EPL had a fascinating weekend, ManCity bossed Liverpool around. Just as we thought a few results going Liverpool’s way had them back in form , ManCity show that there is still work to do. As well as Conner Bradley did with Real and Vini Jr. , although the effort was there Doku really got the better of him. Doku has more directness than Vini Jr. something I would like to see Vini do more, Doku went at him with pace , again and again he was the difference maker with Haaland of course. Arsenal had there hands full at Sunderland, Sunderland had an old school get at Arsenal game plan. Get stuck in allot and good things will happen. Sunderland have a tough side and deserved the point they got. However come AFCON will be their true test, they will loose possibly 7 starters. Is their depth good enough to see them through, get the points you need now I see that as a bumpy patch. That said, I am pulling for them , their brand of football is a great watch. Villa showed that their slow start was just that and they should be looked at as a tough opponent, Morgan Rogers really finding form. Chelsea much like ManU and Spurs , waiting to have them really convince me , they have a good (young) side but can they be more than that. Everton look to be building a foundation once again under David Moise, love to see that and hope this is just the start and we get and Everton that will compete well.
Real Madrid had a nill-nill draw at the weekend. After what happened with Liverpool should be call this a hand over? Perhaps the International break came at the right time for a reset. What I do see with Madrid is that Bellingham seems bought in and finding form each match, will he get “more” amongst the goals? He might need to as Mbappe seems to be there only answer for scoring currently. Rodrygo has to escape come the transfer window, Vini Jr. ?? again he shows me very little. A possible solution and yes saying it I know it won’t land well with the ego’s of Madrid, until you have more time to plan “transfer business” put Mbappe on the left , he likes it there , he is more comfortable there. Bring Bellingham into the 9 role as Carlo had done before Mbappe arrived , then Franco (once fit) or Rodrygo on the right. Barca were Barca at the weekend highline and all but got the job done with goals. There are players missing Raphina , Pedri , Gavi, Torres . They can not afford more injuries, Lendwandoski getting the hatrick shows he still has gas in the tank to push on and lead the line , Rashford is still showing he is over the Amorin curse. If they can get healthy , Madrid need to watch there back , Barca is coming!
Bayern finally “drew” a match. They still haven’t lost. Even in drawing you can see how very good they are. Getting Luis Diaz from Liverpool , he should over the weekend why I believe Liverpool might regret not just losing him, but not doing more to pay him what he was worth. I know I have said it before , Musiala is coming back, Bayern are this good right now! Add him back in, this team gets very scary!!
MLS Playoffs: This year has really been the best in my opinion MLS Playoffs for some time. I had high hopes for Charlotte FC but they just didn’t show up. Nashville I have to say BJ Callahan did a great job with them this season but they ran into and Inter Miami team OR should I say they ran into a very inspired Messi! I won’t go over board on the topic of his performance , we have just grown to expect that magic. Vancouver and LAFC deserve to play each other in the conference final if you ask me that said all four teams left in the west are going to make this a good battle to get to the final. Not sure the East is all that the West is , Philly will go through, Cincy and Inter will be a good battle, not sure I am willing to call that one. Exciting !!!
USMNT call ups! I have allot to say on this. First and foremost there are allot of gents out , Pulisic, Weah, Tillman , Zendejas, Jedi Robinson, Chris Richards and now Tyler Adams let alone McKennie being allowed to stay at his club. Then you have Yunus Musha not getting a call up but how little he is playing you can’t be surprised.
What we do have however is three number nines that I would say are in form, Balogun, Pepi and Hagi Wright. This will be the first time in a while where you could go with any of them and expect to see goals, it’s been a while since we could say that if ever. Now there supporting cast will be what really interests me. The elephant in the room of course is Gio Reyna. In Poch’s current formation the Gio of old I think would thrive as one of the dual 10’s. I hope that is what we see , likely Luna or Aaronson will get the other spot. From the last window I can already see Aiden Morris & Tanner Tessmann getting the nod for those two “6” roles. With no Richards , Miles Robinson is a sure thing and likely McKenzie and Ream. Bigger question will be between Arfsten, Freeman & Dest who will get those wing back spots. I would also make an argument for Austin Trusty as he has had man of the match performance lately for Celtic and other than Ream, he is left footed. I was not impressed with Ream in the MLS playoffs , NYFC tied him in knots a few times. Still wish they would have called in Noahki Banks, and possibly they will in the windows in the new year.
This will be a good test these two games without allot of what we often believe are our starters. I think this will really help show the foundations moving forward. What I think is important to remember is Poch will need depth! But just not the guys we think are good or play for the big teams in Europe etc. I believe Poch wants them to fit a spirit as well as whatever formation they go with. And I also believe that he is starting to see , some of these top names that we have come to rely on get injured,,, allot ! He has to have options as well as depth. Over the summer with the friendlies and the Gold Cup allot of players again couldn’t or wouldn’t be there. At first it had me concerned. As time has gone on I come to feel that those missing for whatever reason did the team and Poch a favor. We could go into this World Cup if there stars align with whom we want on the pitch. But the US , no matter when has never had that happen. There is always some one not available OR they play one game in the World Cup and they are out (not naming names) . We can’t pin our hopes on just a few guys, although if they are not there yes it will be tough. I think we can over come that if it were to happen. The pool has enough talent, I believe we will see that in this window,,, fingers crossed.
Enjoy the International break!!!
Happy watching!!!
#ManCity #EPL #LaLiga #USMNT #Messi #MLS PLAYOFFS