McGlynn's highlight-reel goal and passing vs. Venezuela got Mauricio Pochettino and many other people talking. But it doesn't change that he hasn't played enough defense for the Union's style.
Union fans have seen McGlynn a lot, of course, and anyone who watched the Olympics saw him play for the U. Over the last few days, senior U. He played the whole game, and played very well: touches, of passing, three scoring chances created, three shots, three duels won of five contested, one tackle, one block, and six defensive recoveries. Oh, and he launched a yard rocket to open the scoring with his first senior national team goal.
The goal naturally grabbed headlines. McGlynn has scored a few like that for the Union, but doing so with the national team is a different story. Pochettino knew better, and so did the media who asked him about it. Pochettino put McGlynn in a structure where the weaknesses could be masked somewhat: the midfield base of a All of this was nice to hear. It was balance. McGlynn does not get to have balance with the Union.
His job requires a lot more defense than offense, and he knows it better than anyone. His club role also requires being alone in his part of the field for significant stretches. All four midfield spots have their own patches of turf, including the left-central spot where McGlynn usually has played.
The Union have been playing this way for long enough now that it influences how they recruit potential academy prospects. If the Union had to do it over again, would they? Now back to the present.
