US-Costa Rica, the defense (R)

They can pass out of the back, defend combination play, win 50/50 balls in the air and on the ground...

Best backline I have seen in years.

 

Excellent performance. I wish Brooks hadn't picked up a yellow.

 

Only thing better than how beastly Brooks was...was how quiet Cameron was. Great job tonight by all 4.

 

Terrific match. Yedlin is way underrated, if he keeps it up for 3 more games he's a lock for best eleven. His speed combined with conditioning is overwhelming.
I do worry about both fullbacks playing every minute. They could wear down. Also, I wonder if Besler starts for Brooks, because of the yellow. A team with semifinal aspirations has to think about that.

 

And I think Yedlin has a lot of room for improvement on the attacking side of the ball and in possession, so we'll probably see them get even better as a unit as Yedlin gets better at passing and joining in the attack!

 

The most improved Yank over the past 12 months is John Brooks beyond the shadow of a doubt. Joel Campbell was replaced after 45 minutes. Take a bow.

The only thing that frustrated me tonight was his yellow, which was unnecessary and might end up being a factor.

 

Agreed. Brooks was Great. That yellow was super soft. That was terrible by the ref.

 

I didn't even think Yedlin got forward very much last night. If we get him and Fab up higher, there is no reason why we cant outposses anyone at this tournament (minus Argentina/Brazil) or in our region

 

You could not ask for anything better than to have this back four get into the grove going into 2018. 0 goals so far on the run of play. brooks yellow was crap. Yedlin is not offering much on the wing to the opposition. What excites me more than anything is the confidence Camerone and Brooks are displaying on the ball. Our old CBs would send that ball into nether regions and the copa 2016 squad are calm, cool, and collecting.

 

Ideally I think you want Fabian playing higher, and you want Cameron either higher or on the bench for someone like Miazga after he starts playing regularly. However, for now, for this tournament, this is absolutely our best line, and they're finally getting consecutive minutes together (3 matches!!).

 

Brooks is the best player on this USA squad right now. Jones is flashier, but Brooks is better. That yellow is troubling. Paraguay haven't looked terribly dynamic in the attack - I think you consider sitting Brooks on his yellow for the QF match. It's a shame for us that Colombia play after us. I would start Brooks if we went into the game following a Colombia loss- our GD will trump theirs. However, that's highly unlikely, so I think Brooks should sit on his yellow.

 

I would like to see a Brooks-Besler combination to see how they work together. That would leave Cameron open for other positions, if needed. We can't overlook the shaky, very nervous start the defense had (especially Yedlin - Yikes!).

 

Passing out of the back makes a huge difference! I know it's completely irrelevant but I see it on my Sunday Mens Travel Team. I hate when my CB's just hoof it out of the back.

 

Brooks was great and did really well with the ball at his feet. Shame about the cheap yellow.

 

Brooks, wow.....he keeps this form up hes on track to be our best USMNT defender ever. Yes, even better than Eddie Pope. Cameron, Yedlin, and FJ did their jobs as well.

 

Love Yedlin but jeez he has no left foot. When he took that shot...and that clearance...

 

Amazing how much improvement you get when you play the same back four in two consecutive games.

Defending at this level is 90% chemistry.

 

Indeed.

 

Somebody on latino tv said the yellow's are wiped clean when group stage ends. Not true?

 

I honestly don't know.

 

Yes, I believe - can't say for sure - that Campbell(Chi), Parker and Miazga pass better out of the back than Cameron in case Cameron needs a back up.