https://x.com/SBJ/status/2054917235781541948
2 Likes
I am still convinced that Gerald Pique is an idiot.
1 Like
https://x.com/i/status/2057468978180612150
https://x.com/i/status/2057483043258962231
CRAP.
For the casuals - Richards is our best center back and arguably (him or Jedi) the best defender on an already thin / problematic back line. This is NOT GOOD. Even if he can play, it seems doubtful he will be 100%.
Please don’t get grouped on our home turf. Ugh.
https://x.com/i/status/2057480345772273915
Banks has emerged as one of the USMNT’s best defensive prospects in years, becoming an automatic starter for Augsburg in the Bundesliga this season despite only recently turning 19.
The defender was born in Hawaii to an American father and German-Spanish mother. After moving to Washington, D.C., Banks relocated to Germany when he was a young child.
If he is actually going to play for the U.S., that at least is some good news.
That would be a big deal, as long as he’s full speed. Tim Ream does great given his limitations, but his lack of speed will get exposed in the WC if we have to rely on him too much. Richards has been good at Crystal Palace when I’ve seen them this season.
Not sure what to make of USMNT for this WC. Even with Richards, I was thinking we’d get grouped, the team just hasn’t looked strong for a while. That said, groups are weaker with the extra teams, and most games have been a somewhat a hodgepodge of our top players due to injury or club duties, so I will be happy to be wrong on my predictions. Our depth is thin enough that injuries at certain positions make a huge difference in quality.
My son keeps pointing out that two thirds of the teams will make it out of the group stage. 3 of 4 from most of the groups. That also makes it a lot easier.
Still… I don’t trust the team / program right now. Complete bummer for a host nation.
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https://x.com/i/status/2057954701337838075
Nothing that controversial yet. I think a couple of those guys arent any good, but they’re all bench players.
Meanwhile, apparently England is leaving off both Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. The guys they aren’t bringing are better than half our starters.
https://x.com/i/status/2057909607335440421
We need Banks as insurance since Richards is hurt. I hope we roster him.
https://x.com/i/status/2057903831619686771
This may be worth watching.
Below is the full roster The Guardian obtained:
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders (10): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally
Midfielders (6): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman
Forwards (7): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
I’m baffled by the midfield selections. I don’t see how you keep Tessman off of this roster and keep scrubs like Roldan around.
I half expected Musah to make the roster, though I know he hasn’t been in good form lately. I still like him.
It again feels like there is an MLS quota on the USMNT roster. Which is stupid.
Reyna I suppose you’re counting on him showing the creativity he’s had in the past even though he hasn’t been playing, but not sure i see it as a good use of the spot.
Roldan I have no idea, maybe there is a MLS quota, because he has never impressed me. Hopefully we don’t need him much.
Given the watered down group stage (8! Third place teams make it), we basically need to beat Australia and tie one of the other two. I wonder if this format encourages even more parking the bus by the lower teams to go for the 0-0 tie.
I completely get why people hate having him on the roster. I think the logic in favor of excluding him is more sound than my logic. I really can’t argue against it. I guess I’m that guy that is willing to waste a roster spot on at least one player who has a chance of being creative, because the squad is so sorely lacking in that department. It’s like throwing your paycheck on red at the roulette wheel, but what the hell. I’m in. Stupid, probably, but it’s just one paycheck / roster spot. Not all of them.
That is a helluva good point. Damn I hope not. This will be the worst group stage ever if teams collectively come to that conclusion.
I guess we’d better hope for a lot of early goals.