Ot - usmnt - Page 6

echappist · #76 10-08-2021, 11:19 AM

Musah was fantastic. He's the type of box-to-box mids whom fans love, and it also appeared clear that his footwork is just a bit better than McKennies, who looks just a tad raw in comparison. I guess those English academies do know a few things after all.

Player rotation is now key. You don't want players to miss the match against El Tri due to card accumulation. A cursory look suggests that neither Adams nor McKennie has any cards right now, and I think the rule is that accumulation of two cards (from different matches) means sitting out the next match.

Donno what would be the best way to stagger everyone. I think having all three of Adams, McKennie, and Musah available would be nice. Busio, Lletget, and Acosta now gets to show their worth in at least one upcoming match.

And finally, neither Reyna nor Pulisic was available, both due to injuries from the last window. I hope Berlhalter plays it safe and limit Aaronson's minutes a bit.

ETA: my initial look was indeed cursory. Both McKennie and Adams have one card each. I guess that means they'll sit out the home match vs. Costa Rica.

Beldar77 · #77 10-08-2021, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echappist

Player rotation is now key. I hope Berlhalter plays it safe and limit Aaronson's minutes a bit.

I think rotation / logistics management is so hard in this 3 match window. I mean many of the euro based players had to come across 7 time zones and play 4 days later in 90 degree heat. Now a trip to Panama city - which is roughly another 5 hour plane ride (assuming a charter of course). Even as a young pro that has to be hard on the body, not impossible but could lead to sluggish legs.

How many guys can you rotate? Who stays. Definitely Pepi because has had had very little travel compared to the rest and well right now he scores goals. Adams seems oblivious to this type of fatigue. Zimmerman - again MLS so little travel comparatively. ( he played well). At left back? Bello has not looked great but A. Robinson won't play due to restrictions in England. Dest has not looked great on the left either.

Tough choices.

echappist · #78 10-10-2021, 09:25 PM

Looks like Berlhalter rotated too much.

Completely disjointed mess. Also shows how important Antonee Robinson is. That was some serious dreck...

And just like that, the next game vs Costa Rica becomes a must-win.

Beldar77 · #79 10-10-2021, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echappist

Looks like Berlhalter rotated too much.

Completely disjointed mess. Also shows how important Antonee Robinson is. That was some serious dreck...

And just like that, the next game vs Costa Rica becomes a must-win.

"Dreck" is so spot on. Aargh.

He totally rotated the wrong guys in hindsight. Musah & arriola were so far below their performances the other day. Bello should be away from the team for a long time. His (lack of) effort was disgusting. Should have kept Pepi - not that Zardes was totally to blame on the offensive end since they never got him the ball.

echappist · #80 10-13-2021, 07:22 PM

Bugger, that's not a good start. Down a goal early...

echappist · #81 10-13-2021, 07:27 PM

Chef's kiss of a goal from Dest!

duff_duffy · #82 10-13-2021, 07:35 PM

So glad this thread was going! Did not realize game was on. Thanks~

wc1934 · #83 10-13-2021, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echappist

Bugger, that's not a good start. Down a goal early...

Berhalter was sure it was offsides.
Was not.
Regardless - no quit in this team.

echappist · #84 10-13-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wc1934

Berhalter was sure it was offsides.
Was not.
Regardless - no quit in this team.

That's what so admirable about this young group. They've got skills and fight.

Also, 2-1 up!

echappist · #85 10-13-2021, 08:58 PM

Well, that wasn't pretty, but job done.

Even better, neither Adams nor McKennie picked up a card. Both are thus eligible to play against El Tri.

wc1934 · #86 10-13-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echappist

Well, that wasn't pretty, but job done.

Even better, neither Adams nor McKennie picked up a card. Both are thus eligible to play against El Tri.

yup - mark your calendar - November 12th

Beldar77 · #87 10-13-2021, 10:32 PM

not much to say but glad for the win

Louis · #88 10-13-2021, 10:39 PM

If all you do is watch Dest's goal you walk away thinking "Wow, there sure is some real skill on this team."

On the other hand they're so young, on any given day you have no idea whatsoever who's going to show up.

BobC · #89 10-14-2021, 06:33 AM

Nervy match. Happy that they took the 3 points & gave themselves some breathing room.

Adams MOTM. His positioning is pretty incredible.

The high pressure really bothered the Ticos, who looked stuck in 2nd gear.

echappist · #90 10-14-2021, 10:16 AM

Yeah, it was certainly nervy. McKennie with 90-minute match fitness but kept on misplacing passes.

One would imagine that having at least one of Pulisic and Reyna back would help things a bit.