Yanks United

Pete: Since we're having some technical difficulties. Doug and & I have decided to do an old school chat to discuss the USMNT Copa America Provincial Roster. How’s it going Doug?

Doug: It's going okay. We've hit May and that's when things are supposed to slow down in our work. We shall see. How are you

Pete: Good! And do you know why? Because the view I have on the Pulisic hype train is looking pretty damn nice

Doug: It is. The train may have arrived at the station. No longer hope. There are results

Pete: Indeed...so, let's get into our thoughts about the roster. Let's start with the keepers. What do you think, Doug?

Doug: It makes sense. I don't think there is a point to having Rimando in the list. He made a ridiculous save this past week in MLS, but what is his future with the USMNT? He won't play and it appears there are plenty of young guys that could be listed as the 3rd, 4th, or 5th keeper on a preliminary roster. How about you?

Pete: Well, I actually don't mind Nick. The way I see it, if one Guzan or Howard get hurt, I would want Nick to come in. Bingham & Horvath aren't ready to be a # 2

Doug: Fair enough. I believe in Horvath.

Pete: The dude has been getting some great experience. I don't see what Bingham does better than Yarbrough though. Speaking of snubs....any for you in this area?

Doug: No can't really say there are at this point.

Pete: I wouldn't have minded to see Robles but let's move on to the defenders. And this is where the disappointments start to settle in for me.

Doug: Well you should probably just explain those disappointments

Pete: Don't mind if I do...I'm just not loving the LB options. Especially when Villafana is still just chilling out there. I'm not advocating for Shea but I don't want to see Chandler, Lichaj, or Ream at LB. Also, Alvarado is out of form and I'm not too sure about Orozco. Oh, and Evans. He's CONCACAF all the way but not sure if he's above that. Why not give Hedges a look?

Doug: I don't know. I've been advocating for him for a while. I agree with your LB comments and if there is one name I'm surprised isn't on the list it is Shea. Take Acosta out of the fray. He had a horrible showing in his last international spotlight

Pete: Yea, not sure he is ready to be played out of position. I am happy to see Lichaj get a look.

Doug: Yeah definitely. He tweeted about it and the replies were mostly positive. Seems like a guy that is easy to root for.

Pete: Any other thoughts about this defender pool?

Doug: Meh? Let's just hope that they find some chemistry

Pete: Hahaha...(I agree by the way). Let's move on to the midfielders. Take it away Doug.

Doug: There are any number of players in this list that you could take out and I won't mind...Mix, Beckerman, Morales. At the same time, you know why they are there. Happy for Perry Kitchen

Pete: Go on

Doug: Well it still feels like Mix is lost in MLS on a team that continues to struggle. Came on as a sub this past weekend. The way Beckerman plays is needed, but he's just not able to keep up sometimes. To me, I don't think it should be that hard to fill his shoes. I'm a big fan of the guy, but why is there no one that can step in? (Dax)

Pete: Beckerman's selection is a perfect example of an issue with this roster: for as many players as Klinsmann has called in, he has not found enough suitable replacements from the 2014 WC Cycle. That doesn't mean Kyle doesn't deserve a look based on the options but his replacement (Kitchen & Dax are two that come to mind) should have been found and assimilated.

Doug: Exactly. Kitchen is getting regular playing time now, but it is hard to judge given the league he is in.

Pete: Shots fired at the SPL! But, you’re right.

Doug: By the way, Ingolstadt lost despite the good game from Morales. The team basically has nothing left to play for this season. Just not sure how Morales fits in Klinsmann's USMNT

Pete: Actually, he should probably be in contention to replace Kyle but I'm not sure that suits his style....speaking of that, I'm not sure Danny Williams is the "destroyer" type either.

Doug: No, I don't think he is either. I feel like he wants to get forward too much. What else do you have on the midfielders?

Pete: That makes me think of Jones. I'm kinda worried about him. I wish he wasn't doing so well with the Rapids. I really think he needs to be at the tip of a diamond formation. A destroyer causing havoc in a more advanced role which also lets Bradley be in a more comfortable role as well. Instead, we might get Beckerman, Bradley, & Jones. Granted Beckerman can clean up for them but that then leaves Diskerud out of the mix....j/k. He's out of form, I want Nagbe or Nguyen in there.

Doug: Yeah agree there

Pete: It's goes back to my first point. There's more depth in the USMNT pool but it's not pushing starters for a variety of reasons. Anyways...shall we move on the the forwards?

Doug: Of course. That is where Pulisic is listed. And Wondo

Pete: I'd rather see Fafa get a look TBH.

Doug: Yeah. I'm not surprised by the selections at forward. Would like to see Wood keep getting looks in the starting XI

Pete: While I don't love the Wondo selection, I think the rationale is similar to the Rimando selection....only Rimando is better at what he does at the international level.

Doug: Yeah, that is true

Pete: I think there's a good chance Wood gets some mins but I'm worried it'll be more out wide

Doug: Yeah it will unfortunately

Pete: I'm not happy to see Zardes on the roster but I fully expected him to be there. I wanna see Coach K pull the Bocanegra move on him & tell him he's not an option anymore.

Doug: Ha, that would be nice. Of course people made a big deal out of his long assist this past weekend. It was not that special.

Pete: He made a long pass on the counter. WOW! Did peeps think his IQ was that bad or do they think he's that good?

Doug: I really do not know. Talk up a pass like that all you want. Just know he ran onto the ball to make the pass, so he didn't have to worry about bringing it down.

Pete: Think Morris is ready to perform on a stage like Copa?

Doug: I think he is ready. Seems kind of fearless. Doesn't mean he will show well.

Pete: Nice backhanded compliment.

Doug: Yeah that was my least hot, hot take thus far

Pete: Well, I think that about wraps it up. Any other thoughts? I gotta catch the next ride on the Pulisic hype train.

Doug: Overall not a lot of surprises and also not a lot to be excited about.