Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

[elprez98]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

Thank you, Matt10. While we don't expect Jozy to score every match, to say that the only thing that has changed with him is the team around him is false, false, false. Maybe it's a collective team confidence on the national stage that has unlocked it. Maybe it's just that the matches are more important now. Whatever it is, we finally are seeing the full match commitment that we need to see up front. Whether it's pressing right after losing possession or tracking back and winning an odd ball in the deep midfield here and there, it's great!

So you seriously think klinsmann would have kept playing him if all of these was going on as often as you guys make it out to be? Ok. Just all of a sudden he's working harder just because he scored in the last 4? That is just silly. I'll give you that his confidence was shaken because he knows he was beastin' in club play but not Int.,but effort hold up play, and runs of the ball were not the issue. And we'll just have to agree to disagree. Go 'Merica!!!

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by elprez98

So you seriously think klinsmann would have kept playing him if all of these was going on as often as you guys make it out to be? Ok. Just all of a sudden he's working harder just because he scored in the last 4? That is just silly. I'll give you that his confidence was shaken because he knows he was beastin' in club play but not Int.,but effort hold up play, and runs of the ball were not the issue. And we'll just have to agree to disagree. Go 'Merica!!!

It has nothing to do with his goals to me. He's stepped up his all around play big time to me. I even commented in here on one instance in the away match with Guatemala where he stopped a run that would have been almost a sure goal. I guess we will have to disagree on his change in play for the USMNT over the past 18 months. That's OK though, I enjoy the back and forth.

[Matt10]

Yes, I love the discussion about Altidore. We are very lucky to have him playing like this. His offseason will be an exciting transfer rumor mill

[HKPound]

It's hard to say. You want a guy like Donovan at the World Cup as long as it doesn't hurt chemistry. It'll be interesting to see if Cherundolo comes back as well.

I do think we may change formation wise though going into 2018 World Cup which is of course a long time away from now. Looking far ahead I know but I'm curious to see how we could fare with a big/small combo at striker. Jozy and Mcinerney if he turns out could be a joy to watch. We have a plethora of promising young talent and I'm really intrigued to see how they do in the U-20 World Cup and Gold Cup.

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by HKPound

It's hard to say. You want a guy like Donovan at the World Cup as long as it doesn't hurt chemistry. It'll be interesting to see if Cherundolo comes back as well. I do think we may change formation wise though going into 2018 World Cup which is of course a long time away from now. Looking far ahead I know but I'm curious to see how we could fare with a big/small combo at striker. Jozy and Mcinerney if he turns out could be a joy to watch. We have a plethora of promising young talent and I'm really intrigued to see how they do in the U-20 World Cup and Gold Cup.

I have a feeling we'll see Donovan in the next round of qualifiers in September. It would just feel right having him in the squad against Mexico in Columbus.

[Blaxican8504]

Like I said previously, the perception of how a striker is performing is largely dependent on whether or not they are scoring goals. I still maintain that nothing really has changed for Jozy in terms of how he is playing now compared to when he wasn't scoring. He's still not great in the air, he doesn't always show for the ball, and sometimes his runs are lazy. But because he's scoring, we can easily overlook that. Other than the goal, I don't think he played particularly well tonight. But that is partially because we weren't getting him the ball. Which leads me to my next point...

He is the type of player that needs service to be effective. And I think we can all agree that service into Jozy and Dempsey has been largely improved over these last few qualifiers. Zusi has largely been responsible for most of it, with Fabian Johnson also deserving some credit.

But we need to remember that in the first stage of qualifying, Jozy wasn't playing much. Gomez was getting picked ahead of him based on how well he was doing for his club and when Jozy finally got into the team, there was no Bradley or Donovan. With any combination of Beckerman, Edu, Williams, and a newly introduced Zusi serving as your creative force, he was bound to be feeding on scraps.

The team is finally buying into what Klinnsman has been drilling into their heads, Bradley is dictating play in midfield, Zusi has gotten his feet wet at this level, and Johnson/Johnson are able to provide balance on the other side. I think that the progress that Jozy has made at club level + everything I just mentioned is why we're seeing what we're seeing.

[Blaxican8504]

As for the game itself, I really do prefer Johnson at LB. My only concern is that he seems to get caught too far inside, leaving the wide player a ton of space.

I liked the inclusion of Johnson. His pace helps to stretch the defense and having him on the pitch allows him and Zusi to occasionally swap wings. This was most noticeable when Zusi moved over to the left and put in two crosses and being involved in the build-up that led to the goal.

I prefer Cameron over Jones in midfield. Cameron will sit right in front of the defense and help clean things up, which allows Bradley to push a little further forward. Now that Donovan is out of the picture, Bradley is by far our most creative player. I think that having that him closer to Dempsey and Altidore will really add to our attack (see: Panama). Dribbling, passing, vision, he has it all. When he is partnered with Jones, I think we lose that part of his game because Jermaine is usually the one that pushes forward and leaves Bradley to play from a much deeper position.

[HKPound]

Cameron also has brilliant ball control and is so agile for a guy his size. His passing ability is superior to Jones in my opinion as well.