Pre-match: USA @ Mexico wcq 3/24/2022: which tool do we use? A sludge hammer or a surgical scalpel?

Did you see Kellen Acosta in the Gold Cup and last night? He is the answer for MEX, I 100% agree on resting Adams to avoid a yellow that would keep him out of Panama. I like Busio but Acosta is the guy for his match up.


I was actually yelling when they subbed Tyler out vs Canada to leave him on the field to get a yellow for dissent before taking him off.

 

The last 3 times Acosta has started, we've gotten favorable results v. Mexico - 2 wins at home, 1 draw on the road. So you might want to think about deploying him here and saving Adams for the more important Panama match, as well as the finale if need be. I agree with that strategy, but you definitely need the sledgehammer type at Mexico.

An Acosta-McKennie-Musah mf would be tough for Mexico to deal with. They're not going to apply a low block at home v. anyone. They have more pride than Canada. That cm will be creative enough running into wider spaces.

I'd be tempted to use Reyna as the 10/8, because of his last star performance v. Mexico and 2-way play, but might as well stick with the known mettle, and just play him at the wing.

Weah can man the other wing. We don't know he'll be a proper target, which we'll need centrally. I think it's up in the air who that is right now. Hopefully it materializes by this match. But I don't think I'd start Pepi in his form, because of his previous performance vs. Mexico, and having almost played for them.

I definitely don't start CP here. He still hasn't had a good start for the US in competition in 2 and a half years. All he keeps reinforcing with bench contributions is he's more effective as a super-sub. Maybe he can start the home match v. Panama. But I'm on the fence about that too.

 

Trying to picture a sludge hammer. Sounds like a mess.

 

Brings to mind my favorite disco group, Sister Sludge.

 

I mean the question for me is how much more tired are our guys going to be after playing this game at altitude.

Except for Costa Rica, Jamaica lost 3-0 at home following its game at the Azteca, Honduras lost 2-0 at home, and Canada had their worst result of qualifying in a road tie against Jamaica where they really didn’t play well.

We should definitely try and get a result against Mexico, but at the same time we should be planning for our first choice lineup to be ready to go for Panama. I don’t doubt we can get a result against Mexico, I just don’t want our guys to be exhausted for Panama because of the extra strain from the altitude.

 

pulisic had the winning goals in 2 of the 3 mexico wins, so sure, benching him makes a ton of sense. but that was a long time ago, unlike the gold cup final...

 

Pepi
Morris---------Weah
-DLT---McKenine-
--------Acosta--------
Jedi-Brooks-Zimmerman/Robinson-Dest

 

Now that everyone realizes it's the system that stinks and not necessarily our strikers, I don't see another choice but to bring Sargent back, and likely have him starting.

 

1. Why before Adams was being subbed out, let him to grab someone for a yellow card so he can set out the Honduras game to sweep clean?
2. Glad we find old set pieces juice, because we all know how good Mexico defending their set pieces.

 

My take may not correct:

When JoMo pulled up (no much thing happen), he actually open up the space for Air Weston to freelance. But when Pulisic here, he took the space away by his freelance. So Gregg moves Wes to right and put Musah there, and Musah cannot do shit because no space there.

 

No Hector Herrera for sure. Possibly no Lozano. Arguably their best two players

 

What is Mexicos yellow card situation?

 

I think just Hererra is missing because of suspension.

 

Mostly I'd want both him and Weah to be completely ready to go against Panama.

I'd consider staring Aaronson and Arriola against Mexico. You can't really press aggressively at altitude but I'd let those guys run all day, and make sure Pulisic, Reyna, and Weah are all fresh for Panama.

 

I went to the FIFA summaries to double check this but only saw that he got a yellow against Panama. Do we see anything concrete that he's out? Makes losing McKennie a little easier to swallow.

 

No idea what game the other yellow came in, but it was reported by the Mexican press that he’s out https://www.tudn.com/futbol/mexico/hector-herrera-sera-baja-mexico-partido-estados-unidos-suspension

 

@Mexico, Panama, @costa Rica. This is our most difficult window.
3 games and 9 points on the line. We want to finish top 3, and currently, we have 21 points. Who can hurt us? Costa Rica can get 9 points and finish with 25 points. We have to at least beat Panama and finish with 24 points. If CR beats Canada at home in its first match, we should start to get worried. We should not be in this position, but we are yet again.

I think you go with a B team against Mexico, including goalkeeper. Hopefully Turner or Steffen will be available for Panama. You get 3 points against Panama and fight for 1 @ Costa Rica

 

This Mexico team is gettable. Two home games against Costa Rica and Panama and all they get is a PK? I don't see why we can't get a point from Azteca like we have the past two cycles.

Hot take: Costa Rica beats Canada but drops points in El Salvador on Matchday 13.

 

If that did happen, that would be extremely funny.

 

I respectfully disagree. Some roster rotation, yes. But I say we go in trying to get points. Play Adams. If he picks up a yellow and has to miss Panama, so be it. We should be able to handle Panama at home. And if he should miss Panam, he is completely rested for the game in Costa Rica. Should we go down there still needing a point, I want him in the lineup.

In short, I think there is a valuable point (or three) to be had in Mexico.