I get that if Pulisic and Reyna were both healthy maybe you leave off Konrad, but seems odd to me to not bring him given we are somewhat thin at winger even with Weah and Arriola back. MF has better depth at least this time. Moore over Scally shows limit to club form over NT experience in Gregg's mind at least...
I asked you about Sebastian Lletget below a previous article. I remember watching his first LA Galaxy game against the Crew on TV after the lightning delay where he scored that left-footed near post goal with his shoelaces. Do you think Berhalter will finally use him as a 10 to feed Pepi and perhaps Aaronson behind the defense since Berhalter wants verticality? And, do you think the Lletget haters will shut up after these games?
A lot of us knew about Miles Robinson, but Atlanta United held him out from a lot of previous callups. Glad he's becoming almost an automatic starter. Love love LOVE Richards getting a call here. Well deserved.
I have somewhat an issue with Scally, but remember that he has not played for the US U20 either. It would be a big jump for him. If he continues his form and doesn't get a call in November, then something is up.
Scally's omission is the most baffling to me, and Berhalter's explanation for excluding him seemed way off the mark.
If a versatile 18 year old with a high ceiling is killing it in Bundesliga week in and week out, even when played out of position, you don't call him "decent" and leave him home because he isn't integrated into the pool yet, you integrate him! Especially when Robinson can't go to Panama, Bello disappointed in the last window, Moore and Yedlin are playing less remarkably in weaker leagues, and Dest should be kept on the right, a both-sided fullback in good form is gold. Even if he wouldn't play, which he should, bring him to camp to solve the problem you've identified. Now what hope does he have in the Costa Rica + Mexico international break? We won't have a friendly for ages.
As for Pefok, if the other strikers were all selected for being faster and more vertical, what happens when that isn't working in a match and you need to change tactics? If he offers something different, that's good, and wasting a striker in strong form in general is a strange choice. I still think he's potentially our 2nd strongest behind Pepi at present - people say the Swiss league is weak, but you can only score against who's in front of you, and he always does, not to mention the 3 in 4 in Europe.
Regardless, Gregg could've taken both without removing anyone else because we have the space. After being torn apart by injuries and suspensions last window, and with the general need for heavy rotation, I thought he would've learned his lesson and brought more padding this time...
Berhalter picks the team; it’s on him to get the results. No excuses. No more “the way we want to play”, or “development”. The ONLY thing that matters is the POINTS. If results aren’t there, It’s not 3 random friendlies. I think I heard somewhere that Robbie Keane is looking for a coaching job. Wish I could remember where I heard that….
What more does Zimmerman need to do to show he should get some minutes? He's far more consistent than Brooks at the moment and slides in well next to Miles, and is a solid set piece threat going forward. He plays every minute for his club and is reining defender of the year and hasn't really had that taken away (except possibly by Miles, whose club has let in a lot more goals). Just wondering where Zimmerman isn't fitting for the NT?
Not a lot of depth at forward, given the CONCACAFness of qualifying. Bad field conditions or the dark arts could certainly take their toll. Definitely think we should have another forward or two, or do you think Greg would use a false 9?
It is difficult to figure out how to access “comment “ area. It would be an enhancement to have a clear “ comment “ button ( unless you really don’t want to encourage them). I think your run down is excellent, and am pleased with Gregg’s selections, given the injuries. I am not familiar with De La Torre ( is he deciding for which country to play?). My dark horse candidate for eventual stardom is Nikko Giochinini ( sorry… I am still vague on him). But he impressed during Gold Cup.
I'm glad Pulisic and Reyna aren't getting called in. Part of me wants to see Adams used sparingly, too. We need to be smarter about using our top guys sparingly. Better to proactively rotate than be left without stars at the end of the cycle because they're absolutely wrecked. Can't have our top 3-4 guys hobbling out of each window.
In Sargent, hopefully the Federation has learned its lesson with Altidore and don't keep wasting space on players. I'm wondering if Berhalter will remove McKinnie from the Player's Council - that seems appropriate.
The Pefok omission makes me a bit angry. He's great in hold-up play, tall/strong and scores a lot of headers for Young Boys and is playing (and scoring) in UCL. What gives?
Scally being omitted is a head scratcher. He's been playing really well for Gladbach. I'm also a Konrad fan so that was disheartening.
I get that if Pulisic and Reyna were both healthy maybe you leave off Konrad, but seems odd to me to not bring him given we are somewhat thin at winger even with Weah and Arriola back. MF has better depth at least this time. Moore over Scally shows limit to club form over NT experience in Gregg's mind at least...
No huge shocks, but I'm a bit surprised by Pefok's exclusion, especially given his club form.
I asked you about Sebastian Lletget below a previous article. I remember watching his first LA Galaxy game against the Crew on TV after the lightning delay where he scored that left-footed near post goal with his shoelaces. Do you think Berhalter will finally use him as a 10 to feed Pepi and perhaps Aaronson behind the defense since Berhalter wants verticality? And, do you think the Lletget haters will shut up after these games?
A lot of us knew about Miles Robinson, but Atlanta United held him out from a lot of previous callups. Glad he's becoming almost an automatic starter. Love love LOVE Richards getting a call here. Well deserved.
I have somewhat an issue with Scally, but remember that he has not played for the US U20 either. It would be a big jump for him. If he continues his form and doesn't get a call in November, then something is up.
Scally's omission is the most baffling to me, and Berhalter's explanation for excluding him seemed way off the mark.
If a versatile 18 year old with a high ceiling is killing it in Bundesliga week in and week out, even when played out of position, you don't call him "decent" and leave him home because he isn't integrated into the pool yet, you integrate him! Especially when Robinson can't go to Panama, Bello disappointed in the last window, Moore and Yedlin are playing less remarkably in weaker leagues, and Dest should be kept on the right, a both-sided fullback in good form is gold. Even if he wouldn't play, which he should, bring him to camp to solve the problem you've identified. Now what hope does he have in the Costa Rica + Mexico international break? We won't have a friendly for ages.
As for Pefok, if the other strikers were all selected for being faster and more vertical, what happens when that isn't working in a match and you need to change tactics? If he offers something different, that's good, and wasting a striker in strong form in general is a strange choice. I still think he's potentially our 2nd strongest behind Pepi at present - people say the Swiss league is weak, but you can only score against who's in front of you, and he always does, not to mention the 3 in 4 in Europe.
Regardless, Gregg could've taken both without removing anyone else because we have the space. After being torn apart by injuries and suspensions last window, and with the general need for heavy rotation, I thought he would've learned his lesson and brought more padding this time...
Berhalter picks the team; it’s on him to get the results. No excuses. No more “the way we want to play”, or “development”. The ONLY thing that matters is the POINTS. If results aren’t there, It’s not 3 random friendlies. I think I heard somewhere that Robbie Keane is looking for a coaching job. Wish I could remember where I heard that….
What more does Zimmerman need to do to show he should get some minutes? He's far more consistent than Brooks at the moment and slides in well next to Miles, and is a solid set piece threat going forward. He plays every minute for his club and is reining defender of the year and hasn't really had that taken away (except possibly by Miles, whose club has let in a lot more goals). Just wondering where Zimmerman isn't fitting for the NT?
Not a lot of depth at forward, given the CONCACAFness of qualifying. Bad field conditions or the dark arts could certainly take their toll. Definitely think we should have another forward or two, or do you think Greg would use a false 9?
Joe Scally isn’t an omission?
It is difficult to figure out how to access “comment “ area. It would be an enhancement to have a clear “ comment “ button ( unless you really don’t want to encourage them). I think your run down is excellent, and am pleased with Gregg’s selections, given the injuries. I am not familiar with De La Torre ( is he deciding for which country to play?). My dark horse candidate for eventual stardom is Nikko Giochinini ( sorry… I am still vague on him). But he impressed during Gold Cup.
I'm glad Pulisic and Reyna aren't getting called in. Part of me wants to see Adams used sparingly, too. We need to be smarter about using our top guys sparingly. Better to proactively rotate than be left without stars at the end of the cycle because they're absolutely wrecked. Can't have our top 3-4 guys hobbling out of each window.
In Sargent, hopefully the Federation has learned its lesson with Altidore and don't keep wasting space on players. I'm wondering if Berhalter will remove McKinnie from the Player's Council - that seems appropriate.
The Pefok omission makes me a bit angry. He's great in hold-up play, tall/strong and scores a lot of headers for Young Boys and is playing (and scoring) in UCL. What gives?
doesn't Arriola have way more than 8 caps?
Isn’t the Horvath omission due to the travel restrictions ? He and Steffen can’t go on the road game.