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

[tbuc]

Summer Update

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There hasn't been much talk about the senior team after beating Canada in the Nations League Final back in March. That is because, while they played two meaningless friendlies since then, the B Team was in Brazil for the Copa America and the U23 team played in the Olympics. Now that those tournaments are over we can refocus on the task at hand. Preparing for the 2022 World Cup. As you can see in the picture above, the USMNT have four more friendlies before the turn of the calendar and those are all against European sides. The first match will be the toughest of the bunch as Wales have the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, and youngsters Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn at their disposal. This will be a real test as Wales are a team the U.S. could face at the World Cup.

I would expect a pretty strong U.S. team as the World Cup isn't far away and the 2021 Gold Cup is next July. tbuc has been the manager for almost two years now, so he should have a pretty good idea who is core at this point.

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[tbuc]

September Friendly Roster Announced

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It's time to gear up for two of the last four matches of 2020. This roster is filled with mostly fringe players as next year brings the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers. That doesn't leave much time for the fringe guys to prove themselves. It's basically now or never!

With that said, the keepers are pretty much set in stone. Horvath and Steffen are two locks, and the third spot is up for grabs. Bill Hamid is in this month. He is coming off a Man of the Match performance for his club as they bounced Julian Green and Matt Miazga's POAK out of the Champions League as Midtjylland are into the group stage.

The defense see's some new names. In the middle, the leader, John Brooks is in the squad. Joining him are three youngsters who all have a very strong chance of making the World Cup squad. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Justen Glad, and Auston Trusty were all apart of the Olympics squad who won bronze earlier this year. This is also Glad's first call up to the senior squad. On the left we see Antonee Robinson and George Bello. For the past two seasons Robinson had been loaned out by Everton, however, this season he has stayed at home. Let's hope he can break into the first team on Merseyside, although passing Lucas Digne on the depth chart is a tough ask. Bello is another getting his first call to the senior team. He may only be 18-years old, but has been a first team regular in the MLS for two seasons now. He also has 20 U20 caps and played with the U23 team at the Olympics. On the right we see two regulars in DeAndre Yedlin and Tyler Adams.

In the middle of the pitch we see Michael Bradley, Weston McKennie, and Emerson Hyndman. With them are two youngster who will lineup in the number ten role. Juan Pablo Torres has five caps to his name, but hasn't played for the U.S. since 2019. He will get another chance to prove himself after the success Efrain Alvarez has had. His competition will be Gianluca Busio. He just left Sporting KC for Liverpool in June when he turned 18. Busio has two goals in two games for the Liverpool's U23 side so far this early season. He has the ability to play as a CAM or can lineup in the midfield next to McKennie or Bradley. He has the potential to be a key player for this nation in the future.

On the wings we see four fringe players. It's the return of Fabian Johnson! This is his first call up since 2018. After joining the MLS this year, he has broken out and been a key player for the Houston Dynamo. Also on the left is Sebastian Lletget, who has been in and out of this squad since tbuc has taken over. On the right is Duane Holmes and Orrin McKinze Gaines. Holmes is now playing with Derby in the English Championship for the third season, and is again off to a strong start. McKenze Gaines is the fourth and final player earning his first call up. He spent the previous two seasons as a first team regular in the 2. Bundesliga with Darmstadt. His club earned promotion to the Bundesliga after last season and the 22-year old started in his clubs only match so far this year.

Lastly, upfront we see three familiar names. Bobby Wood has established himself as the top option for the U.S. as the number nine. This time around it's Jozy Altidore and Josh Sargent looking to prove themselves as the top two option behind Wood.

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[tbuc]

September 2, 2020 Friendly

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The U.S. suffered their first loss in 14 months. However, this was only a friendly for some fringe guys to prove themselves, so the result really didn't matter. But, while we're talking about it, I think a draw would've been far. Both sides have plenty of chances, but it was the home side who were more clinical in front of goal. Jozy Altidore did have a goal, which is good for his confidence, however he did have ten shot. With that many opportunities you'd hope for more from him. On the wings, Holmes had a couple chances as well, but nothing that really treated the keeper. He had a rough match, as he had some loose passes and did a poor job or creating space for himself as there were a few highlights of his crosses being blocked. On the other side Lletget had a strong display. In the middle, Bradley continues to prove age is no factor. Everything seemed to go through him when we were in possession. He set up Altidore with a lovely ball between the two center backs for the striker to level the scoring in the first half. Credit to George Bello, making his U.S. debut. With Robinson picking up a knock, Bello was forced to play all 90 minutes against a pretty good team and he completed a team high five crosses. Lastly, Zack Steffen proved he is a very good backup to Ethan Horvath. But, that is something we already knew.
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[tbuc]

September 8, 2020 Friendly

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Scoring goals for the U.S. seems to come so naturally for Josh Sargent as he now has seven in 13 for the senior team. Although it came against a pretty weak Finish side, you have to give him credit for putting the ball in the back of the net when given the opportunity. There really isn't much to say about this match. We dominated the match until Busio picked up a dumb red card. He tried making a slide tackle, but clearly came through the back of the Finish defender. Not only was is a horrible challenge, but it came when Finland were under pressure in their own half. Overall, everyone played well. Hamid made a good impression in his battle for the third and final keeper spot on the roster. Bello, Trusty, and Glad all proved they deserve another chance to prove their worth for this team. Holmes wasn't able to get going in either of these matches. With Pulisic the clear starter on the right, it's hard to see Holmes winning the backup spot. Fabian Johnson played well in his two changes. It'll be interesting to see if well see him again.
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[tbuc]

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - Third Round

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It’s finally here! It is now time for tbuc and the U.S. to take part in some World Cup qualifiers. I’m not sure why my assistant scheduled two friendlies in October knowing they’d be cancelled for the qualifier match, but that’s something I’ll have to ask him.

Not that the CONCACAF is all that competitive, but we were definitely handed a tough draw. You’d have to think any team from Group A would get through with Mexico if they were in Group B. The U.S. and Costa Rica are favorites in Group A. In Group C it would be a big upset if Jamaica and Canada don’t get through. In Group B, it will be a walk in the park for Mexico. Behind them you’d have to say Curacau or Trinidad will make it out. The Curacau striker, Charlison Benschop is one to look out for. He has three goals in four matches in the 2. Bundesliga season for St. Pauli.


Remaining 2020 Schedule

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[tbuc]

Is Busio's U.S. Career Over?

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September 10, 2020

This would be a massive blow to the U.S. if Busio decides against playing for the U.S. ever again. He was just handed his first two caps easier this month and was sent off again Finland right before halftime in his first start. However, the midfielder has a ton of promise as he can play as a number ten or sit deeper and can be utilized as an deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box midfielder. That versatility is key in any tournament.
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[tbuc]

Oct. 2020 World Cup Qualifier Roster Announced

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​Our first World Cup qualifying roster has been announced. The Gold Cup and Nations League were fun, but this is were it matters. We all know the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, however getting through the fourth round was no problem last cycle. This term will be a little tougher as the draw the U.S. were handed isn't easy. Regardless, getting through shouldn't prove to be a problem.

Looking over the roster, we see the same three keepers, four center backs, and three strikers as we did last month. On the left side of the defense Jorge Villafana replaces George Bello. Villafana was starter for the U.S. for most of the last World Cup cycle and has been a regular for tbuc this cycle as well. His inclusion is no surprise. On the other side, we see Joshua Emmanuel called into the senior team for the first time. With Tyler Adams out injured it's the Ipswich man who will get his chance. We've seen Keegan Rosenberry, Shaq Moore, and Reggie Cannon all given a chance at right back, but this time it's another new name. Emmanuel is in his second year as a starter in the English Championship and has proven to be a very strong option at that level.

In the middle we see more familiar names. The leader, Michael Bradley is in the team. Weston McKennie will miss the first match due to a suspension, however. Kellyn Acosta is back in the team after missing out through injuries and lack of form. He is now back in the starting eleven with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. Also back in the team is youngster Efrain Alvarez. He's come back down to earth after a very hot start to the MLS season. He is still being linked to some top clubs from around the world. The last name on the list is the regular, Emerson Hyndman.

Lastly, on the wings we see Christian Pulisic back in the team. Behind him is no natural right winger. We'd normally see Paul Arriola in the backup role, but he's been out since July with an injury. Also, Timmy Weah has been out of form, not getting minutes with the PSG reverse side. That means Darlington Nagbe will be the second choice right winger. Kenny Saief is back in the team. His ability to play on the wing and as a number 10 was key in the decision to bring him in. Also on the left is Fabian Johnson. His MLS success has seen him reestablish himself on the international level.

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[tbuc]

Center back Justen Glad ruled out through injury

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Justen Glad injures ankle in training

@USSoccer: A twisted ankle in training has ruled out NYCFC CB Justen Glad from upcoming qualifiers. POAK CB Matt Miazga has been brought in as a replacement.

 

[tbuc]

2022 World Cup Qualifier: Third Round Matchday 1

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We're off to a great start with three points at home against Panama, who did make the 2018 World Cup. We dominated this one from the start as all of Panama's efforts were from distance and Horvath only had to make one quality, notable save. Oddly enough a good chunk off our offense came from long balls over the top to Bobby Wood. Carter-Vickers played some class long balls over the top to Wood and one inch perfect ball to Kenny Saief on to setup a counter. That was something new. We're used to seeing Michael Bradley acting as the quarterback, dictating play from the middle, but this time it was Kellyn Acosta who was the man creating everything from the middle. He played a little one-two with Alvarez to set up the 18-year old's second international goal. The star of this one was Bobby Wood. He was robbed of a hat trick by the bar and a world class save on another effect.
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[tbuc]

2022 World Cup Qualifier: Third Round Matchday 2

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We just barely survive this one. We had our chances early. Alvarez was through one-on-one with the keeper, but hit it right into the goalies arms. Saief had a great chance from inside the box, but the keeper made a brilliant save. Finally in the 29th minutes Yedlin played a prefect far post cross to McKennie and it was 1-0. After that Honduras seemed to wake up. Bobby Wood did have a golden chance to put the game away, but hit the bar. Also, late in the game Sargent hit one destined for the bottom left corner, but again the keep made a great save. Horvath was key for us making a handful of big saves. One came from a free kick, which I thought for sure was going into the top right corner, but the Brugge keeper was able to tip it wide. We'll need more from our front three if we want to made it to Qatar in 2022.
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[Klippybo]

Absolutely love this story. It ticks all the boxes for me. Well presented - a lot of information but not too hard to read at the same time, trying something different too and if you think of it the USA should be a top side just with their population (Although China and India are also poor in that regard)

Keep it going!!!

 

[tbuc]

Absolutely love this story. It ticks all the boxes for me. Well presented - a lot of information but not too hard to read at the same time, trying something different too and if you think of it the USA should be a top side just with their population (Although China and India are also poor in that regard)

Keep it going!!!

I really appreciate the kind words!

 

[tbuc]

Nov. 2020 World Cup Qualifier Roster Announced

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​The roster for our second round of qualifiers has been announced. Horvath, Hamid, and Steffen return in net. With Hamid now getting regular minutes in the Danish Superliga with Midtjylland he seems to be the frontrunner to be the third choice keeper on the roster moving forward. At the back we see two changes. In the middle of the defense Tim Parker is reintroduced back into the team. He played last played in June of this year before being replaced by some younger options. Josh Emmanuel is dropped from the team in place of Tyler Adams who was injured last month.

Gianluca Busio is back in the team after a tough start to his U.S. career. The 18-year old make his first U.S. start two months ago and was handed a straight red after just 38 minutes. But, with speculation over his U.S. career, cap tying him seems like a smart move. At club level, he has been on fire for the Liverpool U23 side scoring four goals and recording seven assists in 13 appearances. He also make is Liverpool debut in a League Cup match against Aston Villa. Emerson Hyndman's name is absent from the team, he went down with a hip injury a few weeks ago. In his place is Cristian Roldan who last played for the U.S. back in March of this year. He will be seeking his 10th U.S. cap.

Looking at the front three, we see familiar names. Minus Timmy Weah, the four wingers called in have more caps than any other player at winger position this cycle. Up front Bobby Wood and Josh Sargent are back. With Jozy Altidore out injured, Aron Johannsson is back in the team. He continues to be a first choice striker in Serie A for Fiorentina, but just can't seem to duplicate his successes at club level for the national team. He has only four U.S. goals in 25 caps. The Icelandic-American has been shutout in six caps this cycle for the U.S. In that same time frame, Sargent has four goals in seven, and Wood has nine in 13.

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[tbuc]

2022 World Cup Qualifier: Third Round Matchday 3

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Just a poor display all around. By looking at the player ratings, you have to give create to Costa Rica's defense. But, you will never win a match with zero shots on target. There wasn't a single highlight in the first half, and everything shown in the second frame from the U.S. were harmless attempts from outside the box. Costa Rica did get the only goal of the match. Credit them for picking up three points away from home. That is never an east feat in the CONCACAF. It came from a simple far post cross where Ulises Segura was able to out jump Antonee Robinson and head it home.

Up next we head to Panama where we will be without our captan, Michael Bradley who picked up his second yellow card of the tournament and is suspended. ​

 

[tbuc]

2022 World Cup Qualifier: Third Round Matchday 4

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A nice bounce back after loosing at home to Costa Rica. Although Panama only tested our keeper once, they were wasteful in the first half and had the bar rob them of what looked like the opening goal. The U.S. turned it up in the second half and dominated from there. We may have been a little fortunate to get our first. Wood was in possession on the edge of the box with his back to goal, when he was tripped from behind. Not sure what the defender was thinking there. It was a horrible foul to give up. Regardless, Wood wasn't going to argue and banged the PK into the side netting. Kellyn Acosta put the game to bed in the 76th minute after Wood had his shot blocked from seven yards out. The ball fell right to Acosta and he knocked it in with his first touch.
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[tbuc]

​CONCACAF Qualifying Update: Third Round

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Here is a quick look at how things stand thus far in the CONCACAF. The top two teams advance to the fourth and final round. With two games to play, Jamaica Mexico are through. The Man City winger, Leon Bailey, has five goals in four. Chicharito has led the way for El Tri with four goals, bagging a hat trick against St Kitts.

In Group A it's the U.S. sitting on top, but are level with Costa Rica on points. We are only three points ahead of Honduras, but with a goal diff of five compared to their -1, we should be fine. Trinidad has played extremely well. They lost to Mexico 4-3 in their only match against the table toppers. Outside of that match, they are yet to allow a goal. Canada look to be the favorites to advance out of Group C with The Reggie Boyz.

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[tbuc]

2020 Qualifying Update: Around the World

Europe is yet to begin their campaign, but everyone else has getting underway. With the international calendar closed until 2021, here's a looking at the status of the other confederations...

South America
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Neymar and Philippe Coutinho have helped lead Brazil to the top of the group. Alisson has recorded nine clean sheets for now qualified Brazil as well. Messi is still playing for Argentina, and has been pulling his weight with a 7.95 rating thus far. However, it's been Gonzalo Higuain and Mauro Icardi who have been scoring the goals.

Africa
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Each group winner advances to the World Cup. With each nation still yet to play four more matches, there is time for Mo Salah and Wilfred Zaha to lead the nations to Qatar.

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New Zealand will win as usual. Chris Wood is off to a flying start to this Premier League season with eight goals in 12 for Burnley.

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They are halfway through the third round. The two third place teams play in a playoff to qualify for Qatar. Next gen player **** Guangchao has six goals in five for China. The star has been Napoli striker Hwang Hee-Chan with eight goals for South Korea thus far.
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[tbuc]

2020 Recap

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Year number three as the U.S. head coach is in the books. The U.S. began 2020 on a high, knocking off Mexico in the Nations League Semi-Final, thanks to an 88th minute winner from Bobby Wood, and we followed that up by beating Canada to win our first trophy! Again, it was Bobby Wood who scored the winner against of neighbors to the north. At this point I think he's proved to be our best option in front of goal. He probably always was the front runner to be the starting number nine, but after scoring five goals in six matches this year, I don't think there's any question. Skipping over the four meaningless friendlies in the middle of the year, we closed out 2020 with four World Cup qualifiers. We sit atop Group A with nine points, but are only ahead on goal differential.

Also in 2020, the B Team got together to take part in the Copa America. Although we didn't manage a single point in the group stages, we did lose all our matches by just one goal (trying to remain positive). Haji Wright, currently with Schalke's U23 side, scored the only U.S. goal of the tournament. It was a great chance for the younger guys to get together and show what they could do against top level competition. Reggie Cannon, who has fallen down the pecking order for the senior team, managed a 7.0+ rating in two of the three matches. The same can be said about Brady Scott. Our youth depth is lacking in goal, so it makes it that much more encouraging to see Scott play so well.

The U23 team got together for the Olympics and exceeded expectations by taking home bronze. They knocked out both Italy and Argentina in the process. Brady Scott was involved in that tournament as well and again more than held his own in net. He's still a ways away from breaking into the senior team as he's stuck in the youth ranks at Koln in the Bundesliga. He needs first team minutes at club level if wants to play at the top level on the international stage. Center backs Auston Trusty and Justen Glad also made good impressions, as the two of them also earned their first senior team caps this year as well. Another youngster who recorded his first cap in 2020 is Gianluca Busio. Efrain Alvarez may be ahead of him on the depth chart at the CAM position, but Busio is more than capable of playing as a deep lying playmaker as well. That versatility will be key once we start playing in big tournaments and guys will be playing on short rest. After making his move to Liverpool in July, the midfielder has seven goals and five assists in 16 matches for the U23 side. Let's not forget he's only 18 as well.

2021 Preview:

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There will be a lot of meaningful football played this coming year. After Mexico represented the CONCACAF in the 2013 and 2017 Confederations Cup, the U.S. are finally back for the first time since 2009. That year the U.S. just barely got through of the group stages as they were level on points and goal diff with Italy, but with more goals scored the Yanks got through. After a shock victory over Spain in the Semi-Final, the U.S. faced Brazil in would be a classic final. Two U.S. legends in Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan scored early and the U.S. were up 2-0 heading into halftime. But, it wasn't meant to be as Fabiano scored two before the then Bayern Munich center back Lucio won it in the 84th minutes.

After reliving that excitement!! the U.S. start the year off by closing out the third round of World Cup qualifying. Assuming we get through it's off to the Hex (final round of qualifying). Adding to the Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifying, the 2021 Gold Cup will get under way. With so many big matches, we will no doubt see our fair share of fringe players, and hopefully at this point next year we'll have a very good idea of who will being heading to Qatar as long as don't have a repeat of last cycle. We can't get ahead of ourselves!

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[tbuc]

Confederations Cup Group Draw

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January 2, 2020

The groups are set for the 2021 Confederations Cup. Although some could say these are glorified friendlies, this is still a chance to see the top players from the top nations from each continent get together. I'm not sure why Ivory Coast's B Team is listed. They do have the African Cup of Nations taking place at the same time, but the same could be said for the U.S. as they will be playing in the Gold Cup as well. Regardless, I would think Brazil and France are the clear favorites in Group B, and Germany are favorites in Group A. The U.S. should be the favorites to finish above Australia, but Ivory Coast will be tough if we see most of their top talents. Australia did host a friendly against the U.S. back in March of 2019 and the American's won it 3-1.
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[tbuc]

BREAKING: Jake Harrison Elects the U.S.

March 6, 2021

The left wing position has also been a bit of a question mark for the U.S. Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Saief has gotten most of the minutes at that spot, but Nagbe is already 30 and past his prime, while Saief, who has been key for Anderlecht, really hasn't impressed in a U.S. shirt. Veteran Fabian Johnson has had a late career revival and has three caps under tbuc, but like Nagbe his best days are behind him.

In steps Jake Harrison. A native to Stoke, England, the winger spent seven years at the Manchester United academy before moving with his family to the United States. After being named the 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, Harrison elected to attend Wake Forest University where he spent just one season. The following year the pacy wide player was selected first overall in the MLS draft and become a first team player right away for NYCFC. After two seasons in the MLS, Manchester City came calling and snatched up Harrison in the January 2018 transfer window for $8.5M. Since that time he has spend the past three full seasons on loan in the Championship improving his 'average rating' every year. This season he is with Cardiff who are in the middle of a playoff race in hopes to get promoted back the to the Premier League. Harrison has been vital as he is second on the team in both goals scored and assists. He should slot in right away on the left for the U.S. as well.

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