Philadelphia Union
News and notes from Union training. There are many injury updates, a note about U.S. youth international Danny Barbir training (not trialing) with the Union, and a justified complaint about the USOC’s regional format.
The Union are using this break to heal.
Derrick Jones and Auston Trusty learned from their experiences in the U-20 World Cup.
Blake is stopping shots even better than he did last season.
Around the globe
The U.S. beat Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 on a brace by Pulisic! Highlights and analysis. The USMNT now travel to Mexico for a huge game Sunday night at 8:30.
The USWNT beat Sweden 1-0 on a nice goal by Rose Lavelle.
All preliminary Gold Cup rosters were announced. The U.S. roster includes three dual-national players who would be tied to the U.S.: GK Jesse Gonzalez (Mexico), ST Dom Dwyer (England), and LM Kenny Saief (Israel).
Saudi Arabia’s National Team refused to honor a moment of silence in Australia for victims, including two Australians, of the recent Manchester terror attack.
Highlight of the day
I normally reserve this for a goal or a save, but the highlight of the day is Pulisic! exuding confidence.
Real class by the Saudi team (heavy sarcasm). WC2022 is going to be a powderkeg.
Each of the next 2 World Cups will be…
Excellent decisions on FIFA’s part… smh
Pulisic is the real deal. Nicely done on both of them.
RE: PULISIC.
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Amazing I actually think the attack into box, quick stop, fancy footwork to get it on right foot and ROCKET he put off near post at an audacious angle was he most amazing thing he did… all that in a split second.
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Otherwise, he’s just faster and playing at a different time signature than every other player on the field.
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I rewound the picture a few times and the goalies expression after was priceless… almost like’ are you kidding me.’
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Here is a player so good on the ball he demands a defender to give him space because the defender has no choice but to do so…
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I love Clint Dempsey, but my man has lost a step. He was never the most fleet of foot, but at altitude it was pretty obvious at least to me.
Agreed on Dempsey… he can add to the game/team, but I don’t know if he starts anymore. He wasn’t happy about coming off last night, but I feel like it was a good sub and CP scored a short time after he came off
Any thoughts as to what the Union lineup will be Wednesday night? Bosnia’s game is today but I think they should give Haris a rest and keep him out of the 18. My thought is to start Jones and Trusty and build around that.
For the Open Cup… I would definitely play DJ and Trusty
i bet jones and najem will play. bedoya and medunjanin both just be coming back from international duty and creavalle and carrol (i think) both injured
Depending on how much he plays Sunday, I can easily see Bedoya playing Wednesday as well. Hopefully he’ll be able to keep his feet better than last night.
If it was me:
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…………Simpson………….
Epps………Alberg……..Najem
………Jones…Creavalle……
Wijnaldum..Trusty..Yaro..R’Berry
…………..McCarthy……….
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Simpson, Alberg, Creavalle, R’Berry and McCarthy all need minutes to stay sharp. Epps, Najem, Jones, Trusty, Wijnaldum all need minutes for development. And Yaro needs minutes for fitness after his injury layoff.
I’d be tempted to try Alberg on a wing. Maybe switch him with Najem. I think there’s no chance of that happening. Otherwise, I’d be happy with that lineup. Should be able to take care of Harrisburg. If you can’t put them behind in the first half, bring on Bedoya and Medunjanin in the second half.
I was big supporter of Simpson but he hasn’t shown me anything since his first goal.
Would like to see Herbers maybe get a start in his natural position.
Might keep Elliot in too if we are switching the other 3 defenders.
According to the link above, Creavalle has a grade one hamstring injury and is still a few days from practicing, so he may not be available.
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Also, remember that the restrictions on non US players are stricter than in MLS games.
true, to Andy’s point. a bunch of guys i’d like to see minutes from in OC are restricted due to nationality.
You get to use 5 internationals on the 18 game day roster. Will be interesting to see how the union manage that.
Ah, I missed Creavalle being on the injury report. I know Herbers is out for awhile so is not an option.
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Internationals included above are Simpson, Alberg, Wijnaldum, and Yaro so there is room for one more international on the bench so it could work. Say a bench of Blake, Gaddis, Marquez, Bedoya, Pontius, CJ, and I guess Tribbet because another midfielder would be needed.
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In any case, I would guess that Bedoya and/or Medunjanin would likely play, especially if they do not have much time on the field for their national teams so the whole point is really just that I’m bored at work and waiting for the weekend to start. 🙂
Blake probably won’t be on the bench since he is playing for Jamaica the night before.