USMNT at Chile

Here's the roster. The most amazing thing to me about this one is that Brek Shea's still hanging around.

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/01/24/10/18/150124-mnt-roster-for-chile-and-panama

 

Lefty wingers are like lefty relief pitchers, someone is always going to give them a chance.

 

Almost entirely MLS guys. I don't know what kind of team Chile is going to field, but I would be very surprised if we got anything but a shellacking on Wednesday.

 

January camp is almost always about the MLS players. They're off while most other leagues in the world are in full swing. It will be interesting how well the US gels after training together for the last few weeks.

 

Perry Kitchen, Shane O'Neill, Will Trapp and Gyasi Zardes are all guys I would like to see get playing time just to see how they perform on the international stage.

 

3-5-2 today. Interesting, very interesting

 

Dvr-ed it, but read a match report. Almost fell over reading that those 2 scored. Who stood out?

 

Thing that stood out to me the most is that it seems like Bradley chases the ball way too much. Jones came forward a little too often, if he's gonna play more CB. Other than that, like seeing the new formation, would have liked to see a full 90 of it though. Yedlin was really good in the first half I thought. Brek Shea had a few moments in attack(including the goal) but didn't track back on def fast enough and left us open. Altidore played better than he has been and I though mix had a good game as well.

 

Shea continues to drive me bonkers. He flounders at club level, yet displays flashes of brilliance for country. Time will tell, I guess.
And what to make of Josmer? Even more perplexing than Brek, in many ways. Just hope Toronto is finally the right fit. Other than that haven't seen the replay, so we'll see what happens with Panama. I'm not as bothered by losing at this point because it's the best time to try different things. Except for taking all short corners like we did against Ireland, I believe.

 

There are those players that play better when they put on the national team shirt. Perhaps that is Brek.

 

Defending is the key for me heading toward Putinland. Not only is Jones NOT a center back, he's gonna be, what, 36-37 by then? We need to develop some backs of some description, and right soon. Timmy H. ain't gonna be around forever to erase their mistakes.

 

I thought Shea looked pretty bad attempting to play defense, especially in the second half when he was gassed. He was just standing inside the penalty area ball watching at times.