I’m posting this ESPN article as a starting point for the discussion. I honestly don’t watch enough of these players other than a few playing over in Europe. I never watch MLS. So I’d love to hear some opinions that watch more soccer than I do.
@eppy99 Great post idea, thanks for thinking of it. Here's my anticipated starting 11 with a couple extra guys depending on who Poch likes in the moment:
RB: Dest
CB: Richards
CB: Ream probably, but I really like CCV
LB: Antonee
DM: Weston
DM: Adams/Cardoso/Luca - I like them all equally, but think this is the order Poch will run with. Cardoso is very, very good.
RW: Pulisic
AM: Tillman (with Luna here if Tillman gets hurt. Or, put Pulisic here and add speed on the wing in his place)
LW: Weah
ST: I love Pepi and love what he's done at PSV. I'll put him here. Balogun of course is there too and I also love Sargent. But Pepi is my pick.
Check out my latest at Hoosier Huddle here
@evanalvarez8 like Pepi a lot if he can stay healthy. Read he may be headed to Germany. Sesko’s spot at Leipzig is open.
@eppy99 Great post idea, thanks for thinking of it. Here's my anticipated starting 11 with a couple extra guys depending on who Poch likes in the moment:
RB: Dest
CB: Richards
CB: Ream probably, but I really like CCV
LB: Antonee
DM: Weston
DM: Adams/Cardoso/Luca - I like them all equally, but think this is the order Poch will run with. Cardoso is very, very good.
RW: Pulisic
AM: Tillman (with Luna here if Tillman gets hurt. Or, put Pulisic here and add speed on the wing in his place)
LW: Weah
ST: I love Pepi and love what he's done at PSV. I'll put him here. Balogun of course is there too and I also love Sargent. But Pepi is my pick.
Johnny was rubbish this summer. Musah > Cardoso
@gros-louis Johnny was hurt a lot this past season, I'd bet he's not 100%. Musah also wasn't great this past season. Both had down years
Check out my latest at Hoosier Huddle here
@gros-louis Johnny was hurt a lot this past season, I'd bet he's not 100%. Musah also wasn't great this past season. Both had down years
I agree Musah was hurt/had a down year. Johnny only missed one game from injury this calendar year and he still couldn't get on the field this summer.
@gros-louis He played a lot for Betis if I recall correctly. Looking on transfermarkt, this past season (24/25) he missed 9 games due to injury. Fully healthy, he is a mainstay in that Betis squad. Now with Atleti, he could blossom further
Definitely agree though that it was a down year. There is huge competition for that spot in the USMNT. But Johnny is a darn good player
Check out my latest at Hoosier Huddle here
Anyone tuned into the best under 21 talent the US is developing? Are they playing in overseas academies? Any true difference makers?
Edit: I do recall hearing about that 15 year old kid, Cavan Sullivan. He plays with the Philadelphia Union and has a future transfer with Man City. Anyone seen this kid play?
Anyone tuned into the best under 21 talent the US is developing? Are they playing in overseas academies? Any true difference makers?
Edit: I do recall hearing about that 15 year old kid, Cavan Sullivan. He plays with the Philadelphia Union and has a future transfer with Man City. Anyone seen this kid play?
Here's a solid list I found on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ussoccer/comments/1i2qunq/ranking_2025s_top_15_usmnt_u21_prospects_from/
I'd largely agree with this and recognize several names from here. I'd add Cavan Sullivan to your point - he is a STAR. I'd also add Benfica's Josh Wynder, who is a CB. He's very good and athletic, something Poch (and most managers) love in their defenders.
Check out my latest at Hoosier Huddle here
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46082652/usmnt-roster-omissions-hamper-world-cup-preparations
I've been patient with Poch and his rosters. Yesterday has me thinking otherwise.
@gros-louis I like McKennie a lot. I'm nervous about our rosters preparedness and cohesion.
Pepi is a very poor mans Messi. Hes on the bubble
@hoosiers94 if healthy he’s good to go. He was a proven scorer at PSV.