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

If you have been around big Soccer for more than 10 years, you might immediately observe a noticeable limp, from each of these players.

 

The US will win 3-1

A few changes and if they win this one the group should be decided.

Wright gets the nod at 9.

Midfield remains the same with the exception of Cardosa replacing Berhalter

back 4 gets one change with Mackenzie coming on for Ream.

 

But not to win here. To win (or at least be competitive) next year. All of Poch's recent comments are about development.

We can crucify him next year.

 

I’d roll out the same lineup to start as last game. Cohesion breeds sharpness, and we get too little of that with the NT.

 

That's fine, as long as we get to crucify him at some point. I would not want to miss the party.

 

Reminds me of the scene in Life of Brian where the guard asks each prisoner in line what they're there for and they answer crucifixion until an clever prisoner says they told him it was a mistake and he was to be let go.

 

Two unrelated things. First, I’ve heard and read the suggestion that Poch’s starting Agyemang v T&T means that he rates him as the best 9 in this group. I’m not convinced that’s right. Poch is still likely balancing the need to experiment and learn about players with the imperative to win the group. So he likely knew T&T was weak enough that he didn’t have to start the best XI in this roster. I’m admittedly an Agyemang skeptic, though it’s impossible to deny he’s had a good strike rate for us. Still, it’s hard for me to see how based on club form and contributions to the MNT Haji would not be ahead of him.

Second, I’ve been assuming that if we beat Saudi we clinch top spot in the group. Not quite, though: If we beat Saudi, Haiti beats T&T, then Saudi beats T&T and we manage to lose to Haiti three teams could be on 6 points, head to head would be a wash, and it would be down to GD. But even in that scenario, which seems wildly unlikely, our GD would still likely be enough to see us through. So this is just to say that in theory a win v Saudi could not clinch the group, though in practice it almost certainly would.

 

Sounds like Freese is maybe starting tomorrow?

https://bsky.app/profile/stevengoff.bsky.social/post/3lrvsyhfpck2i

 

Poch and Tillman press conference

 

I mean Poch's interview with Landon and Timmy kind of made it feel like Turner was closer to losing his spot than being secured

 

This is a sensible decision. Saudi Arabia is missing players, but it's still the strongest opponent in the group stage and a worthy test for Freese. If Freese stumbles, then we can go back to Turner for the Haiti match and beyond.

I'd roll out basically the same team other than Adams in for Berhalter.

 

I think i agree. Maybe mckenzie instead of ream.

 

Would you guys (@schrutebuck ) start Agyemang over Haji? I dunno maybe I’m missing something but Ag seems like the inverse of Josh Sargent. Not a super distinguished club career, doesn’t seem that effective out there in all facets of the strikers game (IMO obv) but hey he gets goals. Thing is Haji does well for us too so I don’t get why Poch et al seem to rate Ag more highly.

 

Haji doesnt really play out n out striker. More of a wing attacker so i dont think theyre in competition. Maybe Haji for mcglyn if we want more directness and have tillman collect ball wide more often?

 

It will be nice to see this team against a respectable but not overwhelming opponent.

 

That's the whole thing............................Agyemang scores.
He's scored in 4 of the 7 games he's been a part of in 2025.

By hook or crook, he puts the ball in the back of the net. Even if it's ugly.
Even if it's just a lucky deflection. Ugly goals count just the same as pretty ones.
My kingdom for some goalmouth scramble on a corner kick that results in a goal. Remember when the USMNT used to do that? Remember when we we'd actually score goals on set pieces?

[Set piece goals were way down at the last World Cup compared to previous editions. This isn't just a USMNT thing. And almost nobody scores direct free kicks anymore. I don't know what that's about. Two goals on direct free kicks at WC22. World Cup tactical trends: Lots of width, set-piece goals down, and who needs possession? - The Athletic]

Josh Sargent wishes he'd get a lucky deflection.

Patrick Agyemang has twice as many goals than any other player in 2025.

If you're a forward, and you score goals, then you stay in the team.
Doesn't mean you necessarily start every game, but you stay in the team.

 

I would keep Agyemang and the front 6 in there unchanged. Because for me, the #1 priority in regards to a specific player at this Gold Cup is to finally find a way to get Malik Tillman to make an impact on this team. Tillman made an impact on the first match, so I would reward that group with another opportunity against Saudi Arabia.

Putting a new goalkeeper to the test, who has to be Freese based on the available players, is #2.

 

My understanding is that while he tends to get put on the wing, his preferred/true/ideal position is an out and out 9. Don’t have a source on that though.

 

The outcomes in terms of goals are undeniable for Agyemang, and that is likely the reason he got called in while Poch left Sarge off for “football reasons.” But Haji scores when he gets a shot too, including vs T&T just this last game. He’s played two games for the US this year, scored in one. Two goals in eight games for the US last year. And he’s scored in important games—WC R16, CNL semis. So I agree the “he gets goals” argument favors Ag over Sarge, but doesn’t seem to favor him over Haji.

 

I've watched a fair bit of Sarge the last couple of club seasons. He has played a lot of CF, but has also been moved to the wing by various coaches/line-ups to get him on the field (it was most pronounced when Leeds were trying to get him on the field with Pukki who was doing the job as CF). Most recently he's been at CF more. My guess/instinct (and just a guess) from watching TnT is that some of what induced Poch to start Agyemang is how much attention he draws close to goal just due to his size. My guess is that part of the game plan was/is to open channels for Tillman, Luna, McG by collapsing the 2 CDs in tight, and Agy is going to get that more than Haji does. If that's the plan, if it were me, I'd look at 60 min or so sub so that Wright's mobility and speed disrupt a bit more. Doesn't explain Sarge not getting called in, but Wright and Sarge have more similar games to my eye than Agyemang and either of them. My theory from the couch is we don't really currently have another CF with Agyemang's style and Poch wants to exploit his physicality.

 

Pefok was lazy. At least Agyemang moves around and works a bit.