It is amazing that Berhalter "doesn't even know" what he wants to do. Since the news Sunday morning about Aaronson, every US fan and media person has been thinking about this and all the possible replacements. But Gregg hasn't given it a thought and doesn't know what he is going to do 36 hours later.
They'd make a good midfield pairing. They do have some similarities in the way they defend and the way they use their body to protect the ball ie using their lower half to shield. McKennie is much better in the air and making late runs into the box while Pomykal is better at those instant long passes and switches although I think McKennie is better at those than he gets credit for. I'd love to add Reyna and Pomykal into the 8/10 mix and leave Acosta as strictly the 6 backup and emergency outside back backup.
Big Pomy fan. And have high hopes for his development. I'd add that Wes ability on the ball and dribble has exploded in the last year at Juve. He looks like he is doing whatever he wants to vs CCaf opponents...3 guys on flank? No problem. Turn a guy at midfield, yep. awareness and ecision making has gotten so much faster along with his ability on the ball. Pomy is no slouch, but nowhere near Wes levels there (yet).
Ah a good what could have been if he stayed healthy. I just hope he can catch up to where he would have been even if he gets there a bit later. Still have Ledezma and Mendez hopes too.
Well the later update was no player would be called in for now. Which is fine as long as the next man up is someone from MLS. As you can't really bring in someone over from Europe very easily mid-window.
pre-musah a mckennie/adams/pomykal midfield was a big future goal/wish of mine. at the time i thought pomykal would be the more attacking of the 2 (wes).
What's the ETA for when you permit us to complain about it because he won't actually have a replacement? And why can't we complain already about the aspects of not calling in more alternatives originally or acting earlier so the European pool is an option?
And when Guinho was injured, they came for me, paused for half a second, then said, "ok, time to forfeit."
Once a decision is made everyone is welcome to complain about said decision to their heart's content. And Berhalter has decided to not call up a replacement so it's your prerogative to disagree with said decision. But also it's not as if people need my permission to complain about anything. It is my personal view that it's not a big deal given that the likely options would be coming from MLS. In my view whoever that player is would be unlikely to dress or play. And if there is an injury/suspension during the window they can be easily added at that point.
I would love to see Morris back to his old self, and perhaps he will show us some of that this window. I haven’t seen it yet in MLS, which worries me a bit. All that said, I really don’t see a downside to bringing in a player like Sarge or Mahailovic. And there is at least a greater than zero potential upside. So the decision is kind of perplexing. Did I hate? Was that vitriol?
It's a non-falsifiable to a point, if they don't come out and make a statement they're not calling anybody else up. They may just carry on with their business. And once a few days has passed this won't really be news anymore, so ultimately most rightful criticism could have just been deflected from. Now there should be a little pressure from media and fans for him to do the right thing. Sargent is one of the likely options, so it's a significant factor he's cutting the pool in half. On paper a Mihailovic or Sargent should only play if all the alternatives became unavailable or failed. But that's happened already multiple times 3-game windows during a pandemic. Pepi wasn't likely to play. Then he was starting a game that kept us afloat, after all the alternatives failed. Now it matters all that much more to pay attention to detail with our World Cup lives on the line. Again, with half the pool cut off. And then we potentially get into the rationalizations about how the news came too late between games and they might as well not travel cross country. Or we can only justify very local options then. They could just do it now. But Berhalter's often left himself light in spots during tourneys and maybe they want to save on airfare.
I feel like typically once we've heard from the reporters who follow the team that there is not going to be another player added, that's indicative of a decision and can be trusted. Is there anyone other than Sargent whose a likely European replacement for Aaronson? It's not really cutting off half the pool if we're talking about one player. Based on his press conference, Berhalter seems to view Sargent primarily as a 9 anyways, so I don't think he's the next man up as it is. I doubt it has anything to do with saving on airfare. Especially because they were going to pay for the airfare for Aaronson anyways. Like I said to me it's not a huge deal. You (and others) disagree. That's fine.
Very certain at this point that we will see Reyna centrally at times Asked if he expects to play centrally or on the wing, he says he can do either. Interestingly says "It's definitely a possibility to play on the wing too", makes me think the focus might be on him centrally #USMNT— Megan Swanick (@Meg_Swanick) March 22, 2022
I have been hoping to see this for a while. I would like to if he can do for us what I have been seeing him do for his club from that attacking mid spot.
To add some extra motivation, this window will effect World Cup seeding. If we go to playoff we will be put into pot 4, regardless of our ranking. If we somehow manage to get 9 points and Italy loses, we'll go to pot 1
I've seen Morris a few times this season for SEA. definitely not back to where he was- looks a little rusty still with his touch and decision making. that said- those are two areas that will improve with PT. what I was most concerned with was him losing his explosiveness and pace- which IMO was always his strengths (even more than curling the outside of the right foot instead of using his left). the games I've watched- he looks like he's still got that pop and speed. in particular, when he coordinated his touch in those two CL games against Leon, he looked capable of blasting by guys off the dribble and run...something I hope to see him do vs Mex if needed.
I think that Reyna's health may be why they aren't replacing Aaronson yet. Could be they were crossing their fingers on Reyna and hedging with playing Aaronson in midfield if Reyna couldn't play or play just a handful of minutes but when he got 90 the other day then his minutes to play went up.
It is the logical move. The only reservation I have is pushing Reyna too hard too soon and risking reinjury. If the medical staff say there is no extra risk, he should be in the midfield next to Musah and Adams.
I don't think that he can play 270 minutes, but he did start his last game for Dortmund so he should for sure be able to start against Panama at least, and maybe 1 more game.
I'm thinking Reyna, Musah and LDLT will start two games each. Mix and match. I would not start Reyna against Mexico because he went 90 for the first time in a long time on Sunday. I would start him against Panama and Costa Rica. LDLT started on Friday. Musah on Saturday. Those extra day or two matter for recovery. And a player going 90 for the first time in months is going to have a bit extra soreness.
I'd love this, but I'm an outlier about him I guess. I don't see Gio playing the US version of Wes's 8 role unless Musah moves back into a double pivot behind him. I don't think he reads the defensive or two-way side of things as well to play a more central or switching role the way Musah and Wes have been doing. Gio's decent recovering down the wings defensively, but not anticipating the play through the field... at least that's my 2c. I do like the idea of Gio and Weah on the field at the same time though, especially with Aaronson out. I had thought CP could move up front... like he's done (with not a lot of success) for Chelsea at times and slot Gio and Weah on the wings with LDLT in the middle for Wes, next to Musah.
yeah, as strongly as i feel we should go as hard as we reasonably can vs mexico i go ldlt and leave reyna for panama. his "comeback" has been ideal in terms of increasing minutes capped in a start/full match but i want to give him a full week vs 5 days. because of his status he is one who actually would be significantly effected vs panama due to use in mex. putting all our eggs in one basket isnt any better/smarter than putting them all in another.