Nice pull.
I don't know anything about Kunga, but I hope he really is that good because he made the team over some legit prospects.
USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
I don't know anything about Kunga, but I hope he really is that good because he made the team over some legit prospects.
Wow, @Monbo Jumbo , you really read the shit out of the technical chart on that one.
I'm holding out for Xuxuh's call-up, myself.
I'm holding out for Xuxuh's call-up, myself.
@Titans Bastard :
If there´s two Schalke guys rumored to be not released, isn´t the same to be expected about Wright, too?
After some research, I found this:
The Schalke guys can play in the U19 semifinal for the German Title (4 teams qualify from 3 Bundesleagues) vs. Bayern (two legs, tomorrow 1st match @way), while McKinze Gaines II played in today´s 1st semifinal match for Wolfsburg (2-3 home loss) vs. Dortmund. It´s not as if the two clubs (WOB+SCHA) just said "NO!".
Schalke may not have released Wright either, but I'm just not sure Tab was ever interested. He never called up Wright once over the course of the cycle and he publicly said that he rated others ahead of him at one point in time.
German clubs are always the most obstinate about releasing players. The U20 World Cup is just youth games, but then again, so is the U19 Bundesliga. Too bad that McKennie & co will miss out on a cool experience.
Ramos did apparently say today that Perez wasn't released by Fiorentina.
On the bright side, at least we have prospects that are valued by their clubs. Last time around Molde didn't release Ethan Horvath and Reading (bizarrely) didn't release Andrija Novakovich. It's always been normal to not get a bunch of Euro-based players from qualifying, but failing to obtain releases for the actual WC is new.
EDIT: Just found this:
Ramos doesn't mention Wright.
German clubs are always the most obstinate about releasing players. The U20 World Cup is just youth games, but then again, so is the U19 Bundesliga. Too bad that McKennie & co will miss out on a cool experience.
Ramos did apparently say today that Perez wasn't released by Fiorentina.
On the bright side, at least we have prospects that are valued by their clubs. Last time around Molde didn't release Ethan Horvath and Reading (bizarrely) didn't release Andrija Novakovich. It's always been normal to not get a bunch of Euro-based players from qualifying, but failing to obtain releases for the actual WC is new.
EDIT: Just found this:
Ramos doesn't mention Wright.
Last edited:
Geoff Cameron started at DM today for Stoke, and looked one of the best players on the field. Created several chances and took a hell of a shot late in the 2nd half that required a full-extension save from Cech.
Maybe we already have Bradley's replacement (or JJ's) in the starting lineup, and what we actually need is another CB we can trust alongside Brooks.
Maybe we already have Bradley's replacement (or JJ's) in the starting lineup, and what we actually need is another CB we can trust alongside Brooks.
This has seemed to be the natural solution all along, but every time they try it or think about it, seems like someone gets hurt and GC is needed on the back line again. We've always been able to scrounge up capable center backs so I hope they can find a way to make this happen.
Of course, nobody who matters is considering yanking Bradley out of the XI in the first place so it's a moot point until someone has the balls to make the call.
Back in the day, Cameron and Bradley looked terrific playing together. That was a while back, though (can't remember exactly when, but it was in a WCQ).
Somebody may be running against Sunil for once:
He doesn't seem to have much of a platform yet, though.
He doesn't seem to have much of a platform yet, though.
I'm sold. Tell me where the pitchforks and torches are handed out before the rally.
Fulham's Marlon Fossey has withdrawn from the U20 roster due to injury. Philadelphia's Auston Trusty is the replacement.
This is bad. Fossey was our starting RB and the only good fullback on the roster. I expect New Mexico's Aaron Herrera to start at RB and RSL's Danny Acosta to start at LB. Trusty will back up LB even though he's really a CB. Acosta can slide over to RB if Herrera is unavailable.
It's a shame that Portland's Marco Farfan (LB) still can't get the call. Man U's Matthew Olosunde (RB) should also be in the conversation at this point. I'm not particularly high on Olosunde's chances of making it at his club, but he's impressed at times with their U23s and seems like the sort of player who will at least be a decent pro. I doubt Olosunde was on the preliminary roster, though, as Ramos hasn't called him up in forever.
This is bad. Fossey was our starting RB and the only good fullback on the roster. I expect New Mexico's Aaron Herrera to start at RB and RSL's Danny Acosta to start at LB. Trusty will back up LB even though he's really a CB. Acosta can slide over to RB if Herrera is unavailable.
It's a shame that Portland's Marco Farfan (LB) still can't get the call. Man U's Matthew Olosunde (RB) should also be in the conversation at this point. I'm not particularly high on Olosunde's chances of making it at his club, but he's impressed at times with their U23s and seems like the sort of player who will at least be a decent pro. I doubt Olosunde was on the preliminary roster, though, as Ramos hasn't called him up in forever.
The U20s drew with Ecuador 3-3 in their WC opener this morning. I didn't watch because it started at 4am and even I have my limits. Ecuador scored twice in the first 10 minutes, Josh Sargent scored a brace to tie the game, then the US conceded again before Luca de la Torre scored a very late equalizer in stoppage time.
Early reports indicate that:
Early reports indicate that:
- Our fullbacks were trash
- Zelalem was stretchered off in the first half with a non-contact injury
- Derrick Jones, Zelalem's replacement, got good reviews
- Jonathan Klinsmann made a great save at one point, but also had a howler on Ecuador's third goal and looked shaky
- Josh Sargent is good
I DVR'ed it and watched this morning. I think you've captured it well.
- Defense was definitely missing Justin Glad and the physical presence of CCV - they were disorganized and got outmuscled on at least one of those 2 early goals
- Zelalem injury is to his left knee - it got stuck in the turf as he was planting on it to pass the ball with his right. Looks like an ACL - they just took him right off with no ability to support any weight.
- Jones stabilized the defensive midfield and won the ball/started the plays that lead to the first to US goals - he's a much more physical presence than Zelalem.
- Sargent is a striker for sure - knows exactly what he wants to do with the ball anytime he has it on his feet in the 18
- Brooks Lennon is equally good - he was terrorizing Ecuador on the right wing for much of the game and fed umpteen crosses into the box
- De La Torre also showed up and was attempting to create for much of the game. His goal in stoppage time was more of a right place/right time sort of thing after a poor Ecuadorian clearance on a cross from none other than Lennon.
Some wacky results at the U20 WC so far:
England 3-0 Argentina
Venezuela 2-0 Germany
Vanuatu 2-3 Mexico (with a 90'+4' goal from Mexico)
You just never know who is good at the U20 WC. Traditionally UEFA teams underperform because they don't really care about the tournament. Many of them will give priority to UEFA U21s (born 1994 and younger) and 19s (1998 and younger) later this summer, which will absorb some of the best U20-eligible player pool (1997s and younger). The timing of the U20s is also annoying, as it overlaps with the tail end of the European season. Apparently South Korea wanted to avoid monsoon season.
England 3-0 Argentina
Venezuela 2-0 Germany
Vanuatu 2-3 Mexico (with a 90'+4' goal from Mexico)
You just never know who is good at the U20 WC. Traditionally UEFA teams underperform because they don't really care about the tournament. Many of them will give priority to UEFA U21s (born 1994 and younger) and 19s (1998 and younger) later this summer, which will absorb some of the best U20-eligible player pool (1997s and younger). The timing of the U20s is also annoying, as it overlaps with the tail end of the European season. Apparently South Korea wanted to avoid monsoon season.
Josh Sargent is good.
I'm only catching a 10 minute segment of this US-Senegal game, but the US has Senegal on the back foot and have been creating danger throughout this period. Sargent put the US up 1-0 with a nice left footed finish from about 12 yards out.
I'm only catching a 10 minute segment of this US-Senegal game, but the US has Senegal on the back foot and have been creating danger throughout this period. Sargent put the US up 1-0 with a nice left footed finish from about 12 yards out.
The game's only goal:
Ecuador surprisingly lost to Saudi Arabia earlier today. That puts the US on top of Group F. A draw in the final game against Saudi Arabia will be enough to put the US through. Even with a loss, four points will probably be enough to squeak through as a third place finisher.
Nobody blew out their ACL today, so that's good.
Ecuador surprisingly lost to Saudi Arabia earlier today. That puts the US on top of Group F. A draw in the final game against Saudi Arabia will be enough to put the US through. Even with a loss, four points will probably be enough to squeak through as a third place finisher.
Nobody blew out their ACL today, so that's good.
Yeah, nice turn & finish.
TB, how did CCV look (either from reports or your own eyes if you watched)?
Woke up to discover the US up a goal and down a man against Saudi Arabia in the 60th minute.
Brooks Lennon scored in the 40th minute, CCV was sent off in the 45th after receiving a second yellow.
Brooks Lennon scored in the 40th minute, CCV was sent off in the 45th after receiving a second yellow.
Saudi Arabia ties it.
Based on results elsewhere, the US has clinched advancement to the R16 because in the event the US finishes third there will be at least two other third place teams with worse records.
However, how we do weighs heavily on the quality of our next opponent.
1st = New Zealand
2nd = Mexico
3rd = Uruguay
We can still win the group with a tie if we get a favorable result from the Senegal-Ecuador game.
Based on results elsewhere, the US has clinched advancement to the R16 because in the event the US finishes third there will be at least two other third place teams with worse records.
However, how we do weighs heavily on the quality of our next opponent.
1st = New Zealand
2nd = Mexico
3rd = Uruguay
We can still win the group with a tie if we get a favorable result from the Senegal-Ecuador game.
Dangerous FK for Saudi Arabia in stoppage time after a dumb foul from Sabbi.
Goes high, though. Now 1-1 FT. Senegal-Ecuador is deep in stoppage time tied at 0-0, which is the ideal result for the US.
Goes high, though. Now 1-1 FT. Senegal-Ecuador is deep in stoppage time tied at 0-0, which is the ideal result for the US.
Senegal-Ecuador finishes 0-0.
1. USA
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Senegal
4. Ecuador
Not at all the final standings I would have expected, but that's the U20 World Cup for you. The US failure to beat SA today means that Argentina is one of the two 3rd place finishers to be eliminated.
Next up is New Zealand, who finished 2nd in Group E with a loss to France, a draw with Vietnam, and a win over Honduras. NZ should be manageable, though the US will be shorthanded. Zelalem is injured and three are suspended: CCV (red), Jones, and Herrera (yellow card accumulation).
1. USA
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Senegal
4. Ecuador
Not at all the final standings I would have expected, but that's the U20 World Cup for you. The US failure to beat SA today means that Argentina is one of the two 3rd place finishers to be eliminated.
Next up is New Zealand, who finished 2nd in Group E with a loss to France, a draw with Vietnam, and a win over Honduras. NZ should be manageable, though the US will be shorthanded. Zelalem is injured and three are suspended: CCV (red), Jones, and Herrera (yellow card accumulation).
So was his first yellow card to be honest. The ref was out of control with yellow cards in the first half. It was bound to catch up with someone and it was unfortunately CCV. The ref settled down a bit in the second half but I've never seen a ref so card happy in the first half. Normally you'd say the players need to adjust but it was any whistle was a card in that first half.
The good news is that NZ is not a particularly strong team, especially given that two of their best players at the tournament have departed to join up with the senior NZ team ahead of the Confederations Cup.
If a weakened US team can beat NZ, the game will serve as some forced squad rotation and we would have CCV, Jones, and Herrera back fresh for a QF game against either Venezuela or Japan. This Venezuela team looks pretty good and I wouldn't count out Japan either, but there is a real path to the SF.
Ramos only brought three fullbacks initially and his decision to replace the injured Fossey with a fifth CB in Trusty is looking especially dodgy now. Herrera has struggled all tournament, but with him out we'll have to use Trusty at LB with Acosta shifting to RB or shift Glad to RB. Adams has also played RB in the past, but he has been crucial in the center and we can't spare a CM with Jones suspended and Zelalem injured. I guess you could make it work if you moved Adams to RB and Palmer-Brown to DM, but EPB has been IMMENSE at center back.
My guess:
I sure wish we could have traded one of our two backup forwards for another wide attacker like Mukwelle Akale. With the absences of Jones + Zelalem, Williamson needs to move farther back and DLT needs to come inside. That means one of Saucedo and Kunga must start in this formation. Saucedo seems like a better fit against a team that's likely to sit deep since Kunga seems mostly like a speedster who would be more useful counter-attacking. Saucedo just hasn't looked good for the U20s, though.
If a weakened US team can beat NZ, the game will serve as some forced squad rotation and we would have CCV, Jones, and Herrera back fresh for a QF game against either Venezuela or Japan. This Venezuela team looks pretty good and I wouldn't count out Japan either, but there is a real path to the SF.
Ramos only brought three fullbacks initially and his decision to replace the injured Fossey with a fifth CB in Trusty is looking especially dodgy now. Herrera has struggled all tournament, but with him out we'll have to use Trusty at LB with Acosta shifting to RB or shift Glad to RB. Adams has also played RB in the past, but he has been crucial in the center and we can't spare a CM with Jones suspended and Zelalem injured. I guess you could make it work if you moved Adams to RB and Palmer-Brown to DM, but EPB has been IMMENSE at center back.
My guess:
Sargent
Saucedo -- de la Torre -- Lennon
Williamson -- Adams
Acosta -- Palmer-Brown -- Redding -- Glad
Klinsmann
Saucedo -- de la Torre -- Lennon
Williamson -- Adams
Acosta -- Palmer-Brown -- Redding -- Glad
Klinsmann
I sure wish we could have traded one of our two backup forwards for another wide attacker like Mukwelle Akale. With the absences of Jones + Zelalem, Williamson needs to move farther back and DLT needs to come inside. That means one of Saucedo and Kunga must start in this formation. Saucedo seems like a better fit against a team that's likely to sit deep since Kunga seems mostly like a speedster who would be more useful counter-attacking. Saucedo just hasn't looked good for the U20s, though.
USMNT squad for the Venezuela friendly and WCQ by position:
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/05/28/13/40/20170528-news-mnt-bruce-arena-names-usa-roster-denver-for-venezuela-trinidad-mexico-qualifiers
GK
Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)
Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)
Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
RB
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
CB
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca)
Matt Hedges (FC Dallas)
Tim Ream (Fulham)
LB
DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna)
CM
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)
Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire)
AM
Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana)
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
FW
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
Bobby Wood (Hamburg)
A few first impressions:
1) This is a big squad - 27 guys. Looks like Arena wants to get a close look at as many people as possible.
2) Fabian Johnson is listed as a midfielder and there are two LBs in camp. If Arena has confidence in Villafaña at LB, it will be exciting to have Pulisic and Johnson in the midfield.
3) Jermaine Jones is injured, so this is a big opportunity for Kellyn Acosta who has a clear path to start next to Bradley.
4) I'm a little worried about forwards, as both Morris and Wood are a bit banged up right now and have been playing through minor injuries
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/05/28/13/40/20170528-news-mnt-bruce-arena-names-usa-roster-denver-for-venezuela-trinidad-mexico-qualifiers
GK
Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)
Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)
Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
RB
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
CB
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca)
Matt Hedges (FC Dallas)
Tim Ream (Fulham)
LB
DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna)
CM
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)
Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire)
AM
Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana)
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
FW
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
Bobby Wood (Hamburg)
A few first impressions:
1) This is a big squad - 27 guys. Looks like Arena wants to get a close look at as many people as possible.
2) Fabian Johnson is listed as a midfielder and there are two LBs in camp. If Arena has confidence in Villafaña at LB, it will be exciting to have Pulisic and Johnson in the midfield.
3) Jermaine Jones is injured, so this is a big opportunity for Kellyn Acosta who has a clear path to start next to Bradley.
4) I'm a little worried about forwards, as both Morris and Wood are a bit banged up right now and have been playing through minor injuries
Is Jonathan Klinsmann... any good? Are they just sticking with whoever's been getting all the first-team reps?
As for the senior team, I didn't know Tim Howard was healthy enough to even be listed on a roster. Nor Dempsey. Good to see Nagbe back on the list, though his competition has grown in his absence. I did think that his breakout Gold Cup play was more as a DM/CM though.
edit: also, Chandler got yanked midway through the 2H of the DFB-Pokal final (which his team ultimately lost due to Christian Pulisic drawing the decisive penalty). He had looked good going forward, but Kagawa was having his way with him in Chandler's defensive end.
edit2: I'd be interested to know what Yedlin's form was as the season closed in Newcastle. He was heavily used in January & February, but only started 3 of the team's 12 games since the start of March.
As for the senior team, I didn't know Tim Howard was healthy enough to even be listed on a roster. Nor Dempsey. Good to see Nagbe back on the list, though his competition has grown in his absence. I did think that his breakout Gold Cup play was more as a DM/CM though.
edit: also, Chandler got yanked midway through the 2H of the DFB-Pokal final (which his team ultimately lost due to Christian Pulisic drawing the decisive penalty). He had looked good going forward, but Kagawa was having his way with him in Chandler's defensive end.
edit2: I'd be interested to know what Yedlin's form was as the season closed in Newcastle. He was heavily used in January & February, but only started 3 of the team's 12 games since the start of March.
Last edited:
Here's a Guardian piece on Yedlin from early this week. He got his best run in the inter when Anita was out injured. It's clear that Benetiz prefers Anita, the rock solid veteran, but Yedlin is saying all the right things about learning and growing from his experience this season. We'll have to see how Benetiz prioritizes his summer shopping list. If Newcastle do decide to upgrade are RB, there should be a strong Championship market for Yedlin. He's proven he can play well there. If he landed on a quality side, it could be a great chance to become a first team regular and impress top flight managers.
I think Gooch is in something of a similar spot. I'm keenly interested to see who Sunderland hires and what they do with Gooch. The Championship is right for him at this time. If he can get regular run at that level, we can see what he's really got. And if that's as good as he's teased in the past, then there should be a top flight spot for him somewhere.
Huge bummer about Zelalem. A year rehabbing and then another year to reestablish himself.
I think Gooch is in something of a similar spot. I'm keenly interested to see who Sunderland hires and what they do with Gooch. The Championship is right for him at this time. If he can get regular run at that level, we can see what he's really got. And if that's as good as he's teased in the past, then there should be a top flight spot for him somewhere.
Huge bummer about Zelalem. A year rehabbing and then another year to reestablish himself.
When both were healthy, Benitez rotated Yedlin and Anita fairly heavily:
https://www.transfermarkt.com/deandre-yedlin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/255916/saison/2016/wettbewerb/GB2/verein/762
Howard has been healthy since April, though he missed most of that month due to suspension. He has eight games under his belt this season, so he won't be rusty. Dempsey has started all but one midweek game for Seattle this season.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/deandre-yedlin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/255916/saison/2016/wettbewerb/GB2/verein/762
Klinsmann has shown some shot-stopping skills but overall has looked fairly shaky for the U20s. I don't think he's a very good prospect, but at the same time there isn't anybody being brutally snubbed. This U20 cycle just doesn't have any obvious higher-end GK prospects. It's worth noting that since the Howard/Rimando U20 team in 1999, we have had a fairly long streak of our U20 GKs getting surpassed by others in their age cohort. Hopefully that changes with the 2015 duo of Horvath and Steffen, who seem to be on the right track.
Howard has been healthy since April, though he missed most of that month due to suspension. He has eight games under his belt this season, so he won't be rusty. Dempsey has started all but one midweek game for Seattle this season.
Chandler is out:
EDIT: Interesting that the tweet says "hamstring" the snipper of the article says "personal reasons"
EDIT: Interesting that the tweet says "hamstring" the snipper of the article says "personal reasons"
Last edited:
USA vs. New Zealand is underway on FS1.
Redding in for Carter-Vickers and Glad in for Herrera in straight swaps due to suspension. Ramos shifts to a 4-4-2, moves Williamson deeper, and brings Ebobisse in for the suspended DM Jones.
Ebobisse -- Sargent
de la Torre -- Williamson -- Adams -- Lennon
Acosta -- EPB -- Redding -- Glad
Klinsmann
de la Torre -- Williamson -- Adams -- Lennon
Acosta -- EPB -- Redding -- Glad
Klinsmann
Redding in for Carter-Vickers and Glad in for Herrera in straight swaps due to suspension. Ramos shifts to a 4-4-2, moves Williamson deeper, and brings Ebobisse in for the suspended DM Jones.
Goal!!!!
Justen Glad scores off a corner. Lennon served it in, it was deflected slightly, Glad got a toe on the ball which popped up, but he chested it down and knocked it through traffic.
NZ is defending deep and the game has been a little drab so far. The US has comfortably controlled the game, but with some of our best attackers not present at the tournament breaking down organized, deep-sitting defenses is tough. Maybe things will open up now that NZ needs to chase the game.
Justen Glad scores off a corner. Lennon served it in, it was deflected slightly, Glad got a toe on the ball which popped up, but he chested it down and knocked it through traffic.
NZ is defending deep and the game has been a little drab so far. The US has comfortably controlled the game, but with some of our best attackers not present at the tournament breaking down organized, deep-sitting defenses is tough. Maybe things will open up now that NZ needs to chase the game.
GOAL!!!
Ebobisse with a nice physical effort to win a looping header with his back to the goal, then spun to his right and hammered a left-footed rocket into the top corner.
GOAL again!!
US wins the ball, Lennon gets in behind the defense on a pass from Williamson, and slots it past the keeper's right into the side netting. 3-0.
Time for some quick subs, Tab. Venezuela has two more days rest than we'll have in the QF.
Ebobisse with a nice physical effort to win a looping header with his back to the goal, then spun to his right and hammered a left-footed rocket into the top corner.
GOAL again!!
US wins the ball, Lennon gets in behind the defense on a pass from Williamson, and slots it past the keeper's right into the side netting. 3-0.
Time for some quick subs, Tab. Venezuela has two more days rest than we'll have in the QF.
Auston Trusty on for Danny Acosta, his first appearance in the WC. Acosta needs a rest. I'd yank Sargent and de la Torre as well.
GOAL!! Glad off a corner. This time he gets his head on the ball; NZ's GK gets a hand to it, but it spun into the net.
This is actually Glad's first goal as it turns out the US opener deflected off Sargent, who ultimately got credit for it.
GOAL!! Glad off a corner. This time he gets his head on the ball; NZ's GK gets a hand to it, but it spun into the net.
This is actually Glad's first goal as it turns out the US opener deflected off Sargent, who ultimately got credit for it.
Saucedo on for Ebobisse and Kunga on for Lennon.
Good to get Lennon a rest, but pulling Ebobisse instead of Sargent doesn't make sense to me. Sargent has played way more minutes so far.
Good to get Lennon a rest, but pulling Ebobisse instead of Sargent doesn't make sense to me. Sargent has played way more minutes so far.
GOAL! 5-0.
Corner was rolled to the near corner of the box and Trusty blasts it into the corner with his left foot. Nice strike, but poor defending from NZ. Trusty was all alone.
Corner was rolled to the near corner of the box and Trusty blasts it into the corner with his left foot. Nice strike, but poor defending from NZ. Trusty was all alone.
GOAL!!
Lagos Kunga gets in on the action with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time. 6-0 US now and NZ's defense is just standing around at this point.
Lagos Kunga gets in on the action with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time. 6-0 US now and NZ's defense is just standing around at this point.
6-0 FT.
NZ defended pretty well for the first 60 minutes, but the last 30 were a total beatdown.
Next up is Venezuela in the quarterfinals. They haven't even conceded a goal yet in four games:
2-0 vs. Germany
7-0 vs. Vanuatu
1-0 vs. Mexico
1-0 vs. Japan
Venezuela played two days ago so will have four rest days to the US' two. Venezuela's R16 game against Japan did go to extra time, so that slightly mitigates the advantage. For the US, CCV and Jones will return from suspension well-rested. Herrera will also be available, but I think you have to keep Glad at RB. I'm a little concerned that Sargent and de la Torre will burn out fairly quickly given their heavy workloads so far.
EDIT: turns out the US-Venezuela QF will start at 2am ET on Sunday morning, two hours after the 10pm Sat US-Venezuela friendly ends.
NZ defended pretty well for the first 60 minutes, but the last 30 were a total beatdown.
Next up is Venezuela in the quarterfinals. They haven't even conceded a goal yet in four games:
2-0 vs. Germany
7-0 vs. Vanuatu
1-0 vs. Mexico
1-0 vs. Japan
Venezuela played two days ago so will have four rest days to the US' two. Venezuela's R16 game against Japan did go to extra time, so that slightly mitigates the advantage. For the US, CCV and Jones will return from suspension well-rested. Herrera will also be available, but I think you have to keep Glad at RB. I'm a little concerned that Sargent and de la Torre will burn out fairly quickly given their heavy workloads so far.
EDIT: turns out the US-Venezuela QF will start at 2am ET on Sunday morning, two hours after the 10pm Sat US-Venezuela friendly ends.
Zero shots on goal conceded, zero yellow cards. Acceptable.
Ebobisse's goal (#2, at ~0:40) is the classy play among them - a few were just total misplays by the defense or keeper. But his goal was a few awesome touches in a row, creating something out of nothing. It won't be there against better defense, but it's very nice to see.
Ebobisse's goal (#2, at ~0:40) is the classy play among them - a few were just total misplays by the defense or keeper. But his goal was a few awesome touches in a row, creating something out of nothing. It won't be there against better defense, but it's very nice to see.
My binky!
A recent write-up on Kunga and his "not your typical American soccer story."
I'm not knowledgeable in the game. I'd appreciate any opinions on how he looks at this level.
Sweet article! Can't not root for the guy after a story like that.
Kunga got 14 minutes of playtime, hard to evaluate him off of that. If he sees the game vs Venezuela - saturday night / sunday morning at 2:00am ET - maybe we'll have something to seriously discuss. They have a really impressive midfield.
Kunga got 14 minutes of playtime, hard to evaluate him off of that. If he sees the game vs Venezuela - saturday night / sunday morning at 2:00am ET - maybe we'll have something to seriously discuss. They have a really impressive midfield.
What's kind of crazy about this U-20 team is that they are having this success w/o the benefit of what are arguably a handful of the best players in the pool. If healthy or available, Pulisic, McKennie, Fossey, Perez and Zelalem would be no doubt starters or at least on the roster. Though Ramos may not have rated them, Wright, Taitague and Gaines would also arguably be in heavy consideration compared to historical baselines - can you imagine the 1989 U-20 team leaving 3 Bundesliga U-19 starters off the roster?
I haven't seen enough of him to develop a strong opinion, but Mukwelle Akale at Villarreal has his fans as well.
McKennie, Wright, Gaines, and Taitague aren't even the only U-19 Bundesliga starters not on the roster. There's also Toni Suddoth (Stuttgart), Isaiah Young (Werder Bremen), and Corey Anton (Kaiserslautern, moving to Hoffenheim). Kevin Lankford (Heidenheim) started the year as a U19 starter in a league below the U19 Bundesliga, but has since graduated to the senior team in the 2.Bundesliga. (Young is the only member of that additional quartet who is not a Germerican, FYI.)
What's encouraging is the strength in numbers and the fact that so many of the top guys are US-developed. We need a few more years of data, but it's starting to look like a real possibility that US youth development has turned a corner. Even though European clubs are snatching up ever-increasing numbers of top US prospects, there are still a decent number of interesting players coming through MLS, too. Adams, Pomykal, Ferreira, Farfan, Lennon, Carleton, Durkin, et al. I don't think there's reason to believe we will crank out a Pulisic every year, but there seems to be growth in numbers among the next best echelon of prospect. I am feeling bullish about 2022 and 2026.
It is possible that by 2020 the USMNT's biggest weakness will, weirdly, be at GK.
McKennie, Wright, Gaines, and Taitague aren't even the only U-19 Bundesliga starters not on the roster. There's also Toni Suddoth (Stuttgart), Isaiah Young (Werder Bremen), and Corey Anton (Kaiserslautern, moving to Hoffenheim). Kevin Lankford (Heidenheim) started the year as a U19 starter in a league below the U19 Bundesliga, but has since graduated to the senior team in the 2.Bundesliga. (Young is the only member of that additional quartet who is not a Germerican, FYI.)
What's encouraging is the strength in numbers and the fact that so many of the top guys are US-developed. We need a few more years of data, but it's starting to look like a real possibility that US youth development has turned a corner. Even though European clubs are snatching up ever-increasing numbers of top US prospects, there are still a decent number of interesting players coming through MLS, too. Adams, Pomykal, Ferreira, Farfan, Lennon, Carleton, Durkin, et al. I don't think there's reason to believe we will crank out a Pulisic every year, but there seems to be growth in numbers among the next best echelon of prospect. I am feeling bullish about 2022 and 2026.
It is possible that by 2020 the USMNT's biggest weakness will, weirdly, be at GK.
Agree with all of this. I've read a few articles recently that are connecting the dots between a few parallel observations/developments:
- Success of this cycle's U-20 team despite the impressive talent not participating
- The fact that this is the first time the US has reached the quarterfinals of the U20WC in consecutive cycles
- The fact that it has now been a decade since the US Development Academy system was established, so the current crop of 17-20 year olds have basically benefited from it during most/all of their critical development years
Tonight's squad:
The USSF has gone with the annoying social media trend of using a graphic to show the 11 guys instead of giving the people what they want: a lineup diagram.
I'll guess:
The USSF has gone with the annoying social media trend of using a graphic to show the 11 guys instead of giving the people what they want: a lineup diagram.
I'll guess:
Wood -- Dempsey
Nagbe -- Pulisic -- Johnson
Bradley
Villafaña -- Brooks -- Cameron -- Yedlin
Howard
Nagbe -- Pulisic -- Johnson
Bradley
Villafaña -- Brooks -- Cameron -- Yedlin
Howard
This should be a fun lineup, anyway.
Subs:
Rimando
Zusi
Gonzalez
Ream
Hedges
McCarty
Bedoya
Acosta
Morris
Not dressed: Guzan, Horvath, Beasley, Besler, Arriola, Altidore.
KC requested that USSF let Besler play in today's game. USSF says Altidore has been attending to a family matter.
Subs:
Rimando
Zusi
Gonzalez
Ream
Hedges
McCarty
Bedoya
Acosta
Morris
Not dressed: Guzan, Horvath, Beasley, Besler, Arriola, Altidore.
KC requested that USSF let Besler play in today's game. USSF says Altidore has been attending to a family matter.