@avluey Playing a line-breaking pass through an opponents' press is always inherently a risk. You are blaming him for Puli's mistake, which is that Puli never checked his shoulder.
If Puli makes the correct play and we advance up-field, you would never be citing this video.
@JB_In_SC@Milan4eva1026 Can you provide one example of him "wanting to be the poster boy for the team and get credit for success"?
He's at worst, the third best player on the team. You seem to be equating that with him needing to be a vocal locker room guy. He's not, and that's OK.
@JB_In_SC@Milan4eva1026 what does this even mean? "wants the perks of being the team leader"? Huh? He's the most accomplished player on the team. Generally regarded as the best at soccer. That's it. He's never been a leader, never asked to be the leader.
@NoahJSnyder@JoshNorris I thought he was deeper during that doomed 2025 Gold Cup. I remember him getting stuck in and tackling people. But looking at the lineups, he was out there with Berhalter and LDLT and Tyler, so maybe he was higher up. I did see Poch suggest he could play there this summer.
@Joelazo_10 I also suspect Dest / Weah are going to be used interchangeably dependent on opponent style.
If the opponent wants to bunker it’ll be Dest. If opponent wants to have the ball, we will hit them with Weah on the counter.
Here’s what I *think* is POCH’s opening XI vs Paraguay.
It will be listed as a 4-2-3-1:
Freese
Freeman Richards Ream Jedi
Adams Wes
Dest Malik Puli
Balo
BUT - It will function more like the picture. The “Fluid 4”. Jedi goes box to box, but also tuck’s in the midfield to allow Wes to push up and play more like an 8 than a 6. That’s a lot on Jedi.
Dest, will be listed as a winger, but will also go box to box on his side.
Adams will have a whole lot of ground to cover as the true 6, but will get support when Wes falls back, or Jedi pushes up.