I was very impressed. He made plays but didn't force anything. He could've tried harder to stay up on a couple challenges, but he might get those calls in couple years with a bit more savvy and respect.
Hard disagree, he consistently looks lost once he approaches the 18 with the ball, and defaults to dribbling to the corner flag. He has a hard time anticipating the runs the wingers are or should be making and doesn't hit that key pass often enough.
cornerflag is perfect if hes gunna hit those low crosses. Are we watching the same highlights above? he has been connecting with Christian a lot. He has started two games and has one assist, and one should be an assist.and the wingers are supposed to stay wide in this formation.
The problem is his crosses are typically pretty aimless and low percentage. It's a high-volume, low-margin type of attack.
"Wingers staying wide" is part of my issue. Musah isn't a winger, he's a central mid. Now he's occupying the winger's space and forcing that guy to react and fill a new role.
When he carries the ball into the very dangerous zone 14 (top of the box), but then continues his run to the corner flag, he's passing up an opportunity for a low-volume, high-margin attack: a slipped through ball for a winger to the back post, finding a striker's feet in space in the box, etc.
Its his role. Reijneers who plays on the left is the one who sits at the top of the box and makes the late runs. When RLC is in, he gets deep into the box. Musah excels in space and not the half spaces like that. So the alternative in numerical superiority is to pull a defender out of position creating the space that the left winger came into on the cross. Giroud is really struggling to get open these days. This. tactic has worked. Pioli would bench him if he did it two games in a row without permission. I look forward to seeing him slam the back of the net from the top of the box. but their roles are fluid. Wingers stay wide and don't make those kinds of runs. the offense is generally supposed to start with a winger 1v1 into a pass or shot.
Honestly, I've thought this myself. I think as a fanbase we haven't fully reckoned with his potential because he plays a less flashy position than Reyna/Pulisic/Balogun etc. But the guy is 20 years old and starting champions league matches for one of the most storied clubs in Europe.
I don't know if we've ever seen a young USMNT midfielder with his ceiling. Maybe Michael Bradley? I wasn't following the team until 2010, when Bradley was a couple years older than Musah is now, so I'm not able to make that comparison. But otherwise, Musah is already at a level at his age that I haven't seen on our team before from a CM.
bradley never had musah's ceiling. bradley had great workrate and decent technique, but his best ability was passing. he was never as close to musah in terms of on the ball technique or athleticism
Fair enough. Considering only center mids, I think musah is probably the top of the list. Adams and mckennie weren’t too far off, both playing regularly for CL teams in their teens. But Schalke and Leipzig aren’t Milan, and musah looked great at the World Cup, at the same age that those guys were still fighting to break into a national squad that missed the World Cup (probably a mistake in hindsight)
Adams has gotten somewhat derailed by injuries, but he’s among the best in the world at what he does. He’s a fairly one-dimensional player, but guys like Kante have shown that if you’re really good at winning the ball back in the midfield, you can quietly make a team nearly impossible to play against.
Musah also kinda "lucked out" too because rlc got injured. Not trying to say it was a positive thing he got injured, but it gave musah more of a chance to shine, instead of strictly being a depth piece.
There’s pretty much always going to be something like that in play when a teenager or 20 year old starts getting real minutes at a champions league club from a top league
I’d argue his foundational skills and ridiculous work ethic give him a higher ceiling but comparing wingers and 8s is not a worthy endeavor. I like 2 way players. While others may rate offense or defense more.
Obviously the opportunity to be at arsenal when he was 7 isn’t something that can be replicated. And doesn’t really stand out unless you slow down the broadcast
Musah is such a complete player, too. Every aspect of his game is quality, and he's the type of player who could play almost any position (though CM suits him best).
Bradley was a great player but in no way would he have been able to start at 20 at one of the best clubs in the world.
Musah really could develop into US's first world class talent.
When from that young you get the best training it’s always tiny things . I’ve never seen him out of position defensively . It’s intuitive. He scans so much that he knows where all 21 other players are on the field . People thinks he can break a press cause he can dribble fast but if you add in every skill used. Used, we’d be here a while.
oooh on the current squad...
lets see here... our squad is so complicated because most are injury prone, inconsistent, or play like world beaters for country and hardly play for club.
our top players right now are (no specific order): Puli, Balo, Gio (when healthy), Adams (when healthy), Weston, Musah, Turner, Jedi, Ream, Richards, and Miles.
in terms of overall ability and their current quality... I would say prior to Milan, Musah would have fallen behind: Puli, Balo, Adams, Weston, Jedi, Ream, and Turner. All those guys get consistent minutes, provide stability, and contribute at the international and club level. After joining Milan though.. i think i would sneak him in over Adams and Weston. so that'd put him around #6.
based off of potential and what he could be... i would say he's 1 or 2, i'd probably put him at 1 cause what he's showing at 20 years old and the experience he brings is pretty incredible for the USMNT. let him develop something for the final third or the ability to pick out a pass from deep and he'll easily be the best central midfielder the US has ever had and possibly the best talent.
edit: holy shit i forgot about Weah! shame on me! i have no idea how to evaluate Weah's game though lol but he's def in these groups as well. if Weah could find his scoring boots he'd be incredible.
If you take into account his last missed game was Japan. It’s hard not to put him as a top 1-2 most important players but it will evolve with new talent.
I was watching this live at work. I thought Pulisic would fall on that counter in the 74th minute. It was awesome how he handled that tackle and fed it on to Rafa. I know the keeper was tempting him, but I thought Leao should've tried to bury that near post after his first touch.
Musah is looking dangerous playing in a more advanced role. His dribbling is SO good. Once he starts being able to more consistently connect on some of his passing he is going to be unplayable
Looking at this and other highlights, the only thing we are missing is a thriving goalkeeper. I feel that is the main thing in the USMNT’s way of making it far in future FIFA World Cups.
yes and no... love me some Matt Turner in goal but he does make me hella anxious at all times haha. it just doesnt feel like he has the same stature or demands as much respect (? for lack of a better word) as the former great USMNT goalies.
Thanks for making these! So awesome to see how well both of our Americans played. Musah is such a strong, composed player; and Pulisic always shows flashes of his creativity even on his off-days. What a game winner from both of them!
KEEP IT UP GUYS!
Musah has something that is very rare, the ability to take people head on while dribbling with pace. Adding to the fact that he does it from midfield, means he has a shit ton of potential
Musah looked so good in this game
I was very impressed. He made plays but didn't force anything. He could've tried harder to stay up on a couple challenges, but he might get those calls in couple years with a bit more savvy and respect.
and that massive dude throwing him around played well for a guy who wasn't gonna get called for anything. think he's connected to Tottenham
That run/cutback at 17' was prime. If he can add that to his game more consistently and be dangerous in the final 3rd, watch out
I’d argue he’s very dangerous in the final 3rd. He just has other responsibilities with the national team
Hard disagree, he consistently looks lost once he approaches the 18 with the ball, and defaults to dribbling to the corner flag. He has a hard time anticipating the runs the wingers are or should be making and doesn't hit that key pass often enough.
cornerflag is perfect if hes gunna hit those low crosses. Are we watching the same highlights above? he has been connecting with Christian a lot. He has started two games and has one assist, and one should be an assist.and the wingers are supposed to stay wide in this formation.
The problem is his crosses are typically pretty aimless and low percentage. It's a high-volume, low-margin type of attack. "Wingers staying wide" is part of my issue. Musah isn't a winger, he's a central mid. Now he's occupying the winger's space and forcing that guy to react and fill a new role. When he carries the ball into the very dangerous zone 14 (top of the box), but then continues his run to the corner flag, he's passing up an opportunity for a low-volume, high-margin attack: a slipped through ball for a winger to the back post, finding a striker's feet in space in the box, etc.
Its his role. Reijneers who plays on the left is the one who sits at the top of the box and makes the late runs. When RLC is in, he gets deep into the box. Musah excels in space and not the half spaces like that. So the alternative in numerical superiority is to pull a defender out of position creating the space that the left winger came into on the cross. Giroud is really struggling to get open these days. This. tactic has worked. Pioli would bench him if he did it two games in a row without permission. I look forward to seeing him slam the back of the net from the top of the box. but their roles are fluid. Wingers stay wide and don't make those kinds of runs. the offense is generally supposed to start with a winger 1v1 into a pass or shot.
Prime Clint Dempsey
Seriously, his improvement has been very noticeable.
If Musah isn’t careful, he’s gonna fuck around and become the best USMNT player ever.
Honestly, I've thought this myself. I think as a fanbase we haven't fully reckoned with his potential because he plays a less flashy position than Reyna/Pulisic/Balogun etc. But the guy is 20 years old and starting champions league matches for one of the most storied clubs in Europe. I don't know if we've ever seen a young USMNT midfielder with his ceiling. Maybe Michael Bradley? I wasn't following the team until 2010, when Bradley was a couple years older than Musah is now, so I'm not able to make that comparison. But otherwise, Musah is already at a level at his age that I haven't seen on our team before from a CM.
bradley never had musah's ceiling. bradley had great workrate and decent technique, but his best ability was passing. he was never as close to musah in terms of on the ball technique or athleticism
Pulisic and Reyna were playing and producing at the same level at a younger age
Right, I was referring specifically to central midfielders. Not taking anything away from Pulisic or Reyna. Edited my post.
Fair enough. Considering only center mids, I think musah is probably the top of the list. Adams and mckennie weren’t too far off, both playing regularly for CL teams in their teens. But Schalke and Leipzig aren’t Milan, and musah looked great at the World Cup, at the same age that those guys were still fighting to break into a national squad that missed the World Cup (probably a mistake in hindsight)
Adams has gotten somewhat derailed by injuries, but he’s among the best in the world at what he does. He’s a fairly one-dimensional player, but guys like Kante have shown that if you’re really good at winning the ball back in the midfield, you can quietly make a team nearly impossible to play against.
Musah also kinda "lucked out" too because rlc got injured. Not trying to say it was a positive thing he got injured, but it gave musah more of a chance to shine, instead of strictly being a depth piece.
There’s pretty much always going to be something like that in play when a teenager or 20 year old starts getting real minutes at a champions league club from a top league
Everyone needs luck but not everyone prepares themselves to take advantage of it
I’d argue his foundational skills and ridiculous work ethic give him a higher ceiling but comparing wingers and 8s is not a worthy endeavor. I like 2 way players. While others may rate offense or defense more.
Obviously the opportunity to be at arsenal when he was 7 isn’t something that can be replicated. And doesn’t really stand out unless you slow down the broadcast
Musah is such a complete player, too. Every aspect of his game is quality, and he's the type of player who could play almost any position (though CM suits him best). Bradley was a great player but in no way would he have been able to start at 20 at one of the best clubs in the world. Musah really could develop into US's first world class talent.
World be both surprised and disappointed if he didn’t
I’d be pretty shocked if he didn’t
You and me both, brother
When from that young you get the best training it’s always tiny things . I’ve never seen him out of position defensively . It’s intuitive. He scans so much that he knows where all 21 other players are on the field . People thinks he can break a press cause he can dribble fast but if you add in every skill used. Used, we’d be here a while.
I learned football through understanding what he does that others don’t
I have been saying this since he joined the US. In 3 years he will be our best player.
Where do you think he currently lands? Top 5? 3?
Currently? Of USMNT EVER? Top 10. Mans got a ways to go but the potential is there. Personally, I still feel Weston is a better overall player.
On the current squad
oooh on the current squad... lets see here... our squad is so complicated because most are injury prone, inconsistent, or play like world beaters for country and hardly play for club. our top players right now are (no specific order): Puli, Balo, Gio (when healthy), Adams (when healthy), Weston, Musah, Turner, Jedi, Ream, Richards, and Miles. in terms of overall ability and their current quality... I would say prior to Milan, Musah would have fallen behind: Puli, Balo, Adams, Weston, Jedi, Ream, and Turner. All those guys get consistent minutes, provide stability, and contribute at the international and club level. After joining Milan though.. i think i would sneak him in over Adams and Weston. so that'd put him around #6. based off of potential and what he could be... i would say he's 1 or 2, i'd probably put him at 1 cause what he's showing at 20 years old and the experience he brings is pretty incredible for the USMNT. let him develop something for the final third or the ability to pick out a pass from deep and he'll easily be the best central midfielder the US has ever had and possibly the best talent. edit: holy shit i forgot about Weah! shame on me! i have no idea how to evaluate Weah's game though lol but he's def in these groups as well. if Weah could find his scoring boots he'd be incredible.
If you take into account his last missed game was Japan. It’s hard not to put him as a top 1-2 most important players but it will evolve with new talent.
Oh my bad
I still love you
Ily2 🫶🏾. FWIW, top 5. CP, West, Tim, Yunis, Gio.
It’s cp and musah for me
I was watching this live at work. I thought Pulisic would fall on that counter in the 74th minute. It was awesome how he handled that tackle and fed it on to Rafa. I know the keeper was tempting him, but I thought Leao should've tried to bury that near post after his first touch.
Musah is going to end up getting sold for $$$ in a couple years.
He counts as homegrown as well for premier league teams in England, he’ll go to a top half club for big $$$ in 2-3 years
He will want arsenal but I see him as a Rodri do everything type that a certain other coach loves. Either works
Was one of the most insane finishes to a match ever
Milan's keeper went on absolute rampage. I couldn't believe it.
That’s shit was madness! But,.. Giroud with that save. And now they list him as a keeper and sale his keeper kit as well. Lol.
This is very good for USMNT
So stoked on these clips
Musah is looking dangerous playing in a more advanced role. His dribbling is SO good. Once he starts being able to more consistently connect on some of his passing he is going to be unplayable
that pass at 33 seconds...he puts across a great low ball.
hahaa and they end it with the horrible callby the ref not to play advantage on an empty net...
Musah at the end of this game. His full contributions not shown. Brilliant, complete performance.
Looking at this and other highlights, the only thing we are missing is a thriving goalkeeper. I feel that is the main thing in the USMNT’s way of making it far in future FIFA World Cups.
Seems harsh on Turner. He’s had a pretty decent start for Forest and he’s been class whenever he’s with the national team
yes and no... love me some Matt Turner in goal but he does make me hella anxious at all times haha. it just doesnt feel like he has the same stature or demands as much respect (? for lack of a better word) as the former great USMNT goalies.
Thanks for making these! So awesome to see how well both of our Americans played. Musah is such a strong, composed player; and Pulisic always shows flashes of his creativity even on his off-days. What a game winner from both of them! KEEP IT UP GUYS!
Musah has something that is very rare, the ability to take people head on while dribbling with pace. Adding to the fact that he does it from midfield, means he has a shit ton of potential
Puli Puli! Sic Sic!!