Wait, post Gold Cup may be the perfect point to do a re-evaluation now that we've seen the end of a European season, start of MLS season, and a few int'l camps. Actually there was never even an initial evaluation. So might want to keep it up a couple more weeks after all this while.
Anybody else interested in doing the tourney now or at least an informal re-evaluation of the teams? @Eleven Bravo @zlebmada @truefan420 @CreightonMCFCjoey @IndividualEleven @Lookingforleftbacks @ShaftBrewer etc. I'm pretty content with my squad, albeit w/ some regrets as usual. Starters: CF: Jordan Morris - situational starter for USNT. WF: Andrija Novakovich - enjoyed solid season in Eredivisie, should have been on GC roster. WF: CJ Sapong - 8 goals in 16 MLS starts and good target. Underused player for NT. Always shown capable when given opportunity. CAM: Chris Mueller - solidified starting spot for Orlando and often their best player. CM: Tyler Adams - maybe US' best player when healthy. CM: Geoff Cameron - QPR were much better when he played. CB: Miles Robinson - robbed of spot on Gold Cup roster, MLS defender of Year Candidate. CB: Walker Zimmerman - possibly the #3 cb for USNT when everybody is healthy, ahead of Miazga. LB: Ryan Hollingshead - starts almost every game for FCD at various positions. 7.32 WS rating at LB. RB: Fabian Johnson - didn't look like himself after the injuries, but was a semi-regular at a high level. GK: Tim Melia - Regressed from the best keeper in the league to average as a shot-stopper. Still good w/ feet. Subs: CB/CDM: James Sands - has broken out this year, should have been a u20 starter. CM: Sean Davis - has been a rock in cm for NYRB to help keep them afloat after losing Adams. AW/CAM: Luca De La Torre - played well in cups but never got shot in EPL. Maybe will now he's back in the 'Ship. GK: Matt Turner - took his starting spot back from Knighton. Still fairly high potential. Capable of saving your team's butt. CM: Thomas Roberts - Up and down integration to FCD. Strong left, motor, and good vision but not great athlete and erratic. First instinct was to go Bassett here. LB: Marco Farfan - one of two real regrets w/ Melia. Stock went further down. First instinct was to go Duncan, but too locked into lb. CM: Brandt Bronico - semi-regular for Chicago, does alright, depth option, MLS lifer, maybe should have gambled more here
——————-Jozy——Dwyer—————- Salinas—Nagbe—Dax—Bedoya—Lichaj ——-Besler—-Hagglund—--Birnbaum—— ———————Guzan————————- Bench: Aron Johannsson Terrence Boyd Chris Pontius Juan Pablo Torres Edgar Castillo Nick Besler Evan Bush Happy with how our team ended up as well.
I missed out on the initial wave of forwards and ended up reaching for Julian Green, Brandon Vazquez, and Mason Toye. It doesn't seem too bad in hindsight: Vazquez recently has been starting and doing fairly well for Atlanta in league and cup play, Toye is getting decent sub minutes for Minnesota, Green isn't a bad option if you want someone with a nose for goal. The midfield has good names although perhaps is defensively suspect. I'm very pleased with how the backline turned out despite not spending top picks. I clearly had a few dud picks, like taking Fernando Arce Jr. and Kyle Scott ahead of James Sands and Jackson Yueill. Ouch! Overall, pretty happy with the team, although the bench doesn't look pretty. Lineup: Brandon Vazquez (Atlanta) Julian Green (Greuther Furth) Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) Duane Holmes (Derby County) Alex Mendez (Freiburg U23) Cristian Roldan (Seattle) Aaron Herrera (RSL) Erik Palmer-Brown (will go on loan from Man City) Justen Glad (RSL) Nick Lima (San Jose) Stefan Frei (Seattle) Bench: JT Marcinkowski (Reno) Mason Toye (Minnesota) Matthew Olosunde (Rotherham) Fernando Arce Jr. (Dorados) Kyle Scott (released by Chelsea, now unattached) Zyen Jones (Charlotte Independence) Owen Otasowie (Wolves U18/U23)