Pre-match: USMNT v Saudi Arabia Gold Cup - Thurs June 19

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by keller4president, Jun 16, 2025.

  1. NYdog

    NYdog Member+

    United States
    Nov 6, 2024
    United States
    Brian White should get a look in game 2
     
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  2. Yowza

    Yowza Member+

    DC United
    United States
    Oct 23, 2019
    Arlington
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It blows my mind that in all these years we haven’t had anyone as good as McBride. And he was just good! But he was good at everything combined with xdawg made him a great teammate and clutch performer.
     
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  3. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    Totally agree.

    Freese has earned the tournament, at least until he screws up. There was a trial in the friendlies. Turner did draw the tougher assignment but he was not good.

    From what we know of Saudi Arabia's team, this isn't as much of a test as it could be. We should just save Adams at minimum for the knockouts.
     
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  4. Yowza

    Yowza Member+

    DC United
    United States
    Oct 23, 2019
    Arlington
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    With Adams, if his toe is good to go get him a half v Saudi. He needs reps, too, particularly since I would sit him entirely for Haiti and going into the knockouts ice cold isn’t ideal.
    If his toe isn’t all the way there, then don’t play him at all until it is.
     
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  5. HScoach13

    HScoach13 Member+

    Nov 30, 2016
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Second hand info but I understand that most of SA's "A" team is at the club World Cup.
     
  6. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    I think the issue is that turf toe is usually one of those things that only gets better with a lot of time but you can play on it if you can take the pain.

    I don't think it is going to get all good at the Gold Cup, so if we are waiting for 100%, you likely send him home. If not, I think you just put the minimum time you can on the toe.
     
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  7. Demo250

    Demo250 Member

    Mar 26, 2025
    Unless Banks has a good start and a strong year, I don’t think there’s someone out there that displaces him in that CB room as a passer to pair with Richards. McKenzie always has one big mistake in him.
     
  8. NYdog

    NYdog Member+

    United States
    Nov 6, 2024
    United States
    1935021904894492916 is not a valid tweet id


    Adams, Johnny, and Downs back in training
     
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  9. Yowza

    Yowza Member+

    DC United
    United States
    Oct 23, 2019
    Arlington
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I’m with you, I don’t trust McKenzie, either. It’s a tough call. I thought Zimmerman didn’t stick out, good or bad, in his time on the field and that’s good just getting back into it, imo. I’d like him to take that role, backing up the starters and can help some with rotation. He brings some of the same issues Ream does like age and he’s slower than you’d like, so I dunno, I’m really hoping some good options shake out but I don’t think it’s coming from MLS.
    I like McKenzie, I like watching him for Toulouse I thought he had a commanding presence in the handful of matches I saw. Maybe keep him out there through this gold cup and pray he gets it together.
     
  10. NYdog

    NYdog Member+

    United States
    Nov 6, 2024
    United States
  11. Reccossu

    Reccossu Member+

    Jan 31, 2005
    Birmingham
    Is Downs in training?
     
  12. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That struck me as part a Trinidad & Tobago thing. We could have trotted out the same lineup we did against Switzerland and won by 4 instead of losing by that. s
     
  13. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Adams, Cardoso, and Downs all look back.

    1935021904894492916 is not a valid tweet id
     
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  14. don Lamb

    don Lamb Member+

    mine
    United States
    Aug 31, 2017
    Turf toe is one of those injuries that screams, "We're managing this guy's minutes/letting him take it easy at this stage of the tournament that he's too good for." I'd bet Adams is completely fine. If he's not, turf toe is something that can linger/easily reoccur, and I doubt he'd already be back in training.

    I'm pretty sure this was a case of letting Adams chill during a part of the tournament where he's not needed while avoiding another nonsensical firestorm from old men yelling at the clouds.
     
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  15. TheHoustonHoyaFan

    Oct 14, 2011
    Houston
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They don't ask you how, they ask you how many!
    Deuce.​
     
  16. imasyko

    imasyko Member+

    May 16, 2002
    Spring City, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    White just doesn't have it. At least Agyemang has the physical qualities needed to be effective at international level. Perhaps, though I'm doubtful given his age, that he can develop further at this level with more playing time?
     
  17. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx BigSoccer Yellow Card

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #42 xbhaskarx, Jun 17, 2025
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2025
    That all makes sense... Note all three of Downs Adams and Johnny are now back in training. Adams can start this one, Johnny can sub in, and then Adams can skip the third game against Haiti as long as they win which they should. Like 60% of one game across the group stage should be something he can handle.

    Edit: basically what I was trying to say:
    Yeah McKenzie should be given every chance in this Gold Cup to succeed because the alternative seems to be going into the World Cup a year from now with Tim Ream as a starter... yikes
    Hoping to see something like this to start (but not expecting to, guessing we get Agyemang, McGlynn, Arfsten, and Ream since Poch seems to like them):

    -------------------Downs----------------------
    --Wright------------Tillman---------Luna--
    -----------------Adams--LDLT---------------
    Tolkin--McKenzie--Richards--Freeman
    --------------------Freese----------------------
     
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  18. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx BigSoccer Yellow Card

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #43 xbhaskarx, Jun 17, 2025
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2025
    Sometimes they do ask how, it's not like the Zardes fluke goals off the right butt cheek and nose kept up... that is not a repeatable skill aside from maybe at times being a general "right place" thing.
     
  19. Demo250

    Demo250 Member

    Mar 26, 2025
    Hell, I wouldn’t even be shocked if we see Turner in goal for this. Wouldn’t like that.
     
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  20. imasyko

    imasyko Member+

    May 16, 2002
    Spring City, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Downs I know nothing about and would like to see him play, but maybe next game?
     
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  21. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx BigSoccer Yellow Card

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That is far more likely as long as they already have 6 points... but I would start him in both.
     
  22. TrustingtheProcess

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 11, 2021
    Philadelphia, USA
    Poch wasn't hired to develop players, he's a short term hire and was hired to win.

    Wright and White are clearly better players that Agyemang, play them. Kind of like how some people in USMNT twitter/reddit/here want to find any reason to give another center back more chances to bench Ream, who has been our most consistent center back for the better part of 3 years.
     
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  23. Reccossu

    Reccossu Member+

    Jan 31, 2005
    Birmingham
    I’m not sure white is better. He’s a little better at some things and worse at others. I’d like to see Downs.
     
  24. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    US 4-1. Another total dominant performance.
     
  25. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Siem Reap Crown City FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    on the touch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The United States is certainly missing some players who are participating in the club World Cup and for other reasons.

    Saudi Arabia is missing some key contributors, mostly in the midfield area and mostly who will be participating in the club World Cup

    Notable absences include Hassan Al-Tombakti, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Musab Al-Juwayr, Mohammed Kanno, and Salem Al-Dawsari.
     
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