All fair points.. Zero chance I would sit
by KnightlyRevue (2022-12-02 08:48:15)

In reply to: In hindsight, Iran didn't set up as deep as we thought  posted by wcnitz

Post Reply Return to Clark's Pitch

Weston to start a game though I may have given Gio a start over Weah in one of the group games even though it is tough to fault Berhalter there as Gio has had a healthy amount of muscular/hamstring issues leading to the WC.

The one player I was excited to see for the US was Ricardo Pepi. I really thought this kid played well in qualifiers and even though his start at Augsburg was horrid he had picked up the pace in his first few games in the Dutch league on loan getting a goal or assist in each game. Players with Ricardo's nose for goal are tough to find. Luckily, he is still young enough to make a huge impact for the national team if he continues his progress.

I think the 9 was a really tough roster choice
by wcnitz  (2022-12-02 10:42:35)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Pepi was definitely improving since the move, but with his age he still has a long future ahead. To me, the only argument that could have been made was Pepi over Jesus, but I think the latter does things with pressing/counter-pressing and defending that Pepi doesn't do as much yet (same with Sargent - he never fails on that side of the job).

And I really think there are some real risks with Gio and he isn't actually 100%.