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Message
re: USMNT LB depth chart
Posted on 4/20/16 at 11:07 pm to Broski
Posted on 4/20/16 at 11:07 pm to Broski
quote:
He's our best RB, LB, LM & RM, but he is just way too good on the ball to not have in the midfield.
I'm keeping faith in guys like Pulisic, Hyndman, Zalalem, and other youngsters emerging so that we have decent talent in the midfield
1
Posted on 4/21/16 at 2:11 am to lynxcat
why not try eric lichaj out at LB 
Posted on 4/21/16 at 2:33 am to Broski
quote:
He's our best RB, LB, LM & RM, but he is just way too good on the ball to not have in the midfield.
I agree with you on the first half. I just think that if we could find any sort of talent in the midfield, Fab overlapping from the fullback position would really make us dangerous. If Yedlin can get better at not leaving the backline absolutely at times by pushing way too far up the pitch, he and Fabian could be a really, really scary combination. The flip side is that we don't have that talent in the midfield at the moment.
I guess the real debate is where we need a shot in the arm the most. I'm optimistic that a few of our young guns making noise can fill out the midfield and allow Fabian to make those runs from the back. I think our backline lacks chemistry and confidence so they play on their heels a bit too much. Adding a threat from the fullback positions could really open up the game if we have creators in the midfield to actually utilize those runs.
My logic on this one basically all comes down to the fact that we've been pretty shite defensively for a while. It doesn't matter how good he is in the midfield if that backline is crumbling and struggling to keep a team from literally just sitting there and firing off shots like it's target practice. If we have to use him out of the back and play the long ball to get through this drought of midfield talent, so be it.
Knowing how the lineup is set these days, though, if those are his best positions, expect him to start at the 10 moving forward.
quote:
I'm keeping faith in guys like Pulisic, Hyndman, Zalalem, and other youngsters emerging so that we have decent talent in the midfield
I hadn't read this before posting, but basically, this is where my head's at.
This post was edited on 4/21/16 at 2:35 am
Posted on 4/21/16 at 6:39 am to Dijkstra
Real talk:
I've watched at least half of two Queretaro games (to keep an eye on Luis Gil, and watch the USians at Leon and Tijuana).
Bornstein looked good. Better defensively than I remembered him last (even in MLS), and looked at least as good, if not better, than Castillo going forward.
Next time they're on TV, check them out. They play Monterrey this weekend, where Edgar Castillo plays.
I've watched at least half of two Queretaro games (to keep an eye on Luis Gil, and watch the USians at Leon and Tijuana).
Bornstein looked good. Better defensively than I remembered him last (even in MLS), and looked at least as good, if not better, than Castillo going forward.
Next time they're on TV, check them out. They play Monterrey this weekend, where Edgar Castillo plays.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:48 am to StraightCashHomey21
quote:
why not try eric lichaj out at LB
Because Jurgen...
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:29 am to John Keating
quote:
Rogers has been moved to RB for the Galaxy due to the signing of Ashley Cole.
Gotcha. How has he been playing though? Just trying to get an idea if he should even be in the discussion for us at LB.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 2:34 pm to etm512
quote:
Just trying to get an idea if he should even be in the discussion for us at LB.
If we are running Castillo out there for WCQ's, then pretty much every American first team LB should be in the discussion.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 4:26 pm to etm512
Rogers has been injured.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 4:30 pm to cwil177
inb4 Run DMB unretires and is playing LB at the World Cup.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 5:09 pm to StraightCashHomey21
quote:
why not try eric lichaj out at LB
Lichaj is ambidextrous and capable of playing LB and RB. In fact, he has played spells at LB for Forest when needed. He is not spectacular but is very solid, consistent, and smart. I am unsure of what he did but he has clearly been blacklisted by Klinsmann.
IMO the best LBs for the USMNT are:
1) Johnson - I agree that his talents and abilities are more needed further up the pitch. However, if the USMNT go with an attacking lineup and another very good LW steps forward, Johnson can still be a valuable asset with his defense and his abilities and instincts would allow him to charge forward and be involved with the attack. He would also help the fluidity of ball movement and avoid those often painful and sluggish moments when Bradley has to come all the way back to take the ball from the back line and attempt to attack through the defense. Johnson at LB, with Yedlin at RB, makes the USMNT more multi-dimensional.
2) Ream - a major step down from Johnson but Ream is still a solid, consistent performer. He will not amaze you by any stretch but he will provide capable LB play. Ream is a very similar player to a Lichaj in terms of their abilities although I think Lichaj is better. Ream is a natural CB but has solid capabilities at LB.
3) Lichaj - would be above Ream if LB was his natural position. Lichaj is still a good defender who is composed, intelligent, consistent, and also possesses some ability to go forward. Lichaj would also be my #2 RB behind Yedlin.
4) Tierney - no one mentions him but he has established himself as a very capable and solid LB in MLS. He deserves some caps at the position.
5) Shea - I know, ugh to some people, but Shea is not terrible at the position. He is a big, lumbering wall that can play LB alright and he has the ability to go forward in attack as well. He is not great but he is not radioactive waste either. He is inconsistent and more prone to lapses than the guys mentioned above.
6) Castillo - I guess he gets the call if everyone else above is unavailable.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 5:15 pm to etm512
Rogers has been doing solidly okay at RB although he has been slowed by injuries. He is obviously more comfortable at LB. I am still in a wait and see mode with Rogers. My jury is still out on whether he will top out at being a good MLS LB (which he has become) or if he has abilities to be more. It is difficult to judge him now because he is in a transition and coming off surgery as well. Right now I would say that he is on the periphery of the discussion. I would definitely play him over Alvarado or Orozco, though.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 6:55 pm to John Keating
I forgot about Tierney. That dude is really solid. That said, Villafana has to be on the top of your list. A left side of Villafana and Johnson would be very, very good.
ETA: why did you leave Villafana off of this list? And Garza?
ETA: why did you leave Villafana off of this list? And Garza?
This post was edited on 4/21/16 at 6:56 pm
Posted on 4/21/16 at 6:58 pm to cwil177
Some frick's younger brother Would Ya Look at This frick is quickly rising through the Red Bulls academy.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:51 pm to jackwoods4
He already unretired tho. He could get called back in if Jurgen is desperate. He's not playing great this season tho.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:52 pm to cwil177
I just plain forgot about Villafana. I would absolutely place him in front of Shea and let him battle it out with Tierney. Regarding Garza, I really like Garza and he would normally be in the discussion but he has been injured for quite a long time. Is he back from injury? If he is back from injury then he deserves to be in the discussion. I just need to see more of him to get an idea of his form.
This post was edited on 4/21/16 at 8:54 pm
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:37 pm to John Keating
still on team #somefrick
Posted on 4/21/16 at 10:22 pm to John Keating
He may still be out with injury. I don't keep up with the Liga Mx guys like I do our other yanks abroad.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 11:31 pm to cwil177
I'm the same way. I hardly ever watch MX. Garza was definitely promising though and I was excited about him. Then he suffered his injury, which I think was a significant hip injury, and I believe he was going to miss quite a lot of time. I think I remember reading somewhere that he was going to miss six months. Last that I remember is that he is back with Tijuana but still trying to regain his fitness.
Posted on 4/22/16 at 6:36 am to John Keating
I haven't Garza play with TJ yet this season.
I think healthy Garza is our best option at LB.
The only way I could go for Shea is both of our other space cadets (Omar, Brooks) is on the bench.
Tierney's just a guy to me.
ETA: Christ alive, my grammar was shitty in this post.
I think healthy Garza is our best option at LB.
The only way I could go for Shea is both of our other space cadets (Omar, Brooks) is on the bench.
Tierney's just a guy to me.
ETA: Christ alive, my grammar was shitty in this post.
This post was edited on 4/22/16 at 9:57 am
Posted on 4/22/16 at 6:51 am to Sheep
You're just a guy to me.
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