Ot - usmnt

[Beldar77]

Yedlin cost us again.

[echappist]

I wouldnt pin the blame entirely on Yedlin (though one’s asking to get rolled in that sort of situation). Berhalter deserves criticism for setting up the team in less than optimal ways.

Also, with so few mids called in and so many central defenders, you’d expect a back-3. Or perhaps that’s what will be used against Honduras?

[wc1934]

They looked a bit better than the other nite (Lletget was a bright spot),but wow - badly need those 3 points.
If I had to point fingers they would all be towards Berlhalter - waiting till the 80th minute to make changes????????

[Jaybee]

Was I the only one begging for Yedlin to come off as soon as Aaronson scored? Get a more defensive minded right back in there? Who would that be?

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Was I the only one begging for Yedlin to come off as soon as Aaronson scored? Get a more defensive minded right back in there? Who would that be?

With Dest going off hurt the only other right back would be Tyler Adams. But he was doing a great job in the midfield. Now if Mckennie weren't a dumb-ass maybe Adams could have played there.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Was I the only one begging for Yedlin to come off as soon as Aaronson scored? Get a more defensive minded right back in there? Who would that be?

Originally Posted by Beldar77

With Dest going off hurt the only other right back would be Tyler Adams. But he was doing a great job in the midfield. Now if Mckennie weren't a dumb-ass maybe Adams could have played there.

Yedlin shouldn't be hooked, the person to hook should have been Acosta (who can't pass for s***) or perhaps Lletget, to be replaced with a CB. M. Robinson seems to fit into the mold of a modern defender who is good at passing, and he can be granted license to move up, while the other two sit deeper. The RCB then becomes an additional defender whom Davies needs to beat before crossing into the box. B/c let's face it, both Dest and Yedlin are more wingbacks who are nominally defenders, and they would always need cover from a midfielder (which Adams provided times and again yesterday).

That particular play was so very simple (and Yedlin actually stayed home on this occasion). Only difference was that Lletget was caught in a 2-on-1 (Aaronson out of the play after he tried to press), which meant that Lletget really couldn't effectively press the Canadian #3 who passed to Davies. In which case, the other U.S. midfielders (Adams and Acosta) should have shifted to their right and back, because just look at that big pocket of space.



Lletget couldn't get to the CAN passer in time, and it became a very simple ball behind the line. Robinson should either shift right meet Davies (to cover for the already beaten Yedlin), or make sure that he cut off passing lanes across the box. He chose the latter but wasn't able to cut off the pass.

This exposes another issue with the defensive set-up, which is that pressing is good and all, but a press will almost always fail when it's not organized. Once Aaronson decided to press (what was the trigger?), everyone else should have followed suit. Instead, the U.S. mids reacted too slowly and ended up chasing shadows.

Originally Posted by wc1934

They looked a bit better than the other nite (Lletget was a bright spot),but wow - badly need those 3 points.
If I had to point fingers they would all be towards Berlhalter - waiting till the 80th minute to make changes????????

He probably spent Pulisic as well in the process. Berlhalter isn't even playing checkers

[Jaybee]

Thanks for that beautiful explanation!!

I'm not super well-versed in the game. All I saw was Yedlin behind the guy he was supposed to be covering as Davies steamed toward goal. I figured that it was typical Yedlin playing too high up the field when time and score would dictate a more conservative approach, but your breakdown shows that it's a systemic failure. And maybe Aaronson shouldn't be pressing so hard considering time and score.

Thank you again.

[echappist]

You are most welcome. Any time to talk about the nuances of the game.

In the Calcio thread, I bantered that too much of the Spanish game is played mainly in the brain. It seems like the U.S. has the exact opposite problem, with players lulled into thinking that they are safe when they actually are about to get baited into a trap.

And while I'm quite dismayed at the way the U.S. played, the saving grace is that it seems that a few Canadian players are also deficient in the tactical nous side of things. Look at the Canadian dude most adjacent to the Canadian #3. He's running toward and behind CAN #3, instead of into the U.S. half, where there's acres of unguarded space he could run into.

This reminds me of one of the quotes by the great Johan Cruijff (see video here, in Dutch but with English caption), who said that if he has the ball and his teammate is trying to help, the teammate should run away from Cruijff (as opposed to toward him), as that would really open up the options.

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by echappist

You are most welcome. Any time to talk about the nuances of the game.


And while I'm quite dismayed at the way the U.S. played, the saving grace is that it seems that a few Canadian players are also deficient in the tactical nous side of things. Look at the Canadian dude most adjacent to the Canadian #3. He's running toward and behind CAN #3, instead of into the U.S. half, where there's acres of unguarded space he could run into.

This reminds me of one of the quotes by the great Johan Cruijff (see video here, in Dutch but with English caption), who said that if he has the ball and his teammate is trying to help, the teammate should run away from Cruijff (as opposed to toward him), as that would really open up the options.

Quoting Cruyff as the best way to help a teammate overlooks one major thing - 99.9999% of players are not Cruyff. In a space like that a player does need other players to take defenders away BUT they also need some support players. IN this case the Canadian player is not bringing any extra defenders with him.

Your image is limited in one thing, it doesn't show Yedlin. IF you look at the video Yedlin is indeed "at home". The major problem is that at the start of the sequence Davies is goal side of him. Yedlin is gesturing for help BUT until you are sure of that help stay inside / goal side of Davies he is much more of a threat than any other Canadian player on that side of the pitch and a simple, easy pass inside beats Yedlin.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

Quoting Cruyff as the best way to help a teammate overlooks one major thing - 99.9999% of players are not Cruyff. In a space like that a player does need other players to take defenders away BUT they also need some support players. IN this case the Canadian player is not bringing any extra defenders with him.

Your image is limited in one thing, it doesn't show Yedlin. IF you look at the video Yedlin is indeed "at home". The major problem is that at the start of the sequence Davies is goal side of him. Yedlin is gesturing for help BUT until you are sure of that help stay inside / goal side of Davies he is much more of a threat than any other Canadian player on that side of the pitch and a simple, easy pass inside beats Yedlin.

While I disagree somewhat about the former point (players can be taught to think like Cruijff even if they lack the technical abilities of Cruijff), your latter point re: Yedlin's positioning is completely spot-on.

The U.S. could really make do with someone who understands defensive organization. Too bad Rafa has taken the Everton job... Actually, Yedlin was half-serviceable in the EPL when playing under Benítez.

Here's hoping that maybe one of the U.S. coaches in the Bundesliga might be tempted to take the job.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Let's hope that there's no third time.

He appears mature, but if he can't get his act together for 10 days...

------------------------------------------------

Also, what a s*** show. Pulisic should have been subbed off long before the 70th minute. So many dangerous crosses fizzed across the box, and a better team would have capitalized.

Berlhalter has enough talent at his disposal, not being able to use it well is rather tiresome.

Now look out for a ragged team face Honduras on Wednesday.

Also, I hope McKennie understands just how much he was needed today. Adams did the best he could, and he could have done with someone else helping out.

there will be no third time - he was sent back to Italy!!!

[echappist]

Donovan says it may be nearly irreparable. I really hope that's a hyperbole.

[hoonjr]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

Quoting Cruyff as the best way to help a teammate overlooks one major thing - 99.9999% of players are not Cruyff. In a space like that a player does need other players to take defenders away BUT they also need some support players. IN this case the Canadian player is not bringing any extra defenders with him.

Your image is limited in one thing, it doesn't show Yedlin. IF you look at the video Yedlin is indeed "at home". The major problem is that at the start of the sequence Davies is goal side of him. Yedlin is gesturing for help BUT until you are sure of that help stay inside / goal side of Davies he is much more of a threat than any other Canadian player on that side of the pitch and a simple, easy pass inside beats Yedlin.

Davies is a beast so it was bound to happen against Dest or Yedlin. I don't disagree with the Letget press analysis either. But Brooks looks completely lost in the box on that play. USMNT defenders will need to step up their game to qualify.

[wc1934]

Weston McKennie - we hardly knew you

Following is by Susy Campanale - Football Italia| Sep 7, 2021
After Weston McKennie was sent home from the United States squad due to a COVID-19 protocol violation, Oli Coates asks whether his actions will push him away from Juventus.

The standards expected of young men who’ve only just turned 23 are very different when you’re an international footballer who plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world. As such, Weston McKennie finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons this week.

Although video has emerged of the Juventus midfielder leaving the American team bus without a mask and stopping to sign autographs, the exact reason for his expulsion from the USA squad ahead of this week’s World Cup qualifier against Honduras remains something of a mystery.

Indeed, former USMNT star Landon Donovan appeared to suggest something has happened behind the scenes for which McKennie has a lot of making up to do. America’s joint record goalscorer said: “I’m privy to what happened, I’m not going to announce that publicly.”

Given Donovan went on to state that he was “incredibly disappointed in Weston”, before referring to his countryman’s “level of selfishness” for a transgression that he believes has led to McKennie’s relationship with his team mates being “almost beyond repair”, there must have been something more serious than failing to wear a mask and signing an autograph or two.

What is clear though, is that the offence has been deemed serious enough to warrant his expulsion from the squad just before an incredibly important fixture. The States have failed to win either of their opening two qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, after drawing with both El Salvador and Canada.

The fact that World Cup qualification is on the line emphasises both the scale of McKennie’s indirection, and the potential damage it’s done to his relationships within the US squad. And unfortunately for him, it isn’t the first time a breach of COVID-19 rules has been to the detriment of his team.

McKennie missed the Derby della Mole against Torino back in April after hosting a party along with Juventus teammates Paulo Dybala and Arthur. The Old Lady drew the Turin derby 2-2 in the absence of the trio, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a late equaliser to salvage both a point and local pride.

Given that transgression came just a matter of weeks after Juve had exercised the option on his loan to make McKennie’s transfer to the Allianz Stadium permanent, the timing was not well received by the club. Reports have indicated that Juventus are similarly dismayed at the latest furore surrounding their €18.5m man.

But having only turned 23 at the end of August, can McKennie be forgiven for lapses in judgement? Most people at that age are able to make their mistakes out of the public eye. However, there’s certainly an argument that he should know better.

McKennie has been a professional football for more than five years now. He has 25 international caps under his belt. He plays for one of the biggest and best-supported clubs on the planet. He has spent his Juve career training and playing alongside model pros in the mould of Ronaldo, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

If Donovan’s comments are anything to go by, McKennie has not learnt from his mistake of just five months ago. He is far from alone in being a footballer to break the rules over the last 18 months or so, though, and not the first to hit the headlines on multiple occasions.

He is alone, however, as the first and only American to play for Juventus. His is a unique position, and perhaps one he is yet to truly grasp the importance and privilege of. Football careers are fleeting and can be filled with regret for those who fail to reach their potential.

McKennie hasn’t got this far without having a head on his shoulders. What he needs to do now is get it down and work hard in training to convince both his club and national teammates of his dedication to their collective goals, not to mention his new coach at Juventus, Max Allegri. And what that means is recapturing the Scudetto for Juve and reaching the 2022 World Cup with the US.

There’s a real player within, but McKennie was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League during the transfer window, an indication that he doesn’t hold a position of great strength at the Allianz Stadium. Given the likes of Aston Villa, along with Everton and Tottenham, were the clubs being linked to him, the 23-year-old could be set for a significant step down at a crucial point of his career.

If he’s going to learn how to be a part of an elite football club, he needs to do it now. Juve added Manuel Locatelli to their midfield ranks over the summer, and McKennie seemingly has a lot of work to do to get into Allegri’s first-choice XI. Juventus had already put the American on the market this summer and the latest development haven’t surely helped his reputation in Turin. Mentality plays a massive role at this level, and perhaps the American should have learned it earlier.

[echappist]

Oh my, and this gets worse

Apparently there were two violations on two separate nights. I'm wondering if McKennie acted out after being reprimanded for the initial incident, only to violate team rules a second time.

All this, apparently McKennie himself advocated for "responsibility" after the draw vs. El Salvador.

Not to mention, he's now painted himself as a prime target for the type of shenanigans that were pulled on the 1974 Dutch squad before the World Cup final.

And as if we needed another reason why social media broadcast (e.g. Twitter) is idiotic, look no further than McKennie senior. Cringe.