USMNT: Hold My Beer

DJnVa

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Berhalter is a genius with subs!!
He fucked up that first half, but credit to saying it wasn't working and changing it up. Twellman was on SiriusXM FC this morning and said had that game ended 1-0 Honduras he would have been saying Berhalter needed to go.



The next round of games has 2 at home---and the late goals helping the goal differential put us in 3rd. We gotta make it hard, but a young team stepped up. And Weston had to watch. I'm hoping that might help him get his ego or maturity in check.
 

Titans Bastard

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What a swing, too bad it happened well past my bedtime. Maybe I'll try and watch the second half tonight because those are fireworks worth of the 4th.

Also saw this and thought it was interesting. Not so much because of the specific player, but rather whether there's enough of these type of situations that could change the game for the USMNT:

View: https://twitter.com/jtyardley/status/1435807107023085569?s=20
Interesting, I didn't know this.

There's also a guy on El Salvador's national team, Lizandro Claros, who lived in Maryland for a while but was deported in 2017.
 

McBride11

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He fucked up that first half, but credit to saying it wasn't working and changing it up. Twellman was on SiriusXM FC this morning and said had that game ended 1-0 Honduras he would have been saying Berhalter needed to go.



The next round of games has 2 at home---and the late goals helping the goal differential put us in 3rd. We gotta make it hard, but a young team stepped up. And Weston had to watch. I'm hoping that might help him get his ego or maturity in check.
It was a little tongue in cheek given his lack of subs last match. But yes he did recognize here the team was crap in the first and needed to do something. He pulled the right strings last nite. Maybe it is a lesson learned but we shall see.

But he also needs to get something better going to start the games because if they come out that poor against good teams they may be in too deep a hole for any subs to save the day.
 

Arroyo Con Frijoles

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What a swing, too bad it happened well past my bedtime. Maybe I'll try and watch the second half tonight because those are fireworks worth of the 4th.

Also saw this and thought it was interesting. Not so much because of the specific player, but rather whether there's enough of these type of situations that could change the game for the USMNT:

View: https://twitter.com/jtyardley/status/1435807107023085569?s=20
This is basically the story of Andy Najar, right? I thought he was relatively committed to the US, but with the prospect of waiting years to become a citizen, he couldn't wait.
 

teddykgb

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Turner made a really big save at 1-0 which of course gets less focused on after all the goals but to me was the turning point. Although they scored 4 I’m not sure they come back from 2-0
 

coremiller

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Interesting, I didn't know this.

There's also a guy on El Salvador's national team, Lizandro Claros, who lived in Maryland for a while but was deported in 2017.
If he was previously deported, can he re-enter the country for El Salvador's game here?
 

Kliq

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I only saw the second half, but a big criticism I was seeing everywhere in the first half was that they were being beaten and out hustled for every loose ball and looked totally disengaged. When I watched the second half, it was completely the opposite. The US was everywhere, playing very physical and tackling hard, imposing their will on an overmatched opponent. Robinson, Lletget, Pepi, Adams and Aaronson in particular really took the intensity up a level and they ended up rolling Honduras. That is the kind of fight you need to show in a CONCACAF qualifier, and hopefully will be a turning point for this team.
 

coremiller

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I only saw the second half, but a big criticism I was seeing everywhere in the first half was that they were being beaten and out hustled for every loose ball and looked totally disengaged. When I watched the second half, it was completely the opposite. The US was everywhere, playing very physical and tackling hard, imposing their will on an overmatched opponent. Robinson, Lletget, Pepi, Adams and Aaronson in particular really took the intensity up a level and they ended up rolling Honduras. That is the kind of fight you need to show in a CONCACAF qualifier, and hopefully will be a turning point for this team.
To me, this is a classic example of people interpreting a tactical problem as a psychological failing. The big problem in the first half was that the tactics were bad and the players were unfamiliar with the tactics. The U.S. spacing was all wrong, they didn't have players in position to support one another. Honduras was winning the second balls because they had more players in the right positions to contest for them. And U.S. players were tentative not because they lacked fight or didn't care but but because they were unfamiliar with the shape and didn't know where they were supposed to be.
 

rguilmar

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To me, this is a classic example of people interpreting a tactical problem as a psychological failing. The big problem in the first half was that the tactics were bad and the players were unfamiliar with the tactics. The U.S. spacing was all wrong, they didn't have players in position to support one another. Honduras was winning the second balls because they had more players in the right positions to contest for them. And U.S. players were tentative not because they lacked fight or didn't care but but because they were unfamiliar with the shape and didn't know where they were supposed to be.
100%. I would also add that the gaping hole between the forwards and CM made it appear as if players were slow to get back and defend the middle of the park, and left nobody in a good spot to win second balls. For all of the legit criticisms of Gregg, the USMNT has generally brought good energy and hustle under his watch.

One player I might call out is Brooks. He’s been so good for so long that I probably just take him for granted. He’s in the prime of his career and should be a veteran leader if by example only. But I thought he was pretty poor in both games, and both goals the US conceded seemed to come because he was not where he should be.
 

DJnVa

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Heard some of Berhalter's comments on the radio--he talked about the formation shift and wanting to press higher, etc. but he apparently also told the team the effort wasn't there in the first half.


Also, anyone have the xG from that game?
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Heard some of Berhalter's comments on the radio--he talked about the formation shift and wanting to press higher, etc. but he apparently also told the team the effort wasn't there in the first half.


Also, anyone have the xG from that game?
I always like to guess xG because I always am way off and it shows me that I was watching emotionally (or that it's a crap stat).

My guess for the game is 2.8 to 1.8.
 
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Cellar-Door

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I always like to guess xG because I always am way off and it shows me that I was watching emotionally (or the it's a crap stat).

My guess for the game is 2.8 to 1.8.
View: https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1435970405316001798/photo/1


1.91 to 1.44

Honduras dominated the first 60 minutes, but couldn't get their shots on net. Then the US padded with some direct play late when Honduras got tired and had to push to try to equalize.


Edit- and underrated thing about last night.... if we only had the usual 3 subs do we win? Some of it was better play by us, but also we have a lot of depth compared to Honduras, and were bringing on good players who were fresh, where they tired but didn't have similar level players to bring on. If we can't bring on Yedlin for example.... could have been rough.
 

Investor 11

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If he was previously deported, can he re-enter the country for El Salvador's game here?
He most likely received a 5 or 10 year bar from re-entry if it was his first deportation. But there are waivers for everything and they are commonly applied.

He’ll have a waiver and be allowed entry, especially considering that he may well be entering on a P-1 Visa which is reserved for athletes. That Visa would serve the dual purpose of specifically tying the waiver to his participation in a sporting event while still barring him from visiting the US as a tourist.
 

rguilmar

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Roster drops today at 11 am

My best guess hoping that Gregg learned a lesson about roster size:
GK (4)- Steffen, Turner, Horvath, Johnson
Panama being on the red list for English based players means we need a backup to Turner for that one.
CB (6)- Brooks, Robinson, McKenzie, Richards, Ream, Miazga/Sands
RB/LB (5)- Dest, Robinson, Yedlin, Bello, Scally
Oh maybe Araujo is there too
CM (7)- Adams, McKennie, Lletget, Musah, Acosta, De la Torre, Roldan
Still would like Green in the mix
Wingers (5) - Pulisic, Konrad, Aaronson, Weah, Arriola
Strikers (4)- Pepi, Zardes, Pefok, Hoppe

Obviously injuries play a role and Pulisic might be out. McKennie might still be benched. The big missing name (besides Reyna) is Sargent who I still like but there is no way Gregg leaves Zardes off especially after his good game. Hoppe has earned a shot, Pefok is hot, and Pepi should get the next start. Rumor is Julian Araujo will make his decision too.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Pretty much makes sense. Moore and Bello over giving a debut for Joe Scally is slightly perplexing to me, but is pretty easily explained in a few potential ways (could just be valuing USMNT experience over level of play given the importance of the window, could be making nice with Gladbach given their fullback injury crisis)
 

rguilmar

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Most of the roster makes sense. A few things confuse me:
1. Shaq Moore's inclusion as it looks like he's been stapled to the bench in La Segunda. Scally would have been my preference. I get JH's point above, but it's WC qualifiers. A national team shouldn't feel the need to do a team a solid if they want a player called in. It is more of a fringe complaint though as we are talking about the fifth LB/RB option.
2. The winger pool depth (again). I get that Roldan and Musah can play there, but given the options why play someone in a position that isn't their best spot on the field when you can call others in? It seems like Konrad might have an injury. I know Gregg wants Hoppe to be a winger, but that is not what he is doing at Mallorca (and if he is selected as a winger, why not add another striker like Pefok?). Julian Green to me was someone who could've been called in, and Furth have been playing him out wide. It's not like our wingers have been the pictures of health recently. My main concern is just the depth options here.
 

Titans Bastard

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Is Konrad injured? I haven't seen that, but it would explain his absence if true. The lack of winger depth seems risky to me as well. I barely even see Musah as an emergency option; when he's played wide for Valencia it's been in a 4-4-2, not as a winger in a 4-3-3, which is a role that is even further removed from his natural spot. It'll be Hoppe and Roldan over him, I think.

Honestly, if Konrad is among the ranks of the injured, I'd scrounge up Djordje Mihailovic who has been in very good form for Montreal this season.

I also would have liked to see Jesus Ferreira in here. I think he brings something different and could have been useful.


It's quite something that Sargent was dropped behind three other forwards (who who knows, maybe Pefok would have been called up before him too), and it's not much of a talking point.
 

Mr. Wednesday

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2. The winger pool depth (again). I get that Roldan and Musah can play there, but given the options why play someone in a position that isn't their best spot on the field when you can call others in? It seems like Konrad might have an injury. I know Gregg wants Hoppe to be a winger, but that is not what he is doing at Mallorca (and if he is selected as a winger, why not add another striker like Pefok?). Julian Green to me was someone who could've been called in, and Furth have been playing him out wide. It's not like our wingers have been the pictures of health recently. My main concern is just the depth options here.
I don't think "can" is an accurate assessment of Roldan as a winger. He's looked good there in a U.S. shirt recently (especially in the Gold Cup), and I recall reports from Seattle that he's been playing well in that position for the Sounders.
 

rguilmar

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I don't think "can" is an accurate assessment of Roldan as a winger. He's looked good there in a U.S. shirt recently (especially in the Gold Cup), and I recall reports from Seattle that he's been playing well in that position for the Sounders.
27 Caps, 0 goals, 2 assists. I’ll keep those italics for now. I also don’t think he played particularly well in the Gold Cup, but reasonable minds can disagree on that given it was mostly short substitute appearances. I understand that he’s in form for Seattle now, but the same can be said for several players in the pool who did not get the call. At what point do we say he’s a really good MLS player but isn’t quite there for the USMNT?

Now watch him get a brace in Panama…

Anyways the initial point was that there weren’t limits on roster size, so why not bring in more options especially given the work rate required at winger and the injury history there?
 

rguilmar

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Is Konrad injured? I haven't seen that, but it would explain his absence if true.
Honestly, a buddy of mine said it was mentioned at Gregg’s presser which I did not see. I haven’t heard it mentioned elsewhere so it appears to be untrue.

Not even calling Konrad in for depth is a huge snub to me if so.
 

DJnVa

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Honestly, a buddy of mine said it was mentioned at Gregg’s presser which I did not see. I haven’t heard it mentioned elsewhere so it appears to be untrue.

Not even calling Konrad in for depth is a huge snub to me if so.

 

DJnVa

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It's quite something that Sargent was dropped behind three other forwards (who who knows, maybe Pefok would have been called up before him too), and it's not much of a talking point.
There's some talk that one of the reasons Sargent isn't going is that Panama is a red-listed country in the UK. Now, I don't think that's the main reason, but it's something.
 

rguilmar

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Konrad has never scored for a senior club team or the senior national team. So based on this judgement, he should also not sniff the national team. I do enjoy your hate for Roldan and the MLS, though.

Were you a big Jurgen fan by chance?
That’s disingenuous. I think it’s fair to question an attacking player who doesn’t produce goals or assists over a long stretch. Hell, I’m the one who called for four strikers and none named Josh Sargent for that very same reason.

As for being anti-MLS, I’d bet I watch as much MLS as most here (not all). Off the top of my head, and I can’t remember if these were all here or elsewhere, I:
Asked for Eryk Williamson and Busio to be called up over the summer
Wanted to see Kevin Paredes over the summer and now I really want to see him
Wanted Julian Araujo all summer over Moore and Cannon, and wanted to see him on this roster (no fault of Gregg’s)
Was excited to see Bello
Called for Cade Cowell and Caden Clark this summer
Put Turner above Steffen
Called for Miles Robinson
Admittedly was late to the Zimmerman train but still want to see more of him as he played better than I expected
Called for James Sands

For the players I’ve criticized:
I obviously don’t rate Roldan
I wanted to see more competition for Sam Vines over the summer as I don’t rate him highly as the backup LB. I did see him pre-injury as the best backup, just wanted others to get the shot to pass him on the depth chart
I don’t like Lletget as an 8. I do like him in a more advanced position though (more of a CAM/10). In fact, I’d love to see what the US could do with anyone in the role
Acosta I go back and forth on. He’s been inconsistent as has my feelings for him. He’s the obvious Adams replacement now though.
Lewis and Yueill aren’t of USMNT caliber
I’ve been anti-Ream for a bit but he’s not in MLS anyways.
Didn’t like Juergen and was actually kind of excited about Gregg. That wore off as I’ve been unimpressed. For me both Juergen and Gregg are stubborn, slow to change, and tactically weak.
 

Titans Bastard

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Most of Roldan's minutes for the USMNT have come in the center of the midfield, btw. It's only lately that he's been a late-game sub on the wing.
 

Titans Bastard

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Zimmerman has has been added to the roster to replace Tim Ream, who has withdrawn for family reasons.
 

Titans Bastard

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Bild is reporting that Brooks won't join the US this window due to back problems.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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How am I supposed to feel about the current iteration of John Brooks? In my head he is our steadiest defender and best hope for decent distribution out of the back. But he will be 29 soon and while he has never been a burner, seems at particular risk to suddenly fall off a cliff physically.

I feel like he is absolutely essential in certain matchups but a potential liability in others. That said, the alternatives are all wee babes with almost no competitive international experience until this past summer. I dunno, I have gotten weird feelings watching Brooks recently. Absolutely essential that he is at 100% and in good form when the time comes. Just have these visions of him struggling to cover in space on opposing counter attacks when the outside backs (Dest especially) bomb forward.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The ways to feel about John Brooks right now (and this windows CBs, by extension) are in my opinion.
  1. Be appalled that he’s 29, because you still see the young guy from the 2014 World Cup goal.
  2. Be glad that Miles Robinson’s emerging as an excellent firefighting complement who can make plays when Brooks does get left out to dry.
  3. Be concerned that he’s not put together good performances in qualifying.
  4. Be hopeful that Chris Richards can use the opportunity to put together some potential heir apparent performances this window.
 

67YAZ

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Brooks long switches from the backline have been some of - maybe the - most potent attacking moves the squad has had under Berhalter. And when Brooks is out, we haven’t seen Berhalter make many good adjustments. We really need Brook’s back to hold up.
 

Titans Bastard

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Like with Ochoa, the USSF kept Araujo heavily involved in the program. Both of them played up a cycle with the U20s and U23s. Ochoa was on the bench for Nations League, while Araujo turned down an invitation to the Gold Cup.

I would have liked to keep them in the pool, but if ultimately they are intimidated by their competition with the USMNT, so be it.
 

rguilmar

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The ways to feel about John Brooks right now (and this windows CBs, by extension) are in my opinion.
  1. Be appalled that he’s 29, because you still see the young guy from the 2014 World Cup goal.
  2. Be glad that Miles Robinson’s emerging as an excellent firefighting complement who can make plays when Brooks does get left out to dry.
  3. Be concerned that he’s not put together good performances in qualifying.
  4. Be hopeful that Chris Richards can use the opportunity to put together some potential heir apparent performances this window.
I think we as soccer fans tend to focus on form over class pretty often, and overrate a few recent performances. I'm probably the most guilty of it. Right now though, I am inclined to say he's just in a poor run of form. He was fantastic last year at Wolfsburg. I caught two of his more recent games (against Hoffenheim and Gladbach- some good Yank on Yank action in those games) and he wasn't terrible. Not great, but not awful either.

I will say even if/when he gets back on track, one concern for me will be having Brooks exposed against a quick player. Gregg's system calls for width in the attack to come from the LB and RB, which leaves a lot of space to run into behind them. Both Dest and Antonee Robinson are more like wing backs, so this plays to what they do best. But it can really leave Brooks exposed.

Free CCV!
What does Miazga have to do to get some love?

This actually speaks to the depth the US has at CB. Brooks, Richards, Robinson, Zimmerman, Miazga, CCV, McKenzie (and Ream I guess). I know I'm not alone in being concerned about CB depth even before the Aaron Long injury. Man, things can change fast.

I would have liked to keep them in the pool, but if ultimately they are intimidated by their competition with the USMNT, so be it.
I know this is a popular refrain about the Ochoa and Araujo decisions given the relative position depth/age of the USMNT and El Tri, but I imagine these are very complex and personal choices. I'm not saying you think otherwise, just that family reasons, personal history and growth, and questions of identity and belonging can play a role. Hell, I could see one run in with a vocal neo-nativist being enough to make a kid want to flip from the US to Mexico. Araujo has been involved in working with the UFWU and been an advocate for farmers' rights, and who knows how those experiences have helped mold him. Both players were on the U-23 roster that failed to qualify for the Olympics. There were rumblings then that they were unhappy.

I do hope that they switched because they just felt more Mexican. Otherwise they could have waited to make a decision. I think either could have had a role for the US and these losses will hurt more than we might think in the long term.
 

Titans Bastard

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Araujo did a Q&A with the Athletic that was published shortly after official confirmation of his one-time switch to Mexico.

https://theathletic.com/2869439/2021/10/05/qa-julian-araujo-on-why-he-chose-to-represent-mexico-instead-of-the-usmnt/?source=user_shared_article

He definitely doesn't give the impression that this was a winnable recruitment battle for the USMNT, and has nice things to say about Berhalter.

How’s your relationship with Gregg Berhalter and what was your last conversation with him like?

My relationship with Gregg and the whole coaching staff, (assistant coach) Nicolas Estevez and everybody with the U.S. national team was very good. Nothing but very good people. I have nothing bad to say. They treated me right. I’ve had very good conversations with them. The last conversation that I had with Gregg was me telling him that my heart felt best with Mexico. He was good about it, I’d say. He told me that he wishes me the best and he hopes I accomplish many, many things in my career. He knows that I will and that I’ll be a very big player. And he said (begins laughing)… that he hopes I get an assist in every game and score goals and to play my best, except, when I play versus the U.S., he hopes I make as many mistakes as possible! Man, I have nothing bad to say about him. We’ve had a good relationship. I never want to burn bridges with anybody. (Berhalter’s) a very good person.
 

Titans Bastard

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Berhalter confirmed that McKennie will start tomorrow. He's being cagey about who will start at GK, which I think favors Turner. I think he might be trying to let Steffen down easy.

Steffen and A. Robinson may or may not be able to go to Panama, depending on what the UK decides about quarantine rules and "red-status" countries.

Berhalter also said that one player is unvaccinated and one player is partially vaccinated and these players may not be able to go to Panama either due to local quarantine requirements, pending discussions with the government. No word on who these players are.
 

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Great article on Ricardo Pepi

I didn't realize he grew up in San Eli, which is one of the poorest communities in El Paso County. The high school team has won several state championships in the last six years (El Paso always struggles to win statewide in any sport) so maybe it's a pool of untapped talent. Sounds like a great kid. Glad to have him on the USMNT and really rooting for him going forward.
 

DJnVa

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Berhalter confirmed that McKennie will start tomorrow. He's being cagey about who will start at GK, which I think favors Turner. I think he might be trying to let Steffen down easy.

Steffen and A. Robinson may or may not be able to go to Panama, depending on what the UK decides about quarantine rules and "red-status" countries.

Berhalter also said that one player is unvaccinated and one player is partially vaccinated and these players may not be able to go to Panama either due to local quarantine requirements, pending discussions with the government. No word on who these players are.
The UK has relaxed the rules for fully vaccinated players.

UK relaxes quarantine protocol for fully vaccinated players - Sports Illustrated
 

rguilmar

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Really curious how Gregg approaches these first two games. Given Jamaica’s roster and how depleted it is, they’ll likely bunker in as much as possible. With the next game in Panama, does he save what I think are his safer, more predictable (in terms of performance) vets for the second game? Like Pepi at the 9 versus Jam and Zardes there in Panama? Weah tonight then Arriola in Panama? McKennie and Musah then Lletget and Acosta? it’ll probably be a mix but I could see Gregg doing something like that. Predicting what he’ll do is a fools errand.

Also really excited to see the real Chris Richards. With only 4 CBs he should get some solid run. I liked what I saw from Zimmerman in the GC pre-injury but his lack of playing time in the last window tells me Gregg doesn’t rate him. Richards will hopefully get a start or two.
 

67YAZ

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Also really excited to see the real Chris Richards. With only 4 CBs he should get some solid run. I liked what I saw from Zimmerman in the GC pre-injury but his lack of playing time in the last window tells me Gregg doesn’t rate him. Richards will hopefully get a start or two.
for the most part, I think Berhalter’s reluctance with Big Walk is that he’s not much of a distributor. But given Jamaica’s likely bus parking tonight, I think there’s a good case for Zim to start given his prowess on set pieces - both defending and attacking. The match may well come down to that.