Obviously the competition in this tourney isn’t great, but this team looks more well-coached than at any point under Berhalter.
I can’t believe we have to go back to watching his garbage tactics in the next few months.
It will be interesting to see how the team performs with Berhalter, now that we have a baseline of how the team can perform under a different coach.
Since the Gold Cup recently has become a showcase for younger guys and seeing who can make a case for the A team, and because I have OCD tendencies, I thought I'd throw out some thoughts on the players on the roster (didn't see the Jamaica game).
Matt Turner-Huge PK save against Jamaica to keep the US in the game, still the clear #1.
Gaga Slonina-Wish he got the start against St. Kitts & Nevis just to get his feet wet in official competition.
Sean Johnson-Good to see him continuing with the program, never could make the breakthrough as the first or second choice keeper, but give him credit for continuing to accept call-ups and keeping his name in the mix. Wish he started tonight instead of against St.Kitts&Nevis.
DeJuan Jones-If he was 5 years younger or born 15 years ago he'd be an interesting raw prospect with some speed and athleticism, but for the current team I'm not sure he'll ever be more than a depth piece; he's one of those guys you wish had been placed in a professional environment earlier in his career instead of playing 4 years of college.
Aaron Long-Nothing more than the "veteran guy" at this point-if we see him on the field for the US in a big match moving forward, there's tons of injured players or the coach sucks.
Matt Miazga-Seems to think he's better than he actually is; makes some fairly bad giveaways/defending mistakes that would be punished against better teams, but somehow gives off the aura that he thinks it's beneath him to be playing these weak CONCACAF teams. I may be completely wrong about him, but that's the impression that his play on the field and his body language conveys to me. Ahead of Long, but I don't see him pushing for a starting slot unless he cleans up his game.
Jalen Neal-Probably enjoying the "shiny new toy" effect, but I was very impressed with his composure, his passing, his defending, and his ability to dribble the ball under pressure. Very intriguing prospect, could see him challenging for a starting slot if he continues to develop.
Bryan Reynolds-I really like what he's shown so far, his ability to push forward, his defending, his dribbling in tight spaces. Great goal against St.Kitts&Nevis. If he can continue to polish his game, improve his crossing, he can challenge for a starting spot.
Miles Robinson-Nothing really stands out during the Gold Cup, working his way back from his Nations League injury, the presumptive starter.
John Tolkin-Missed his start against Jamaica, so can't say anything.
DeAndre Yedlin-The veteran RB option, pretty much a finished product, but a viable option off the bench.
Gianluca Busio-I like his technical skills, but his calmness on the ball is on the very edge of being lackadaisical with the ball. Always seems to go for the fancy pass vs the safe pass, causing unnecessary turnovers and giveaways. Not a high-energy defender; not great in the final third with the final pass/shot (despite his goal tonight); I get a little of the same feeling from him as Miazga, that these games are beneath him(again, I could be completely wrong) He's still young enough to continue to develop, but I expected more after watching him debut a few years back. Want to see more energy, more urgency, better decision-making to go with his technical ability.
Djordje Mihailovic-Looked great against St.Kitts&Nevis, nothing really stood out against T&T; not sure if it's the level of competition or just an off day. Got some things going for him as a connecting piece between the defense and offense, but needs to develop to challenge for roster spot for Copa America/World Cup. (Way better at set piece delivery than Pulisic though!-seriously, Christian shouldn't be taking set pieces)
Aidan Morris-Read that he was eligible for Canada; knowing our luck, if he had chosen Canada he somehow would torch us every time, but I've seen nothing from him that indicates that he could be a vital player in the future. He's still young, but as a defensive midfielder he'll have a tough time displacing any of the MMA guys.
Christian Roldan-OK as a depth piece, but will never challenge for a starting spot. Was terrible tonight in a more forward role, but that's not really his position for the USMNT (maybe it works in MLS for the Sounders). If he's end-of-the-roster guy for the Copa or World Cup, not the worst thing.
James Sands-I actually think he's pretty decent as a defensive MF, but his passing, ability to carry the ball forward, and his offensive game are lacking at this point; when he tried to make passes into the offensive third tonight, it was pretty much a guaranteed turnover. He's still young enough to improve, despite the somewhat disappointing time on loan with Rangers, but like Aidan Morris, it will be tough to displace any of the MMA-currently competing with Acosta, Morris, others for a roster spot to back them up.
Alan Soñora-Has some skills on the ball, but like with Busio, I find his decision-making suspect. Felt like he was too much in his own head and not playing freely (just my impression). More energy and defense from him compared to Busio, but Busio seems better technically. Not completely out of contention, but a long road ahead if he wants to make the roster for the Copa and World Cup.
Cade Cowell-Was terrible starting against St.Kitts&Nevis, great off the bench tonight against T&T. Right now his skillset makes him a super-sub, running at tired defenses. Needs more polish and end-product to his game to move beyond that; his finishing and crossing needs to be way better against better (and packed-in) defenses. Needs to produce end-product in general; only 9 goals in 94 MLS appearances isn't very good. Plays more like a running back than a forward/winger at times. Still only 19, and was apparently good at the U-20 World Cup against age peers, so definitely a prospect to keep an eye on, but currently not making the Copa or World Cup.
Jesús Ferreira-Hard to argue against 2 hat-tricks in a row. Still needs to show results against better competition, but he clearly keeps earning his chances to play, as opposed to some of his competition. Would like to see him move to Europe soon; he won't get much better playing in MLS.
Julian Gressel-Obviously not going to be the future of the USMNT, making his debut this year in his age-29 season, but I think it's cool that a German becomes a US citizen as an adult and plays for the USMNT, as opposed to the sons of US servicemen that we normally get from Germany. Very little chance to make the roster for the big tourneys coming up, but not a guy that hurts the team with his play.
Jordan Morris-A big what-if of this era+injuries, never to completely fulfill the potential he flashed as a youngster. I hope as soccer continues to grow in the US, we have fewer guys make the choice Morris made to stay in the MLS; conversely, I hope the MLS grows enough to not hinder the development of guys who make the choice to stay. I hope college soccer becomes a venue for guys who fell through the cracks or late-bloomers, not a first-choice option for guys looking to become a professional soccer player.
Brandon Vazquez-Is he the best target-man-type striker that we have? Maybe; it's a jumble with Dike always injured, Pefok wildly inconsistent, Hoppe falling off a cliff, etc.; Pepi and Sargent may be ahead, but nobody has cemented the position as theirs, and Balogun plays differently. He's missed some chances the past couple games, but as a sub, scoring once in 2 games isn't bad. I hope he gets a chance to move to Europe after this season, but FC Cincinnati seems to want to hang on to him until at least the end of this season.
Alex Zendejas-Another guy with skills but no end-product. Seemed to be pressing and completely tense when he was on the field. Has a chance to establish a spot for himself as a guy who can hold on to the ball and carry it forward like Luca de la Torre, but needs to get out his head and just play, make things happen.