The New Generation | A U.S. 'Soccer' Sim

March 26, 2019 Friendly

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A good win for the U.S. today as we dominated the middle of the pitch and held the Socceroos to long distance shots. It was the home side who got off the mark first when the referee pointed to the spot after it looked like John Brooks bumped into the Celtic striker, Tom Rogic. Mathew Leckie stepped up and ripped it into the top right corner. The U.S. settled in and answered with three goals of their own before the halftime whistle. The first came from Schalke’s Weston McKennie on the counter attack. A low cross by Australia to the top of the box was won by Darlington Nagbe and he was on his way. He dribbled into in Australia’s half and played it out to the right to Bobby Wood who made has way to the edge of the box and laid it off to McKennie who finished the move with his first touch. It was Kellyn Acosta’s turn to get on the board just eight minutes later and again it was on the counter. A corner kick was won my Hyndman and fell to Pulisic who turned up field and lead the break. The Dortmund winger drove it up the pitch before playing it out wide to Nagbe who played in a near post cross which Acosta knocked in. The third and final goal came off a throw in the final third. Robinson threw it to McKennie who laid it off to Hyndman, who then played a little one-two with his midfield partner before playing a through ball to Pulisic who was making a run in behind from his right winger position.

The second half was not nearly as exciting as each side really only had one good chance. Acosta made a goal line clearance off a corner kick and the post robbed McKennie of his second goal.


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March 2018 Update

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He may only be 20-years old, but Weston McKennie could be the next U.S. captain once Michael Bradley hangs up the cleats. McKennie has been the best player in a U.S. shirt since tbuc took over, starting all eight matching. It’s fitting the midfielder is currently playing in the Bundesliga as, growing up with a father in the military, McKennie lived in Germany for three years and that is where he fell in love with the sport. After returning to America, the youngster began playing in the FC Dallas setup before heading back to Germany when he turned 18. He only made one appearance in his first year at Schalke, but spend the majority of the season with the U19’s. Last year, however, he broke into the first team and never looked back making 22 starts in the process. This season has been a little more difficult with only seven league starts to his name, but nonetheless he’s been been playing well when he gets his chance on the pitch.



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2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Draw

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The draw for the group stage is now complete and the U.S. are left with a tough draw to say the least. They should get through to the quarterfinals with no problem, but will face rivals Mexico for a chance finish first. Whoever does finish in second will most likely face Costa Rica in the second round. The loser of that match will be very disappointed. For those who don't know the CONCACAF very well, this confederation has been dominated by the U.S., Mexico, and Costa Rica lately.
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2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League

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The brand new Nations League group stage has been drawn. The U.S. will face Guyana and Jamaica for a chance to advance to the championship round. They should get through with no problem, however, Jamaica could be a real threat knowing the Reggae Boys have world class talent Leon Bailey on the team who is good enough to take on anyone.
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Injury Concern for Gold Cup

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We've talked about the battle for the backup right back spot in the past on here, now that battle could be for the starting spot. Keegan Rosenberry has one cap to his name, but was deservingly named the 2018 MLS Defender of the Year and has two goals and five assists in nine matches this season. Reggie Cannon has been stuck on the bench for his club team and Tyler Adams has been starting in the midfield for the Red Bulls this season. We also cannot count out the chance someone breaks out in the next few months.
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April 2019 Update
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April brought along some excitement as we saw the draw for the 2019 Gold Cup and Nations League, which means meaningful football is just around the corner. With the European League seasons coming to a close the U.S. roster is shaping up for their first major tournament under tbuc. The Gold Cup should be a real test for the manager as not only do they play their biggest rivals Mexico in the group stage, but if they loose that match they will likely face another tough opponent in the second round in Costa Rica. Which ever one of those three teams don't make it to the finals, their fans and president will be very upset. Could that manager be out of a job? We'll have to wait and see.
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​Injury Concern for Gold Cup

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Aron Johannsson has had the worst luck when it comes to injury issues throughout his career and that bad streak continues as he'll miss next months Gold Cup because of a broken toe. After a strong start in the Bundesliga, the striker landed a move to Serie A side Fiorentina where he's made 12 appearance for the club. He looked a favorite to made the 23 man roster as he's been outplaying Jozy Altidore who you can say has just been average in the MLS and Josh Sargent who, at just 19-years old, only has two appearances off the bench for the first team at Bremen. The injury does open the door for the young striker who has three goal in eight caps for the U.S. Who the third choice will be is still a question. Altidore is an option. He has 112 caps and 41 goals in a U.S. shirt. There is no doubt he's a proven talent. However, there are a handful of young talents tbuc could choose from. Timmy Weah, who has been starting on the right wing for the U.S., is a natural striker. Also, Haji Wright has four starts and four sub appearances for Schalke in the Bundesliga finding the back of the net five times this term.
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Injury Doubt for Gold Cup

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Two days after the U.S. loose Johannsson, left back Jorge Villafana goes down with a pulled abdominal muscle. With the lack of talent in that position, Villafana could still make the roster as he could only miss the first game of the group stage. The California native was the starter in the 2017 Gold Cup for the U.S. in the left side of the defense and there really is no clear cut name to replace him if he's not select. Kellyn Acosta has played that position in the past, but is a nature midfielder. Tim Ream can also play in that role if he's selected to the roster. Time will tell if Villafana can get back in time.
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May 2019 Update

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In just five days tbuc will announce his roster for the 2019 Gold Cup as the U.S. look to defend their title. There are a few question marks through injury. Johannsson will miss the tournament and full backs Jorge Villafana and DeAndre Yedlin are question marks. Villafana will miss the start, but could return after the first or second game. Yedlin has just returned to full training, but is far away from match fitness. He could use the matches against Guyana and Bermuda to get back to where he needs to be. tbuc has played his fair share of youth in 2018, but who has proved themselves enough to play in such an important tournament for the U.S.? Will we see Brad Guzan back in net? At this point I think Horvath and Steffen are proven enough to take over the starting spot in net. What about Matt Besler or even Timmy Chandler at the back? Besler has been one of the best in the MLS for several years and a viable option when in the U.S. squad. Chandler is a big question mark. It's most likely too soon for Reggie Cannon and Tyler Adams, who has played there, is a more nature midfielder. So, you'd have to think it'll be Chandler or Rosenberry. Chandler lacked form at the start of the Bundesliga season, but has turned that around of late. To Chandler's credit as well, he was apart of the 2014 World Cup team and started in the 2015 Gold Cup.

The midfield is pretty much set in stone. We will see five players on the roster. Locks are Weston McKennie, Michael Bradley, Emerson Hyndman, and Kellyn Acosta. There are a few other names who deserve a chance as well. Cristian Roldan had an excellent 2018 season in the MLS. Tyler Adams has played in three matches under tbuc and, although he's only 20-years old, he has been a regular in the MLS for three seasons now. One other player who can't be overlooked in Russell Canouse. After returning from a stint in Germany the midfielder has been a star for DC United and drawn interest from Huddersfield in the Premier League.

The front three are pretty much set too. Christian Pulisic will start on the right and Darlington Nagbe is an established left winger. Kenny Saief has played in five of the eight match since tbuc was named manager. That number could be higher, but has dealt with a long term injury. One name who should be included is Fabian Johnson. He was one of the best players in a U.S. shirt up until he's been dropped after the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

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U20 World Cup Update

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The U.S. creep into the second round of the U20 World Cup, but will have to face Spain for a chance to play in the quarter-finals. The encouraging thing is two Americans are on the top 10 list of average rated players thus far. FC Dallas midfielder Thomas Roberts (7.83), who is currently on loan in the USL, made seven key passes and created two clear cut chance in the 3-1 lose to Switzerland. MLS center back Mark McKenzie (7.65) was the other on the list.
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Well the ****, figured I'd throw this in here as well. The U.S. failed to qualify for the Olympic last time out. I will be taking control of the U23's.

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Another Injury Blow for the U.S.

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Another injury to the U.S. defense sees right back Keegan Rosenberry ruled out of the Gold Cup just two days before the roster was set to be announced. At this point you have to expect we'll see DeAndre Yedlin called into the squad even if he isn't match fit. Who will be the back becomes even more of a question. One name not previously mention is Shaq Moore. The Levante full back spent the 2018/19 on loan in the Spanish second division where he managed 34 starts. At this point it's hard not to image he's a legitimate option as well.
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The dream run continues! The U.S. knock out Switzerland after the Swiss defeated our U20 side in the group stage. It was 16-year old Efrain Alvarez who bagged the winner in the 73rd minute.

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2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Roster Announced

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Here are the 23 men who will take part in the 2019 Gold Cup for the United States. tbuc did say, after the announcement, that the third choice striker was his toughest decision. It's clear at this point that Bobby Wood and Josh Sargent will be on any U.S. roster at this point, and with Aron Johannsson out injured next in line was always going to be hard choice. Altidore's 41 goals is third most in USMNT history behind only Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan who have 57. The Toronto FC striker is a legend in U.S. footballing history as he also sits in the top 10 for most capped players for his nation, but after the U.S. failed to qualify for last years World Cup, many fans where calling for him to be exiled for good. Those fans were looking at Haji Wright to be named into the squad instead. Wright did make eight Bundesliga appearances and scored five goals for Schalke this season, but has limited international experience will just three U20 caps to his name.

Looking over the rest of the team there aren't any surprises. Some would say Brad Guzan should be included in the team over Alex Bono. However, Bono is now the established number one in Toronto and leads the MLS with eight clean sheets so far this season. At the back Matt Besler is back in the team as well. He gets the nod over Tim Parker and veteran Premier League center back Tim Ream. DeAndre Yedlin is in the squad and his back up is a new name under tbuc, Shaq Moore. Moore spend last season on loan in the second division of Spain and had a strong season with Reus. On the left side, the team doctor said Villafana should only miss the first game and will be fit in time for the match against Mexico if needed.

In the middle of the park we knew going in someone would miss out who deserved a shot. This time it will be Cristian Roldan and Russell Canouse. That does leave a pretty defensive setup with Emerson Hyndman being the only true advanced playmaker on the roster. However, with Weston McKennie scoring four goals in eight caps under tbuc another playmaker wasn't a must.

The front three sees a lot of regulars as well. Star winger Christian Pulisic is in the squad with Timmy Weah this backup on the right. On the left Darlington Nagbe will be the first team choice with Jonathan Amon behind him in the pecking order. Kenny Saief has been in fine form in a U.S. shirt, but suffered a broken leg last November and then a Hernia right after he returned. Without much time on the pitch over the last seven months tbuc thought it was better to include the 20-year old, Amon, instead.

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U20 World Cup Update

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Absolute sense in Poland. The U.S. win the U20 World Cup after defeating Argentina 6-5 on penalties. This all comes after finishing third in their group and losing to Argentina 2-0 in the opening their opening match.
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2019 Gold Cup: Matchday 1

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This one was a very one sided affair. The first half started slow as it took 28 minutes for either side to create any serious chances. The first U.S. goal came from a set piece from just outside the right side of the box. Dortmund winger, Pulisic, put in a cross to the back post for the goal scoring machine, Weston McKennie, to tap home. Only three of our 12 shots on target came in the opening 45. The U.S. did turn it on in the second half. Even though we scored four goals, we had our chances to make it much worse for Guyana. Darlington Nagbe missed a sitter from just a few yards out and he was also robbed by the post not long after. Christian Pulisic and Bobby Wood found themselves in a two v one situation and instead of playing in Woods for a tap in, Pulisic got greedy and took it himself, but his shot was saved. Emerson Hyndman did double the scoring in the 62nd minute. Bobby Wood picked up the assist as he laid one off to the Bournemouth midfielder who created space for himself and blasted one home from about 20 yards out. Michael Bradley scored his 18th international goal as well. It started with a free kick from about 25 yards out which Bradley hit into the wall. The rebound kick out to Bradley's right and he just needed one touch to settle himself and he hit his shot into the side netting. That goal puts him in the top ten in goals scored by anyone in a U.S. shirt. The final goal came from the penalty spot. Bradley's club teammate, Jozy Altidore stepped up and bagged his 42 international goal. He's just five back of the U.S. record.
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2019 Gold Cup: Matchday 2

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​A very disappointing match for the American's. We had two great chances in the first six minutes of the match and were on the front from the start. Antonee Robinson made a run into the box, but blasted his chance well over the bar. Two minutes later Michael Bradley won a header on a corner, but like Robinson, his effort sailed harmlessly over as well. The U.S. had the first six shots of the match before Mexico were able to score on their very first chance. It was poor defense by the Americans. It started with a throw-in into the box, which McKennie headed out. The ball fell to Rodolfo Pizarro who skipped past Bradley and had a shot from into the box with Besler backing off. The U.S. ended the half with eight shots, zero on target. The second half was more of the same. Pulisic picked up with a knock and was immediately subbed off as the U.S. looked to bring another striker onto the pitch, but at that point it was too little too late.
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2019 Gold Cup: Matchday 3

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After the tough loss the Mexico the U.S. bounce back in style with a 5-1 victory in the final match of the group stage. 19-year old Josh Sargent, who scored two goals in the match, now has five in nine on the international level. Timmy Weah also bagged two in the match. He's been playing as a striker in the PSG academy, but is starting to settle in the right wing spot for the U.S.
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