1. The starting midfield for this team is Musah, McKennie, and Adams. If they’re fit, they start. The starting fullbacks are Dest and Antonee. If they’re fit, they start. The team is really starting to work well together with these guys in the game.
2. Aaronson just doesn’t stop. An Energizer for sure. His workrate is fun to watch. He probably won’t start many games if CP is healthy, but all that energy coming off the bench? Valuable.
3. 3 points. That’s all that matters. You get nothing for style. 6 points out of this trio of games. Yes, Panama was disappointing. But in the other 2, the team showed a lot of grit. With a “next man up” attitude, Tim Weah delivered the winner. Oh, and 2 of your best players weren’t fit enough to even make the *squad* for any of these 3 games!
Style means a great deal to me actually. I've thought about this quite a bit. I absolutely do not want to watch the US qualify and play kick-and-rush ugly football. Not with this group of players. I told a friend at half time, "I don't care about points dropped here if they can't get a winner. If they continue to play like this, they will qualify." As a coach, how my teams play is everything. I feel the same way as a fan.
I might agree with you in different times. But after 10/10/17, until qualification is mathematically guaranteed, the only thing that matters to me right now is the result. Strange things happen in CONCACAF.
I'm glad you mentioned the shoelace! I reacted the same when I saw it flopping around in the replay. Busio looked bright as a sub. I'm always happy to see one of Vermes' men in the mix
I really did enjoy what I saw from Busio. Maybe he can get an extended look next window??? I thought he gave us an added threat and looked dangerous in posession in his limited minutes tonight.
To your point about the midfield, I really liked what Busio provided in his 15 minutes. In his last appearance, he seemed a little shaky and a bit nervous. Seemed like he was really comfortable tonight against Costa Rica with McKennie and Adams, and it seemed like a lot of it had to do with Adams giving everyone else, like Busio, confidence to play freely.
Much better performance. There was definitely some luck involved but at least they had energy, possession, shots, chances, flair, excitement, fun. You play like that the results will come.
You mentioned the age difference and the fact that most of the Costa Rican players played substantial time in all three games. Shouldn't this have made a bigger difference in the game? US players are (a) substantially younger and (b) didn't book nearly the same amount of minutes over the course of the three games (quite conspicuously given our troubles in Panama). Should the US have gotten more of a boost from both of those differences?
The way they reacted after going down so early was impressive. They didn't panic and kept working. I like that. It shows unity, belief, and trust. Positive sign moving into next month.
1. The starting midfield for this team is Musah, McKennie, and Adams. If they’re fit, they start. The starting fullbacks are Dest and Antonee. If they’re fit, they start. The team is really starting to work well together with these guys in the game.
2. Aaronson just doesn’t stop. An Energizer for sure. His workrate is fun to watch. He probably won’t start many games if CP is healthy, but all that energy coming off the bench? Valuable.
3. 3 points. That’s all that matters. You get nothing for style. 6 points out of this trio of games. Yes, Panama was disappointing. But in the other 2, the team showed a lot of grit. With a “next man up” attitude, Tim Weah delivered the winner. Oh, and 2 of your best players weren’t fit enough to even make the *squad* for any of these 3 games!
Mexico in a month. Should be great.
Style means a great deal to me actually. I've thought about this quite a bit. I absolutely do not want to watch the US qualify and play kick-and-rush ugly football. Not with this group of players. I told a friend at half time, "I don't care about points dropped here if they can't get a winner. If they continue to play like this, they will qualify." As a coach, how my teams play is everything. I feel the same way as a fan.
I might agree with you in different times. But after 10/10/17, until qualification is mathematically guaranteed, the only thing that matters to me right now is the result. Strange things happen in CONCACAF.
I'm glad you mentioned the shoelace! I reacted the same when I saw it flopping around in the replay. Busio looked bright as a sub. I'm always happy to see one of Vermes' men in the mix
I really did enjoy what I saw from Busio. Maybe he can get an extended look next window??? I thought he gave us an added threat and looked dangerous in posession in his limited minutes tonight.
To your point about the midfield, I really liked what Busio provided in his 15 minutes. In his last appearance, he seemed a little shaky and a bit nervous. Seemed like he was really comfortable tonight against Costa Rica with McKennie and Adams, and it seemed like a lot of it had to do with Adams giving everyone else, like Busio, confidence to play freely.
Much better performance. There was definitely some luck involved but at least they had energy, possession, shots, chances, flair, excitement, fun. You play like that the results will come.
You mentioned the age difference and the fact that most of the Costa Rican players played substantial time in all three games. Shouldn't this have made a bigger difference in the game? US players are (a) substantially younger and (b) didn't book nearly the same amount of minutes over the course of the three games (quite conspicuously given our troubles in Panama). Should the US have gotten more of a boost from both of those differences?
The way they reacted after going down so early was impressive. They didn't panic and kept working. I like that. It shows unity, belief, and trust. Positive sign moving into next month.
Grant
Am wondering if the decision to start Steffen was under consideration for one of your quick thoughts [ maybe had we tied or lost it would have been]