Right. This isn't a knock on Tillman. It's simply a reality of the level we're at, and what it means to be a star player that you really focus on at the level we're at. I mean, I've said the same about Christian -- our offense is better when we don't focus on him.
I think he plays better too. He isn't targeted with hacks, makes better runs & passes, doesn't try to dribble everyone and play hero ball all the time. We all know one superstar isn't enough, you need a supporting cast. Every Jordan needs his Pippin, and a Rodman to do the dirty work.
Right, and every Jordan needs a Jordan. Tillman's a very good player. But he's not a Jordan; let's not ask him to be.
Disagree. Pulisic was that type of player, but injuries have taken a toll. Adams is a destroyer. McKennie is a super utility player. I believe Tillman and Balogun can grow into true match winners.
Okay, so I've been pretty pessimistic about the 2030 roster. But someone put a nice post on Reddit talking about the 2002 roster, and I'd like probe people who paid more attention then if this holds: Obviously, no goalkeeping equivalent is a big issue. But it's not impossible that we add a Donovan level player to the mix if the veterans do solidify more.
The comps here are post-98 and post-06. We felt desperate after both tournaments and the next ones turned out mostly ok.
Ages are slightly off in places (Pope was 28, not 29), but yeah that's basically accurate. The biggest difference in ages I see would be in the center of midfield. If you take the lineup we fielded against Germany (which was listed on the broadcast as a 5-3-1-1), that middle 3-1 consisted of Mastroeni (25), JOB (24), Reyna (28), and Donovan (20). Right now, an equivalent 4 from our side would look something like: Adams (31), Tillman (28), McKennie (31), and Pulisic (31). 31 is not that old, so I don't know how much it matters, but it does push up the overall average a noticeable amount in the midfield.
I'd also add that the 1998 starters in the first group stage match, against Germany, were-- Wynalda Reyna Deering Jones Maisonnueuve Stewart Burns Pople Dooley Regis Keller Only Reyna returned as a starter in 2002. Only 6 of the starters from 98 made the 2002 roster. So 2002 wasn't quite the redemption story for the '98 guys.
One of the brighter silver linings from the Belgium match is that Pulisic, Adams and McKennie left us no doubt that we need to search out replacements before 2030, just in case. To effectively perform at the World Cup over 30-years old you need exceptional technical skill, heart/grit and mental toughness, and physical health. That sounds to me like McKennie (maybe) and maybe not the other two. Although Pulisic will be there in some capacity. Maybe Tyler can evolve his game. Hopefully nobody is grumpy about any reduced role. We don’t seem to have the appetite after Belgium to stomach that type of corporate loyalty anyway. Nobody is doing a Good Morning America tour for beating Bosnia. That actually bodes well for the approach our players, coach and fanbase might take going forward. A nice, hard/fought, broken-hearted Belgium loss may have kept the Pulisic-McKennie-Adams trio at the forefront of leadership. No longer.
Also those are 4 wildly different trajectories Hoppe - Came out of nowhere and started scoring at leisure in the Bundesliga for about a month, looked decent in that Gold Cup, flamed out just as quickly Busio - Key player for a Serie A/B yo yo club at 24, somewhat limited athletically/physically which has kept him from becoming a regular for the senior team but he's a solid deep depth piece and a guy you could call up if you had an injury crisis at his position without being too concerned about it Paredes - Excelled in the U-20 WC and Olympics, won a starting job in the BL, then got a series of injuries. Now in Holland and is still just 23, wouldn't be at all surprising to see him establish himself on the senior team if he can stay healthy Cremaschi - Another guy who excelled at youth level and is earning minutes in a big 5 league, he's 21 and has a lot of competition with the US at his position but has every chance to work his way into the team None of those guys were hyped prospects who flamed out
Cremaschi and Busio have senior team Serie A deals. Paredes more than held his own in the B1. We'll see where he lands after his multi-year injury nightmare.
That's the extra oomph with Cavan. Everything I've read about him, and seen has suggested a player with a similar mentality of other alpha dogs. He is not a quiet, shy, or wallflowers type, he's definitely a classic Tyler Adams sort of personality type which is part of the reason his upside could play so potentially high, you've not only got the mega talent and technique, but you've got the Dempsey mentality mixed in w/leadership skills (Dempsey was more a show by example type based on what I've heard and seen). We really need Cavan to hit not just for the mega upside he presents for the pool, but also for the fact that he's basically a potential captain and leader as others like Adams and to a lesser extent McKennie age out.
Yes we’re winning real match winners at the highest level. But only a handful of those on the planet and they mostly (but not entirely) play for one of the four remaining teams.
Joe Scally doesn’t get much love because he’s nothing particularly special as a player. Look how quickly Freeman surpassed him and a good example of the sort of player we need to upgrade on to improve our depth. He’s fine in that he’s not a weak link out there but he doesn’t really add much either.
Yes though we’ve all been around long enough to know that not all these guys hit no matter how likely it may seem.
Just having a deal in Serie A doesn’t mean much. Aaronson plays in the EPL and that’s very much a roster spot we need to upgrade on. And I would have taken Gozo over Aaronson on the World Cup roster despite the league that both plays in. It’s not enough to say a player plays in a particular league.
As much as I genuinely would love to have all 3 of them not be lock starters in 2030 - I really just don't know who would put them on the bench. Especially Pulisic.
With him I've got it down to health and mental make up/work habits. The talent piece I'm confident in, it's the psychological and the luck of good health which has waylaid numerous prospects over the years.
Might not be that old for McKennie, Adams and Pulisic are doubtful for roster, and certainly won't be starters based on theor wear and tear. We should drop them in 2028 even if they are still better than younger and healthier alternatives.
definitely not. Players should displace them through performances but we need a coach who is willing to drop if the time comes.