Bruce Arena Era 2: Electric Boogaloo. USMNT Super Thread

[Rook]

The problem is the group of players aged 23-27 has given us Yedlin and that's about it. So while yes the older players are still better they also may or may not still be useful come 2022. For me there is no point in anything but building for 2022 so Altidore maybe could be still around as he's 28 but Bradley at 31 is less likely. My problem with Altidore is he doesn't score or offer anything else against good teams. Bradley could easily be this cycle's Jermaine Jones in that we rely on him until the year before and then his legs go after a series of injuries and we don't have anyone ready to step in.

Bradley has regressed ever since Toronto threw a @#$%ton of money at him but he's actually still decent as a DM. Plus he's been healthy thoroughout his career. There isn't that much milage on his body and his game isn't pace. He can play in the WC in 2022. Bradley's problem is that just there is no one else at CM who could pass/distrubute so that job falls onto Bradley by default.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Bradley has regressed ever since Toronto threw a @#$%ton of money at him but he's actually still decent as a DM. Plus he's been healthy thoroughout his career. There isn't that much milage on his body and his game isn't pace. He can play in the WC in 2022. Bradley's problem is that just there is no one else at CM who could pass/distrubute so that job falls onto Bradley by default.

My problem with Bradley is he doesn't play at a high enough level with his club to suddenly step in and compete against decent midfield players. Much like Altidore he can dominate for a decent amount of qualifying but he's been useless as soon as he's challenged. If McKennie, Adams and other young players are going to test themselves abroad they should be given national team spots.

 

[Rook]

My problem with Bradley is he doesn't play at a high enough level with his club to suddenly step in and compete against decent midfield players. Much like Altidore he can dominate for a decent amount of qualifying but he's been useless as soon as he's challenged. If McKennie, Adams and other young players are going to test themselves abroad they should be given national team spots.

You could throw a DM as good as say Gana back there and he's going to suck because there isn't even a championship level distrubtor to pair him up with. CM is a supermassive black hole for the national team.

Altidore is still better than the Zardes, Wood, Green pu pu platter up at striker because yes he can do a job up front in qualifying and the others haven't proven they can consistently do that (Wood is alright but ideally probably more effective as a 66th min sub).

I also think a another understated problem why some of our players haven't developed is just that they are signing w/ the wrong clubs too. There is some weird mindset that oh 18 year signed for "big club" he's gonna be good! No its really not. The prem and germany, there is more than enough money in those leagues that they don't care about developing players anymore. Then there are leagues like the championship where the allure of prem $$$$$ overrides any other priorities. McKinnie should have signed a 3 year contract w/ Dallas. What good did going to Spurs do for Yedlin? He lost a good 2-3 years of development, he would have been better off in seattle.

That doesn't mean going to Europe as a teen is bad, just FFS go somewhere where player development is and selling on is important for a clubs survival even if it means less money in the short term. You know a 2nd tier league like Holland, Belgium, Denmark or switzerland.

 

[carolinablue232]

Dispatch from the tree of woe:

There is a bunch of hurdur out there among the USMNT fans that we need to cast out the vets like Bradley, Altidore and the like. I mean I'm all for it, its just, uncomfortable truth time fellas: there is no one currently out there that's better. Its not as if the next gen isn't getting a chance (they are) and they for the time being aren't proving they are better than the group that lost to friggin T&T. The ceiling for most of these players are quality MLS starters. Even Pulisic while yes is a 19 year old who right now that just about any national team would love to have is no better a prospect than Ross Barkley was at the same age, and how'd that turn out (well to be honest, quite good for Barkley's.......bank account)?

Whether or not we keep our current intern manager Who Whatshisname, or break the bank England FA style for some superstar manager its not going to change much, the talent isn't there. Right now we're Scotland only with the good fortune to play in a confederation on a major downturn.

On a positive note, I guess the youth team (or B team or is this our A team now?) did alright. Brasil wasn't too arsed though, they really didn't even bother closing anyone down and were just there for a light kickabout and short rest/NYC vacation.

Ok, just so we're clear, when Barkley was 19, he was on loan with Sheffield and then Leeds struggling to get a game. Pulisic has been a regular for a Champions League squad for a couple years now and has been linked to the likes of Real, United, etc. That's a better prospect at 19 for me.

 

[USABlue]

You could throw a DM as good as say Gana back there and he's going to suck because there isn't even a championship level distrubtor to pair him up with. CM is a supermassive black hole for the national team.

Altidore is still better than the Zardes, Wood, Green pu pu platter up at striker because yes he can do a job up front in qualifying and the others haven't proven they can consistently do that (Wood is alright but ideally probably more effective as a 66th min sub).

I also think a another understated problem why some of our players haven't developed is just that they are signing w/ the wrong clubs too. There is some weird mindset that oh 18 year signed for "big club" he's gonna be good! No its really not. The prem and germany, there is more than enough money in those leagues that they don't care about developing players anymore. Then there are leagues like the championship where the allure of prem $$$$$ overrides any other priorities. McKinnie should have signed a 3 year contract w/ Dallas. What good did going to Spurs do for Yedlin? He lost a good 2-3 years of development, he would have been better off in seattle.

That doesn't mean going to Europe as a teen is bad, just FFS go somewhere where player development is and selling on is important for a clubs survival even if it means less money in the short term. You know a 2nd tier league like Holland, Belgium, Denmark or switzerland.

Germany has been good for players like Pulisic, Sargent, and McKennie. I agree Yedlin's Spurs move was too soon but think Newcastle has been better for him than Seattle. Not saying MLS is bad it all just depends on the player, the club they sign for, etc. Miazaga probably moved too soon

 

[carolinablue232]

Germany has been good for players like Pulisic, Sargent, and McKennie. I agree Yedlin's Spurs move was too soon but think Newcastle has been better for him than Seattle. Not saying MLS is bad it all just depends on the player, the club they sign for, etc. Miazaga probably moved too soon

Disagree with the Miazga piece. Think he moved when he should have, and while he was not ready for Chelsea, he’s improved a lot with his loan moves and is well positioned to get a chance with a big club if he continues the way he has been and does well this season with Nantes.

 

[Ghoat]

Yeah the gap in the 23-27's is pretty glaring. About the ONLY positive of that is the amount of 18-20's that will be coming of age in the 2022 cycle and in their prime in the 2026 cycle. That

 

[Ghoat]

Yeah the gap in the 23-27's is pretty glaring. About the ONLY positive of that is the amount of 18-20's that will be coming of age in the 2022 cycle and in their prime in the 2026 cycle. That is a fact. I think. I hope. Maybe? lol

Depending on developments that would command slots, I'd be ok if there was room to have Guzan, Jozy and Bradly on the team. I think their experience, especially in qualifying tournaments, even if they are late or even unused subs may be very valuable. Sargent is coming along nicely, but he may be a better national striker by having Jozy in the squad. Ditto Guzan/Steffan and Bradly/McKinnie-Adams. Those guys have considerable int'l and European experience that could be valuable. All things being equal, when you get past the starting 11 or even the 18, I'd flesh the roster out with those guys if feasible, even if we're not counting on many minutes.

 

[Rook]

Might as well just keep this manager. He's playing the kids which is kind of what everyone wants. Plus at the very least they are organized and not playing stupid, which is pretty much all you could ask of this group.

 

[Ghoat]

Might as well just keep this manager. He's playing the kids which is kind of what everyone wants. Plus at the very least they are organized and not playing stupid, which is pretty much all you could ask of this group.

He doesn't excite me, but I can't disagree with you. We don't look bad, but we can't get anything created up front. Fat Sam flashbacks.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I think we look utterly abysmal lads. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 0 of these Mexican players would get into their best team and we can barely get the ball.

 

[ilikecheese]

#18 for Mexico looks really good.

 

[Rook]

He doesn't excite me, but I can't disagree with you. We don't look bad, but we can't get anything created up front. Fat Sam flashbacks.

I mean you beat mexico on the counter and we're occasionally high pressing so we are trying to score. Its just our No.9 isn't exactly Salah.

 

[AmericasToffee]

Vermes seems the logical choice based on Stewart's (somewhat bizarre) comments.

 

[AmericasToffee]

Mexico fans still trashy