USMNT 2020

USMNT VS. COSTA RICA
International Friendly
Feb. 1, 2020
Dignity Health Sports Park; Carson, Calif.
Live Broadcast: 3:55 p.m. ET ESPNews, UniMás and TUDN


Today’s USMNT Starting XI vs. Costa Rica: 1-Sean Johnson, 2-Reggie Cannon, 3-Aaron Long (capt.), 5-Walker Zimmerman, 6-Jackson Yueill, 7-Paul Arriola, 8-Brenden Aaronson, 10-Jesús Ferreira, 13-Sam Vines, 17-Sebastian Lletget, 19-Ulysses Llanez

Substitutes: 24-Bill Hamid, 4-Mark McKenzie, 9-Gyasi Zardes, 11-Jonathan Lewis, 15-Justen Glad, 16-Brandon Servania, 18-Christian Cappis, 20-Julian Araujo, 21-Chase Gasper

 

Part of the purpose of this camp was to bring in many of the youth that will attempt to qualify the US for the Olympics and at least one of them shined pretty brightly today. Ulysses Llanez, who plays for Wolfsburg’s U19, got his first cap and was my man-of-the-match on the left wing. Llanez without a doubt easily outplayed Paul Arriola. He wasn’t perfect but he was very attack minded.

Jesus Ferreira also had nice debut with good movement, a deft touch and some well executed combination play. He didn’t get on the ball enough for me but McBride singled him out as having a good first half and he knows far more about leading a line than I do.

All-in-all it was a chance for the young guys to take on a more experienced Costa Rica squad including two left backs who got their first US caps.

January is the time to look for new domestic talent and almost every cycle one or two players do emerge and perform as first team regulars.

 

Did read what Barry eluded to and that it was all about the Olympic qualifiers. It is critical the U23’s get to Tokyo, not just for the 2022 WC, but more importantly the 2026 WC. This is the group that will be the core of the 26’ squad. We need the them to experience success and a third straight failure of getting to the Olympics would be brutal. Get to Japan (Pulisic on record as saying he’d go) and the dark cloud surrounding the senior team will take the first step in lifting it away.

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/dc-unit...t-midfielder-paul-arriola-suffers-knee-injury

Ugh, he’s been a bright spot.

 

Saw this yesterday and had the same "Ugh" reaction.

 

What is up with US players and their legs? It is now being reported that Timothy Weah suffered another torn hamstring in is first appearance after returning from a torn hamstring injury which kept him sidelined for six months.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/02/17/tim-weah-new-injury-lille-usmnt

 

Damn, haven’t been keeping track of Weah, thought he was out on loan. 6 months for even a severe hamstring injury seems excessive. When it comes to luck w/injuries we’ve only had bad luck for last few years.

 

Somewhere I read that with Weah’s first hamstring injury the muscle was torn from the bone.

 

Gio says he will only play for the USMNT!

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020...am-speculation-i-will-only-play-united-states

 

Don't know where else to put this, but wanted to note that Benny Feilhaber hung up his boots.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...ny-feilhaber-retires-from-professional-soccer
I always liked his play and the different look he gave the national team at his peak. Y, el golazo especialmente.

 

Saw this awhile back and forgot to post. Interesting look at the current men’s depth chart:

I was guilty of writing him off, so gladly will eat crow that Hyndman has played his way back into Nats consideration.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...dest-headline-usmnts-key-names-on-depth-chart