The way that these USMNT managers call in players and then name the starting XI always makes me think that they have no real strategy when they call in the players. Why call in multiple attacking options for a friendly, and then plant them on the bench for 75-80 minutes in the two games? If you don't plan on seeing them in actual game time minutes, leave them the f at their clubs to rest and train with their managers.
Ream is the primary backup LCB. It is important to get him game time, especially since Brooks is hurt quite a bit. Cannon is the primary backup fullback, so he starts this one. Even if Robinson is the first choice on the left, Dest is his backup. Not sure why Konrad started instead of Uly in the first game. Pulisic is the starter, and maybe a full game for each. Maybe Uly is the guy that plays with the fullback coming into the halfspace and that is only when Dest is there? The guys that left Euro careers after 1994 to come back to MLS and get hacked have always been looked after by USSF. They are the primary pundits, especially on TV. Lalas is one of these. These guys are not tactical geniuses, never were. The False 9 leading to Zero goals is easy for them to harp on. Like Bedoya as a 6 against Brazil. Or generally, anyone out of position. Gregg has had quite a bit of blowback on the Lletget move from Wales. Which is interesting, because the other conspiracy theorists think he did it to get an MLS guy on the field.
I like this lineup. No cutesy lineup formations and straight to the point. I expect us to impose our will on this team. We have starters in Chelsea, Juventus, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, , and Valencia. I honest to god did not think I would see this for another 30-50 years, and thats not an exaggeration. It is time to get over this stigma that CONCACAF nations are our equal and they are "tough" games. We've moved beyond that. We should be regularly 3-0ing teams like Honduras, Panama, T&T, Jamaica, and even Costa Rica now. Mexico is the obvious only exception
Glad to see a striker playing. No excuse for Reyna not to affect the game now. He's got one under his belt so now I want to see him produce something.
To bad he is not under the striker where he should be. GGG’s magic 8-ball coaching edition is not working to well
Much of what he does at Dortmund, regardless of where his position is on the initial formation sheet, is to come inside and work centrally. I fully expect that to happen today. Gio isn't a "chalk on the boots" winger for club, and he won't be for country either.
This can become a massacre actually. First goal by Panama seems like a fluke, since then the US has total control.
This game is going in such a fashion as to allow us to bring on some more kids in the 2nd half. I'd bring on Richards and Ledezma at halftime. As it is.......................the twitterverse is saying that this is the 2nd youngest starting XI of all time for the USMNT.
Which isn't a surprise, right? He's played very little first team soccer. The other youngsters out there have....................
players like llanez and kldf really have no business starting these matches....there are alternatives in europe that have proven it at a level that deserves a look. wouldve loved to have seen sabbi, for one. ggg said he wants run behind the line wingers...hello? sabbi is fast as hell and can play that way. plus aron johannson wouldve made so much more sense than lletget. just 2 examples..... I'm all for the kids.....i think richards shouldve played at leaast one match.....but players who havent even played a match for the club shouldnt be playing in this.