U 20 World cup spoiler... At the U20 World cup today McKenzie subbed on in the 60th minute due to injury. Committed a foul in the box that was negated by video review that lead to an offsides call prior to the foul. Otherwise played well and the penalty call was also reviewed it looked like. Probably could have gone either way. I thought it was probably a PK. It was 2-0 at that point and could have turned the tide but the ended up winning by that margin. US 3rd in the group having lost to Ukraine in the first game. Next up is last place Quatar on Thursday.
It was perplexing to see McKenzie not starting after being named captain. Hopefully he gets the start vs Qatar, though our defense will likely twiddle their thumbs for 90 minutes. Real came in as a second half sub vs Ukraine and did not look out of place. The quality of this US team is very high. It’s great that we have Real and McKenzie with them while Aaronson and Trusty get playing time with the U.
non Union related, but Mendez looks like the real deal. Very impressed by him also Jamoi Toppey (Steel), Fabian and Blake on Gold Cup provisional rosters. No Bedoya or Burke
I was thinking it must be that. Chris Richards looked solid, but Keita looked like an oaf. Hopefully Real starts today vs Qatar, we should be able to pin them in for most of the match and he has recovery speed in the event of a counter.
McKenzie starts, Real doesn't. The countdown is on! ⏲️Your U-20 #USMNT starting XI vs. 🇶🇦 in the #U20WC pic.twitter.com/X59qjB3Fdu— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 30, 2019
McKenzie played the full 90 at RIGHT BACK. Stupid yellow in the first 20 minutes but otherwise did okay. Wasn't called on to go forward so I hope he is not being lined up to replace Gaddis but might give Curtin ideas. Real on in stoppage time. US lack of finishing looked very Unionesque. I think they are now lined up to get bounced by France next round.
In a U-23 friendly vs. Japan yesterday, Freese, McKenzie and Aaronson all started and Trusty came on as a sub. Aaronson assisted on the first goal in a 2-0 win.
If you’re surprised, you haven't been watching 👀CAN NOW OFFICIALLY CONFIRM: @AaronsonBrenden gets that first senior #USMNT🇺🇸 nod 👏👉https://t.co/MaaEcV1lpg#DOOP pic.twitter.com/Nl2BciK2Ir— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 2, 2019 If you compare Brenden Aaronson's numbers in his age-18 (or first MLS) season to other young American midfielders, he compares very, very favorably pic.twitter.com/kmwHzH39gs— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) October 2, 2019
The USMNT call-up should increase his transfer value. If the Union can get real money for him this offseason, they should do it.
https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2019/1/11/points-above-replacement Whats his PAR? I think a player like him and maybe Blake as well are good enough to really help a team without killing the cap but never good enough to get enough money to make it really worth selling them on.
Aaaaaronson was called up to the varsity team again. USMNT call up MLS-based players ahead of Nations League matches http://www.espnfc.com/united-states...based-players-ahead-of-nations-league-matches
Aaronson had a solid game, there were stretches where he wasn’t seeing a lot of the ball, but his intensity and work rate were there. He did not look out of place at all. He had a few nice passes and was putting himself in good spots. They had him playing high and los Ticos were sitting back - this made it tough to break through and the play ended up being pushed out wide with wingers and outside backs looking to cross into the box, or cut in. He had a few nice dribbles where he drew fouls and had a nice touch where he missed wide with a low direct shot. Had it been on target he would have scored. He came close with a through ball that was called off. McKenzie wasn’t on the field for very long so there was not much to see from him. In any case solid debuts and an encouraging moment to see two Union homegrowns represent the US.
Aaronson, Freese, & McKenzie make the Olympic roster. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...2020-concacaf-olympic-qualifying-championship
Interesting article on Aaronson with some clips and analysis of the first two games from this year. Worth a read even if there were other things to look at right now. https://halfspaces.com/player-analysis-brenden-aaronson/
According to the MLS article just now Mark McKenzie is back with the Union United States roster for November World Cup qualifiers GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson – New York City FC Zack Steffen – Manchester City Matt Turner – New England Revolution DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon – Boavista Mark McKenzie – Philadelphia Union Chris Richards – Hoffenheim Antonee Robinson – Fulham Miles Robinson – Atlanta United Joe Scally – Borussia Mönchengladbach Sam Vines – Royal Antwerp DeAndre Yedlin – Galatasaray Walker Zimmerman – Nashville SC
They're no longer playing for the Union, but it's still cool to see three Union Academy, and Home Grown players on the Senior US National Team: Our 24-man roster for @CNationsLeague duty 🇺🇸Full Roster Notes » https://t.co/T5674j6rY4 pic.twitter.com/I5mEROVcf9— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 15, 2023