USMNT: Hold My Beer

rguilmar

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I guess I should clarify that it looks like Tillman is actually filing a one time switch from Germany to the US. Initially I thought he was just keeping his options open. Germany aren’t too happy about this. Tillman is a pretty versatile attacking player who can play the 9. He’s a current Bayern player and played a couple of time for them, but he spent most of the season for the Bayern II team down in the fourth tier in Germany.

To be clear, I doubt he’s on the radar for 2022. He‘s another exciting young player though.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I am in a weird headspace with this team where I feel sort of tepid about this cycle in which no result (good or bad) would surprise me, but simultaneously feel wildly optimistic about the overall direction and future.
 

Titans Bastard

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A few tweets from Sam Stejskal quoting Berhalter today about players not on the roster:

Berhalter says Busio, Pepi, Sands left off to give them time to recover post-Euro season. Mentions Williamson, Tolkin, Vines, Paredes, McKenzie, Brooks, Johnson as guys who were in consideration but not called up.

Happy with Slonina decision, not called because of his form.
Berhalter also says that Brandon Vazquez was close to making this roster. "If he continues to score goals at the rate and his team continues to win, I'm sure that there will be an opportunity for him in the future."
Vazquez is a flavor of the month who has been hot with FC Cincinnati. We'll see if it's a permanent breakout.

Tolkin is another name that hasn't been associated with NT conversations yet. Another LB candidate for the endless "who the hell is going to be Antonee's backup" sweepstakes.
 

Titans Bastard

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Also, Tillman was listed as a midfielder and it doesn't sound like Berhalter is planning to test him out at the 9. According to Transfermarkt, Tillman does have experience as a center forward but he hasn't played there much since his 2019-20 season in the U19 Bundesliga.

Our depth at the 8 is not where it needs to be, so if he's good he could help there.

View: https://twitter.com/pkedit/status/1527831383594307584
 

Titans Bastard

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Djordje Mihailovic is out of camp with an ankle injury. Very unfortunate for a guy who is an MVP contender in MLS this year. He's unlikely to jump our top four attacking midfielders, but our top four attacking midfielders are literally never healthy together, so it's a lost opportunity for him to move up the pecking order and be waiting in the wings.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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It didn't work the last time we tried it, but players improve and I will admit that I am intrigued with Aaronson at the 8 tonight.

I'd be more intrigued by a 4-2-3-1 with him at the 10 (which would probably turn into Gio there with everyone healthy), but the Gregg like the heart wants what it wants I suppose.
 

rguilmar

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It didn't work the last time we tried it, but players improve and I will admit that I am intrigued with Aaronson at the 8 tonight.

I'd be more intrigued by a 4-2-3-1 with him at the 10 (which would probably turn into Gio there with everyone healthy), but the Gregg like the heart wants what it wants I suppose.
I’m with you on this. I’d like Gregg to explore other ways to create chances, and getting these 10 type guys on the field can help unlock a defense. I was hopeful of that anyways when the roster came out with only two healthy true 8s, Musah and LDLT, and McKennie still recovering. Djordje, Tillman, and Roldan aren’t really 8s in Gregg’s system.

Anyways, the official lineup is here

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/06/international-friendly-usmnt-vs-morocco-starting-xi-lineup-notes-tv-channels-start-time
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The bit where nobody is playing RB/RWB in transition is an issue with this experiment, but results going forwards have been delightful so far.
 

rguilmar

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The bit where nobody is playing RB/RWB in transition is an issue with this experiment, but results going forwards have been delightful so far.
They need to figure it out, especially in transition. On the other hand the front three for the US looks dangerous in space.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Overplaying in the box that much while wearing red gave me late Wenger Arsenal vibes, insane that Morocco didn’t get a shot off to close out the half.
 

rguilmar

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CCV, Haji, and Joe F*cking Scally coming on in the second half. I’m excited, probably least so by Wright but any 9 should be given a look. Ferreira worked hard but not too much more for me. I would guess Scally is in for Jedi to get a look at him as a potential backup LB.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen a better goal than the first goal scored tonight for USMNT.

I don't mean counting the situation or importance of the game. Just in terms of the quality of a goal, that may be the best.
 

rguilmar

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Maybe I just remember him being better before getting hurt, maybe he isn’t fully recovered, but I’m not seeing it with Long. Can’t really distribute that well, gets turned easily, seems lost defending, especially in transition.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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So it looks like the entire Moroccan team is going to go in the book for dissenting about the most obvious foul in the history of fouls.
 

dirtynine

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I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen a better goal than the first goal scored tonight for USMNT.

I don't mean counting the situation or importance of the game. Just in terms of the quality of a goal, that may be the best.
I mean, Dempsey did score a WC goal with his dick.
 

rguilmar

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Gregg looked annoyed that Cannon couldn’t get a quick throw in, thus negating his own contribution by getting Reggie the ball so quickly.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Haji Wright’s been doing striker things in a pleasing way. Nice hold-up/link play and dangerous runs off the shoulder.
 

rguilmar

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I also enjoyed this LDLT, Weston, Musah MF for the most part. The lack of Adams’ defensive bite is there though.
 

teddykgb

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One thing that is easy to appreciate about Weah is that he clearly likes to have a hit. There’s not a lot of overplaying there and defenses have to close him down
 

OCST

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Didn’t see the game but I like the idea of Aaronson at 10 more than 8. I don’t think he’s got the physicality to play the 8 and his skill set is better used at 10.