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[Cascadia]

Chris Richard’s to Crystal Palace is another big move.

[Cascadia]

Jordan Pefok has started and scored a goal in his first two games with 1. FC Union Berlin. I still think he can play his way back into the World Cup squad.

[pdub]

Pretty good game v Atlanta and Seattle today. Epic finish.

[pdub]

Fuck Qatar.
I hope they loose every match by 10.

"Qatar vs. Ecuador to move forward one day, with a kickoff time of 7 p.m. local (4 p.m. GMT, 11 a.m. ET). It will be the only match played on the Sunday and will extend the tournament to 29 days....Qatar initially requested to have a later kickoff on Nov. 21 because the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, insisted on having a huge fireworks display before his country's opening match and an afternoon kickoff would have severely reduced its visual impact."

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world- ... 20-sources

Qatar pays off FIFA to host the World Cup, beating out a legitimate USA proposal. Promises to build stadiums that will be cool enough to keep with the tradition of games in the Summer. Thousands of people die building the stadiums.The stadiums wont work, the World Cup shifts to the winter. Qatar won't allow alcohol in the stadiums. Qatar senior officials promise no protections for homosexuals. And now, because some royal amir guy has his panties in a wad, for the first time ever, the host will play alone, moving other matches a day forward, because he wanted fireworks to be visible.

[Cascadia]

Qatar sucks, but I don’t have an issue with this game time move. I actually like the host country playing a match 1 day early and having an opening ceremony.

But, still, fuck Qatar in general.

[pdub]

I don't mind it ( will be awesome for 2026 ) but it shouldn't have been dictated by Qatar.
FIFA should have planned it before scheduling the event.

[pdub]

MLS over Liga again.

[pdub]

It's gonna be great!

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world- ... to-country

[Cascadia]

September call ups announced

Goalkeeper:
Ethan Horvath
Sen Johnson
Matt Turner

Thoughts: It's likely that Zack Steffen will take either Horvath or Johnsons place on the WC roster but he's currently hurt. Kind of surprised Gabriel Slonina didn't get a call up.

Center-back:
Chris Richards
Walker Zimmerman
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Aaron Long

Thoughts: Kind of surprised Gregg only called in 4 CB's for a 26 man roster. Would lead me to believe he has this group fairly solidified in his mind. It's too bad John Brooks could never get back into the picture. He's still probably the most talented CB in the pool but he's not a great tactical fit. James Sands has been playing a lot for Rangers in Scotland so I'm a little surprised he didn't get called in as well. Glad to see that Tim Ream wasn't called up. He's been playing really well for Fulham but he's too slow for international play, especially if you play a high back line like Gregg prefers.

Full-back:
Sergino Dest
Joe Scally
Reggie Cannon
DeAndre Yedlin
Sam Vines

Thoughts: One of these is an obvious fill in for the injured Antonee Robinson. If he's healthy for the WC, he's the no doubt about it starting LB. Sam Vines is the only true LB on this roster so it's clear that the backup LB spot is his to lose. Both Scally and Dest can play LB but are better at RB. If Gregg only goes with 4 CB, then Cannon likely has the edge over Yedlin since he can play CB if needed.

CDM:
Tyler Adams
Kellyn Acosta

Thoughts: Pretty straight forward here. This has been set in stone for a while. Only possible change that's even been discussed is Eryk Williamson since he has the versatility to play both the 6 and the 8. I'm not the biggest Acosta fan, but I won't deny that he's delivered when asked.

CM/CAM:
Gio Reyna
Brenden Aaronson
Malik Tilman
Weton McKennie
"Yunus Musah
Luca de la Torre

Thoughts: A little surprised Tilman made the squad, probably the 25th or 26th pick. Tons of potential and upside, but he's very young and has had mixed results. Also a little surprised de la Torre was chosen over Gianluca Busio. de la Torre has played great for the US but he can't get any minutes with Celta de Vigo. Eryk Williamson and Djordje Mihailovic both feeling disappointed today. On the bright side, so fucking happy that Sebastian Lletget and Christian Roldan are not on the squad.

Wingers:
Christian Pulisic
Jordan Morris
Paul Arriola

Thoughts: One of Morris and Arriola will be replaced by Timothy Weah if he's healthy. Honestly, hopefully both are replaced, neither is good enough for a WC squad. While this looks like a small group, Reyna, Aaronson and de la Torre can all play out wide. As can Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent. It's too bad Konrad de la Fuente can't figure things out. Tons of talent, but limited production.

Striker:
Ricardo Pepi
Josh Sargent
Jesus Ferreira

Thoughts: Can't believe Pepi got the nod here. Hasn't score for club or country in nearly a year. He's also not playing for his squad at all and was recently loaned to FC Groningen in the Eredivisie (Netherlands). It's especially shocking when you consider how well both Jordan Pefok and Haji Wright have been playing. Some rumors that Pefok has a sensitive hamstring and Union Berlin asked that he not be called up. Gazy Zardes not called in and hopefully never sees the field for the USMNT ever again.



All in all, it's a solid roster. Players I'm most excited to see are Vines, Scally, Reyna and Sargent.

[UnholyLivingDead]

That's pretty close, probably around 80%, to what the World Cup roster is going to look like I'd wager.

[Cascadia]

I agree, particularly when you factor it locks like Antonee Robinson and Timothy Weah.

I’m not 100% convinced that a healthy Zack Steffen is a lock.

[UnholyLivingDead]

I think Steffen, if healthy, is a lock. I don't think he should be the #1 GK though.

[CrimsonNBlue]

My god, hopefully the USMNT's play looks better than their kits, lol.

[Cascadia]

WC Kits released, kind of ‘meh’ in my mind.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-to ... dye-effort

Like KU, I’m always disappointed with the limiting of red in the designs.

All in all though, I don’t really care.

[digitalkookie]

Kits are garbage

[pdub]

Holy trash pile.
The blue is the worst of the two but the white is still godawful.

[Deleted User 863]

They aren't THAT bad.

[CrimsonNBlue]

You gotta look good to play good.

JV squad stuff.

I hate the white more than the blue.

[Deleted User 863]

Brazils suck too. As do the Saudis.

France probably my favorite I have seen.

I also like Portugal. Simple is okay.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Adidas did a lot better job than Nike. Mexico's are good.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/i ... kits-1.jpg