I'm far from an MLS homer, but the idea that no one in the MLS could play for Gent is patent nonsense.
I'll agree, there are atleast a couple really talented young guys in MLS who could make the team (Tyler Adams and Jack Harrison). There's also a couple older guys who could like David Villa and Giovinco. It doesn't change that Gent is good and that they'd kill any MLS team, but all four of those guys absolutely make that team and maybe more.
SamHays1999 Kansas
Post #32
Wednesday November 22, 2017 8:44pm
Joined May 2017
Total Posts: 198
For how I'd handle the March friendly window:
Two games for sure
Away matches
If there is no "World Cup NIT", I'd play Italy and Holland.
If it does happen, I say we play against Mexico and Costa Rica/Panama/Peru.
This is a window where I definitely bring in the troops.
My roster:
Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez, Bill Hamid, Ethan Horvath
Centerbacks: John Brooks, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt Miazga, Erik Palmer-Brown
Central Midfielders (Defending/Central/Attacking): Christian Pulisic, Danny Williams, Kellyn Acosta, Weston McKennie
Wingers: Kenny Saief, Lynden Gooch, Kelyn Rowe, Brooks Lennon
Center Forwards: Bobby Wood, Josh Sargent
Your roster is short a couple players...you've identified 20 players instead of 23(+). At a minimum I'd add another outside back option (Shaq Moore, Juan Ocegueda). Add another CM or two (Jonathan Gonzalez, K. Scott, K. Parks); and another striker (Morris, Wright, ArJo, Dwyer).
I don't see EPB making much since considering he's just transferring to Man City. A better option would potentially be Cameron for experience or Glad (who's been getting minutes).
Not sure if Arriola will be past over for Rowe or Lennon. IMO all 3 are about the same quality wise so is more of a coaches decision.
Some of the final options will come down to who performs well during the January Camp. A strong showing in January will give some players a boost for March.
bjelks
Post #34
Thursday November 23, 2017 1:49am
Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 1,995
I just think regular minutes at Benfica has to merit a call up for Parks.
Scott should be playing in Championship come spring.
I know we love Adams, but Moore is starting in La Liga.
And can anybody tell me anything about Ashton Gotz?
goalsense
Dave
Post #35
Thursday November 23, 2017 2:29am
Joined Jul 2014
Total Posts: 1,184
Original post from bjelks
I just think regular minutes at Benfica has to merit a call up for Parks.
Scott should be playing in Championship come spring.
I know we love Adams, but Moore is starting in La Liga.
And can anybody tell me anything about Ashton Gotz?
Regular minutes with Benfica would merit a call-up. Parks just made his 1st team debut in a cup match with Benfica. It's yet to be seen if he'll be a regular with the first team.
Would be surprised if Scott isn't loaned out during the winter break. Just don't know if it'll be in the Championship or if it'll be a low level EPL club. If he gets minutes & performs he'll be in the discussion, as we need to add some creativity to the team.
Agree about Moore, but that doesn't preclude Adams from getting called into camps. Our lack of depth hurt us in the Hex so having versatile players who can fill in at multiple positions would be a bonus going forward.
goods
Post #36
Thursday November 23, 2017 3:38am
Joined Mar 2014
Total Posts: 565
What is wrong with Adams? He just turned 18 and made the rigjt decision with the Red Bulls. Now he could be stuck in MLS hell due to transfer policies, however with no European or Mexican passport where does he go? Is he good enough to be a Pulisic or MckInie playing in Germany, I think he is. In fact would not be shocked to see offers for him this winter. EPB will be the future of US kids sign and become a free agent the offseason after 18th birthday.
I think Adams in the wing will be fine but not shocked to see him push to be an ACM, who can interchange with Pulisic causing confusion in the opposing defense.
Dave
Post #37
Thursday November 23, 2017 5:41am
Joined Jul 2014
Total Posts: 1,184
Original post from goods
What is wrong with Adams? He just turned 18 and made the right decision with the Red Bulls. Now he could be stuck in MLS hell due to transfer policies, however with no European or Mexican passport where does he go? Is he good enough to be a Pulisic or MckInie playing in Germany, I think he is. In fact would not be shocked to see offers for him this winter.
I think Adams in the wing will be fine but not shocked to see him push to be an ACM, who can interchange with Pulisic causing confusion in the opposing defense.
I don't think anyone is claiming that there is anything wrong with Adams. What I, and many fans believe, is that there looks to be significant competition at the CM position.
We have the likes of McKennie, Gonzalez, Parks, Scott, Hyndmann, Acosta, Roldan & Canouse beginning to emerge. All these players are roughly the same age so they will be competing against one another for a limited number of roster spots. Therefore players will have to find ways to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack.
There are a couple ways of doing this...
1) Be playing regularly in a top European League
2) Be versatile, able to provide options/depth at more than a single position.
3) Performances when given minutes
4) The intangibles....Leadership, Locker-room presence, etc...
Adams is a good player who can play as an 8, 6, or as either a wide mid or defender. I don't think he's got the right skill set to be an ACM. IMO, Scott, Parks, & Hyndmann are more suited to the attack; while McKennie, Gonzalez, Adams, Acosta, & Roldan are more suited for the defensive side.
It's too early to ink in anyone at this point, but if I were to rank our CMs right now it'd be as follows:
1) McKennie (8 & 6)
2) Gonzalez (6 & 8)
3) Adams (8, 6, RB)
4) Parks/Scott (8 & 10)
5) Acosta (6, 8, LB)
6) Hyndman (8 & 10), Roldan (8 & 6)
7) Canouse (6)
As I said earlier a lot will depend on the formation and where Pulisic is deployed. With a single striker & Pulisic out wide it makes it easier to take 5-6 CMs. Especially if they are versatile enough to also be fielded in other positions (Adams & Acosta).
With the right progression of our player pool (everything working out perfect) I could see our squad of 23 comprised of 3-GK, 7-Def, 10-Mids, 3-Strikers OR 3-GK, 5-Def, 11-Mid, 4-Strikers, rather than the traditional roster of 3-GK, 8-Def, 8-Mids, 4-Forwards.
goods
Post #38
Thursday November 23, 2017 6:05am
Joined Mar 2014
Total Posts: 565
It is far to early to say Scott, Parks, or Hyndman can be rated yet. Scott and Parks are young but have yet to recieve consistent minutes eapecially league minutes. I love the fact both have earned their spot in challenging for minutes, but lets see them actually play first.
Hyndman to me is in the Zelelam relm. Great potiential but always seems to be hurt and will they see the pitch anytime soon?
I think it is not fair to rate a kid on Euro or Mexican league play when they cannot get there. Adams forced a very unpopular trade and improved the team, and was the leader of that team. I would not be shocked to see Adams sold to a Euro team in January, perhaps with a Loan back to the Red Bulls to start the season. I would put Adams at any midfield spot and both fullback slots.
Know Nothing
Post #39
Friday November 24, 2017 8:37pm
Joined Jan 2013
Total Posts: 1,892
Original post from goods
It is far to early to say Scott, Parks, or Hyndman can be rated yet. Scott and Parks are young but have yet to recieve consistent minutes eapecially league minutes. I love the fact both have earned their spot in challenging for minutes, but lets see them actually play first.
Hyndman to me is in the Zelelam relm. Great potiential but always seems to be hurt and will they see the pitch anytime soon?
I think it is not fair to rate a kid on Euro or Mexican league play when they cannot get there. Adams forced a very unpopular trade and improved the team, and was the leader of that team. I would not be shocked to see Adams sold to a Euro team in January, perhaps with a Loan back to the Red Bulls to start the season. I would put Adams at any midfield spot and both fullback slots.
Rated? They will be too old for the March 2108 Friendly Games
2tone Ten-Towns
Post #40
Friday November 24, 2017 9:05pm
Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,652
I think Boyd should be in consideration as well. Has been playing regularly again n for Darmstadt. Scored two goals today as well.
SamHays1999 Kansas
Post #41
Sunday November 26, 2017 1:54am
Joined May 2017
Total Posts: 198
Original post from Dave
Your roster is short a couple players...you've identified 20 players instead of 23(+). At a minimum I'd add another outside back option (Shaq Moore, Juan Ocegueda). Add another CM or two (Jonathan Gonzalez, K. Scott, K. Parks); and another striker (Morris, Wright, ArJo, Dwyer).
I don't see EPB making much since considering he's just transferring to Man City. A better option would potentially be Cameron for experience or Glad (who's been getting minutes).
Not sure if Arriola will be past over for Rowe or Lennon. IMO all 3 are about the same quality wise so is more of a coaches decision.
Some of the final options will come down to who performs well during the January Camp. A strong showing in January will give some players a boost for March.
Ah yeah, you're right, I did go short a bit. Fullback, Shaq Moore would be great to have aboard. Central mid, yeah, Jonathan Gonzalez (idk why I was thinking March wouldn't work for him, play stops in the end of December and begins back up in May) and any of Kyle Scott, Keaton Parks, and Nick Taitague as another option. For center forward, Morris or Haji Wright works.
For EPB, I do think he makes it, although as a #4, for the training and all that. Maybe he could play some, but wouldn't be much. Glad works too I guess, but I'd prefer EPB.
I definitely like Lennon much more than Arriola, but yeah, if you're looking at experience, go Arriola. I'm purely looking at the best talent for the March camp after going MLS Camp Cupcake for January.
SamHays1999 Kansas
Post #42
Sunday November 26, 2017 2:05am
Joined May 2017
Total Posts: 198
Original post from bjelks
I just think regular minutes at Benfica has to merit a call up for Parks.
Scott should be playing in Championship come spring.
I know we love Adams, but Moore is starting in La Liga.
And can anybody tell me anything about Ashton Gotz?
Parks and Moore being on those clubs is brilliant, they should get an advantage because of it even, yes. They should even be called up asap. The thing, though, is that a couple MLS/Liga MX guys are actually as good as those great youth European guys (besides Pulisic and McKennie), though not many of them; Tyler Adams is one.
As for Ashton Gotz, I did see he's on the club who is last in the Eredivisie, but idk much else.
navi8132 New York
Post #43
Wednesday December 6, 2017 11:37pm
Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 3,122
Updated March predicted best starting 11:
(I hope Manneh can go to 2.Bundesliga and grow)
(Pulisic is in more of a free role, centrally, sorta like a withdrawn forward Dempsey like role)
A decent XI but aren't Amon & Manneh both Left Mids? Not saying one couldn't play RM, but would consider Gooch or Arriola for the RM spot. Additionally Saief, if back playing after the winter break, is likely in consideration for the LM spot.
Flip Brooks (LCB) & Miazga (RCB). CCV & Moore off the bench.
goods
Post #45
Thursday December 7, 2017 2:19am
Joined Mar 2014
Total Posts: 565
I would go with Adams out right before Manneh, Gooch or Arriola
Kansas
Total Posts: 198
I'm far from an MLS homer, but the idea that no one in the MLS could play for Gent is patent nonsense.
I'll agree, there are atleast a couple really talented young guys in MLS who could make the team (Tyler Adams and Jack Harrison). There's also a couple older guys who could like David Villa and Giovinco. It doesn't change that Gent is good and that they'd kill any MLS team, but all four of those guys absolutely make that team and maybe more.