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Started By
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re: Let’s say Balogun is out. What would you do with the starting XI?
Posted on 7/2/26 at 7:38 am to lynxcat
Posted on 7/2/26 at 7:38 am to lynxcat
You put Haji out there. Nobody is like for like for Flo we know that. Pepi is way too weak for this tournament and the way they are calling it. He has been getting absolutely bodied every time he is out there.
1
Posted on 7/2/26 at 7:47 am to Broyota2
quote:
Haji is our only other striker that can actually hold the ball up
This is so important. Pepi vs Turkey was so poor at holding the ball up. Our midfield couldn't come forward as much because they were backtracking after he lost the ball. I was aggravated watching Pepi stroll around last night. I would have preferred Aaronson's lightweight arse. At least he would have worked his balls off.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 7:48 am to Broski
I’d start Haji and go from there
If it’s just not working then move Pulisic up and put Reyna in. But I think Haji will step up. As will Pulisic.
Belgium’s attack has been meh all tournament. We could def win 1-0
If it’s just not working then move Pulisic up and put Reyna in. But I think Haji will step up. As will Pulisic.
Belgium’s attack has been meh all tournament. We could def win 1-0
This post was edited on 7/2/26 at 7:52 am
Posted on 7/2/26 at 7:58 am to etm512
3-5-2 with Haji starting and Puli with Pepi on bench. Open it up with 20 minutes left.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:01 am to Girth Donor
Side note: Can Pepi get a jersey that actually fits him? Dude rolling up in a 2XL.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:13 am to RB10
Haji is 6'4 and has 17 goals in the championship and helping Coventry win the EFL Championship title. give him the run.
This post was edited on 7/2/26 at 8:14 am
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:14 am to Keys Open Doors
I’m replacing Flo with Haji.
The Belgium team looks old and slow. I think our athleticism will give them fits, even with Haji
The Belgium team looks old and slow. I think our athleticism will give them fits, even with Haji
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:18 am to Byron Bojangles III
Yes, Haji has the professional credentials that should translate. We just haven’t seen him in that form with the USMNT. Playing Haji is probably the safest bet…Pepi has shown nothing, Weah isn’t a true striker and was out of form in last match. Haji is at least in his natural position and doesn’t throw the rest of the squad into positions they are less comfortable in.
Wild card idea…can Tillman play a False 9? You could potentially move him further up pitch and then you have options in the midfield for how you want to adjust.
Wild card idea…can Tillman play a False 9? You could potentially move him further up pitch and then you have options in the midfield for how you want to adjust.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:27 am to udtiger
quote:
Same starting 11. Play Reyna for Flo
This!
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:27 am to lynxcat
all i know is Poch already had a plan for this situation.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 8:43 am to Byron Bojangles III
I think Reyna is a good creator like Pulisic. You need someone hungry to score. I don’t think Pulisic up top is the answer. Pepi has been a huge disappointment. I think you give Haji a chance.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 9:04 am to BigPerm30
I'm on the Haji train- but I think we are going to need Pulisic to get on the score sheet and be the best player on the field to advance past Belgium.
I think Haji's hold up play gives him the best chance of finding his own space to do that
I'm not entirely opposed to Weah up top for similar reasons. I think our fate is going to run through Pulisic. Weah's pace and willingness to run in behind will open up space for CP10, and I think Weah is better suited to lead our high press than Pepi.
If we end up chasing a goal I'd rather see Mckennie move up top than Pepi come on
I think Haji's hold up play gives him the best chance of finding his own space to do that
I'm not entirely opposed to Weah up top for similar reasons. I think our fate is going to run through Pulisic. Weah's pace and willingness to run in behind will open up space for CP10, and I think Weah is better suited to lead our high press than Pepi.
If we end up chasing a goal I'd rather see Mckennie move up top than Pepi come on
Posted on 7/2/26 at 9:13 am to bisonduck
quote:
Pepi can score
He can, but he’s more the kind of guy who needs a wide open shot or slips in for a trash goal off a rebound.
He can’t create his own shot or fight through contact like Balogun. Haji is the closest thing we have, but he’s gotten a total of 3 minutes through 4 games. Something is off there.
I know Weah looked horrible against Turkeye, but he was also on the wrong side. I wonder if he could be utilized in the 3-5-2 as the right striker where Balogun played or as the 9 when the use one striker and Pulisic and Dest as the wings. He’s more comfortable on his right than his left if I remember correctly.
It will definitely be interesting to see how Poch handles this since, with our style of play, you need someone up top that can finish and be strong in and around the box.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 9:13 am to Riseupfromtherubble
Yeah, I think if we add a midfielder and keep everyone else on, I’d prefer to put McKennie up top instead of Pulisic.
I am leaning towards that so we can put Berhalter on. His set pieces are so much better than Pulisic’s (though Tillman is now intriguing).
I have been banging this drum for years, but Pulisic is a terrible set piece taker, and it infuriated me to see him every time with a terrible shot.
It shows how little thought was put into this. “Oh he’s a skinny midfielder who dribbles well. Surely he’s a great free kick taker” is one step above assuming Kyrie Irving is an amazing and explosive dunker.
I am leaning towards that so we can put Berhalter on. His set pieces are so much better than Pulisic’s (though Tillman is now intriguing).
I have been banging this drum for years, but Pulisic is a terrible set piece taker, and it infuriated me to see him every time with a terrible shot.
It shows how little thought was put into this. “Oh he’s a skinny midfielder who dribbles well. Surely he’s a great free kick taker” is one step above assuming Kyrie Irving is an amazing and explosive dunker.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 9:18 am to WaltTeevens
Haji is a streaky scorer. He goes games without scoring and then has hat tricks and braces in consecutive games against equal or better competition.
He’s like a box of chocolates. See Forrest Gump if you don’t get the reference
He’s like a box of chocolates. See Forrest Gump if you don’t get the reference
Posted on 7/2/26 at 11:30 am to Keys Open Doors
quote:
Yeah, I think if we add a midfielder and keep everyone else on, I’d prefer to put McKennie up top instead of Pulisic.
Mckennie could definitely put in a shift but I think we should keep the midfield the same. The understanding between them is outstanding right now and moving pieces could disrupt that.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 11:39 am to lynxcat
quote:
We just haven’t seen him in that form with the USMNT
I mean, he did score a goal in the last World Cup. In the round of 16 too lol
ETA he also put 2 in the net against Australia last October in friendlies so he's definitely shown form for us.
This post was edited on 7/2/26 at 12:04 pm
Posted on 7/2/26 at 11:41 am to Keys Open Doors
Without Balogun I don’t like our alternate options at striker at all. If having to chase a goal bring on Wright
Freese
Freeman-Richards-Ream
Dest-Berhalter-Adams-Robinson
Tillman-McKennie
Pulisic
Freese
Freeman-Richards-Ream
Dest-Berhalter-Adams-Robinson
Tillman-McKennie
Pulisic
Posted on 7/2/26 at 12:05 pm to lynxcat
quote:
have more confidence in Weah playing 1-2s with the rest of the front than I do in Pepi doing anything productive.
He looked so slow against Turkey.
Posted on 7/2/26 at 2:11 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
If we end up chasing a goal I'd rather see Mckennie move up top than Pepi come on
What I love about McKennie is the intangibles. The guy has that DAWG mentality...he's got an edge to him, especially with us having home field advantage, that cannot be coached. He's by far the best version of himself in those attacking positions where he looks to go forward. He's strong enough for hold up play too. Eventually, it's about 1-2s that our front 4 play off one another to create chances....and then you just have to hope one goes in.
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