USA Men's Soccer National Team
I think I played against some of these guys in my men’s league last week.
I forced myself to watch the game again and I came away with the following
- Matt Turner is not the answer in goal for the Gold Cup, World Cup or any major competition. Some of the goals were not his fault, but as former keeper I am critical of his positioning and inability to read a "run" and cut it off before it gets dangerous. He's not a #1 imo
- I understand our top guys play in Europe, have a different travel schedule, etc., but even more so to take care of your body and daily habits to be ready when it's time to put on that national jersey. Ronaldo at 40 can do it, no reason Pulisic, Musah or McKinnie can't
- There is a lack of desire to play for country. I'm not talking about the players last night or the game before, they are doing their best, but are being out played and out classed. Some of the youth and lack of experience is showing.
- Pochettino and his system works, he just doesn't have the players to implement. He isn't the issue right now
- Diego Luna is a bright spot and will one of the main reasons I am tuning in to the Gold Cup
- McGlynn has to be on every USMNT roster going forward. The kid is special and can be a spark for this team.
- The lack of reliable CB's baffles me. I am not sure what the answer is but with the athletes we produce the fact we can't find two quality CB's bothers me a lot.
- It's time to put Ream out to pasture. I get he brings some veteran leadership, but if you want him around make him an assistant and move on.
- Arfsten isn't ready for prime time. He might get there but his defensive issues are a liability right now.
- Same with Harriel, he isn't ready. I would prefer Freeman who is more athletic and better positioned to be on the pitch. Give him all the Gold Cup minutes he can handle and let him learn.
- I want to see more of Downs. White and Agyemang seems to have picked up the #9 mantle this team has been plagued with and have not shown to be the answer.
- Tillman is starting to flash some brilliance, but not consistent enough. I don't know if it's not being comfortable with what is being asked or afraid to make mistakes. He seems to have the most potential to be a game changer for us
- I don't understand how Cardoso is on this team but you don't have a spot for Alejandro Zendejas. This is the biggest mistake the national team has made three tournaments in a row now. Zendejas is the missing piece in the middle and they refuse to invite him into camps.
- we are not a team that can run Poch's system right now. Let's be honest with who we are and go back to winning "ugly". Play to our strengths and at least give us a chance to see a result versus being stretched across the pitch and getting embarrassed.
My favorite part of the US missing the 2018 World Cup was when US Soccer learned nothing from it.
I wouldn't say nothing. They learned they can still generate revenue and profits and not have to put a quality team together.
Putting aside the guys who are not here, the fact that they make this much of a difference and the talent drop off this severe bothers me a lot. When you have players like Zendejas who is clearly talented and better than all of these midfielders and not on the team tells you all you need to know. Throw in we can't find decent CB's to save our lives is a problem if you want to continue this pipe dream of playing out of the back.
My brother-in-law is coming to town during the club world. We just decided we’re gonna go for the sheer pleasure of trying to determine how many South African club team players we would want on the US men’s national team gold cup this summer 
Yup. I know that there is overlap in preferred position for him and Luna but that can’t be the only excuse. A Coach being paid millions can solve that problem.I wouldn't say nothing. They learned they can still generate revenue and profits and not have to put a quality team together.
Putting aside the guys who are not here, the fact that they make this much of a difference and the talent drop off this severe bothers me a lot. When you have players like Zendejas who is clearly talented and better than all of these midfielders and not on the team tells you all you need to know. Throw in we can't find decent CB's to save our lives is a problem if you want to continue this pipe dream of playing out of the back.
It’s kind of sad to say this, but I also just realized this team has no longer become appointment viewing for me. They used to be black out my calendar, let the family know that dad is unavailable during this window, kind of games. It’s been a slow slide to this point, but I realized that although I was aware they were playing last night, I made zero efforts to free up my calendar to make sure I was watching when the game kicked.
Sadly I'm there closer than I am willing to admit. I love this game and I am a soccer junkie. I will watch anything because I love to view games tactically and try to pretend I am coaching and make adjustments. This team has sucked some of that joy out of it for me. Maybe because I know this won't be the team we ultimately go with next year, but there is just nothing to get excited about in terms of talent or how they are running USMNT>
I had to reread it twice to get the details because I started laughing after I saw the word captain
That’s the one where he said he offered to play and just the friendly’s correct?
Yes he just wanted to play the friendlies and not the Gold Cup.
I always knew he wasn't worth the captain band and honestly I am not sure he wants it. Someone like Adams or Jedi should have it.
I am right there with you. If you are the captain, you don’t get to pick or choose when to apply yourself in my opinion.
And for the record I am all for these guys listening to their body. They are playing the game at a high level and get small breaks, so recovery is key. That part doesn't bother me, what bothers me is that we don't have anyone to step in and fill the void. We should not, nor are we in the position to depend on one key player for our success.
100%. If you need the break, you need the break. I just know I’d give the armband to Adams at this point. He showed.
yep.... although I am starting to think more and more it's not the coach, the group of top players, and the lack of depth to challenge them, is the problem