I just don't have enough time to keep track of the team like I used to...

So...

All you guys that know the team, what's your idea of the best 11 we could put on the field?

I'm guessing that Dest, Pulisic, McKennie, Pepi and Turner are givens, maybe not...

He may not be the "better" player, but Aaronson deserves to start and I think we play better with him in the team.

Doesn't matter what we think. Ggg will do something dumb.

Kampfers said:

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He may not be the "better" player, but Aaronson deserves to start and I think we play better with him in the team.

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Only with Reyna in midfield.

If we were playing a World Cup right now instead of WCQ, akm's 2022 list is the right answer.

I'd humbly suggest that Brooks and Reyna might not be the best for WCQ though, despite being objectively more talented than the next man up. They just don't seem to want to be involved in CONCACAF matches (and quite frankly, I don't blame them). I'm very tempted to add another name to this group but I'd be branded a heretic for even suggesting it so I won't.

And I'll add that I like akm's 2026 list too, but I'd bet we'll see at least one name emerge that we don't even know about right now.

There's a few spots that are clearly not what I'd consider world-class despite having a clear cut starter right now (LB, for one). Lots of room for someone to emerge and take a spot.

Totally agreed regarding at least one currently unknown talent that will emerge. However Musah, Reyna and Pepi will still not be in their "prime" in 2026 (they'll be around 23/24)!

Regarding the term "world class", how do you define it? I guess we have different definitions as I think there are very few world class players. I don't think we have any world class players on the USMNT right now.

-----------Pepi Pulisic
---------------Reyna
Robinson McKennie Adams Dest
-------Ream Brooks Robinson
---------------Turner

I imagine most people will want a sexier name in midfield over a "just a guy" third centerback, but IMO Robinson and Dest as fullbacks rather than wingbacks is crippling our attack. Right now we're either having to have them defend, or playing wingers who's job is to defend, which by the way, you're not gonna get an Arriola type performance covering for Dest if its Pulisic in front of him.

deadbq03 said:

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If we were playing a World Cup right now instead of WCQ, akm's 2022 list is the right answer.

I'd humbly suggest that Brooks and Reyna might not be the best for WCQ though, despite being objectively more talented than the next man up. They just don't seem to want to be involved in CONCACAF matches (and quite frankly, I don't blame them). I'm very tempted to add another name to this group but I'd be branded a heretic for even suggesting it so I won't.

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How did you come to that conclusion about Reyna? He put in max effort

I probably shouldn't have lumped him in with Brooks. I gotta fess up: I just don't like Reyna, so I wasn't thinking there.

I watch a lot of Bundesliga. Tyler Adams plays the same in both and I love him.

Brooks clearly has a better attitude and plays better for Wolfsburg than he does for USMNT. Hands down.

Reyna is actually pretty consistent on both… but it's that same sad-sack mopey demeanor whenever he doesn't have the ball. He does probably play better for Dortmund, though that's probably more a factor of having one of the best young 9's in the world and a host of other quality around him. (Adams as well completes more forward passes at Leipzig because there are guys who know how to get open).

So if I'm honest with myself, I shouldn't have said that about Reyna. He probably does play at a similar level for us as he does for Dortmund. I just don't like him. I'd honestly rather see Aaronson instead, and I absolutely know that makes me wrong. Hopefully someday soon Reyna will make me change my mind.

akm91 said:

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Totally agreed regarding at least one currently unknown talent that will emerge. However Musah, Reyna and Pepi will still not be in their "prime" in 2026 (they'll be around 23/24)!

Regarding the term "world class", how do you define it? I guess we have different definitions as I think there are very few world class players. I don't think we have any world class players on the USMNT right now.

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Yeah "world class" was the wrong term. I'm swinging and missing today.

JJxvi said:

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-----------Pepi Pulisic
---------------Reyna
Robinson McKennie Adams Dest
-------Ream Brooks Robinson
---------------Turner

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Sir!

Bet you don't like Haaland too because of that demeanor.

JJxvi said:

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I imagine most people will want a sexier name in midfield over a "just a guy" third centerback, but IMO Robinson and Dest as fullbacks rather than wingbacks is crippling our attack. Right now we're either having to have them defend, or playing wingers who's job is to defend, which by the way, you're not gonna get an Arriola type performance covering for Dest if its Pulisic in front of him.

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Pulisic would be playing on the left and would need to cover Robinson, not Dest. Pulisic would cut inside and allow Robinson to stay out wide. Adams would be the cover when Robinson is pushed up.

JJxvi said:

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-----------Pepi Pulisic
---------------Reyna
Robinson McKennie Adams Dest
-------Ream Brooks Robinson
---------------Turner

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I'd actually sub out Ream with either Richards or Zimmerman and slide Brooks out left. Play Robinson in the middle and insert Richards or Zimmerman on the right.

I'd seriously think of replacing McKennie with Musah if we're playing a double pivot and have Musah play on the right and Adams on the left.

I'm trying to remember if we've played with 3 CBs + Adams at the 6 recently. I remember us having trouble defensively last time we tried it, but I can't recall if Adams was in the game or not.

jeffk said:

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I'm trying to remember if we've played with 3 CBs + Adams at the 6 recently. I remember us having trouble defensively last time we tried it, but I can't recall if Adams was in the game or not.

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I think it was Sands that played the 6 and struggled when we tried a back 3 at some time earlier this summer/fall. I remember we were all thinking he'd be playing as one of the 3 CB's.

Kevin the 3-legged dog said:

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Bet you don't like Haaland too because of that demeanor.

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I've addressed this before on a different thread. I don't know why you think they similar.

Most of the time, Haaland looks like he's actually having fun out there. The closest USMNT analog in terms of body language is Hoppe. Both of those two get pissed when scoring chances get blown, but otherwise seem to be having fun.

Reyna spends most of the game looking like his dog died.

jeffk said:

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I'm trying to remember if we've played with 3 CBs + Adams at the 6 recently. I remember us having trouble defensively last time we tried it, but I can't recall if Adams was in the game or not.

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Adams is probably the only way it would work, currently.

deadbq03 said:

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Kevin the 3-legged dog said:

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Bet you don't like Haaland too because of that demeanor.

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I've addressed this before on a different thread. I don't know why you think they similar.

Most of the time, Haaland looks like he's actually having fun out there. The closest USMNT analog in terms of body language is Hoppe. Both of those two get pissed when scoring chances get blown, but otherwise seem to be having fun.

Reyna spends most of the game looking like his dog died.

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Sounds like you just have a weird issue with Reyna

No doubt.

deadbq03 said:

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Kevin the 3-legged dog said:

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Bet you don't like Haaland too because of that demeanor.

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I've addressed this before on a different thread. I don't know why you think they similar.

Most of the time, Haaland looks like he's actually having fun out there. The closest USMNT analog in terms of body language is Hoppe. Both of those two get pissed when scoring chances get blown, but otherwise seem to be having fun.

Reyna spends most of the game looking like his dog died.

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Other than how he looks, have yo unheard bad things about him?

In my experience, fans make way too much about player body language.

jeffk said:

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In my experience, fans make way too much about player body language.

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I agree completely. Objectively, he's a great player. I just don't like watching him play. Wish I did.

He does have a tendency to throw his mini fits while the play is still going on. He's gotta cut that out.

akm91 said:

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snowdog90 said:

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I just don't have enough time to keep track of the team like I used to...

So...

All you guys that know the team, what's your idea of the best 11 we could put on the field?

I'm guessing that Dest, Pulisic, McKennie, Pepi and Turner are givens, maybe not...

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2022 Cycle
----------------------Turner
Dest - M. Robinson - Brooks - A. Robinson
----------------------Adams
----------------Musah - McKennie
--------------Reyna - Pepi - Pulisic


2026 Cycle
----------------------Turner
Dest - M. Robinson - Richards - A. Robinson
----------------------Adams
----------------Musah - Reyna
--------------Weah- Pepi - Pulisic

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That 2022 side looks really strong. What is really impressive is that there are many good players not in that 11.

So here's another question, what is the ceiling for this team if it plays as well as it can? What great sides does this team match up well against?

Barring a fluky run, this feels like a quarter finals of thr WC team (in 22) if everyone is there and everyone is playing to the best of their ability. Turner has been impressive of late but I struggle to see him as the next Great American Gola keeper. And I'm not certain there's enough leadership and nastiness if they get punched in the mouth.

Quote:

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And I'm not certain there's enough leadership and nastiness if they get punched in the mouth.

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I dunno man. I saw a lot of nastiness and relentlessness in the Nations League and in the Gold Cup.

ChipFTAC01 said:

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Barring a fluky run, this feels like a quarter finals of thr WC team (in 22) if everyone is there and everyone is playing to the best of their ability. Turner has been impressive of late but I struggle to see him as the next Great American Gola keeper. And I'm not certain there's enough leadership and nastiness if they get punched in the mouth.

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Yeah I agree that quarterfinals is the ceiling. A huge factor will be lack of experience. Missing '18 is going to bite us. I just hope we can make it out of group stage so we can get experience in knockout so our guys are better prepared for '26.

Kevin the 3-legged dog said:

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Quote:

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And I'm not certain there's enough leadership and nastiness if they get punched in the mouth.

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I dunno man. I saw a lot of nastiness and relentlessness in the Nations League and in the Gold Cup.

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I agree. Biggest reason we won't go far is the combo of Gregg + youth/inexperience.

I'd expect neither to be valid excuses in 2026. NT coaches just don't have long tenures even at the top levels.

And I know no one wants to go there, but at least one of our projected first 11 will fall off the map for one reason or another prior to the WC. Tale as old as time.

Yeah you're right on both counts.

If we fail to make it out of group stage in '22, I hope the powers-that-be make a change to set us up well for '26. (Edit to add, I'm confident they'll make a change if God-forbid we fail to qualify. And I'll also add that I'd still rather see Gregg find success than have to make another change. It's a shame he was hired but he does seem to be getting better.)

Speaking of that… huge stretch upcoming for Jesse Marsch at Leipzig. https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/jesse-marschs-rb-leipzig-enter-crucial-stretch-which-could-determine-the-american-managers-future/