Obviously there's plenty of room for improvement at the forward position, but actually I don't think it's some huge problem. We have Pepi, Sargent, Vazquez... Dike if he can get healthy... guys like Pefok Wright Hoppe are okay as fringe options... not big on Ferreira or Ebobisse.... but then there's also Balogun:
I'd say it's left back. There are more World Class #9s than World Class left backs. Lefties are like 5% of the population too.
and of course he now plays at tottenham. after my wc decompression my brain is like when you have to reboot your directv box, it just takes a little while to repopulate the guide and whatnot...
This may or may not be true, but it's much less relevant, because left backs just don't impact the game nearly as much. In fact, I would say that, objectively speaking, the best left backs in the world aren't as good as the best players in the world at any other position on the pitch.
What about Axel Kei https://apnews.com/article/sports-s...al-salt-lake-cf2afcd98156671c55626dacbb68a416
Kei, an Ivory Coast native who grew up in Brazil before his family relocated to the United States, became one of the youngest-ever pro athletes on an American team Well the first issue is we don't know exactly when Axel Kei and his family will get US citizenship, not sure there's been any reporting on it so we have zero idea. Do we even know if it's a Jesus Ferreira situation or a Diego Fagundez situation, if you catch my meaning? Then he has to choose to play for the US over Brazil and Ivory Coast. Then he has to be good enough to make the 2026 roster at age 18. Then he has to perform at that age and be a difference maker.
I have a new wish (dream) ... that could help the situation ... we already have Turner at Arsenal as backup. Here is an idea to consider ... Arsenal snaps up Yunus from Valencia ... Arsenal recalls Balagun from Reims. Yunus and Folarin connect and Yunus convinces Balagun to go with the US ... then we have a developing #9 that already works with one of our brightest talents. A wish.
I would love Pulisic to end up at Arsenal. In part because I'm a Gunners fan and I've always felt slightly dirty for rooting for him at Chelsea, not only a rival but a club with an absolutely insufferable foreign fan base...
Vazquez highlights (given Arsenal B squad versus FC Cinncinati) actually look better. He is big and strong but he has a touch that reminds me a little of Jaime Moreno. Would be good to see Vazquez get called up for a friendly or two and Copa America. Assuming he would say yes.
Assuming? Vazquez would've said yes to a call up in June, a call up in September, a call up to the MLS-only pre-WC camp, obviously the World Cup roster... he will likely say yes to a call up to January camp... so yeah we can assume he would say yes to Copa f'ing America.