OneKeg said:

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Some young US soccer prospects in action today for their clubs:

From highlights, both Adri Mehmeti and Julian Hall looked good despite NYRB losing 2-1 @ Atlanta. Mehmeti had the assist and Hall the hockey assist to Mehmeti on a quick 1-2-3 leading to NYRB's only goal. Hall also had a good shot in the second half that was saved well, and Mehmeti seemed to make several other good passes (Hall made a couple too), despite wearing what looked like a protective face-mask/guard (injury?). From what little I've seen, I like Hall better at left offensive midfielder where he played today than at center forward. Mehmeti played holding midfielder as usual.

From highlights: Forward Justin Ellis looked great again for Orlando City in their 1-1 draw against Cincy. Got the assist on a breakaway for Orlando's goal (smart, quick pass out of a double-team to keep the break going) and had at least 3 good shots that forced saves, plus a nice move for another that was blocked. He easily could have had 1 or 2 goals.

From highlights: Peyton Miller started at wing (instead of outside back where he'll likely play for the US) for New England in their 2-1 loss to Toronto, but only played the first 40 minutes, leaving with the score still 0-0. Not sure if he got injured? Miller did have one fantastic, thunderous volley in the box that should have been a goal except for an outstanding save by the Toronto goalie.

From box score: Mathis Albert came on for Borossia Dortmund for the last 30 mins of their final friendly (against Serie A club Roma), which finished 2-2. Not sure how he played, but the fact that he's getting time for a Bundesliga club is good. We'll see if he continues to get time in competitive matches.

From box score: Zavier Gozo did not appear as a starter or sub in Crystal Palace's 2-0 loss at Bundesliga club Freiburg. (Current USMNT center back Chris Richards did play).

Looks like Philadelphia Union with Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre play tomorrow (Sunday).

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Love the US player reports. I saw a little of Ellis yesterday, but the camera work was bad so I could not tell if he had the ball. He got into good finishing positions a few times but could not finish. He may need to improve there. Still nice to see him interchange with Griezmann, who is not over the hill. I thought he was the best player for Atletico Madrid last season.

As to Ian James, I don't know if he is an important player. He has been highly ranked for the last few years but he never gets called in. I don't know if his team is blocking the call ups or he is just higher rated on the internet than by US Soccer. He is big and physical. He seems like an obvious candidate for the U20s. I fear that he physically matured at a young age, and it was impressive that he could hang in MLS. But I am not sure he has developed the additional skills needed to thrive. Not that it matters, but some members of my family in Minneapolis know him. He may have gone to the same school with one of them. At like 15 his family moved to Kansas City because Minnesota United did not take their youth teams seriously. MLS territorial rights, where you have to play for the MLS team in your area if you want to play in MLS, is bad for development.

Thanks for the report on James. Yeah, now that I'm paying attention to the MLS, it makes no sense to me how some MLS teams handle their young prospects.

Another minor example to me is center back Christopher Cupps being called back by Chicago so he couldn't play in the CONCACAF U-20 semifinals and finals. The US team sure could have used a good center back against Mexico, and it would have been a good learning experience for Cupps, especially the final. I would understand Chicago pulling Cupps back if he was going to actually get playing time for them, but he has not gotten any playing time as either a starter or sub in multiple matches since being called back, including in Chicago's match today. Maybe there's some other reason I don't know about.

As for today's Philadelphia Union match. Again, no Apple TV for me, so this is only from highlights: Philly went down 2-0 in the first half on two penalties only to come roaring back in the second half for a 3-2 road victory.

First the bad. Center back Neil Pierre seemed to have rough game. He was late recovering on a long aerial through ball in the first few minutes of the match, barely got a head to it right into the lap of the NYC forward, and then, despite having decent position in the box, Pierre pulled him down for the penalty. It was not a violent pull down, and the NYC forward embellished it, but it's going to get called every time. Pierre had multiple other bad passes leading to NYC offensive chances in the highlights. Hopefully a learning experience.

Now the good (mostly?). I can't actually tell if Cavan Sullivan had a good match by his standards, but he did get assists on both of Philly's first two goals (his brother Quinn got the assist on the third goal).

Cavan's first assist was generously given as an assist - he got a head to a free kick into the box, and it bounced through a crowd behind Sullivan to a Philly forward who scored. If that was actually intentional, then Sullivan is even better than I thought, but I think it was mainly lucky.

The second assist was good. Not just for the pass itself, which was a straightforward, unselfish square pass to an unmarked Philly forward right in front of goal when Sullivan could have shot himself, but more for the darting run Sullivan made off the ball to get open and receive the pass in position within the box to create the clear assist opportunity. Sullivan came out at the 80-minute mark, shortly after Philly scored their final goal to go ahead 3-2.

OneKeg said:

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Thanks for the report on James. Yeah, now that I'm paying attention to the MLS, it makes no sense to me how some MLS teams handle their young prospects.

Another minor example to me is center back Christopher Cupps being called back by Chicago so he couldn't play in the CONCACAF U-20 semifinals and finals. The US team sure could have used a good center back against Mexico, and it would have been a good learning experience for Cupps, especially the final. I would understand Chicago pulling Cupps back if he was going to actually get playing time for them, but he has not gotten any playing time as either a starter or sub in multiple matches since being called back, including in Chicago's match today. Maybe there's some other reason I don't know about.

As for today's Philadelphia Union match. Again, no Apple TV for me, so this is only from highlights: Philly went down 2-0 in the first half on two penalties only to come roaring back in the second half for a 3-2 road victory.

First the bad. Center back Neil Pierre seemed to have rough game. He was late recovering on a long aerial through ball in the first few minutes of the match, barely got a head to it right into the lap of the NYC forward, and then, despite having decent position in the box, Pierre pulled him down for the penalty. It was not a violent pull down, and the NYC forward embellished it, but it's going to get called every time. Pierre had multiple other bad passes leading to NYC offensive chances in the highlights. Hopefully a learning experience.

Now the good (mostly?). I can't actually tell if Cavan Sullivan had a good match by his standards, but he did get assists on both of Philly's first two goals (his brother Quinn got the assist on the third goal).

Cavan's first assist was generously given as an assist - he got a head to a free kick into the box, and it bounced through a crowd behind Sullivan to a Philly forward who scored. If that was actually intentional, then Sullivan is even better than I thought, but I think it was mainly lucky.

The second assist was good. Not just for the pass itself, which was a straightforward, unselfish square pass to an unmarked Philly forward right in front of goal when Sullivan could have shot himself, but more for the darting run Sullivan made off the ball to get open and receive the pass in position within the box to create the clear assist opportunity. Sullivan came out at the 80-minute mark, shortly after Philly scored their final goal to go ahead 3-2.

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I think Pierre was fine. He mi**** his first header of the game that led to a penalty by him. In a real league they would not have called the penalty, it was nothing. The other NYCFC goal was on an unlucky handball. The Union gave up no goals in the run of play. Pierre did make a few poor passes, but the field was trash (Yankee Stadium with some rain) and very narrow. I was not discouraged by his play.

Sullivan was other-worldly. The best player on the field by a mile. He smoked many, many fools. Like he probably beat ten players off the dribble, sometimes two or three at a time. For some reason on the trash pitch he looked faster. Maybe it was the opponents, maybe he is getting into shape, I don't know, but for the first time speed looked like an asset. He was absolutely electric. Yes his first assist was nothing much. His second one was brilliant. And he created many chances. For the first time tonight I actually thought he would go to Man City and appear when he turns 18. He was that good. He turns 18 on 9/28/28. So maybe he will go over winter break of 28/29.

Mis-hit has a banned word embedded. Yes, I think Sullivan's first assist was a purposeful flick-on header.

OneKeg said:

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Yes it was Quinn Sullivan who played last night for Philly. I should have known he was Cavan's brother.

It's the other way around for me and my family when it comes to the expense of living in the Bay Area and additional discretionary marginal costs such as streaming services. Yes the latter is a rounding error, but because of the magnitude of the primary expenses are so high, we kind of live on the edge of those rounding errors.

I live in the Presidio in San Francisco. Small place but beautiful living in the midst of a forest within a city. I can see the ocean (mainly Baker/China Beaches, Land's End to the left, Marin Headlands to the right and the Pacific Ocean in between) and hear the slow breakers less than a half mile away (and 400 feet down). But it's expensive - between rent and utilities, close to $5.5k a month. You can't own in the Presidio.

My son is a junior in high school. He easily passed the qualifying test to get into Lowell, the highly-regarded magnet public (and therefore free) school in San Francisco, so you can imagine my horror when he (and my wife) eagerly chose the much closer independent school in the Presidio (Bay School) that is a 7 minute free park bus ride away. So we now pay $65k a year in tuition for that honor - would be $70k a year (full price) but for the first time in my life, I actually applied for and received a smidge of NEED-based financial aid to defray the cost by $5k a year.

In fairness, my kid is happy at Bay and that is what matters. He's on the soccer team (though far from one of its better players). Bay won the D2 North Coast championship in soccer last season.

And this is all aside from all the other expenses of living in SF, which we love or we would not do it. Furthermore, I myself am the child of immigrants and will not inherit much, and need to put away plenty of money to take care of my parents soon enough (my wife's parents have already passed), in addition to saving for my son's college.

So put all that together with the fact that we are a single income family (me), and I make enough to make us quite well off in most other parts of the country, but feel like we're lower middle class here. Which we're fine with, but we do need to watch our expenses. We are down to one small car which my wife and I share, rarely eat out, and our discretionary spending is very low (my gym membership being a big one). The 3 and low 4-figure donations I make to Cal academics and athletics (including NIL) are painful. Most of my good friends are much richer than I am and/or live in a less expensive area and don't have these considerations.

So that's why we don't have AppleTV, despite my becoming a newly-anointed sicko. =)

Ok, enough woe is me! =) Also, I just have never watched much MLS, so the only times we've had AppleTV was for Severance and Ted Lasso, the latter being a reason my wife might want to get it again, and my son may watch too.

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I was mostly teasing. How one chooses to spend money is very personal. I would tell the kid that he is going to the free high school. I will pay for undergraduate and graduate school/law school/medical school, but high school does not matter enough. In my opinion, which does not matter.

Cool that you are still a soccer dad. I miss those days so much. Waiting for the grandchildren.

I know what it is like to have everyone in the family richer. It was not supposed to happen this way. But I became a (data) scientist and prioritized research over making money. I think I did the right thing.

I was not the one who signed up for Apple TV, but now I am glad I have it. For the first time. I don't care about MLS but do like watching future USMNT stars. You have the bug, it would be difficult for me to resist.

Thanks sluggo!

On the Philly-NYCFC match, I'll defer to you since you actually watched it and I watched highlights. I did notice that the field looked really weird. Not just low quality, but small. (I guess just narrow as you pointed out). Soccer is strange with its variable field sizes. With my kid's high school team playing mostly in San Francisco, they play on a ton of narrower fields, and it makes the game much more physical due to reduced space. But at this ostensibly high level? Combined with the rinky-dink goal frames that MLS seems to use with so little room behind, the whole thing seemed a little off.

I disagree on the Pierre penalty. It was hardly egregious, of course. Soft, even. But he put both hands on his man in a pulling motion and he went down, all in the vicinity of the ball in a dangerous counterattack situation. I feel like if Pierre does that for the USMNT against some star forward playing for a good European or South American team (let's say Argentina!), he gets called for a penalty 9 times out of 10 and VAR does not overturn it. Don't get me wrong - I still like Pierre a lot. I actually think making some mistakes like that in a victory might be good for his development.

On Sullivan, it's great to hear that he dominated the match. On his first assist, I should have been clearer. I know he was trying to flick it on purposefully, but I meant to say that I don't think he really aimed it exactly where it went into the mass of teammates and opponents, where it was deflected further straight into the perfect spot for the Philly forward to put it in. Because if he meant to do that exactly (and wasn't just generally flicking it on), then it was an even better play than the second assist, which was indeed good (not sure about great).

Anyway, we're talking about a kid who is still (for now) 16, so for him to play like this is something else. Maybe not Lamine Yamal level, but still really impressive.

OneKeg said:

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Thanks sluggo!

On the Philly-NYCFC match, I'll defer to you since you actually watched it and I watched highlights. I did notice that the field looked really weird. Not just low quality, but small. (I guess just narrow as you pointed out). Soccer is strange with its variable field sizes. With my kid's high school team playing mostly in San Francisco, they play on a ton of narrower fields, and it makes the game much more physical due to reduced space. But at this ostensibly high level? Combined with the rinky-dink goal frames that MLS seems to use with so little room behind, the whole thing seemed a little off.

I disagree on the Pierre penalty. It was hardly egregious, of course. Soft, even. But he put both hands on his man in a pulling motion and he went down, all in the vicinity of the ball in a dangerous counterattack situation. I feel like if Pierre does that for the USMNT against some star forward playing for a good European or South American team (let's say Argentina!), he gets called for a penalty 9 times out of 10 and VAR does not overturn it. Don't get me wrong - I still like Pierre a lot. I actually think making some mistakes like that in a victory might be good for his development.

On Sullivan, it's great to hear that he dominated the match. On his first assist, I should have been clearer. I know he was trying to flick it on purposefully, but I meant to say that I don't think he really aimed it exactly where it went into the mass of teammates and opponents, where it was deflected further straight into the perfect spot for the Philly forward to put it in. Because if he meant to do that exactly (and wasn't just generally flicking it on), then it was an even better play than the second assist, which was indeed good (not sure about great).

Anyway, we're talking about a kid who is still (for now) 16, so for him to play like this is something else. Maybe not Lamine Yamal level, but still really impressive.

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Below is the all touches video. But it does not convey how scrappy the game was on the broken and narrow field. His play seems to get better every week.

In terms of comparing him to other young Americans, Pulisic, Donovan, and Reyna all broke through about a year later. Of those Pulisic was probably the best at that 17/18 age, and he is the best American player in the modern era (since 1990) in my opinion. Sullivan will never be as explosive. But if you took both players today (Pulisic at 26 or whatever) Sullivan has better footwork and sees the game better. The player I would like to see him become is Man City's Rayan Cherki, who Deschamps was not smart enough to play in the WC despite no midfield for France, but is one of the great players in the world. I think it is possible.

I saw a highlight of Ellis' assist. What a smart ball. And I saw Mathis Albert play against Roma. The USMNT soccer IQ is going way up and will soon match if not pass its physicality.

Gio Reyna is still the most skilled player I have seen play for the US. It is insane that managers have not been using him, whatever his personality and defensive shortcomings. He is only 23, the last four years of nonsense can be wiped away. Here he is against Newcastle. His half turn makes my heart skip a beat. His feet are like pillows.

Also, Yunus Musah is staying at Milan. I think he can still be a good jack of all trades for them and for the USMNT. By official measurements, he is 3 million times better than Sebastian Berhalter. I know Poch is not convinced, but what does he know?

Gio Reyna v Newcastle

preseason friendly | 45'#USMNT #RCSA pic.twitter.com/9REoG0QsrB

— why (@comp0us) August 16, 2026

Yeah Sullivan does look good in that all touches video. Even when unsuccessful, the quickness, skill and vision are apparent.

I have to agree that I wish Reyna played more this World Cup, though I'm not sure if holding midfielder is his best position, even if that's where Poch often played him (Tillman too sometimes). Feels like the US is rich in good attacking mids and low on holding mids of even passable quality. Just Adams and Berhalter, really.

I'd never paid attention to Musah before, but perhaps he is one answer. I just noticed he started for AC Milan in their 4-2 friendly win over Man United, so that's something! And Mehmeti needs to keep progressing so he can provide quality minutes at holding mid too.

It's funny re: Berhalter. About fifteen years ago, a co-worker friend of mine who lives in North Yorkshire "exchanged" fandoms. He now roots for Cal, and I root for his soccer team, Middlesbrough (or "Boro"), which is currently a (probably upper half) team in the EFL Championship league, which is the one just below the Premier league.

In a couple day span recently, both Berhalter and Arfsten from the USMNT and (until then) MLS were signed by Boro and my friend texted me, obviously fired up. I proceeded to tell him that I thought Berhalter was ok, and would probably help Boro, but is not a true difference-maker, nor a great athlete. And that Arfsten is a wing back who doesn't actually play defense (and is average at best playing wing). He retorted that I was not exactly filling him with confidence about "your boys."

To be fair, a week and a half later (this past Saturday), I watched Boro's first league match of the season, a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Lincoln, since it was on a channel I get. Berhalter played fairly well. Generally made good decisions. Hockey assist on the go-ahead goal in stoppage time. He took most of the corners and "long-pass-into-the-box" free kicks. Apparently, Berhalter also had the assist in Boro's goal in their previous match (Carabao Cup, 1-0 win over Wrexham). Arfsten was not particularly impressive, but did not seem to be an obvious liability at least. I'm thinking the EFL Championship (not to be confused with Champions) league is the right place for both of them.

OneKeg said:

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Yeah Sullivan does look good in that all touches video. Even when unsuccessful, the quickness, skill and vision are apparent.

I have to agree that I wish Reyna played more this World Cup, though I'm not sure if holding midfielder is his best position, even if that's where Poch often played him (Tillman too sometimes). Feels like the US is rich in good attacking mids and low on holding mids of even passable quality. Just Adams and Berhalter, really.

I'd never paid attention to Musah before, but perhaps he is one answer. I just noticed he started for AC Milan in their 4-2 friendly win over Man United, so that's something! And Mehmeti needs to keep progressing so he can provide quality minutes at holding mid too.

It's funny re: Berhalter. About fifteen years ago, a co-worker friend of mine who lives in North Yorkshire "exchanged" fandoms. He now roots for Cal, and I root for his soccer team, Middlesbrough (or "Boro"), which is currently a (probably upper half) team in the EFL Championship league, which is the one just below the Premier league.

In a couple day span recently, both Berhalter and Arfsten from the USMNT and (until then) MLS were signed by Boro and my friend texted me, obviously fired up. I proceeded to tell him that I thought Berhalter was ok, and would probably help Boro, but is not a true difference-maker, nor a great athlete. And that Arfsten is a wing back who doesn't actually play defense (and is average at best playing wing). He retorted that I was not exactly filling him with confidence about "your boys."

To be fair, a week and a half later (this past Saturday), I watched Boro's first league match of the season, a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Lincoln, since it was on a channel I get. Berhalter played fairly well. Generally made good decisions. Hockey assist on the go-ahead goal in stoppage time. He took most of the corners and "long-pass-into-the-box" free kicks. Apparently, Berhalter also had the assist in Boro's goal in their previous match (Carabao Cup, 1-0 win over Wrexham). Arfsten was not particularly impressive, but did not seem to be an obvious liability at least. I'm thinking the EFL Championship (not to be confused with Champions) league is the right place for both of them.

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I bought my son a 3 month random jersey subscription for his birthday once. One of the jerseys was Boro. I can't remember the other ones. Everyone at middle school had FCB and ManU, but he had the wacky ones. I don't think anyone cared.

Berhalter is just good enough that he should never play. But his effort is top notch, so the Championship is probably his level. Funny about Arfsten as a defender who does not defend. He is a good dribbler, but not good enough. They also have Aidan Morris, another guy who just misses the mark but has USMNT appearances.

I think Gozo, C. Sullivan, Mehmeti, Albert, Pierre, and Ellis are all first rate players. And no one other than Ream from 2026 is definitely over the hill by 2030. We will have depth and can rotate. This will be especially important if the tournament goes to 64 teams and thus adds a game.

BTW, Gozo's move is possibly in trouble. The Premier League has some point system of who can join as a protectionist move for English players. Gozo is slightly below the standard because he was foolishly not brought to the WC because Alejandro Zendejas is friends with Pulisic and some of the other guys. We will see if he is able to move.

In other news the Philly Union signed Mark McKenzie, a mediocre central defender by USMNT standards but a great one by MLS standards. I hope this means they are selling Pierre. I think the transfer window is still open for another week or two. More realistically, Pierre will be sold over winter or next summer when the world catches up to my valuation of him. If Pierre sits behind McKenzie I may break my TV.

sluggo said:

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OneKeg said:

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Yeah Sullivan does look good in that all touches video. Even when unsuccessful, the quickness, skill and vision are apparent.

I have to agree that I wish Reyna played more this World Cup, though I'm not sure if holding midfielder is his best position, even if that's where Poch often played him (Tillman too sometimes). Feels like the US is rich in good attacking mids and low on holding mids of even passable quality. Just Adams and Berhalter, really.

I'd never paid attention to Musah before, but perhaps he is one answer. I just noticed he started for AC Milan in their 4-2 friendly win over Man United, so that's something! And Mehmeti needs to keep progressing so he can provide quality minutes at holding mid too.

It's funny re: Berhalter. About fifteen years ago, a co-worker friend of mine who lives in North Yorkshire "exchanged" fandoms. He now roots for Cal, and I root for his soccer team, Middlesbrough (or "Boro"), which is currently a (probably upper half) team in the EFL Championship league, which is the one just below the Premier league.

In a couple day span recently, both Berhalter and Arfsten from the USMNT and (until then) MLS were signed by Boro and my friend texted me, obviously fired up. I proceeded to tell him that I thought Berhalter was ok, and would probably help Boro, but is not a true difference-maker, nor a great athlete. And that Arfsten is a wing back who doesn't actually play defense (and is average at best playing wing). He retorted that I was not exactly filling him with confidence about "your boys."

To be fair, a week and a half later (this past Saturday), I watched Boro's first league match of the season, a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Lincoln, since it was on a channel I get. Berhalter played fairly well. Generally made good decisions. Hockey assist on the go-ahead goal in stoppage time. He took most of the corners and "long-pass-into-the-box" free kicks. Apparently, Berhalter also had the assist in Boro's goal in their previous match (Carabao Cup, 1-0 win over Wrexham). Arfsten was not particularly impressive, but did not seem to be an obvious liability at least. I'm thinking the EFL Championship (not to be confused with Champions) league is the right place for both of them.

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I bought my son a 3 month random jersey subscription for his birthday once. One of the jerseys was Boro. I can't remember the other ones. Everyone at middle school had FCB and ManU, but he had the wacky ones. I don't think anyone cared.

Berhalter is just good enough that he should never play. But his effort is top notch, so the Championship is probably his level. Funny about Arfsten as a defender who does not defend. He is a good dribbler, but not good enough. They also have Aidan Morris, another guy who just misses the mark but has USMNT appearances.

I think Gozo, C. Sullivan, Mehmeti, Albert, Pierre, and Ellis are all first rate players. And no one other than Ream from 2026 is definitely over the hill by 2030. We will have depth and can rotate. This will be especially important if the tournament goes to 64 teams and thus adds a game.

BTW, Gozo's move is possibly in trouble. The Premier League has some point system of who can join as a protectionist move for English players. Gozo is slightly below the standard because he was foolishly not brought to the WC because Alejandro Zendejas is friends with Pulisic and some of the other guys. We will see if he is able to move.

In other news the Philly Union signed Mark McKenzie, a mediocre central defender by USMNT standards but a great one by MLS standards. I hope this means they are selling Pierre. I think the transfer window is still open for another week or two. More realistically, Pierre will be sold over winter or next summer when the world catches up to my valuation of him. If Pierre sits behind McKenzie I may break my TV.

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The Gozo move to Crystal Palace went through a few hours before I posted. I need to do a better job following the news. Unfortunately, he was not able to practice during the limbo period. So he will be behind going into the season, which starts this weekend. This is not great, but nothing can be done now. The season is long and he will be given chances.

CP might be the only club named after a building. That building was destroyed by a fire in 1936, or if you ask Gemini, 1036. Interestingly, suffragettes plotted to blow up the stands at the 1913 FA Cup final. Unless this is a joke on Wikipedia.

Crazy match between Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami from the highlights. Finishes 2-2, though the stats and highlights indicate that Philly dominated. (Messi created a goal out of nothing for Miami).

Neil Pierre with a header goal to the near post off a free kick near the corner. And another near goal that was ruled just offside (the first one was very close too). I don't think either of the Miami goals were his fault.

Cavan Sullivan with a beautiful pass that put the Philly left wing (Damiani?) into the box completely alone in stride and in space against the goalie and Damiani failed to convert. Sullivan did miss a couple shots too, and then got a red card as part of a double red card situation where he and a Miami player connected (maybe? Looked soft) with blows against each other at the very end of the game after a fracas initiated when his brother body slammed a Miami player he thought stepped on him in the penalty box. This was ten minutes or so into stoppage time in the second half.

Curious about your thoughts watching the whole match, sluggo.

Also from highlights: Peyton Miller, the defender playing winger, had a nice header assist for New England Revolution's first goal in a 3-0 win over DC United.

Didn't get a chance to see highlights yet of Mehmeti and Hall in NYRB's 1-0 loss to Nashville, or Ellis in Orlando's 2-1 loss to Chicago, though all three young players started. (No goals or assists for any of them, from the stats).

OneKeg said:

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Crazy match between Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami from the highlights. Finishes 2-2, though the stats and highlights indicate that Philly dominated. (Messi created a goal out of nothing for Miami).

Neil Pierre with a header goal to the near post off a free kick near the corner. And another near goal that was ruled just offside (the first one was very close too). I don't think either of the Miami goals were his fault.

Cavan Sullivan with a beautiful pass that put the Philly left wing (Damiani?) into the box completely alone in stride and in space against the goalie and Damiani failed to convert. Sullivan did miss a couple shots too, and then got a red card as part of a double red card situation where he and a Miami player connected (maybe? Looked soft) with blows against each other at the very end of the game after a fracas initiated when his brother body slammed a Miami player he thought stepped on him in the penalty box. This was ten minutes or so into stoppage time in the second half.

Curious about your thoughts watching the whole match, sluggo.

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Of course I watched whole match, the Union have become must watch.

Pierre was a monster with a diving header off a free kick outside the box that showed incredible athleticism. Then a towering header off another free kick that the keeper tapped out but that was knocked in by Iloski. He is already the best in the world in the air. (For this reason he will got to Arsenal, mark my words.) And they do not even run plays to get his defender off him, he is constantly being held. Luis Suarez can't move much at 40ish but is still strong as a bull, and he tried to shoulder Pierre, who stood up to it fine. At one point Pierre was one-on-one with Messi, who did not toast him, but did get off a nice cross.

Sullivan is so freaking good. Like all great players, and he is great, he needs to find himself in a game. Early in the game he was having trouble getting the ball on the wing, although he had a hockey assist on the first goal, so he moved more centrally and was nails in the second half. He had multiple great passes and a few great dribbles. It was interesting seeing him on field with Messi. He is not Messi, but there are similarities between their games. Both have quick feet and make great small dribbles, tap, tap, tap. Of course Messi has been doing it for 20 years and Sullivan for 10 games, so I am not comparing them. Messi is so much more efficient, something Sullivan can learn. On the second goal Messi took an extra off rhythm small dribble to open space to make his goal. It was subtle but brilliant.

Sullivan does not shoot well now, either for distance or for power, and his right foot is just okay. He will improve his shooting. There are few other weaknesses, and I contend that he and Reyna are the only two US players in the modern era who can think the game at the top level. His precociousness is crazy.

When his brother Quinn got in a scrap, Cavan jumped to his rescue, and I thought he was going to hurt someone. I think he was unfairly given a red card as all he did was push. But unfortunately he will suspended next game.

Good stuff.

I watched the highlights of the RBNY vs Nashville match (1-0 loss for RBNY) yesterday.

Despite that, every time I saw Adri Mehmeti get the ball in the highlights, he made a good turn and sharp decision, including a couple great passes to Julian Hall, who by contrast did not appear to have the greatest of matches. Several missed chances, at least half of them off passes from Mehmeti. Should have gotten at least one goal.

As for Justin Ellis in Orlando's 2-1 loss to Chicago, a more muted match, but didn't look bad before he was subbed out. Had one chance on a little loft from Griezman that was at a tough angle and was saved. He also had another where he made a nice, soft back-heel to Griezman on a double give-and-go and Griezman missed the shot.

So sluggo, or anyone else - with the European leagues getting set to start, should we put out a baseline for who should be in the USMNT main team roster for the 4 friendly matches coming up Sept. 26 - Oct. 6 against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada? These are friendlies, so a good time to play some young prospects, especially against Chile as we rest our starters for Mexico, but at the same time, we want many of the mainline starters there too because... well because I don't want us to lose to Mexico (or Canada, but that's a distant second). These matches are also bunched fairly close together, so while we should have our top line playing against Mexico, for the other matches, give others a chance to start and/or play significant minutes.

Let's assume for sake of argument a 4-2-3-1. Sure, it could be a 5-2-2-1 with wingbacks, but it's not that big a change based on our right wing/wingback personnel (that I'm proposing) of Dest/Gozo. So off the top of my head, here's a first stab (with some holes/missing pieces to fill in). Let me know your reaction.

First, some assumptions (hopes?). Pulisic is obviously part of the team's future, but he is injured and I think they should rest him until actual competitive matches, not friendlies. I also hope we all can thank center back Tim Ream and agree that it's time to bring in some younger blood and let the quality rise to the top. I also DON'T particularly want to see known quantities like goalie Matt Freese (for now), goalie Matt Turner (never again), wingback Tim Weah (for now), center back Miles Robinson (never again), center back Mark McKenzie (for now), wing Brenden Aaronson (for now), midfielder Alex Zendejas (for now), midfielder Christian Roldan (never again).

I also wanted to see Coventry's Haji Wright get some minutes at center forward in this World Cup, but he got essentially none with Pepi being the main backup to Balogun. Wright will be past his prime by 2030 and is injured anyway now I think, so I'm not including him.

Finally, I'm assuming that our players who seem to be leaning towards playing for other countries will continue to do so - like the Germans Noahkai Banks, who would definitely be in the mix at Center Back and right wingback Montrell Culbreath. Not including them here.

Ok, with that out of the way, here goes:

Goalkeepers (1 starter): (per the title of this thread, perhaps where the US cupboard is most bare)
* Chris Brady (22yo, Chicago Fire - MLS) - was the #3 goalie in this WC and the youngest. Let's see what he can do.
* Diego Kochen (20yo, Lyngby - Danish league) - our best young prospect? Could sub in another young GK here. But give whichever young guy it is at least one start, maybe against Chile.
* (Not sure who is the #3 GK - I guess just pick the best current US MLS goalie unless we can get one of our better foreign goalies abroad to commit to the US... Taishi Brandon Nozawa? One can dream. He would be Goalie#1 the second he switches from Japan to the US).

Center Backs (2 starters):
* Chris Richards (26yo, Crystal Palace - English Premier League) - no brainer.
* Auston Trusty (27yo, Glasgow Celtic - Scottish top league) - the contrast between Trusty and Miles Robinson in this WC's Turkiye match was stark! Trusty was better in every way than Mckenzie, let alone MRobinson.
* Neil Pierre (18yo, Philadelphia Union - MLS) - I like him a lot and I think sluggo is in love with him. =) Should ideally get one start - perhaps against Chile - plus time as a sub in other matches.
* ?? Not sure who to put at the 4th/5th spots here. What about George Campbell (25yo for West Brom in the English Championship League). It's not often that a fairly young American gets named captain of an English club side.

Left Outside Back (1 starter):
* Anotonee Robinson (29yo, Fulham - English Premier League) - clear starter but we need to find a replacement soon.
* Peyton Miller (18yo, New England Revolution - MLS) - not sure Miller is the answer at the World Cup level, but he is very young and starting for a good MLS team, so let's find out. Both Miller and ARob can play left wingback too in a 5-2-2-1. Miller plays left wing right now for New England.
* Not sure who would be a 3rd left back, if any? Don't really want to see Arfsten - another known quantity.

Right Outside Back (1 starter):
* Alex Freeman (22yo, Villareal - Spanish La Liga) - may have been the best US defender in this WC, better even than Richards.
* Not sure who his backup should be. Maybe Frankie Westfield, 20yo for Philadelphia Union? Or Yunus Musah who've I've listed below at holding mid. If we go 5-2-2-1, this problem goes away because Freeman becomes the third center back (backed up by Neil Pierre), and Sergino Dest/Zavier Gozo slide back from right wing to right wingback.

Holding Midfielder (2 starters): I would love to leave both Tyler Adams and Sebastian Berhalter off this squad because they are known quantities and good enough for minutes on the current USMNT, but not on the USMNT we want to become. Berhalter is also adjusting to a new club. Bring them back for non-friendly matches. But the fact is that Pochettino is probably going to have one, if not both on the roster, so I'll include them grudgingly. Note that I am putting Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman at attacking midfielder, even though they both played at holding mid much of this WC.
* Tyler Adams (27yo, Bournemouth - English Premier League) - sigh...
* Sebastian Berhalter (25yo, Middlesbrough - English Championship League) - sigh...
* Adri Mehmeti (17yo, Red Bull New York - MLS) - probably wishful thinking, but Mehmeti should get at least one start, probably against Chile.
* Yunus Musah (23yo, AC Milan - Italian Serie A) - bowing to sluggo's suggestion here.
* Not sure who a 5th holding mid would be. Maybe Tanner Tessman who will be 25yo by the time these matches happen, for Lyon in the French Ligue 1? Or Johnny Cardoso, 24yo for Atletico Madrid in the Spanish La Liga if he's healthy.

Attacking Midfielder, Center and Wing (3 starters): As stated above, resting Pulisic for these friendlies.
* Weston Mckennie (27yo, Juventus - Italian Serie A) - entrenched starter
* Malik Tillman (24yo, Bayer Leverkusen - German Bundesliga) - proved himself in this WC. Better at offensive mid, I think, than at holding mid.
* Serginio Dest (25yo, PSV Eindhoven - Netherlands Eredivisie) - decent right wing / wingback
* Gio Reyna (23yo, Strasbourg - French Ligue 1) - had his moments in this WC at center mid.
* Zavier Gozo (19yo, Crystal Palace - English Premier League) - heir apparent at right wing / wingback. Give him at least one start, perhaps against Chile.
* Cavan Sullivan (16yo, will turn 17 during these friendly matches, Phildadelphia Union - MLS) - has come on strong since missing this WC roster. Ditto on getting 1 start I hope at center or right mid.
* Mathis Albert (17yo, Borussia Dortmand - German Bundesliga) - heir apparent to Pulisic at left wing
* Possible 8th if we have one - Julian Hall (7yo, Red Bull New York - MLS) - I like Hall better at left wing than center forward. If I had to guess, Pochettino, unlike me, will prefer 25yo Brenden Aaronson of Leeds in the Premier League over Hall.

Center Forward:
* Folarin Balogun (25yo, Monaco - French Ligue 1) - best US striker.
* Ricardo Pepi (23yo, PSV Eindhoven - Netherlands Eredivisie) - sigh... see above on Haji Wright's window for development towards the World Cup having passed.
* Justin Ellis (19yo, Orlando City - MLS) - best young US striker prospect, though he can also play attacking center mid or second center forward in a 4-4-2.
* Listed Julian Hall above at wing/attacking mid, but he could be a center forward too.

So that's 26-28 players above. Not sure the roster will be that big. What do you think, sluggo (and others)?

Good post. I agree with most of what you wrote. The key is to integrate players that might help win a round of 16 game against a good but not great team like the Netherlands or Belgium.

Goalies: I don't rate Chris Brady. I would like to know about Roman Celetano of FC Cincy. I think Freese should be the starter until he is beaten out.
Central defenders: I think Mark MacKenzie should be the fourth guy. Until Banks realizes he will never get a sniff with Germany.
Outside backs: Very thin. No other suggestions.
Holding mids: Adams, Tillman (position in WC), Cardoso, Musah
Attacking midfielders and wings: Strongest position. New adds, Gozo, Sullivan, and Albert. I don't rate Hall or Aaronson
Lone striker: Balogun, Ellis, and then who cares. I saw Ellis highlights tonight. Awesome. And Griezemann is the best potential mentor because they play the same position. It is shocking how good Ellis is because he just started getting minutes. Same with Pierre, he was sent to some second division team in some weird league like Belgium because Philly did not want him and only returned after the World Cup. I think he will eventually sell for 40-50 million.

Don't everyone speak at once! I'll just be over here, conversing with the voices in my head... (written before sluggo's post above - we cross-posted).

Mostly from highlights (MLS) or box scores (European leagues), some notes on young US prospects whose teams played today (Sat. 8/22/26):

Mathis Albert (left wing) did not get any minutes as a starter or sub for Dortmund in their 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich. No shame in a close loss like that to a great team for the German "Supercup", a season-opening match between the previous season's Bundesliga champion and the German Cup champion. Hopefully Albert gets minutes in some of Dortmund's other matches.

Zavier Gozo (right wing/wingback) did not get any minutes as a starter or sub for Crystal Palace in their 2-0 loss at Everton. Not surprising, I guess, since he literally got there a couple days ago. (Starting USMNT center back Chris Richards did start and play the entire match in the unenviable position of being the sole central back in a 3-4-2-1 formation in the premier league... could be a long Premier League season for Crystal Palace).

Cavan Sullivan (offensive midfielder) had his late red card, and therefore suspension, rescinded from his previous match and played the first 74 minutes of Philadelphia Union's 1-1 draw with Austin and scored the only goal on a header from point blank range.

Neil Pierre (center back) may have had the better performance though, in that same match. While he nearly had one header for an assist, his defensive contributions were big. Austin might have scored a couple more times without his good play. The Austin goal of a corner was to the far post, and not Pierre's fault as he was assigned to the near post area and had it sealed off. Since we know what he can do aerially, I almost like to see that kind of defensive performance more than Pierre scoring goals.

Adri Mehmeti (holding midfielder) looked solid in Red Bull NY's 1-1 draw vs Chicago Fire. He just receives the ball so well and makes good decisions. Never looks rushed. I've seen it pointed out that this is the kind of player that is more likely to continue being good as he moves up to higher levels of play than the MLS.

Julian Hall (forward) seemed less impressive in the same match, and came out before RBNY equalized.

Justin Ellis (forward) came in as a sub at halftime in Orlando City's 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake (Gozo's old team). Orlando was down 1-0 when Ellis came in and Griezmann scored 2 in the second half to put them ahead. Ellis did not officially get an assist, but he might as well have. It was his good run down the right side and cross that forced the RSL goalie to go to ground to save the close-range shot, which rebounded to Griezmann for the first Orlando goal. Ellis also had a decent pass leading directly to an open shot from near the edge of the box that went off the post. Nothing spectacular, but seemed like a good performance. Like Mehmeti - seems very poised for his age.

Thanks for the reply!

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Goalies: I don't rate Chris Brady. I would like to know about Roman Celetano of FC Cincy. I think Freese should be the starter until he is beaten out.

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I might agree with the bolded for competitive matches (like during the November break) and perhaps for the friendly against Mexico. But for the other friendlies, at least against Peru or Chile, don't we need to see what other goalies can do against international competition? Brady, Celentano, whoever. Freese sets a low enough standard that I think USMNT need to give others a shot.

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Central defenders: I think Mark MacKenzie should be the fourth guy. Until Banks realizes he will never get a sniff with Germany.

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Oof. Mackenzie has been so meh for USMNT, and while he starts in Europe, it is for a mid-table Toulouse in a top-heavy French Ligue 1. Toulouse got smoked at home by Lyon today. Again, shouldn't we see what other center backs playing at a similar level can do. George Campbell for West Brom (captain there) was just my example, but it doesn't have to be him. No argument that if and when Banks comes back to the USMNT, he is on the roster and getting minutes.

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Outside backs: Very thin. No other suggestions.
Holding mids: Adams, Tillman (position in WC), Cardoso, Musah

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Are you leaving Mehmeti out for these friendlies? I would not. Also, could Musah play right outside back?

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Same with Pierre, he was sent to some second division team in some weird league like Belgium because Philly did not want him and only returned after the World Cup.

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It was the Danish club Lyngby (same as goalie prospect Diego Kochen) that Pierre was sent to. And he helped them get promoted to the top Danish division where they (and Kochen) are playing this season. Not that the Danish league is impressive, but I thought leading Lyngby to promotion was worth mentioning.

OneKeg said:

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Thanks for the reply!

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Goalies: I don't rate Chris Brady. I would like to know about Roman Celetano of FC Cincy. I think Freese should be the starter until he is beaten out.

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I might agree with the bolded for competitive matches (like during the November break) and perhaps for the friendly against Mexico. But for the other friendlies, at least against Peru or Chile, don't we need to see what other goalies can do against international competition? Brady, Celentano, whoever. Freese sets a low enough standard that I think USMNT need to give others a shot.

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Central defenders: I think Mark MacKenzie should be the fourth guy. Until Banks realizes he will never get a sniff with Germany.

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Oof. Mackenzie has been so meh for USMNT, and while he starts in Europe, it is for a mid-table Toulouse in a top-heavy French Ligue 1. Toulouse got smoked at home by Lyon today. Again, shouldn't we see what other center backs playing at a similar level can do. George Campbell for West Brom (captain there) was just my example, but it doesn't have to be him. No argument that if and when Banks comes back to the USMNT, he is on the roster and getting minutes.

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Outside backs: Very thin. No other suggestions.
Holding mids: Adams, Tillman (position in WC), Cardoso, Musah

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Are you leaving Mehmeti out for these friendlies? I would not. Also, could Musah play right outside back?

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Same with Pierre, he was sent to some second division team in some weird league like Belgium because Philly did not want him and only returned after the World Cup.

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It was the Danish club Lyngby (same as goalie prospect Diego Kochen) that Pierre was sent to. And he helped them get promoted to the top Danish division where they (and Kochen) are playing this season. Not that the Danish league is impressive, but I thought leading Lyngby to promotion was worth mentioning.

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I don't really care when players get integrated. We have almost four years. I trust that the quality guys will be used soon. Mehemeti, Sullivan, and Albert are the youngest born in '09. Will Poch go that young? He did not bring Gozo to the WC despite his unique trait of speed off the bench. Also, I think I know the player pool better than Poch. There was a rumor he brought in Tim Tillman by accident thinking it was his brother Malik. Tim is fine but playing in MLS for a reason.

I don't need to see Brady. But I agree on a wide net.

I think MacKenzie can fill a role. Lots of guys were tried out. Maybe Romero is the solution, but not sure why he has not been in the picture. Cupps might be able to fill a role if he gets transferred to somewhere he can play.

I forgot about Mehmeti. He is at the level to join. Musah has played right back in Italy, so I think he could be given a look there. Thanks for the color on Lyngby. Still Pierre should not have been there, he should have been starting on last place Philly or in the first division of say Spain.

Love the reports. You might be even more sick than I am. I am a little burned out, no summer offseason.

Since you are a more recent sicko, I hope it is okay to say the usual term is "made the bench." So Albert made the bench and did not play, while Gozo did not make the bench, but did score for the U21 team. I think Gozo will make the bench in a week or two once he has practiced enough with the team after his late signing. While Albert making the bench is great, they brought in a young guy as a reserve at his position who is frankly better than Albert in the 30 minutes I saw. So if he is third string left wing, he will not play this season. Hoping for the best.

In highlights, I thought Ellis was amazing. His combination play may look easy but almost no one on the USMNT can do that.

On the Union, Sullivan scored on an easy header but was otherwise quiet in the first half against a strong defender from the Honduran national team. In the second half, per usual, he was amazing. He set up 3 or 4 great goal scoring opportunities that were missed by his weak teammates. Poor brother Quinn has lost his position at right wing/midfielder until Cavan turns 18. Quinn came off the bench at left wing but struggled.

Pierre was quiet. The one goal they gave up was a keeper error. And they had few corners or free kicks where he could use his height. I did notice him much, which could be good for a defender.

sluggo said:

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Love the reports. You might be even more sick than I am. I am a little burned out, no summer offseason.

Since you are a more recent sicko, I hope it is okay to say the usual term is "made the bench." So Albert made the bench and did not play, while Gozo did not make the bench, but did score for the U21 team. I think Gozo will make the bench in a week or two once he has practiced enough with the team after his late signing. While Albert making the bench is great, they brought in a young guy as a reserve at his position who is frankly better than Albert in the 30 minutes I saw. So if he is third string left wing, he will not play this season. Hoping for the best.

In highlights, I thought Ellis was amazing. His combination play may look easy but almost no one on the USMNT can do that.

On the Union, Sullivan scored on an easy header but was otherwise quiet in the first half against a strong defender from the Honduran national team. In the second half, per usual, he was amazing. He set up 3 or 4 great goal scoring opportunities that were missed by his weak teammates. Poor brother Quinn has lost his position at right wing/midfielder until Cavan turns 18. Quinn came off the bench at left wing but struggled.

Pierre was quiet. The one goal they gave up was a keeper error. And they had few corners or free kicks where he could use his height. I did notice him much, which could be good for a defender.

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Below is the all touches video for Sullivan. He is noticeably quicker the last two or three weeks. I think it is confidence.

Unlike Pulisic who wants to play the game then go golf with his friends, Sullivan wants to be the face of US soccer. I think US soccer needs a player who crosses over to the non-soccer majority population. I would sell him as American Messi due to his height, position, and left-footedness. Ignoring that Messi has 20 years at the top flight and Sullivan has 10 games in MlS, I think they are different in style. Sullivan is more powerful and has more tricks, while Messi is more finesse and does the basics at an unworldly level.

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I don't need to see Brady. But I agree on a wide net.

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US Goalkeepers for Sept-Oct Friendlies: I'm good with leaving Brady out, butI don't think Poch will, as he was on the USMNT World Cup roster already. Has he done something to lose his spot? Anyway, I am going to amend my 3 GKs to be:
- Freese: you've convinced me, and he seems to be Poch's goalie. Turner should be out though.
- Kochen: not ready yet, but Poch had him on the dev training squad for the WC, so now's a good time to get his feet wet, maybe in a friendly against Peru or Chile.
- Some MLS goalie (not Turner). My guess is it's Brady, but also fine if it's someone else like Celentano.
- If somehow the US can get Brandon Taishi Nozawa away from Japan sometime these next few years, he instantly becomes GK#1. Unlikely, though.

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I think MacKenzie can fill a role. Lots of guys were tried out. Maybe Romero is the solution, but not sure why he has not been in the picture. Cupps might be able to fill a role if he gets transferred to somewhere he can play.

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US backup center backs: I wasn't sure who you mean by Romero as the only center back named Romero I know plays for Argentina. I was thinking George Campbell who captained West Brom (now 2-0) to a 3-1 win over Burnley today, with the only goal conceded being an own goal (not by Campbell). I think I'd rather try Campbell than Cupps at this stage who does not even play much for his MLS club (same to a lesser extent for Ian James). McKenzie's had his shot to show what he can do, and if Campbell (or whoever) sucks in the friendlies, then fine, bring McKenzie back to make the USMNT bench for the Nation's League matches in November which we need to win.

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Love the reports. You might be even more sick than I am. I am a little burned out, no summer offseason.

Since you are a more recent sicko, I hope it is okay to say the usual term is "made the bench."

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Thanks for the tip on the term "made the bench"! =)

There's no sicko like a new sicko! I'll burn out soon enough as this is the first time in my life following MLS. Also, I mostly only watch highlights, so it's much easier to spend 10-15 minutes on a few games than 90-100. I am for sure going to slow way down once Cal's football (and later basketball) season starts, as opposed to camp, which I find it impossible to draw conclusions from.

Ok sluggo - I think we've both been lukewarm on Peyton Miller as a prospect, but the highlights from the New England Revolution's 1-1 draw with NYCFC today are definitely a positive data point for Miller. He is all over them (#25 left wing), and probably should have finished with a goal and 2-3 assists, and that's aside from drawing a penalty on a good run. (He did actually finish with one assist... the penalty was missed).

He uses both feet well in these highlights and even manages a decent header (saved) on a cross at one point. His assist was a beautifully weighted one-touch left-footed volley center for an easy goal by the center forward. He also had a good long right-footed shot in the second half that went just wide, and another one touch rocket on a long pass that was saved. Finally on defense a nice block getting back and giving up his body to stop a close range shot without exposing his hands.

On the play that should have been Miller's goal, it was a finesse touch on a shot at an angle that was barely cleared off the line - Miller will learn to put just a tiny bit more pace on that in the future. It confirms my belief that Poch needs to call up Miller to back up A. Robinson at left back/wingback for this Sept-Oct friendly camp and let him start for one of the friendlies against Peru or Chile.

Check out these highlights (could not find a youtube link): https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2026/08/23/video-highlights-of-nycfcs-1-1-draw-in-new-england/

I also noticed from the highlights and box score that 16yo forward Judah Siqueira (#65) got around 40 minutes of second half playing time in a tight game - good for New England, playing their young prospects.

I feel like I also have to grudgingly mention that this match did also feature Matt Freese vs. Matt Turner as the goalies, both of whom seemed to have good games.

Before I get back to USMNT prospects, I am making one post about guys who are already there. I saw this year's FC Barcelona team play Elche, who might as well have been the Washington Generals. To Elche's credit, they tried to play soccer instead of bunker ball, but it might not have been the right decision as they lost 5-0. Barcelona had the best winger combo in the world in Raphina and Lamine Yamal, so of course they brought in Karim Adeyemi, who is the quickest player I have ever seen, and Anthony Gordon, two great wingers, and let their two strikers go. And they played three wingers. They also had the best midfield with players too numerous to list, so they added Rodri. I think Pedri, who they already had, is the best holding midfielder in the world, but Spain's coach thinks Rodri is, having both is ridiculous.

Watching them is pure soccer joy. I can only compare them to the Durant Warriors on the joy level. If you have an extra $15/month or whatever ESPNPLUS is, it is worth the spend. If not, look for them on weeks that they play on ABC.

Surprised to hear Gordon has signed with Barca, I'm not sure if he's good enough to be starting there by the end of this season.

Cal88 said:

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Surprised to hear Gordon has signed with Barca, I'm not sure if he's good enough to be starting there by the end of this season.

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Nice to have you back on this thread!

You might be able to answer this. Who do you think the best midfield in your soccer lifetime is? Ignoring FCB, I would say ManU of Scholes, Beckham and Giggs. Do you remember who else they had? I remember Solksjaer coming off the bench, but thought he played more up front. Maybe there is a Real Madrid midfield that was better during the Galacticos period, but I just don't like them.

Barca's best midfield is probably considered Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. But for quality and depth, Rodri, Pedri, Fermin (a player I love but is overlooked), De Jong, Olmo, Bernal (who I also love) and Gavi (who I think is overrated because he has a good name and is short) is out of a video game, not real life.

As to Gordon, I think he will be first man of the bench. He looked great yesterday. Playing all the competitions they do, and with their finesse style, they seem to have more injuries than anyone. The depth now is amazing at all but center back. And their coach is too aggressive, if they played regular defense, they would almost never lose.

OneKeg said:

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Ok sluggo - I think we've both been lukewarm on Peyton Miller as a prospect, but the highlights from the New England Revolution's 1-1 draw with NYCFC today are definitely a positive data point for Miller. He is all over them (#25 left wing), and probably should have finished with a goal and 2-3 assists, and that's aside from drawing a penalty on a good run. (He did actually finish with one assist... the penalty was missed).

He uses both feet well in these highlights and even manages a decent header (saved) on a cross at one point. His assist was a beautifully weighted one-touch left-footed volley center for an easy goal by the center forward. He also had a good long right-footed shot in the second half that went just wide, and another one touch rocket on a long pass that was saved. Finally on defense a nice block getting back and giving up his body to stop a close range shot without exposing his hands.

On the play that should have been Miller's goal, it was a finesse touch on a shot at an angle that was barely cleared off the line - Miller will learn to put just a tiny bit more pace on that in the future. It confirms my belief that Poch needs to call up Miller to back up A. Robinson at left back/wingback for this Sept-Oct friendly camp and let him start for one of the friendlies against Peru or Chile.

Check out these highlights (could not find a youtube link): https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2026/08/23/video-highlights-of-nycfcs-1-1-draw-in-new-england/

I also noticed from the highlights and box score that 16yo forward Judah Siqueira (#65) got around 40 minutes of second half playing time in a tight game - good for New England, playing their young prospects.

I feel like I also have to grudgingly mention that this match did also feature Matt Freese vs. Matt Turner as the goalies, both of whom seemed to have good games.

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I watched the highlights. I agree that Miller looks spectacular in them. I want to see more. This is the most I have ever seen him. At the least, he seems capable of being Robinson's backup when a like-for-like sub is made. Robinson is taller and faster and much more experienced, so I don't think Miller will beat him out any time soon. But we do needs players who can give 80-90% of what a starter gives, when right now it is more like 50% (using totally made up numbers). Like Tillman to Berhalter is a big drop.

If Miller is going to be added to my list of first class players (Pierre, Sullivan, Gozo, Mehmeti, and Albert), he needs to show he can beat people off the dribble. Maybe he can, but it was not on the highlights.

Have not head of Siqueira. Strikers mature later, so getting minutes at that age makes him one to watch.

Freese looks the part. Broad shoulders to fight the battles that are now common in the box. He maximizes his talent, it is just that it is not that high. Turner looks like human anxiety. He has more talent but is less consistent and is not strong enough IMO. I think looks matter at keeper to give confidence.

Every time I see Brady he is making a blunder. Every time I see Celantano (thanks for the spelling correction), he is doing good things. For goalies I trust the eye test. I did not quote reply your post and I was using my phone so I could not see it, and somehow I remembered Campbell as Romero. I should have just said your guy. Cupps needs to play, but I do think he could be a solid backup. MacKenzie is someone we don't ever want to play but is not a defensive menace like Ream.

As a sicko, you need to figure out how to save $15 a month (or whatever it is) on something and get ESPNPLUS to watch Barca. Tell your wife it is good for your mental health. It might be the most fun season of our lifetimes. I am not being hyperbolic.

It might have been better for Gordon to start for a good EPL team than to sub for Barca, we'll see.

Best midfielders in the period I've followed, going back all the way to the late 70s, and excluding attacking midfielders that blur the lines (Zidane, Platini, Hagi, Cruyff, Ronaldinho etc) :

Socrates for Brazil. aka the Doctor both because he was a real MD, and a cerebral, supercalm leader-operator on the pitch.
Zico, who along with Socrates formed the greatest midfield duo of all time, along with Platini-Tigana for France and Zidane-Modric for Real Madrid.





Pirlo (Italy) il Maestro - arguably the best passer of all time, a creative genius, deadly accuracy on freekicks and run of the play with a superb first touch.



Jean Tigana (France) Fluid, graceful, tactical, part of France's legendary Carre' Magique diamond center formation




Lothar Mattaus - perhaps the best, most complete German footballer of all time



Gunter Netzer - mid 1970s elegant, class footballer, touch, vision, style and accuracy, paired with another German great midfielder Paul Breitner both on the Mannschaft and at Real.





Breitner

Fernando Redando (Argentina) "El Principe" - the prince - elegant, intelligent, creative, beautiful touch on the ball, pure class on and off the field. Zidane considers him the best midfielder he's ever seen. Redando beat a Manchester United team at its peak on the road, scoring the most iconic assist in the history of the Champions League:







Both Netzer and Redando became playmakers at Real, which has always valued those types of creative artists on the field. Zidane and Modric are from that very same lineage at Real.

If you watch some of these highlights, you will understand why soccer is not about athleticism, most of these all time greats were average athletes (Breitner, Mattaus excepted). What they had was genius, creativity, vision paired with tremendous skills.

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I watched the highlights. I agree that Miller looks spectacular in them. I want to see more. This is the most I have ever seen him. At the least, he seems capable of being Robinson's backup when a like-for-like sub is made. Robinson is taller and faster and much more experienced, so I don't think Miller will beat him out any time soon. But we do needs players who can give 80-90% of what a starter gives, when right now it is more like 50% (using totally made up numbers). Like Tillman to Berhalter is a big drop.

If Miller is going to be added to my list of first class players (Pierre, Sullivan, Gozo, Mehmeti, and Albert), he needs to show he can beat people off the dribble. Maybe he can, but it was not on the highlights.

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Oh, I'm not saying Miller is at the same level as those very top US prospects (or even Ellis). It's just that until watching these highlights, I wasn't sure if he even had the potential to make a USMNT senior roster. Now I think he does, though likely as a decent sub as you said, not a star.

And I think position matters. We have a larger number of talented offensive midfielders and wingers coming up. So we are looking for potentially elite players there. At left back (my son's position, incidentally)? We have to take what we can get. Because without Antonee Robinson, who is among the oldest of that cohort of players at 29yo right now, we might otherwise be DOA at left back. Data points like that Revs-NYCFC match provide evidence that Peyton Miller may develop into a potential option for the 2030 and future USMNT not to not fall completely off a cliff if Jedi can't go or is subbed out (much as you said). I'd say the same for a Miller-level player at center back if we didn't have Pierre coming up, or at holding midfielder if we didn't have Mehmeti coming up.

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As a sicko, you need to figure out how to save $15 a month (or whatever it is) on something and get ESPNPLUS to watch Barca. Tell your wife it is good for your mental health. It might be the most fun season of our lifetimes. I am not being hyperbolic.

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Ha! I know if I said I want to get ESPN+, my wife would agree as she trusts me to know what's worth it. But let me play devils advocate. I don't give a runny crap about Barca or any of its great players other than their dazzling soccer. Same with any other professional club, MLS, European or otherwise, with the exception of Middlesbrough in the Championship leaugue due to the Cal - Boro fandom trade with my friend and coworker. (Aside: ironic that this now causes me to watch matches and highlights featuring mediocre to borderline USMNT players like Berhalter, Arfsten and Morris).

So anyway if I just want to watch dazzling soccer, why can't I just watch free extended youtube highlights after the fact rather than watching every Barca match in full? (Just watched the highlights of the 5-0 win over Elche... impressive how easy they make it look). I do appreciate the heads up, so now I know to watch Barca's highlights, along with all the good content that you (and Cal88 above) provide showing some great players.

By contrast, I do care a lot about the USMNT and international soccer, especially in the World Cup. I can't really explain it, but it's true. The result is, I'd like to watch the entire club match (for both good and bad) where a US player or prospect plays, even if they're nowhere near as good as the Barca guys. I can sometimes do that with what I have Fox/FS1, USA, CBS Sports Network. I may use the free promo my wife is getting soon for AppleTV (for Ted Lasso, which she really likes and I sort of like) to also watch MLS. And if not, well , I go back to highlights. Again, I don't care about any of the actual pro clubs (other than Boro).

Maybe it's kind of adjacent to how I follow Cal Football like a madman, but for the NFL, a higher level of play, will mostly just watch highlights and follow Cal players in the NFL. Almost never watch a full NFL game.

I agree with everything you said about Miller. As we are so thin at the position, he may be very useful during the coming cycle. I did forget to mention Ellis, we have a big six coming through. Good times. So different that five of six came through MLS, all but Albert.

As to Barca, they are fundamentally different than anything out there. Watching them to me is like listening to Mozart or seeing a Van Gogh painting, there was only one and there will only ever be one. They transcend the game. Every second is a delight. I could not say anything stronger. I have never even been to Spain.

Watching highlights, meh. That is for MLS when the Union are not playing. But we all express our sickness differently. You may have a slightly different strain than I do, though it does seems as strong.

I appreciate the history lesson, some of which I knew, some of which I did not. I will enjoy the highlights. I agree that at the highest level, Spain and Barca, the game is about skill. Speed and athleticism is most important on the wing, which all the best teams have. I don't think I can convince you about how the game has changed over time, but PSG being twice consecutive Champions League winners should. They are fantastically athletic and merely good at skill and teamwork.

Man, MLS really looking like the mediocre-at-best league that it is in these Leagues Cup matches against Liga MX. On their way to 0-4 in the quarterfinals today.

Admittedly, I'm not watching any of the matches today, but in the Leagues Cup matches I have seen, the Mexican teams, in addition to a slight advantage in quality (on average, not in every case), play with a relentless intensity and refuse-to-die attitude that the MLS teams do not seem to match. More reminiscent of the top European leagues, even though Liga MX is worse than the top European leagues in quality.

By contrast, watching MLS sometimes feels like watching one glorified exhibition match after another. That's one thing I have to say I do love about Cavan Sullivan. Apart from his talent, his intensity and relentlessness stand out in comparison to all the Grade B (or past their prime) international (and US) players collecting a paycheck from MLS teams.

(Just my rough impressions - not intending to insult anyone's favorite MLS teams or players).

MLS teams are a bunch of hired guns from all over the world. Mexican teams are stocked with mostly Mexican players, perhaps local Mexican players (I am not sure). I think that makes a difference. The quality of MLS is low as the league has been focused more on the business side than the soccer side. The way to change things, I think, is to let American players play as they develop and have a more long term outlook. Some teams are doing this.