TV is showing the lineup as a 4-2-3-1: Turner; Scally, McKenzie, Ream, A. Robinson; A. Morris, Busio; Musah, Pulisic, Aaronson; Sargent I might have listed a few players in the incorrect spot, but Musah was definitely at RM.
Interesting... TNT lists the lineup with Aaronson as the 10 and Musah at RW. But the commentary was that in attack, Scally is going to stay back with Musah staying wide so we may see it more like Sargent in front and then an attacking four of Jedi, CP, Brendo and Musah across.
Paolo Gazzaniga, Ander Herrera, Tata Martino, Pep Guardiola, and Hugo Lloris provide prematch testimonials on Poch. Smart segment to have.
Who the heck knows about Wes but he is certainly the type that responds really well when snubbed. It is certainly a message the whole team needs. No guaranteed starters unless form demands it.
I think this is how Panama is lining up? Goalkeeper: Mosquera - 29 year old who just moved to Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia from Maccabi Tel-Aviv about two months ago. 29th cap tonight Left Back: Blackman - Scored the opening goal against us in The Copa America, though currently coming off the bench for Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia. Normally a right sided player, but did play on the left wing when they beat us in Atlanta CB: Miller - Journey man career for the 32 year old defender/Tim Weah punching bag who' earning his 45th cap. He's played in Panama, Colombia, Portugal, Peru, Kazakhstan, Iraq and now plays in Azerbaijan CB: Escobar - Currently starting for Costa Rican giants Saprissa. He's had stops in lower divisions in Spain and Mexico and played 12 games for The Red Bulls back in 2017 and 2018. Surprising he's starting in place of Cordoba, who won the starting job at Norwich this season . CB: Farina - 23 year old who moved from Guatemala to a Russian team who just got promoted to the Premier League. He's started every match this season outside of the one he was suspended for yellow cards in. Fun fact he has played 11 games this season and earned a yellow in all but 2 (but he's avoided red) Right Back: Murillo - Former New York Red Bull who's been with Marseille since last season. He's played ever single minute for them so far 7 games into The Ligue 1 season Left Winger: Barcenas - 30 year old who has spent time in La Liga 2 and Croatia but has been in Mexico with Mazatlán since 2022, where he's started every match this season outside of the opener Mid: Carasquilla - 25 year old who's been with The Houston Dynamo since 2021. Won the Golden Ball at The 2023 Gold Cup Mid: Martinez - Journeyman career for a 27 year old that has played under Gregg Berhalter in Columbus, for Chicago, Las Vegas Lights, the 2nd team of a Segunda Division Club, Venezuela, The Saudi First Division, The Saudi 2nd Division, Venezuela, and now The Israeli 2nd Division Right Winger: Roriguez - Guy has bounced around quite a few clubs in Spain and Portugal before moving to Red Star Belgrade over the summer, but he left to join FC Juarez in Mexico after just 6 games. He's come off the bench for them 3 times since joining a month ago Striker: Guerrero - 24 year old who spent a few seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv before moving to Ukraine last season. He spent last season with Zorya Luhansk but moved to Ukrainian Giants Dynamo Kyiv over The Summer. He is starting for the league leaders, but only has one goal.
There may be an eye on having some fresh guys for Mexico + Poch probably wants to try and maximize how many players he sees in game situations with his tactics. I assume he'll use the 5 subs at least this match if not both for that reason
It's a friendly, and it's Poch's first game. Maybe he's giving some players a chance, maybe he wants to feel out lesser known players. I am not concern with who start and who doesn't in this match, unless it's an important game and Poch already got 10 USMNT games under his belt.
also seems like Wes not starting could be a “please don’t play this guy 180 minutes” move that may also apply to Pulisic, Jedi, Sargent, and maybe even Busio. Some of these other guys aren’t overloaded on minutes yet.
I sometimes get all confused but I thought 5 subs were the limit for official matches and 7 for friendlies. But my ability to really keep up with the rule/law changes since Covid is lacking. 5 is more than enough but we kind of need the maximum we can get just to get a good view of everybody's current play in game conditions. I also hope some experiments are done with Pulisic not on the field. He is much better at staying uninjured for the last couple of years but we need to be ready for things to go horribly wrong. Maybe Pulisic should not start against Mexico?