Barclays Premier League Pick Em

[jknezek]

Give Pulisic a shot in this one rather than Nagbi...

I doubt JK will start Pulisic. He's never started for club or country at the senior level. I do see him as an offensive sub, especially if we fall behind.

[lastguyoffthebench]

This is gonna be ugly:

           Dempsey
  Zusi      Nagbe    Zardes
      Bradley Beckerman
Johnson Brooks Cameron Yedlin


I'd say the bookmakers open Argentina -300.    Closes at -350...

Give Pulisic a chance... see what the kid is made of on the big stage.  Not like USA has much of a chance in this one.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Thought they were playing in Houston then NJ for finals?

They are. I was referring to finishing 1st or 2nd in the group. We finished 1st so we flew all the way to Seattle but got the great crowd. Finishing 2nd would have been a short drive to NJ, but a much more mixed crowd. I wasn't a fan of the travel to Seattle, but that crowd was incredible and I think important. We aren't going to have favorable crowds in Houston or NJ if we make it. Or in AZ if we end up in the 3rd place game....

I got ya! Makes sense and I agree!

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Pulisic won't start but will get 25 minutes off the bench regardless of the score I think.

[jknezek]

I hope Venezuela at the very least makes Argentina work for it. The winner will have 2 fewer days rest and an equally unattractive flight. Maybe a suspension or two will make it look less lopsided before the whistle. But the U.S. is going to need a crazy performance if it is Argentina. Think Kasey Keller versus Brazil in '98 or Tim Howard versus Belgium in '14. Yes there is a reason I'm focusing on goalies...

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

I hope Venezuela at the very least makes Argentina work for it. The winner will have 2 fewer days rest and an equally unattractive flight. Maybe a suspension or two will make it look less lopsided before the whistle. But the U.S. is going to need a crazy performance if it is Argentina. Think Kasey Keller versus Brazil in '98 or Tim Howard versus Belgium in '14. Yes there is a reason I'm focusing on goalies...

Agreed!

[lastguyoffthebench]

Howard vs Belgium was one of the best displays of athleticism I have ever seen.   Of course I took Belgium that game and lost my shirt, but it was just phenomenal.

[jknezek]

Howard vs Belgium was one of the best displays of athleticism I have ever seen.   Of course I took Belgium that game and lost my shirt, but it was just phenomenal.

It was. But Keller vs Brazil and possibly Meola vs England in 2003? or 2004? might even have been better goal keeping performances, though not on the same stage. I played against Howard in h.s. and club many, many years ago. We eliminated his team from the NJ State h.s. playoffs in a penalty shoot out his senior year (1997). Of course at the time he was playing in the field for his team, not goal. Some deal he cut with the coach to play. He was all-state in the field as well. I lost to his club team in the NJ State Cup one year when he was in goal. I don't remember him doing anything crazy, but I don't think we tested him very much either.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Lalas says USA is not an underdog vs Argentina... 

Did he not realize that Argentina rested guys today and just went through the motions for the result...

A front 6 of Aguero Higuain Messi / Lamela Masch Banega.   

[jknezek]

It's going to take a hell of a game and a little luck.

[blooter442]

Lalas says USA is not an underdog vs Argentina... 

Borderline delusion. Of course, anything can happen, but Alexi Lalas and Taylor Twellman are my two least favorite soccer analysts – obnoxious and egocentric to the point where I mute the TV sometimes.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Fernando Fiore was holding back yelling at him.   He responded... You think it's 50-50? (With the you're insane, puzzled face)

Vegas opened at -200.  Now sitting at -215...

I cannot stand Lalas.  He almost makes Twellman tolerable...  USA has a chance, but given the lineups... I'd say Argentina win this fixture 8 of 10 and that's being completely GENEROUS to USA.   

Bedoya has been terrible, so replacing him will benefit the XI.

Jones drifts too often, so a defensive minded Beckerman sitting in front of the back 4 helps stop an Argentina onslaught.  It also destroys the counter attack, especially without Wood.

The loss of Wood is a kick to the ballbag.   He has been the most important player for USA attack this tournament... His workrate and ability to hold the ball and wait for support has been strong.  Without him, I do not see them scoring in the run of play.

Argentina 2, USA 0.

[jknezek]

I said it above and I'll say it again. I simply can't stand Lalas. I don't understand why he's everyone's go to guy for studio work. I also never understood how he kept getting GM jobs. I prefer to remember him as one of our first modern World Cup heroes and I think our first Serie A player. Since then it's been nothing but botched jobs and nonsense on TV.

[jknezek]

I'm somewhat obsessed about tonight's line up. I fully intend to watch the game, but something about how JK lines up what he has to work with tonight has me fascinated. I give the guys about a 15% chance of winning, I think we win 1 or 2 out of 10 against Argentina. Guzan is going to have to have the game of his life.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Masseyratings give USA a 24% chance... Argentina 50% chance...   This computer isn't factoring in lineups tho.


I think USA plays a 4-1-4-1...    Argentina with a 4-3-3