon above Scally. Dest of course. Yedlin I could see why some would prefer him to Scally.
Five points is what we need to clinch technically, but 4 points gets us through for all intents and purposes as long as we at least tie Panama. In such a scenario the best Costa Rica could do is tie us on points, and they are far enough back on goal difference that it’s not likely they’ll catch us.
I’m more worried about Scally continuing to get regular playing time. He was playing so much in the first half the season because players were injured (and he did great with his opportunity). But those players are back now and he didn’t play at all today for instance.
In all likelihood, 3 is enough IF it is a win vs Panama. But I think the final window will be our best. I think we get 7 points.
It makes lots of sense. One, Scally, rightfully, is competing with the right backs. Paredes is competing with the left sided players. Two, we all know that good lefties are rarer than the righties -- so he has a leg up (no pun intended) to begin with. And no, Scally playing some games on the left due to injury does not make him a left back. As I pointed out, Vines played right back last week, and that does not make him a right back. Three, the US issue has been a lack of dynamism moving forward. Paredes immediately gives you that capability off the bench, Bundesliga games or not. I doubt he would be brought in to play pure left back. Four, Scally has not been playing well, except for the game about 3 weeks ago in which he came off the bench in a 2-1 loss to Leverkusen. In his last 7 starts, the team is 0 wins 1 draw 6 losses and has been outscored 21-5 -- and yes, he has been a real part of that atrocious defensive effort. They got as many points today, with Scally an unused sub, as they have earned in the last 2 and half months worth of games that Scally has started. It is time for people to pump the brakes. Scally is a good player, but as I said 2 or 3 months ago, he is a young player who is going to have his ups and downs. People need to slow down and let him grow as a player. The summer games may be a good time for him to show his stuff, and that may still lead to him being on the 2022 World Cup team (if the US qualifies, which is still an open question). I know you disagree, which is ok. I am simply making the argument that it is not as open and shut of a situation as many believe.
It’s hard to even imagine Mexico without Herrera out there these days. The guy seems to play every minute of every game for them. I’m curious whether they have anyone close to his level to play that role. After the way MMA bossed the midfield with HH in there, they could have real trouble without him.
HH brings a ton of physicality. I think without him they probably start Edson, Charlie Rodriguez, Luis Romo, or Guardado. Regardless it's a big drop off I think. I like our chances to win the midfield against them. Not sure how well MX can counterattack without Lozano. It's going to be about the US limiting unforced errors, which is not a given.
Parades have three things favoring him: 1. Coaching stuff impressed with him. If not for injury, he would start for Bosnia game that will move him into this window (as Brook Lennon case). 2. We don’t have anyone behind A. Robinson. Position is open for all to grab. 3. All 4 US left back moved to Europe —Parades, Vines, Bello, Gomez, he is most promising at least from transfer value.
Locks if healthy (15). Steffen, Turner; Dest, Jedi, Zimmerman, Richards, Miles Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Musah, Acosta; Pulisic Reyna, Weah, Aaronson. Near Locks (7). S. Johnson; Cannon, Yedlin; LDLT; Morris, Arriola; Pepi. That's 22. Likely 6 or so spots left: 4th Keeper: Backup LB: Vines, Bello, Jones, Paredes 2+ CMs: Busio, Roldan, Lletget 2 Fwds: Zardes, Ferreira, Sargent, Dike, Pefok, Altidore. Unlikely we bring more than 28. I would, Gergg likely won't.
I've been looking for somewhere to make my "shock" WC roster inclusion. Kevin Paredes is my pick. Who he'll "displace" I don't know, but he's my dark horse for playing up and winning a spot over someone currently more favored (both by Berhalter and the fanbrain).
Honest question - why is pepi a near lock at this point vs someone like Sargent? As far as I can tell it's simply because he scored a few goals against the worst of the octa like 4 months ago?
I really like Paredes too. Do we know what position Wolfsburg sees him playing? Whenever I saw for DC, he seemed to be playing as a winger, in which case it's unlikely he cracks the USMNT roster. However, I know a lot of people on here keep talking about him as a LB, which obviously makes it much more likely for him to make his way onto the US roster.
Not only that, but he seems to have played well last season in MLS, and sometimes spectacularly. So it's not so much just potential at this point. But he'll need to get games in Germany with the first team. And even after that (no easy task), who knows? Getting games hasn't done much for scally.
I actually think the Mexico game will set the tone for the window. A draw, win or close lose and I can see 3 vs Panama. I don't feel confident at all at getting anything in CR. And Panama is not afraid of the US at all, so that game will be closely contested. There's a small chance we come away with 0 this window, equally as small we get to 9. I think most likely point total is 3-4. I see nothing from this team that indicates they can get two road results in a week. So it comes down to the tone set in Azteca. A big loss and Panama is more interesting. A draw or win or close loss and I see 3 for sure vs Panama and probably 0 to CR. It's an interesting window. Gotta be better.
The Panama game is critical, of course, but please let us all remember that Panama pulled out all stops and beat a heavily-rotated US on an own goal off a set piece in front of a loud home crowd.
Maybe consider how Gregg looks into Konrad in first window (Konrad started 1st game and subbed in 2nd game). Paredes can be a late sub coming left side to rack the hell up.
I don't think Pepi should be a near lock either. Having said that, Pepi's inclusion is not an affront to Sargent because Sargent couldn't even score those few goals against the worst in the Octa. He was ineffective against that same level of competition.
I disagree a bit with this. I think that his versatility is actually a plus. A left-footed guy that you can play as an out-and-out wing attacker, who also has enough to his game to play LB in a pinch -- that is a guy you can find a spot for.
So after 5 straight underperforming windows, you think it makes sense that we'll overperform in March? Don't know where your optimism comes from, but I wish I had it!