Early in the GC camp, Freeman basically stayed home. Not a true CB, but it's what we've mostly played. I wouldn't list 3 CB + Freeman but you could get by with 4+Freeman. ----------------- Dest, Weah and Freeman is an interesting battle. Dest was a pure RW this window, but of course, Weah was out. But it could be more between them if Poch is looking for more defense.
Good point. I wasn't suggesting we reduce the number of cb's. I believe that Arfsten and Freeman will both be on the squad but I do believe that IF there is an injury to any of Arfsten, Freeman, Jedi, or to a slightly lesser extent Dest, Poch wont need to add another ob due to Dest and Weah's versatility. That's bad news for Scally and Tolkin imo. If Dest is out, Freeman starts and Weah is cover. If Arfsten is out, Jedi remains the starter and Weah (or Dest) becomes backup. Dest likely only moves if Poch wants to get Freeman on the field. If Freeman is out, Dest starts Weah becomes backup If Jedi is out, Arfsten (or possibly Weah or Dest) starts. If Dest moves and starts at lb/wing, Freeman starts at rb/wing.
On Dest/Freeman, there a several ways to get them on the field together, just like last night.. In a real 4 back, you could play Freeman at RB & Dest as a wide mid or attacking mid. In a 3 back, you could play Freeman as a marauding RCB and Dest as tge WB/AM. If Jedi is iffy health wise, you could move Dest to LB/LWB and have Freeman on the right.
Freese, Turner, Schulte (why not, we really have no idea who #2 and 3 are?) Dest, Freeman, Richards, Ream, Miles, McKenzie, Jedi, Arfsten, Scally Adams, Tillman, McKennie, Tessman, Roldan, Berhalter Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Luna, Balogun, Pepi, Wright (Agyemang, Cardoso, Morris, Trusty if they expand to 30.)
For 3421: Striker: Balogun, Pepi, Wright 10/wing: Pulisic, Zendejas, Reyna, Luna, Tillman CM/DM: McKennie, Adams, Berhalter, Tessmann, Roldan Wingback: Jedi, Arfsten, Weah, Dest CB/Wide-CB: Trusty, Richards, McKenzie, Freeman, Banks, Harriel GK: Freese, Celentano, Turner Pool depth: Striker: Big Pat, Iloski, Downs 10/wing: Paredes, OWolff, BAaronson, McGlynn, Albert, Cavan, Gozo, Yapi CM/DM: Musah, Johnny, Morris, Busio, Maloney, TTillman, Sands, PAaronson Wingback: Jones, Tolkin, Ledezma, Wiley CB/Wide-CB: Scally, Zimmerman, Robinson, Blackmon, Ream, GCampbell, Wynder, Zawadski GK: Kochen, Stuver
I think the Zendejas spot is still up for grabs. You've got some options there. I just have a sense that it'll go to Aaronson over Zendejas? Based on what? Gut feeling only. And usage, of course. I still don't know who we'll pick at CB. I personally am under the opinion that Banks as an option is out. I personally find it hard to believe that any currently uncapped field player will go. Poch had him in a camp, didn't play him, and then didn't call him into this camp. I think Ream is the obvious choice there. He's the captain after all. What role he plays is a different question. [I personally have Robinson over Trusty as well.] .........................and hell if any of us know who the two keepers are after Freese. But the roster is starting to take shape. And of course more twists and turns will come in the pool. Injuries are inevitable (knock on wood). Antonee hasn't played for the USMNT in more than a calendar year. That's the big one. If he needs surgery again, then we're trying to figure out left back. I still find it hard to believe that Lund is so far out of the pool. You don't even have him listed there as an alternative, and I don't blame you. There's no evidence that he's of interest to the staff. I'm starting to already have pangs of heartbreak for the guys who aren't going to make it. Poch has said he's not going to prolong that process. You wonder, in fact, whether his March camp will be THE GUYS.
"For 3421: Striker: Balogun, Pepi, Wright 10/wing: Pulisic, Zendejas, Reyna, Luna, Tillman CM/DM: McKennie, Adams, Berhalter, Tessmann, Roldan Wingback: Jedi, Arfsten, Weah, Dest CB/Wide-CB: Trusty, Richards, McKenzie, Freeman, Banks, Harriel GK: Freese, Celentano, Turner" Ahh no way Ream is left off this roster he will start and likely carry the armband. Didn't you see him spending a lot of time at Poch's shoulder during the Uruguay game? No way Harriel will be on this roster. I hope if Banks continues on his arc that he is called in March. Due to few better choices I think Scally will be called back in. I think Aaronson also will be on this roster.
Zendejas had been hurt. I could see Ream making the 26 for the vibes. Harriel is a top-2 ball-winner among the CBs/FBs. for Poch's 4231/3421 hybrid:
Pool: Striker: Big Pat, Iloski, Downs, White 10/wing: Paredes, McKennie, OWolff, BAaronson, McGlynn, Albert, Cavan, Gozo, Yapi, CCampbell CM/DM: Musah, McKennie, Morris, Busio, Maloney, TTillman, Sands, PAaronson Wingback: Jones, Tolkin, Ledezma, Wiley CB/Wide-CB: Ragen, Banks, Zimmerman, Maloney, Robinson, Blackmon, GCampbell, Wynder, Zawadski, Lund GK: Kochen, Stuver, Schulte, Slonina Strikers: Downs and Big Pat are long term projects. Iloski is interesting. He could make a push. 10/wing: Paredes is back in training. Cole Campbell might get a winter transfer. McKennie needs to keep up the scoring. Aaronson needs to get on a streak. Can one of the youngsters breakout? CD/CM: can Musah accelerate his progress in time? CB/Wide-CB: Banks is now a starter at Augsburg. He can make a push if he garners enough good performances. Can Lund get a move to LCB with his club? Wingback: Tolkin looked good during the last window. He had also looked surprisingly good during his time in last season's B1. Everything depends on the fitness of the prospective rostered wingbacks/rbs GK: Kochen and Slonina need loans.
1. Ream is not making it for "vibes". Unless something completely changes he is your starter and likely captian of the team. Did you not see Ream standing shoulder to shoulder talking with Poch during the Uruguay game talking tactics for long stretches of the match? 2. Harriel is not making the 26. 3. By your graphic McKennie is not making the team? I think you are mistaken. CB The starters in the back three will be Ream-Richards-Freeman Defender lock McKenzie I think Poch takes six Trusty and Scally filling things out. The questions. Watch Downs for continued upward growth and watch Tessman. Tessman has played the last two games at CB. FB/WB Dest, Arfsten, Weah, Robinson(assuming he comes back appeas to be some good reports out of the Fulham camp) AM Pulisic, Tillman, Gio, Wes Two of Luna, Zendejas, Aaronson
Bocanegra had been captain of the US up until Klinsmann cut him. It happens. McKennie certainly has a legit chance, which is why I had him in the pool.
You're projecting. Ream has physically fallen off. That's the reality. And captains can get cut. That's the reality. I gave you an example. You had implied his being captain somehow meant he was safe. You were wrong.
He's not going to fall off from now and then in a way that means he's not on the roster... that makes no sense, from where we are. Not a starter? That's much more possible. I personally wouldn't bet on it though. He just hasn't been the liability many people here want to paint him as, and the value he offers in multiple avenues other than physicality or whatever are too considerable to leave him home. Especially in this keeping one home/"3ATB" approach that's been taken recently. And honestly, that's not even acknowledging his captaincy. That's just another reason he'll go, and likely start a number of matches.
I agree with both sides. He has played well for the US team recently; his passing is more important than people seem to think; and he hasn't actually been much of a liability at all despite lacking footspeed. That's far from the most important attribute in a CB. I also think people underestimate his non-captain leadership back there -- we have a relatively inexperience keeper and backline and I don't know that any of them are vocal leaders of the defense at club. Maybe Freese, because keepers usually are, but you need people who can direct the defense. That said, he's 38 and will be nearer to 39 at the time of the World Cup. There's no doubt there was a whole lot of wishcasting on him and people calling for him to be benched way too early, but at this age, you can lose another step in a heartbeat. Decline can come swiftly, and it would not be a shock to see him even lose a starting spot for Charlotte in the next year. Pochettino sees value in Ream that many fans, don't, for sure, so I could see him still starting or being a backup in the summer, but I would not rule out him not even making the roster. Poch has set up that no one's spot is guaranteed and there's a real competition. While "not playing at club" hasn't been a firm line ... I don't think Poch will hesitate to make calls come next summer if he thinks he isn't a Top 5 CB.
Whatever vibes cartel means, he's not there. You listed 4ATB & 3ATB starters and backups and didn't put Ream. That's all I meant. He's very obviously in that depth chart. Don't know what he'd have to do from now until June to NOT be there. There probably just aren't enough matches for him to fall that far. He's frankly not that bad. Maybe I don't know what you mean by vibes cartel? Either way the idea that Roldan and Ream are the last few selections to make the 26 -- which is what I think that means? -- is just plain silly.
Yes, I got you. But I'll say it again, since you are seemingly suggesting in the prediction thread that Ream would be one of the "last" players selected, almost as if he's on the bubble... that's a silly prediction. That's all I'm taking issue with. If you are saying you don't have those other CBs "above" him (which you seem very clearly to) then nevermind! And as the constantly reasonable gogorath has said, if he falls off and loses a further step before June, loses his place in MLS or whatever else... I can ,i see him not making the roster. But that prediction from right here right now is far out there IMO. Perhaps I'm wrong. Seeing how the starter minutes progress from here before the cup will be interesting.
It's silly someone thinks it's silly a 38 y/o MLS defender is going to be in the 23. We're not talking about someone who had been a Sergio Ramos level defender in his prime. Ream had been a passable EPL defender for one season. It's a notable accomplishment just to at that age be in the 26. That's the statistical reality of the situation.
Lol why is that silly? There's no basis of comparison for these things... he's the captain, playing tons of minutes, of course he's currently in the 23. Could something change that, yes, but assuming there will be some fall off is clearly the reach from where we currently are. Not saying it's impossible, at his age it obviously is not. But one doesn't need to be Ramos level to be in the 23 for this crop of defenders.
Freese, Turner, Schulte Richards, Ream, McKenzie, M. Robinson, Trusty Dest, A. Robinson, Freeman, Arfsten Adams, Tessmann, Roldan, McKennie, Berhalter Pulisic, Weah, M. Tillman, Reyna, Luna, B. Aaronson Balogun, Pepi, Wright