U.S. players who’ve really impressed me this tournament: Hoppe, Robinson, Vines, Turner, Sands.
Dike has been a disappointment…bullied Martinique but has been a ghost the rest of the time. Don’t think he’s quite ready to step up.
Sands looks more comfortable as part of a back 3 or as a deep-lying playmaker just in front of the CBs. He struggled yesterday in the back 2. He’s got a wicked eye for a through ball though.
Zardes is such an enigma. He reminds me a bit of Papiss in that he’ll oscillate between making these zany, slapstick plays, and then score the wildest goal. Berhalter is absolutely right to play him as a 9 though, finally…he’s always been shunted out wide for the national team. I like the guy and I think he’s gotta be on the WC roster.