Pre-match: Home World Cup Prep: USMNT vs Paraguay, 11/15/25

Tessman as an attacking mid? I don’t think so. Give me Gio there please! And we don’t need to see any more Luna. Wright and Gio as AM.

 

Hell, I’d rather see Dest as attacking mid over Luna or Tessman at this point.

 

The two matches - Paraguay (Saturday) and Uruguay (Tuesday) - are spaced tightly enough that I would think in terms of two distinct lineups, with some overlap/rotation.

Painting with a broad brush, I would push offense v Paraguay (break them down) and defense v Uruguay (defend and counter). Something like ...

vs Paraguay

Balogun Wright
Reyna
Arfsten Berhalter Tessmann Dest
Ream Robinson Scally
Freese
​

vs Uruguay

Luna Pepi Aaronson
Tolkin Berhalter Morris Roldan
Trusty McKenzie Freeman
Freese
​

Pretty much everyone gets a start, and of course, we'll be subbing liberally. Without the possibility of extra time, any pair of players could split time. Balo and Pepi could each play a half of each game, or go 60/30, etc.

Note: I don't expect Reyna to start either game. Also, I conceptualized the above in a very few minutes - I am not married to any of these choices.

 

Berhalter starts both games?!?!? You’ve got to be kidding me.

 

Why is that so strange?

Sebastian Berhalter has started 7 of our last 11 games.

How about if I tell everyone that Sebastian Berhalter is a dual-national? Will that help the inferiority complex?

He was born in London and played two years in the Hammarby academy in Sweden. How's that? Does that help?

 

Berhalter fills a Nietzsche market. Adams is unavailable.

 

Come on man, Berhalter is not at the level it’s obvious.

 

Hahahahaha the DELUSION on some people here!

And here I am expecting a quiet morning where I could work in peace and of course I have to glance at BS bs for just a minute and be exposed to this nonsense, and I just couldn't let this slide.

In no world does Berhalter start both games against real competition when you have Morris, Tessman, Reyna, even Roldan and others who are much more likely to start in the WC. And IF he does, it will be a real confirmation that Poch's team is US Soccer/MLS/Nepo infiltrated and compromised.

 

Berhalter will quickly adapt to this massively high level November friendly with help from veterans like Roldan and Ream. I just hope he can avoid the temptation of the Scally golf cart circuit.

 

Its so weird.

Berhalter has started 7 of our last 11 games.

And yet people act like it would be some shock if he starts both of these.

 

New nick name: SB90 (for those who remember MB90, haha).

 

Bro, most of those games were the Gold Cup, a competition that normally uses MLS lifers who most often aren't part of the WC squad or are on the bottom of the list to start. And the two games he did start against top competition (Swiss and SK) we lost 4-0 and 2-0 respectivelly. The others he DIDN"T start or play, 1-2 L Turkey, 2-0 W Japan, 1-1 T Ecuador, and 2-1 W Australia.

Just stop.

 

I wouldn't be shocked, just disappointed, like I have been with his play. With Tyler out I'd be shocked if he doesn't start at least one.

 

What’s weird is that he does his Greco Roman wrestling move like three times a game where he throws his little body around and tries to shield the ball to no avail. Thats what’s weird.

 

Tyler's out. Johnny's out. Malik Tillman is out.
McKennie wasn't called in because apparently his club said he needs to work with their new coach (which is bizarre considering how many other Juve players were called up).

Poch has already made comments that Reyna isn't likely to play a lot.

...............so who's playing??? Who do people want? Yes, its possible that Berhalter starts both games. He led MLS amongst all USMNT-eligible players in assists this season.

 

I can just about guarantee that this team is "US Soccer infiltrated," given that it's literally US Soccer's team.

That silliness aside, I enjoy the idea that Seb Berhalter is "US Soccer/Nepo" while Gio Reyna isn't.

 

Talking about nepos, Klinsmann, Reyna and Berhalter playing together would be interesting. Certainly a talking point.

 

Only if Michael Bradley is the coach

 

McKenzie, Brendo, Trusty and Freese are Philly homegrowns. Might as well start them and work around the rest!

 

Add in Ian Harkes?!? And Kenny Arena as a coach.