This is nuts. Berhalter is the most important player on arguably MLS’ best team. He has come a long way. A really long way. If not for his last name, he’d be considered a shoe-in for every camp by most USMNT observers.
Am I the only Chris Ramos stan here? Get the man a passport. 4 goals in 11 games in Brazilian league. Need him if one of our top 3 strikers gets injured. https://www.transfermarkt.us/chris-ramos/leistungsdaten/spieler/538810
What exactly would that look like so we can all recognize it when we see it? Does it have to directly lead to a goal or a directly created assist?
Ream has always been able to pass the ball very well, he has not ever been a good defender especially 1v1 or in the air. Some of us want our center backs to be able to defend, there are 8 other players on the field who should be able to pass the ball. This is not like 12 years ago when MB90 felt like he had to run back and take the ball of the feet of our CBs. Players like Richards and McKenzie are more than competent passers that can move the ball upfield to our midfielders. Richards in particular has gotten very good with that 20 yard slip pass straight up the gut. Anyone interested in seeing Ream's play in MLS there is a game 3 win or go home playoff match v NYCFC today at 6pm CT.
Well, just to be clear, I'm neither claiming WS is the final word in player quality nor claiming Berhalter is the second best player in MLS. But he has had an outstanding season, and not dropped off following the switch to 4231, which is underlined by his scores. And his defensive numbers have been strong. Percentiles vs other CMs:
An odd take on someone who was a successful defender in the EPL for many years. He is a very intelligent defender.
The way this guy defers to the clubs is pissing me off more and more. I've reached the stage where I'm wondering he wants to get along with them to give him more job opportunities after the World Cup?
I note you did not refute what I said about Ream as a 1v1 defender or an aerial defender, I wonder Why? The vast majority of Ream's time in England was spent in the Championship or yo-yo. Nothing to do with the assessment of his qualities as a defender. The dog whistle "intelligent" has always been used to describe certain types of players. I get it.
Probably because he's mostly responding to this, which is right at the front of your post. Whether or not you meant to, the way you put this statement directly implies that Ream and "not ever" been a "good defender". The italicized especially caveat doesn't change the larger implication that is very reasonably taken from that sentence. Suggesting that he has not ever been a good defender is ridiculous. Defending is not one thing, not one skillset or one particular bunch of characteristics. Obviously.
Yeah, they’re preparing for the World Cup. They need everyone on board. Its the Spanish national team.
Ream did struggle with physicality both in the EPL and C'ship. But he improved enough to put together a passable season in the Prem.
That said, I don't think anyone would say he's ever been a great defender, or not been a flawed defender even at his best... but that kind of statement applies (to varying degrees) to everyone who has ever suited up. If Ream were 29 and doing the same things he is right now, I do wonder how (if?) that might change the volume of the criticism.
After a European career that included 84 EPL appearances, Yedlin returned to MLS, at age 29. He's still only 32. He's not making the WC team. Folks would be complaining about him, if Poch insisted on playing him.
Some people watch the games and base their opinions on what they see, other people defend Poch by basically saying "what do you expect from the well paid highly respected coach, to be able to see the slow motion car crash and do something about it before it plows into us"? On a related note, 38 year old Tim Ream is a lock for the USMNT because of his wise decision-making: 1986963537625805136 is not a valid tweet id
I watched the entire match and TBF Ream played well doing the things Ream does well. he had a couple of times he calmly dribbled past pressing attackers. His passing was calm and precise especially when CLT was on the front foot which they were for most of the match. He is for a CB just not a good 1v1 defender. Also lets give credit where credit is due; although that fat ref out sprinted Ream for the first 15 yards Ream then caught up and passed him.
Ream has always had excellent top-end pace he was the fastest on his Bolton team. The agility and acceleration have just always been weak. Yedlin had similar problem. Still, Ream could be an asset as an LCB in a back-3, in which he'd have ample defensive cover. But at this point, he should never again start in a back-4 for US
We're blaming Ream for deciding to force in a cross when your 3 main targets all had a guy on their shoulder and even more support behind them, and then getting bodied to the ground trying to clean up your own mess. Then it's Ream's fault that the guy who picked up the man with the ball decided to go to ground when the attacker didn't even have the ball on his foot, and then thinking "hmm let me drag my ass across the carpet like a dog with some crap stuck" to try to recover from that solid choice... I'm thinking Jedi/Arfsten wouldn't force the cross, and if Ream does step and get blown by Richards defends better in the box. If it was a free kick, again, forcing it in to a 6v8 matchup probably isn't the best choice. I know in the US it is sorcery to not put everything in the mixer on a FK but maybe, maybe play the ball back to Ream and try to break down the defense, or at least try to hit #8 at the top of the box for a shot - you know, like the Dutch did in the last world cup when we had their front line covered....looks like it is extra time of the first haalf, so unlikely Berhalter is on with better dead ball service, but again, hoping Poch has actual dead ball plays drawn up instead of chuck and pray...