I hope this was intended seriously. I’m on board. It’s a low-cost time to bring him in, and (if nothing else) he could give our GKs some useful practice against (wicked, whipped) left-footed shots, free-kicks and corners. We’re short on left-footers in general, and very short on ‘menacing’ left-footed attacking players. Mendez (presumably) won’t be heading to Qatar in November, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help us prepare.
This and Haji have probably been the bright spots in a pretty dire YA season all around. Pleasantly surprised he's played so much -- hard a lot of rough spots to smooth out. Likely still does but it shows the non-linear progression of player development.
Have those commenting in here watched his full games? I haven’t so trying to get a sense of how much of the call up requests are from full game viewership and impact? for example if I said anything it’d solely be based on some highlights which makes my commentary close to irrelevant.
His cannon of a left foot was always his greatest quality and wasn’t ever in doubt. It was the other aspects of his game which made his professional prospects questionable. I’m much more interested to see/hear reports on those areas.
I watched 4-5 games. He played as a RM and a CM. I'd call him up, to see how he does but he'd probably just be taking Busio's spot.
Feel sort of meh after watching this though I realize it’s Porto and that is maybe an unfair feeling. outside of goal I see someone not ready for speed of play but that’s the part that may be unfair. And still seems potential defensive liability.
This is his play, from a few months ago. If I was the USMNT coach, I'd call him up, as well as a couple of other midfielders.
Thing is yo can only call so many new guys up this close to the cup. We have quite a few second level guys doing OK right now. Beautiful goal, but bshredder, who I trust, is clear about what Alex still needs to work on. I know this clip will get the usual predictable posters up in arms screaming about how stupid GB is, but has there really been enough there? Is having a real good left foot but being weak on D and slow enough? If there is space to call him go nuts, but I’ll nee to see/read a lot more in the Portuguese press.
We need another backup CM. Mendez has been playing at a higher level, than most of the fringe players, he's competing with. I think we should give him and a couple of others, a callup.
I don't know.. 1 goal and 0 assists for a bottom quarter team doesn't stand out all that much - great goal nonetheless. If he gets called up, cool. If he doesn't, he wasn't robbed. Personally, I'd rather call up Holmes or Pomykal over Mendez.
Players on bottom of the table teams, generally don't score or assist much. Also, Pomykal doesn't deserve a callup.
Pomykal doesn’t, but a guy like Parks absolutely does. Mendez still has so many clear growth areas where he can be a genuine liability. He’s in the same realm as Cappis to me where they really need to establish themselves as regular starters and important players before they can be considered NT material again
He is improving. I hope he starts letting that left foot rip. His team needs to recognize his cultured left foot. There is always an element of surprise with the left foot, even just a microsecond. Players subconsciously expect for everything to flow to the right foot. Even while consciously paying attention of the left foot, there is still just enough unfamiliarity to pull off some of the unexpected more than a right-footed player would. When the ball rotates to him in transition, the wings need to be getting vertical and looking to get in behind. He can hit great balls.
Starts: 📋 11 𝕴𝖓𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖆𝖑 • 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝖀𝖕 💙Suplentes: Ivo, Raphael Guzzo, Marcos Paulo, Guo Tianyu, Zohi, Aidara, Sarmiento, Koffi Kouao e Nuno Moreira #FCVizela #AlmaRomana #FCVCSM pic.twitter.com/Is008tY2IC— fcvizela (@FCVizelaOficial) May 8, 2022
Alex was always considered a one-trick pony with his outside shot. If the play gets fast, he falls behind the play. I haven't watched him this season, so I'm not sure how much he has improved, if any.
Started & went 90' in 4-1 loss: 📋 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝖚𝖕 • 11 𝕴𝖓𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖆𝖑 🔵⚪️Suplentes: Pedro Silva, Marcos Paulo, Zohi, Aidara, Sarmiento, Richard Ofori, Alvarado, Nuno Moreira e Etim #FCVizela #AlmaRomana #MFCFCV pic.twitter.com/tory8zNWLd— fcvizela (@FCVizelaOficial) May 14, 2022 The club got a red card in the 3rd minute and made 3 changes in the 1st half for some reason.
Meaningless match for Vizela, plus an early red card, while their opponent desperately needed a win. Not a recipe for either a fun or informative game. Moreirense managed to move out of guaranteed relegation with the win.
Starts in season opener: 📋 11 𝕴𝖓𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖆𝖑 do nosso Vizela 🔵⚪️#FCVizela #LutamosJuntos #RAFCFCV pic.twitter.com/8oeeYC3wXr— fcvizela (@FCVizelaOficial) August 6, 2022
Nice 0-1 win to open the season. Mendez played from start to almost/finish, subbed out well into a lengthy stoppage time.
Alex Méndez vs Rio Ave (8/6/22)#USMNT #FCVizelapic.twitter.com/C4xOJVhC60— Justin Moran (@kickswish) August 11, 2022
That is a really strong performance, seems like an all touches comp? I wish the Portuguese league was easier to watch from the US.