Tid bits for today.
1. I did not realize that Tim Ream and Josh Sargent are from the same town. Not only that but they went to the same HS. 13 years apart but here they are playing together at the WC.
2. Aussie fans are calling out France for resting players yesterday. France having already advanced and likely the group winner, chose to rest 9 starters ahead of Sunday's knockout match. Aussie fans were pissed because they figured going into their match with Denmark they could advance with a draw (tough enough as it was). But then Tunisia scored against France and the Socceroos would have to win to advance. Well it worked out as the Aussies scored and indeed beat Denmark to move on. But that hasn't stopped Aussie fans for bashing the French manager for resting players and not going for the W. News Flash to Aussie Fans - It isn't any other countries job to do things that might help you to advance. They have to prepared themselves they best they can. EVERY manager on the planet would have made major rotation to their lineups under those circumstances. Welcome to big boy soccer.....lol
3. Expect to see earlier and more use of substitutions across all teams from here on out. Two things in play. First, players have not played 3 matches in 8 days (the last 8 catch up today) and those matches have typically gone much longer than historically has been the case with the new approach to added time. There have been lots of matches with 7-9 minutes added time per half and several matches have had over 10 minutes added in a half. So they haven't been playing a more normal 95-100 minutes total its been more like 100-105. Second, games don't end in draws now. They will have 30 minutes extra time. So take a 100 minute match and add 30 minutes extra time, plus extra time in the extra time period and these games could go over 130 minutes then PKs.
So what does this mean for the US for tomorrow? Well Berhalter has some serious planning to do.
a. The team play has been terrific so you don't want to disrupt what's working. If a guy is ready to go tomorrow then he needs to be out there.
b. But a key factor now has to be how many minutes can a player be expected to go? Lets use Tim Weah and Gio Reyna as examples. Assuming that fitness with Gio is still a question and you think he can go 45 at best. So do you start Weah and sub in Gio around 60? He should be able to finish off the last 30 minutes. But what if it goes long and then its tied and you have to go 30 more minutes. Now perhaps Gio is totally spent and its a problem having him out there. So do you start Gio and have Weah on the bench planning to bring him in at the half? This would alleviate that issue but do you want to start with a different lineup than what's been working?
c. What do you do up top if Sargent isn't fit? If he's ok then I think he is clearly going to start. But what if he's not able to go at least a half then what? I think Wright has played himself off the team unless he would be a late sub when we are trying to get a set piece goal. His work rate has been unacceptable. So do you start Ferreira? He's pressing and speed play well against the Dutch but his physical size is a detriment. He's not an aerial threat especially against Virgil van Dijk. But then we haven't scored a header goal yet anyway so maybe that doesn't matter. Or do you finally put the best lineup out on the field we can and you start Weah, Reyna, Pulisic, and Aaronson with one of those first three playing a false #9?
I can't wait for tomorrow and I am excited to see who Berhalter is going to role out for the starting lineup.
