Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

[studbucket]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Looking at that lineup, I really wish some of these guys played in a tougher league. I'm not too optimistic about the MLS all-stars taking on the world this summer.

I actually don't agree with this sentiment at all (and it's one my soccer friends have as well). Some bullet points:

• The best World Cup team we ever fielded was 2002, which was almost entirely MLS.
• If you made a CONCACAF USMNT squad and they played a UEFA USMNT squad, CONCACAF would win.
• Dempsey and Bradley have been getting far more regular PT, more time on the ball and been playing well in MLS this year
• I'm not convinced the Austrian, Norwegian & Dutch leagues are really that much better than MLS.
• The MLS players often seem to play together much better and show a bit more hustle (or work rate, if I want to sound like I know what I'm talking about). Yes, this part is subjective by me.

[jesmith29]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

IMO, the blue on the USA jersey, needs to be darker.

[fugazi]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Is it possible that our best CB pairing (theoretically) could include Bradley or Jermaine Jones?

I can't say I really have a great idea how either would fare, or if they really have the skill-set...but it's hard to believe that their generally higher level of ability, when compared to most of our CBs, wouldn't translate.

So disappointing. We have world-class keepers...create forwards that have shown quality, though perhaps not consistently...midfielders that are serviceable, at worst....but other than Bocanegra, is their anyone from the US that has seen much success as defenders?

Nevin Subotic....nope...

Geoff Cameron, I guess...I know we have potential also with Eric Lichaj...but neither will help in the center. Fabian Johnson is in that boat, too.

[VTPack919]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Is it possible that our best CB pairing (theoretically) could include Bradley or Jermaine Jones?

I can't say I really have a great idea how either would fare, or if they really have the skill-set...but it's hard to believe that their generally higher level of ability, when compared to most of our CBs, wouldn't translate.

Why would we waste Bradley's skill set at CB? He is our best midfielder.

[fugazi]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Well...I said "theoretically"...

I thought about including: "Bradley is far too valuable in MF, and Jones doesn't seem to have what it takes between the ears."

but as long as we're on the point...

Are you really "wasting" a player if it makes the team better?

While I'm not suggesting JK actually play Bradley at CB, we certainly have a bit more depth in MF, and could "replace" Bradley more "easily"...

My point is this...the USMNT defense is not just bad, it's a huge liability. So huge, that perhaps something waaaayyy out of the ordinary may need to be done. Again, the "bradley" idea is theoretical, but, in truth, i don't think it would really be a bad idea.

[VTPack919]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Well...I said "theoretically"...

I thought about including: "Bradley is far too valuable in MF, and Jones doesn't seem to have what it takes between the ears."

but as long as we're on the point...

Are you really "wasting" a player if it makes the team better?

While I'm not suggesting JK actually play Bradley at CB, we certainly have a bit more depth in MF, and could "replace" Bradley more "easily"...

My point is this...the USMNT defense is not just bad, it's a huge liability. So huge, that perhaps something waaaayyy out of the ordinary may need to be done. Again, the "bradley" idea is theoretical, but, in truth, i don't think it would really be a bad idea.

What Bradley does for our midfield is irreplaceable, no matter how deep our midfield is. I can't see a situation where moving him to CB would make the team stronger.


With Jones, meh. My opinion of Jones lends me better to not speak on the subject. It will come of as flaming.

[studbucket]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Maybe I'm crazy, but here's my thoughts on the defenders and our 2 CDMs.

I'd like to see Bradley paired with Cameron. Cameron sits back more, allowing Bradley to do his things, and I like him a lot better than Jones.

Then, at RB you look at Yedlin, who looked good yesterday, or perhaps Fabian Johnson. I like Besler a lot and Omar looked really slow yesterday and had his signature moments where he falls asleep on the job, so maybe Goodson is the guy there?

At LB, I'm fine with either Beasley or Johnson.

[Bruins]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Here's what our XI should be:



And the 23:

Howard, Guzan, Rimando
Cameron, Parkhurst
Goodson, Gonzalez, Onyewu
Besler
Johnson, Lichaj
Williams, Beckerman
Bradley, Jones
Zusi, Bedoya
Dempsey, Diskerud
Donovan, Beasley
Altidore, Jóhannsson

From Greg Seltzer, with more explanation here: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...pril-fool.html

[studbucket]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Great article on the "Omar Conundrum" from Richard Farley - http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2...national-team/

Reasonable starting 11. I might consider Bedoya as a starter, but I am happy with Zusi. However, Williams has done nothing at the international level to engender confidence; I am not sure why we'd choose him over the other options, even if I am not a huge fan of Jones or Beckerman.

[Bruins]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Great article on the "Omar Conundrum" from Richard Farley - http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2...national-team/

Reasonable starting 11. I might consider Bedoya as a starter, but I am happy with Zusi. However, Williams has done nothing at the international level to engender confidence; I am not sure why we'd choose him over the other options, even if I am not a huge fan of Jones or Beckerman.

Here's more explanation for why Williams over Beckerman:

"First of all, you must remember that Cameron would really be my first choice here, but the wingback crisis forced me to slide him back. Secondly, Williams has improved this season and owns a considerable advantage in top level experience over Beckerman. In the end, though, it came down to nitpicking. I have all three of these guys practically level right now."
---
"Williams spent two full seasons in the Bundesliga, as well as parts of two others, playing 59 league games there.

Please do not get me wrong. I like Beckerman, he is improved and he started the new MLS season like a bandit. But Beckerman has little experience outside MLS and most of his caps are against lesser opponents than the caps of Williams. Beckerman has top level experience consisting of Copa America '07, some nice games against Mexico and the France loss, which was not a terribly encouraging display.

You can argue that Beckerman is better or better-suited to the rile, but there can be no denying that Williams has spent considerably more minutes facing top level opposition."
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...atekeeper.html

If you're wondering where Jones fits in: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/03/sane-8s.html

[Bruins]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

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[studbucket]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Here's more explanation for why Williams over Beckerman:

"First of all, you must remember that Cameron would really be my first choice here, but the wingback crisis forced me to slide him back. Secondly, Williams has improved this season and owns a considerable advantage in top level experience over Beckerman. In the end, though, it came down to nitpicking. I have all three of these guys practically level right now."
---
"Williams spent two full seasons in the Bundesliga, as well as parts of two others, playing 59 league games there.

Please do not get me wrong. I like Beckerman, he is improved and he started the new MLS season like a bandit. But Beckerman has little experience outside MLS and most of his caps are against lesser opponents than the caps of Williams. Beckerman has top level experience consisting of Copa America '07, some nice games against Mexico and the France loss, which was not a terribly encouraging display.

You can argue that Beckerman is better or better-suited to the rile, but there can be no denying that Williams has spent considerably more minutes facing top level opposition."
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...atekeeper.html

If you're wondering where Jones fits in: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/03/sane-8s.html

I did read your reasoning, and I appreciate you laying it out. You think that Williams will show much better than the last time he played for the USMNT, where he was the worst guy on the field? I suppose you do, but I am not sure I have much faith in the guy.

Since you agree with me and prefer Cameron as Bradley's partner, why not go with Lichaj, Yedlin, or Johnson at RB?

[Bruins]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I did read your reasoning, and I appreciate you laying it out. You think that Williams will show much better than the last time he played for the USMNT, where he was the worst guy on the field? I suppose you do, but I am not sure I have much faith in the guy.

Since you agree with me and prefer Cameron as Bradley's partner, why not go with Lichaj, Yedlin, or Johnson at RB?

FYI, those are Greg Seltzer's words, not mine. Apologies if it came off that way. I do agree with his reasoning, though. Also, this is an "as of now" ranking. There's lots of caveats for players returning to form, or returning from injury, etc.

In regards to your question about who plays right back, we can scratch F. Johnson off that list because we need him to play left back. Actually, he would play left wing ideally, if Lichaj can return from injury and regain form in time. Yedlin simply isn't ready. Which means we need Cameron to play right back, even though he may be better as a defensive mid.

I'll just post up links to posts on each position. Greg explains everything much more elegantly than I ever could. Make sure to dive into the comments, as there's a good chance he'll have have answered any questions you have in there.

GK: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...-stalling.html
RB: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...o-do-part.html
RCB: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...rshal-job.html
LCB: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...itos-wake.html
LB: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...t-to-deux.html
DM: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...atekeeper.html
CM: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/03/sane-8s.html
RW: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/03/the-7-domino.html
LW: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/03/leftsi-yeede.html
AM: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...-days-for.html
ST: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...-suspense.html
Full Squad/Starting XI: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/0...pril-fool.html

[VTPack919]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I really hope Yedlin gets a chance to start at RB (he won't).


He is such a dynamic player, it would be nice to have someone with that kind of pace in that spot. I would also love to see Cameron as a deep lying CDM in the 4-2-3-1.

[Bruins]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I really hope Yedlin gets a chance to start at RB (he won't).


He is such a dynamic player, it would be nice to have someone with that kind of pace in that spot. I would also love to see Cameron as a deep lying CDM in the 4-2-3-1.

Yedlin's not ready to start in a World Cup. He'd get absolutely destroyed going up against the left wingers in our group. I'd be shocked if he even made the squad, to me he's another 2018 project.