Absolutely 100% agree, Luca brings things to the table the other guys don’t and has been surprisingly versatile and balanced at the same time. Line breaking passing is so important and he is one of the few guys that has demonstrated that consistently besides Gio and Brendon in that game when they played him centrally. And we all know how frustrating breaking low blocks was all throughout qualifying when LDLT wasn’t getting looks.
I think if we are playing a team that isn't bunkering and going toe to toe with us in the midfield we have to go with the MMA middle… however a team that is bunkering or playing low block I think you start De la Torre over Adams or Musah. Totally agree with Herc.
Love LDLT so far, but I don't see him starting a game, unless we need win against Iran in game 3. I think Musah is a little stronger on the defense side, so has earned Greg's trust to start game 1 (MMA midfield), then he gets the tough start against England because of that strength in defense and his experience at a higher league level than LDLT. Now if we need a win, and Iran will sit in a block LDLT plays. If we don't need a win, it means Musah has been effective so Greg might want to keep rolling with him. I love them both and I think a lot depends on how their club seasons start. If LDLT gets a nice move to a top 5 league and starts he may beat out Musah. However, Valencia has a very unsettled midfield right now and Musah could become a starter there, and depending on his growth curve, could really impress the first few months of the season. BTW, this is such a nice conversation to have after our struggles 5-6 years ago!
I love Luca de la Torre, because of his technical ability to maintain the ball, run at defenders, to do that Iniesta thing where he takes space given and then finds an open man. He's a really really good player. I think massively underrated.
It’s what I’ve been saying for exactly 1 year seb and herc welcome to the actual party!! Please let the other pundits and Gregg know. He needs to be our 6 and Weston and Aaronson the 8s. Or if we go dual 6s Weston is the other 6. It’s insane that it’s even a question at this point. Next to Christian he’s the best on the ball and the best chance creator by far.
I really hope LDLT gets out of heracles, he could have so much more assists but his team’s biggest weakness is finishing, but for sure he deserves to be starting with the USMNT.
My must starters are musah and McKennnie in the middle with Adams and Luca switching for the game setup. Depending on formation we also have to get Aaronson and Reyna out there somehow. Reyna as a 10 is the biggest ask I have.
LDT and Weston are our only indispensable players, period. Not Adams, not Musah, not Weah, Pulisic, etc.,. LDT and Weston MAKE the players on the field with them look legitimate.
Luca De la Torre is one of the USMNTs BEST players. I really don’t understand how he is so under appreciated or underrated. He is sooooo quietly good at everything he does. Maybe that’s the problem…..he’s too quiet. 🤷🏻♀️I’d start him.
I've known Luca since he was 12 years old back in middle school he would play during lunch break and remember seeing him and would even play some small sides games back in the day dude was a beast he left during his freshman year to go play in England he deserves this
He has impressed me more than anyone in the last 5-10 USA games tbh! He makes so few mistakes, has great vision, and pushes the pace (seemingly) effortlessly. Central midfield finally has some quality depth in the USMNT with Musah, McKennie, De la Torre, Adams, and others like Aaronson/Reyna/Pulisic who can play multiple positions like CM/Wing/Forward
I think he needs to start. He;s our only midfielder that can actually CREATE offensively. Weston, Adams and Musah don't seem to have that knack for pushing the ball forward.
He’s our best player on the ball but not good in the final third. If we want to hold the ball, he’s our guy. His off the ball movement is below average and defense slightly below average. He is also not good in the air.
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Both talented and handsome 💖
Absolutely 100% agree, Luca brings things to the table the other guys don’t and has been surprisingly versatile and balanced at the same time. Line breaking passing is so important and he is one of the few guys that has demonstrated that consistently besides Gio and Brendon in that game when they played him centrally. And we all know how frustrating breaking low blocks was all throughout qualifying when LDLT wasn’t getting looks.
I think if we are playing a team that isn't bunkering and going toe to toe with us in the midfield we have to go with the MMA middle… however a team that is bunkering or playing low block I think you start De la Torre over Adams or Musah. Totally agree with Herc.
Love that jacket Sebastian!
Love LDLT so far, but I don't see him starting a game, unless we need win against Iran in game 3. I think Musah is a little stronger on the defense side, so has earned Greg's trust to start game 1 (MMA midfield), then he gets the tough start against England because of that strength in defense and his experience at a higher league level than LDLT. Now if we need a win, and Iran will sit in a block LDLT plays. If we don't need a win, it means Musah has been effective so Greg might want to keep rolling with him. I love them both and I think a lot depends on how their club seasons start. If LDLT gets a nice move to a top 5 league and starts he may beat out Musah. However, Valencia has a very unsettled midfield right now and Musah could become a starter there, and depending on his growth curve, could really impress the first few months of the season. BTW, this is such a nice conversation to have after our struggles 5-6 years ago!
LDLT, McKennie, and Adams partnership. Musa as a sub.
99.99% that a player should start, but NOT against the first opponent..01 wins?
I love Luca de la Torre, because of his technical ability to maintain the ball, run at defenders, to do that Iniesta thing where he takes space given and then finds an open man. He's a really really good player. I think massively underrated.
Start? Not a chance without major injuries..
Yes sir herc!
No one cares
He's a great player, but I think he would be better as a super sub to mow down tired defenses.
Who needs a striker anyway? False 9, get another midfielder in there!
I too see him starting a game- just not sure I see Berhalter starting him. Dude GB figures it out, but is just so slow on the uptake.
He kinda reminds me of Bernardo Silva. I know he’s miles away from that level but his style of play and being able to play in midfield
It’s what I’ve been saying for exactly 1 year seb and herc welcome to the actual party!! Please let the other pundits and Gregg know. He needs to be our 6 and Weston and Aaronson the 8s. Or if we go dual 6s Weston is the other 6. It’s insane that it’s even a question at this point. Next to Christian he’s the best on the ball and the best chance creator by far.
Luca needs to replace Adams and be our 6.
LDLT starts over Adams. He's better. Musah was the most talented player for this camp. It was a real coming out party for him.
Hot take heard this morning: LDLT starting in place of McKennie at the 6.
Alan sonora too
Another Sebastian Salazar idiot take. Luca has played enough to show what he has. Wake up Seb. Luca is a serious baller.
Call me crazy but start him over Adams
He’s average at best. Good for the usmnt though. Since they don’t have quality
Musah plays box to box. Musah should be the six and play with Luca and westen
LDT should start over Adams. Adams is an incredible super sub
I think LDT's set pieces are generally better than Pulisic's too.
I really hope LDLT gets out of heracles, he could have so much more assists but his team’s biggest weakness is finishing, but for sure he deserves to be starting with the USMNT.
I think it’s honestly insulting that we’re discussing whether or not he will make the plane. Luca is already one of our top 10 players.
1. Pulisic
2. Reyna
3. McKennie
4. Musah
5. Dest
6. Adams
7. Weah
8. Aaronson
9. LDT
10. Richards
Luca playing in Adams spot makes sense in many games. He opens the game for so many of our attackers. He is real good and never bad.
My must starters are musah and McKennnie in the middle with Adams and Luca switching for the game setup. Depending on formation we also have to get Aaronson and Reyna out there somehow. Reyna as a 10 is the biggest ask I have.
Luca can be that Reyna from 2006 and 2002 WC.. Luca would be great vs Iran
LDT and Weston are our only indispensable players, period. Not Adams, not Musah, not Weah, Pulisic, etc.,. LDT and Weston MAKE the players on the field with them look legitimate.
Luca De la Torre is one of the USMNTs BEST players. I really don’t understand how he is so under appreciated or underrated. He is sooooo quietly good at everything he does. Maybe that’s the problem…..he’s too quiet. 🤷🏻♀️I’d start him.
I give it a 5% chance he starts a game.
I dont feel like he's looked all that good against tougher competition.
I've known Luca since he was 12 years old back in middle school he would play during lunch break and remember seeing him and would even play some small sides games back in the day dude was a beast he left during his freshman year to go play in England he deserves this
Starts over musah
He has impressed me more than anyone in the last 5-10 USA games tbh! He makes so few mistakes, has great vision, and pushes the pace (seemingly) effortlessly. Central midfield finally has some quality depth in the USMNT with Musah, McKennie, De la Torre, Adams, and others like Aaronson/Reyna/Pulisic who can play multiple positions like CM/Wing/Forward
I think he needs to start. He;s our only midfielder that can actually CREATE offensively. Weston, Adams and Musah don't seem to have that knack for pushing the ball forward.
He’s our best player on the ball but not good in the final third. If we want to hold the ball, he’s our guy. His off the ball movement is below average and defense slightly below average. He is also not good in the air.
Starting to genuinely hope Diego Luna randomly gets a call up.
start? oh baby
Start over Adams
Don’t understand how LDLT was 2 million and Adam’s was 24 million. The transfer market is a crackhead