Klinsmann at forward would be a barrel of larfs, for a startWhat possible lineup for this team could be fun?
What possible lineup for this team could be fun?
Fixed. Yes, I deleted Bradley and didn't insert a replacement. 11-10 with no Bradley can't be any worse than his best attempts to shit the bed and turn it into 12-10.Wood -- DempseyHow about this?
Johnson -- Nagbe -- Pulisic
Besler -- Brooks -- Cameron -- Yedlin
Guzan
I feel bad benching Zardes, weirdly. He has grown on me over the Copa.
If we want to go weird.... Use that but Zardes for Dempsey and Kitchen for Bradley.Wood -- DempseyHow about this?
Johnson -- Nagbe -- Bradley -- Pulisic
Besler -- Brooks -- Cameron -- Yedlin
Guzan
I feel bad benching Zardes, weirdly. He has grown on me over the Copa.
I think the overall tournament performance is a positive takeaway. Given that we came into the game without 2 key pieces (and Bedoya has actually had a very good tournament), and the replacements were far from world class, that was about what to expect.Well. Thankfully that's over. There's very little positive to take from that game.
I hope we trot out a fun lineup for the third place game.
I think it was a success if Klinsmann learns from what worked and starts looking for better players to execute it.I think the overall tournament performance is a positive takeaway. Given that we came into the game without 2 key pieces (and Bedoya has actually had a very good tournament), and the replacements were far from world class, that was about what to expect.
Sub par lineup, shit performance, great opponent...nothing surprising with the result
They were totally gassed by then. Which is partially a talent pool / depth problem. Despite the extra day of rest, Argentina was fresher because they are deeper.The 4th goal said it all. 3 or 4 guys having trouble passing while getting harassed by one opponent, then a bad turnover leads to a goal.
Talent-wise, it wasn't a contest, but you don't need to make it easy on them by your inability to make simple passes that any professional should be able to complete.
I would subscribe to your newsletter, but Bradley couldn't hit Argentina (the country) with free kicks tonight either.Bradley was awful tonight but he was fine against Ecuador the other night, and also against Costa Rica. If I had to grade his matches they would be Colombia-4, Costa Rica-7, Paraguay-5, Ecuador-6, Argentina-3. Maddening inconsistency. On counters and diagonal passing he's been good, but on close passing he rushes a lot, including not feinting or otherwise avoiding being predictable. He just needs to be patient on the ball, which is hard when you are the focus of midfield and other teams focused on stopping you. He often has a guy hounding him, so even when he's all alone, it seems like he feels like he's covered, and shoots a shitty quick pass before realizing he's got time. Usually you tell a guy to not be cute with the ball but he could use some cuteness, instead of just passing so quickly. I'd also like to see him be more physical, he's a big dude but isn't using his body to shield the ball well at all.
Also, this is for the team as a whole but throughout the tourney the lack of cross-field passes to switch field and reduce pressure is aggravating. Maybe I've been spoiled by watching Euro but we almost never do that. If guys aren't going to show for the ball you have do something or else the opponent will surround and hound
Argentina are not a young team. Of the 20 outfield players they selected for the Copa, only 7 will be under 30 for Russia 2018, and that 7 does not include Messi, Higuain, Aguero, Di Maria, or Mascherano, who are probably their 5 most talented players. This is by far their best remaining chance to win a major competition with their current core.Mike, you think Argentina are the favorites? Messi will have a LOT of wear on the treads at that time. You may be right, but I'm surprised.
To be fair, Messi, Higuain, Aguero, and Di Maria will all be exactly 30, a few of them only by a few weeks. They won't be relying on 33-year-olds like France in 2006. They really only need to layer in 2-3 younger players into the squad that started yesterday. Dybala is looking like a monster and probably should have been not just in the Copa squad but a starter over Lavezzi. At least one of Correa, Icardi, or Vietto will probably blossom as a striker in the next couple years. If Kranevitter develops under Simone into the Mascherano replacement, they'll be in good shape there too. I don't know if they should be favorites but I think they are in at least as good shape as England, France, Spain, or Germany from two years away.Argentina are not a young team. Of the 20 outfield players they selected for the Copa, only 7 will be under 30 for Russia 2018, and that 7 does not include Messi, Higuain, Aguero, Di Maria, or Mascherano, who are probably their 5 most talented players. This is by far their best remaining chance to win a major competition with their current core.
Of course, the old guys could put it together for a tournament run in 2018 (like France did in 2006), and, since it's Argentina, they'll probably have 5 or 6 promising new stars breaking into the squad in the next two years. But compared to the young talent in France (Pogba, Kante, Coman, Martial, Varane, Sakho, Zouma, Griezman, etc) or even even (LOL) England (Kane, Alli, Barkley, Dier, Wilshere, Sterling, Stones, Shaw, etc.), and with the Spanish and German cores still strong, I'm not sure Argentina should be favorites for 2018. Probably France should be.
11:20 or so.Is this thing being restarted? I had to go back to the hotel room that has no fs1
Even more oddly, both matches were played at the same site (San Fran) that opening weekend.Both the title and 3rd place games will be rematches of Copa opening games.