[ColoradoTree]

I tend to agree with those who think Berhalter is overmatched in this role, and I certainly agree that his choices of forwards, particularly the #9 role, are confusing. (Zardes in particular continues to put in poor, ineffective performances, and somehow in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Two, I'm still seeing Zardes start up top. Nary a single shot against Canada. No chances created. And yet he played 90 minutes, go figure.)

I'm cool with benching Pulisic. Just because he's the present and future, it doesn't mean he's in the best form right now, and it's no secret he's been struggling at Chelsea (whether you think that's because of Tuchel or Pulisic being hesitant after returning from injury is irrelevant--the point is that he's not playing his best and most effective club football right now). Benching him and bringing him on late for a spark is a great idea. Now, you could argue that bringing him on for subzero temps with a 2-0 lead over woeful Honduras wasn't the right call, and that safer options would've been more prudent. But the result was pretty ideal--he got a goal very quickly and maybe it's the kind of kick in the pants he needs to get things back on track. 

And yeah, whether the US or Mexico has the best 23 players of their nationality is different than the issue before is--which team's likely roster is better? Right now, that's the US, and that's not terribly controversial. 

Frustrating that Canada is starting to emerge as a soccer power, but the fact remains the USMNT has a more talented roster than the Canadians. Tactically, though, Canada was better on the day, and we struggled to create chances. And yes, that's on Berhalter.

[ColoradoTree]

I tend to agree with those who think Berhalter is overmatched in this role, and I certainly agree that his choices of forwards, particularly the #9 role, are confusing. (Zardes in particular continues to put in poor, ineffective performances, and somehow in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Two, I'm still seeing Zardes start up top. Nary a single shot against Canada. No chances created. And yet he played 90 minutes, go figure.)

I'm cool with benching Pulisic. Just because he's the present and future, it doesn't mean he's in the best form right now, and it's no secret he's been struggling at Chelsea (whether you think that's because of Tuchel or Pulisic being hesitant after returning from injury is irrelevant--the point is that he's not playing his best and most effective club football right now). Benching him and bringing him on late for a spark is a great idea. Now, you could argue that bringing him on for subzero temps with a 2-0 lead over woeful Honduras wasn't the right call, and that safer options would've been more prudent. But the result was pretty ideal--he got a goal very quickly and maybe it's the kind of kick in the pants he needs to get things back on track. 

And yeah, whether the US or Mexico has the best 23 players of their nationality is different than the issue before is--which team's likely roster is better? Right now, that's the US, and that's not terribly controversial. 

Frustrating that Canada is starting to emerge as a soccer power, but the fact remains the USMNT has a more talented roster than the Canadians. Tactically, though, Canada was better on the day, and we struggled to create chances. And yes, that's on Berhalter.