First half, the movement and passing started OK, but was sclerotic the 2nd half. Musah unimpressive. Musah was strong moving the ball through the midfield. McKennie had a few nice long balls and a few more near misses. Adams covered a ton of ground.
The midfield trio many of us have been calling for controlled the game. Allowed all the other players to contribute up to their abilities. Was great to see. Hopefully as we sub out and rotate, it is with like-for-like subs to allow some sort of cohesion.
For me the difference between the first half and the second half was running the game through Musah and DLT instead of McKennie. I like McKennie as a player, but I want him doing the dirty work on defense and showing up to put the ball in the net on attack. I don’t want him getting the most touches of our midfielders.
Musah shows. Still don't get the doubters who'd rather see Lleget or ? The collaboration with Dest and Pepi for the goal is something we're going to see for years
I think McKennie has a groin pull. He was gimping around the last 5 or so. Glad Musah is capped. He was good offensively after he conquered his nerves. Adams was solid and smart. I pray he is healthy for Qatar.
Interesting night, McKennie may not be the best player to fit into the midfield against CONCACAF, outside of Mexico. I'd say Adams is locked in as the DMID. Then Musah, Reyna, LDLT, McKennie, and Lletget are playing the other spots. When you're playing against a bunker having Musah and Reyna/LDLT/Lletget makes more sense than McKennie especially with the directness of Aaronson, Weah and Pulisic with through balls and passing.
Musah looked tight to me in the first half. The first Goal really seemed to loosen everyone up mentally. LDLT was legit bringing the ball forward for sure, I thought he looked a little bit overwhelmed physically on the defensive side of things though.
Adams was the best of the bunch. Thought McKennie was better in the first half. Musah better in the second. His drive forward help create the goal. DLT was fine. Worried me a tad on that challenge, but it was fine. Acosta fine in limited action. McKennie looked a little gimpy at the end there.
musah and mckennie are redundant. i'd only play one of those 2 and then get an ATTACKING MID in there like LDLT i'd start adams-musah-ldlt mckennie as a ball circulator is a waste. ggg needs to get rid of the ball circulator role.... drive the ball forward and attack!! find the gaps and RUN.
Massively, massively disagree. To me, they completely different. One is adept at carrying the ball through the middle third, the other is adept at being a late attacker and scoring. McKennie is much, much better defensively. I think it’s the opposite, I think they complement each other really well. Them plus a pure ball winner is a very strong midfield trio, especially is Musah can add little slip passes to forwards making central runs to his game.
Yes, but a lot of that has to do with the amount of space that the Jamaicans were ceding to us. They were ceding that space because they had to. The movement in the first half I think did them in. From the start of the second they were a can ready to be pulled open. I like the MMA midfield, though Musah had a bit of a rough first half, and I REALLY love the outlook of it over the next few years. They really force a lot of turnovers in excellent positions and keep opponents on the back foot. LDLT is a really nice change of pace. He was getting all kinds of space, but he can serve the killer ball that we often need.
I’ll be honest….everyone healthy…in a game I need to win tomorrow…McKennie isn’t a lock in my midfield. Tyler is. Reyna is. I’m trying to decide between McKennie and Musah. It ain’t easy tomorrow. I think it’s gonna be an easier decision in the final in Qatar.
I wanted to see that midfield trio in a game that counts. It wasn't perfect, but I think they can be really really good together. Not one of the 3 is a great playmaker, but we have that from the wings with Aaronson, Reyna and Christian, when they were all available.
Musah and Adam’s took charge of that midfield. Did grown man things nonstop DLT is gonna make the 23. More of that kid please Thank you Greg for not dragging out the Weston discipline longer than it needed to go
I think people need to remember McKennie in the Nations League final. He was fine today, only showed a bit of brilliance. But I'm okay with that -- the gameplan called for the fullbacks to crush high and a bit of extra support for Tyler isn't bad. Musah and McKennie are different players, though both can do the bull in a china shop dribble beast mode thing. I think they do complement each other, but there may be times we want more creativity as well. I'm not sure why there's so much focus on on a theoretical Best XI. We are reaching a talent level where you can't even determine that without knowing the opponent and gameplan. It's good to have options, even before you consider injuries and the such. The midfield was excellent defensively and better than this forum is giving credit for offensively.
Musah's off the ball movement was quite good. Several times he got into dangerous spots but his teammates didn't get him the ball. Once McKennie did with a very nice lofted pass into the box. The MMA midfield lived up to its billing.
Btw there is a fellow Busio on the roster. Expect him to start against Panama. Depth is good to paraphrase that G Gekko fellow.
You and I are on the same page. I am just not feeling the midfield creativity in the "half-court" set, with an MMA midfield. And McKennie cannot carry the ball like Musah. I trust Adams enough that I would rather have a passing type in the midfield to complement him and Musah. IF Reyna can start picking his head up for country, he would be the guy. If not, Busio, or a player of that mold (DLT, etc).
Loved Musah, you can see the skill, athleticism, and potential. Happy to see him set up the Dest assist for the 1st Pepi goal. Luca De La Torre really impressed me. Love his precise, clinical passing, which is something this team sorely needs. Adams is a maestro. Rarely makes a bad play, and is so critical to this team, even though he probably goes unnoticed by the average fan. MMA midfield for Qatar. Hope these guys stay healthy and continue to get more playing time together.