OT: USMNT - Panama match thread. 2:45 FS1.
Who do you guys want in your starting lineup?
I guess I'd prefer something similar to last game since this group of guys won't get many games together to build chemistry before we start having competitive matches. There's a lot of noise that Cannon will be one of the outside backs today. I guess I'd also like to see Richards get a start and Gioacchini up top. Give me Weah over Konrad this time, too.
Reyna........Gioacchini....Weah
.......McKennie....Musah
...................Adams
Dest...Brooks...Richards...Cannon
..................Steffen
Would love to see a couple of US goals in the first half and to give a full 45 minutes to a bunch of guys off the bench.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:27 PM ^
I'm not going to get to wound up over player selection in a friendly, as a lot of players may sit just to manage their workload in an unimportant game. You would think we'd want to get Reyna, McKennie, Musah and Dest out there together again, just because they haven't played much together and they'll almost certainly be our core playmakers & midfielders in 2022 (plus Pulisic). Richards is the one defender we obviously should get in there. Honestly, I'm not optimistic about any of the strikers on the roster vs Panama, so whoever gets PT there is ok by me.
With that said, hopefully we win the game comfortably today. If our top players play, it should be an easy win.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:51 PM ^
Even when we're at full strength, Panama is usually a tough team to break down. Without Pulisic, Sargent, Morris, Altidore, Zardes, etc, I'm not expecting this to be an easy win.
But hopefully the boys play well and manage to score a couple of goals. We'll see. I thought they looked good against Wales, despite the 0-0 score line. Getting a couple of goals and a win would be good for this group's confidence.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:45 PM ^
The US is really missing Pulisic, and to a lesser extent Sargent, in their attacking third. I was impressed in the game against Wales particularly with the midfield and backline in winning and holding possession. There is definitely a lot of promise, but not a lot of proven goal scoring options. I'm a little surprised that Aron Johannsson didn't get a call up to this camp given his recent form and the lack of attacking options, but he doesn't figure to be in the plan much going forward. Even Bobby Wood would give you something that I'm not confident Weah, Gioacchini, or LLanez can give you.
The only place I'd debate that lineup would be moving Dest back to RB and keeping Robinson in. I know Cannon is a promising player right now but Dest is too good to play him outside of his preferred position. The drop off between Cannon and Robinson is small enough that I'd let Dest stay on the right, crossing it into the box on his preferred foot.
The last thing I'll say is I was particularly impressed with Mckennie and Dest against Wales. I think there's something about playing with and practicing with one of the best clubs in the world day-in day-out that builds a players confidence. I saw McKennie taking players on and performing skill moves that I never saw him attempt in my (admittedly limited) time watching him play at Schalke in addition to his signature box-to-box ball winning runs.
On a related note, I wonder if Brian would consider making more USMNT content going forward, given the state of our football program. I enjoyed the last writeup he did of the player pool post-2018 qualifying debacle.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:51 PM ^
I think the lack of Johnannsson has to do with the Olympics. This squad is heavy U 23 and the U 23 coach is at the camp. But yeah, especially when Sargent couldn't come to the camp, I would have like to see Johannosson get the call up. They really needed a center forward and he's finally looking healthy again after like 6 years of injuries.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
Yeah, I might start Dest and Robinson if I were the coach but I've been seeing on twitter that Cannon is starting, and I can understand why they wanna give him one start in this window. Yeah, Dest and McKennie looked really improved against Wales (and I've always been pretty high on those two). I think playing for such big teams is great for their confidence.
Bobby Wood turned 28 yesterday. It really sucks for the US that he disappeared off the face of the earth. He's the quality striker, playing in Europe, in his prime that we should have and are missing.
November 16th, 2020 at 7:40 PM ^
Completely agree re: McKennie and Dest. Their ball skills displayed were impressive although I thought McKennie got too cute a few times while trying to make things happen himself. Dest though...man, he is legit.
The team speed and ability to press in the midfield and back line was impressive. It's a very athletic bunch. Future looks bright.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:49 PM ^
I would like to a more traditional center forward unlike trying to sqeeze Lleget into that role like last game. Really liked the midfield three of McKennie, Musah and Adams so would like to see that again. I think Weah or Llanez to get a start at one of the wings. And yeah, would like to see Richards get the start at CB. Still young and has already made some real first team minutes at Bayern. Gotta get him so national team PT.
November 16th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
I like your lineup but I think Weah is likely still on a minutes restriction. I'd go with your lineup but with Lletget on the wing and Weah coming in for him in the 70th again. The false 9 thing clearly did not work. Would like to see that midfield behind an actual striker. Not sure we have a good fit here with Jozy and Sargent staying home. But Gioachini or Soto can at least give us an idea of what it will look like.
November 16th, 2020 at 2:32 PM ^
It's strange that they're starting Tim Ream (is Richards not healthy or something), but otherwise can't complain about the starting 11. Seems like Berhalter always has to throw in one wrinkle, like he just can't help himself.
November 16th, 2020 at 3:09 PM ^
Is the game online anywhere? Love to watch.
Score update:
1-1 . Panama scored on a header in the 9th minute. US tied it up with Gio Reyna's first international goal on a free kick inth 19th minute.
Following on the USMNT twitter site sucks.
November 16th, 2020 at 3:12 PM ^
Make it 2-1 USA. 4 minutes later in his second start with the USMNT new striker Nicholas Gionacchini with the goal.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:49 PM ^
Just seeing this now, but for next time, soccerstreams.net is pretty good.
November 16th, 2020 at 3:11 PM ^
We have to get to a point where we beat teams like Panama and Costa Rica on the regular and comfortably.
November 16th, 2020 at 3:15 PM ^
Holy crap
Gioacchini with the brace three minutes after his first goal.
3-1 USA Three goals in 8 minutes.
What was that comment about beating teams like this comfortably??
November 16th, 2020 at 4:24 PM ^
Given one back now. 3-2, 81st minute
November 16th, 2020 at 4:27 PM ^
Soto in the 82nd. 4-2 USA
November 16th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
Holy crap 6-2, Soto with his second, both after 80 minutes
November 16th, 2020 at 4:37 PM ^
This one got out of hand.
6-2 USA with goals from Lletget and two from Sebastian Soto in his USMNT debut.
November 16th, 2020 at 5:07 PM ^
The first half was an absolute thing of beauty. We just created chance after chance. Really nice passing and build up play. Great confidence by the guys. We dominated that half. It's crazy that the second youngest group of US players in the history of the team could look that good against any opponent.
The second half was SOOO sloppy, even though the score was identical in each half. I thought we were a little bit too direct, and did too much running and then passing rather than passing and then running in the second 45. And our control let us down at a couple of key moments.
But people need to keep in mind that this was the second youngest US team EVER, and other than this international window, I have to imagine that most of the other youngest squads we've ever put out there have been in January camps where it's more like our second team.
Overall, I'm thrilled with today's game, even though the second half was not how I want us to play in the future. Lots of positives from this camp! I'm very, very happy.
Now we just have to keep Musah. I think it's extremely encouraging that he accepted the call up, got two starts, and played great. If we can get him to accept a call up for a competitive game he's ours. I wish we didn't have to wait until June to find out. It's kind of like having a 5-star leaning your way and having to wait it out until signing day when it's a long ways away. And honestly Musah for the US would be arguably bigger than any recruit in Michigan history since he's a legit 5-star and we'd get him for the next 12-15 years.
November 16th, 2020 at 5:55 PM ^
Panama's defense and GK was coached by Don Brown.
Great to see USMNT depth with young skilled players who know how to head the ball.
Routinely beating Costa Rica ? I'll have what your drinking.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:22 PM ^
Oh we can do that. Costa Rica's had some good sides recently, but they don't regularly boss CONCACAF. They will not be able to keep up with the amount of talent we are producing.
November 16th, 2020 at 7:52 PM ^
This is going to be so much fun to watch over the next couple of years. We have four legitimate world class players right now (Pulisic, McKennie, Dest and Adams) plus three more that could get there real quick (Reyna, Richards, Musah). This is going to be like watching a Dutch national team only in US jerseys. Can't wait.
November 17th, 2020 at 12:15 AM ^
Is this like Milton's Heisman?
Promising improvement but not the reincarnation of Dutch total football just yet.
Maybe the new political climate could inspire some more dual citizenship "transfers" to upgrade Jozy Altidore and then be we can be irrational again.
November 17th, 2020 at 11:07 AM ^
The Dutch national team is ranked #15 in the world rand just lost to Mexico 1-0, and they have Frank de Boer as their coach so maybe I should have aimed higher? We just dominated the first half in a draw with the #20 team in the world (Wales) and then put a clown hat on the the #77 team in the world. Both games without our undisputed best player and an average starting age of around 20 years old, so...not Milton for Heisman level hyperbole.
November 17th, 2020 at 12:50 AM ^
Maybe but last I checked PR had a nice run into the World Cup and we were...
Keylor Navas and a couple decent forwards will provide fits.
November 17th, 2020 at 12:51 AM ^
Maybe but last I checked PR had a nice run into the World Cup group of death and we were...
When Navas retires, I'll feel more confident.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:34 PM ^
It didn't start out great, giving up the first goal, but the team responded well. Nice free kick from Reyna, even if the goalie may have been leaning the wrong way. It bent around the wall and found the net. Good to see a striker, Gioacchini, hunting for the ball in the box. Musah - wow, we need him - strong play in the midfield. Good play from McKennie, Dest & Adams. I like seeing a USMNT that can string together more than a couple of passes. Soto was a good sub, getting a brace.
Missed Pulisic - take care of those hamstrings, man!
November 16th, 2020 at 8:46 PM ^
To me, McKennie was pretty easily the best player on the USMNT the last 2 games. The guy plays all out, is a beast, and his technical ability is vastly improved over the past year. He was also a hair away from a straight red today, but I'll overlook that. Musah would be huge to keep away from England, really like what I saw from him. Dest is world class. He might be the most skilled back in the world right now. Easy to see why Barca wanted him.
Reyna had a slightly disappointing week. He was good, just didn't look special like McKennie & Dest did. He's doing great at Dortmund, but he's also playing next to the best young striker in the world (Haaland), which probably makes a lot of things easier for him.
This is going to be a fun group to watch. The talent level is off the charts compared to any other US team, and it shows.
November 16th, 2020 at 9:13 PM ^
In fairness, Reyna just turned 18 and was playing out of position. Everyone seems to love Musah, but seems like he plays the same position as Reyna and Ledezma. I think guys who grew up in the US and have some connection to the country play harder for the USMNT and I'd rather see Reyna in a midfield role (with Ledezma or Aaronson, etc. for depth) and Jordan Morris or Tim Weah on the right wing.
November 16th, 2020 at 10:33 PM ^
Musah is 17, starts for Valencia, and looked pretty good this week. That's why everyone loves him. How many other US players have ever played at that high of a level at such a young age? Well, Reyna and Pulisic, but I think that's it.
I suspect GB wants to use Pulisic exclusively at LW, as he should, which is why Reyna's playing on the right. Musah plays more box-to-box than both of those 2, so he doesn't play the same position. So, they could all play together.
November 17th, 2020 at 8:23 PM ^
Well, it's a high class problem if he chooses the US. Just not sure he's a guy you'd take into a rock fight in Honduras on a Thursday night trying to qualify for the World Cup. Still fun to have so many options now compared to a couple of years ago trying to feel good about Trapp and Lovitz and Yueill.