Post-match: USA vs Panama friendly 10/12 (R)

Which happens. Sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you.

 

It was listed as a 4231 and that's what we mostly played in defense. So, listing it that way isn't wrong at all.

In attack, we played more or less what Houston posted, but IMO I would push up Jedi and Musah as they both played higher than that, especially Musah. So more of a 3241 than a 3421. Musah definitely wasn't a wingback -- Scally pulled right instead of Musah coming back.

 

4231 in defense. More of a 3241 in attack, with an imbalance where Jedi would come back further but Musah didn't.

Not really a three ATB as Scally played RB in defense and swung wide a lot. Not really a 3-4 as Musah wasn't a wingback and even Jedi stayed high. But something close.

 

He had a lot of good things to say about Christiansen after the game. Christiansen has been the top coach in CONCACAF for some time, and surely Pochettino has been briefed on his success with Panama as well as his tendencies.

Panama is ALWAYS ready to play, they are well organized, have a distinct identity, and they pull rabbits out of hats in just about every game. They have a lot to be proud of since Christiansen has been on the job.

 

That’s where Weah becomes so valuable with the team.

 

In possession what makes someone a WB? For me Jedi and Musah were not on the AM line in buildup. I would want to do some sampling to see what the weakside behavior was when we were pushed up but to me it didn’t look like consistent width on the front line.

 

And Adams. With Adams in the team both FBs can push forwards.

 

Depends on the team but I think Poch will do a lot of different players depending on opponent and they won't know in advance what we will do. The 4-3-3 to 3-4-2-1 to 3-2-4-1 is just an example but makes it harder to pre-plan how to attack and defend us.

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41774392/pulisic-pepi-mckennie-miss-united-states-mexico

pow! doing exactly what he said.

 

But which players? I think he's going to spend the first four or five windows just sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I guess he did well at Southampton who have produced a lot of very good home grown players.

 

I'm curious how Weah will fit in with the team under Poch. If Poch doesn't feel the need to have wingers who play high all the time, Weah becomes a lot less of a sure thing. Musah played wide right and was fine, got a goal and covered back on defense. McKennie could also play that wide right spot very well and has at Juve. Weah was the singular guy we had who played a high and direct right wing getting behind the defense with speed. If that's not seen as so necessary anymore and he struggles for minutes at Juve, things could be difficult for him. His time there playing as a wing back could be a valuable lesson for him fitting into a different role. I like Weah and I expect him to find some role, but he's a guy I could see being less of a necessity if we change our playing style a bit. Not really sure how it will play out, but it's something I'm curious to watch. Will he have a new role and will he learn it, or will he only be an option when we want someone more direct on the right to play more of a true attacking wing?

 

He could also try Weah more centrally. Central striker with Pulisic on one side and Weah on the other. 4 2 2 2 1, 4 1 3 2 1 or even 3 4 2 1

 

Same. Somehow singing in our American culture isn’t really a thing. Our guys look so odd mumbling under their breath during the anthem. Unlike some countries - the Italians come to mind - where they are singing at the top of their lungs.

 

I hate anthems at sporting events.

 

McKennie tends to avoid concacaf away games. Away at altitude in Mexico would not be appealing for him. He would have taken the minutes v. Panama if we could find a place for him.

 

McKennie, Fossey, Pepi, Steffen and Pulisic have been released. The first 4 have minor knocks, Pulisic is being rested.

 

Another thing we might see improved by Poch eventually is having players in position to jump on a keeper parry that goes awry or has little options. That strike by Aaronson on goal from the right side? I'll have to look again but you have to wonder if somebody could not have been in position at the top of the box to deal with the keepers punch on the ball.

 

Fundamentally, 3atb.

 

leaving 4 windows to actually prepare for the world cup?

 

The lock players are the same as 2022. No-one has really broken in yet. He still has to sort out his GK, CBs and CF. Balogun is nearly there though.

 

I’m guessing Weah will be more situational, a target wing used to exploit a specific weakness in the opponent.

 

I don’t see how Weah doesn’t fit the exact role Musah played in this game. Almost any team needs width from both sides and I think Weah’s usage is going to come down to who can/should provide that width. Tim has played RW, RM, RWB, and RB so at various points his managers have seen him as a fit for that from all the possible positions. Motta seems to think he can use him as well.

 

If it were me, Musah, Weah, and Dest (if healthy) would be in a 3 way competition for that spot. Not a lot of time to sort it out. But, it would be good to have 2 players who could do it.

 

So much has been made of how Poch will change the tactics and, at least some, people have been expecting to see it day one against Panama that it got me thinking about what I expect to see in the first window...perhaps the first couple of windows.

I expect the first few windows and this first window, especially, is mostly about evaluating and getting to know the current pool players. Nothing fancy on tactics...just see what the players have when left on their own. What kind of instincts do they have etc. Sending home, for rest/recuperation, a few of his top players gives him the excuse and makes it easier to see how some of the second and even third tier players step it up against Mexico in Mexico. Morris did well at home against Panama...how will he do against Mexico? Does Lund get to come in at min 60 again? Who takes over for Pulisic and steps up? How about Busio? Does Musah build on his goal? All of the "replacements" will get a chance that is night and day different than entering the game at the 60th minute in a home friendly against Panama (or anyone for that matter). Lots of questions that might not get asked if he had his whole starting lineup, but those questions could be extremely important later on.