2061 replies to this topic

[BSLSteveBirrer]

No concacaf team in Pot 1 right? Did Canada have a shot if they won?

Zero

[BSLSteveBirrer]

https://baltimorespo...eaded-to-qatar/

 

My post window review and as promised my too soon 23 for Qatar.

[BSLMikeLowe]

CONCACAF Nations League Draw:

 

Group A

México

Jamaica

Suriname

 

Group B

Costa Rica

Panama

Martinique

 

Group C

Canada

Honduras

Curaçao

 

Group D

USA

El Salvador

Grenada

[BSLMikeLowe]

Good draw in terms of certainty to advance, not so good in terms of providing competition to prepare for the WC.

[BSLMikeLowe]

My Spanish is rusty, if it was ever any good in the first place, but I believe this indicates the US may be arranging a friendly match against Uruguay in June. Assuming both teams play their best squads, that should be a good tune-up.

 

https://www.espn.com...erun-qatar-2022

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Coaching staff is really going to be in a spot deciding how to approach these Nations League match.

 

Potentially two friendlies and two NL matches in June. And potentially two friendlies in September are the only opportunities to get the team together before the WC. With the youngest qualifying team on the planet getting them to play together is really critical especially since we have not had a single match when our best XI have been on the field at the same time. So do you run them out against a team like Grenada?

a. On one side you can say that based upon the above the priority is to run out your best. We don't have much time to prepare. And maybe these guys could use a match where they blow the doors off a team.

b. On the flip side you can say ok but what do they really learn trouncing Grenada 10-0? Wouldn't they be better off bringing in a couple of the players currently on the outside that might bring something to the mix come the WC?

 

The problem is both perspectives are totally correct. So where do I land? I think a slight mix is a good idea and no I am not trying to ride the fence. I am mostly in camp a. Purely from the timing issue. I think there are a couple of players I would bring in for the June matches to give them a look - Joe Scally and Djordje Mihaliovich. But I would be very very judicious on this. To me its much more important to really gel the top 15 or 16 guys on the roster. Give them the max time together to prepare for Qatar. That is more important than to find some guy that might be in the mix for spot #23 or 24-26 if they expand the rosters.

 

In any event I am in serious withdrawal for the next two months.....

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Gut wrenching news. First minutes of the Dortmund match and Gio Reyna goes down with another hamstring issue. Just sick for this kid.

[Hooded Viper]

That is just crushing!

[DuffMan]

Get this kid a new trainer!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

And of course he's hardly back at all and Dest goes down again....out for the rest of Barca's season and unsure at this point if he will be available in our June window.

 

On a better note thought Matt Turner has returned to training with New England. We need him to get match fit!

[DuffMan]

Also on the positive side, Aaronson converted a PK in his return from injury.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Could have put this in the MLS thread but its more important here.

 

Matt Turner will be starting keeper for New England Revolution today. So good he's back and can get a handful of matches before the June window. We need him.....badly!

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: USMNT roster: Miles Robinson Achilles tear could be a critical blow to USA and Atlanta United

https://www.cbssport...atlanta-united/

[DuffMan]

Damn, that stinks

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Its really terrible for Miles. Such a great kid and a solid player. But it is at a position where we are pretty deep. The biggest issue losing him is his speed. We really don't have a like for like replacement.

 

Richards is probably better in pure defending and positioning but is not fast.

Brooks is a much better passer and is every bit as good in the air. But he has moments where he forgets he is playing soccer.

Carter-Vickers may be the next best overall athlete of the group. But hasn't had the level of international play yet,

 

June window just got more interesting for the CBs. Lets see who steps up.

 

And Aaron Long and Emerson Palmer-Brown are both playing well. And Long has lots of time with the Nats already.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Here's a look at out keeper situation heading into the June camp.

 

https://baltimorespo...t-1-goalkeeper/

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Couple of good days for the US!

 

First Malik Tillman announced he's switching from Germany to the US

 

Just now Gaga Slonina announced he is throwing all in with the US and not taking the call up by Poland.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Couple of good days for the US!

 

First Malik Tillman announced he's switching from Germany to the US

 

Just now Gaga Slonina announced he is throwing all in with the US and not taking the call up by Poland.

 

At this point any day where no one gets injured qualifies as a good day for the US. 

[DuffMan]

At this point any day where no one gets injured qualifies as a good day for the US. 

That was my fear when I saw this thread had a new post

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Here's the roster for our camp starting next week for the June friendlies.

 

https://www.ussoccer...-fifa-world-cup