Futbol Americas: USMNT World Cup Preview Show - 100 Days Away!

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20:09Kasey Keller:All right, now we're about to get into our second block for this one, and this has to do with Mauricio Pochettino and the pressure that the U.S. men's national team definitely will face as hosts of a World Cup. Now, we're going to start out with Pochettino because this was the big-name signing. This was the big-name coach that so many people felt the USA needed and deserved. And one of the conversations we've had over years now is, what is the identity of this U.S. team? So now, 100 days out, Casey's laughing because I think everyone's still searching for the answer, but let me try to get the answer from you guys.

20:47Kasey Keller:Herc, I'll start with you on this one again. What is the identity now of this U.S. men's national team under Mauricio Pochettino, 100 days out from a world-time?

20:55Herc Gomez:Well, I think they have found an identity, if I'm being quite honest. And happy birthday to Marisa Pochettino, who's his birthday today.

21:01Kasey Keller:Feliz cumpleaños to Marisa Pochettino.

21:03Herc Gomez:This team before, during Marisa Pochettino, before Marisa Pochettino, was soft. It was a team that if you got in their face, they backed down. It was a team that when the moment got great, they buckled. And somewhere along the lines, and I do feel it was the last five, six friendlies, that changed. The message changed. The culture changed. Somewhere along that summer where Christian Pulisic, Eunice Musa don't show up, where the group is divided between the Gold Cup, Club World Cup, and those who aren't there, a line was drawn in the sand. And that line was, you're with this program or you're not.

21:43Herc Gomez:I don't care who you are, if you think you're a household name or not, you got to show up, you got to put in the work, you got to be here for the group. And that was established. And out of that, some names emerged. a Sebastian Berhalter, a Christian Roldan reemerged, Patrick Agimant for a bit, Max Arvston, Matt Freese. And because of that, some big names went out. A Matt Turner, a Eunice Moussa, and so on and so on and so forth. The line has been drawn. Here, you fight. Here, you claw. Here, it doesn't matter who you are, you have to put in the work. And then tactically, little by little, we started seeing them find their form.

22:21Herc Gomez:They like three in the back, the three center backs, the outside backs providing the width, the two playmakers underneath the nine, and you started seeing a little bit of maybe what you could expect come summertime, and you feel a bit more comfortable about the identity, the cultural shift, and tactically how this team is going. It may have been very late, a lot more than I would have liked, a lot more than Casey would have liked, or Jeff would have liked for somebody who's making$6 million a year, but it came. Now, we saw the friendlies. We want to see it in a real game. We want to see it against real opposition.

22:55Herc Gomez:And quite frankly, I think the only thing I can complain about in these last six friendlies is I think there are still some doubts in Pochettino's mind, at least by his lack of consistency of who that starting XI is.

23:08Kasey Keller:And Jeff, now you've covered the U.S. men's national team for some time now. And even before this show, you have been speaking to ex-players, ex-coaches as well. For you, do you agree with Herc with what that change has come? We know Mauricio Pochettino spoke so much about wanting to change the culture of the sport here and as it relates to his players. What do you feel has been the biggest change that you've noticed or other people are noticing since Pochettino's appointment?

23:32Alexis Nunes:There is a competitive tension now within the group. When you go back to Copa America, you could pick the lineup with your eyes closed. I mean, it's like, okay, we're going to have Way on the wing and we're going to have Adams in the middle. And, you know, Balogun was arriving on the scene. He was going to be up top. And people were too secure. Players were too secure in their role, in where they stood in the team. And I think Mercy Pochettino recognized that. I think he wanted to be sure that he was actually seeing what he was seeing. But then you saw players being left out of camps. Weston McKinney a couple times was left out.

24:15Alexis Nunes:You saw other players not getting the playing time that you would normally expect. I mean, you think about that Uruguay game. There was no Pulisic. There was no McKinney. If I'm not mistaken, there was no Chris Richards. I mean, the list goes on. And so what that did was it gave some players who didn't think they had a chance before, It gave them a real opportunity to impress the staff, really stake their claim to a spot. You look at guys like Sebastian Berhalter. Malik Tillman is another one who I think really took his chance. Alex Freeman. Alex Freeman. That started at the Gold Cup. I mean, I was certainly questioning some of the selections then.

24:53Alexis Nunes:And if really going with almost a youth movement was the right move, you know, it turned out to be a master stroke, at least at this stage. So I go back to that competitive tension. guys didn't know if they were going to play or not. And so I think that has kind of helped compensate for the fact that there was no World Cup qualifying. Because usually that tension is created by qualifying. And, you know, guys, if they're on the outside looking in, okay, how do I get good with the coach? How do I figure out what he wants? You know, if I'm a starter, how do I keep that position? And so that's usually there, but because there was no World Cup qualifying, again, guys got comfortable.

25:31Alexis Nunes:and now I think that's gone. I think it's a real meritocracy now that Riso Pochettino has created and I think it's benefited the whole squad because it's a much deeper squad than what it was. I mean, obviously we'll find out at the World Cup just how deep it actually is and how guys perform, but certainly that competitive tension, I keep going back to that, that is really the big difference for me.

25:53Kasey Keller:Competitive tension. I love that phrase, man. Nothing like some healthy competition. And Casey, that's what you want. You want to keep them guessing. That's something that we've talked about a lot. Has that been the biggest change you've noticed under Pochettino? Or what do you think the identity under Poch is now?

26:07Jeff Carlisle:Well, it was the biggest change that had to happen because players took their foot off the gas. And that's inexcusable. I mean, every good team in the world, you should be able to pick the starting 11. Because those players are the best players in the squad. They're the best players that are fighting for everything. The best players all the way around. And instead, we had this situation where he had to build competition because the guys that should have been competing weren't. And that worries me a little bit because, Jeff, I like the idea that we have this big squad, but we do not have a big squad.

26:48Jeff Carlisle:We have a group of players that are, if we want to go deep in this tournament, we need our stars to show up and give everything they can and have great tournaments. Then you need a couple little surprise packages. And then you need some other guys just to have good, steady games. But the fact that we had to go through all this, the fact that we had no competitive matches, but it had somehow lost this competitive edge, frightened me. And yes, I'm relieved that it's emerged in the last couple friendlies. And we've seen this little bit of an edge. Now it has to continue.

27:29Kasey Keller:Well, it's going to be a home World Cup, and we know that that invites a different kind of pressure that a lot of these players are not going to be familiar with. I don't care how big of a club game they have been involved in. Herc, this is obviously going to be the biggest stage for a lot of these players, and we don't know the roster yet, but who would you like to see really embrace this type of a moment tournament?

27:51Herc Gomez:I'm going to answer, but I'm going to piggyback on what Casey said. I'm going to echo that. I think it's crucial that you know who you can count on. It's crucial that those players you think are going to be your 11 get as many reps together as they can. And you're going to head into the World Cup. Maybe they get two, three games together. If Mauricio Pochettino come March says, this is my team, this is my 11, you get two, three games together. And you're hoping that the players you think you can count on are fit, are healthy, and in form. And can be that fit, healthy, and informed together. I think that's a dangerous thing to rely on.

28:27Herc Gomez:And I'm with Casey there. Listen, we can talk about the feel-good stories about Diego Luna. We can talk about the feel-good stories about Sebastian Berhalter, the ex-U.S. Men's Outstream coach's son, or Alex Freeman, or Max Arvston, or whoever you want to insert here. But if Christian Pulisic isn't at his optimum level, if Christian Pulisic isn't healthy, because I don't believe he's healthy right now, if he's not geared and ready to go, I don't care what you think you're doing in this World Cup. It's not happening. He is the different one in the program. He's the difference maker. He has the ability, because you're going to be defending a lot, I presume, to change a game in transition, to change a game on a set piece, to change a game with creativity and the finishing product.

29:18Herc Gomez:If he's not ready for you, it's over.

29:21Kasey Keller:Jeff, just talk to me about the pressure that they're going to feel. I know you haven't suited up for the U.S. men's national team like Casey or Herc, but you are part of the pressure because we are part of the media. He applies the pressure. This guy applies the pressure. He applies the pressure indeed. Jeff, we know that you're a part of it. We know that the media is going to be on them. The entire country is going to be on them.

29:41Alexis Nunes:Absolutely. I mean, it's going to be nothing like they've ever experienced before. You know, certainly guys like Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams have been in the Champions League. You know, they're familiar with that kind of intensity, that kind of attention. But a home World Cup is something that a player gets to experience once in their life, if they're lucky. I mean, not every player, even some of the great players, get to experience that. And so, you know, it's really going to be important, I think, for the leaders on this team to kind of help keep the group on an even keel. I mean, that's the coaching staff's job, too.

30:18Alexis Nunes:But, you know, within the locker room, I think it's, you know, I'm looking at guys like a Tim Ream, like a Tyler Adams. I mean, I think Tyler Adams is kind of the emotional center of this team, not only because of his role as captain. I mean, you know, I can remember the press conference before the Iran match in 2022, and he was magnificent. I mean, he completely diffused so many tense situations, so many, like, aggressive questions that were being fired at him. And I just think that it was almost inspirational to watch that. And I think the group, his teammates fed off that. And so I'm looking at a guy like Tyler Adams who has been to a World Cup, who has played at the highest level.

31:02Alexis Nunes:He's doing it week in, week out in the Premier League right now. I look at him and Tim Ream just because he's another guy with a lot of experience. I look at those two guys as being critical to kind of just keeping this team on an even emotional keel and being able to deal with all that attention, with all that pressure that's going to come.

31:24Kasey Keller:And Casey, Jeff brings up that point, of course, about Tyler Adams, who definitely has been a captain in so many ways for the U.S. Men's National Team. We, of course, interviewed him not just a couple of weeks ago, and he spoke about the fact that he feels that this current crop of players, even with the new additions, almost don't have an excuse to fail at this World Cup because there's enough of them that have already played at a World Cup that have experience overseas. So do you feel this current squad is mature enough to handle the pressure that's going to be thrown at them?

31:51Jeff Carlisle:I would have loved a series of qualifying games. I would have loved a series of matches that mattered. That's the only thing that really kind of worries me is that they're going into this with only playing a series of friendlies. And that scares me. And that's why I think if I was going to, you know, pick the squad, pick the starting lineup, it would lean heavily on players that have more of that pressured situation because we weren't able to introduce players into that level of pressure during qualifying. So I agree. Yes, there are players in our squad that have played in a lot of very pressured games.

32:34Jeff Carlisle:Now, Jeff brings up Champions League. Champions League's a piece of it, but also that pressure of being in a relegation fight is another combination of gets you prepared for these types of big matches.

32:49Kasey Keller:Well, a simple way of putting things is that goals win games, Herc. And that's your area of the pitch. For the attackers now, we know that ultimately all it takes is that goal and their name goes down in history. So for these attackers that we've been talking about, would this home pressure help them or can it hurt them?

33:07Herc Gomez:Can we be honest for a second? Of course. What pressure are we talking about?

33:11Kasey Keller:The pressure of scoring on home soil at a World Cup.

33:14Herc Gomez:Sure, I guess. Now, let me explain myself. How difficult it is to score in a World Cup that Haji Wright was the last nine, the last nine to score in a World Cup since Brian McBride. We're talking about 2002 World Cup. Yeah. it's not easy to score in games at the international level, much less at the World Cup level. Not everybody's an Mbappe. Not everybody's a Messi. Hell, Cristiano Ronaldo has found it very difficult in the knockout round. It's a very difficult thing to do. There is no pressure in the United States like other countries. The reality is, whether people like this or not, is that the U.S.

33:58Herc Gomez:can crash out at this home World Cup and maybe it's in the news cycle for three, four, five, six days national. And after that, we will still be talking about it. But that's it. These guys are going to go out on the streets. They may get recognized. They're not going to get tomatoes thrown at them. Hopefully not. They're not going to have threats made to them. They won't feel like they're in an uncomfortable setting. Whereas if you're in another country, if England bombs out of this World Cup, those guys aren't going to go outside those guys are going to read about it hear about it see it for the next two three four five months and in the next international tournament it's going to be brought up again it's going to be one of the biggest failures in their lives not sporting just in their lives but because of this group you can play a little carefree when you look at who's in the crowd in the stands?

34:56Herc Gomez:Could you imagine playing Brazil and it's overwhelmingly Brazilian? Playing Argentina, overwhelmingly Argentine. Playing against the Portuguese, playing against Mexico, you are in a group where Paraguay is not going to be the dominant team in the stands. Australia is not going to be the dominant team in the stands. And Turkey most likely, that's a wild card, but I don't feel will be the most dominant team in the stands if they qualify. You may have a real home field advantage that could make you play carefree. And for these players, I think that'll be important.

35:27Kasey Keller:And Jeff, Herc just brings up a good point, too, because in terms of the crowds that we're expecting, you, of course, are going to be out there for the group stages, for the games in L.A., as well as Seattle. Is there any way that the U.S. can turn Seattle and L.A. into a home game and make it feel like a home game?

35:42Alexis Nunes:Absolutely. I mean, I think Seattle is one of the best soccer cities in the country. I mean, you go back, you know, they haven't had an opportunity to host many games just because of where they are in the country. America, U.S. Men's National. I'm going to get to that. I'm going to get to that just because of where they are in the country. So it's not easy for guys who are playing overseas in Europe to come over. I mean, they want to get guys off the plane as quickly as possible. So, you know, I think that rules Seattle out a lot of times. But, you know, I remember back to a World Cup qualifier in 2013 against Panama.

36:16Alexis Nunes:The city, the fans showed out incredibly well. As Herc mentioned, Copa America 2016 against Ecuador. It was another great evening, a great event. Seattle turned out for the U.S. men's national team in an absolutely huge way. And so Seattle, I have no doubt about it. I mean, L.A. is a little bit different. But, you know, I think back to the 1994 World Cup and the way that that team, the way the U.S. team was supported at the Rose Bowl. And so L.A. loves big events. They love stars. They love watching teams, you know, rise or fall, but especially rise. And so I think once again, they're going to surprise some people.

37:05Alexis Nunes:I think they're going to turn out and really support this U.S. team. Again, it helps that they're playing Paraguay, who, you know, there will be Paraguayan fans in the stands, no doubt about it. But, you know, I think L.A. senses the big occasion. I think the sports bands know a big event when they see it. And so I don't have much doubt in my mind that L.A. is going to support the team in a big way and really provide that critical home field advantage.

37:30Kasey Keller:I mean, if Turquia come, we know that the Turkish do travel very well. That is going to be the wild card one indeed. Well, we're going to push on as well because we want to talk about a couple more things. But let me remind you about the Gavin Jules podcast, a fresh edition dropped today as Gavin Jules are discussing all things from the weekend of the Premier League and more. You can get it wherever you get your podcast.

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39:33Kasey Keller:All right, let's talk about the spine now. The spine of the team, straight from the back right to the midfield. And Casey, you know I'm coming straight to you because the goalkeeping position, that is one that the U.S. has had locked down for many a generation. But now there has been more questions than answers. So plain and simple, is Matt Freeze pretty much the number one? and how much comfort do you have and trust you have in him being the number one?

40:02Jeff Carlisle:Well, this is the tricky part. I mean, I think throughout that whole process, you know, Pochettino kept a lot of things open, gave a lot of guys opportunities. But the one thing he didn't do was change the goalkeeping. Now, I would have been okay with that if Matt Fries would have been just playing brilliantly. That particularly wasn't the case. you know, Matt did fine, but it wasn't a case of where I looked at Matt Friesen went, wow, that was a great, that was a great performance. And look at the way he did this and look at that. No, he, he was fine. So that's why it surprised me that he didn't give more opportunities to maybe Matt, maybe, you know, maybe Zach Steffen, maybe somebody else.

40:46Jeff Carlisle:So that just kind of surprised me a little bit with that. And so, yeah, there's no question that this guy's never played in a game that really mattered. And I think that scares me a little bit with Matt Freese. I just want to make one quick point on what Jeff said about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The biggest problem is artificial pitches. That's the main reason why the U.S. doesn't play there, because they have to lay a grass pitch on top of it, and we all know what the hit or miss is of that. So I think if Moominfield or in Portland, if they had a grass pitch, you'd see a lot of matches in the Northwest for the men's national team.

41:29Kasey Keller:And Herc, I know it's not your area of the pitch, but let's talk about that backline. Oh, I don't know. You ever played a center back? You ever played a center back? Oh, center back. Yeah, I was about to say, let's talk about that backline now because you did allude to it earlier on when you said that there were questions defensively about that backline. But in terms of the best center back pairing, what are you saying?

41:46Herc Gomez:Well, it's not a pairing anymore. It's three, right? that's the one position or line that I'm most worried for the U.S. Men's National Team.

41:58Herc Gomez:It's Chris Richards and everybody else. CB1 and everybody else. And in that everybody else, you have an aging Tim Ream. And Tim Ream is your best defender with the ball. he sees things he can play these long balls in between lines progressive passes he's composed he won't get nervous but if tim rehm is forced to defend god help you god help you he doesn't have the legs anymore and i say this respectfully but he should have been phased out a while ago And the fact that he's not phased out forces you to play Tim Ream right now. And if Major League Soccer is any indication of Tim Ream, where he's at the first two games versus St.

42:54Herc Gomez:Louis, he plays for Charlotte. And versus the L.A. Galaxy, if you face Tim Ream one-on-one, it's a direct path to goal. It's a weakness for your team defensively. But given the pool, he's so good on the ball, he's almost a necessary evil for Mauricio Pochettino right now. But that's certainly that back line. You're one injury away from being sixes and sevens there and just praying that you can buckle down and get to the end of a game.

43:21Kasey Keller:And Jeff, just to follow up on that back line and the concerns about that back line, if we talk about the fullbacks as well, of course, on their day, you would absolutely always trust the Jedi Robinson. But that point is he has been dealing with injuries. So has a Serginio Dest as well. So how concerned are you about that? And what is the biggest concern there?

43:39Alexis Nunes:Well, I do want to get back to one point about the center backs. I think the reason you saw Mauricio Pochettino go to a three-man back line is to limit the number of times that a Tim Rehm is going to be isolated against an opposition attacker. And so, I mean, there are lots of ways, I think, in that alignment that you can cover for Tim Rehm. You know, a wingback can come back. You know, guys can slide over and provide cover in behind. So, yes. The two defensive midfielders. A Tyler Adams or a Tanner Tessman can come back and provide support. So, I mean, I think there are ways that they can camouflage that weakness and then try to accentuate the positives that Herc talked about.

44:20Alexis Nunes:Yes, I'm worried about the wingbacks. I mean, I'm worried and I'm not worried because the U.S. seems to have a lot of them. A lot of guys are playing wingback right now. I mean, even Weston McKinney is playing wingback. Tim Weah, Sergino Dest has played wingback, although he's usually an outside back and a back four.

44:38Herc Gomez:Are you worried about how they play or who it's going to be? Both.

44:42Alexis Nunes:I mean, when I'm thinking of Sergino Dest, yes, defending is not his strong suit. I mean, the reason that I like him in that role is that, again, he's able to go forward. And, again, you're camouflaging weaknesses. I'm very worried about Anthony Robinson and just what the future holds for him. It's funny. When he first came back, he played those six matches 90 minutes every time in a row. And on the one hand, I was happy that he was healthy enough. But then I'm thinking, okay, long term, is this too much too soon? And so not even for the knee, but other things cropping up. He just picked up an ankle injury.

45:24Herc Gomez:Right.

45:24Alexis Nunes:He's got an ankle injury. And so the good news, he was back in the 18 at least this past weekend. I think the weekend before, he was not in the 18 at all. So, yes, I think as good a job as Max Arvston has done coming in, I just think that left side is much more solid with an Anthony Robinson there. Just given the pedigree of player that he goes up against every week, what he can do on both sides of the ball. He's incredibly adept at getting forward, delivering quality crosses. But defensively, he's also solid as well when he's at his best. I mean, I think part of the reason that you're seeing Sessegnon get all those minutes for Fulham is that Anthony Robinson is just not quite right.

46:06Alexis Nunes:I think that was the case even before he picked up this injury. So, yeah, I think it's a huge concern. You know, we'll see. We'll see if a Sergino desk can slide over to the left because I've seen him play there for PSV Eindhoven. So I think that can be an option as well. And then you're able to get maybe an Alex Freeman or a Tim Weah on the other side. Again, you're trying to put your best players on the field somehow, some way. So we'll see what decisions Marisa Pochettino makes. But, yes, it's a concern for sure.

46:33Herc Gomez:My problem here, Jeff, is that we're not playing the man, which is Marisa Pochettino. And I'm going to be at fault of this, and you'll see why. But he's never played Anthony Robinson there, either because Anthony's been hurt, not available, or because he sees Max Arvston. That's who's gotten the lion's share of the minutes in that position. So while I agree with Jeff, and you're going to see why I agree with Jeff, I don't know if Mariso Pochettino agrees with us.

46:59Kasey Keller:Well, Herc, I want to stick with you just on the midfield now, because if we're talking single six, double pivot, when you look at this player pool for the U.S. men's national team, what would the best setup be? Well, I'm going to play the man here because our logic has told us that Weston McKinney needs to be in the center of the pitch with Tyler Adams.

47:17Herc Gomez:But I don't think Mariso Pochettino feels that way. I don't think Marisa Puchetino trusts Weston McKinney tactically to have that discipline. And then there's the emergence of Tanner Tessman, which cannot be ignored. If we speak of the importance of Tyler Adams, he's not going anywhere. And you can see right there, number one on the list, number one on the call sheet. Okay, youngest captain, 2022 World Cup. He has the pedigree. He has the leadership. He's bought into your message. I think the obvious emergence of Tanner Tessman leads me to believe that the duality of box-to-box midfielder, excuse me, and available to play a pivot role with Tyler Adams, but provides something going forward with passing, with vision, and a physical presence, he would be the guy I slot next to, Tyler Adams.

48:06Herc Gomez:It'd be Tyler Adams, Tanner Tessman. That is what I would go with and not move. and that's what I think Mani Sipacchettino's going to go with.

48:14Alexis Nunes:Jeff, do you agree? I agree because I think it was in the Australia game that you saw Weston McKinney deployed a little further upfield. He was almost one of those twin number tens. I think he was on the field with Malik Tillman that night and he looked fantastic. And so if you listen to Weston McKinney's words as well, when he talks about playing alongside Tyler Adams, he's like, well, I like it because Tyler does all the running defensively behind him and I can go forward. So, you know, I think it's just it makes a little bit more sense for Weston McKinney to kind of slide further upfield. He can still make those late runs into the box.

48:49Alexis Nunes:He can still, you know, crash the six yard box on set pieces. And so defensively, I think you've got a guy in standard testament that's a little bit more conscientious about playing defense and providing that kind of shield in front of a back line that, as we've been talking about, needs a little bit of support. So, and if it isn't Tanner Tessman, it can be an Aiden Morris, who's also kind of another pit bull and has been doing great things for Middlesbrough. You know, Johnny Cardoso, too. I mean, he's a guy that I'll raise my hand and say I was guilty of kind of writing him off a little bit just because all the injury problems.

49:30Alexis Nunes:Rightfully so.

49:31Herc Gomez:If he can't be available on the field, we can't, you know.

49:34Alexis Nunes:Even the times that he's played for the U.S. men's national team, as you know, he has not exactly torn it up. So, you know, but he's starting to find his form. You know, he scores that huge goal in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid. And so I think you're seeing him approach the best form that he's been in for me in over a year. And so, you know, I think that's another option. But I agree there does need to be a double pivot. I think it just it leaves the U.S. a little bit more defensively sound. And, you know, they can let guys like a McKinney, like a Pulisic, like a Dest or an Anthony Robinson on the outside able to bomb forward and contribute to the attack in that way.

50:15I mean, I think Dest is kind of an attacking wild card.

50:19Alexis Nunes:And so I think putting him as a wingback, I think that kind of accentuates his ability in that regard.

50:25Kasey Keller:I think he will absolutely love that. Well, Jeff, you mentioned Johnny Cardoso, and he will be hoping to put in a big performance as Atlético de Madrid are in action in the Copa del Rey, the second leg of the semifinal. They are up 4-0 on aggregate over Barcelona. Can Barca do La Remontada? We will see if they can, Tuesday, 3 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN+.

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52:13Kasey Keller:Alright, let's run it back, shall we? Yunus Musa, remember him, guys? Come on. Well, he only went and scored his first Serie A goal for Atalanta. Unfortunately for him, it came in Sunday's loss to Sassuolo.

52:27Herc Gomez:I read it was his first club goal in four years. Good for him.

52:34Kasey Keller:Good for him. Still not in the running.

52:37Herc Gomez:You don't have a better ball progressor in the pool than Yunus Musa. The problem is it's in between the boxes only.

52:45Kasey Keller:Well, what about Haji Wright? We have been talking about him a lot lately. His fifth goal in four games, 15 overall this season for Coventry, Jeff.

52:55Alexis Nunes:Tell you what, six weeks ago, I was about ready to write Haji Wright off. I really liked what Patrick Ajemang was doing. Slow and steady, chipping in the goals in a consistent rate. I mean, I think Haji Wright went like 18 games with just three goals. And now it's like seven in his last nine. So it's just, you know, he's getting hot at the right time, right before the March International window. Pochettino is obviously watching, or someone on his staff at least is watching. So fantastic for him.

53:25Kasey Keller:And here right here is Flo Balogun, who, guess what? He scored again. He must have heard that everyone was getting some hype about Haji Wright. He scored in a 2-1 win for Monaco over Angers. That's his sixth Ligue 1 goal of the season. So now this brings us to the debate that we consistently have year in, year out when it comes to the U.S. men's national team. Who starts for the win? You want a reliable number nine up there who's going to rack in the goals. You know you just have to give them a chance at goal, and it is going in. Right now, Flo Balogun seems to be the favorite. Casey, is he for you?

54:04Jeff Carlisle:Yeah, he is for me. I mean, he's playing at the highest level right now of anybody else. I love the compliments that the other guys give. I think Ricardo Pepe has recovered well from the arm injury, scored a goal the other day. So that's great to see. I agree with Jeff. Haji, right? Getting hot at the right time doesn't hurt. And Ajiman is a good option if somebody slips up on the other side. But I think the way that Pochettino plays, I think Balogun is probably your starter. And then if you need to play more direct, you have options to come off the bench. So I kind of like the options, but I just want to see them do it at that highest level.

54:47Kasey Keller:If you're looking to win a World Cup game, Herc, at the rate all of them are going now, is Balogun your pick now?

54:53Herc Gomez:I mean, if this is what I have to choose with, yes, absolutely. Right now, he's the guy who's shown a consistency and a penchant for linking up with your best players. We saw him link up with Christian Pulisic in the last set of friendlies that Christian Pulisic was available for. We saw him link up with a Giovanni Reina. We see the ability to open space, set yourself up, work for yourself and create for yourself that maybe, as Case was alluding to, some of the other players don't have that profile or have a different skill set. So you're going to be defending a lot and you're going to need a nine that is mobile.

55:30Herc Gomez:You're going to need a nine that is good in transition. You're going to need a nine that can create his own space. You're going to need a nine that's opportunistic. And at times, when you do have the ball, knows how to link up. He's the one player that has that package. The closest one to him would probably be Ricardo Pepe. And I don't want to be unfair to Haji Wright, but Haji's in a profile more like Patrick Gagiman. And Haji has the ability to get on this roster because he could also play multiple positions for you. He was scoring goals for Frank Lampard as a left winger. He knows what it's like and where to be.

56:02Herc Gomez:And let's not forget, Haji has some big goals in this program with Greg Berhalter. I'm sorry. Well, it wasn't even Greg Berhalter. It was a B.J. Callahan years. But if there's one player right now that's proven at the national team level and is somewhat consistent at the club level, it's Foller and Balogun.

56:18Kasey Keller:Jeff, last week on the show, Ale Moreno spoke about Ricardo Pepe's versatility and just the fact that he's come into so much confidence as well, to the fact that he could break his forearm, miss a couple games, James come back on straight off the bench and he's scoring even with his arm wrapped up. So what will it take for Ricardo Pepe to leapfrog a Flo Balogun in this number nine race? Or is it just set for Flo?

56:40Alexis Nunes:Well, I think it's just set for Flo. But if Pepe is going to do it, he's got to stay healthy. I mean, you know, it's the old saying, the best ability is availability. And I think too often over the last year, Pepe has not been as available as his manager would want, as his teammates would want, as I'm sure he wants. And so, you know, I think if he's going to make any kind of headway in that race, he's got to have an extended run in the side. It seems like every time he wins the starting spot and then he starts to get a little bit of momentum, he gets hurt again. So, you know, last year, I think it was the knee injury.

57:18Alexis Nunes:You know, he had some issues earlier in the year in this campaign and then the broken arm, which was just a fluke. I mean, but still, you know, he's got to be able to stay healthy and get his minutes in on the field and really build up his fitness and his sharpness.

57:33Kasey Keller:Well, as per usual, I put these guys to work. They've already given you who their pick for the number nine starting position is. But we're going to find out the rest of their 11s. All of you have given me your starting 11s for the U.S. men's national team. if you could have it your way and be Mauricio Pochettino and get his salary for the World Cup. Jeff, we're going to start with you.

57:53Alexis Nunes:Okay, I've got Fries and Goal. I've got a back three of Ream, Richards, and Mark McKenzie. I agree with Herc. I think in the center of midfield, you've got Tessman and Adams. Wingbacks, you've got Anthony Robinson and Sergino Dest. and I do like McKinney in that advanced kind of dual number 10 role right beside Christian Pulisic I think he I think they complement each other really well I think you know obviously Pulisic's the slasher he's gonna run it guys um I think McKinney is plenty crafty on the ball and again he makes those great late runs into the box to get on the end of things um and then Balogun for me hands down he's he's the guy that that really should be on the lineup I will come to the defense of Patrick Ajameng a little bit.

58:42Alexis Nunes:He has played on the left wing a little bit this year for Darby County. So he hasn't always been a central striker. Sometimes Darby mixes it up a little bit. But, yeah, that's my starting 11 for you.

58:53Kasey Keller:All right. Well, I hope you guys weren't comparing notes because we're going to see how much these starting 11s do.

58:57Herc Gomez:That's a terrible 11. Stop it.

59:00Kasey Keller:This is Casey's 11. Casey, walk us through your 11.

59:04Jeff Carlisle:Yeah, I just think we're strongest in midfield. So my idea, I like a back four. I think it's a lot more simple than the back three with wingbacks. So I, and I think Richard and Ream, Ream's showing the experience. But the one thing that you talked about, the center back, that if you're going to play Tim Ream, you can't play a high line. So that, play a little bit further back, have more players in midfield that can hold the ball up and get the ball into advanced positions. And then you have talented players who can score goals and make things happen. So I like Pulisic wider and not getting a wingback in his way and let him do things.

59:48Jeff Carlisle:Obviously, I want to see the creativity of G.A. He can get good men coming in the end of the season and really be in good form. Serginio Dest I put in there against an opponent that he's not going to have to defend a ton against. If it's an opponent that he has to defend, I would probably put Joe Scali in that position and then not worry about my outside right back getting into advanced positions. And then I think Tillman has deserved to be there. So I think there could be a case where you could see in that kind of triangle on the right just a little fluidity. if McKinney goes forward, Tillman or Reina realizes that they need to cover for him.

1:00:30Jeff Carlisle:But I think you put your best players on the pitch to give yourself the best opportunity to get results.

1:00:36Kasey Keller:Can I just say that I want someone to have my back like Casey has Matt Turner's back. Because, ooh, that is so high.

1:00:45Jeff Carlisle:Well, with that, I'm just thinking that I'm going with experience. And I'm going with somebody who's proved himself at the World Cup, who has proven himself in qualifying. Yes, it's been difficult, but that's why I'm saying I would have loved to have seen Matt have about half of the last friendlies with the national team and really given it a level of competition, which Pochettino didn't. Look, do I think Matt Turner's going to start? No, I think Matt Freese is going to start. But I just think if you had done something different in that situation, I think Matt Turner has proved himself at that level more than Matt Fries.

1:01:28All right.

1:01:29Kasey Keller:Well, Herc's been rolling his eyes at everybody's 11. So, Herc, let's see yours. All right.

1:01:34Herc Gomez:Very easy. Nobody's moving Matt Fries. Let's play the man here, Marisa Pochettino. As Casey mentioned, gave him, what, 11, 12, 13 games without interruption for a reason. He wants to get his goalkeeper with no international experience some experience. You're gonna have Chris Richards. Nobody's moving Chris Richards. That is CB1 Tim Ream. While he may be a liability He is the best player you have on the ball in that back line and can play progressive balls going forward. They will protect him. He will be there. I think Freeman is going to be the third center back. He provides athleticism. He's good in the ball.

1:02:09Herc Gomez:He gives you something on set pieces I think he really earned the trust of Mariso Pochettino and I liked him and Dest working together during those friendly the last couple of games. I like what I saw from him at the center back position. I think he will ultimately play there. Sergino Desk down the right-hand side. You don't have anybody in the final third with the ability of a Sergino Desk. He's there for his offensive ability. He can unlock defenses like Paraguay that is stingy. That's who they play in the first game. Then we're going to go Tanner Tessman. We've already mentioned Tanner Tessman, how he's proven himself at the highest levels at Lyon, how he proved himself next to a Tyler Adams, how he's proving himself to be a good box-to-box vision, progressive passing, physicality, defensive structure and discipline.

1:02:49Herc Gomez:He will be there. Tyler Adams, nobody's moving Tyler Adams. That is the captain, the rock, the heartbeat of this team. He's going to be there in the midfield. This is where I am taking a chance. Logic tells us Mariso Pochettino will put Max Arvston there. My head tells me that Mariso Pochettino is going to bring in Anthony Robinson for an extended period to time and see how good Anthony Robinson is and healthy he is and is gonna have no other option besides to play him because talent will come out on top Anthony Robinson gives you defensive stability he gives you a powerful powerful player driving down the left-hand side who has productivity when he is healthy he will be there Christian Pulisic that is your best player at marquee player he will be there as the number 10 behind your nine which is gonna be following Balogun nobody's moving flow and then I could have gone Malik Tillman.

1:03:39Herc Gomez:I could have gone Alejandro Sendejas. I could have maybe gone on a whim and said Giovanni Reyna, even though for many people that is still a question mark to make the roster. But I went Weston McKinney. I didn't think Weston had a part in this 11 based on the formation because defensively he had his issues being disciplined next to Tyler Adams. That wasn't going to happen. I didn't think that he would have the chops to play in that number 10 position, But he's proved everybody wrong. Serie A, Champions League, he has a unique ability to arrive late into the box, to play as a forward, as a false nine, to play as a ten, which he's played before for Copa Miners, to play on the right, to play on the left, to play any position needed.

1:04:20Herc Gomez:He will get the job done. I'm putting him next to his buddy Christian Pulisic. That is the ideal 11 that I believe Marisa Pochettino will deploy versus Baragay.

1:04:28Kasey Keller:Wow, everybody giving their ideal 11s there. Sorry, I was just checking my phone because I think I just got a message from a certain Tim Weah wondering what's he got to do to get in anybody's 11. Not one of you mentioned Tim Weah.

1:04:39Herc Gomez:And I've mentioned time and time again that because of this formation, a few players that had Weston McKinney as one of those players maybe being out, but the other one was Timothy Weah. This program, this pool doesn't have wingers. So what did Marisa Pochettino do? He adjusted to that. So there are two 10s in that nine. And the only way that Timothy Weah is getting on here, realistically, is in that right wing back role. how this is if you go by the traits because they don't play with wingers.

1:05:05Kasey Keller:All right, we'll leave it at that. We'll just take Herc's word for it. Sorry, Tim, I was trying for you there, bud. All right, next one now. I like Timmy. Look at him trying to come back. Relationship's broken. All right, so one strength, one worry, and one X factor for the U.S. men's national team. Jeff, let me start with you.

1:05:25Alexis Nunes:For strength, I think it's the, at least what I see as being the attacking trident. Pulisic, Balogun, McKinney. I think there's diversity in that attack. I think when you add the wingbacks, they have different ways that they can hurt you as well, especially with Sergino Dest. Again, he's the wild card. He's going to do something crazy off the dribble. He's going to do something unexpected. And so I think if you're one of the opponents, he's very difficult to game plan against. In terms of a worry, health. Yeah. Because you look at the injury history of some of these key guys, I'm thinking Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna.

1:06:11Alexis Nunes:Tyler Adams. Tyler Adams. Anthony Robinson. Those are all, could be, critical players for the U.S. men's national team. and so there's a lot of time between now and the training camp in May when all these guys are going to get together and really start trying to form a team. And so you hope that they're able to get through the remainder of their club seasons without having to worry about recovering from an injury because I can't even imagine the amount of anxiety that they must be going through when they're sidelined. They know the clock is ticking. and they're trying their hardest to get fit again.

1:06:53Alexis Nunes:But again, there's just not that much time. In terms of next factor, I've talked about him a bunch of times already tonight, but I'm going to go with Serginio Dest because he just, again, he's a guy that really just adds a little something extra to the U.S. attack. And it's just a unique player. I mean, it's one thing to be able to get to the byline and put in crosses, but he's able to cut inside, combine with guys and even unleash a heavy shot, which we've seen him do in the past, especially in World Cup qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. So, you know, he's my X factor. I think he's a guy that, you know, again, if he's healthy, you know, he's at his issues too.

1:07:33Alexis Nunes:You know, he's a guy that could really be a game changer for the U.S.

1:07:36Kasey Keller:Casey?

1:07:38Jeff Carlisle:The strength for me is kind of the depth in midfield. I think there's options there. Worry. Yes. I got to go more than one worry. I agree with, with fitness I think is, is there, but also my big worry is this team's inability to keep a clean sheet, because I think, I think you might need to keep a clean sheet or two to have a good tournament. And I just haven't seen it. X factor for me is, is playing on home soil. And does that give this team an energy and an edge that we saw from, you know, plenty of other host countries that have been able to overachieve because they're hosting the tournament?

1:08:22Kirk?

1:08:22Herc Gomez:Well, I think one strength of this team that was a major weakness was set pieces, whether it was the delivery by Christian Pulisic or the lack of end product on your set pieces. Now that is a strength under Marisa Pochettino, whether Sebastian Berhalter, whether it's whoever that Case has taken those set pieces. And you've really found that you have players with stature who are very good in the air, who make teams play off of set pieces. In tournament play, that it's going to be vital. One worry, yeah, Casey's right. This back line is a major worry. The ability to protect themselves and not to be accident prone, which they've proven time and time again to shoot themselves in the foot, that is a major concern for any national team, more so this U.S.

1:09:00Herc Gomez:men's national team, this World Cup. And the X factor, for good or bad, better or worse, it's going to be Matt Freese. You have an inexperienced goalkeeper who's never been at a major international tournament in the biggest moment of this federation's history. It's what it is. So he either rises to the occasion, as Matt Turner with little international experience did, in the 2020 World Cup, 2022, excuse me, World Cup, or you could have blunders which cost your team. But regardless, you're going to be that X factor.

1:09:30Kasey Keller:All right. Well, another American will be in action in the Copa del Rey semifinals, But this time as manager, Pellegrino Matarazzo as Real Sociedad manager will be going up against Athletic Club de Bilbao in a Basque Derby. Sociedad have the slight lead on aggregate 1-0. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, but join us 13 minutes before for the pre-show.

1:09:57All right.

1:09:57Kasey Keller:Well, now that we are 100 days out from the FIFA World Cup on home soil for the U.S. leg of it, I would say that we feel like we have more concerns than ever before, given what's going on just around the world, really and truly. Is there any area of concern that you guys have of the USA being capable of hosting this smoothly? Jeff, I'll start with you. Well, where to begin?

1:10:23Alexis Nunes:I mean, the first bit is, are the host cities going to get the money that they have been promised by the U.S. government? I mean, there are a lot of excuses, frankly, at this stage, whether it's the government shutdown or what have you. But the clock is ticking, not just for the players, but for the host cities. I mean, there are logistics that need to be planned. Police and fire need to be prepped to make sure that they're on the same page and can handle these events. and then obviously what's going on with Iran at the moment. You know, just to be clear, certainly the country has much bigger things to worry about than whether their national team plays in the World Cup.

1:11:05Alexis Nunes:But, you know, just looking within the context of the World Cup, certainly whether they're going to participate or not or be able to participate is an issue that FIFA needs to begin sorting out now and really trying to sort through what some of their plan B, C, D might be if Iran are not able to participate.

1:11:27Kasey Keller:Yeah, we'll stick up in the Iran discussion, Jeff, because we'll definitely come back to you on that one. But Casey, what about you? Any concerns?

1:11:34Jeff Carlisle:I think there's always concerns, but I mean, it's not as if we haven't seen World Cups and major tournaments have to deal with security issues, with wars going on with countries. I mean, you have a Denmark that won a European championship because Yugoslavia exited the week before the tournament, and they won the tournament. So, look, I mean, FIFA's gone through this before. It happens. It goes on, you know, over and over and over again. And when it comes to security, don't get me wrong, the U.S. will be prepared. Yes, I agree with everything Jeff said. There is some drama going on. But the U.S.

1:12:15Jeff Carlisle:State Department is not going to let that be an issue. They'll step in and make sure that this tournament is secure.

1:12:25Kasey Keller:And then just going back to the Iran discussion, Jeff, when you brought it up as well, because now the Iranian Federation has expressed its own concerns and uncertainties about them participating in the World Cup if things continue at the rate that they are going, what happens if they don't play? How can FIFA come in?

1:12:42Alexis Nunes:Well, I mean, the most obvious solution is to find another team, you know, to take Iran's place. Now, that could happen one of several ways. You could have Iraq, if they lose the playoff, they could immediately slot in, you know, as a replacement for Iran. if they happen to win the Intercontinental playoff, it looks like the United Arab Emirates is the team that would be next on the list. There are some options there. There's been some talk of going to a three-team group but I think that really that would mean less games. I don't think FIFA wants anything remotely like that. They want to try to bank as much money as they can from this tournament.

1:13:26Alexis Nunes:That seems to be the most logical way of going about this if if iran is not able to play or decides not to play um but certainly that that's ultimately going to be the iranian football association's decision and um the iranian government's decision about you know whether they want their team to to come to

1:13:47Herc Gomez:this tournament well you also have to keep in mind that fifa can force a force majeure here it's in the clause in the bylines and do whatever they want whatever makes sense for the tournament i I mean, while as unfair as it could be to Iran and the good people of Iran, they'll have their own issues to worry about. And certainly, you know, it's not a footballing matter that they're concentrated on right now. It would be unfair to whatever team you wanted to say, hey, you have an opportunity because there are contracts to be signed. There are logistics to be involved. It's not as just cut and dry as this team comes in, you slot here.

1:14:24Herc Gomez:It's not that easy. This isn't the first time, as Kay said, that something like this has happened. I don't expect the USA, the Canadian Federation, or the Mexican Federation, the countries to have any issues when hosting a World Cup. I've seen how beautiful a World Cup can be as a player. And on this side, as a pundit and fan, where you really enjoy it, I expect this World Cup to be even more successful than the 1994 World Cup, which to date is still the most successful World Cup in FIFA's history.

1:14:54Kasey Keller:Kayce, you wanted to chime in?

1:14:55Jeff Carlisle:Well, yeah, I mean, we have seen over the days is an unbelievable support from the Persian-Iranian communities living in America. So from L.A. to Seattle, across America, we've seen that. So I think if things are able to stabilize in Iran, I think they will have unbelievable support in America from at least what we've seen over the last couple of days.

1:15:26Kasey Keller:Yeah, that's true. The World Cup definitely has a beautiful way of bringing nations together. As we have seen, Herc, you alluded to it. You have experienced it as a player. You've experienced it is. We were both in Doha, in Qatar, experienced it as a pundit and going around and just seeing what it brought. And there's always a World Cup vibe. There's always a World Cup buzz.

1:15:43Herc Gomez:You don't get it as a player, though.

1:15:45Kasey Keller:Are you feeling it now for this one?

1:15:47Herc Gomez:Well, here's the thing. When you're a player, you go airport, hotel, stadium. And you don't. When you get to experience it with the fans, when you go to the Fan Fest, when you walk around, when you see the flags, when you see the characters, the bald eagles, You see the Mexican fans dressed up as Chavo de Locha, dressed up as Aztec Warriors, dressed up in the red, the green, the white. When you see the yellow Brazil, when you see Peru come back to the World Cup 30 something years after and you see the red stripe. Like it really is a sight to be seen. That's when you really understand the magnitude of the sport.

1:16:20Herc Gomez:You really understand what this should be, a celebration.

1:16:23Kasey Keller:Jeff, are you feeling the vibe as well?

1:16:26Alexis Nunes:A little bit, but I think there's a lot more vibe to be injected into the veins of soccer fans in this country.

1:16:33Kasey Keller:Do you feel it will come that the fans will get what they're expecting from a World Cup?

1:16:38Alexis Nunes:I think they will. But, you know, again, I want to see more hype. I want to see more signs, more visible signs that the tournament is coming. And so I'm not exactly seeing a lot of that at the moment. But it is still, well, it's not February anymore. It's March now. But, you know, there's still a ways to go. So, I mean, I still think FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation and the fans of this country have time to really let that excitement and emotion and enthusiasm show as the tournament gets closer.

1:17:10Kasey Keller:I love that. Jeff says he wants all the vibes, man. He said, give me the vibes. Casey, you're a vibes king. Are you feeling the vibe?

1:17:19Jeff Carlisle:Well, I think the problem with America is the fact that we have tons of vibes going on for what's the next thing. And the World Cup's not here yet. So everybody's, look, I'm a Seahawks fan, baby. The vibe. Oh, now you're a Seahawks fan. All right. So look, Super Bowl's over. Then it's, you know, obviously hockey and all this stuff goes on. When the time comes, the vibe will be full on. And then when the foreign fans come into America and bring their energy, yeah, there's no question this is going to be incredible.

1:17:56Herc Gomez:I was at the Super Bowl waiting for Casey to come over, have some dinner. He just left me. He never came.

1:18:00Kasey Keller:Was Casey at the Super Bowl? Because I was at the Renita Bowl as well. I didn't get it. Casey has friends in high places at Nobu, but we never get the invite. Shane.

1:18:09Jeff Carlisle:Okay, okay.

1:18:11Kasey Keller:Casey, I thought you were the vibes. All right. Well, speaking of vibes, Arsenal are been having all the vibes in the Premier League, but they're in action. A way to Mansfield Town. A little cheeky trip up north in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Saturday, 7.15 a.m. It's an early one for kickoff, but please join us 13 minutes before on ESPN+.

1:18:33Herc Gomez:Set pieces incoming.

1:18:34Kasey Keller:Set pieces incoming indeed. All right. Well, it's been a long show, but like we said, it's been a lot to talk about. We are building the vibe. Jeff wants the vibe 100 days out from the FIFA World Cup right here. We're going to try and give Jeff some more vibes, inject him with maybe some sassone. I don't even know yet. But that's it for this edition of Football Americas. Thank you so much for hanging out with all of us. Thanks to Casey Keller as well for joining us from Seattle, I believe, where he's still celebrating. Oh, no. He's in Idaho. Right. But he's still celebrating the Seahawks win. And we hope that you will celebrate with us on the next edition of Football Americas.

1:19:20Jeff Carlisle:It's a season two playoff race with TGL presented by SoFi. Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern, Jupiter Lynx versus Boston Common Golf. Monday at 7 p.m.

1:19:29Herc Gomez:Eastern, Los Angeles Golf Club versus New York Golf Club. Tuesday at 9 p.m.

1:19:33Jeff Carlisle:Eastern, the Bay Golf Club versus Jupiter Lynx. Keep up, it's golf. Watch on ESPN, ESPN2, and the ESPN app.