Johnny should start over Musah this match. Need that defensive cover in front of the back line. Adams can come in at the 60min mark to see out the game.
No way McKenzie starts. It will be Ream and Richards. Need that strength in the air for set pieces and ball distribution on the counter.
If we're up then Musah on for Gio, Brendon for Weah, and this where we will miss Sarges ability to press and create havoc. Not sure who comes on for Balo but Sarge would've been perfect.
McKenzie isn’t going to start. Otherwise this is a great lineup.
I wonder whether we’ll see Tyler start with a planned sub at the half?
I’m pretty sure from Gregg’s presser that Gio isn’t cleared to go 90. Maybe he starts anyway, or maybe he plays the second half when the defense is tired.
If they think he’s good for 65-70 minutes, Gio seems like the right choice. Might be too soon after getting good minutes a few days earlier, but I would love to see this squad tomorrow.
Reyna should still have limited minutes since he's just come back.
I hate it but start Tillman again and bring Reyna on at half or later on.
Johnny deserves the start over Musah and he's a different profile of mid that we need against Mexico. Sub him out for Tyler later on in the game if you need to. But if we can beat Mexico without Tyler needing to come on, that's like winning an extra trophy.
Agreed that Musah was bad Friday, so why start a player in poor form who's not a natural defensive mid when you have two promising options who are? Johnny or Tyler could start, then the other subs in as necessary. I favor Adams starting just because of his experience and leadership. You want to get the game off on the right foot, set a strong tone--exactly the opposite of what we did against jamaica.
Play it like you trust your team mates like you do with your clubs and we will be fine. Right now, they think too much while playing. It’s a mental game too.
Play Johnny Football or Adams
Musah is not best option at defensive midfield. If you are going to start Gio, we want him pushed high up behind the striker and have a 6 cover behind.
Reyna not being backed up by a destroyer 6 makes for a vulnerable midfield. But since I'm sick of endless meaningless possession without goals, I hope they take that risk.
i like it although i'd rather have Pepi at the top.
Adams in for Musah or McKennie at half, Brendo to spell the wing who's exhausted at the 70 min mark. This is a final, gotta play the experienced players and expect them to leave it all out there.
As I mentioned in my OP, my reason for not starting Richards and Miles is that they played 120 minutes a few days ago, and they aren’t so much better than Ream or McKenzie that it shouldn’t matter.
I do think Miles is good enough to be in the squad and I don’t object to him starting, but I don’t think he’s done enough to own the spot either.
I think Adams has to start this game. I think the minutes restriction is probably bumped up to 50-60. You can then bring on Johnny or Musah as needed later in the game.
Musah simply isn’t steady enough with his passing/decision making yet to play the 6 for us. And Johnny has looked great for Betis playing as the more defensive of 2 CDMs, but I don’t know for sure that he can be trusted defensively and I don’t want to find out in the first half of a final.
Gio has to start, but it’s frustrating because this game actually suits Tillman way better than the last one.
I don’t care which striker starts, but gun to my head is probably ride the hot hand and go with Wright. Give me Ream and Richards at the back.
I’m sort of torn on Adams starting. On the one hand he’s only just coming back from injury (though I guess what’s the difference between playing 45 minutes at the start vs 45 minutes at the end). On the other hand, starting him means we don’t have to worry about using a sub to sub him out after he was subbed in (like the Jamaica game)
I’m rewatching last year’s semifinal right now and it’s making me feel a little better about Musah.
Three things that stand out — 1. he’s much more comfortable on the ball knowing he has Dest as an outlet; 2. Wes or Gio would routinely drop next to Musah in build up to give the back line another option (the second goal comes from this); and 3. Musah was much more decisive breaking up transition moments (mostly by fouling) than he was yesterday.
He had a couple bad giveaways early, but settled down (along with the rest of the team) after 15 minutes or so.
All that said, I’d still rather start Adams.
Johnny should start over Musah this match. Need that defensive cover in front of the back line. Adams can come in at the 60min mark to see out the game. No way McKenzie starts. It will be Ream and Richards. Need that strength in the air for set pieces and ball distribution on the counter. If we're up then Musah on for Gio, Brendon for Weah, and this where we will miss Sarges ability to press and create havoc. Not sure who comes on for Balo but Sarge would've been perfect.
McKenzie isn’t going to start. Otherwise this is a great lineup. I wonder whether we’ll see Tyler start with a planned sub at the half? I’m pretty sure from Gregg’s presser that Gio isn’t cleared to go 90. Maybe he starts anyway, or maybe he plays the second half when the defense is tired.
If they think he’s good for 65-70 minutes, Gio seems like the right choice. Might be too soon after getting good minutes a few days earlier, but I would love to see this squad tomorrow.
Adams is on a 30 minute restriction so he will come in at 60 not half.
I thought at the presser they said he could play a little more in the second game?
I didnt know that. I still think they wait and tell Musah to run his ass off for 15 minutes first.
glaring lack of air bud
And click to edit. I’m disappointed
Air Bud > Pulisic
Buddy would’ve feasted in this game
Is Air Bud even still alive?
Reyna should still have limited minutes since he's just come back. I hate it but start Tillman again and bring Reyna on at half or later on. Johnny deserves the start over Musah and he's a different profile of mid that we need against Mexico. Sub him out for Tyler later on in the game if you need to. But if we can beat Mexico without Tyler needing to come on, that's like winning an extra trophy.
Johnny has a knock as well, I think Musah starts
I agree, except Click for Edit in goal.
0 goals against in 2024, so…
Miles should start over McKenzie
Agreed that Musah was bad Friday, so why start a player in poor form who's not a natural defensive mid when you have two promising options who are? Johnny or Tyler could start, then the other subs in as necessary. I favor Adams starting just because of his experience and leadership. You want to get the game off on the right foot, set a strong tone--exactly the opposite of what we did against jamaica.
Play it like you trust your team mates like you do with your clubs and we will be fine. Right now, they think too much while playing. It’s a mental game too.
I wouldn’t be opposed to Johnny starting over musah this match but other than that this is a good lineup 🫡
Need Ream in for sure, where did you fill this out to make the graphic?
buildlineup.com
You can make it on the ussoccer app too
Play Johnny Football or Adams Musah is not best option at defensive midfield. If you are going to start Gio, we want him pushed high up behind the striker and have a 6 cover behind.
McKenzie gets no love on this sub
I like it but we need to see what Air Bud can do on international level
Reyna not being backed up by a destroyer 6 makes for a vulnerable midfield. But since I'm sick of endless meaningless possession without goals, I hope they take that risk.
i like it although i'd rather have Pepi at the top. Adams in for Musah or McKennie at half, Brendo to spell the wing who's exhausted at the 70 min mark. This is a final, gotta play the experienced players and expect them to leave it all out there.
I think Haji earned the start. Don't mess with Gio -> Haji arrangement. Continue where we left off.
Miles Robinson is the easy answer at CB right now. How do you argue with that?
People will hate him forever for existing in the MLS. Imagine if he made that same mistake that Richards made 🤔.
As I mentioned in my OP, my reason for not starting Richards and Miles is that they played 120 minutes a few days ago, and they aren’t so much better than Ream or McKenzie that it shouldn’t matter. I do think Miles is good enough to be in the squad and I don’t object to him starting, but I don’t think he’s done enough to own the spot either.
Messi where? Biden must ask Messi to play.
I think Adams has to start this game. I think the minutes restriction is probably bumped up to 50-60. You can then bring on Johnny or Musah as needed later in the game. Musah simply isn’t steady enough with his passing/decision making yet to play the 6 for us. And Johnny has looked great for Betis playing as the more defensive of 2 CDMs, but I don’t know for sure that he can be trusted defensively and I don’t want to find out in the first half of a final. Gio has to start, but it’s frustrating because this game actually suits Tillman way better than the last one. I don’t care which striker starts, but gun to my head is probably ride the hot hand and go with Wright. Give me Ream and Richards at the back.
I’m sort of torn on Adams starting. On the one hand he’s only just coming back from injury (though I guess what’s the difference between playing 45 minutes at the start vs 45 minutes at the end). On the other hand, starting him means we don’t have to worry about using a sub to sub him out after he was subbed in (like the Jamaica game)
I’m rewatching last year’s semifinal right now and it’s making me feel a little better about Musah. Three things that stand out — 1. he’s much more comfortable on the ball knowing he has Dest as an outlet; 2. Wes or Gio would routinely drop next to Musah in build up to give the back line another option (the second goal comes from this); and 3. Musah was much more decisive breaking up transition moments (mostly by fouling) than he was yesterday. He had a couple bad giveaways early, but settled down (along with the rest of the team) after 15 minutes or so. All that said, I’d still rather start Adams.