Scissors&Tape
Well-Known Member
- May 17, 2018
- 259
- 1,007
Last year around this time the U.S. Men's National Team failed to qualify for the World Cup when they lost to Trinidad & Tobago. There was certainly some bad luck involved. T&T scored on a 40 yard worldie and a shanked clearance that ended up an own goal, and there were some other unlikely results that day that pushed the US to fourth (one involving a goal that never crossed the line).
But the U.S. never should have been that close to the margin. So, it was hoped that a silver lining to the defeat would be that U.S. Soccer would finally end its love affair with M.L.S. veterans, and accelerate the inclusion of the younger generation, many of whom have been developing overseas.
Thankfully, this has come to pass. The interim head coach, Dave Sarachan, has routinely fielded very young teams in the international friendlies. They tied France 1-1 in the final tuneup before the World Cup, and this week several of the veterans culpable in the defeat to T&T sat on the bench watching the youngsters in an entertaining match against Peru.
So, I thought I would start this thread highlighting some of the members of this next generation.
- Christian Pulisic, 20. I think everyone here is familiar with Pulisic. He's good. And his success with Dortmund is inspiring youngsters to train in Europe and for European teams to raid the States for talent.
- Timothy Weah, 18. Weah is a forward/winger with PSG. So far this year he has appeared in only 3 games for PSG's first team, but has scored in two of them. Yes, he is the son of that George Weah.
- Weston McKinnie, 20. McKinnie is a midfielder for Schalke in the Bundesliga. He is known for his intensity, and recently scored the game winner in their Champions League match.
- Josh Sargent, 18. As great as Pulisic has been, Sargent may end up the more prolific scorer. He has scored scads of goals wherever he has played, showing great composure and creativity in the box. His first goal on the senior US team came when he pressured the keeper and intercepted the attempted clearance over his shoulder, and he has scored 2 goals in 5 USMNT appearances. Werder Bremen signed him when he turned 18 in February, and he has tallied 6 goals and 2 assists in 10 appearances with their U23 team. Werder is currently in 4th in the Bundesliga, and their coach has announced that Sargent's time with the U23 time is over.
This is all the time I have to write this up now. But here is a link to the highlights to the recent match against Peru. Both McKennie and Pulisic were out with injuries, but you will see some real nice play from Sargent, as well as Jonathon Amon. (All I know about him is that he is 20 and plays in the Danish league). You will also see Tottenham's own Cameron Carter-Vickers in defense. You may also be amused to see former Tottenham player Yedlin, who came in as a substitute minutes earlier, losing his mark which resulted in the tying goal.
But the U.S. never should have been that close to the margin. So, it was hoped that a silver lining to the defeat would be that U.S. Soccer would finally end its love affair with M.L.S. veterans, and accelerate the inclusion of the younger generation, many of whom have been developing overseas.
Thankfully, this has come to pass. The interim head coach, Dave Sarachan, has routinely fielded very young teams in the international friendlies. They tied France 1-1 in the final tuneup before the World Cup, and this week several of the veterans culpable in the defeat to T&T sat on the bench watching the youngsters in an entertaining match against Peru.
So, I thought I would start this thread highlighting some of the members of this next generation.
- Christian Pulisic, 20. I think everyone here is familiar with Pulisic. He's good. And his success with Dortmund is inspiring youngsters to train in Europe and for European teams to raid the States for talent.
- Timothy Weah, 18. Weah is a forward/winger with PSG. So far this year he has appeared in only 3 games for PSG's first team, but has scored in two of them. Yes, he is the son of that George Weah.
- Weston McKinnie, 20. McKinnie is a midfielder for Schalke in the Bundesliga. He is known for his intensity, and recently scored the game winner in their Champions League match.
- Josh Sargent, 18. As great as Pulisic has been, Sargent may end up the more prolific scorer. He has scored scads of goals wherever he has played, showing great composure and creativity in the box. His first goal on the senior US team came when he pressured the keeper and intercepted the attempted clearance over his shoulder, and he has scored 2 goals in 5 USMNT appearances. Werder Bremen signed him when he turned 18 in February, and he has tallied 6 goals and 2 assists in 10 appearances with their U23 team. Werder is currently in 4th in the Bundesliga, and their coach has announced that Sargent's time with the U23 time is over.
This is all the time I have to write this up now. But here is a link to the highlights to the recent match against Peru. Both McKennie and Pulisic were out with injuries, but you will see some real nice play from Sargent, as well as Jonathon Amon. (All I know about him is that he is 20 and plays in the Danish league). You will also see Tottenham's own Cameron Carter-Vickers in defense. You may also be amused to see former Tottenham player Yedlin, who came in as a substitute minutes earlier, losing his mark which resulted in the tying goal.
