Curb Your Enthusiasm: US Youth National Teams, Prospect Hype, and Youth Development Thread [The DA is DEAD updates]

67YAZ

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Watched the replay last night. Not a fun one for Fire fans as Mihailovic looked better than he has in a couple seasons and Pineda probably lost his spot to Kessler.

But some things are more important than club, like kicking El Tri’s ass every chance we get.
 

Titans Bastard

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The US U23s are in action again tonight at 9:30pm. This time it's against Mexico....and somehow, it's going to be the least important game of the entire tournament.

Both Mexico and US are through to the next round, so there just isn't that much at stake. I don't think there's much of a difference in quality between potential SF round opponents from the other group. It will be interesting to see what Kreis does here; it's not possible to fully rotate the squad because there are only 17 field players. What would make sense IMO would be to rest the guys on yellow cards and maybe a few of the guys who have played 180 minutes already.
 

67YAZ

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Disappointing. The lack of midfield creativity really hamstrings this squad. But what really matters is for Kriess to work up a great plan for the next match.

A draw tomorrow sees both Honduras and Canada through, the former topping the group on GD.
 

Titans Bastard

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In the grand scheme of things, this was not a particularly impressive result for Mexico. I'd love to see this nearly-full-strength Mexican team go up against our best U23s.
 

Titans Bastard

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Meanwhile in Philly, the Union are hyping up Brenden's little brother Paxten Aaronson, who apparently had a nice preseason game and scored this goal.

It might not happen in 2021 because they have a lot of guys who are still ~17 years old on the roster, but the Union's chances of surpassing FC Dallas as THE academy in MLS have been steadily increasing.

I hope more clubs join the mix at this level, though.

View: https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/1375062411137454088
 

Titans Bastard

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Our semifinal opponent is Honduras and we're up at 5:30pm on Sunday.
 

Titans Bastard

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Our semifinal opponent is Honduras and we're up at 5:30pm on Sunday.
It looks like kickoff will be a 6pm. Perhaps there will be a pregame show. It's on FS1.

But anyway, this is the biggest game of the tournament for the US, with qualification for the Olympics hanging on the result.
 

tmracht

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It looks like kickoff will be a 6pm. Perhaps there will be a pregame show. It's on FS1.

But anyway, this is the biggest game of the tournament for the US, with qualification for the Olympics hanging on the result.
As fun as the group of US/NI, F1 and NCAA all running today, this has me the most excited. Hopefully they come out with an olympic spot.
 

67YAZ

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Admittedly I’ve only been watching them in this tournament, but Honduras are playing organized & disciplined tactically, but definitely willing to get CONCACAF-y when it suits them. Plus, this is their fourth straight time in this match, having lost to the US, Mexico, & Mexico the last 3 cycles. These boys are going to be fired up to break the cycle today.
 

Titans Bastard

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Here we go. The lineup is out and appears to be set up like this:

Ferreira
Mihailovic ------------------ Lewis
Perea -- Dotson
Yueill
Vines -- Kessler -- Glad -- Herrera
Ochoa​

Not 100% sure I didn't flip Perea/Yueill or the CBs or the wingers. But anyway, the big news is that Dotson is starting after news that he was carrying a small injury. His inclusion in the roster caused the most consternation/complaining, yet he's arguably been the best CM this tournament.
 

Titans Bastard

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This hasn't been very encouraging. It has been way too easy for Honduras to find space in the final third and get off shots. The US midfield hasn't been very offensively dynamic, but that's no surprise with the personnel on Kreis' roster.

Honduras has definitely been the better team so far.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The Ferreira false 9 thing does not work at all with this roster. It relies on creative midfielders for him to link with and dangerous wingers running past him, neither of which this roster has.
 

tmracht

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Yeah they haven't shown much invention. Ochoa had made a few saves in the first half. Yueill is chewing out his teammates understandably.

Kessler lucky to escape a card with a professional foul then gets one moments later for another professional foul after he's turned too easily. Then the forward stands over him and starts yapping.

Then they fall apart with 1 minute left and Honduras gets the goal they deserve. Need to try and completely change the game after half.

Horrible.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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It fully sunk in to me this half that the entire front three could be described as “underperforming MLS enigma”.
 

Titans Bastard

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I feel fortunate that the US is only down one. I guess you never know.
 

67YAZ

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At least Soto will play high & maybe find a gap or two. C’mon boys.
 

Titans Bastard

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Soto for Perea means Kreis is giving a 4-4-2 a whirl. Fingers crossed that Ferreira will be able to contribute more as as with drawn striker.
 

tmracht

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Big clear off the line and got his hands out of the way. Nice play by that Honduran defender.
 

67YAZ

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Ref needs to keep the yellow card handy and not let this devolve into a rock fight.
 

Titans Bastard

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We're knocking on the door so much I'm worried the team already missed its shot...
 

Jimy Hendrix

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I know the answers are “last minute roster change, Kreis is a dummy”, but my lord, how has Tessman played the least on this roster?