I'm in the camp where we start something a touch closer to a Best XI than what we saw against Senegal but that we don't totally reveal our hand. Especially since the Senegal match was useful for purposes of morale, both within the team (very positive performance and getting Pulisic on the scoresheet) and for the larger fanbase. Because if the team had fumbled away the Senegal match, then there would have been legitimate pressure to get a positive result against Germany to avoid 4 straight losses heading into the tournament. ------------------Balogun------------------ ----------Tillman--------Pulisic---------- ARob----McKennie---Adams----Weah ----Trusty----McKenzie----Freeman--- -------------------Freese------------------- 7 clear starters with one of the CBs as an 8th if Richards is still out of the picture.
Having seen Dest with Freeman on the right, I am all in on that. I love Weah, and if we had a bunch of big targets in the box he’d be a bigger asset out there. But Dest with Freeman was synergy. So was Pepi with everyone up top. I might be tempted to go with that Senegal lineup except Tillman for Gio.
I like dest because if they are chasing a goal they could pull a cb, put weah in and move up dest to wing and really try to attack that flank.
It is called the bandwagon effect. It must be right to do something because many others are doing it. That does not mean it is right or wrong it just means that it is common. Also teams with no real money gain do have the practice effect and I do not think even the least supported teams at the WC lose money by playing ther=se needless last minute friendlies. But there really is no explaining the bandwagon effect as it just seems to happen even when there is no gain for anybody if a large enough group decided to do something it will trigger many others to do it as well. Humans are such foolish creatures.
I think what we most need to work on is 90-minute focus. It's an excellent test in that respect. In most respects, actually. And I really want to see if we can get our fair share of the ball and use it against this side, too. FWIW, I think we can.
As far as the benefit to this game, I think it is significant to practice against players you don't know very well, especially when they are theoretically at a higher skill level as a team. It is quite a big benefit for the US in this case, and to a lesser degree a benefit for Germany. Look at this way: how would we feel if these last warm up games weren't scheduled? People would be heavily critical at the lack of WC preparation. I don't think it's a pile on effect of 'everybody does it, so let's also have some friendly warm-ups'. There are real benefits to the players and coaches. I mean, all pro teams have friendlies, even during the new year's break. I don't think this is just a bandwagon effect.
Athletic on Berhalter of all people being there for the send off game with the team playing in Chicago https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/73...er-usmnt-2026-world-cup-pochettino-sebastian/
Shared but not remotely equal. When basic plays aren't made, exceptional plays are then needed. McKenzie is not an exceptional player. Ream could've made the basic play, however. But perhaps he is no longer even a 'basic player'.
It is also the "job" of the goalkeepers to make defenders aware of players coming into dangerous areas. I do not know if the GK saw what was developing or if he saw where the danger was but, if he did, then he should have been bellowing loud enough to be heard in row ZZZ to get his defenders in position. The GK is the only player on the field that should be able to see everything and therefore if players miss assignments and the GK did bellow out instructions then there is serious communication issues that should be addressed. BTW: If the GK did not see the danger and did not warn the defenders then that is a serious error on the GK's part. Too often people blame defenders when it is really the GK that screwed up.
Isn't it REAM'S JOB to apply basic pressure to Diarra instead of escorting him back to goal? And I already explained SEVERAL TIMES Mane sprinted in out of their blind spots before they could react. He and Diarra had all the time in the world to set up that run because Ream had done nothing. Personally, I first look at the players who failed to make the basic plays. But we all look at games differently. Take care.
It's just what great movement accomplishes. "The two soccer icons crossed paths at the 2012 MLS All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Wondolowski, playing as an MLS All-Star, scored the opening goal against European champions Chelsea in the 21st minute. During a mic'd-up halftime moment, Chelsea captain John Terry sought out Wondolowski to tell him his off-the-ball movement was incredible and virtually impossible to track." https://quakesepicenter.com/2019/03/01/you-dont-deserve-wondo/ But unlike Wondo, Mane can finish at an elite level. Adding no pressure on the passer just about guarantees Mane cashes in.
No, is this sarcastic? I only read a few pages. Tim needs to take a yellow there. Chris Richards isn’t doing any better in a friendly on that goal than McKenzie. It’s a friendly, these guys are not getting injured. Everyone here better start talking about tactical fouls and game management. What I see is nitpicking an imperfect selection but I don’t see how it changes on the play with Senegal or with Germany.
Agree Ream SURRENDER was pathetic. When I was reviewing the play it was comical honestly. Does not excuse McKenzie from his cluelessness
I think you could use the word “basic” or basically it is a defenders job to be aware or where your opponent is and where they potentially could go that would be dangerous.
Speaking of invisibility cloak, not a single person caught this while it was happening - not the referees, players, commentators, nobody. Craziest thing I ever saw in hockey: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/oly...canada-6-skaters-ice/38384b92eee6f5779950308d