Man you're gonna trot out a back 3 and still not start Richards? Hopefully he at least gets a full 45 like he did on Thursday. I'm happy to see Siebatcheu, since I don't think I've actually seen him play before, but it's bizzare that he's getting the nod over Dike
I think his club didn't allow travel to The UK. I think there's extra travel restrictions there. Sargent didn't go either for the same reason
I also think he's probably much more comfortable and familiar with Dike after the trainings with him, and him in MLS, whereas Siebatcheu has been more obscure. Better chance to just scout someone he hasn't seen in person nearly as much.
For people who are surprised to see Tim Ream hanging around, he seems to be a respected veteran locker room presence: In October 2019, it was time to put a permanent Council into place. At camp ahead of the USA’s Concacaf Nations League opener, and over email for those who weren’t called in, members of the player pool pondered a list of their peers and selected those who they thought had emerged as team leaders. Six players were elected to the Council: Long, McKennie, Pulisic, Steffen, midfielder Tyler Adams and defender Tim Ream. Berhalter made a list of alternates who fill in when permanent members aren’t available, like at the MLS-heavy January camp. https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/03/2...lter-leadership-council?utm_source=reddit.com
Here's the 3 in the back experiment... Yes, Ream instead of Richards, which I assume will cause ire, but I don't suppose it will be that way when the games are for real in June... I assume he'll be on in the 60th minute if not the half, probably for Aaron Long if it's pre-planned.
He's also very possibly the best passing CB left in the pool, with only the relatively inexperienced Richards as a challenger. He's left footed and has played LCB in a back three.
It's possible. I have a grand theory that Tim Ream would be looked on a lot differently if the US had played a 3-man backline in the 2010s. He's not quite strong enough in a 4-man backline as a center back, and he's not quick enough to play left back. Bob Bradley never really tried it and Klinsmann tried and failed, but it sure seemed to work for Tim Ream under Bruce Arena. I think he could have gotten another 20-40 caps.
Obviously I would have preferred to see Richards instead of Ream, but overall I really like the lineup. Richards will probably be on at halftime or soon afterwards. Looks like a 3-4-2-1 to me. Should be a fun game.
possibly true....but reams passing isnt close to good enough to alter the formation to get him on the field. GGG loves his pets.....i think he sees a lot of himself in ream...similar players.