I should preface what I'm about to say by saying that I watched exactly 0.0 seconds of the Gold Cup games. But I think this tournament was always going to feel a bit like a chore that needed to be done and not reveal anything of substantial use.

I'm sure some players performed well relative to their peers or relative to expectations. And I'm sure the very young players like Cowell can use this experience as step 6 in a 25 step journey to a USMNT A team player. But for the most part, the die has already been cast for the large majority of these players. Their potential has largely been tapped. We know what they are and this tournament wasn't a step in a long journey but rather a final destination of sorts.

And that's fine. I get why this tournament was used in this manner and even agree with it. But it really just felt like a late January friendly on steroids.

Never want to see our boys lose, but man these were tough games to watch. Zero creativity in the midfield, poor first touches and just bad football in many spots. Please tell me they don't do a stupid 3rd place match in this crappy tournament.

One more comment, I don't want to discard Zendejas after this tournament. Z didn't look great in his appearances, can't argue that. I think a lot of his poor performances can be pinned on inexperienced teammates. I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do. I think he was a level above the other guys and wasn't quite good enough to bring them up to his level. Give them some time playing together and I think they would learn to work it, but it looked like crap this tourney. In short, don't lump Z in with the other scrubs just yet.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Never want to see our boys lose, but man these were tough games to watch. Zero creativity in the midfield, poor first touches and just bad football in many spots. Please tell me they don't do a stupid 3rd place match in this crappy tournament.

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Agreed.

What has been helpful for me in putting this tournament in perspective is that we came in with 2 goals. 1. To win the tourney and defend the title and the 2. Is to give young players an opportunity to make a case for the 26 man squad for bigger tournaments.
On the first count we didn't succeed. Played pretty poorly and without much creativity. On the second front I'd also add that none of these players really did much to make a case for themselves to make that squad. Obviously Turner but other than that I was pretty meh on a lot of them after yesterdays game.
So I guess on the second point we achieved our goal and realized that none of these players are putting pressure on our top squad.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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One more comment, I don't want to discard Zendejas after this tournament. Z didn't look great in his appearances, can't argue that. I think a lot of his poor performances can be pinned on inexperienced teammates. I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do. I think he was a level above the other guys and wasn't quite good enough to bring them up to his level. Give them some time playing together and I think they would learn to work it, but it looked like crap this tourney. In short, don't lump Z in with the other scrubs just yet.

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not sure about this I saw a lot bad touches and poor decision making in the final 3rd...and Vazquez is awful looks like a lurch up there he can stay in MLS

Quote:

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I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do.

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I'm not ready to give up on a young player, but I do think he tended to receive the ball and immediately put his head down try to take on multiple people. Honestly Pulisic does it a lot as well, but has better control/vision and can still make a pass. Z tended to lose the ball quickly. He just needs more coaching and experience. This is the national team and you have to play as 1 of 11 guys, not 1 of 1.

Honestly there was quite a bit of selfish play over this tournament. Guys really trying to impress so they can get called up in the future.

Mathguy64 said:

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I think you found depth.

Cowell is very raw and very young. Give him 4 years to develop something of a touch.

Jesus solidified his position in terms of depth. He's not starting on the A squad but B teams are very real things and who knows how injuries will play out.

Vazquez is very young and raw and is B team depth.

The rest is deep depth.

Some of what's here would have made a very good Olympic team a year from now if they were still on a U23 team. Then again our senior team would be a hell of an Olympic team if they weren't playing big boy ball.

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I don't disagree with any of this. But also, we already sort of knew all of it before the tournament. The depth guys were already depth guys. The B team guys were already B team guys. The guys who were raw are still raw.

It was a second tier tourney and we sent out second tier guys. If all we got out of the endeavor was some competition reps for the second tier guys, that's fine! I was just hoping we'd see someone take a big step forward and I don't think I saw that happen. Which is okay!

Is the consensus that some/most of this team will also be playing at the Olympics? If not, I would have liked us to bring in some guys who will be in that tournament just to give them experience of an international tournament.

I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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Maybe the coaches felt like they already had a handle on Pepi, Shaq, Aaronson, Tillman, etc. and didn't need/want to take a deeper look at them in this tournament. There were a LOT of new faces out there, which is great when you are looking for depth. We all knew that once the roster was released save for the vets on the team like Yedlin, Morris and Miazga (all 3 should be done with USMNT appearances at this point). All that to say, the powers that be obviously approached this like a C-team tournament so we got the roster we did as a result. And I don't hate it - Gold Cup accounts for very little but provides a great opportunity to get the lower level guys some international experience. Quality of play was about what I would expect given the players on the field and bench.

Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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yep, also don't get that. national team caps are simply different from anything out there and no amount of league play whether MLS or international will replace valuable experience with the national team. I'd have liked a B team compromise of A, B and C team guys rather than all C team plus Matt Turner and a couple of possible B teamers. I don't get it.

Also, I get it's just the Gold Cup, but why open the door to any scrutiny of the USMNT when it's been such a dumpster fire following the WC? the optics alone of fielding a better product was a huge missed opportunity IMO. USMNT gonna USMNT.

Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

carl spacklers hat said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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Maybe the coaches felt like they already had a handle on Pepi, Shaq, Aaronson, Tillman, etc. and didn't need/want to take a deeper look at them in this tournament. There were a LOT of new faces out there, which is great when you are looking for depth. We all knew that once the roster was released save for the vets on the team like Yedlin, Morris and Miazga (all 3 should be done with USMNT appearances at this point). All that to say, the powers that be obviously approached this like a C-team tournament so we got the roster we did as a result. And I don't hate it - Gold Cup accounts for very little but provides a great opportunity to get the lower level guys some international experience. Quality of play was about what I would expect given the players on the field and bench.

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The coaches having a handle on the players is fine.. but those players need to have a handle on international caps. Particularly against our region's teams. Feels like piss poor management from the USSF - which has been atrocious most of my life.

And, as far as the federation is concerned, they just won a trophy against better competition a month ago.

jeffk said:

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Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

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You'd think their clubs would want them to play live games - more valuable than training pitch crap 50 days before the season. Idk..

Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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Pepi - just got a transfer to a new club, he needs to be in preseason training with PSV.

Tillman - both the Tillman brothers were injured; Malik still needs to sort out his club situation as Bayern said no to the Celtics to make his loan permanent

Sargent - was injured so missed the Nations League roster and he needs to be with his team for preseason as he is the starting #9 (for the first time) at Norwich now they've moved Pukki to MLS

Aaronson - Was on the Nations League roster and needs a break. Also he just got a loan to Union Berlin and needs to be in preseason camp with

Moore - He's at best fighting for #3 RB on the full team along with Cannon and Reynolds. Personally I like Reynolds the best out of the three for highest ceiling

I thought Jones was ok at LB not great but you're still looking at someone fighting for the #4 LB on the national team.

akm91 said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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Pepi - just got a transfer to a new club, he needs to be in preseason training with PSV.

Tillman - both the Tillman brothers were injured; Malik still needs to sort out his club situation as Bayern said no to the Celtics to make his loan permanent

Sargent - was injured so missed the Nations League roster and he needs to be with his team for preseason as he is the starting #9 (for the first time) at Norwich now they've moved Pukki to MLS

Aaronson - Was on the Nations League roster and needs a break. Also he just got a loan to Union Berlin and needs to be in preseason camp with

Moore - He's at best fighting for #3 RB on the full team along with Cannon and Reynolds. Personally I like Reynolds the best out of the three for highest ceiling

I thought Jones was ok at LB not great but you're still looking at someone fighting for the #4 LB on the national team.

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All fair points except Jones.. why tf you need a 4th option LB. Its almost a foregone conclusion that if Jedi is injured, then we'll play Dest at LB.

Aggies1322 said:

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jeffk said:

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Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

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You'd think their clubs would want them to play live games - more valuable than training pitch crap 50 days before the season. Idk..

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They also don't want their players to get hurt before the season. Also, if I'm not mistaken, some European league are already in their presason.

the winter world cup really screwed up the schedule.

If you need to rotate both Jedi and Dest in a tournment, you'd have to choose whether you want Scally and Jones or Reynolds and Jones as your FB's.

LarryElder said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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One more comment, I don't want to discard Zendejas after this tournament. Z didn't look great in his appearances, can't argue that. I think a lot of his poor performances can be pinned on inexperienced teammates. I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do. I think he was a level above the other guys and wasn't quite good enough to bring them up to his level. Give them some time playing together and I think they would learn to work it, but it looked like crap this tourney. In short, don't lump Z in with the other scrubs just yet.

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not sure about this I saw a lot bad touches and poor decision making in the final 3rd...and Vazquez is awful looks like a lurch up there he can stay in MLS

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agree with the 1st point. Zendejas generally looked terrible every minute he playes.

as for the 2nd, Vasquez was bad last night. no doubt about it.

but, he was pretty good coming in as a sub in prior matches.

thinking through the player pool off the top of my head (I'm sure I'm missing some). Gold Cup roster in bold.

#9 CF/strikers:
Balogan, Pepi, Ferreira, Pefok, Haji Wright, Dike, Sargent, Vazquez

#7/#11 wingers:
Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Brendan Aaronson, Gioannochi, Konrad de la Fuente, Matthew Hoppe, Cade Cowell, Zendejas, Gressell, Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola

#10/#8 CM/CAM:
McKennie, Musah, LDLT, Malik Tilman, Paxton Aaronson, Mihailovic, Roldan, Pomykal, Eryk Williamson?, Aiden Morris, Alan Sonora,

#6 CDM:
Tyler Adams, Johnny?, James Sands, Kellyn Acosta, Busio?

#2:
Dest, Scally, Reggie Cannon, Byron Reynolds, Shaq Moore, Deandre Yedlin,

#3:
Jedi, Sam Vines, George Bello, DeJuan Jones, John Tolken

#4/5 CB:
Chris Richards, CCV, EPB, Zimmerman, Ream, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Miazga, Jalen Neal, Aaron Long

There are some versatile players in the pool that can play other positions well too.. Sargent and Weah have played RWB for club. Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson can play 10 or wing. Dest and Scally can play on the left side. Adams and Sands can move back from 6 and play 4 & 5 respectively. Ream can play LB in a pinch. Busio and Acosta can move up from 6 and play 8.

This GC roster was truly a B team though. GK was our #1 first choice keeper. Ferreria and a healthy Miles Robinson might be 1st choice players. This was a good opportunity for some younger guys who have a chance to work their way in later in the 2026 cycle. Sands, Mihailovic, Cowell, Vazquez looked promising. Neal was good vs St. Kitts and Trinidad, but bad vs Canada; his development will interesting to watch.

I don't think Greggg should need to see some like Aaron Long or DeAndre Yedlin again; they won't be in the picture.

I would have liked to see Slonina get some action in goal, maybe vs St. Kitts or something.

jeffk said:

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Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

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Exactly.

wangus12 said:

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Quote:

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I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do.

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I'm not ready to give up on a young player, but I do think he tended to receive the ball and immediately put his head down try to take on multiple people. Honestly Pulisic does it a lot as well, but has better control/vision and can still make a pass. Z tended to lose the ball quickly. He just needs more coaching and experience. This is the national team and you have to play as 1 of 11 guys, not 1 of 1.

Honestly there was quite a bit of selfish play over this tournament. Guys really trying to impress so they can get called up in the future.

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Zendejas is 25. It's not like he's 20.

oh no said:

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I would have liked to see Slonina get some action in goal, maybe vs St. Kitts or something.

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yea, it's crazy to me that we haven't given a cap to Slonina yet.

akm91 said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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jeffk said:

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Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

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You'd think their clubs would want them to play live games - more valuable than training pitch crap 50 days before the season. Idk..

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They also don't want their players to get hurt before the season. Also, if I'm not mistaken, some European league are already in their presason.

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Most European pro teams started their preseason trainings last week or this week. Arsenal are playing a preseason match right now. 100% those teams would rather have their players with them than playing internationally.

tejas_ayanem said:

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Ag Since 83 said:

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If this US team had won this tournament CONCACAF would have been even more of a joke.

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CONCACAF is a joke, finals should always be US/MEX.

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This. Disappointed no Mexico vs USA final. Those are always way more fun.

wangus12 said:

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akm91 said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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jeffk said:

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Some of those Euro based guys were moving teams this summer and/or needed to be back abroad training.

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You'd think their clubs would want them to play live games - more valuable than training pitch crap 50 days before the season. Idk..

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They also don't want their players to get hurt before the season. Also, if I'm not mistaken, some European league are already in their presason.

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Most European pro teams started their preseason trainings last week or this week. Arsenal are playing a preseason match right now. 100% those teams would rather have their players with them than playing internationally.

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Yep, Sargent had a friendly last weekend.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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One more comment, I don't want to discard Zendejas after this tournament. Z didn't look great in his appearances, can't argue that. I think a lot of his poor performances can be pinned on inexperienced teammates. I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do. I think he was a level above the other guys and wasn't quite good enough to bring them up to his level. Give them some time playing together and I think they would learn to work it, but it looked like crap this tourney. In short, don't lump Z in with the other scrubs just yet.

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Sorry, but Z was a lower level player!

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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tejas_ayanem said:

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Ag Since 83 said:

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If this US team had won this tournament CONCACAF would have been even more of a joke.

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CONCACAF is a joke, finals should always be US/MEX.

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This. Disappointed no Mexico vs USA final. Those are always way more fun.

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US was not competitive!

Aggies1322 said:

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carl spacklers hat said:

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Aggies1322 said:

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I just don't get why we played C team guys… guys like Pepi, Shaq Moore, Aaronson, Tillman, Sargent who I think are probably b team/future guys would've found the opportunity invaluable. Guys like Gressel and the LB just aren't it.. thought the midfield selections were okay.. RB selection was fine.. CBs we're fine.. that LB was such a head scratcher. Then all the wingers they brought were basically dog ****, save for Cowells potential.

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Maybe the coaches felt like they already had a handle on Pepi, Shaq, Aaronson, Tillman, etc. and didn't need/want to take a deeper look at them in this tournament. There were a LOT of new faces out there, which is great when you are looking for depth. We all knew that once the roster was released save for the vets on the team like Yedlin, Morris and Miazga (all 3 should be done with USMNT appearances at this point). All that to say, the powers that be obviously approached this like a C-team tournament so we got the roster we did as a result. And I don't hate it - Gold Cup accounts for very little but provides a great opportunity to get the lower level guys some international experience. Quality of play was about what I would expect given the players on the field and bench.

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The coaches having a handle on the players is fine.. but those players need to have a handle on international caps. Particularly against our region's teams. Feels like piss poor management from the USSF - which has been atrocious most of my life.

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You won't get an argument from me regarding the USSF. Nepotism and incompetence are the two words I think of first re: USSF. But I digress.

In regards to this roster, I'm actually in favor of getting these tertiary players international experience. Almost all of the first choice plays in Europe, where the level of competition is WAY better than this Gold Cup competition. I could see where some of the "B" teamers could benefit from this tournament but as has been noted above, those that you called out by name are in pre-season camps or already playing matches, so either not available or focused on where they make their bread.

Sure, it would be great to win this one but we just won the CONCACAF Nations League and running out our first choice squad would have felt like overkill, IMO. In other words, a third-level tournament warrants a third-level roster.

Its not even up to the USSF, its the clubs where these players play. They were just not available for one reason or another. Simple as that.

Regarding the Olympics, maybe some of these players will be on that team, but the Olympics is 23 and under with 3 over age players allowed.

Unfortunately, I dont think the olympics is in an international window either so I dont think they are required to release players.
So hopefully we will get our top players from this age range, but some of them may not be released again.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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One more comment, I don't want to discard Zendejas after this tournament. Z didn't look great in his appearances, can't argue that. I think a lot of his poor performances can be pinned on inexperienced teammates. I think Z was forced to dribble into players because the other guys on the field didn't know how to make the runs and anticipate what Z was trying to do. I think he was a level above the other guys and wasn't quite good enough to bring them up to his level. Give them some time playing together and I think they would learn to work it, but it looked like crap this tourney. In short, don't lump Z in with the other scrubs just yet.

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To me, Z looked like a player that didn't match stylistically with anything else they were doing nor did he make himself a commanding presence. Unless he gets really really hot a la Hercules Gomez 2010, I just don't see what he adds that you won't already have. I do think he needs to go to Europe or back to MLS as the style in Liga MX contrasts with the majority of the rest of the team and he didn't show he was able to adapt.

The only thing that came out of this tournament for me was:

• Turner is clear #1
• Ferreira is a good poacher, but should be used off the bench with the A team in late time to see if he can sniff a goal
• Cowell is raw but shows flashes
• Would be fine to never see Roldan, Morris, Busio, Miazga, or Gressel suit up for the national team again
• We better hope the core A team is healthy and in good form heading into 2026