Rank the USMNT forwards

My ranking will depend upon fall performance by the guys in Europe (b/c speed of play). If they all suck, I'd play none of them as starter and take Fereira and Sarge because of Sarge's versatility and because presumably Fereira will be scoring. If any of them is scoring (Dike, Haji, Sarge, Hoppe, Pepi), I'd take them -- up to 2 max.

 

No contact with Jebo is kinda sketchy.

 

He's just starting on a scoring tear. We've seen with Pefok that doesn't always translate. I think now since no one is making a scoring case I'd go with the best at pressuring - Ferreira, Sargent and Pepi.

 

Ebobisse has hit double digits in scoring before. He can play both wings. He has started in MLS Cup. He's a better fit than someone like Pefok.

And he's left-footed. He's good at set-pieces. It's just odd there's been so little contact.

 

A very dignified answer. Good for him.

 

He did get called into January camp in 2019 and 2021, but for whatever reason Berhalter doesn't seem to rate him.

His only path is probably to score so many goals that he can't be ignored. I don't know what that number is though.

 

Ferreira against defensive teams (Wales).

Pepi against possession teams (England).

Dike / Wright / Pefok if we need one late.

Weah if we could teleport and actually try the experiment when we could have.

 

Berhalter had stated Vazquez was getting close. Given that, and given the Ebobisse situation, the ability to press could be the big differentiator going forward.

player(presssures per 90 percentile)
Ebobisse(13% )
Vazquez(86%)
Pepi(99% )
Ferreira(84%)
Sargent(80%)
Dike(29%)

I'm zeroing in on Vazquez, Pepi, Sargent, and Ferreira. Hopefully, one of the bigger forwards of the group breaks through.

 

Great find. I think you've nailed it. Unless a forward scores so much they're irreplaceable at least using pressing forwards keeps a form of continuity to the team. I've heard coaches say defense starts at the tip of the spear. Having a forward that doesn't press while the rest of the team does causes an outlet to always be open to break the press.

 

Unfortunately, McBride was the last striker who could score at the major tournament level.

 

I wonder what Wes could do as a traditional 9?

 

To learn that he is actually 5'10 and not 6'1"? And that physicality of CBs are on another level.

 

wow…… that is horribly disappointing but not surprising. What a god awful message to send to the pool at this juncture. Door should be open to make the team til the roster of 23……. Including those who were not called in prior to that point.

we’ve always had at least one guy come on the roster like that…… at least one..:… as long as I can remember

hopefully JeBo recognizes he can be a guy for next cycle

 

So not a Fereira fan then?

 

They're not worthy of a ranking at this point.

 

His mother told me he was 6-0. I want to see any of you tell that nice lady to her face she’s wrong [emoji2]

 

Production with the USMNT:

Name. Goals. Assists. Minutes. G/90 min. A/90 min.
Ferreira 7* 4 625 1.01 .58
Pepi 3 3 708 .38 .38
Sargent 5 1 1110 .41 .08
Dike 3** 0 439 .62 0
Zardes 14 9 4151 .30 .20
Altidore 42 16 7987 .47 .18

*4/7 of Ferreira's goals came against a very weak Grenada. He was already the most productive forward before that game though.
**⅔ of Dike's goals came against a weak Martinique team.

Club Sofascore ratings:
Ferreira(MLS): 7.38
Pefok(Swiss):. 7.29
Ebobisse(MLS):7.27
Vasquez(MLS):7.16
Dike(MLS2021):7.08
Wright(Turkey):7.02
Pepi(MLS2021):7.01
Sargent(Germany20/21):6.91
Toye(MLS2021):6.91
Hoppe(Germany20/21):6.78
White(MLS):. 6.78
Zardes(MLS):. 6.75
Cowell(MLS):. 6.69
Sargent(EPL):. 6.65
Altidore(MLS):. 6.65
Pepi(Germany): 6.64
Berry(MLS):. 6.63
Gioacchini(France):6.57
Soto(Scotland):. 6.44
Hoppe(Spain):. 6.42

Turkey and Switzerland are around the same level as MLS, Scotland is slightly worse. EPL, Germany, Spain, and France are obviously at a higher level.


Rankings (taking into account GB's preference for players who can press):

1)Ferreira is the clear #1 right now.

2) Pepi is probably still the #2 due to his pressing skills.

3) I put Pefok third due to strong performances with his club.

4) Sargent has been a starter in both the Bundesliga and the EPL, he deserves a decent rank despite a lack of scoring.

5) Vasquez is above other players with similar production due to pressing ability.

6)Wright had a good season in Turkey.

7)Ebobisse has had a great start to the MLS season, but I don't think he will keep up this pace and he doesn't press like Vasquez.

8)Hoppe has had a poor season, but he showed promise back when he was in the Bundesliga.

9)Dike had a decent season in MLS last year, but has been struggling with injuries in England.

10)Zardes has lots of national team experience, but there are other forwards who are younger and better.

 

Big congrats big man well done

 

play striker, for one...

 

Has Ferreira really done all that much to earn the job? It seems like people are reaching out of desperation.