The professional clubs (per FIFA rules) have every right to deny the release of their players for the Olympics as its not a full fledged FIFA tournament. Just like Man United's Sir Alex Ferguson didn't release Javier "Chicharito" Hernández for the U23's to play for Mexico at the London Olympics in 2012. If Chelsea or Juventus deny both Pullisic and Mckennie respectively , from playing for the U23's, there is nothing that the federation or the Olympic committee can really do about it no matter how much either the coaches or the players want it. On another note, I didn't realize Jackson was the captain of the U23's. That is a huge honor!
Yeah I wrote supporter or family member of a player who’s competing for minutes. It’s not uncommon for folks to lobby hard for the guys on their club team and stuff like that, and that includes dissing guys he’s competing for minutes with. Or could just be someone who dislikes Yueill for whatever reason or is trying to jump on the Yueill hate train a bit harder to get attention. I mean really, his best moment was when he essentially got out of the way?
Do I get any points for noticing this myself? I observed that JY was being man-marked, taking him out of the play. Then I noticed that by not evading his marker, he effectively took his marker out of the play, and often opened space for his defenders to move and pass the ball. Unfortunately, they didn't always pass very well. We played a lot of long balls too, which I interpreted as Cries' decision and strategy. Eventually, we changed out of that. Whatever, it worked, and we won, and the Ticos did have an advantage as they are in season, and we are not, they are accustomed to playing in the heat and at altitude, and we are not, and many of their players came from the same team (LDA) who just won their "division" (if that's the right word) in CCL. So caution and conservatism were not necessarily bad ideas. All of our guys looked to be up and down, some good moments, and some bad moments. Go Quakesfans!! - Mark
In one hour- the next step towards #Tokyo2020Your U-23 #USMNT starting XI vs. 🇩🇴! pic.twitter.com/R1FzxGdxIK— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) March 21, 2021 Yueill and JT starting
Knocking on the door to open the second half and our captain finds the breakthrough!USA up 1-0 after 60, let's keep fighting 👊 pic.twitter.com/lxGuPXc7rn— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) March 22, 2021
Not sure that was the intent lol but they all count the same and all that matters is winning... Jackson’s goal gives the U.S. the lead! pic.twitter.com/R56p2RIwox— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 22, 2021
BTW Jack's goal today reminded me a little of his goal against LAFC in the road win that kinda turned our season around. Just a little run into the 6-yard box and a flick.
BTW - I've noted with displeasure that the SF Chronicle seems to find the US Youth team's push to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 13 years not newsworthy - not even a wire service mention. As far as I can tell, soccer coverage in the Chronicle focuses exclusively on the USWMNT. I'm teetering on the brink of cancelling my subscription and sent the sportsdesk an email voicing my annoyance with the lack of coverage of soccer in general. I guess we'll see if I get a response.
Good luck! I thought that Jackson played well against DR. They had him in a more aggressive role and he filled it well. JT did well also, though he wasn’t much called on. Go USA!! Go Quakesfans!! - Mark
It's really hard for me to tell how well JY is playing since I can't really figure out Kreis yet. It really feels like all three midfielders are playing the same exact defensive role and it fells like they are covering for each other too much. It was better in the second half, but there is no fluidity in the connection between D and O (which is weird cause that's what JY does best). The goal was a great touch though. I read some idiot on the US board said it was luck and not intentional. I'm guessing that person has never played soccer or watched JY (or any other competent player).
One of the stupid TV announcers on the umpteenth replay said that it might have been luck, rather than an effort to score. There are a shocking number of haters out there. Go Quakesfans!! - Mark
When I cancelled my San Jose Mercury subscription after 20+ years, I let them know it was directly due to the fact that, not only was there precious little soccer coverage, but, when there was some, it was generally negative (Mark Purdy!). They also stopped the Thursday morning fishing report. That was the nail in the coffin!
That was part of the reason (not the fishing) that we stopped our sub to the Merc. In my case, the larger reason (in addition to their antipathy for the Quakes) was that it ceased being the "San Jose" Mercury News, lost most of the unique, local content, and became basically a collection of wire reports and auto ads.
Jackson was the left side 8 in Kreis' 4-3-3...Perea had the 6 role that Jackson played against CR. Johnny was the other 8...it looked dynamic and sometimes gummed up at times with Jackson and Johnny tucking way inside. I wasn't overly impressed with Johnny...pretty loose with the ball and mediocre touch for a guy who grew up playing in Brazil....what the hell?! Maybe his touch is an American birth right... I liked seeing Jackson in a role that allowed him more movement and ability to get up field. I love seeing him have the chance to gain experience in his "up field" game. It was very interesting to see him with more 8 responsibilities, granted the lower level of DR allowed Kreis to experiment.
I agree with this. Also, I wasn’t impressed with Perea in the middle. He made a number of mistakes. Also, I like the 4-3-3. It gives us more firepower up front where it’s needed for goals. Playing on the left and farther up field gave Jackson more opportunities to feed the forwards, who should have done better with his service. All of the teams in the U23 tournament tended to wait too long to shoot. I think that most of our forwards need to learn to pull the trigger sooner. Except Jesús, that guy rocks. I’m a little surprised that they don’t call him Chuy, but whatever. Go Jackson!! Go Quakesfans!! - Mark
Due to today's USA-Honduras U-23 result (don't view the spoiler until after you've watched the game): Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler Jackson will be missing much less time with the Earthquakes this summer than previously anticipated. GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! GO USA!!! -G
Forget about the youth teams, with that goal yesterday, Jackson opened up a lot of eyes. Not only for the national team but to the to world. I don't think he will be on the Quakes for that much longer. Maybe par of this season but if he continues on this trek , look for a transfer either this summer or this winter.....