Given the success the men's team is enjoying lately, it seems like talent is on the upswing. I don't keep up to date on all the up-and-comers like I used to. So I'm just wondering what people think our best 11 looks like. I really like what these young guys are doing in the Gold Cup, curious to see how many think some of these guys should start if for instance a WC match was today.

snowdog90 said:

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Given the success the men's team is enjoying lately, it seems like talent is on the upswing. I don't keep up to date on all the up-and-comers like I used to. So I'm just wondering what people think our best 11 looks like. I really like what these young guys are doing in the Gold Cup, curious to see how many think some of these guys should start if for instance a WC match was today.

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I wouldn't start anyone from this group, right now, other than maybe Matt Turner if Steffen isnt playing. Now, I would have a decent amount of them on the bench, and potentially subbing in.

Sargent
Pulisic - Reyna
McKennie - Adams - Musah (injured right now)
Dest - Brooks - McKenzie - Cannon

Steffen


Could go Turner/Horvath for Steffen, Turner seems to be the best at the shot stopping part
Could go Robinson or Sands for McKenzie
Could go Moore, Yedlin, Robinson for Cannon
Could slide Acosta or Lletget in the Musah spot. Could also play Sands deep in the mid, with mckennie and Adams just running everything down ahead of him and wreaking havoc
Could let Reyna play in front of McKennie and Adams, and bring in Aaronson or Weah to play up with Pulisic
Could go Dike, Zardes, Pepi, or even Jozy up top. Probably will depend on club form or whatever they do in training before games

Developing quality depth, with great options off the bench to change the game in multple ways.

PatAg said:

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snowdog90 said:

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Given the success the men's team is enjoying lately, it seems like talent is on the upswing. I don't keep up to date on all the up-and-comers like I used to. So I'm just wondering what people think our best 11 looks like. I really like what these young guys are doing in the Gold Cup, curious to see how many think some of these guys should start if for instance a WC match was today.

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I wouldn't start anyone from this group, right now, other than maybe Matt Turner if Steffen isnt playing. Now, I would have a decent amount of them on the bench, and potentially subbing in.

Sargent
Pulisic - Reyna
McKennie - Adams - XXX
Dest - Brooks - McKenzie - Cannon

Steffen


Could go Turner/Horvath for Steffen, Turner seems to be the best at the shot stopping part
Could go Robinson or Sands for McKenzie
Could go Moore, Yedlin, Robinson for Cannon
Could slide Acosta or Lletget in that Empty spot. Could also play Sands deep in the mid, with mckennie and adams just running everything down ahead of him and wreaking havoc
Could let Reyna play in front of McKennie and Adams, and bring in Aaronson or Weah to play up with Pulisic

Developing quality depth, with great options off the bench to change the game in multple ways.

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Nice. I like it. That's pretty strong potentially, if they're playing well together. And as you say, the bench seems to be as strong as ever.

What exactly has Steffen done for people to consider him the number one?

Could put Musah in the middle as well

Good call, I knew I was blanking on someone.

I like Shaq Moore more than Cannon.

I like the idea of Sands as either CB in a back three or DM. I think it'd be fun to pair him with Adams as dual 6's and then push McKennie up to AM in a 4-2-3-1. He's hungry for goals and I like to see him push forward. I think this setup would also provide great defensive coverage when Dest and Moore (I hope) are running wild in attack on the wings.

And I agree with Jeff that our biggest weakness is still the #9. Dike looked like a world-beater against scrubs, but wasn't good against Canada and quite bad against Jamaica.

Sargent seems like a jack-of-all-trades but master-of-none kind of guy. I'm a moron, but I think he'd make a better center AM than a striker.

I'd really like to see Hoppe get a legit chance as the 9.

I thought Robinson showed some really good defensive work so far this WC. Will be interesting to see who plays with Brooks and who are the backups for WCQ.

There are concerns with only 3 positions out of starting XI (assuming Musah gets the nod at CM along with McKennie):

• LB (Vines, Robinson or Dest)
• CB partner with Brooks (McKenzie, Richards or Robinson(?))
• F (Sargent, Dike or Zardes)

We have quality/solid backups at both wings, RB, CB, CM (1 of the 2), DM (assuming Acosta), GK

As deep and talented a squad as I can remember.

I'd roll with this; as of right now.

Pulisic - Sargent - Weah
Reyna - Adams - McKennie
A Robinson - Brooks - Zimmerman - Dest
Steffen


Bench:
CB - Richards, Sands
LB/RB - Vines, Cannon (or Moore)
Mid - Musah, Acosta (or Yuiell), De La Torre
Fwd - Hoppe, Dike, Zardes
GK - Turner, Horvath

Just missing the cut:
M Robinson, Yedlin, McKenzie, Miazga, Lletget, Aaronson

Sargent
Pulisic - Reyna
McKennie - Adams - Musah(injured right now)
Dest - Brooks - McKenzie - Robinson
Turner

Who I do not want to see on the roster:
Zardes, Arriola, Yeuill

Kevin the 3-legged dog said:

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Who I do not want to see on the roster:
Zardes, Arriola, Yeuill

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Get ready because I think you'll see Arriola and Zardes both on the roster during qualification, if not contributing minutes. I'll turn any game off that has Yueill playing.

Yeah, Zardes and Ariolla are both roster locks for WCQ I think.

I didn't realize Hoppe was 6'3

What's the thought process behind McKenzie? The only time I've watched him (against Mexico) he had maybe the worst performance I've seen from anyone in a long time.

I'd put Aaronson in over Hoppe. No way Yueill would be on the depth chart. Sands is a better DM and has positional flexibility as CB in both a 3 CB and 2 CB formation.

Interesting logistics regarding the 1st WCQ window.
9/2 - @ El Salvador
9/5 - vs Canada
9/8 - vs Honduras

You'd probably see the European based players play the first two matches, 9/2 and 9/5, and take off back to Europe. The 9/8 match would most likely be primarily MLS based players due to the travel logistics.

Pulisic - Sargent - Reyna
Mckennie - Adams - Musah
Robinson - Brooks - Richards - Dest
Horvath

Subs:
Weah
Dike
Hoppe
Holmes
Morales
Busio
Aaronson
Yedlin
De La Fuente
Miazga
Moore

mrmill3218 said:

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What's the thought process behind McKenzie? The only time I've watched him (against Mexico) he had maybe the worst performance I've seen from anyone in a long time.

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McKenzie had a bad first 15 or so minutes in the match. Outside of that, he was fine.

Agree to disagree. I thought he was really poor the whole game. He should have come off at halftime.

mrmill3218 said:

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Agree to disagree. I thought he was really poor the whole game. He should have come off at halftime.

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McKenzie will probably be a spot starter here and there. It's my understanding that qualification will require three game international breaks and so we won't be playing our guys in all three games. Add in the possibility of Europe closing things down due to COVID and he'll probably play.

akm91 said:

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I'd put Aaronson in over Hoppe. No way Yueill would be on the depth chart. Sands is a better DM and has positional flexibility as CB in both a 3 CB and 2 CB formation.

Interesting logistics regarding the 1st WCQ window.
9/2 - @ El Salvador
9/5 - vs Canada
9/8 - vs Honduras

You'd probably see the European based players play the first two matches, 9/2 and 9/5, and take off back to Europe. The 9/8 match would most likely be primarily MLS based players due to the travel logistics.

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I'm not a Yueill fan at all; but didn't know who else to put as a somewhat known commodity at the 6.
I already had Sands in the roster for that same flexibility that you mention.
I'm not a big Acosta fan either as he can be really frustrating at times. But I think you have to have someone like Acosta/Yueill.
It's sort of my same thinking with Zardes. And why I almost added Arriola or Lletget.

I'd like to bring as much of the younger/promising talent as possible and leave the guys that are a bit more "known quantities" like Acosta, Arriola, Lletget, Zardes, Yueill, Yedlin, etc at home. I just don't think that'll be the case.

akm91 said:

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I'd put Aaronson in over Hoppe. No way Yueill would be on the depth chart. Sands is a better DM and has positional flexibility as CB in both a 3 CB and 2 CB formation.

Interesting logistics regarding the 1st WCQ window.
9/2 - @ El Salvador
9/5 - vs Canada
9/8 - vs Honduras

You'd probably see the European based players play the first two matches, 9/2 and 9/5, and take off back to Europe. The 9/8 match would most likely be primarily MLS based players due to the travel logistics.

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That's going to be a really tough decision for GB. I don't know that we've seen enough of either player against top talent to decide one way or another.

Good grief, this is a really nice problem to have. No longer are we seeing a huge drop off at most positions if a starter can't go.

mrmill3218 said:

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Pulisic - Sargent - Reyna
Mckennie - Adams - Musah
Robinson - Brooks - Richards - Dest
Horvath Steffen

Subs:
Weah
Dike
Hoppe Zardes
Holmes Lleget
Morales Acosta
Busio Roldan (If Busio's transfer to Italy starts this summer)
Aaronson
Yedlin Vines
De La Fuente Zimmerman/Sands
Miazga McKenzie/Robinson
Moore/Yedlin/Cannon

Horvath/Turner

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You'll need at least 2 if not 3 CB's on the bench and you'll need a backup GK

Don't think Morales gets on the bench for WCQ as he doesn't offer the positional flexibility like Lleget and Acosta.

For some reason, Berhalter doesn't rate Holmes.

If Busio moves to Italy, he won't get called in to the first WCQ window. Berhalter will want him to get settled in for his new club and fight for minutes.

Will need a LB on the bench.

De La Fuente/Miazga won't get called in for the first window due to getting settled for new team

Probably only 1 of Moor/Yedlin/Cannon gets called in. All three have club situations to sort out so who nows if they'll even get called in

akm91 said:

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mrmill3218 said:

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Pulisic - Sargent - Reyna
Mckennie - Adams - Musah
Robinson - Brooks - Richards - Dest
Horvath Steffen

Subs:
Weah
Dike
Hoppe Zardes
Holmes Lleget
Morales Acosta
Busio Roldan (If Busio's transfer to Italy starts this summer)
Aaronson
Yedlin Vines
De La Fuente Zimmerman/Sands
Miazga McKenzie/Robinson
Moore/Yedlin/Cannon

Horvath/Turner

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You'll need at least 2 if not 3 CB's on the bench and you'll need a backup GK

Don't think Morales gets on the bench for WCQ as he doesn't offer the positional flexibility like Lleget and Acosta.

For some reason, Berhalter doesn't rate Holmes.

If Busio moves to Italy, he won't get called in to the first WCQ window. Berhalter will want him to get settled in for his new club and fight for minutes.

Will need a LB on the bench.

De La Fuente/Miazga won't get called in for the first window due to getting settled for new team

Probably only 1 of Moor/Yedlin/Cannon gets called in. All three have club situations to sort out so who nows if they'll even get called in

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That logic applied for the tournaments this summer, I dont think it applies to WCQ. If he will play in the games, he will be on the roster...and everyone on the roster will play this cycle.

All I know is there will be several players that we all think, WTF?

Serie A starts on 8/22. I'm just don't think Berhalter will call him in for the 1st WCQ given such a short turnaround between the start of the season and the 1st WCQ match.

When does WCQ start?

Labor Day weekend

mrmill3218 said:

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Agree to disagree. I thought he was really poor the whole game. He should have come off at halftime.

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He wasn't poor the whole game. He had some very good defensive plays and line breaking passes and more than held his own the rest of the match after the bad giveaway in the first 2 minutes.

Besides, you aren't going to play Miyazga next to Brooks against Mexico. He just doesn't have the athleticism to cover for Brooks when the defense gets stretched out.

akm91 said:

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Serie A starts on 8/22. I'm just don't think Berhalter will call him in for the 1st WCQ given such a short turnaround between the start of the season and the 1st WCQ match.

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3 games in 7 days, 2 of which are on the road and the other is against Canada.
We will call in anyone that will help us get results, imo.

Im not completely disagreeing either, the logic behind leaving him off makes a lot of sense as well.

If we can't win them all with the A team, then Ggg needs to get a g amputated.

akm91 said:

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mrmill3218 said:

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Agree to disagree. I thought he was really poor the whole game. He should have come off at halftime.

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He wasn't poor the whole game. He had some very good defensive plays and line breaking passes and more than held his own the rest of the match after the bad giveaway in the first 2 minutes.

Besides, you aren't going to play Miyazga next to Brooks against Mexico. He just doesn't have the athleticism to cover for Brooks when the defense gets stretched out.

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Not premium so I can't attach the photo, but NBC Sports gave him a rating of 3, which was the lowest of any player on the pitch. Maybe he just had a bad night and he's actually a really good player, but it's okay to admit he was really poor the whole game and should have come off at half.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/soccer.nbcsports.com/2021/06/07/usmnt-player-ratings-from-trophy-claiming-et-win-over-mexico/amp/

Here's the link. It also says he's a really good defender, which he may be. Like I said, it's the only time I've seen him play so I hope he is!

When I look for quality soccer news, I go to NBC sports always.

They couldn't get past his early errors. He played well other than those.