How was Sullivan just trying stuff? His rabona got thru to Agyemang, so did his post pass that led to a Pat chance, his cross to the back post landed, couple others created havoc, he hit the bar & forced a good save. He was also an asset in runs and d. There's some confirmation bias from his start & prior view. For Tolkin, it would help if I knew he clipped the ball over the top that ended up in the 1st goal. Because it was the key pass. Fine, if you're annoyed with the possession play. But to question his d, that's just attitudes in advance, because he checked back to win balls, rotate, nobody had much joy 1 v. 1. Upgrade on Arfsten. Let players settle in! The difference in leash between one guy and the next is dramatic, based on original opinion.
If I were Johnny I’d be playing like a man who knows that an ill-timed injury right now might cost him millions of dollars and alter his career trajectory. But I don’t think it’s that, or at least not just that.
He's generally the more advanced DM In a 4-2-3-1 double pivot. Defends pretty deep but spends a lot more time hanging around the top of the box when his team is attacking than someone like Tyler Adams. I haven't figured out if he can compliment Adams or not. We should try to figure it out this tournament.
For me it was Tillman and Johnny and Richards. TIllman and Richards are using this B-team tournament to prove themselves a level above. Check. As for Johnny, at this point, a mediocre LDLT and a newbie Berhalter playing a slightly more defensive role than he's used to are outplaying him.
Huh? LDLT hasn’t missed a game outside of the one he’s missed for the GC. Adams had a small knock, Johnny was sick.
Somebody has to play though. And I’m sorry, but Sargent has the same amount of goals in 19 more caps. Hes also had tons of games where he’s been completely invisible. agyemang can be frustrating because he messes up at critical moments, but he’s doing a lot well to get us into critical moments. My expectations were admittedly very low, but he’s exceeded them.
At first I thought we were really missing Arfsten because we had no attack from the left side, but Tolkin grew into the game and battled. And wound up with that pass to Agyemang to set up the winning goal. Arfsten and Tolkin are just different kinds of players, so it just depends on what Poch wants. Arfsten is more of a take guys on guy and will get to the end line and cross or cut in and is a threat to shoot with his right, and he does not focus too much on defense. Tolkin is more of a defender and long diagonal cross guy. He doesn't take guys on much. I thought Brenden was really good - possibly more effective than Luna has been. I'd like to see them play together.
Pat needs a crash course from Ching on combining.from the hold up but all credit on a perfect run and good touch on his goal. That was a beauty from Tolkin who redeemed a poor 1st half. Too much negative passing from Luca today. I thought Sullivan looked good, been wanting to see him get a run. Defenders were good and Tillman was class. BA had a pretty good game, nice assist on the 1st goal.
It's funny when Tillman fans quote me. Acting so smug after games against T&T and Haiti. I didn't quote anyone or look to rub it in after an abysmal first half against KSA and overall poor performance. Lets see how he does as the competition gets better.
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far far away, we produced elite goalkeepers. And every time we did well in the World Cup we had excellent to elite goalkeeping to thank. SMH. This team's offense is like watching paint dry. At least try to occasionally be adventurous. Only the center forward seems to try stuff, and he is incredibly raw. Anybody want to get really drunk? Play a drinking game based upon De La Torre and Tolkin back passes… They don't have a prayer to win this tournament unless they play a lot better!!!
It’s been said already, but… Richards played great. The best passing I remember seeing from him for the US or Palace. Tillman is finding his groove with the US. I thought Brendan made a difference. And…these players earned a game against a weakened Costa Rica (2 suspensions, 2 injuries)
The thing about Big Pat is he is improving. He has a long way to go, but big strikers who don’t rely on speed mature more slowly. I think he has an enormously high ceiling. I had thought Freeman would be an athleticism merchant, but I’ve been impressed by his prowess and focus defensively. And he can pass through lines at times and he has poise on the ball. He’s had a gaffe or two misreading things but you can see his confidence growing. Exciting potential.
Big Pat did much better. The best player of the team was Tillman. Tolkin is a much better LB than Arfsten. The player I think is regressing, is De La Torre. I only saw ONE forward pass in the second half. I think Paxton is a much better player.
Drogba didn't become drogba until his late 20s. He went to Chelsea at 26. Look Pat obviously isn't drogba, hence the use of -esque
Couple of things as it relates. We are not all that dangerous on the wing. Sullivan and Mcglynn just don’t want to whip balls in. If Ageymang is all that dangerous than his danger is pulling the defense. Sure he can’t collect dribble drive. Can he collect and make a pass. That is limited also. We are static because our system needs good fullbacks and they ain’t here. On the left side our LW is a second 10 the FB does most of the flanking attack but that’s limited now with skills. On the RW we need to figure something out. Both McGlynn and Sullivan limit the attack and confide us to slow ball. Maybe if downs comes back we use him. Just tired of seeing openings then a forward pass and then it dying at the RWs feet. the good thing as much as everyone wants to act like we have seen the final product I think Poch has experienced. Given his euro players a rotational break and is now ready to show us what his first choice team will look like.
After we stopped trying to bore Haiti to death with pointless possession we looked dangerous, and on another day we could have had 4 or 5. The goal we gave up was an uncharacteristic lack of concentration from Freese, and I look for him to bounce back.