Thank you for the update, I did see that and was wondering if he would be getting game time. It would be amazing if he could develop over the next few years as a partner for Brooks is one of the must haves for 2022.
Honestly, I couldn't really tell you as I mostly watch our (Bayern's) games and don't see too many other full Bundesliga games to have a good opinion, you'd have to ask other Bundesliga posters to get a better answer (just pose the question in the German football thread?).
He was quite highly rated while at Hertha. Maybe with the potential to join a club like Leverkusen or Dortmund. But then he moved to Wolfsburg and as far as I know had some up and downs there and now there isn't really any talk about him anymore. His contract is down to 12 months in the summer, maybe Gladbach will take a look at him now, given they face the same problem with both Ginter's and Elvedi's contract.
I actually love the direction MLS is going. The money being put into the academy system is paying huge dividends for the US team. Weston, Adams, Reyna, etc. are all products of MLS academies. Forget the WC players, the US needs to embrace the status they have, which is a second tier league. If they focus on player development they, and the national team, will reap the rewards.
Here in the U.S every soccer fan has their take on what would improve the MLS. Here's mine: focus on increasing viewership. One way or another, we need to get people glued to their tv screens and form an emotional attachment with their team.
i don’t know if I agree. I loved going to Atlanta United games, and I would challenge any teams fans in any sport in the US to claim to provide a better experience. I also patronized Birmingham Legion and Madison Forward games. Are they the same experience? Of course not, but I loved watching and supporting my local teams. Promotion/relegation is not coming any time soon, if ever, so if we want a vibrant, local experience we need to support those teams.
Yeah man that's what's unfair about the MLS system. Some of you have it really good. I've been to DC United games and the atmosphere is incredible. But for your Atlanta's and DC's we also have a bunch of clubs and potential goldmines that are rotting away in lower divisions.
The country has definitely produced a few great players over the years. Donovan obviously, but also Clint Dempsey, Altidore, Friedel, Howard, Brian Mcbride...
I agree, but it seems to me that from a very young age, people are motivated to follow baseball, basketball and football more than soccer. There is not yet a big soccer culture. That makes the emotional attachment harder to get.
I can't judge whether it's a lucky patch or a sign of sustainable improvement, but the young generation absolutely shits on most, if not all, of the players you have named. Like Landon Donovan spent six years at German top clubs and even Reyna (arguably even Hoppe) has already far eclipsed anything he has ever done here.
I’m guessing something like:
).Would be an exciting youthful team. Realistically though, getting to knockouts would be good.
Thanks. Looking forward to seeing them but worried the hopes are getting too highBased on the current player pool (and barring injuries) I think 7 players are locks:
GK: Steffen
RB: Dest
LCB: Brooks
DM: Adams
CM: McKinnie
RW/AM: Reyna
LW: Pulisic
The remaining slots are completely up for grabs:
LB: Robinson and Vines seem to be the leading candidates
RCB: Long is the incumbent, but hopefully Richards can take a huge leap by 2022 to make a play for the role.
CF: Who the hell knows. I guess Sergeant? Hoppe needs to do more to prove this is real. Soto just went back to Norwich so maybe he gets game time. Not sure how Gioacchini is doing in France. Ferreira looked great but plays MF for his club.
the final midfield role depends on how Berhalter sets up the team. It's probably Yueill if he goes with 2 DM's, with Weston pushing up and Reyna going wide. If he wants Reyna in the middle then it's like Morris on the wing.
As for realistic goals? I think getting to and maybe winning (depending on the opponent) the first knockout round is realistic. Best case scenario is getting to a QF. This team is way more talented then that 02 team that made the 02 QF's (and was cheated by Germany
Don't forget about Ayo Akinola. If he continues to do well and/or gets a move to Europe, he could be in contention for the U.S. team (though I really hope that he picks Canada instead).Based on the current player pool (and barring injuries) I think 7 players are locks:
GK: Steffen
RB: Dest
LCB: Brooks
DM: Adams
CM: McKinnie
RW/AM: Reyna
LW: Pulisic
The remaining slots are completely up for grabs:
LB: Robinson and Vines seem to be the leading candidates
RCB: Long is the incumbent, but hopefully Richards can take a huge leap by 2022 to make a play for the role.
CF: Who the hell knows. I guess Sergeant? Hoppe needs to do more to prove this is real. Soto just went back to Norwich so maybe he gets game time. Not sure how Gioacchini is doing in France. Ferreira looked great but plays MF for his club.
the final midfield role depends on how Berhalter sets up the team. It's probably Yueill if he goes with 2 DM's, with Weston pushing up and Reyna going wide. If he wants Reyna in the middle then it's like Morris on the wing.
As for realistic goals? I think getting to and maybe winning (depending on the opponent) the first knockout round is realistic. Best case scenario is getting to a QF. This team is way more talented then that 02 team that made the QF's (and was cheated by Germany
I kind of figured he was gone. The other striker I missed, and who I really liked what I saw from him in Orlando, is Daryl Dike. I am looking forward to seeing how he does at Barnsley while on loan.
Yep that's why I choose to be cautiously and quietly optimistic, knowing that the results on the pitch will speak for themselves when it is all said and done. Can't wait to not have to listen to the likes of Donovan dumping on the current setup ever again.
If Musah chooses the US I would play him in a 3 with Adams and Mckennie. Reyna, Pulisic and a striker for the front 3. Dest, Brooks, Robinson, and Richards or MacKenzie with Steffen. No need to complicate the lineup, start players who play regularly and preferably in the Champions League.Based on the current player pool (and barring injuries) I think 7 players are locks:
GK: Steffen
RB: Dest
LCB: Brooks
DM: Adams
CM: McKinnie
RW/AM: Reyna
LW: Pulisic
The remaining slots are completely up for grabs:
LB: Robinson and Vines seem to be the leading candidates
RCB: Long is the incumbent, but hopefully Richards can take a huge leap by 2022 to make a play for the role.
CF: Who the hell knows. I guess Sergeant? Hoppe needs to do more to prove this is real. Soto just went back to Norwich so maybe he gets game time. Not sure how Gioacchini is doing in France. Ferreira looked great but plays MF for his club.
the final midfield role depends on how Berhalter sets up the team. It's probably Yueill if he goes with 2 DM's, with Weston pushing up and Reyna going wide. If he wants Reyna in the middle then it's like Morris on the wing.
As for realistic goals? I think getting to and maybe winning (depending on the opponent) the first knockout round is realistic. Best case scenario is getting to a QF. This team is way more talented then that 02 team that made the QF's (and was cheated by Germany
I didn’t forget Musah, just trying to not get my hopes up
.Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
I don't think we need academies in each state. What is needed is exactly what you finished with, which is the solidarity payments. Both Richards and Tessman were identified and moved from Birmingham to FC Dallas (I am guessing they both played for Birmingham United, the best youth team in the state). This has a lot to do with how well FC Dallas does at identifying and tracking youth prospects in their area. hat being said, I bet Birmingham Utd saw not a penny from the moves, even though they trained them up to a YNT level (both were in the pipeline before they moved to FCD).
I followed more the generation from the 2000's though. Will have to catch up to the new guys.
The current young stars: Dest, Pulisic, Reyna, McKinnie, Adams, Musah (please please please) should all be in their primes (26-29) in 2026, plus the current crop of U-20's will be 23/24, so just entering their prime. If the US is going to make a splash at a WC it is going to be in 26 or never.
Thank you for the information. I will take a look at their games.
I would argue that the US currently has better youth prospects than Italy or Ghana. It makes a lot of sense for Musah to grow with the other players in his age group to build towards 4 or 8 years from now.
Good thing Musah has better judgment than you
I have had a shit Monday. This provides some joy.Good thing Musah has better judgment than you
Perhaps. How well do the US tend to do in the gold cup?
Touch a nerve?Good thing Musah has better judgment than you
2022 WC might be a little early, but by 2026 and 2030 we'll be peaking. GB is my biggest concern.
Not at all, seems like I might have though.My dream would be Pep for multiple reasons. It's obviously long shot right now but he has expressed interest in managing the US before and with those players in their prime in 2026, he could see it as a good opportunity to take a break from club football since it always seems like he needs one after a while.
There should hopefully also be some depth in behind these players too so overall, things are lining up nicely for the US. At minimum I would expect this group to put Mexico to the sword a few times hopefully but would be nice to see a long WC run in 26 or 30.On reflection, this has been a great month so far for the National Team. 3 of the 4 up for grabs positions in my mind are now much more settled.
GK: Steffen
LB:?????
CB: Brooks
CB: Richards: He has looked rock solid the few times I have been able to catch Hoffenheim
RB: Dest
DM: Adams
CM: Musah
CM: McKinne
RW: Reyna
LW: Pulisic
CF: Sargeant: He is on a bit of a scoring run now and has looked good doing it.
I guess that GB can move Dest to LB and play Cannon at RB, but for me that removes one of our best players from his best position. The best part is that in the above set up, only Brooks is over 22 (well Steffen is 25, but that's like 19 in GK years).
