I don't think Musah was ever a stud for us. His legend seems to grow in the telling. Oh, the occasional "Musah Maneuver" was fun and there was a period where the MMA press was great, but I honestly don't remember a signature game for Musah. Reyna can create goals, which every team in the world struggles with. Musah can hold the ball in midfield and sometimes, he can defend. I didn't really see the issue with either of those yesterday to any kind of level. We didn't really have big issues with ball progression. It's not like we were losing the ball left and right or getting pressed to death. We gave up two goals to Germany. Our issue really was that our offense has done really well in recent friendlies by breaking the press and creating a transition opportunity out of that so we don't have to attack a more set defense. Germany's transition defense was fantastic. We almost never caught them with numbers in the attack, and we were often outnumbered. Our guys couldn't beat their CBs one on one like we torched Senegal -- for all of Tah's lack of footspeed, he was very solid and we went at him.
Arena had an interesting observation about Tillmann. He said he doesn't have enough reps in that position and it may have slowed down his reactions and movement. He said he'd start Berhalter in that spot. If Poch does that the internets will explode but could have merit and it puts the best free kick taker in the starting lineup and (other than counting on more Jedi glazes) our best long range shooter.
Also.....................we likely won't face a midfield as good as that until the round of 16. Musiala and Pavlovic of Bayern with Nmecha of Dortmund. That was a grind and test for our guys. I'm curious about how far that Germany team goes. I think they're missing a little bit of juice up top. Defense and midfield are really top class. I mean, I love our guys. But we see we stack up against the Belgium, Portugal, Germany-level teams.
If we keep three in the back, maybe. But I'm not for giving two counterattacking sides a free run at our back line, Ream-anchored back line, likely without Richards, with only Tyler reliably shielding them. That's what they're hoping for. I don't trust Berhalter defensively. Tillman handled a very, very good midfield today. Better than we will see in the group stage.
The poster provided nothing specific to disagree with. Just said the two players played bad. I think they both played well. Held a strong German midfield to a draw at worst (and I think controlled the game between the 10 minute mark and when the subs came in). Lots of defensive responsibilities with two wingbacks that push high and two subpar CBs behind them.
Ok, then what are you talking about? My first thought was, this post doesn’t make sense. I’ll bet he’s quoting someone on my ignore list. But the bottom of the page didn’t have a show ignored content. And that’s why I’m asking.
Nbarbour’s response was fair. Fair-ish. When I create these threads I try to throw in a few words to jump start the discussion. But only a few because if I write a lot, the threads devolve into a discussion of my post rather than the play of the attack or defense or whatever. In this thread I needed it to be less “few.” I mean, yeah, “I disagree” isn’t really a discussion, but my original post wasn’t really a discussion either. It’s all good.
Adams is a player who has relied on exceptional athleticism for advantage. Unfortunately, he doesn’t look like the same player he was 4 years ago defensively. This will be his last World Cup. I hope he arises to the occasion once the real games begin.
To me Tillman was one of the best if not the best player for us. I don’t know how we take that game and conclude Tillman needs to sit and start SB. And you can go through my post history to find me asking if SB makes the roster because of his free kick abilities. I think SB should come in later in games against tired legs and help us with free kick opportunities. He had at least one really nice corner that I that no one attacked.
We don't necessarily but it was interesting Arena called for it. A boon to a former player / asst coach or something else coachy?
Is Adams back to 100%? He was coming back from injury not too long ago so he may have more in him once he gets fully fit.
I’m with this, I think the best of Adams lay ahead. I do think he would be best served if left out of the counter press. He’s not very effective, he’s more likely to accumulate cards and fouls, and he gets out of position. But this is what Poch wants, so I’m hoping Adams can either find a middle ground or become more effective.
It just doesn’t seem like there is much more time for him to get fully fit. He’s got one recovery cycle before our first World Cup game. Hopefully he has more in him as the World Cup progresses.
I think the early goal had one useful aspect. This allowed us to play against a Germany being defensive and playing the counter which I expect is what we will encounter against Paraguay and Australia. The midfield looked reasonably effective at getting the ball to the forwards in dangerous positions. We lacked just a little bit of either quality or more space to get unblocked shots. It was certainly enough chances to score against our group opponents.
Maybe its a bit semantics here but Adams has shown at both club and country to have terrific defensive abilities. Musah hasn't even come close to showing anything other than some flashy pants dribble moves in the center of the field all which pretty much amounted to nothing. And thats both club and country.
Paraguay is going to be in a much lower block than Germany was IMO. I'm coming around on Berhalter being the starter because we're going to need to steal a goal from a set piece.
If you let Berhalter get open within range you won't be happy about it. FCD did exactly that a month or so ago. Sometimes I don't get players. You don't foul Messi near goal - everyone knows that right? You don't foul Germany near goal - everyone knows that right (except Tyler Adams)? Well add don't foul near goal or allow time and space or Berhalter might punish you. It'll be interesting who starts. I'm leaning to MMA 2.0 against the monsters like Germany and hope for a goal while trying your best not to allow one. Against lesser teams Berhalter might be a better option as defense won't be as important as breaking down a packed defense and taking long shots and making then not want to foul near the box both create room for attackers.
Against Germany Tillman was the primary corner taker taking 5. Looks like he took 3 short and 2 into the mixer. Both found US heads. Seb took 2 corner kicks, neither found US heads. Dest, Pulisic, and Reyna also took corners. Richards is our most goal dangerous corner recipient and he was not available.
Lets be honest, both of Seb's goals v FC Dallas should have been saved, certainly the 2nd one which went through the GK's hands. Seb had a similar rocket v Senegal whish was saved. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYTdXdhtzR2/