When have you ever seen the USMNT take it to Mexico like that?
I was thinking the same thing. It was beautiful
When have you ever seen the USMNT take it to Mexico like that?
I don't know that CP can play 70, but he's not the replacement. It'll be Acosta or Busio for McKennie.With McKennie out, can CP play 70?
I think we might get 35 - 45 from him, but I think we’re hearing Busio’s music and given his recent play in Italy I am kinda into it.With McKennie out, can CP play 70?
What jumped out about the team tonight to me, more than anything else, was the ease and comfort with which they were able to turn and progress the ball forward either by passing or by dribbling (esp Musah and Weah with the latter).One thing that is so different about this squad is when something is working, they actually have the talent and purpose to keep pushing it. Kept finding Weah, for example.
It’s nice having a midfield.
I’d give Busio the start. You can always move to Acosta later in the game, but good opportunity to see how he reacts to that role and gain some experience.I don't know that CP can play 70, but he's not the replacement. It'll be Acosta or Busio for McKennie.
110%. I like Acosta well enough for his role as a backup 6, but I never want to see him start at the 8. I'm not entirely sure what Berhalter will do, although I'm optimistic, as he was talking up Busio a bit before this window.I’d give Busio the start. You can always move to Acosta later in the game, but good opportunity to see how he reacts to that role and gain some experience.
Weah was a monster on that sideline all match.One thing that is so different about this squad is when something is working, they actually have the talent and purpose to keep pushing it. Kept finding Weah, for example.
It’s nice having a midfield. How often in the past have we been the team with nervy touches losing possession to pressure? Now we have layers of skill, speed, and awareness that we’ve just never had before.
I don't know that CP can play 70, but he's not the replacement. It'll be Acosta or Busio for McKennie.
Not as a direct replacement, but maybe move Musah inside more?I think we might get 35 - 45 from him, but I think we’re hearing Busio’s music and given his recent play in Italy I am kinda into it.
This brings me the warm fuzzies.Musah turns 19 at the end of the month.
Yep.Goofy roster bullshit or not, Berhalter just got a deeply generous line of credit with me.
Not only in terms of quality but physically too. That was a roller derby out there and we battered them.When have you ever seen the USMNT take it to Mexico like that?
The passing in the middle of the park to get through them was beautiful.One thing that is so different about this squad is when something is working, they actually have the talent and purpose to keep pushing it. Kept finding Weah, for example.
It’s nice having a midfield. How often in the past have we been the team with nervy touches losing possession to pressure? Now we have layers of skill, speed, and awareness that we’ve just never had before.
Don’t worry about it.eeek. I am so sorry. I retract all statements. My condolences to you and your family
2nd > 1stDon’t worry about it.
So happy I taped the second half. Cannot wait to watch after indoor. Dos a cero!!!!
*Wakes up in cold sweat thinking about Michael Bradley delivering a 60 yard back pass rather than move the ball toward goal simply because his body was facing that general direction*What jumped out about the team tonight to me, more than anything else, was the ease and comfort with which they were able to turn and progress the ball forward either by passing or by dribbling (esp Musah and Weah with the latter).
Yes, I like imagining that very much.This team is going to be so fun to watch in the 2026 WC.
Imagine if Dest was making overlapping runs down the sideline too tonight. And if Reyna played. And if CP played a full match.
Interesting, an impressive showing but I didn’t really see it that way. (edit) Mexico were the more physical team in the first half, with harder challenges to my eye. By the second half the physicality was more balanced but I didn’t see battering…yellow card count notwithstandingNot only in terms of quality but physically too. That was a roller derby out there and we battered them.
If Weah keeps playing like this, you really have some tough choices to make in attack.This team is going to be so fun to watch in the 2026 WC.
Imagine if Dest was making overlapping runs down the sideline too tonight. And if Reyna played. And if CP played a full match.
It's a good problem.If Weah keeps playing like this, you really have some tough choices to make in attack.
Good problem to have for sure but who do you sit?
Pulisic
Reyna
Weah
Breakup MMA and move one of those three into MF?
Pepi doesn't really get replaced by any of those 3.
Of the 7 players referenced above, Reyna clearly has the most to prove imo, at least at the international level. I don’t think he’s ever had a game for USMNT as impressive as Weah’s last night.If Weah keeps playing like this, you really have some tough choices to make in attack.
Good problem to have for sure but who do you sit?
Pulisic
Reyna
Weah
Breakup MMA and move one of those three into MF?
Pepi doesn't really get replaced by any of those 3.
The struggle to play worthwhile games between 2022 and 2026, and to a lesser extent, beyond 2026.what will we worry about?
The struggle to play worthwhile games between 2022 and 2026, and to a lesser extent, beyond 2026.
Maybe. But Reyna is easily ahead of Weah in his development at club level, with greater productivity against better competition, despite being two years younger.Of the 7 players referenced above, Reyna clearly has the most to prove imo, at least at the international level. I don’t think he’s ever had a game for USMNT as impressive as Weah’s last night.
Somehow, the existence of Sebastian Lletget slipped my mind.I don't know that CP can play 70, but he's not the replacement. It'll be Acosta or Busio for McKennie.
That’s fair, but we need to see it outside the context of feeding one of the best strikers in the world.Maybe. But Reyna is easily ahead of Weah in his development at club level, with greater productivity against better competition, despite being two years younger.
Ultimately, while Berhalter needs to find the right mix for his team, he also needs to recognize that club football tells you far more about a player and his talent level than a handful of national team performances.
Also fair.That’s fair, but we need to see it outside the context of feeding one of the best strikers in the world.
I’m a tough critic now that we have actual talent.
Easy to forget Gio just turned 19…today. Crazy we aren’t so far removed from the days of watching grainy videos of like Gedion Zelalem tooling on under qualified teenagers and hoping he was the great hope of American soccer.Also fair.
IMO, Reyna is really a monster prospect when you consider age, competition, and the skills he has showed. It remains to be seen how he develops but what he is doing is very unusual and compares favorably to Pulisic’s trajectory. In contrast, Weah is a guy with a famous father who has promise and time but hasn’t really done much as a professional.
I hoped Zelalem might be a midfield lynchpin for both Arsenal and the US. Didn’t quite turn out that way!Easy to forget Gio just turned 19…today. Crazy we aren’t so far removed from the days of watching grainy videos of like Gedion Zelalem tooling on under qualified teenagers and hoping he was the great hope of American soccer.
That’s putting it lightly.Weah is a guy with a famous father…
Recovering from your first big injury and extended rehab is a major development milestone. It really is. Rehab takes a different mindset and it can be derailing for young prospects who haven’t had to grind through it before. Look at Mal Pugh, who spent 5 very frustrating months this season trying to get her mojo back after her first major injury. I don’t doubt Gio will get through this and be better for it, but it’s all part of the development process.Easy to forget Gio just turned 19…today. Crazy we aren’t so far removed from the days of watching grainy videos of like Gedion Zelalem tooling on under qualified teenagers and hoping he was the great hope of American soccer.