I think it’s clear 9/10 outfield players in the top 11 are set. The only question I have is the Robinson/Dest/Cannon triangle.
team cannon and dest imo also, really would like to see what it would like having aaranson/gio play the 10 role (with the other on the wing in a fluid front 4). part of me’s hesitant though because it kinda seems like wes has been playing a more advanced role for club and country this last year. i’m not sure how’d he do helping tyler progress the ball forward in possession and not getting caught out of position both in and out of possession without having another cm next to him and tyler imo
not if we play one of them as a false 9 ---pulisic ------ reyna ------ aaronson--- --------- mckennie -------- musah --------- ---------------------adams- -------------------- ---robinson - brooks - mckenzie - dest--- -------------------- horvath -------------------- weah and dike/a striker as subs
Its incredible how much of a difference it makes when your pivot midfielders look upfield when they get the ball at their feet instead of looking for the open CB to pass it to. If we have the midfield trio of Adams, Musah, and McKennie, and they are healthy going into the World Cup, then by God we will have a fucking stew going.
I'd like to see Aaronson tried in the midfield at some point in a 4-3-3. If he can play well there it just increases the chance of him getting on the field more.
I didn't say he'd start over them, just that in increases his chances of getting on the field. If any of those three, Gio or Pulisic are out injured or out for cards in a tourney having Aaronson able to sub in for any of them would be a big plus. As we saw in the last week, out midfield backups right now are a huge step down from our preferred starting three.
I'd rather bring in other players and give them a chance to build depth at those positions than force our better players to play out of position. Give Duane Holmes or Luca De La Torre or Alfredo Morales a shot. They may not be the youngest or most talented players in the pool, but see if they can execute the system better than Jackson Yuell. Give Miles Robinson a shot to take the CB spot from McKenzie. I'd rather experiment with different players than play someone out of position and mess with their confidence.
Aaronson off the bench would be deadly. A guy the opposing side doesn't want to see coming on with fresh legs is underrated.
Agreed. And with the way WCQ is set up this cycle with the 3-game sets, he's likely going to get a start in one of those three games along with being a sub. Same with Weah and Musah for me. The depth is what I was most excited about last night. I feel like we have really good depth right now that only 1-2 other CONCACAF teams could match, and I think that's going to be a huge deal in this qualifying campaign.
Think about how fucking terrifying it would be in 2014 playing against Germany to see Mario Gotze come off the bench.
Why would Aaronson be playing out of position? In Gregg's 4-3-3 we play two dual 10s and a CDM. Aaronson isn't out of position at one of the 10 spots.
Aaronson was running the tip of the diamond with Philly last year, so he has experience playing there. But I think he’s best as a tucked in wide player. A healthy Pomykal will be forcing his way into the CM discussion by the end of the year. He’d be on an even faster trajectory than Aaronson if he could’ve stayed healthy more, but that’s a big if after all the injuries.
Damn it Snow! I was teeing up the guy who said we can’t have MLS players in the starting XI to make a case for Aaronson to play where his MLS club played him over where a European club is playing him
I was a few drinks in and argumentative that night so my anti MLS take was a bit over the top. I'm perfectly fine using young MLS players. In general though if you're still in that league at 28 you're either a late bloomer or you just didn't develop enough to draw Europe interest. I know NYRB supposedly have blocked Long from going to Europe which is a dick move on their part. I've just never been a huge fan of his, and now that he blew his achilles at 28 he's kind of dead to me internationally.
On this topic, during the broadcast Twellman seemed to suggest he’s cap-tied with the US now? Is that true?
just a bunch of kids having the time of their lives as they get comfortable in their roles having ownership over the national team for years to come
It's still kind of strict, as long as you're still getting called in. If you're "cap-tied" under a certain age and then aren't called in to the senior team for 18(?) months you can switch. It's actually a pretty solid rule for the players and the lesser teams. So like Zelalem was capped very young, and fell off a bit and hasn't been called, so he'd be able to go play for like Ethiopia if they wanted him.
Is it if you aren’t called in or just if you don’t appear? I was thinking the latter, so someone could turn down call ups a la Vela and be able to switch
I think when it first leaked it said “called in” then when it was officially announced it said “appeared”. Doubt FIFA officials even know for sure.
Herc’s been going off on that point with Mexican media. They yawn at this “golden generation” he claps back that the 03 and 04 will have twice the number Euro-caliber kids in them.
Jonathan Gomez is the one we really need to worry over. Perhaps the best LB prospect we’ve produced so far.
apparently prefers the US, just obviously not gonna turn down an invitation to train with the Mexican squad