Nice job GGG, thumbs up for going for it. My two quibbles: I get Acosta over LDLT for an away game in Costa Rica, even though I'd rather swap that. I don't get why you wouldn't start Horvath over Steffen for the same reason though.
Costa Rica's largely conceding with their lineup. Not many regular starters, outside Navas. Definitely eases most of what little concerns there were to begin. Now I think the US should play more on the front foot, in conjunction w/ using Steffen in net. I don't want an opponent peppering him w/ shots, even at distance, when there's questions going in if he can even move. Offense would be our best defense in that case. Keep the ball away from our final 3rd & give the US a better chance to score themselves. Might as well effort to get that cheap first w in Costa Rica.
I hope we win 6-0 with this line up and finally get our first in San Jose with a dominating performance.
Details on Costa Rica's XI. They really did roll with youth in this one Goalkeeper: Kaylor Navas, #1 at PSG, nothing more needs to be said about him. Fullbacks: Left Back is a 23 year old who plays in the domestic league and is earning his 2nd cap. Right back is a 19 year old domestic player who is also earning his 2nd cap (and he only played for a couple minutes in his first one) Centerbacks: Costa Rica is playing 3 of them. A 20 year old domestic league player earning his first start (4th cap), a 26 year old who plays in The Colombian league, and 34 year old Kendall Watson who currently plays in Costa Rica but has over 150 MLS games to his name Mids: All 4 mids are domestic league players. You have a 20 year old earning his 5th cap, an 18 year old making his debut, a 21 year old making his debut, and a 17 year old earning his fourth cap Forward: The lone striker is a 22 year old domestic league player earning his 4th cap.
Yeah, it's Navas, Waston, a few players that have made some starts / appearances in recent qualifiers, and lot of youth. The US needs to stay composed and take care of business here.
These lineups screams draw being the goal for both. Issue with Acosta because he is liable to have a crucial giveaway. Good news is his defense probably helps keep it 0-0. Moore couldn't go again but Yedlin still makes me nervous. Get a point and go to the WC.
If going for the win I'd have liked to see either Reyna or Luca in the XI. Or both. This is not our best lineup with who's available.
US backups: Horvath, Long, Palmer-Brown, Moore, Bello, Sands, de la Torre, Roldan, Reyna, Morris, Ferreira, Pefok Did not dress: S. Johnson, Cannon, Busio, and the injured Arriola (left groin tightness) https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...arting-xi-lineup-notes-tv-channels-start-time
Same, would be lovely. Looks like we went with a strong group. Hope Panama can be buddies and give us a surprise
Another is cohesive passing and when 2/3 of your midfield isn't adept that, it puts a lot of pressure on your wings.
If you're gonna wear sneakers with a conservative suit, I think you have to wear more subtle ones like Dempsey is sportin.