I would have called up Scally from the start, just because he can play both sides and fullback is a position where you want to be able to rotate. I would have just had 5 from the start. And I feel like it’s pretty clear cut between him and Lennon or Moore.
You could come up with an A and B team just by adding up A team starts for each player on this roster over the past 2 years. A team: Steffen - 9 starts Yedlin - 4 starts M. Robinson - 8 starts Zimmerman - 6 starts A. Robinson - 12 starts Adams - 12 starts Musah - 12 starts Reyna - 8 starts Pulisic - 8 starts Weah - 7 starts Pepi - 6 starts B team: Horvath - 2 starts Cannon - 4 starts Long - 2 starts Sands - 1 start Bello - 2 starts Acosta - 7 starts Busio - 1 start de la Torre - 1 start Morris - 1 start Arriola - 2 starts Pefok - 2 starts (Or Ferreira - 1 start) Cannon and Yedlin have similar minutes, but Yedlin has typically been preferred when both were available. Acosta also could be on the A team based on number of starts, but he has mostly started when other midfield regulars were missing or being rested, so I put Reyna in the A team midfield instead (based on his and Gregg's quotes during this camp). Other than that, there is clear separation in number of A team starts between that first and second XI.
weve got acosta and sands for the middle and adams to start at rb...we could totally throw out that sweet honduras lineup again
Not really anyone else in MLS to choose from. It’s him and Aaron Herrera (who Berhalter doesn’t seem to rate). Hence the need to potentially get Scally on a plane tomorrow. I’d take Shaq Moore over him too.
did Adams play play poorly in that last game? I don't recall exactly, but thought he did well to very well. DNP for the two cup game finals. I get your point- Acosta has been solid vs Mex and we definitely want Adams vs Panama... but to me, Adams is just a better player all the way around- and to my recollection, also played well vs Mex recently... so giddyup- let's get him in there!
Not really. On a current form Pepi won't see 10 mins untill we've qualified, Morris is coming after a year break and was arguably the best attacking player before that, Busio or LDLT might sub for Weston, Reyna doesn't have 90 minutes in him, Steffen is coming after back injury. Whom Gregg sees as A team under this conditions we don't know.
So now Cannon is out. Gawdamn GGG is a moron with his “it’s IMPOSSIBLE to have training with 30 players”. Well 5 windows in and EVERY. Single. Window. We’ve ended up In this EXACT same absolutely foreseeable situation.
Cannon had an "inconclusive" COVID test. He's not "out", at least not unless his next test shows positive. Even if he is that would leave us with 25 players available for today. With that in mind, I asked myself the question: "How many players were in camp in other WC cycles this century?" I looked at several from last two cycles (under both Klinsmann and Arena): the lowest I saw was 20 (!) and the highest was 26. Mostly they were between 23-26. So, it would seem that our last two coaches also thought that 30 would be too many--but someone would have to ask them what their rationale was for not bringing more players than they did.
Brooks Lennon is much better than this board gives him credit for. Would I call him up over Scally? No. But people on these boards act like he's a disaster, when he's developed into quite a good right back. And of course he's a Hollingshead-type in that he can and has played everywhere. Not a bad bench option. But anyway, let's see what happens with Cannon.
Having a couple of extra guys, at least on immediate standby, certainly in the Covid era, seems a no-brainer. I also appreciate Scally's versatility - similar (say) to Sands, a player I am 'always' calling in (even if he doesn't make the game-day roster). Do we know if Steffen traveled to Mexico? If yes, I would guess he is starting. If I'm starting Horvath tonight, I would certainly have strongly considered leaving Steffen in Orlando (to await Panama).
Horvath seems to be playing better than Steffen right now. What makes us think Steffen ought to start?
I don’t think we know Cannon is out, do we? Just an inconclusive covid test. Other covid tests to follow, presumably. It would be interesting to know the real thinking behind call-in decisions that pose the risk of being short handed, because some version of this has happened in several windows. I can’t believe it is really about training being unwieldy. I wonder if there is a budgetary constraint imposed by USSF?
For these 3 game windows, camps should have always been 3 goalkeepers, 5 fullbacks, 5 center backs, 3 defensive mids, 5 midfielders, 5 wingers, and 4 forwards. Squeezing in a few extra for unforeseen injuries and circumstances would be the wise thing to do. Maybe you can cut 1 forward, 1 defensive mid or center back, and 1 winger or forward if you have to get it down to 27.
i dont want to get into the whole argument- i think in this case its just a matter of assuming gregg will start him.
Because he played for Berhalter in Columbus. Or was that a trick question? I would start Horvath tonight (and until we qualify, if he plays 'lights out'), as I expect us to be mostly defending/countering v Mexico, Horvath's had a nice run of games, with some good saves and competent footwork, etc - including growing self-confidence. Yes, this could go badly (under pressure), but we're not really 'expecting' a positive result anyway. Assuming we need to win on Sunday, I would start Steffen v Panama, expecting Panama to defend/counter a bit themselves, and to pressure Steffen less successfully (than Turner, last time out, or Horvath now). I think Berhalter may start Steffen tonight in part to get Steffen up to game-speed on Sunday. Any objections?
When Steffen has been healthy, he's been Berhalter's starter this cycle. How many games has Berhalter started Horvath over Steffen this cycle when both were available? So its not that people think Steffen is necessarily better than Horvath. They just know who Berhalter's guy is. And to be honest, if the USMNT loses this game I don't think it'll be because of the keeper. Steffen is fine.
Ok, I will be more specific. Indecisive to the point of making mistakes. Lacking confidence. Apply whatever one word label fits all that.