It’ll be interesting to see if RBL plays him as a 6 or an 8 or if they move him to RB. I’ve heard so many times, he could be a really good 8, a great 6, or a world class RB.
I’m team “start Robinson at LB from now on and deal with the growing pains“ Far and away the best mix of athlete and attack we have there. Just needs experience.
Miazga taunting the little guy (who, to be fair, looks like he could be nasty if he develops well the next 2-3 years) was awesome. We need players with that kind of edge who can fight and win mental battles on the field. I don’t think the tackle that got the red was attempted murder but no doubt Miazga causing the whole el tri team to lose their cool for 2 minutes played a part in the aggressiveness of the “tackle” which turned the game. Reminded me of the MJ/Mugsy story. Shoot it you fucking midget.
I'd take Jozy back before Bradley. Think he offers more when surrounded by competent play and could be legitimately dangerous playing with Weah, Puli, and not Michael Bradley as an attacking midfielder, and the options in central midfield are much better today than they are at forward.
I think Jimmy Conrad perfectly summed up why we don't need Bradley anymore. And it has more to do with his personality than anything. (from his podcast) "I don't think we should be playing any of our older players from here on out...Michael Bradley, for me, should absolutely not be involved with the team from here on out. He's done his service, thank you very much, you've had a great career for the national team, you've had over 100 caps, but the guy is, and I'm being completely frank here with everybody, he's a super alpha male know-it-all and we don't need that vibe in the team anymore. Plus, we need the younger players to solve these problems on their own so that new leaders can emerge from this younger group. As opposed to them always deferring to the other guys." "If he came into the team, then everybody would be like 'Michael was the leader'....when you have those types of [alpha male] personalities, they're filling the void and then some...so none of the other guys can step up or feel appropriate or feel comfortable in stepping up and saying something." "I remember I had a former defender who played in the 2014 World Cup with the US, came up to me and was like 'I don't know how to talk to Michael Bradley during a game, can you help me figure out things I can say to him that's going to get his attention'...that's a problem, because if you have your leaders that aren't listening to their teammates...that's a big problem and I'm sure we can dissect what that means in the bigger picture why we didn't qualify if our captain isn't being someone that is open to his teammates and being able to listen."
I agree. I’m just saying in a situation like I talked with Miles about a few days ago...let’s say in 4 years Adams is a 9/10 CDM and 10/10 RB and let’s say Trapp/Durkin are 8/10 CDM and pick a name Lindsey is the best RB option and he’s a 6/10. Then it makes more sense to me to play him at RB. It seems like 6,8,CB and GK are positions we don’t need to worry too much about.
Luckily Josh Sargent is going to score 300 goals in the Bundesliga this year and we won't have to worry about that
Jozy still has a lot of starts in him. It’s easy to forget he’s only 28 (I think). I think some of that old 2014ish guard will still gets some call ups (Bradley, Besler, Bedoya) and some caps here and there but don’t foresee them being around much longer.
This has swayed me from wanting Bradley in the Gold Cup. I had thought he'd be a good influence on the young guys in camp. But if there is a question about his leadership, play the kids.
Surprised anyone would want Bradley. He was awful as a player and a huge part of the the reason we didn't make the Cup. Hard fucking pass.
Always great to beat those trashbags. Team do not ever want to see Bradley, Jozy or anyone else from that generation again. We get two chances to win the gold cup, I prefer to roll with the young guys next summer.
Sober-er thoughts -Robinson redeemed himself very well. Granted, he didn't exactly have a lot to apologize for when his assignment the last game was Costa. -Green was the MOTM and I never thought I'd say that. Completely changed our ability to attack when he came in. -That starting Xl played as bad as it looked until changes were forced. I'm still baffled as to what Sarachan was thinking with it, and if you asked me what I thought a lineup with 4 holding midfielders would play like offensively, that's pretty much exactly it. -Zardes still isn't the guy. Time to admit this now and forever. I wish we hadn't even called up Novakovich and taken him away from his new team if he literally was not going to even play. (I'm still salty about the way striker was handled to a probably irrational level)
Altidore should be called up. Fuck Bradley at this point. As a Sporting fan im ok with Zusi & Besler not playing for US again. It takes a lot out of them as older players and they miss games here.
I think Jozy is good as a call up if Sargent/Weah are being called in as well. (Lets assume this is around gold cup 2019 time, as it's likely the next time Jozy would potentially join/next meaningful games) Weah has always been able to play both striker or winger, and Sargent has been playing on the wing sometimes with Bremen II and looked good there as well. (His goal in his last game with Bremen's first team was from left wing) We could call in Jozy/Wood as our lone "pure" strikers without worrying about having too few of them, then load up the 23 with wingers and midfielders, which we have a lot of good options at right now.
As a non Sporting fan I'm ok with Zusi and Besler not playing for the US again because they both stink.
He’s been solid when playing CDM but he’s spent a good part of the year playing CB and he’s been shitty there.
As a fan of my brother's U19 club team, I'm okay with none of them playing for the US national team. Don't want them to miss the Cornhusker State Games
Mexican soccer fans: "Miazga is showing disgraceful prejudice by making fun of a Mexican player's height" Also Mexico fans on goal kicks: "PUTOOOOOOOOOOO"
Besler had a few decent games in 2014 world cup and Zusi has never really had an impact. Thats about it for them, really We extended them both for 2 years for what they were making before and the salary cap is going up so im ok with keeping them until younger guys are ready.
His career was taking off when he went to AC Milan (I think). His Achilles injury is what killed his career. He was never the same after that.
What does this mean? He had a very successful career and one of the best players at his position for the US
Speaking as someone who has torn both of them at different times, the answer to this question is "no, you never fully come back."
He looked like he was going to be a national team mainstay for years, got injured at 25 in 2009 and then made only 70 appearances after that. Its not cautionary for players, but for us. We have so many young guys right now that we have pencilled in for 2022 and 2026, but it can all change so fast.
When you tear your achilles, part of that tendon is replaced with a bunch of scar tissue iirc. Doctors have gotten better at fixing it, but the tendon itself is basically completely different than it used to be.