Pre-Match: USA v Germany. June 6th 2:30 pm

Somebody want to tell me how those guys line up? Maybe some kind of 4-2-3-1? With Pulisic, Tillman and Dest behind Balogun up top by himself?

 

Robinson is the last player I would have expected to start. Ream I can understand since he’s the captain.

 

I think it is the flex 4-2-3-1. The only question is Weston v Tillman in relation to Adams.

 

Richards isn’t fit

so he goes with Miles and I hope tells Jedi to stay home … this game will be determined by Tillman and Flo

Wes needs to be careful because Dest will not want to stay home …

good test today

 

Considering that this otherwise seems to be Poch's Best XI, I'm wondering if this means Miles is starting if Richards can't return in time.

 

If this is our starting lineup, still don’t understand why Tessman started in 3 of last 6 friendlies before June. Could have used that time to integrate Tilman or McKennie into DM.

 

Yeah, that could make it hard to learn if your good work is undone by ineptitude in central defense. Maybe Tyler will have one of his elite performances and thereby provide cover.

 

Miles is the most physically similar to Richards … but Jedi and Wes and Tyler will have to cover the middle to reduce the exposure

 

Freese
Freeman - MRob - Ream
Dest - McKennie - Adams - ARob
Tillman - Pulisic
Balo

 

80 degrees with 75% humidity

not brutal

 

I like everything about this first XI apart from the center back pairing, which I frankly fear will be stomped, shredded, and lit on fire.

 

Its a test for robinson. If he fails you wont see him at all during world cup. But also insurance if richards cant go during group

 

Mark McKenzie is a competent deputy for Richards.

I don’t know why Robinson is starting in front of t McKenzie now.

Certainly nothing from the Senegal game would make you choose to do that.

 

We'll likely see this same starting lineup against Paraguay.

-----------------Havertz

--------Wirtz-----Musiala------Mane

Yikes. We will feel the burn.

 

We're all aware that Richards isn't fit.

The point is that this roster also includes McKenzie and Trusty.

The pre-game graphic has Tillman partnering Adams, and McKennie higher up the pitch, and Dest in the winger role with Freeman behind him. But of course we'll see how it plays out on the pitch. I like the combination of Freeman behind/inside of Dest very much. And I also suspect that Tillman behind McKennie is the way to go.

 

Sane/Mane same danger, danger Ream Robinson!

 

IMO, Brenden Aaronson is the greatly underrated player in the squad. He is going to do something big in the group stage.

 

In my own head, at least, our 2nd-half sub package when holding a lead is Aaronson and Weah.

 

Only if he plays.

 

So, is Miles going to be the CB and Ream the LCB?

 

Wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

Good lord, we're old. Nice Lost in Space ref.

 

Dude it’s not a reductionist take.

One conceded goal from a friendly isn’t worth this level of analysis.

There’s like a handful of people hyping the game only.

McKenzie isn’t starting against Germany so we can move on.

Although, we are going to see problems in the central area again but it will be different ones against Havertz and Wirtz.

 

CB has to be the weakest link in all the USMNT player pool. I know some are saying Mckenzie should be playing instead of Miles but Mckenzie is mid too. And Ream I have no idea how he is still being called up at 45 years old. It's Richards and then a big drop off no matter who else you choose.

 

the Swiss Army knife needs to stay back and help Adams and MRob …

let Tillman and Flo and Pulisic attack

if Wes does not defend we are in trouble …

Germany has too many weapons

like it or not Poch prefers Miles Rob over Trusty or McKenzie today - we don’t see training …