I was responding to a post in which you cited results from that world cup to try and prove a point. Now you want to ignore results that don't agree with the point you're trying to make? You're all over the place, mate.
Gregg Berhalter says he did not call up anyone to replace Brenden Aaronson for USMNT's World Cup qualifier vs Mexico but could add a player for last two matches.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 23, 2022 Berhalter confirming that no call up for this game, but possibly for the next two.
That was always the likelihood when that replacement wasn't initially made. But now I guess it's acceptable for us to complain about it with the same vigor as when it was fresh. He's tying his hands to where, after attrition thru a 3-game window, he's calling in nobody or someone who's very local. Now wasn't the time to not pay attention to detail. But we saw a lack of paying attention to detail last window with Weah's situation, and over the years not sufficiently stocking the cupboard at specific positions during tourneys. Same goes for smaller roster totals. One would have hoped he'd have learned from prior missteps, but I guess not.
I think Adams too the way Berhalter was talking. Probably Miles and Jedi as well (as I'm not sure which Robinson you are referring to. I wouldn't be surprised if Pulisic starts all 3 either.
With 4 points as long as the loss isn't against Panama we are basically in unless we have a massive shift in goal difference. And Panama would need a perfect window to surpass us.
Pulisic and Adams are the ones we don't need to start all 3. Pulisic has a poor record as a starter in his top 10-15 toughest competitive matches. And Adams is on a yellow, while Acosta should produce the same result v. Mexico based on history. They also shouldn't be playing together. As for Steffen, if he starts all 3, fans who love to whine about Berhalter favorites better be griping about that too. Because the affinity would way exceed Lletget, Roldan, or Zardes; which people wouldn't shut up about, even though they became bit players. Steffen would be starting over two superior keepers, when at least one was always viable at the time.
The saying "it's better to be safe than sorry" applies here. You'd prefer to have more players and not need them than to need more players and not have them. If the replacement was already called in they'd be involved in training and getting reps. I don't understand waiting.
Berhalter: "I heard that argument that we should play a B-team [against Mexico] and I took it to the staff and we debated it. We looked at all sides of it... does this have merit? I think it was an important exercise.. We came out with our answer and you'll see tomorrow"— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 23, 2022 I sort of feel like this means he's not going to do that.
It is! On the other hand, am I more likely get get four points by focusing on Panama and Costa Rica? That extra shot for a tie with Mexico is great and increases the chances of the one ... but how much does it decrease the chance of the 3 versus Panama? That's my concern. The disaster scenario is not getting the Panama win. We can still progress -- even automatically -- without the tie. But progressing without the Panama win is much harder. So I prioritize that. And I'm not saying punt Mexico. Jus' saying that I'd keep some key people back and play them less minutes. I totally get wanting more shots at points. I would just hate to overcommit to Mexico, get nothing, and be walking into the Panama game tired and undermanned because of a yellow or two.
Yeah, I don't see a ton of need to replace Aaronson, but if you feel the need, at least set it up. Although with the game tomorrow, I suppose you could have a plane ticket ready for Friday if someone gets hurt tomorrow. Maybe that's it. But it's still another day of practice potentially lost.
Though the Panama game is essentially the most critical of this window, I actually think the Mexico game will be most revealing of whether there has been real growth/maturation in this group. I fully expect them to win against Panama, because for whatever the ups and downs of this qualifying campaign, when they have needed a result they have got it. This is why I am confident of a good performance in Qatar regardless of who they draw; this team will frustrate you but ultimately dig in when they absolutely need to. The game against Mexico is theoretically one that they may not “need”, but as other posters have mentioned makes life easier if a truly honest effort is made to get at least a point. Just as a win should be the minimum objective against Panama, so should at least a point be the minimum against Mexico. I get the injuries, group permutations, etc., but anything less than a legitimate effort to get a draw will raise real questions about the mentality of this program’s leadership.
#1 you have to start Chita Ferreira in false #9. He is hot and scored a hat trick. Last time we started a hat trick hottie, you knew what happened. #2 you have to start Weah in the right. He isn’t in perfect form but last time he was a severe pain in Mexican defenders. Just burn them. #3 you have to start Acosta. He was man of the match in Gold Cup final. And his freekicks made El Tri’s pee on their pants. #4 Musah and DLT. Both of them are skillful to compete with El Tri’s midfield. #5 Defense just use same line up as last time.
To me, it’s a bad idea to go with a straight B team. Maybe rest the guys on yellows, rotate the guys who might not be able to go 270, and rotate the not-so-consequentials. But essentially throwing this game isn’t a wise thing. It breeds a negative atmosphere that no coach would want in his team.
a friend pulled up a tweet from somebody who pointed out that if Adams sits vs Mexico and then gets a yellow vs Panama, he only plays one game this window. if he plays vs Mex and gets a yellow, he's still available for CR... so two games. I'm sure it's been discussed in here already, but throwing it out there in case it hasn't.
The two games would be against Mexico and Costa Rica. As I said, Adams isn't necessarily any better v. Mexico than Acosta. Acosta's played 3 straight good games against them & we've achieved all positive results. So this is not a compelling argument. You aren't achieving anything but fulfilling a desire to play Adams a minimum of 2 games. It's more important to ensure he plays in the most important game, instead of Acosta, who bombed at Panama.
the pc today illustrated in the simplest way possible why im not a big fan of berhalter and why i am a huge fan of our (best) players: berhalter- "the odds are against us getting something our of this game, right? we know that. we realize that. that's just how it is and we're focused on going in and being difficult to play." pulisic- "we are going to need an amazing performance to win the game tomorrow."
I don't recall reading anyone saying "save EVERYBODY for Panama". What I've read is varying degrees--almost unanimous--of folks saying "We shouldn't start all of our best 11 against Mexico". It's as close to a consensus as to what BSers think should happen as there can be. For my money, it's extremely unlikely that Berhalter goes with a full "A" team nor a full "B" team versus Mexico. It will be somewhere in the middle. When that lineup is announced folks will quibble, but the expectation is most definitely somewhere in between "first choice in a one-off" and the back end of the roster possibilities.
It's not a consensus. There's wide variety in suggestions: - best xi in Mexico - major allocation to Mexico - mid-level allocation - minor - none I'm between major to mid-level. Philosophically it would be major, but there's several positions where there's not overlap anyway because they are different style matches. I think this conversation started by Doyle's suggestion of a virtual b-team under the guise of Mexico being unimportant. He called it a b-team and only used 2 of the same players as v. Panama. That's pretty damn extreme & mind you he has a potential stake in the claim as an MLS employee. 7 starters from MLS for the first match by employing this extreme strategy. Some others have followed suit in the b-team deployment strategy. Like I said, I simply disagree with those making the argument in good faith, and am not mischaracterizing this sentiment exists. I've expressed why I think they're wrong.
I am hoping Ferreira gets the start. I am excited to see him get some time, and to see what he can do.
i followed via quotes tweeted from the soccer writers i follow, and i do think i saw one video link (which i would imagine is the official ussoccer account). i cant agree with something you didnt say, but they really do make these things harder to find than they should be.
Thanks for continuing the conversation. My perspective, based on what I've seen others propose, is that most people seem on board with a mix of "A" and "B" players for Mexico. Regarding Doyle: I haven't read his opinion about this, and it does sound pretty extreme if what you say he says is correct. I just finished watching the press conference I asked about, and am glad that I watched it all. Berhalter is tight to the chest at this point, but seems confident that he and the players know what's up. For me, there's nothing left to ask until the games are played. We win, we lose, Berhalter is right or wrong. But we are where we are and we should enjoy it, because the purpose of life is to experience.
Interestingly this is supposedly Mexico’s lineup for tomorrow. Told Gregg Berhalter that Mexico's projected starting XI for tomorrow night had been reported, that it was on Twitter (@GibranAraige always gets it ahead of time). Berhalter: "What is it? Do you know what it is? Can you tell me?" pic.twitter.com/etH0mQ3yDd— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) March 23, 2022 No surprises really. In a separate tweet he also says in a video that none of the locals think Mexico will win tomorrow. Hard to put into words how physically impressive this place is.We tried. A little. Talking about vibes. @FelipeCar @PaulTenorio https://t.co/Z5mJCkJCl0 pic.twitter.com/Gj4ob9nmDN— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) March 23, 2022 Similar sentiment Everyone gripping about USMNT 🇺🇸 on ESPN, Youtube, podcasts, & twitter. So I flip over to TUDN & Futbol Picante & they are gripping worse about El Tri 🇲🇽. The times are cray cray..— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) March 23, 2022