Scuffed

18-year-old DC United holding midfielder talks through how he thinks about his job on the pitch, his development as a player, and his assessment of the USMNT's World Cup qualifying failure, among other things. Greg and I get into Jesse Marsh's move and the large number of American players on the move in Europe. 1:00 Chris Durkin interview 38:40 the World Cup 47:10 Marsch to RB Leipzig 52:05 rundown of Yanks on the move in Europe Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

A vacation-truncated mini-episode acknowledging the end of Concacaf's time in Russia 0:30 Mexico loses to Brazil, etc. 11:30 general Concacaf, World Cup thoughts 18:40 Short Corners: Trusty and McKenzie have a rough night, the Los Dos kids light it up again, Josh Sargent is the first to show up for Werder Bremen preseason and that seals it. He's the best striker in American history. Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

U.S. men’s soccer doesn’t need a savior. It needs savior by committee. We take the metaphor to within an inch of its life and run down the USMNT depth chart as we go. Later in the episode we talk briefly about Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama at the World Cup. 0:30 savior by committee for U.S. men’s soccer 4:10 the party elders — including two likely starters in 2022 and a bunch of question marks 18:30 the executive committee — the young core for the next cycle 25:00 voting members — the key supporting cast and candidates for the executive committee 35:45 non-voting members — they’re around, they have a shot to be promoted, but they’re fringe for now 41:00 leadership track interns — the most promising teenagers in the pool 55:15 Concacaf at the World Cup Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full

0:30 rooting for Mexico, Landon Donovan’s Wells Fargo ad, the effect on dual-nationals of Mexican success and of course the historic win over Germany 25:40 Costa Rica likely eliminated after their first game, Panama too 33:10 Short Corners: progress for Andrew Carleton, a first USL start for Ethan Bryant, and whether we’ll see a wave of U.S. prospects moving this summer 39:45 Interview with Sebastian Soto Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

Former USMNT striker and ESPN analyst Herc Gomez gets on the phone to discuss El Tri ahead of Sunday's showdown with Germany, then Greg and I talk Mexico, make quick work of Costa Rica and Panama and take a few short corners. 1:30 Herc with a brisk, bright preview of Mexico and its challenges ahead of group play 27:09 Tchaikovsky 28:35 Belz and Velasquez go on a Concacaf ramble 52:25 Short Corners: World Cup bid victory, Bruce Arena boycott, Spain fires their manager, Uly Llanez and Jaylin Lindsey Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

Has American fight been restored? Greg thinks that's "garbage narrative stuff." Did Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie play well? Hmm, not really. But the kids got a result in France, there werestandout performances and we broke it all down. 0:30 opening thoughts and a correction 3:30 the game action and some of the major events 24:30 what we've learned about the player pool Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

Playing in Dublin against an Irish squad made up of bottom-table Premier League and English Championship talent, the U.S fell 2-1 on a 90th minute game-winner from Brentford midfielder Alan Judge. It was a real test for a young American side, and yet our veteran fullbacks were the biggest problem on the field. Hmmm. We try to break it down player by player, and then look ahead to France. 0:30 defense and midfield 28:20 wingers, strikers, goalkeeper and the subs 50:44 France on Saturday 1:06:400 Short Corners: Richie Ledezma, the U-20s, Tab Ramos, Efra Alvarez, the Ringer article, old man Concacaf, etc. Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

Pulisic didn't show up and neither did Bolivia, but everyone else did. Debut goal for Sargent. Big night for Weah. Strong stuff from Robinson. McKennie was a man among boys. 0:30 lineup, including Pulisic at the 10 7:45 Bono, Robinson, Palmer-Brown, Zimmerman and Lichaj 26:45 Corona, Rubin, Weah and Sargent 49:00 the substitutes, and some kudos for Sarachan Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

We try to rough out a lineup for the Memorial Day friendly in Pennsylvania, and then discuss Efrain Alvarez, Tyler Adams to RB Leipzig, Peter Vermes' contention that U.S. Soccer doesn't have a plan, and Chris Durkin's progress at holding midfielder. 0:30 How we would like Sarachan to line up the boys, and how we think he will. 28:45 Short Corners: Alvarez, Adams, Vermes, Durkin That Peter Vermes interview with Soccer America: https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77969/peter-vermes-asks-of-us-soccer-what-is-the-pla.html Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

We go down the list, and give our locks, our hopefuls, and the somewhat longer list of those we are ambivalent about when it comes to call-ups for the friendlies with Bolivia, Ireland and France. We take it as an opportunity to give something of an update on 30 of the top players in the pool. 1:50 Locks (including those who've reportedly been called up) 22:50 Hopefuls 40:55 Ambivalents 59:00 Short Corners: JonGon doesn't get the Mexico call-up, Emerson Hyndman gets a PL start, ORLvATL is fire, and the Gold Cup opener is coming to the hometown of F. Scott Fitzgerald, my dudes: St. Paul, Minnesota. Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

With no USMNT to talk about in the World Cup, we're going to follow about Mexico and Costa Rica, because a better Concacaf is better for the U.S. in the long term. We explain ourselves and talk about the Mexican player pool, their chances of getting to the quarterfinals, and Costa Rica's chances of getting to the quarterfinals. Then we run down the latest on McKennie, Pulisic, Amon, Carleton, Llanez, Ledezma, Busio and others. 0:30 The pragmatic case for rooting for El Tri and the Ticos 11:30 Efra Alvarez is a totally nasty young player 17:00 Mexico's chances, the players, and Costa Rica's group 43:00 Short Corners: McKennie, Pulisic, Amon, Carleton, Llanez, Ledezma, Busio, Rooney to MLS, and the MLS salary release Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've mad

Klopp's gegenpressing Liverpool is a game away from the biggest crown in club soccer, so naturally we discuss whether the USMNT should adopt a full-throttle pressing style. Then we get into the virtues and drawbacks of USL versus going to Europe and joining an academy, and round up some of the past weekend's action. 0:30 gegenpressing and the USMNT (we're already doing some of it) 29:30 Carleton, Llanez and whether they should play in USL or join a U19 side in Europe 43:30 Yanks roundup (Amon, Hayes, Durkin, Pulisic, McKennie, Wood, Brooks, Johannsson) Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

FC Dallas midfielder Jacori Hayes, arguably the most in-form American midfielder in MLS, joins for a great conversation on his path to the pros, the value of his USL experience last year, why he always tucks his shirt in and what he needs to do to get better (he's focused on the attacking third). Then Greg and Belz take on the burning topic of the day: Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, and whether they should be forgiven for what happened against Trinidad. 0:20 Jacori Hayes interview 25:00 Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore (spoiler: we don't think there is a better American No. 6 right now than Bradley, or a better striker than Altidore) 49:30 Concacaf Champions League wrapup. Toronto falters on the threshold of glory. The reign of Liga MX continues. Jacori Hayes v New England Revolution highlights: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/986273103046238208 Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with

Justen Glad joins the show for an interview, and then Greg and Belz talk about the Revierderby and the two Americans involved, with special emphasis on Pulisic and taking stock of his season. Then we get to our Major League Update, with special mention of the Atlanta United-NYCFC match and our regular notes on young Americans in MLS. 0:17 Interview with Justen Glad, 21-year-old centerback for Real Salt Lake 21:00 The Revierderby, and whispers is Christian Pulisic overrated? 42:30 Major League Soccer, CCL, Chris Durkin and Jacori Hayes Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

With Greg taking this one off because he's too much of a realist, I got on the horn with Dillon Payne (aka @DontTreadSoccer) and we held a draft to each pick a USMNT starting XI for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Totally speculative, totally irresponsible, probably wrong on several counts. But fun. And illustrative of the depth (or lack thereof in the case of the 6, the 9 and the wings) at various positions. Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

We talk about Sarachan's performance of late, what the point of these friendlies is, try to dispense with the word "meaningless," talk a bit more about what we learned against Paraguay, and discuss Marky Delgado and George Bello at some length. Highlights: Marky Delgado vs Club America: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/981403421017296897 George Bello vs the Charlotte Independence: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/980867225065328641 Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

Not much happened in the attacking third, but there was reason for encouragement. Got good performances from Tyler Adams, Matt Miazga, Darlington Nagbe and Jorge Villafana, a solid showing by the midfield trio and a lot of good energy. Also Tim Weah played, we got our first good look at Kenny Saief, and what happened to Bobby Wood? We sat down after the game and broke it all down. 1:00 lineup 10:45 defense and center mids 30:00 wingers, striker and everything else Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

We tend to the matter at hand, the friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday -- break down the roster and each give a starting XI. Then we jump into MLS, chat about the upcoming Concacaf Champions League semifinals, and spend a good deal of time talking about encouraging performances from teenagers in MLS. Three sections: 1:00 Paraguay roster breakdown, quibbles, caveats 16:55 We each pick a starting XI for the Paraguay friendly 40:05 Greg continues to bring up Ryan Adams, CCL, teenagers in MLS Links to highlights: Andrew Carleton versus Vancouver: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/975201022011469824 Paxton Pomykal versus Seattle: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/975589344265285632 Chris Durkin versus Houston: https://twitter.com/MattDoyle76/status/975099236923658241 Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in s

We lay out the cases for optimism (Belz) and realism (Velasquez) on Andrew Carleton's future. We get into the MLS and CCL excitement a bit. Greg wants Gregg Berhalter called up to the USMNT. We talk at length about the March friendly roster. Three sections: 1:30 -- Belz lays out the case for boundless Carleton optimism, and Velasquez throws cold water all over Belz 15:20 -- rundown of opening weekend in MLS, and the young Americans on display 30:05 -- who we don't want in the roster for the match against Paraguay, and who we do want in the roster Links to highlights: Michael Bradley versus Andre Pierre-Gignac: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/971636937541943297 Andrew Carleton versus Paraguay: https://twitter.com/finalthrd/status/968616519562350592 Andrew Carleton versus Charleston: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/967651788596875264 Justen Glad versus F.C. Dallas: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/970539793921658880 Anthony Fontana versus New England: https://twitter.com/zlebmada/status/970888850

We talk about Bruce Arena's three biggest mistakes in World Cup qualifying, and go on a walkabout on the hiring of a new USMNT general manager and what a "braver," as Hugo Perez put it, type of American soccer might look like. 1:00 the logic of playing your kids when they're already playing for big clubs 14:30 Arena's benching of Geoff Cameron 20:40 the perils of challenging yourself in Europe for USMNT players 25:00 general manager hiring ramble 31:20 the USMNT's subpar play in general in recent years 37:30 does a cohesive style mean we have to favor physicality over skill? Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon! Patrons get a private ad-free feed for all episodes that go out on the public feed, plus the Monday Review every week with Watke and Vince. Patrons also get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed