Post-match: USA v Paraguay friendly 11/15 (R)

It's a testament to our sudden depth as folks are in form. Aaronson is very disruptive as a presser, and is stronger on the ball now than 2 years ago (he only got muscled off it once yesterday, fended others off in other instances). He's gritty, tough and gets the most of what God has given him. He's a real professional.

Zendejas is having a great season.

My gut says that if Poch can only take 1, he goes with Luna. That player will need to come off the bench and bring energy and disruption both ways. Luna showed it again last night via his pressing that led to the Balogun goal.

 

Yup. And there will inevitably be twists and turns in the pool over the next half year.
Injuries are inevitable. Its great to build depth and depth and depth. Its not like Pulisic, Weah, Tillman, etc. are beacons of health (knock on wood).

 

I'm with others that Freeman deserves a starting spot in the Uruguay game. He's big, fast, talented and needs more playing time.

I see the future (wish it were sooner) starting 3 CB line of Freeman, Richards, and Noahkai Banks. Wish we could move Banks along faster but he's probably 2 years away.

 

i agree - surprised others haven't suggested that Freese wasn't aggressive enough to come out and cut off the cross - there were only 2 offensive players in the final third, a more active goalkeeper would have cut that off. I'm sure the goalkeeping coach or Poch said something to him after.

 

We could use Arfsten at AC Milan. They play the same system as the US. Estupinan has been a disappointment; Arfsten is an intelligent, two-footed wingback who would do well in Serie A. imho.

(Reyna should have gone to Serie A as well.)

 

I mean adjusting in the context of a game where one subs in for the other.

 

A good performance and deserved (not undeserved?) win, but the overall reaction seems a bit rosy. I’ve seen xG of 1.1-1.2 for the US and .75 - .9 for Paraguay. That matches my sense of the game.

Would all this feel the same if the deflection for Balo’s goal had simple gone out for a corner? Of course you can say “if” about any moment in a game, so it’s only worth so much, but interesting nonetheless.

I’d really like to see some more combinations at the top of the box. Let’s go for at least 6 shots on goal next game!

 

Great point. I was also thinking Balogun could've closed their CB down more quickly. All that said, it was a good quick attacking play.

 

I think Arfsten is coming along quite well. I agree that Serie A probably suits Reyna better than Bundesliga. Will be interesting to see if he gets more time at Gladbach but they play a very scrappy and defensive game under new manager.

 

Sure, of course. But ARob needs to get into the next camp so he can get up to speed with what the team is doing! Otherwise making that adjustment becomes harder.

 

As someone who is critical of Gio, I am happy for him for the performance last night. Something that I don't think is talked enough that to a man all of the players in camp when asked about Gio have said he's been much more professional in training and more mature so from that sense it does seem like he's taken the last year or so as a sign for change which is good.

Brendo had a bull in China shop game. You can see the skill but way too many times felt like he had his head down.

Scally had a typical Scally game to me. Fineish but the one or two moments where he gets caught sleeping or is caught off guard by someone's speed. Game state changed a bit when Freeman came in but thought he looked a bit more comfortable and his athleticism made dealing with Almiron a bit easier.

 

Does Weah or McKennie start in the World Cup? Some good talent will be on the bench.

 

It would need to be a legit step up, not just some lateral move to the back half of Serie A or a drop into the Championship.

 

If Balogun's opportunity hadn't resulted in a goal AND Pepi had still missed his shot (which xG probably underrates because he took so many touches that he allowed the defender and keeper to get back in position), then I think the reaction would have been that we were pretty unfortunate to come away with a draw.

As is, I think 2-1 is a pretty fair result.

I'd also note that on the site I viewed, all of Paraguay's chances outside of their goal were in the 0.02-0.03 xG range (including the long-range shot that Freese saved), i.e., having roughly a 1 in 50 chance of going in. By contrast, Roldan's saved shot had an xG of 0.12, meaning it had roughly a 1 in 8 chance of going in. So their xG was based almost entirely on one shot in an empty net. The US at least had 3 quality chances, though all 3 were rated much lower than Paraguay's one.

 

Aaronson has survived this long because of his heart of a fighter. Sure, he is not very fast, he is slight built that most opponents just push him aside, but his pestering attitude on defense keeps his name on most roster's list until someone is better. That replacement won't happen until Albert comes into the picture.

 

The emerging of Freeman (LCB, LB) is Scally death knell. Freeman is just that much better, I wouldn't be surprised if Freeman gets a move abroad within the next six months. The kid is that good.

 

He was definitely out of shape and by minute 51 he was falling out of the play. The Paraguayan goal was partially his fault due to his lack of effort in closing out the ball. The defender was able to scan the field and take his time to hit the ball over Scally.

 

His explosiveness, strength, and power are things you cannot coach. His understanding of the game and his responsibility on the ball have already improved over his time in the USMNT.

 

i don't see Luna making as a wide player. His only chance is an ACM, a position that is probably taken by Reyna and Tillman. As far as who can play wide right, the emergence of Freeman gives Poch the option to play Dest as a winger. As to backing up Puli, you have Aaronson, and on a pinch, Arfsten can also play wing. I see Poch using those extra slots in midfield and defense. We still haven't seen Musha or Johny. I think Tessman will make the final roster. He is an enforcer against bigger, stronger teams. He is getting his reps in the French league.

 

(I really can’t tell) Is he out of game fitness due to not playing full matches or due to poor training? If Poch plays him again on Tuesday we shall see what his effort looks like in minute 52 …

 

fully agree

Freeman seems on the ascendancy and Scally has hit his peak already … I agree with Martino - it is time to start Freeman over Scally …

 

He’s not fit. He’s not getting game minutes.

Dude 100% should have gone to MLS, he’d have a string of 90-minute performances behind him at this point. They would have forced him onto the field.

 

I also have those 3 in our future CB lineup. Banks would need play a flawless game for the next 4 months for him to make it for this WC.

 

Freeman would not have given up the cross/assist on the Paraguay goal.