Pre-match: Meet the Poch: USMNT vs Panama (Oct 12) & USMNT @ Mexico (Oct 17)

Apparently Tanner Tessmann is being called up.

With Sargent, Wright, and Pepi in the group....................we've still got numbers at the striker position.

I mean, we see 4-4-2 lineups above.
Poch has already told us the two formations he's going to work on with the group are 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. Maybe we'll see each formation in the window.

 

Is anyone actually healthy?

 

Midfielder Tanner Tessmann and forwards Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas have been added to the #USMNT roster for the October matches against Panama and Mexico.

Folarin Balogun, Johnny Cardoso and Tim Weah have all been withdrawn due to injury issues.

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) October 6, 2024

I'm amped for Vazquez. He hasn't torn Liga MX a new one, but he's def shown that he was ready to step up one level beyond MLS.

 

Happy for Tessman. The other two are just a waste of time. Not tearing it up in Liga MX should translate to not getting called up to the national. Same goes for a guy trying to step up one level beyond MLS. Lots of levels between MLS and the USMNT.

 

Interested to see which way Poch leans... but I don't see any logical reason why it would be a 4-4-2.

 

Unpredictability?

 

Don't know that I'd consider that logical... zigging when we expect a zag and when it doesn't suit the roster/personnel, that's pretty much opposite of reason to me.

But... maybe? We'll see in a few days I guess.

 

This is Pochettino's first camp. He's a teacher type; I don't think we'll see choices geared to this specific camp that much compared to a broader plan.

He has pretty commonly played a 442 in defense, but I think we're more likely to see a striker at winger than a real two striker system.

 

He stated during his interview that he will use 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3.

 

Fossey still on the bike and he's been joined by Zack Steffen:

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Do any of the likely starters play on sides that regularly run out a 4-4-2 anyway? Tillman and Pepi play in a typical Dutch 4-3-3, with Tillman featuring as both LWF and RCM at various times. CP is mostly a RAM in a 4-2-3-1. McKennie is RDM in a 4-2-3-1 these days. I think Norwich is mostly a 4-2-3-1 these days with Sarge at tip. Musah played at the LDM in his AC start, pretty sure and M'boro mostly play Morris there in a 4-2-3-1. RAaronson has been playing in the 10 in a 4-2-3-1.

If Poch were inclined to run guys out in their most common club positions, we'd probably see:
Pepi/Sarge
Tillman(Wright) - Aaronson - Pulisic
Morris/Musah - McKennie
AR(Lund) - Trusty(Ream) - Robinson - Scally(Fossey)

I think McKenzie and MRob are the only field players whose teams don't run out 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 variation - but both have played in a 4-man back plenty as well. But it's interesting that most of the team already plays on 4-2-3-1 formations. Does CP stay on the wing or get pushed back into the AM. I think he's more effective with a bit of width, but I, sadly, am not coaching. If CP does go to the 10, who moves to RWM? Will be interesting to see where we start out.

 

I'm going to my first Nats match in person Saturday! Weeee! Anybody know how early you need to arrive to get to see warm ups and stuff?

 

Considering the roster and without having seen training, this is my instinct too in terms of what makes "sense" for Poch... maybe Aaronson outside and Tillman inside.

 

Check with the stadium. The usually come off of the field about a half our or hour before kickoff.

Have a great time. Pulisic is a lighting bolt in person. Weston looks much more fluid and athletic in person as well.

 

Yeah - Malik has been in the 10 a little bit for PSV. Would not be a bad option. Even Wright-Tillman-Pulisic. I do hope CP stays wide. Haven't seen Wright play LW that much. Aaronson likes to come central a bit too much for my liking - I think that Milan's set up with Leao tending to stay wider give CP more room to play a hybrid AM from the right. Will be interesting to see. I fear CP gets pushed into the 10, but I'd like to see us not do that for a few games.

 

I don't think CP can be a 10 with these wide options, honestly. Would be shocked if Poch did that.

He's just not a 10! He's killing it on the wing.

 

Agree. An unbalanced 3 with CP allowed to come central and the opposite wing more touchline is a good look for him. Scally doesn't overlap as much as I'd like is the only downside here. When CP stands up his back just outside the 18 there is often a lot of room on the wing for a good overlap - Wes can do that, and Scally can too, but they're no Dest/ARob in that scenario.

 

I'd get there to be in the stadium an hour before kick-off. Then you have time to beer up and enjoy warm-ups (which could be 45 minutes before kick-off). Have a good time!

 

Have fun. I usually get there an hour before.

I saw Pulisic and co during the Summer in Hartford, CT.

I'll be seeing them again this November in St. Louis.

 

CP got his pocket picked a few times too often for Milan in the center of the pitch. To be an effective 10, he might need to grow eyes in the back of his head.

 

Let us know when you get set up to take over the live pbp. Thanks in advance!

 

Your turn is coming.

 

It came and went. Lol

 

All I'm looking for right now is more intensity and desire. Some more risk taking would be nice.