USMNT Official Thread

[RunSoHard]

Post all United States' Men's National Team discussion, rumors, updates, etc. in here.

I'll try to keep this post updated with recent results and upcoming matches.

Upcoming Matches
USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago - November 17th, 2015, 6:30 PM EST.

 

[BrandonNBA]

Klinsmann is gonna get the boot real soon if the USA doesn't start winning some games, especially ones where we play bad teams like Trinidad & Tobago.

 

[RunSoHard]

Klinsmann is gonna get the boot real soon if the USA doesn't start winning some games, especially ones where we play bad teams like Trinidad & Tobago.

Trindad & Tobago isn't a horrible team by any standards. Yes, the US should be beating them, but drawing to them on their field in weather conditions none of the US players are used too isn't all too bad. The US looked better than they have in months. Created many opportunities that didn't fall their way. They don't have their most clinical striker in Dempsey and have fresh players logging minutes like Darlington Nagbe who has been in the US camp for less than a month. The midfield looked rather poor though and some of the defenders were getting abused by the pacey T&T forwards. They'll still make it out of group play along with T&T.

 

[tbuc]

2015 was filled with highs and lows for the USMNT. We went from beating Mexico, Netherlands, and Germany to finishing fourth in the Gold Cup, which is an absolute embarrassment.

Klinsi has tried to turn 2015 into a transition year for the U.S. team bringing in some younger talents which I can understand, but he may have gone a little overboard with that idea. No way in hell Alvarado and Brooks should've been our center back pairing for an important tournament like the Gold Cup. Alvarado played in 13 of the 20 US matches which is way too many for a player who is clearly not ready to be playing at the international level. The likes of Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones, and Kyle Beckerman are all on the wrong side of 30, yet those are guys who were consistently brought in. It would've been nice to see youngsters brought in at those positions instead.

Looking back and ahead:
Keepers - Brad Guzan became our #1 after Tim Howard left the team on his "sabbatical." Looking into 2016 it will those the two Premier League regulars battling it out for that starting job. Behind them it's really a toss up. Nick Rimando really has been our third choice keeper for quite some time now, but he'll be turning 37 this year. Bill Hamid, Sean Johnson, and William Yarbrough all had looks as well this past year. For me, it's really to hard to say who is the top choice to replace Rimando. If I had to guess it's probably Hamid as he's the most promising of the bunch. We could see some of the next generation of players soon. 20-year old Jesse Gonzalez, who is a duel citizen, has played for the Mexican's U17, U18, and U20 team, and now Klinsi is rumored to want to bring him in soon to cap tie him. After him would most likely be Ethan Horvath who currently starts for our U23 team.

Fullbacks - This is a tough one. Our top two options, for me, are DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson who also play in the midfield. Johnson is better suited in the midfield as his creativeness, passing and finishing ability are much needed in the U.S. attack. If we push those two guys forward who will cover? Timmy Chandler is probably our next best option at right back. He, however, missed about a month and half of the season through injury and has been on the bench since coming back for his club team in Germany. Outside of him there really is no one. Jonathan Spector made two appearances last year for the first time in several years. I have no idea why Eric Lichaj hasn't played since 2013. He's been getting consistent minutes over in England with Nottenham Forest. I'd really like to see him get some time this calendar year. For me he's probably our second best option behind Chandler who, like I said, has been either hurt or on the bench all year. 2016 could be the year Andrew Farrell gets a serious look. The former first overall pick by New England has finally established himself at the MLS level, but he played this season in the center of the defense for the Revs. Steve Birnbaum is an option, but is much better suited in the middle of the defense. On the left we do have more depth. Tim Ream made seven starts in 2015. He can play both as a left back or center back. Brek Shea, who is a bit injury prone, isn't nearly as strong in the defense as Ream, but offers a lot more going forward in the attack. Greg Garza, who I am a fan of, missed the majority or 2015 with injuries. He's out until late February after having hip surgery. Hopefully he can have a bounce back 2016. After that who do we have though? DeMarcus Beasley and Edgar Castillo?

I'll look to continue this later.

 

[tbuc]

Centerbacks- 2015 was the year of the youngsters as Ventura Alvarado led all center halves with 13 appearances, followed by John Brooks who capped 10 times. Our best option is probably Geoff Cameron, however, with the depth we have in the middle, he may be best utilized as a holding middy. Matt Besler has been very reliable in this position. He's very confident on the ball and a great distributer from the back. Omar Gonzalez is strong and very good in the air. He's been one of the best in the MLS for a few years now. With his offseason move to Mexico, hoping a new challenge will push him to improve even more. Matt Hedges has been great for FC Dallas for a few years now and has been a fringe U.S. player for a little while. At 25-years old he should be entering his prime. It'll be interesting to see what 2016 brings with him. The veteran, Michael Orozco Fiscal, made six starts in 2015 for the U.S.. With our depth and handful of promising young talents, Orozco could be on his way out. With his pace, he does have the ability to play out wide, so we could see him get some action at right back. As for though youngsters, Klinsi was able to cap tie Matt Miazga. He's one of most promising defenders in our system and could see a far amount of minutes with the first team. Cameron Carter-Vickers is only 18, but is slowly turning into one of the hottest young prospect in England. Klinsi could look to cap tie him as he could play for either the U.S. or his home country of England.

 

[tbuc]

U.S. January Camp Roster

Goalkeepers: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)

Defenders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Eric Miller (Montreal Impact), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps), Marc Pelosi (San Jose Earthquakes), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)

Midfielders: Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew), Jerome Kiesewetter (VfB Stuttgart), Jordan Morris (Unattached), Khiry Shelton (New York City FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

Apparently Jesse Gonzalez turned down a call-up to play for the Mexican U23 team.

 

[tbuc]

Big day tomorrow for U.S. soccer. After a horrid display on Friday in Guatemala City, the US senior team need to turn things around in Columbus, Ohio to keep their World Cup dream alive. I wouldn't call it a must win game, but if they don't collect all three point, it would put them in a major hole. Klinsmann called 17-year old Christian Pulisic into the team for tomorrow's match. He's had a strong 2016 with Borussia Dortmund. Cap tying him would be great.

Playing much more inspiring football was the U23 team. They held Columbia's U23's to a 1-1 draw on Friday in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday as well. If they can pull off a win or a 0-0 draw, then they headed to Rio for this years Olympics.

If will be interesting to see which lineups both U.S. coaches go with in their matches. The senior team were extremely poor defensively, especially in the middle with Orozco and Gonzalez. Do we see the less experienced, yet much more in-form Steve Birnbaum? Also, the Michael Bradley-Mix Diskerud pairing has never worked, yet Klinsi tried it again on Friday with no luck. Both players were out of rhythm and failed to dictate any sort of transition offense going from their midfield positions. I could see Beckerman getting the start over Mix which would free up Bradley to play in a more advanced position.

For the U23's, I think they need some changes as well. They sat back and played very defensively for the majority of the game. If they do that again tomorrow, they be asking for trouble. I'd like them to inject some pace into their starting IV to help them on the counter attack. I'd like to see one or even two of Jerome Kiesewetter, Paul Arriola, or Julian Green get a start.

 

[BrandonNBA]

I think there was a lot wrong with the lineup.

The defense looked out of sync and they weren't on the same page. They had no chemistry playing together, there was limited communication, and the efforts were just poor.

Mix Diskerud isn't a fit for the system. Talent wise, he has what it takes to be a starter but this isn't made for his play style.

I really can't stand Bedoya as a player. I think inserting Lee Nguyen in the lineup over him could be very beneficial. I think if you pull guys like Bradley away from him and give him space to operate, he could work very well with Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood, where Dempsey plays a hold up and let's Nguyen operate while Wood uses his pace to keep the Guatemalan back line on alert.

 

[RunSoHard]

They need to stop playing Yedlin or at least keep him back and stop trying to force feed him the ball. He can't make a fucking touch to save his life. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have an international goal yet and is one of the most capped players as of late.

They need Fabian Johnson to be in the lineup to do anything. He's the best American player by far. He's phenomenal but plays balls to the likes of Altidore and Zardes who are absolute trash.

The US can't develop their own talent and takes Germany's rejects. They haven't developed a forward worth noting sense Dempsey.

It's going to be a quick downward spiral and a very slow and painful climb back up.

 

[RunSoHard]

I think there was a lot wrong with the lineup.

The defense looked out of sync and they weren't on the same page. They had no chemistry playing together, there was limited communication, and the efforts were just poor.

Mix Diskerud isn't a fit for the system. Talent wise, he has what it takes to be a starter but this isn't made for his play style.

I really can't stand Bedoya as a player. I think inserting Lee Nguyen in the lineup over him could be very beneficial. I think if you pull guys like Bradley away from him and give him space to operate, he could work very well with Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood, where Dempsey plays a hold up and let's Nguyen operate while Wood uses his pace to keep the Guatemalan back line on alert.

Mix is one of the most overrated players there is. He really isn't that talented as all. Where has he played? The Norwegian league and the MLS?

I actually love Bedoya in the advanced midfielder position but JK won't play him there. Bedoya is great for Nantes in Ligue 1 in that position and plays extremely well in one of the top leagues in the world.

 

[BrandonNBA]

If the USA does manage to get a comfortable lead, I would live to see Pulisic make his debut amd see what this kid is about.

I've never seen 1 second of his game footage.

 

[BrandonNBA]

Goal USA!

I will always hold a love in my heart for Clint Dempsey.

 

[tbuc]

I think there was a lot wrong with the lineup.

The defense looked out of sync and they weren't on the same page. They had no chemistry playing together, there was limited communication, and the efforts were just poor.

Mix Diskerud isn't a fit for the system. Talent wise, he has what it takes to be a starter but this isn't made for his play style.

I really can't stand Bedoya as a player. I think inserting Lee Nguyen in the lineup over him could be very beneficial. I think if you pull guys like Bradley away from him and give him space to operate, he could work very well with Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood, where Dempsey plays a hold up and let's Nguyen operate while Wood uses his pace to keep the Guatemalan back line on alert.

They need to stop playing Yedlin or at least keep him back and stop trying to force feed him the ball. He can't make a fucking touch to save his life. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have an international goal yet and is one of the most capped players as of late.

They need Fabian Johnson to be in the lineup to do anything. He's the best American player by far. He's phenomenal but plays balls to the likes of Altidore and Zardes who are absolute trash.

The US can't develop their own talent and takes Germany's rejects. They haven't developed a forward worth noting sense Dempsey.

It's going to be a quick downward spiral and a very slow and painful climb back up.

To comment on what you guys were saying... We were absolutely horrible on Friday. Gonzalez and Orozco were dreadful in the middle of the defense. Bradley and Diskerud offered nothing in the middle and Dempsey just looked like he had zero interesting in being out there. I blame Klinsmann more than anyone. Ozorco has been riding the bench for his club team in Mexico, so do we really expect him to be on top of his game when hasn't been playing consistently since last August? Bradley and Mix are talented, but when have they ever played well together in the center of the midfield? I'm a fan of Mix's, but he's way too weak to play in more of a holding role. He gets beat way too much and just isn't strong or physical enough to play in that #8 role. One other end, his energy is great. He's always pushing forward in the counter and busting a gut to get back in defense. He has good ball control and offers a bit of creativity in the attack.

I'm actually a big fan of Bedoya's. I really like his ability (and willingness) to drop back and help out in the defense. That could come in handy if we have someone like Fabian Johnson or DeAndre Yeldin at the fullback position.

Yedlin is still only 22, but he does need to show a little more consistency. We all know he has excellent speed running up an down the right flank and does a great job of getting forward in the attack, but his final ball a lot of time isn't good haha. He needs to work on his crossing ability and not be afraid to cut in every once in awhile and have a shot on goal.

Sadly I think Kyle Beckerman should start for this team. He's an anchor in the midfield and offers a helluva lot more support for the back four than Bradley and Mix do. Starting Becks also allows Bradley to push forward and play in his more natural position. Also, it clear we need Geoff Cameron. He was one of the few bright spots (if there were any) in Guatemala City and was a absolute class on Tuesday. He defiantly deserved the goal.

 

[RunSoHard]

Christian Pulisic, a 17 year old from Hershey, PA started today for Borussia Dortmund in the Derby vs. Schalke. Pretty amazing news for the US national moving forward.