What about my center backs? I think most are good with John Brooks but we heard from Mickey C on Twitter who said, "I have to totally disagree with Michael Hector over Araujo, one is an undisputed starter in La Liga, the other in 2nd division. Overall, good lineup."
I mentioned Araujo in the newsletter, of course. It may be recency bias. First of all, the last time I saw Araujo in person, he was doing graphic design on invitations for Lautaro Martinez to score a hat trick. Second, Hector had a bright start to 2020 with Fulham - but the competition is worse there than what Araujo is facing with Celta.
Don't now about CONCACAF-wide but if I had to guess a USMNT must-win game starting 11 right now, I think Aaron Long is there with Brooks. Needs to go to Europe sooner than later though.
Yeah, probably. I'd definitely look at Araujo first and there are a few guys in Central America in the mix, but I think Long would be a decent depth option.
Let's start the discussion with a few posts that already have come in on social media.
First we have Soccer Twitter's favorite analyst Tiago Estêvão says "Corona is a fine RB tbh and should probably start there for Mexico going forward, taking into account their options and concacaf competition.
Tough to argue with your Eleven, but I'd prob drop Lozano for Dest based on this season"
Appreciate his perspective on Corona as he knows the Portuguese league well, but as I wrote in the newsletter I keep Lozano in. I love Dest's potential, but I'm not ready to put him in my squad quite yet.
I might save this great idea for a future post. I would've liked to include more players from outside North America (maybe I should've done a bench), but the reality is the balance of power - certainly individually - rests there at the moment.
Hi John - help me out here, I've read this post three or four times now and have yet to see any mention of the Yung Bull Gio Reyna. I'm humbled and embarrassed to have to point this out to you. Would you care to issue a retraction / apology?
Fairly certain this photo was taken during halftime of a Gold Cup match in 2003. I don't know. You may want to check your sources re: Gio's NT appearances.
I think it's a strong selection, but based on league form this year (and probably last), I'm not sure Pulisic deserves a spot. Maybe I'd give his place to Leon Bailey. I'm also hyped about the kid Reyna but appreciate he's not best XI material quite yet.
Yeah, Reyna looks bright, but let's get him a senior cap before we start the regional acclaim!
For me, Pulisic has done enough with his Chelsea cameos and what he's done for the U.S. over the past year. Bailey is another interesting name. He's shown his quality for Leverkusen and added a different dimension for Jamaica this last Gold Cup (though I don't think he was at 100%).
Honestly if I had to choose between Chucky and Pulisic based on form it’d be Puli. Neither have been playing that much but Christian is bc of injury and Chucky bc of form
It's a good question because the fullback depth in the region is somewhat grim - though a number of countries have good prospects.
I would have to put Jesus Gallardo of Mexico and Monterrey at left back. He's versatile, quick and you saw his defensive abilities at the last World Cup. On the right side, I do understand the calls for Dest, but I struggle to say it's his spot to lose.
Thinking out loud here, maybe a guy like Michael Murillo?
Seconded. Especially since Davies played higher up the field for Canada in some of their recent matches (the win in Toronto vs. USA being the most notable).
That's something Paul C pointed out in his comment on the original post, saying "Davies at LB at Bayern? Ok.
Davies at LB on your 11? Why not, it's all hypothetical.
Davies at LB for Canada? That's where I have an issue - man got exposed in that Gold Cup QF against Haiti. The impression I got was that Bayern's setup allows for him to do his best Roberto Carlos impression - Canada does NOT have that luxury."
If I'm Herdman, I'm praying every night a different left back emerges (Sam Adekugbe or Marcus Godinho are probably not the answers) and I can put Davies in a more advanced role - or find a few other defenders who could make a 3-5-2 look viable.
If I'm the coach of the Concacaf XI, I'm totally fine putting him at LB.
Yeah, that's fair. We had a tweet with that vibe as well. I feel totally comfortable with Guillermo Ochoa as my goalkeeper - especially if it's at a World Cup - but Navas' weekly experience with a Champions League team tips the balance for him.
Thanks for hanging, friends. Hope everyone stays safe and enjoys the weekend. Newsletter will return Tuesday.
What about my center backs? I think most are good with John Brooks but we heard from Mickey C on Twitter who said, "I have to totally disagree with Michael Hector over Araujo, one is an undisputed starter in La Liga, the other in 2nd division. Overall, good lineup."
I mentioned Araujo in the newsletter, of course. It may be recency bias. First of all, the last time I saw Araujo in person, he was doing graphic design on invitations for Lautaro Martinez to score a hat trick. Second, Hector had a bright start to 2020 with Fulham - but the competition is worse there than what Araujo is facing with Celta.
That second center back spot is tough. The US doesn’t really have anyone... and everyone is meh. I like Hector as a pick no one knows about
Don't now about CONCACAF-wide but if I had to guess a USMNT must-win game starting 11 right now, I think Aaron Long is there with Brooks. Needs to go to Europe sooner than later though.
Does he make the bench in your CONCACAF best 23?
Yeah, probably. I'd definitely look at Araujo first and there are a few guys in Central America in the mix, but I think Long would be a decent depth option.
Let's start the discussion with a few posts that already have come in on social media.
First we have Soccer Twitter's favorite analyst Tiago Estêvão says "Corona is a fine RB tbh and should probably start there for Mexico going forward, taking into account their options and concacaf competition.
Tough to argue with your Eleven, but I'd prob drop Lozano for Dest based on this season"
Appreciate his perspective on Corona as he knows the Portuguese league well, but as I wrote in the newsletter I keep Lozano in. I love Dest's potential, but I'm not ready to put him in my squad quite yet.
I’ll be unsubscribing after that Ochoa snub. Good day, sir!
how about a best XI outside of USA & Mexico? or an All-Caribbean XI?!
I might save this great idea for a future post. I would've liked to include more players from outside North America (maybe I should've done a bench), but the reality is the balance of power - certainly individually - rests there at the moment.
Hi John - help me out here, I've read this post three or four times now and have yet to see any mention of the Yung Bull Gio Reyna. I'm humbled and embarrassed to have to point this out to you. Would you care to issue a retraction / apology?
On the one hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0-tdMZ_ONk
On the other, with the U.S. senior team Renya has (data not found)
Fairly certain this photo was taken during halftime of a Gold Cup match in 2003. I don't know. You may want to check your sources re: Gio's NT appearances.
https://twitter.com/TheRealArturK/status/1235603864952467456?s=20
I think it's a strong selection, but based on league form this year (and probably last), I'm not sure Pulisic deserves a spot. Maybe I'd give his place to Leon Bailey. I'm also hyped about the kid Reyna but appreciate he's not best XI material quite yet.
Yeah, Reyna looks bright, but let's get him a senior cap before we start the regional acclaim!
For me, Pulisic has done enough with his Chelsea cameos and what he's done for the U.S. over the past year. Bailey is another interesting name. He's shown his quality for Leverkusen and added a different dimension for Jamaica this last Gold Cup (though I don't think he was at 100%).
Honestly if I had to choose between Chucky and Pulisic based on form it’d be Puli. Neither have been playing that much but Christian is bc of injury and Chucky bc of form
Yeah that's true I forgot Lozano was so out of form too.
Another question I have is what would your XI look like if Tecatito and Davies didn't play as fullbacks?
It's a good question because the fullback depth in the region is somewhat grim - though a number of countries have good prospects.
I would have to put Jesus Gallardo of Mexico and Monterrey at left back. He's versatile, quick and you saw his defensive abilities at the last World Cup. On the right side, I do understand the calls for Dest, but I struggle to say it's his spot to lose.
Thinking out loud here, maybe a guy like Michael Murillo?
Seconded. Especially since Davies played higher up the field for Canada in some of their recent matches (the win in Toronto vs. USA being the most notable).
That's something Paul C pointed out in his comment on the original post, saying "Davies at LB at Bayern? Ok.
Davies at LB on your 11? Why not, it's all hypothetical.
Davies at LB for Canada? That's where I have an issue - man got exposed in that Gold Cup QF against Haiti. The impression I got was that Bayern's setup allows for him to do his best Roberto Carlos impression - Canada does NOT have that luxury."
Reggie Cannon should be moving into the discussion soon
If I'm Herdman, I'm praying every night a different left back emerges (Sam Adekugbe or Marcus Godinho are probably not the answers) and I can put Davies in a more advanced role - or find a few other defenders who could make a 3-5-2 look viable.
If I'm the coach of the Concacaf XI, I'm totally fine putting him at LB.
Ochoa and Navas seem to be pretty close in my eyes
Yeah, that's fair. We had a tweet with that vibe as well. I feel totally comfortable with Guillermo Ochoa as my goalkeeper - especially if it's at a World Cup - but Navas' weekly experience with a Champions League team tips the balance for him.
One plays for PSG and the other for Club America... get a grip m8
So who’s second in concacaf in your book Tony?
The Gawd, Eloy Room
Someone come get this man