We've seen Pulisic, McKennie, and Lletget play the "more forward 8/10 on the left side." I would guess Pomykal might be considered there; it's also the position Gregg seems to see Holmes in. I actually think the exact position Reyna played today would be interesting for him and Berhalter. In trying to get more help into the central midfield, Berhalter tried pulling Morris and Boyd more into the central midfield and letting the RB create width. It didn't work all that well. Neither Morris nor Boyd are great at possession play and playing in a crowded interior. Morris especially is much better where he can use his size, work rate and speed better. Reyna might be textbook if Berhalter wants that kind of flexibility. You almost need that if you are going to use Yedlin, who really can't come inside. Dest, of course, can pretty much go either way and I could a Dest/Reyna combo being pretty interchangeable on offense. Pretty young on defense, though.
This is telling. Not of your poor memory, but rather the lackluster options for the US there. I think Pulisic played there some, and Lletget's played there some. I think McKennie even had a game or two there? But yeah, there's definitely an opening for the USMNT at that spot. I think I posted this in the gameday thread, but I felt like Reyna was coming in pretty centrally when Dortmund had the ball so as to allow Hakimi as the RB to push into the space out wide. So, Reyna might be an option more centrally. He seemed comfortable receiving the ball in traffic and laying off quick passes (something that is not Pulisic's strong suit).
Yeah, he's definitely more comfortable with one touch passing. That said, I haven't really seen Reyna be a "10" in the more traditional sense. He's not a guy to dribble in the interior and be distributing left and right -- at least I haven't seen it. That's more Ledezma's game. Which is fine -- but I wonder if it isn't better to keep him in a more fluid situation where he can get outside a bit more. We don't need to have a centralized playmaker.
I agree that we don't really need a traditional #10, and that Reyna's probably not that anyhow. From the USMNT perspective, it'd just be nice to have someone above Lletget-quality to play that more advanced 8/10 role (I don't hate Lletget, but an upgrade would be great). I do, though, see the allure of Reyna playing as a pinched in RW and Dest getting forward on the outside at RB.
From what I've seen, and granted it's mostly just highlight vids from lower levels: he has much better vision than Pulisic and is better at using his body as a shield and is sturdier. He's a better fit centrally for those reasons and the first start he makes with the USMNT he'll instantly be the most talented forward deployed central midfielder, 10 on his back or not.
He may play as a RW but he has the green light to move inside when he sees an opportunity. at 6'1 he is physically bigger than Pulisic to handle the close game of playing inside.
right! I said it before but I would not be surprised to see it be handled like Schweinsteiger. Start outside, but I sort of expect him to move centrally.
Yep. Let me just say that, as a US fan, I’d like upgrades at every position constantly- no matter who is playing and how good they get, I always want better.
I've never understood playing Pulisic centrally giving his best attribute is his ability to dribble past defenders in space.
It allows him to get closer to goal, which in theory that attribute creates better goal scoring opportunities. He's a bit lacking as a final passer. Not saying he's bad at that, but he isn't elite. Moving all his commotion centrally makes it easier to amplify his best attribute, while minimizing some that he isn't the best at... Most of his goals come when he is centrally or counter-attacking. Occasionally he scores moving from the wing, but not really.
But he's primarily not a goalscorer anyways. He's more effective at causing havoc with his dribbling. He isn't a great finisher but he scores most of his goals crashing the box which he can do from anywhere in the attacking third. I also think central he is easier to crowd off the ball with multiple defenders.
Yep. Pulisic at his very best is rampaging through the center of the field on the counterattack, and it's really not close. People are right that he's not special in close quarters centrally against a packed in defense, but are ignoring what he does centrally when he does have space.
How far ahead of myself am I getting by being excited by the idea of McKennie, Adams, Reyna in CM with Pulisic cutting in from the LW?
It’s nice to finally start having options. Pomykal, Ledezma and Reyna should all be definite options for WCQ, they bring a huge talent level increase from the Roldan’s of the world that we’ve had to play. Let’s get a left back, RW (Uly?), and striker to emerge and then we’re cooking.
Yes, this is true. However, we have to be realistic with his development at BVB and within the national team program. He will have some moments and he will struggle. As of today, I call him in to the next set of friendlies and give him a late sub in to get a feel for the full national team and get him his deserved first cap. So many people have been disgruntled at this era of the USMNT, but if they would just slow down and take the long view, they would see beyond Qatar at what the program is building. We will have an extremely talented team in their prime on home soil. Can they survive the pressure and take the program to new heights? Reyna could be a big part of that.
Reyna will be about 20 by Qatar. Plenty old enough to be a central figure by then. Whether he starts immediately for USMNT depends on who else is available, but assuming he continues to have a role with BVB's first team through the end of the year, he should be starting for the USMNT by qualifying.
If he keeps a rotational role for the rest of the season, I'd knock that timeline up to the Nations League finals in June. If he plays sparingly (say, 7 appearances or so), I'd still consider him for a place in the team for that.
I agree but man I'd love for him to be released for Olympic Qualifying. Doubt it happens, might actually be available for the Olympics though, at least I can hope.
I say keep him far away from Egg Head and our embarrassing excuse for soccer media until the summer at the earliest. Even then, a full preseason with BVB will be of the utmost importance. If Gio becomes a BVB regular next season then he’s the quality of player who can step in and hit the ground running. Won’t need the adaptation period our lesser American wankers need.