He is dropping back on set pieces to cover

I like this position for him. I think he and McKennie playing the pivot together is our strongest midfield setup at the moment.

Having a competent 6 would cure a lot of what ills the USMNT.

jeffk said:

---

Having a competent 6 would cure a lot of what ills the USMNT.

---

His work rate, quality, and bundesliga experience should ensure Michael Bradley doesn't fill that spot again.

Its the position he played coming up with NY, and what he primarily played upon signing with Leipzig.

He probably would make a great RB, but we need him central on the NT

PatAg said:

---

Its the position he played coming up with NY, and what he primarily played upon signing with Leipzig.

He probably would make a great RB, but we need him central on the NT

---

Who do you see as our starting RB right now? Yedlin? Cannon?

It has to be one of them. Antonee Robinson maybe but i think he is left footed?

if Adams can secure the 6 for USA, with McKinnie as more of a 8 or 10 in central midfield, then I think you can get Dest at RB - he plays more RB for Ajax, but Berhalter has been trying him at LB. .. we really need an answer at LB, still IMO. Tough position to find. Does anyone know how Antonee Robinson is coming along?

You can nearly throw anything that happened last year with Adams at Leipzig out the window for 3 main reasons:

1) First and foremost is the coaching change... which led to a big change in mentality. Last year's Leipzig was strong defense (statistically best in Bundesliga) and counterattacking. This year's Leipzig is much more positive in their approach, looking to constantly move the ball forward. Their new coach also loves a 3 man back line.

2) In addition to the change of the manager, his former NY coach Marsch was an assistant for Leipzig last year before leaving for Salzburg this summer. I think his departure was a critical factor too.

3) His lengthy injury exacerbated all of the above. Trying to get used to a new system without getting a chance to play in it for months has got to be a detriment.

As a fan of both Leipzig and Adams, I hope his progression continues, but if I'm honest, I'm not optimistic. The door was opened wide for him in the winter break when starting DM Diego Demme left for Napoli. I thought for sure that Adams would fill that spot. It hasn't happened. To be fair, injuries in the back have dictated that he's needed at RB more often, but overall I think he just doesn't quite fit the new tactic and that's the bigger issue.

Entourageag07 said:

---

PatAg said:

---

Its the position he played coming up with NY, and what he primarily played upon signing with Leipzig.

He probably would make a great RB, but we need him central on the NT

---

Who do you see as our starting RB right now? Yedlin? Cannon?

---

If we had better LB options, than Dest would start there. As it is, we would probably put Dest at LB and Cannon at right. I like Yedlin, but he isn't very good at the ball at his feet (and has had a lot of injury issues lately).

deadbq03 said:

---

You can nearly throw anything that happened last year with Adams at Leipzig out the window for 3 main reasons:

1) First and foremost is the coaching change... which led to a big change in mentality. Last year's Leipzig was strong defense (statistically best in Bundesliga) and counterattacking. This year's Leipzig is much more positive in their approach, looking to constantly move the ball forward. Their new coach also loves a 3 man back line.

2) In addition to the change of the manager, his former NY coach Marsch was an assistant for Leipzig last year before leaving for Salzburg this summer. I think his departure was a critical factor too.

3) His lengthy injury exacerbated all of the above. Trying to get used to a new system without getting a chance to play in it for months has got to be a detriment.

As a fan of both Leipzig and Adams, I hope his progression continues, but if I'm honest, I'm not optimistic. The door was opened wide for him in the winter break when starting DM Diego Demme left for Napoli. I thought for sure that Adams would fill that spot. It hasn't happened. To be fair, injuries in the back have dictated that he's needed at RB more often, but overall I think he just doesn't quite fit the new tactic and that's the bigger issue.

---

Did he not also have an injury he was dealing with over winter?

i really think we need Antonee Robinson to step up at #3 so that Dest can take over at #2. USA hasn't had a good #3 since Beasley was in his prime, but Dest is too good at #2 and looks poised to be a better option than Yedlin and Cannon very soon if he's not already.

LB is just such a problem. Dest is too good at 2. Answer at 3 is not Tim Ream, it's not Villafana, it's not Lovitz, it's not Sam Besler. Maybe the young kid playing domestically Sam Vines? It clearly looked that the answer would be Antonee as he was signing with AC Milan just a few months ago. Hope he can get past the heart procedure, stay healthy, and be that guy.

This kid in 5 years at LB

I'm only half-joking when I suggest the US invade Canada and take for Alphonso Davies for the USMNT by force.

jeffk said:

---

I'm only half-joking when I suggest the US invade Canada and take for Alphonso Davies for the USMNT by force.

---

I don't think you're half joking.

Are you taking the over or the under?

PatAg said:

---

deadbq03 said:

---

You can nearly throw anything that happened last year with Adams at Leipzig out the window for 3 main reasons:

1) First and foremost is the coaching change... which led to a big change in mentality. Last year's Leipzig was strong defense (statistically best in Bundesliga) and counterattacking. This year's Leipzig is much more positive in their approach, looking to constantly move the ball forward. Their new coach also loves a 3 man back line.

2) In addition to the change of the manager, his former NY coach Marsch was an assistant for Leipzig last year before leaving for Salzburg this summer. I think his departure was a critical factor too.

3) His lengthy injury exacerbated all of the above. Trying to get used to a new system without getting a chance to play in it for months has got to be a detriment.

As a fan of both Leipzig and Adams, I hope his progression continues, but if I'm honest, I'm not optimistic. The door was opened wide for him in the winter break when starting DM Diego Demme left for Napoli. I thought for sure that Adams would fill that spot. It hasn't happened. To be fair, injuries in the back have dictated that he's needed at RB more often, but overall I think he just doesn't quite fit the new tactic and that's the bigger issue.

---

Did he not also have an injury he was dealing with over winter?

---

Yeah, in Feb/March.

And yes, that's a fantastic point that should temper my pessimism... he's only been healthy for 10 games this year and he's played in 9 of those. Hard to gel with the team when you can't train/play. Hope they don't give up on him.

On the other hand, I hope this doesn't indicate he's going to be one of those guys that always struggle with injuries.

I think both Adams and Pulisic's injury issues are due to not having enough time to recover from the strain of long club season (along with the various cup competitions) and national team duties.

Adams starting in midfield today.

He's probably gonna be playing at RB the rest of the game... Leipzig down to 10 men just before half. CB Upamecano sent off so they needed more at the back. I don't like it, but for neutrals this game just got amazing as Paderborn now have a legit chance to get points in their desperate attempt to avoid relegation.

Update: yeah he's definitely at RB in a 5-3-1 10 man formation in the second half.

Update 2: Near assist from Adams, earning a corner on a great cross as 10 man Leipzig get aggressive.

And Leipzig with another draw. They looked good with just 10 men in the 2nd half and then the manager decided to sub in Orban (CB) with like 5 mins left. I love Orban but he's recovering from surgery and inserting him wasn't necessary. They had to shift three other players (including Adams to right mid) to make that move and I think it cost them the win because they were out of sorts.

Does anyone have any insight into whether the rumors are even remotely true about Dortmund's interest in Jesse Marsch to replace Favre?

Entourageag07 said:

---

Does anyone have any insight into whether the rumors are even remotely true about Dortmund's interest in Jesse Marsch to replace Favre?

---

No idea, but I'm gonna go ahead and use that as another reason to root against them this week (with sincere apologies to Marcus).

Schadenfreude is real.

Oh please be true. Would love him at the helm of BVB.

Bye bye Bremen. Hope Sargent can make a move out of there.

Marcus Aurelius said:

---

Oh please be true. Would love him at the helm of BVB.

---

If it happened, I'd be an instant fan. Love me some Jesse Marsch.

He voluntarily made a bold move that a lot would not have due to pride; going from head coach in MLS to an assistant at Leipzig last year. It is paying off in big ways for him and I will be a fan of his wherever he goes.

One of the teams - I think Werder Berlin had " around town " across the front of their jerseys.

What did that mean ?

deadbq03 said:

---

Marcus Aurelius said:

---

Oh please be true. Would love him at the helm of BVB.

---

If it happened, I'd be an instant fan. Love me some Jesse Marsch.

He voluntarily made a bold move that a lot would not have due to pride; going from head coach in MLS to an assistant at Leipzig last year. It is paying off in big ways for him and I will be a fan of his wherever he goes.

---

I sort of think that the RB organization as a whole planned that progression. They identify and advance talent as they see fit. On the non-player side (and I would guess especially in the front office) they have the real talent identified and the next steps to encourage their success planned. Sending Marsch to Leipzig may have looked like a step down externally but it was probably a promotion internally.

BigJim49 AustinNowDallas said:

---

One of the teams - I think Werder Berlin had " around town " across the front of their jerseys.

What did that mean ?

---

It's Union Berlin, and Aroundtown is their shirt sponsor. Aroundtown is a real estate company that operates mostly in Germany and the Netherlands.

Superblood Wolfmoon said:

---

Furlock Bones said:

---

Bye bye Bremen. Hope Sargent can make a move out of there.

---

Man. They make the sport look hard.

---

Bremen is a bad, bad team. Charlie Stilatano and Neil Barnett both said he's making good runs. Moves well around the pitch but the team is just too dreadful around him. Needs a better team to see how good he can really be.

ptothemo said:

---

BigJim49 AustinNowDallas said:

---

One of the teams - I think Werder Berlin had " around town " across the front of their jerseys.

What did that mean ?

---

It's Union Berlin, and Aroundtown is their shirt sponsor. Aroundtown is a real estate company that operates mostly in Germany and the Netherlands.

---

Thanks- interesting !

I want to go to Germany just to go to a Tedi thanks to Hertha Berlin.

DFB Pokal today. Bayern v. Frankfurt. Good to have live sports but the ESPN play by play is garbage compared to the Fox crew that call bundesliga.