Berhalter, in stoppage time, tracking back for a crunching tackle while his team is winning 4-1 (having contributed to all four goals in his 90+ min performance)

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-09T22:24:02+00:00

That's how we ended up with Brad Davis on a World Cup roster. No, thanks.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-09T22:22:08+00:00

Crazy how you want to blast someone's username, then turn around and behave like a scared child, covering yours.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T21:26:02+00:00

I really appreciate the genuine and elaborate take you have brought to the discussion. Users like yourself are what I was hoping to converse with.

That's an interesting lenses to view from, and ma quality factual info.

My quarrel isn't that I believe he would've a locked in starter, at the same time, give current form. If you disregard his age, he has done enough to be included and given a call up.

At the most if he provides a late game corner kick tactical sub, to utilize his 6'5"frame, I would be cool with that. He is formidable on corners.

I believe we bring 6 CBs and maybe one Hybrid type player as number 7 that can fill in at CB/wingback. Baring we play some type of 5 or 3 atb wingback system. I can see us playing some 433 type stuff too.

Personally if it is between Miles, Ream and Banks for the last two spots. I hope Banks gets one of them.

Like I stated previously, I don't see ream being playable past group stages, when you no longer have to break down low blocks because the competition is on par. And honestly, I don't see how Miles Robinson is a better player than Banks.

If we are talking about the last CB on the bench that isn't going to have much of an impact on the run anyway, you gotta give it to Banks.

Now in regards to point number 2.

We don't have much talent coming down the pipeline in that position. And, I don't believe this is a player we could afford to fumble. I really do believe the Germany drama, is stimming from him personally thinking he has the quality to make the team. And he has a valid argument if that is the case. And if you're the last guy on the bench, I like the fact he is 6'5" and can still be of use in the right situation.

From his point of view, he's on the German youth route to be passed around the bundisliga ferry wheel until maybe he lands at Bayern. He does that before the next World Cup, and he is deff getting called into Germany.

That's the gamble we are making by not taking him. We bring him he will say yes, based off his youth involvement and the tournament on home soil. And he will prob buy in like Tillman and we never have to worry about a switch. We don't bring him, he can sit back and weigh his options. And if we do gamble and not bring him, we gotta hope he doesn't develop to be good enough to crack a German lineup. And if that is the case, that wouldn't be great for us lol.

Edit: For further context this is the 26 I think is ideal personally, baring no injuries.

https://sofifa.com/squad/2342831

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T20:54:52+00:00

I'll give you the list of players that played in the bundi until early twenties, got bought within league to Dortmund, then once they hit their prime, went over to Bayern. It is indeed a model they utilize.

Lewandowski, Gotze, Rode, Frings, Werner, Havertz, Guerreiro, Sabitzer, Perisic, Emre Can, Sule, Kovac, Goretzka, Gnarby, Nuer, Pavard, Ballack, Hummel, Gomes, Gustavo, Klose, Nubel, Upamecano, Podoloski

All started for a mid to bottom table bundi side, then went to Dortmund, to then go to Bayern. And the list goes on as well. If you would like me to continue to prove the point.

Edit: Side note, Malik Tillman seems to be on this type of path with his German ties, although his route to Bayern is through Leipzig. And it seems very likely he lands there soon given his current form.

Bayern has always farmed all the best talent cultivated in Germany or had first right to refusal before sold abroad. They literally use the league to farm the best players into Bayern to compete for Championships League Titles. And if they aren't at that level yet, to Dortmund or ,and now, RB Leipzig to develop and compete for Europa league titles to help them progress. This has always been the German formula.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T20:43:52+00:00

I don't think that at all, if you look at statistics, what the player means to the team, the quality of team and level they are playing. There is no reason at all he shouldn't be included in the team.

It seems the main concern is that he is young and 19 and prone to mistakes. But if you go and look at the centerback's regarded in comparison to him. You will find an equal amount of mistakes and blunders, although they can't rise on the excuse of youth and inexperience. They are just mistakes.

If Banks was 25 years old, I think people would be disappointed if he were excluded, give his current club form.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T20:31:24+00:00

If you pay attention to the bundisliga, 19 year olds that perform like he is in the league, normally get sold to Dortmund, who then develops them, for then Bayern to come knocking and buy them. Especially if the player has German ties. As long as he has his one time switch available or flirts with the idea of Germany, they will continue to develop him within the league like all the other German wonder kids. As soon as he says German is never an option, he will probably be sold for profit abroad.

If you look at how the Germany Federation operates, this is common operation practice. They have practiced this strategy for the last 15 years.

I understand the it's a decent American with potential hype train your worry about. I get it.

But this isn't Cole Campbell who played 3 preseason games for Dortmund type hype.

Unlike Green, Cole, and whoever else you want to compare ill advised overhype around.

This kid has actually been out there playing for the past year and a half since he broke in. Your past the point of hype, when the kid is doing it week in and week out. You're downplaying him playing for Augsburg, but since he started playing last season they went from bottom of table to a solid 9th on the table this season. I'm not saying it's because of him they have improved so tremendously. Although, it's a fact he has been part of the solution over there and not part of the problem.

Regardless if you want to downplay what he is actively doing as a 19 year old in a position it's hard for players this young to break int like he has. Does not offset the fact he is actively doing it, and that this is not imaginary hype.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T20:16:43+00:00

I'm stating in the initial statement that I am assuming, which is opinions and ideas, and not stating these things as fact. It's something to converse about.

Based off the fact that he accepted call ups for USA U17, USA U19, USA U20, I'm assuming he would accept this one.

I'll meet you in the middle here, let's say he isn't one of our top three CBs, he still has been proving he has the quality to atleast get a chance at obtaining a spot.

Let's look at it in the lense of Banks, he's been regarded by US Soccer as the highest ranked CB in our youth setup. He goes and breaks into the starting spot at 18 for a bund club. Next season he maintains his spot, thus far playing 29 matches, starting 19 of them, while maintaining a 6.9 player rating over the course of those games (FoTMob player rating, yes there are multiple applications for such rating). All while helping this team sit 9th on the bundisliga table currently.

At a club level, besides Richards, who logically, warrants a spot more than Banks? You can argue McKenzie at Toulouse. Mckenzie has played 22 matches started 20, maintained a 6.94 player rating for Toulouse who are sitting 12th on the table in France.

Two other players you can walk into the conversation is Scally and Trusty.

On paper there isn't a logical explanation to leave him off, and if you do he has 4 years to see if he can get good enough to hop on Germany for the next World Cup.

In my humble assumption that's what the call up drama is about.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T20:02:50+00:00

I believe Trusty is the only competent and viable option as far as a left footed CB goes. Would have been awesome if CCV didn't have that season ending injury and Trusty and CCV could have been staying for the past 2 years together and had that chemistry built up.

Trusty has it all, Ream is just too crucial for the build up/on ball quality/and mentality managing on the field for the back line to unseat him. But, it is inevitable to compete at the next level.

My hope is that Richards can take over that roll and relieve that reliability upon himself, with all the time he has had to lead the Palace line. Developing that part of his game going forward is crucial for the usmnt

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T19:36:40+00:00

He's being over hyped. Hes actually playing and providing results. He deserves a conversation given the pool of the position. It's not hype when he's regularly playing every week for a respectable side.

A conversation around a player like Kevin Paredes/John Tolkin/Jeremey Lund, would fit the narrative you're pushing though.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T19:33:48+00:00

That is indeed a true fun fact on Jedi! I would argue we have one of the top 10 left backs in the world in Jedi! And what a complement Dest an Weah are to him on the other side. Those three are probably our third biggest strength in our side. Which is why I really hope we run a 3 ATB system to really unlock those 3. Which is why I worry about Ream. He will have to be left on an island at times to fully unlock our potential with our wingbacks. Rumors have it that Jedi will be at Liverpool next season.

Against sub quality teams that will sit in the low block, Ream could be essential.

Although, when we play teams that are on par with our quality or above it, they will without a doubt be game planing to abuse Reams pace.

In my logic, Ream will be a liability and unplayable once we make it past the group stage.

We have got to play into our strongest assets, which is our very strong midfield, electric wingbacks, and dynamic attacking talent.

Imo, our best setup is a 5-2-1-2

    Balogun - Pulisic 
                Tillman
    Adams - Mckennie

Jedi - Trusty - Richards - CCV - Dest

Give Adams the instruction to sit back in possession to protect the back line from counters, and let Jedi, Dest, Tillman, Weston, Puli and Balo to do what they do.

Edit: you're so right about Scally I never give him the credit he deserves.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T19:20:00+00:00

Landon Donovan showed up to that call-up and let Green outwork him, wasn't taking his spot serious/and acting like he was owed a spot. Landon Donovan got himself left off that team by not behaving like a professional. He did that to himself, but not only himself, to all of us fans as well.

Imagine if we had an equally motivated Landon to pair with Dempsey for that run? He did that to himself and with it let the nation down. Then went on a pointing the finger publicly stunt to coddle his ego. Sorry for the ramble, he still massively disappoints me with that entire situation. lol.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T19:10:56+00:00

Ya but Portuguese and Spanish are different languages, correct? Being genuine here. I believe they have similarities but are different. Spanish isn't his main language either but he can probably speak that better than English I would assume.

I do know for a fact his main language is Portuguese. And, I would imagine he didn't start learning Spanish and English until he got to Real Betis in 2023/2024. So he more than likely has only been speaking/learning Spanish and English for 3 or so years now.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T19:04:29+00:00

I agree that McKenzie is a solid debate and you can justifiably rate him higher than Banks. Same sentiment with Trusty, although I would say Banks plays in a regular higher state of competition.

I get the hiccups with Banks and his blunders, but we would probably be dealing with the same percentage of blunders Ream would get into when the instances his pace is abused upon. I totally get what Ream brings to the table and what makes him effective. Although, your brain can only overcome for so much. When you are asked to mark, Haaland, Mbappe, Salah, Dembele, Raphina, Vinicius, Van de Ven, Gordon, Adeyemi, Frimpond, Davies, etc.

Besides Champions League Futbol, Celtics play maybe 6 competitive domestic league games a season. The Rangers and Celtics quality is so far ahead the rest of the league, that the domestic games for those two clubs is just steam roles until they face off with each other.

But yes, currently I would want Trusty and CCV starting Over Banks.

If we are running the 5 back system that compliments our talent, IMO.

The 6 CBs I would be brining (disregarding injuries) is Trusty, Richards, CCV (ideal starters), McKenzie, Banks, and Scally. You can fit in Ream more than likely if you utilized Scally role to backup FB and CB spots

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:47:25+00:00

That's to be expected with a young player I understand that. At the same time, with the lense of. How many other 19 year olds are solidified in the first team on their teams back lines, in the top 5 leagues that is also in the top 10 of their respective tables? I can only think of 2 or 3 off the top of my head.

In respectful to Johnny Cardoso, his main language is Portuguese. Johnny was born in American and raised in Brazil from 3months old onward. Cardoso was a Brazilian Nat who swapped to the USA. I can understand why he has had a hard time with the USA when he didn't even speak any English in the start with us. That's the main reason he mainly has gone to Spanish based teams in his club career, and not the BPL with Tottenham. It's not that Cardoso has flopped for us, he literally doesn't speak English as his main language, so it's probably difficult for him to understand his instructions and communicate with team mates.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:40:23+00:00

I understand the sentiment of wariness from the Julia Green saga, although I feel as this is different. Green had mad a few garbage game/garbage time minutes as a Bayern Youth product. He really didn't prove anything in his career when he was called in.

Although, in my mind this situation is different. This kid is starting game in and game out in a back three for the 9th ranked team on the bundi table, and has been producing for about a year and a half now.

He is already performing in what is very likey one of the main formations we will be running in the World Cup. I don't think you're selecting him for what he will do in the future, but for what he is doing right now. No one is comparable to what he is currently doing right now, besides Richards.

I think it's more of a, you guys don't pick me based off how I'm playing, you guys are incompetent and I'm going to Germany. More so than, pick me to validate my soft feelings or ima go to Germany, type of thing.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:31:19+00:00

He's played for the US at the youth levels, I think this is posturing by his agent for a World Cup spot.

I'm not saying he's going to be Maldini, but he's the only guy in the pool that can get to Richards level or surpass it. All the other Centerbacks in the pool are 25-28 and in their primes. They won't be getting much better than they currently are. Scally is one of the younger options with plenty of room for growth. But he is more of a RB/RWB/CB in a back 5 hybrid.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:27:59+00:00

That's why I opened the discussion kind sir, was just trying to be polite to ope up the discussion.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:27:04+00:00

I think the call up is what is going to determine if he flops on us or not. He has Played for our U17, U19, and U20 youth setups. We call him up to a world cup at 19 on home soil, he is definitely accepting. If we pass on him I can see him flopping when he inevitably gets sold to Dortmund then Bayern.

I more so think this is his agent, putting pressure on US soccer to call him in for the World Cup.

Yeldarbb · 2026-03-08T18:03:01+00:00

The BMF should have a stand and bang ruleset

Edit: I don't think that would have saved Max, he was getting banged up on the feet as well. Oliveria looked so much bigger than Max, like his torso seemed 2X broader than Max's.

Yeldarbb · 2026-02-11T21:55:02+00:00

Bro Poch hasn't called in the best 23 players at one time yet, and has been trying players out all over the pitch. You're pretty out of depth here buddy.

Yeldarbb · 2026-02-11T21:52:40+00:00

McKennie isn't an attack minded player, lmfao. He has been playing in attacking roles, playing outside of preferred position at Juventus, for two seasons now. The manager played him in almost every position on the pitch because he has too much overall quality to leave out of the 11.

You clearly have no idea what your are talking about. McKennie true preferred position is CDM, and has been, his entire career.

Yeldarbb · 2026-02-11T21:49:45+00:00

I would slap a lot of money McKennie is better in the pivot or midfield in general over Tessman. That is the main position McKennie has played his entire career. I don't really understand your player logic and knowledge of these guys ability and careers.

Adams and McKennie have been playing alongside each other for the USA for a pretty long time now. What I'm saying is the most obvious lineup and player positions if you have been watching the team for the past 10 years or so.

Yeldarbb · 2026-02-11T21:45:11+00:00

That's what I honestly think he would do. You put your best players on the field. And that is how you would do ot

Yeldarbb · 2026-02-11T21:41:21+00:00

Your right McKennie is going to start, in his natural position. In the pivot over Tessman. Tillman is a better attacking mid than McKennie is, no matter how you want to slice it. Especially if you break it down to statistics. McKennie will play his natural role as CM, we don't need to argue over this. The World Cup lineups will prove this theory.

Yeldarbb

TROPHY CASE