Well damn

wangus12 said:

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Well damn

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Yep. I don't think he starts but good depth.

I can’t even begin to fathom how much of a masochist one must be to think Miles Robinson, Tim Ream, Auston Trusty, all these mediocre CB’s, serve the interests of the USMNT more (now and in the future) than Banks. https://t.co/XEBQuoXnao

— USMNTProspects (@ProspectsUsmnt) November 22, 2025

Meant to just copy his stats.

Commentary is a bit premature after one good game, but yes CB has been the weak link since Father Time caught up with Tim Ream a couple years ago. And I remember several of us at that time hoping that someone new would emerge, but many of the guys we were discussing then were guys who quite frankly were already too old to really have much more potential left in them (like Trusty, for one). We can't expect everyone to have a late-career renaissance and become a stud like Tim Ream did, though I'd happily take it if we get it again.

But I agree completely that it's crazy to write Banks off for 2026 due to age, like some pundits are doing, and so I like a bit of premature commentary like this to call them out. If he starts all year, he 100% needs to go. Probably not start, but absolutely needs to go.

deadbq03 said:

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Commentary is a bit premature after one good game, but yes CB has been the weak link since Father Time caught up with Tim Ream a couple years ago. And I remember several of us at that time hoping that someone new would emerge, but many of the guys we were discussing then were guys who quite frankly were already too old to really have much more potential left in them (like Trusty, for one). We can't expect everyone to have a late-career renaissance and become a stud like Tim Ream did, though I'd happily take it if we get it again.

But I agree completely that it's crazy to write Banks off for 2026 due to age, like some pundits are doing, and so I like a bit of premature commentary like this to call them out. If he starts all year, he 100% needs to go. Probably not start, but absolutely needs to go.

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He didn't even play the last camp he was in.

It's interesting that CB is a perceived weakness, but we're playing 3 CBs and 2 wingers and no true fullbacks.

I've been unable to watch nothing but highlights of games recently so I won't speak to the 3 man line, but as for Banks not playing in the September window… he also wasn't playing much at all for his club either (zero starts this season). A lot can change at his age… two months later he's got 6 starts out of 7 matches and played 90' in 3 of them.

It's exciting progression, but I agree that you don't give a guy a spot until he gets some caps and performs. I mentioned previously that I was glad he was kept out of this window because it would help solidify him as a starter at his club, and that should be our #1 goal for him right now. IF he is a starter over the next 3 months, I think you have to bring him in during the March window and get him some minutes with these guys. Maybe it doesn't work out yet, but I think you gotta give him a good hard look and see if he deserves a spot.

Ready to feast this week. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6kroNYAwWh

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 25, 2025

We may be in a spot where he's just not ready which is totally ok. Kid is only 18 with 30something professional appearances, he likely (hopefully) is our future at center back but he's still a young pro and is going to develop a ton over the next WC cycle. He's definitely one I'd add to one of our last roster spots for the tournament though.

It's unfortunately a position of need, but the situation is what it is.

Oh for sure. Real good chance he won't be ready. But I just hope that if he's established himself as a regular starter in a P5 league that Poch brings him in and gives him a senior cap with meaningful minutes to find out whether he really is or not.

First goal of the season for Weston McKennie and a great time for it. #USMNT https://t.co/FXpyelDiOU

— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) November 25, 2025

Totally agree, no reason not to cap him at minimum.

𝔹𝔸𝕃𝕆𝔾𝕆𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝕃 🇺🇸

26' | 1️⃣-2️⃣ #PAFASM pic.twitter.com/GA1jCBMEJq

— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) November 26, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving indeed.

🚨 Antonee Robinson’s injury situation:

Progress with his rehabilitation during the most recent international break has meant Robinson could be ready to play again in three to four weeks. During the November window, Robinson worked with a specialist, former Liverpool head… pic.twitter.com/VYQhdfV5yb

— USMNT Otaku 🇺🇸 (@USMNTOtaku) November 27, 2025

Dest has looked good and a few others giving me hope

Tyler Adams

Premier League | 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sunderland 0-2 Bournemouthpic.twitter.com/3Ijd0f2TJM

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) November 29, 2025

A sizzling strike from Alex Zendejas on Saturday night for @ClubAmerica! 🔥💥 pic.twitter.com/eyhQL4eCwY

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 30, 2025

GET UP. GET IN!@Ricardo_Pepi9 bikes one home for @PSV! pic.twitter.com/au63oJ3Cba

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 30, 2025

The team looked very "excited" with that one

Pepi also got the assist in their first goal. Holdup play and passed back to an advancing midfielder.

Really nice.

And yet, as for all his career - inconsistency. No idea what he did the rest of the game, but he only had a 6.1 Fotmob and got subbed off, which is a shame because the cup game was an opportunity to finally get another start and shine.

Poch's comments were correct after he did well this camp… it's good to see him do well, but if he can't get minutes, it'll be tough to call him ahead of other guys who are playing regularly.

Lord knows what happens behind the scenes, but when club after club fail to play him, something's going on.

deadbq03 said:

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Really nice.

And yet, as for all his career - inconsistency. No idea what he did the rest of the game, but he only had a 6.1 Fotmob and got subbed off, which is a shame because the cup game was an opportunity to finally get another start and shine.

Poch's comments were correct after he did well this camp… it's good to see him do well, but if he can't get minutes, it'll be tough to call him ahead of other guys who are playing regularly.

Lord knows what happens behind the scenes, but when club after club fail to play him, something's going on.

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He got a start and a sub at 68 is typically a planned move.

Always look at the postive.

And Fotmob really doesn't account for hockey assists like that, when he set up the goal. Not sure if he got credit for the chances created too.

Well we're gonna know pretty quick how the WC is gonna go with the 4 matches we currently have set up for preparation.

Belgium
Portugal
TBA
Germany

I'd like at least one easier match to help build some confidence going into it.

wangus12 said:

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Well we're gonna know pretty quick how the WC is gonna go with the 4 matches we currently have set up for preparation.

Belgium
Portugal
TBA
Germany

I'd like at least one easier match to help build some confidence going into it.

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All of those countries are smaller than Texas, so we have a chance.

Never heard of TBA though.

Hope they play that one at Oceanfront Field in Arizona. Great crowd there.

Quote:

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Mainoo's hopes of leaving could hinge on United signing a midfielder in January, having blocked his exit in the summer when deals for Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher, of Atletico Madrid, failed to materialise.

United are among the admirers of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, of Crystal Palace, but could go back for Baleba or Gallagher, and have also discussed Bournemouth's Tyler Adams and Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.

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GOAL! Ricardo Pepi!

pic.twitter.com/UuQnUYptEI

— Inside1913 | PSV Eindhoven (@Inside1913) December 6, 2025