Let's kick this off right.

Thursday, October 7

7:30 pm ET
ESPN2, Univision, TUDN
Austin, TX

Kickoff time is 7:45 ET, btw.

Still have tix available. Sec 106, row 15. 4 seats. $125 face value. $100 each obo. I signed up for the lottery system and didn't get notified until yesterday I got tickets and now I can't go.

Coaching my daughter's last fall season U12 tomorrow night but will be watching on delay after!

Man if tomorrow wasn't my wife's final game of her coaching career, I'd be there. Alas I'll be watching volleyball instead

I was just about to post on the USMNT thread that we need to make sure Jeffk starts a game thread! I saw this at the top of the board right before I made the post

Step 1 is complete, we've done all we can here on Texags, it's up to the boys on the pitch to do the rest...

I'll be there with my son and father. Absolutely can't wait.

Musah's available for the match!

Following an inconclusive test, #USMNT midfielder @yunusmusah8 has received a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 and is cleared to participate in team activities. pic.twitter.com/JKNm4W2Q2a

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) October 7, 2021

Will be interesting to see if Mussah starts/plays against Jamaica, given how this has been an issue that has apparently kept him out of team activities this week.

I assume Berhalter has a Starting XI planned without him that he has been working with all week. With 3 important games may hold Mussah off until Panama.

I think he'll bring Musah in as a sub, especially if we're ahead to get him some experience prior to the Panama game.

I don't think he'll start Musah given the separate training.

I have a feeling that the game tonight will be similar to the game we played them in the Gold Cup. I expect it to be close, 1-0 or 2-0.

I'm thinking this is Turner's job unless he loses it, but do we give Steffen a start sometime this window anyway?

jeffk said:

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I'm thinking this is Turner's job unless he loses it, but do we give Steffen a start sometime this window anyway?

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I agree with that. Question is which game. I think Turner plays tonight, and then in Panama, then give Zach the last game.

Need to win comfortably and set a good tone for the rest of this window. This is the one where we have to put ourselves in good shape, qualifying will be almost half over when it's done and we have two home games in this one. 7 points and we are sitting well, but a bad window and half way there with catching up to do is no bueno. Especially after the last cycle.
But it starts tonight.

I have two tix in Sec 120 Row 14 Seats 3 & 4. $75 each obo.

Game Day!!!!!! Time to take down some Jamaicans, make the Reggae Boys sound more like Barry Manilow!!!!!


My Projected line up:


___________________________Turner___________________________

Dest-----------------M. Robinson-------------McKenzie----------------A. Robinson

----------------------Adams------------------------------------Acosta --------------------

Weah------------------------------- McKennie-------------------------------Aaronson

-------------------------------------------Pepi-----------------------------------------------

With Dest out there offering offense on the wing and McKennie back, I think we will go with Adams and Acosta so as to limit the counter attack abilities of a very fast Jamaican team. I expect to see Jamaica sit back and look for counter opportunities.

I could also see him playing Lleget, but honestly, Lleget doesn't offer much when trying to break down a team sitting back. Mussah would be great, and I expect to see him some tonight, but I really like a midfield of Adams, Acosta and McKennie, as Acosta gives Adams and McKennie som e freedom. This line up, in my mind, gives us plenty of offensive capabilities while also offering protection against the dangerous Jamaican counter.

I'd rather Lleget start so as not to use both of our two #6 options in first game of the window.

I don't think Jamaica's defence is as disciplined as the other CONCACAAF opponents so even when they bunker there are still areas to exploit.

We'll see, and you may be right. I just don't know that Lleget is really suited to play against a fast "sit back and counter" type team. He doesn't offer that decisive through ball to open up a defense and he doesn't have the defensive acumen to get back.

We will see, lots of good options for that their midfielder spot.

All 3 of these games should be wins. However as we have seen earlier playing away in concacaf can be tricky for young players. I wouldn't be concerned with a tie against Panama granted Canada drop a game this window. 7 points ought to be the minimum we walk away with from this window.

Would love to see Musah start but that's not likely due to his COVID scare. Gotta get him game experience and incorporated into the team structure ASAP though.

Damn Musah starting!

3 Points at Home. Let's get it. 🇺🇸

Lineup Notes: https://t.co/hsMAUByxW3#OnlyForward #SoloPaLante pic.twitter.com/crw0vrJZmg

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) October 7, 2021

Has Adams been Captain before?

I think so.

The crowd has already started to show up; it looks like Austin is gonna have a great showing!

Let's Go!

World Cup Qualifying in Austin, TX, Baby!

Predictions?

I'm gonna go with USA 3 - Jamaica 0

I think so too. Something along those lines. I'll say 2-0 USA. Jamaica fared poorly against Mexico, IIRC.

Oh yeah, off to a great start...

Only a yellow?

Wow, not going to get that red, but could have been.