PBP: 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals: USA vs Ecuador

I think its a mindset, honestly.

US players tend to play timid. We need to develop a winning, attacking, fearless mindset.

 

I don't see Mendez being a top 15 US senior quality player. He may get a couple of invites but I don't see him being a regular.

 

Bradley was the best player on the senior team for 4 years, Durkin will never get a cap outside of January

 

But to say it is some FIFA conspiracy is just....well....you know.

 

Durkin just really looks out of his depth. His athleticism is horrible.

 

To be honest, I am not sure Mendez makes it at a professional level. Great left foot, brings literally nothing else to a team.

 

I seriously do not see this unless he massively ups a lot of elements of his game. Not to say it won't happen but he's way too raw.

 

Pomykal threw himself into challenges and ran his heart out. Acting like his mindset is a problem is silly. How about blaming tab for putting someone so unathletic in front of his weak point in Keita?

 

He's gonna look better in a midfield with high motor 6's that can cover for him defensively IF his tactical awareness improves and the final ball gets better.

Really nice player, but not someone that is gonna be the core of a side unless he continues to be elite technically.

He's gonna be a pro though.

 

Up: Dest, Gloster, Soto, Pomykal, Ochoa

Down: Scott, Durkin, Mendez, Keita, de la Fuente

Everyone else roughly steady. Weah maybe down a little because my expectations were really high, and he didn't impose himself in the way I hoped.

 

Yeah, the Ecuador team looked like an olympic track squad.

Youth tournaments are in big part about those kinds of athletic disparities.

The US soccer program doesn't produce athletes like that. Our best athletes tend to be small guys like Beasley and Donovan. Zardes and Altidore are rare exceptions.

 

I thought we couldve won had we kept Ledezma and Servania in the starting lineup. Mendez and Durkin were horrible in possession and couldnt match up physically with Ecuador. Some of Ecuadors best chances came from horrific giveaways from one of those two. Especially Durkin, who had a fairly miserable tournament.

 

And Bradley was really really good as a u-20.

 

I thought Ramos just went too much with what got him here.
I was disappointed with DLF, I expected more from him, as the tournament went on he faded more and more, his plays were very telegraphed.
Mendez just doesn't have the physicality for the next level.
Pax, Dest and Richards will be called to the senior team after the Olys.

 

Add Dest, albeit the position is crowded with Adams there.

 

We will 100% be seeing Durkin giving the ball away, picking up dumb yellows, and being overall slow as hell with the NT in the next couple years. Probably as early as the January camp

 

Durkin was fine in posession. You guys and your scapegoating.

 

I'm not saying he is as good. He just looks like him, tall with lumbering touch.

 

*weeps*

 

You guys are so funny and there is so much tunnel vision when evaluating players.

Considering who else could have been on this roster, this class of players has the potential to be the strongest in a while. Emphasis on potential as always but we play more mature then I remember in recent history.

Enjoy this boys, this shit is going to get dark in these parts come the Gold Cup.

 

Who knows what the MNT shitshow will call up but I’ll wager anything right now that more than two will have very good professional careers.

 

Aside from two great cross field passes....no...he was horrible. Especially on defense.

 

Cant blame a coach for playing to the teams strengths.

As for Mendez...a guy with his dead ball skills will find spots on teams. He needs to hit the weight room, though.

 

Would not surprise me at all.

 

Wtf was the point of bring Araujo and Cerillo to warm the bench