KCup17 said:

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Julian Araujo switches allegiances to Mex...

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Not surprising with the saga that's been running since the summer. On the grand scheme of things, Pepi was a much bigger get than Araujo due to the need at the #9 position. It's not saying I wouldn't want Araujo to play for USMNT but if you had to choose between the two, I would suspect 99% would choose Pepi.

Not gonna lie, I'm actually not upset about Brooks not coming.

… but the fact that I'm not upset makes me sad.

I mean, guys like John Brooks grew up in Europe and now he gets to go on Intl "break" to visit places like San Salvador, Honduras, Trinidad, etc. …and he gets to go from playing with and against some very technical players and sound tactics to technical players with chaotic mayhem, dirty cheap shots, and even more feigned injuries and dives than he sees in Europe. What's not to get excited about?

It's the painful paradox:

We need guys with significant MLS experience to help us get past CONCACAF, because they know how to play that way and they don't have to deign to do so.

But we absolutely need our most talented players for the World Cup, and many of them spent their entire professional careers in Europe.

What's encouraging is that we're getting better at having both. We used to have a whole lot of players who were either-or. We had dual-nationals who barely sniffed the States and MLS guys who rarely (and barely) sniffed Europe. But now we're getting to point that MLS is becoming a pathway to Europe, and I think those guys (Adams, Aaronson, etc) are going to be strengths in both competitions.

Here we go!!!!

Current Standings:

Country Points
1. Mexico 7
2. Canada 5
3. United States 5
4. Panama 5
5. Costa Rica 2
6. Honduras 2
7. El Salvador 2
8. Jamaica 1

USMNT ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 23/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 10/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 4/0), Sergino Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 13/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 7/0), Shaq Moore (Tenerife/ESP; 11/1), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 3/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 15/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 12/2), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 67/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 17/2)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 40/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 17/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED: 3/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 32/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 25/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 6/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 28/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/AUT; 10/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 8/0), Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca/ESP; 5/1), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 1/1), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 13/1), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 62/14)
Key missing players: Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, John Brooks, Tim Ream

Second Set of Games for US:

This set of games is where the U.S. needs to open a gap over the pack, as they play arguably several of the weaker teams in the Octagonal and get 2 of the three matches at home.

Oct. 7 vs. Jamaica (@ Austin) (#50 World Ranking, #4 CONCACAF). Jamaica challenged the US in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup before a late goal from Matt Hoppe sent the US through. It will be a much different squad the Reggae Boyz face in Austin, and a three point outcome would be very much in need. But the US needs to be careful, this Jamaica roster has a lot of talent up top, and is very capable of sitting back and counter-attacking.

Jamaica Roster:
Sitting second on the English Premier League scoring charts with five goals this season, West Ham United striker Michail Antonio headlines the list of English-based players on the roster. He's joined by goalkeeper Dillon Barnes (Queens Park Rangers), defenders Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Liam Moore (Reading), midfielder Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) and forwards Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham), Andre Gray (Queens Park Rangers) and Jamal Lowe (AFC Bournemouth).

Other overseas-based players include defender Damion Lowe (Al-Ittihad, Egypt), midfielders Kemar Roofe (Rangers, Scotland) and Tyreek Magee (Eupen, Belgium) and forward Shamar Nicholson (Charleroi, Belgium), who has scored both of Jamaica's goals in the Octagonal.

The Philadelphia Union is the most represented MLS squad with two players - goalkeeper Andre Blake and defender Alvas Powell. The USL Championship has two players - midfielder Devon Williams (Miami FC) and forward Junior Flemmings (Birmingham Legion). Besides the Union duo, Jamaica also boasts players from the LA Galaxy (defender Oniel Fisher), Toronto FC (defender Kemar Lawrence) and (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Javain Brown.

Backup goalkeeper Dennis Taylor and defender Je-Vaughn Watson are the only two domestic-based players, playing for Humble Lions F.C. of the Jamaica National Premier League. Defender Adrian Mariappa, who last played for Bristol City (England) is unattached.

Projected US Line-up:

___________________________Steffen___________________________

Dest-----------------M. Robinson-------------McKenzie----------------A. Robinson

----------------------Adams------------------------------------Acosta --------------------

Weah------------------------------- McKennie-------------------------------Aaronson

---------------------------------------Pepi----------------------------------------------------



Oct. 10 - at Panama (#74 World Ranking, #8 CONCACAF). Panama are a bit of a team on the rebuild after their qualification for the World Cup in 2018 when Los Canaleros were surprise World Cup qualifiers at the Americans' expense. The US has fared better in Panama over the years than in other Central American stops, going 3-0-2 in Panama in WCQ. Will be interesting to see how deep Berhalter goes in his roster, but I could see another Kellyn Acosta type defensive battle here.

Will provide Panama Roster closer to match.



Oct. 13 - vs. Costa Rica (@Columbus) (#44 World Ranking, #3 CONCACAF) The last home qualifier against Los Ticos was a disastrous 2-0 loss at Red Bull Arena in Sept. 2017 that cost Bruce Arena's men decisive points. Costa Rica is not the same team they once were, and again this third game in a set of three is where the US depth should shine though. Costa Rica will travel to Honduras and play El Salvador at home before the trip to Columbus.

Will provide Ticos roster closer to game.


See US finishing these three games 2-0-1 (7 points) for a total of 12 points.