So recently a lot of hype has been placed on konrad as the next guy to "make it". That may or may not be true but it looks like he's gonna have a chance to play pro ball somewhere this year.
Excluding him (or maybe him if that's the only person you're looking at) and Richards-
Who do you all think is the next player to break through? Or even better who hasn't yet broken through that you would like to see in the first team playing??? This could be domestic but really I'm thinking abroad.
My guy is Alex Mendez. Such a great left foot, shot and vision and touch for the pass. I'm really waiting to see how Ajax brings him along, because I think Mendez brings something with his passing not many others in the pool provide. We have a lot of guys who can create off the dribble and run at speed but I feel like Mendez brings that true quality of pass that leads to very quality chances.
Other candidates for me would be Harper, Otasowie, Kobe, or my #2 choice Richy Ledezma. It's great that Pulisic, Reyna and company are starting and if everyone is healthy we can field a nice starting XI. It's now time for spots 12-20 to put the pressure on the stars to keep it up.
Samtom23
Post #2
Wednesday September 23, 2020 8:39am
Joined Jun 2018
Total Posts: 559
Original post from hamsamwich
So recently a lot of hype has been placed on konrad as the next guy to "make it". That may or may not be true but it looks like he's gonna have a chance to play pro ball somewhere this year.
Excluding him (or maybe him if that's the only person you're looking at) and Richards-
Who do you all think is the next player to break through? Or even better who hasn't yet broken through that you would like to see in the first team playing??? This could be domestic but really I'm thinking abroad.
My guy is Alex Mendez. Such a great left foot, shot and vision and touch for the pass. I'm really waiting to see how Ajax brings him along, because I think Mendez brings something with his passing not many others in the pool provide. We have a lot of guys who can create off the dribble and run at speed but I feel like Mendez brings that true quality of pass that leads to very quality chances.
Other candidates for me would be Harper, Otasowie, Kobe, or my #2 choice Richy Ledezma. It's great that Pulisic, Reyna and company are starting and if everyone is healthy we can field a nice starting XI. It's now time for spots 12-20 to put the pressure on the stars to keep it up.
Lledzma than Uly for me.
blaise213
Post #3
Wednesday September 23, 2020 11:57pm
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,336
NBC Sports just released the top 25 USMNT players right now
Refreshing to see a Starting XI would almost certainly not feature any MLS players. But I think towards the bottom of the list the MLS inclusion was forced.
There are a handful of young players who we should keep our eyes on for the "Next Player Up"...
1) Attackers: Uli, De La Fuente, Ledezma, De La Torre, Mendez
2) Defensive: Cardoso, Richards, Otasowie, Gloster, Cappis, Durkin
There are also some players who are a bit older who haven't really gotten many chances with the USMNT who could work their way into consideration....if only for a short period of time. Players like....
Horvath, Acosta, Holmes, Green, Moore,
blaise213
Post #6
Friday September 25, 2020 4:38am
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,336
Malik Tillman
hamsamwich
Post #7
Friday September 25, 2020 4:59am
Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 3,638
Who's your guy in specific @dave?
blaise213
Post #8
Friday September 25, 2020 9:36am
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,336
Damn Gio Reyna linked to Liverpool
Berhalter already on the phone with Christian Roldan telling him his starting position is safe!
db707
Post #9
Friday September 25, 2020 12:36pm
Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 1,130
Original post from hamsamwich
Who do you all think is the next player to break through? Or even better who hasn't yet broken through that you would like to see in the first team playing??? This could be domestic but really I'm thinking abroad.
I hope Richards breaks through because we definitely need a top quality central defender. But I don't want him or anyone else in the national team playing before they've broken through. As with Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Adams, if a guy has the talent and mindset to make it, it'll happen, no need to rush a guy onto the national team until they're established as a professional.
blaise213
Post #10
Friday September 25, 2020 1:30pm
Joined Sep 2012
Total Posts: 3,336
Original post from db707
I hope Richards breaks through because we definitely need a top quality central defender. But I don't want him or anyone else in the national team playing before they've broken through. As with Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Adams, if a guy has the talent and mindset to make it, it'll happen, no need to rush a guy onto the national team until they're established as a professional.
But the guys who haven't broken through fully (Konrad, Malik Tillman, Uly, Ledzema, Richards) are still better than the MLS players !!
hamsamwich
Post #11
Friday September 25, 2020 2:23pm
Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 3,638
@db707- sometimes my grammar isn't great. I meant the first team at their club, not the USA.
bjelks
Post #12
Friday September 25, 2020 3:15pm
Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 1,995
Original post from db707
I hope Richards breaks through because we definitely need a top quality central defender. But I don't want him or anyone else in the national team playing before they've broken through. As with Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Adams, if a guy has the talent and mindset to make it, it'll happen, no need to rush a guy onto the national team until they're established as a professional.
Is it rushing a guy if he's better at playing soccer than the guys in front of him?
Also how do you define breaking through?
1st team debut? Start? A month of bench minutes? What about a consistent bench role in a tier above in competition? How about 2 tiers? We need parameters.
goalsense
PortCityFan Louisiana
Post #13
Friday September 25, 2020 4:43pm
Joined Jul 2013
Total Posts: 227
Original post from bjelks
Is it rushing a guy if he's better at playing soccer than the guys in front of him?
Also how do you define breaking through?
1st team debut? Start? A month of bench minutes? What about a consistent bench role in a tier above in competition? How about 2 tiers? We need parameters.
I think it is rushing a player, even if he is a better "technical player", if he can not keep up with the physical demands of playing with the national team. And its not just on the field, its also the travel from Europe. Players like Brooks, Fabian, and Chandler were notoriously affected by these travels.
PortCityFan Louisiana
Post #14
Friday September 25, 2020 4:51pm
Joined Jul 2013
Total Posts: 227
Original post from PortCityFan
I think it is rushing a player, even if he is a better "technical player", if he can not keep up with the physical demands of playing with the national team. And its not just on the field, its also the travel from Europe. Players like Brooks, Fabian, and Chandler were notoriously affected by these travels.
And I will add that I am a strong believer in more European camps to accommodate these exceptions. This will also test those MLS "must haves" if you will.
Dave
Post #15
Friday September 25, 2020 11:07pm
Joined Jul 2014
Total Posts: 1,184
Original post from hamsamwich
Who's your guy in specific @dave?
If I have to pick 1 player, I'd have to go with Uli. His loan move makes him the most likely to get consistent 1st team minutes. The Dutch league is the perfect place for him to polish his game and jump up the depth chart.
Dark Horse is Cardoso. He's getting 1st team minutes in Brazil at a position we need someone to back-up Adams (I'm not sold on Yueill). Just not sure if Gregg will pull the trigger before the Olympics, but if he does I think Cardoso has the quality to be that security blanket for Adams.
That said I'm hoping to see a couple others get loaned out before the current window closes (Richards & De La Fuente)....if the loans happen they'll be right there with Uli as likely candidates to be the next break-out player for the US.
Total Posts: 3,638
Excluding him (or maybe him if that's the only person you're looking at) and Richards-
Who do you all think is the next player to break through? Or even better who hasn't yet broken through that you would like to see in the first team playing??? This could be domestic but really I'm thinking abroad.
My guy is Alex Mendez. Such a great left foot, shot and vision and touch for the pass. I'm really waiting to see how Ajax brings him along, because I think Mendez brings something with his passing not many others in the pool provide. We have a lot of guys who can create off the dribble and run at speed but I feel like Mendez brings that true quality of pass that leads to very quality chances.
Other candidates for me would be Harper, Otasowie, Kobe, or my #2 choice Richy Ledezma. It's great that Pulisic, Reyna and company are starting and if everyone is healthy we can field a nice starting XI. It's now time for spots 12-20 to put the pressure on the stars to keep it up.