[DC 86]

I'll relay your comments to my colleague for his reaction (I'm sure he'll enjoy the back and forth).  BTW, not sure my friend even considers MLS "real" soccer, which is reserved for the top leagues in Europe.  

That's just silly, because the USMNT couldn't field a starting eleven consisting solely of players who are currently first choice starters in the big five leagues in Europe, no team in CONCACAF could.

Bottom line: your friend was unaware that Morris had started recently for the Sounders. If that doesn't qualify as starting in a "real" game then what's the alternative? fielding a lineup of six players against eleven?

I'll add that I saw an interview with Landon Donovan (between the Canada and Honduras games) in which he said that when he was in a slump and pressing too much that Bob Bradley had benched him and brought him off the bench, and that it was the best thing that could have happened to him. Pulisic is indeed the US's best player as your friend said, but not only did starting on the bench last night work but it had the meta effect of communicating to the entire team (particularly Musuh and Dest) that starting spots are not automatic. Berhalter was vindicated last night, especially since all three goals were initiated by Acosta set pieces.

[DC 86]

I'll relay your comments to my colleague for his reaction (I'm sure he'll enjoy the back and forth).  BTW, not sure my friend even considers MLS "real" soccer, which is reserved for the top leagues in Europe.  

That's just silly, because the USMNT couldn't field a starting eleven consisting solely of players who are currently first choice starters in the big five leagues in Europe, no team in CONCACAF could.

Bottom line: your friend was unaware that Morris had started recently for the Sounders. If that doesn't qualify as starting in a "real" game then what's the alternative? fielding a lineup of six players against eleven?

I'll add that I saw an interview with Landon Donovan (between the Canada and Honduras games) in which he said that when he was in a slump and pressing too much that Bob Bradley had benched him and brought him off the bench, and that it was the best thing that could have happened to him. Pulisic is indeed the US's best player as your friend said, but not only did starting on the bench last night work but it had the meta effect of communicating to the entire team (particularly Musuh and Dest) that starting spots are not automatic. Berhalter was vindicated last night, especially since all three goals were initiated by Acosta set pieces.