Barstool’s Official Not-Unsanctioned USMNT vs Chile Preview
Sam’s Soccer Safe Space for Stoolies
Hi haters,
The good news from the Greggggggg Berhalter era:
The bad news from the Greggggggg Berhalter era:
It is hard to argue with the results since he has taken over, beating Panama (3-0), Costa Rica (2-0) and Ecuador (1-0) in successive games. But – as the haters are extremely fond of pointing out – we haven’t exactly beaten France or Brazil or even England.
The competition has gotten better each game and tonight again presents a sterner test in two-time defending South American champs Chile, which have brought a team that is an interesting mix of experienced vets and young bucks. They are also a muuuuuuuuuuch different type of team than the more defensive-minded opposition we have been playing, as they like to push high up the field and are going to put a lot more pressure on the US. That said, they are clearly in a bit of a transition phase as the recent 1-3 loss to Mexico.
Before we get to the game though, one quick thing I would be remiss in not mentioning prior to everybody turning on their TV and seeing a million empty seats in Houston tonight:
US Soccer – as much as I love, respect and normally stand for them – needs to get their head out of their ass and lower ticket prices for this sort of “meaningless” friendly. Period. End of story. Anybody arguing otherwise is a dumdum or shill.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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USMNT vs Chile
A couple notable changes to the roster:
– Weston McKennie injured his ankle against Ecuador (and got me suspended on twitter for a day for joking Donny should think about dropping bombs on their country in retaliation – whoops) and will be out for at least a couple months
– Tyler Adams returned to RB Leipzig because their coach – like most of us – hated the fact Berhalter was playing him out of position at right back (this may not be the real reason but it makes sense to me so I’m rolling with it)
– Sean Johnson and Arron Long are not dressing today for reasons
Here is the starting XI that USMNT just revealed:
Thoughts:
GK (1): Horvath – good, he has earned the gloves
Defense (4): Ream, Miazga, Gonzalez, Yedlin – Miazga at CB is fine. Gonzo beside him makes me want to riot. Why tf are we playing a 30+ yo defender EVER – let alone in a meaningless friendly? I honestly have no explanation. John Brooks should have been the other CB. Tim Ream on the left is fine. Yedlin on the right is….. well, it’s where he should have been last game so… yay?
Midfield (5): Arriola, Pulisic, Bradley, Roldan, Baird – This was always going to be a bit of a mish mosh with McKennie injured and Adams back in Europe so I don’t have any HUGE qualms with this set up. Pulisic has traditionally been more effective out wide but he should have some leeway to get out there.
Striker (1): Zardes
Given the other options it is somewhat understandable that Berhalter had little choice but to start Zardes, but that is Berhalter’s fault for not adding some better options to the roster. Needless to say, not a fan.
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“PREDICTION”
Chile is a much better opponent and we have a less talented XI on the field than we did last game. Tough combination, especially now that we are missing some crucial differences makers in McKennie and Adams (not to mention others that weren’t called in for various reasons like Weah and Sargent). Reminder: PERFORMANCE >>>> result (hence why the Ecuador result did not send any blood to my special parts). I honestly don’t even care about the final result tonight but gun to head I’ll say 1-1 draw.
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So there we have it. Glorified reminder to watch the damn game. EPL is back this weekend. GET PUMPED!
Holler,
Samuel Army