Some positives tonight
by wcnitz (2019-10-11 21:11:07)
Edited on 2019-10-11 21:13:06
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1. Nobody got hurt, but Cuba tried a couple times (that two footed studs up lunge was a little scary). The tackle on Arreola was nasty enough he showed his dented shin guard to the referee.

2. Jordan Morris looks fast in both movement and decision-making again.

3. Despite not getting an assist or a goal from open play, Pulisic looked really good on the ball and did whatever he wanted to when he was out wide left in the first half. Didn't seem rusty to me, but did seem a little frustrated - possibly due in part to getting whacked a few times.

4. Sargent's positioning and his body strength have really, really improved. With some luck he could have had 3 goals. Yeah, he flubbed a 1v1 with the keeper late but he had himself in the right place all night. I'd much rather see him throwing elbows against Mexico defenders than Zardes's flailing about.

5. McKennie is great when he plays in the advanced midfielder role.

Not great:
1. Without Adams or Bradley on the field, there is no deep mid.

2. Sargent had to play 90, which means we get the Zardes show vs. Canada.

3. If Pulisic isn't at 10 and generally stays wide (as it probably should be), and McKennie not really being a great dribbler, who's the guy that's going to hold possession outside the final third and be able to cut a defense? Not sure we have that option.

Only watching Highlights, Morris looks like our best Mid
by spade  (2019-10-12 17:07:03)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I sincerely remove my harsh criticism of him in the past. I thought he needed Europe to devlop and apparently he has been able to learn this in Seattle. I still think Europe is needed for most high-potnential players, and perhaps he could have developed faster or better, but he is doing very good things for this team.
He has fully recovered from his injury a couple years ago
by wcnitz  (2019-10-12 17:10:43)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

He’s playing very fast and making quick decisions, it’s nice to see.

For #3 under "Not great", who was that man in the past? *
by G.K.Chesterton  (2019-10-12 16:51:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Wasn’t as needed based on style
by wcnitz  (2019-10-12 17:09:41)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

But if we are going to play out of the back against CONCACAF sides, we need that guy.

For what it’s worth, in the past guys like Bradley, Donovan, etc were able to fit that bill. Bradley plays far deeper now. I’m good with Adams at 6 but he needs a creator in midfield. I’m starting to think the optimal solution is Pulisic at 10 with Weah/Boyd/whatever on the left.