TimeForGuinness wrote:
Haven't been following too close, but have Pulisic, Wood, Yedlin, and Green fallen out of favor?
thrill wrote:(because the European leagues are in-season, January camp is always almost exclusively MLS players).
They're all with their clubs. It's not a FIFA date, so clubs don't release their players, so traditionally it's been an opportunity for the coach to bring in all MLS guys or guys who's club situations are unsettled and take some chances and experiment. All of those guys you mentionedwith the exception of maybe Green and the addition of Fab Johnson and John Brooks are probably automatic starters.
Green just moved to Stuttgart, btw, which should be good for him. We'll see if he can deliver.
Forgot about Brooksie...knew I was leaving someone off. Even though I watch a lot of Euro leagues, I guess I forgot about their commitment to their clubs over January camp. I skimmed the article and probably missed that point being brought up.
Even though I'm not high on Arena, I still share your enthusiasm.
They over-achieved for sure last year and only sold one player (who now plays for Chelsea who are basically moonwalking to the league this year).
Maybe the players have taken their foot off the gas without realising it, but this fall from grace is rather spectacular and now football can go back to 'normal'.
Went to the first Atlanta United FC (no I don't like the name) game yesterday. Lots of fun, I like the style they're playing, good spacing, great passing. First 74 minutes were great, then let the Red Bulls press too much/got a little panickly playing in our half. Absolutely packed the GaTech football stadium w/ 55k people – hopefully the others will be like that. Looking forward to mid-summer when they move into the new stadium downtown.
I was extremely impressed with their ability to deal with the RB press for the majority of the match, as well as their surprising team speed. I don't know if they're a playoff team, but everything is there to build on. Plus those jerseys are fresh as hell.
Quick update:
1) in a must win qualifier, the US is up 3-0 and it's not even half time.
2) the US looks like they actually enjoy playing soccer again.
3) As good as you might have heard a Christian Pulisic is, he's probably better.
4) Bruce Arena has twice the balls Klinsy had.
