Hey folks, thought I'd start a thread about the upcoming November Camp. Two items to start: Which 'bubble' players would you want to see back in camp/playing and what is your ideal line-up (based on the current health of the players). I will consider Pulisic as available as Milan thinks it isn't a major issue. For me, I'd love to see a healthy Pepi back and starting at least one match. It would also be interesting to see him paired with Balo/Haji for some time, as we may need to have that second striker come on if a late goal is needed. At this point, if those 3 are healthy, I don't see anyone else replacing them. I'd also love to see Zendejas get another shot as he missed October with an injury. I think that Poch really needs to see at least one more game with Ream on the bench, as his age means that he may be more likely to miss one game (or more) in the WC. Need to see if any of the other guys can step up. I think Poch has decided on Freese as of now, but I'd still like to see Turner play one match, just to see if he's been improving and maybe challenge Freese.
GK: Freese, Turner, Steffen LB: Jedi, Arfsten RB: Dest, Freeman CB: Richards, Ream, McKenzie, Robinson, Banks DM: Adams, Cardoso CM: Tessmann, Roldan, McKennie AM: Luna, Tillman WF: Pulisic, Weah, Zendejas FW: Balgoun, Pepi, Wright
I'm worried about Antonee. Not even on the bench for Fulham this past weekend. This November camp will be the one-year anniversary of his last USMNT cap. [Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica in 2024.] I'm worried that we're going to hear he needs another surgery on his knee, which will put the World Cup at risk. He's clearly not right.
Jedi has long had issues with his right knee. I would not be surprised to see him retire from international football. From a search: Antonee Robinson has had two separate microfracture surgeries: one on his right knee in 2015 and another on his right knee in 2014, which required the surgery after a patella fracture.
All of our currently injured guys except for Jedi should be back next month, and my other addition would be Banks. I don't believe that he was on the October roster, IIRC. I'd like to see him get the sort of runout that Blackmon had gotten in September. I'll echo some people in saying that Zimmerman might also be a good fit for the middle CB in a trio, but let's call him up in January and see what sort of start to the season he has. Poch can bring him in for the March window. He's not exactly a newcomer that needs a whole lot of time.
Everything from Milan says Puli is expected back for their match after the break. He won’t be in our camp.
Do you think Poch will leave The MLS Quarterfinalists at home? I know MLS does break for the international window, but Poch has always seemed relatively deferential to club situations. Also the next camp is going to be exclusively for MLS players so it does seem if you're 50/50 on who to callup, The European based player might make more sense.
with Pulisic and Jedi and possibly Cardoso out: Strikers: Pepi, Balogun, Wright, Big Pat Attack: McKennie, Tillman, Luna, Weah, Zendejas, Wolff CM/DM: Adams, Morris, Tessman, Roldan, Berhalter Fullbacks/Wingbacks: Freeman, Dest, Lund, Arfsten, Jones CB: Zimmerman, Richards, Banks, McKenzie, Robinson, Ream bolded are MLS players whose teams are currently in the playoffs I over-picked to account for injuries and other contingencies.
Think Guti is making a case that he deserves a look as an MLS player. Was pointed out on twitter that with RSL and Orlando out Luna and Freeman will go 3 weeks without a game
Luna might need that 3 week break As noted in the MLS thread, the second half of his season hasn't been great. 1 goal and 1 assist since June 1st. Tomorrow we have Miami versus Nashville. Maybe Zimmerman becomes available after that series....................... Even if we have a few players left out of the November roster due to MLS playoffs, it won't be that many. If we look at @IndividualEleven 's roster above, you'd really only worry about CBs. The others we can cover. Based on the uncertainty of Antonee, you'd maybe want Arfsten. Cincinnati versus Columbus in the next round. One of Miles and Arfsten will definitely be free. If their clubs don't want them released, we can look at other options for Roldan, Berhalter, etc.
Not sure where to put this but figured Id put some thoughts down after watching Aidan Morris's solid 90 today vs Wrexam. (Put game thoughts in YA thread). - Tyler is one of my favs and a lock starter/captain. He's far better than all our other DMs.. but with that said... Watching Morris today with a goal of comparing to Tyler.. as I've watched every second of TA the past few years and this was the first time seeing an extended Morris. Defensively: immediately see the difference, Morris just looks slow and lack any/much defensive explosiveness. TAs #1 trait is just that, quick and explosive in his anticipation, stepping, and pressing. It jumps off the screen and was massive difference vs Morris. TAs tracking back and making those 60 yard runs to track a runner or help one of his backs on a break. Just not Morris's game. Morris not afraid of any physical battle and gets in the mix, same with TA in those tight defensive 50/50 situations. Morris not shying away from any challenge. TA on the other hand initiates the challenges and battles. TA does overcommit at times and leaves himself exposed. Morris (in this game) didn't.. mostly because he's not trying to anticipate and ball win. (Yes the Ecuador example is different.. but tbh TA does that multiple times per game.) On the ball: as the stark contrast defensively, the opposite applies here. Morris is top notch at wanting to turn and progress both with the pass and on the dribble. Where TA prides himself on recycling possession, Morris was pissed to have to play backwards. Even at one moment made his square CM move forward so he could pass to him. An absolute clear difference in intent and desire to be a ball progressor. Morris always looked for the disguised line breaker and it came off every time. He gets his playmakers on the ball in the center of the field in dangerous spots. TA just doesn't do that nor desires to. Is what it is. My summary: if we are playing a bunker team (and we probably won't for another year or so, or unless we are down a goal or two and the opposing team drops way back), I would have no problem having Morris replace TA and would prefer it. That game suits his style and ability. Obviously TA is lock 99% of the time vs Morris but I wanted to highlight those glaring differences that I observed after finally watching Morris for 90. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
Spot on. This is why, in my view, Morris is more of an 8 than a 6. Certainly not a destroyer, though he does hustle and loves a tackle. If you are worrying about defending, he needs a rangier/quicker partner (Adams, Musah). If you think you are gonna doninate the ball, then it does not matter as much.
Assuming Jedi out. I'd call 30. I want more than I can take in June. GK: Freese, Turner, Steffen FB/WB: Dest, Arfsten FB/CB: Freeman, Scally CB: McKenzie, Richards, Ream; Robinson, Zimmerman DM/CM: Adams, Tessman, Roldan, Morris, Musah, Cardoso CM/AM: McKennie WB/WF: Weah AM/WF: Pulisic, Tillman, Luna, Zendejas CF: Balogun, Pepi, Wright That's 27. 1. Another LB/LWB. Jones/Tolkin/Lund 2. CB: Blackmon or CCV 3. CM: Berhalter or LDLT 4. AM: McGlynn 5. CF: Big Pat
CCV just blew out his Achilles. He'll be out for months, if not a year. I doubt he'll be ready for the WC.
Blackmon has been out with a knee injury. CCV has the Achilles injury In today's match, Weah was substituted in the 52nd minute with a quad injury. We'll know the severity in a couple of days McGlynn is out with a broken foot. Zendejas missed America's match. Pulisic is out Jedi is out Tillman is out
Brenden Aaronson is definitely in the frame. He's played in ~half of Poch's games in charge, including our last one against Australia. Partly because he's always available while we cycle thru other injured players.
I can’t tell if this is serious or a joke. Because I’m positive you ain’t watching their club matches. Maybe you’re doing a parody of a certain poster here in which case, good one.
I’m serious. I’m not watching their matches, but based on their leagues they should be in the conversation. Cardoso was playing for us when he was in Brazil too.