One thing I noticed was that Jozy & Wood in the first half were not ready for Pulisic's crosses at all. Pulisic kept attacking his guy off the dribble (something no one in US jerseys do) and was firing in the crosses. In the 2nd haldf they realized thats how he plays and got in position (a couple near misses, the sliding Jozy goal off the Sacha back heel, the Arriola rebound). I also loved how Pulisic's crosses were almost all on the ground, or waist level and below. That gives so many more options than the aeriel cross.
As Pulisic plays more with these guys, they will evolve their game to his strengths. I think we saw a glimpse of the changing of the guard.
Jozy showed that instead of being a post forward, collecting a long pass and trying to do too much, he can let the winger do the work, and get ready for the cross. I think Jozy, Wood, Pulisic have to play together more often, and as they do they will only get better. Let Arriola take over the super sub role (20 min energy off the bench) and we just need to upgrade from Bedoya (Fab if LB problem is resolved) and find an attacking midfielder (I dont think Sacha is a long term solution as he'll be exposed against a team like Mexico).
Rey Regicide
Post #377
Wednesday September 7, 2016 12:31pm
Joined Sep 2013
Total Posts: 2,001
Original post from MSantoine
One thing I noticed was that Jozy & Wood in the first half were not ready for Pulisic's crosses at all. Pulisic kept attacking his guy off the dribble (something no one in US jerseys do) and was firing in the crosses. In the 2nd haldf they realized thats how he plays and got in position (a couple near misses, the sliding Jozy goal off the Sacha back heel, the Arriola rebound). I also loved how Pulisic's crosses were almost all on the ground, or waist level and below. That gives so many more options than the aeriel cross.
As Pulisic plays more with these guys, they will evolve their game to his strengths. I think we saw a glimpse of the changing of the guard.
Jozy showed that instead of being a post forward, collecting a long pass and trying to do too much, he can let the winger do the work, and get ready for the cross. I think Jozy, Wood, Pulisic have to play together more often, and as they do they will only get better. Let Arriola take over the super sub role (20 min energy off the bench) and we just need to upgrade from Bedoya (Fab if LB problem is resolved) and find an attacking midfielder (I dont think Sacha is a long term solution as he'll be exposed against a team like Mexico).
Good Jozy, running at people, bad Jozy, tasked with hold up play. If Klesjtan gets exposed against Mexico, what will become of Bradley?
hamsamwich
Post #378
Wednesday September 7, 2016 1:24pm
Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 3,633
Sasha was a bit of a soft touch in the first half. He scored a nice goal using the high pressure. But when we dropped to defend (first half when scoreless) early, his presence wasn't there much at all. T&T had multiple looks in the center and top of box. He's a good offensive player but against a Mexico he will get exposed.
Rey Regicide
Post #379
Wednesday September 7, 2016 1:35pm
Joined Sep 2013
Total Posts: 2,001
Compare that wiht Pulisic who's tryign to tackle everybody. Also, Arriola, TREMENDOUS work rate.
It would be tough to justify those inclusions, but think about what we're saying, we're saying when we have our players back, the Zardes's, the Bedoya's, they have limited defensive range, so SK is going to have to split the middle with MB who's losing his MF battles. Then why don't we just replace MB then? Because the thing that's working, granted a limited sample size, is Sascha and CP10(formerly 22).
I don't get why we do these changes, and then revert back to something that's not working. JK should NEVER call up wondo, Zusi, beckerman, this is living proof that while our young/inexperienced, players might not be ready yet, what they require is MORE time. So what we should be focused on, based on what you said, which I don't entirely buy; SK a liability inherently, is trying to shore up our shape and personnel to reflect a more pressing style that accomodates Altidore/Pulisic and Sasha.
Why would this not be a prudent approach?
Rey Regicide
Post #380
Wednesday September 7, 2016 1:36pm
Joined Sep 2013
Total Posts: 2,001
I forgot an element here that was missing, Dempsey... quite the conundrum.
bjelks
Post #381
Wednesday September 7, 2016 1:42pm
Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 1,995
I don't understand the concept of not ready yet. We should just play the best players. Pullisic, Arriola, Stanko, are easily better players than Wondo, Zusi, Beckerman, Bedoya.
goalsense
Rey Regicide
Post #382
Wednesday September 7, 2016 1:50pm
Joined Sep 2013
Total Posts: 2,001
So to clarify my statement, them not being ready, like Pulisic looking a little lost at first on passes to Altidore and Wood
the remedy to that is
PLAY HIM MORE!
=D Come on JK!! just play the kids, they can hang with midlevel Concacaf talent, a Nov qualifier sure, you might trot out Jermaine Jones or Bradley, and at this point, trust me you don't trot out both.
MSantoine
Post #383
Wednesday September 7, 2016 4:15pm
Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 3,723
To me some it should be simple, even when people healthy
Wondo- Out. When Dempsey back, Wondo is dropped. Morris fills his spot as 3rd/4th forward.
Zusi - Out. Arriola should take his spot permanently.
Zardes- Returns as a sub. No way should CP come out of the lineup for him.
Beckerman- Out. Stanko can replace him, Jones will too.
Jones/Bedoya/Dempsey/Sacha/Bradley - For immediate future (ie until Hyndman, Zelalem, Gooch ready to take over) should be the rest of midfield (with Arriola, Zardes, CP). I think Dempsey should be dropped into a reserve role where he comes on when we need a goal (an aggressive 4-3-3). Bedoya as a fringe starter on wing until Fab can be moved to the wing permanently, then transitions to backup, kicking Zardes out of the 23. Sacha as a reserve for injuries/tired legs. Jones as likely starter, being transitioned out soon. Also Nagbe likely out of 23 until Jones/Dempsey pushed out.
USAGunner West Palm Beach
Post #384
Wednesday September 7, 2016 4:53pm
Joined Jul 2013
Total Posts: 1,322
It would be nice if a guy like Nagbe can take over that Attacking Midfield role. He won't get exposed on the defensive end and has shown he can link up with Pulisic quite well.
It would be nice if a guy like Nagbe can take over that Attacking Midfield role. He won't get exposed on the defensive end and has shown he can link up with Pulisic quite well.
I agree however Klinsy clearly doesnt rate Nagbe very highly (was part of original 23 but somehow Sacha was given the chance over him),
I would say that we will likely, barring injury, see that lineup vs Mexico but with Sacha in the CM role. Sacha will likely play in that role until he sucks in a match, or gets hurt. Regardless if it was because of Pulisic or not he deserves the chance to get some run.
blaise213
Post #386
Wednesday September 7, 2016 5:50pm
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,335
Original post from bjelks
I don't understand the concept of not ready yet. We should just play the best players. Pullisic, Arriola, Stanko, are easily better players than Wondo, Zusi, Beckerman, Bedoya.
I've been saying that since before the 2014 World Cup........ Also Bradley and Altidore shouldn't be automatic starters..... Bradley struggles against fast technical teams (As i said a million times).
Live490 Texas
Post #387
Wednesday September 7, 2016 6:25pm
Joined Mar 2013
Total Posts: 1,175
Or Nagbe for Bedoya. I dislike Bedoya but his hard work rate wins me over.
Howard
Yedlin Cam Brooks Fabjo
...............Bradley
----Nagbe Jones Pulisic
------Deuce Altidore(Wood)
That is for me the best 11 we could field if no one was hurt and in a good run of form. Dudes, Pulisic reminds me so much of Landon. Their game. IQ. Body frame. Even the same serious and borning tone when they speak. I think, and never did we would have or that it would take decades for this, that he can and probably be better than LD. If he doesnt suffer any injuries and keeps on the great path is in. It would kind of the a finish product of what Landon could have probably been with European tranings, games, etc.
Dave
Post #388
Wednesday September 7, 2016 6:58pm
Joined Jul 2014
Total Posts: 1,181
Original post from USAGunner
It would be nice if a guy like Nagbe can take over that Attacking Midfield role. He won't get exposed on the defensive end and has shown he can link up with Pulisic quite well.
@USAGunner - I like this XI and think that this is close to what we'll see in the not so distant future. However, I don't think we'll see it until sometime after our first 2 matches of the Hex.
Our lineups for the Hex matches this year will depend a lot on the health and availability of Jones & Dempsey, who I'd expect to slot in for Pulisic & Nagbe if they are healthy enough.
Later in the hex I think we could see players like Gooch and Zardes put pressure on both Nagbe & Bedoya for starting minutes.
blaise213
Post #389
Wednesday September 7, 2016 8:09pm
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,335
If you want to see attacking soccer ??????
Everyone needs to stop putting Bradley and Bedoya in the Starting XI......
Collin Cowherd went H.A.M today on Pulisic !!!!
cudevil
Post #390
Wednesday September 7, 2016 8:13pm
Joined Oct 2012
Total Posts: 1,204
Original post from Rey Regicide
Compare that wiht Pulisic who's tryign to tackle everybody. Also, Arriola, TREMENDOUS work rate.
It would be tough to justify those inclusions, but think about what we're saying, we're saying when we have our players back, the Zardes's, the Bedoya's, they have limited defensive range, so SK is going to have to split the middle with MB who's losing his MF battles. Then why don't we just replace MB then? Because the thing that's working, granted a limited sample size, is Sascha and CP10(formerly 22).
I don't get why we do these changes, and then revert back to something that's not working. JK should NEVER call up wondo, Zusi, beckerman, this is living proof that while our young/inexperienced, players might not be ready yet, what they require is MORE time. So what we should be focused on, based on what you said, which I don't entirely buy; SK a liability inherently, is trying to shore up our shape and personnel to reflect a more pressing style that accomodates Altidore/Pulisic and Sasha.
Why would this not be a prudent approach?
Zardes and Bedoya have limited defensive range? I frankly think that Zardes' work rate and willingness to track back is by far his best trait. Bedoya is a solid two way player. If you want to pull them in favor of someone else, that's fine-but I think the last reason you'd pull either is defensive abilities.
Total Posts: 3,723
As Pulisic plays more with these guys, they will evolve their game to his strengths. I think we saw a glimpse of the changing of the guard.
Jozy showed that instead of being a post forward, collecting a long pass and trying to do too much, he can let the winger do the work, and get ready for the cross. I think Jozy, Wood, Pulisic have to play together more often, and as they do they will only get better. Let Arriola take over the super sub role (20 min energy off the bench) and we just need to upgrade from Bedoya (Fab if LB problem is resolved) and find an attacking midfielder (I dont think Sacha is a long term solution as he'll be exposed against a team like Mexico).