Your #USMNT Starting XI for #USAvURU! 🇺🇸⚽️🇺🇾— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 10, 2019
Watch at 8pm ET on @FS1, @Univision and @TUDNUSA.
LINEUP NOTES >> https://t.co/ZWJgIqrJzs pic.twitter.com/cuCYs20kkw
- Greg Seltzer
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Your USMNT Line-Up v Uruguay
Certainly not everything I wanted to see, and a couple of things that are irksome, but at least the St. Louis boy gets to start in his hometown. So that's cool.
- Greg Seltzer
- Greg Seltzer
What I'd Like To See
Of course, I'd rather see a few other names in tonight's USMNT selection (e.g., Hollingsworth, Hyndman and even Green or Gall, among those fully fit, not otherwise occupied or begging out of a call-up... damn you, Nagbe!!).
But here we are, and as such, we may as well learn some things about some players before the real matches start up again next month.
Let's start in goal. I'm not entirely convinced Gonzalez has a real future in the frame, but as we already know what Guzan offers, there's no harm in finding out where the FC Dallas youngster stands at this level. Same goes for Lovitz. Lima can shift over to left back around the hour to demonstrate how he handles that side (more learning), making room for another Dest shift. It's time to give Robinson a start and for Long to rally from a bad outing.
In the midfield, let's see if Roldan can actually operate as a dedicated defensive midfielder. It's not the best experiment ever designed, but honestly, what other great choice do we have? There's no proper gate-keeper on hand (so annoying). That we we can see how Yueill direct trafiics and how Pomykal moves the team into the final third.
The attack line kinda speaks for itself, but I really want both Boyd and Morris to take the governers off, throw caution to the wind and run at every defender they see.
Oh, and for heavens sake, can we see some game management by the management? This "against all sense" stuff is for the birds.
- Greg Seltzer
But here we are, and as such, we may as well learn some things about some players before the real matches start up again next month.
Let's start in goal. I'm not entirely convinced Gonzalez has a real future in the frame, but as we already know what Guzan offers, there's no harm in finding out where the FC Dallas youngster stands at this level. Same goes for Lovitz. Lima can shift over to left back around the hour to demonstrate how he handles that side (more learning), making room for another Dest shift. It's time to give Robinson a start and for Long to rally from a bad outing.
In the midfield, let's see if Roldan can actually operate as a dedicated defensive midfielder. It's not the best experiment ever designed, but honestly, what other great choice do we have? There's no proper gate-keeper on hand (so annoying). That we we can see how Yueill direct trafiics and how Pomykal moves the team into the final third.
The attack line kinda speaks for itself, but I really want both Boyd and Morris to take the governers off, throw caution to the wind and run at every defender they see.
Oh, and for heavens sake, can we see some game management by the management? This "against all sense" stuff is for the birds.
- Greg Seltzer
Friday, September 6, 2019
Your USMNT Line-Up v Mexico
I'm sure parts of tonight's USMNT XI will delight and parts will frustrate. Personally, I get what the boss is doing with most of these choices - one would assume he'll give Josh Sargent the start in St. Louis and five players will depart camp after the game so they'll need to be seen first. Except, erm... John Anthony Brooks? I'm very curious to know why he's the field player exception among that group (EDIT: Apparently Brooks was slated to start, but picked up a knock). And frankly, why we even bothered pulling Johnson away from NYCFC to sit on the bench.
Obviously, we're either going to see Mr. Pulisic on the wing or Gregg Berhalter is going with an unusual formation. I hope it's the former, even if I think it's premature to move our best playmaker out of the quarterbck role. And the other problem is we are essentially using two midfield spots for what should be one job: Morales will defend (theoretically, though I'm not convinced he'll faithfully sit in front of the gate all night) and Trapp will distribute. That naturally puts added onus on McKennie to make sure the front three aren't starved for the ball.
So yeah, I can't gripe all that much about the line-up (yet, that is), but I'm still annoyed by the make-up of the selection. We'll see how it goes, and after it goes how it goes you'll get my player ratings over at MLSS.
- Greg Seltzer
Obviously, we're either going to see Mr. Pulisic on the wing or Gregg Berhalter is going with an unusual formation. I hope it's the former, even if I think it's premature to move our best playmaker out of the quarterbck role. And the other problem is we are essentially using two midfield spots for what should be one job: Morales will defend (theoretically, though I'm not convinced he'll faithfully sit in front of the gate all night) and Trapp will distribute. That naturally puts added onus on McKennie to make sure the front three aren't starved for the ball.
So yeah, I can't gripe all that much about the line-up (yet, that is), but I'm still annoyed by the make-up of the selection. We'll see how it goes, and after it goes how it goes you'll get my player ratings over at MLSS.
The time is 𝙉𝙊𝙒.— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 6, 2019
The #USMNT Starting XI to face 🇲🇽 in the 70th edition of #USAvMEX presented by @ATT.
Lineup Notes: https://t.co/1gu0uD28tZ pic.twitter.com/5m6W9ZhEtp
- Greg Seltzer
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Wasting Space
It's been quite a while since a USMNT roster reveal steamed my beans. That is, it had been until today's squad announcement. Look, I get that Gregg Berhalter feels like he's calling in the most deserving 20-something (fit) players in the pool and adding in a handful of young'uns to gain seasoning. And I'm totally good with the second part. And many of those burgeoning talent picks were great. And I don't even mind the large group.
It's just that we obviously have some very different ideas about who should be at or near the top of certain position charts. Frankly, I think he's squandered a good 4-5 roster spots on guys that, by my view, probably don't have an extended future with the team while somehow managing to not bring along a single dedicated midfield hard man to protect all the traffic directors.
I'm not trying to be an ingrate. I love the additions of Dest (yes, he's now officially threatening the top three on my right back Clipboard), Pomykal, Robinson and Yueill.
Those hoping for a first cap are marked with an astersisk...
G - Jesse Gonzalez* (FC Dallas), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Zack Steffen (Fortuna Düsseldorf)
D - John Anthony Brooks (Wolfsburg), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Sergiño Dest* (Ajax), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact), Tim Ream (Fulham), Miles Robinson* (Atlanta United), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)
M - Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Paxton Pomykal* (FC Dallas), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew), Jackson Yueill* (San Jose Earthquakes)
F - Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake), Tyler Boyd (Beşiktaş), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew)
- Greg Seltzer
It's just that we obviously have some very different ideas about who should be at or near the top of certain position charts. Frankly, I think he's squandered a good 4-5 roster spots on guys that, by my view, probably don't have an extended future with the team while somehow managing to not bring along a single dedicated midfield hard man to protect all the traffic directors.
I'm not trying to be an ingrate. I love the additions of Dest (yes, he's now officially threatening the top three on my right back Clipboard), Pomykal, Robinson and Yueill.
Those hoping for a first cap are marked with an astersisk...
G - Jesse Gonzalez* (FC Dallas), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Zack Steffen (Fortuna Düsseldorf)
D - John Anthony Brooks (Wolfsburg), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Sergiño Dest* (Ajax), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact), Tim Ream (Fulham), Miles Robinson* (Atlanta United), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)
M - Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Paxton Pomykal* (FC Dallas), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew), Jackson Yueill* (San Jose Earthquakes)
F - Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake), Tyler Boyd (Beşiktaş), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew)
- Greg Seltzer
A few young things...
As always, pardon my interruption. Between work (such as yesterday's fun primer on the US-Mexico rivalry) and a couple of surprise visitors in town, I have been swamped. There are two posts started a week ago that I've not had free time to finish. It's embarassing, but finite time is what it is.
I will finally get to completing those items later today, but first let's catch up on some of the happenings around a few of our prized and promising young players.
First, in case you missed it over the weekend, there was Josh Sargent's doozy of a winner for Werder Bremen.
Then, yesterday came the big, thrilling surprise that 16-year-old Gio Reyna had made Borussia Dortmund's Champions League group stage roster. Wow, right?
Not to be outdone, fellow US youth international Alex Mendez somehow found his way on the Ajax Champions League roster (also before ever dressing for the first team).
Meanwhile, Ajax teammate and current USMNT call-up Sergino Dest revealed that the Netherlands have indeed started courting him for their national team set-up. Does this increase the pressure on Gregg Berhalter to get the right back into our next camp and field him in a Nations League game for the purpose of cap-tying? Why, yes, I'd say it does.
Add in guys like Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson and Zack Steffen (not to mention Uly Llanez striking for braces in each of his first three Wolfsburg Under-19's outings), and gosh it's very easy these days to get excited about the future of the USMNT.
- Greg Seltzer
I will finally get to completing those items later today, but first let's catch up on some of the happenings around a few of our prized and promising young players.
First, in case you missed it over the weekend, there was Josh Sargent's doozy of a winner for Werder Bremen.
Josh Sargent's goal for Werder Bremen. CLASS. (@FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/lL7Wd35jrb— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 1, 2019
Then, yesterday came the big, thrilling surprise that 16-year-old Gio Reyna had made Borussia Dortmund's Champions League group stage roster. Wow, right?
📝 Borussia Dortmund's official squad list for the @ChampionsLeague group stage. #BVB @BVB #UCL pic.twitter.com/SuLdaSbaCb— Ralf Hildenbrand (@ralfhil) September 4, 2019
Not to be outdone, fellow US youth international Alex Mendez somehow found his way on the Ajax Champions League roster (also before ever dressing for the first team).
Meanwhile, Ajax teammate and current USMNT call-up Sergino Dest revealed that the Netherlands have indeed started courting him for their national team set-up. Does this increase the pressure on Gregg Berhalter to get the right back into our next camp and field him in a Nations League game for the purpose of cap-tying? Why, yes, I'd say it does.
Add in guys like Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson and Zack Steffen (not to mention Uly Llanez striking for braces in each of his first three Wolfsburg Under-19's outings), and gosh it's very easy these days to get excited about the future of the USMNT.
- Greg Seltzer
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Simply the Dest
I'll get to today's USMNT roster reveal shortly, but first let's tip our caps to Ajax right back Sergiño Dest, who only earned Man of the Match honors for his Champions League debut. Hopefully, some kind soul puts together an every-touch reel for us soon enough. I'd actually like to see it, as I was working and unable to really pay attention to the game.
And this was no small occasion. Ajax were scoreless in their playoff round tie against APOEL Nicosia heading into tonight's home leg.Then the fresh US call-up did stuff like this and the Dutch giants were on their way to the group phase...
- Greg Seltzer
And this was no small occasion. Ajax were scoreless in their playoff round tie against APOEL Nicosia heading into tonight's home leg.Then the fresh US call-up did stuff like this and the Dutch giants were on their way to the group phase...
Incredibly sharp play from Sergino Dest to help create Ajax’s second goal.— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) August 28, 2019
(He’s the one throwing the ball in) #USMNT pic.twitter.com/kPY7QEMTFL
- Greg Seltzer
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