Pre-match: 2017 Confederations Cup Playoff: USA vs Mexico, October 10th 2015

I'm not holding my breath for this one.

 

It's too early to pick a lineup at this point. The new coach may have a different tastes and may shake things up a bit.

 

--------------------------------------ALTIDORE----------------------------------

------JOHNSON--------------------DEMPSEY---------------DISKERUD-------

--------------------BECKERMAN-----------------BRADLEY--------------------

BEASLEY??!-----------BESLER-----------------GONZALEZ----------YEDLIN

--------------------------------------HOWARD-----------------------------------

 

Sunil Gulati confirms that Klinsmann's job isn't in jeopardy, and won't be even if #usmnt loses Confederations Cup playoff in Oct.

— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) July 25, 2015

 

He also said the roster won't change much. Another 90 minutes of John Brooks, ladies and gentlemen!

 

--------------------------------Jozy-----------------------------------
-----Zardes------------------Dempsey------------Nagbe-----------
----------------Kitchen------------------Bradley---------------------
---Garza------------Besler-------------Gonzo------------Johnson--
--------------------------------Guzan-----------------------------------

Yedlin, Mix and Finlay would be top subs too.

 

Will Frankie Hejduk come out of retirement to play fullback for us in this match? I'd honestly trust him over just about anyone else not named Johnson.

I was hoping Chandler would get sent off today during the fracas so Klinsmann could not pick him for this match.

 

Everyone with the above, watched a different game than I did today...

 

This. I understand from Klinsmann's perspective how Alvarado/Brooks together is the "sexier" choice by virtue of youth and pedigree, but the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" seems exceedingly fitting in this case.

 

It's pitchfork time.

 

Mexico will have Chicharito, Moreno, and Gio back for that game. And hopefully a new coach. Also the Euro's will be in season then. The players now looked unfit due to the layoff. Most other Gold Cup teams players mostly play in the MLS and are in mid season form. Frankly I think Jamaica wins tomorrow anyways. No Chicharito, Vela, Moreno, Gio, and now I heard Jona Dos Santos and Guardado might be out. Mexico is a deep team but it will be hard to field a competitive team after all these lost starters.

 

Only God knows what the contract extension caluse look like! Still think that extension, that early, was a mistake...

Anybody else share those thoughts?

 

That could hardly be considered debatable.

 

chandler/alvarado/brooks will start- the rest wont matter. having come within one match of the confederations cup sunil will have another extension ready by october 10.

 

Was better than the guy to his left. And the guy that played earlier in the tournament.

And that's saying something, because he didn't have a great game today.

But I trust him 1,000x more than the other two mostly because I know what kind of season he's having in MLS.

 

Beckerman was so bad in the Gold Cup. I do like the addition of Besler. It was clear that Brooks and Alvardo just aren't ready. They may be the pairing at some point, but this past month was too soon for them. What we really need is some actual wing play.

 

If Brooks is anywhere near the stadium, let alone playing, it's proof that Klinsmann will put a lesser team on the field due to his own personal vendetta's. Any remaining doubt should be completely eliminated.

 

Based on what measure?

He's made plenty of mistakes this season in MLS like the ones he made yesterday and that you and other attack Alvarado for making.

 

I'm not sure about the coach's "personal vendettas", but the crowd that doesn't like does seem go after every new player he selects. The analysis of Brooks, Alvarado, Ibarra, woods, etc are always significantly harsher than the other guys.

As for Besler, I think he was done right after the WC. It was clear after the Belgium game that he couldn't handle strikers like that. Brooks has been the plan since then. Brooks is why we didn't win this tournament, but Besler is the answer?

 

Thats coaching. If Besler is better right now, play him in important games. Play him in the elimination games. If Brooks is the future but makes too many mistakes now, let him play in friendlies and hex games. Games where he can learn and gain experience but not cost us.

The guy was pitiful yesterday. Besler didnt play that poorly against Belgium.