New US soccer thread

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

I just watched the highlights. What a bunch of clowns. Terrible defense. This game was for the taking but as usual Berhalter thinks he is a brilliant genius. Shoulda kept the back 4 intact. Zardes, lol, Berhalter will never give up on his pride and joy because he had a wonder season in the crappy mls a few years ago.

I really hate Berhalter, he is dumb and was purely a nepotism hire. US Soccer is a joke and if they lose or draw in eff'ing St. Paul...I'd sack his ass.

US Soccer makes it so hard for us to stay loyal.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

This team is going to make the World Cup,

Glad you’re confident. Panama has a great shot at 2 wins and 6pts in the final window vs Honduras and Canada (the Canada match is in the final day, in Panama after Canada has already clinched comfortably). That means our home game vs Panama gigantic. What makes you confident we win that match? We might be staring down the barrel of 0 points in the final 3 games. At Mexico and Costa Rica, and home against Panama.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

And if they were worried about travel, Charlotte is closer to Hamilton than St. Paul is. And Charlotte is actually an easier flight back to Europe for the European guys. And Charlotte has a nice field that you could play on. And the high temperature in Charlotte on Wednesday is supposed to be 60°.

Just one example.

Too many Honduran fans in Charlotte. Play it in Ohio. Really, really easy decision. Was the North Pole not available so they settled for St. Paul?

Figuring Canada is in, its down to 4 teams for 2 automatic spots plus another who will have a playoff vs NZ. We root for Mexico to take 3 vs Panama at Azteca, right? That puts some distance between us and Panama if we dont beat Panama.

It would be

USA 21
Mexico 21
Panama 17
Costa Rica 16 (if they win at home vs 🇯🇲)

Then for the the next round, lets say

Mexico 24 (win vs 🇺🇸)
USA 21
Panama 20 (win at home vs Honduras)
Costa Rica 19 (win at home vs 🇨🇦)

This would set up, pretty much a winner take all vs Panama and the USSF, in its infinite wisdom has decided to play it in 80 degree heat in Orlando to make it as comfortable as possible for Panama instead of making them fly from Panama City to Ohio to play in 40 degrees in a state where we never lose. We did beat Panama in Orlando last cycle but I'm much more comfortable with them playing in Ohio.

But then if we beat Panama and Costa Rica wins at El Salvador, it will be

Mexico 27 (assuming win at Honduras)
USA 24
CR 22 (assuming win at El Salvador)
Panama 20

It seems unlikely CR wins their next 3 before the final game vs USA but if they do, or if they win 2 and draw one, that last game in CR could decide the last spot. If they did win 2 and draw one, we should advance with a draw vs CR because we should have a better goal differential but of course we dont know how the next games play out.

The fact we are discussing the very realistic possibility that we are discussing not making the WC out of the worst CONCACAF group I can remember and when its 8 teams this times, meaning more easy wins to distance yourself, means Berhalter HAS to go.

He has players who start or play a lot from Chelsea, Juventas, Barcelona, Leipzig, Valencia, and good 2nd tier teams like Salzburg, Hoffenheim, Genk, etc, playing against teams whose players play in either MLS or their domestic Central American league. He also cant figure out the striker position, selecting MLS players over Premier League, Championship, and Bundesliga strikers.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I just watched the highlights. What a bunch of clowns. Terrible defense. This game was for the taking but as usual Berhalter thinks he is a brilliant genius. Shoulda kept the back 4 intact. Zardes, lol, Berhalter will never give up on his pride and joy because he had a wonder season in the crappy mls a few years ago.

I really hate Berhalter, he is dumb and was purely a nepotism hire. US Soccer is a joke and if they lose or draw in eff'ing St. Paul...I'd sack his ass.

US Soccer makes it so hard for us to stay loyal.

I was shocked by Canada's first goal, it was how 75% of the goals I score vs the computer on FIFA are scored, which you never see in real soccer. Give and go vs Center Backs who are too slow to react for an easy breakaway.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Pepi
Ferreira
Zardes
Morris
Dike

I hate to say this but is it time to give Jozy a call? He's "only" 32 but with the body of a 60 year old

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I was shocked by Canada's first goal, it was how 75% of the goals I score vs the computer on FIFA are scored, which you never see in real soccer. Give and go vs Center Backs who are too slow to react for an easy breakaway.

You play FIFA? Now I understand you a bit better.

that was a fantastic goal. With an international team that’s fluid and doesn’t play together often, I don’t know how they have the time to practice counter attacking goals with plenty of 1 touch passing like that. I coached HS soccer and didn’t have enough time in a 2 month season to do it. But still, I am not sure it happens if Zimmerman is in there, or Brooks who is in season.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You play FIFA? Now I understand you a bit better.

that was a fantastic goal. With an international team that’s fluid and doesn’t play together often, I don’t know how they have the time to practice counter attacking goals with plenty of 1 touch passing like that. I coached HS soccer and didn’t have enough time in a 2 month season to do it. But still, I am not sure it happens if Zimmerman is in there, or Brooks who is in season.

Well, I used to a lot when I was younger. Now mainly just with my son though I did start a thing on FIFA 20 with a team in the English 4th Division, trying to gain promotion to the EPL. I play all the cup competitions and sim the regular season but my team sucked so bad, I had to play and win like the last 20 regular season games and I'm still not done with my 1st season so I've played like 30 games in 2+ years.

 

[noelr]

I missed half the game. So can someone give me a reality check on our chances for World
Cup. This team seems to athletic to be this mediocre.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I missed half the game. So can someone give me a reality check on our chances for World
Cup. This team seems to athletic to be this mediocre.

We are going to make the World Cup. Even if we finish 4th, we will advance by beating a bad New Zealand team in the playoff that will have played just a couple games since Covid started.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I missed half the game. So can someone give me a reality check on our chances for World
Cup. This team seems to athletic to be this mediocre.

I missed the 2nd half but my understanding it was just like the first, with just a little more of the ball. I’d like for our athletes to be more decisive and direct. They seem too timid in the attacking 3rd. Canada gets the ball and they constantly push forward. We get the ball and it’s side to side and passing backward. Pulisic is decisive and direct, but to a fault. He presses and tries to to too much.

Bottom line though, I think this sums it up. We had most of the ball. But it led to limited quality opportunities. Canada had way less of the possession had had the better of the chances. The Canada keeper had a great reaction save to a McKennie header off a corner. That might have been it though.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

We are going to make the World Cup. Even if we finish 4th, we will advance by beating a bad New Zealand team in the playoff that will have played just a couple games since Covid started.

Are you sure it’s NZ? The Grumps always talk about it, as they did this AM, being a Comebol team like Chile, that we won’t beat.

Edit: as soon as I post this, they just corrected themselves. It’s is Oceanic.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Just a little beef I have…I missed the 2nd half because we bought a new tv. Because of it’s size, it took 4 of us to hang it. There’s a polish joke in there somewhere. But at halftime, we started the job and we finished just as the game ended. I thought it would take 15 minutes but it took us an hour. And that’s my beef. The match was on a stupid streaming service and we couldn’t record or pause the match. So we missed the 2nd half. But I did get to watch the 4th quarter of the AFC game on the new TV! It was great. The soccer? Not so much I hear.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

We are going to make the World Cup. Even if we finish 4th, we will advance by beating a bad New Zealand team.

I guess you forgot about T&T?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Glad you’re confident. Panama has a great shot at 2 wins and 6pts in the final window vs Honduras and Canada (the Canada match is in the final day, in Panama after Canada has already clinched comfortably). That means our home game vs Panama gigantic. What makes you confident we win that match? We might be staring down the barrel of 0 points in the final 3 games. At Mexico and Costa Rica, and home against Panama.

Yeah and if that happens? The USA should just disband this and tell these "stars" to go get real jobs or play real sports. Because it is getting ridiculous and the excuses that are constantly uttered.

The problem with most American players, they are prep school boys.

 

[noelr]

Yeah and if that happens? The USA should just disband this and tell these "stars" to go get real jobs or play real sports. Because it is getting ridiculous and the excuses that are constantly uttered.

The problem with most American players, they are prep school boys.

No excuses wed against a winless team.

 

[mike412]

If you check the history of the premier league, I think there are only a small handful of clubs that have spent every season in the top flight. Obviously chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal have. But I think Everton is one too. Even Man City dropped way back in the day.

Chelsea was relegated three times in the 1980s.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Chelsea was relegated three times in the 1980s.

Premier league wasn’t around then. My comment was specific to the Premier league, not 1st division. Everton is one of only a handful to stay up every season. Man City has not.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Just a little beef I have…I missed the 2nd half because we bought a new tv. Because of it’s size, it took 4 of us to hang it. There’s a polish joke in there somewhere. But at halftime, we started the job and we finished just as the game ended. I thought it would take 15 minutes but it took us an hour. And that’s my beef. The match was on a stupid streaming service and we couldn’t record or pause the match. So we missed the 2nd half. But I did get to watch the 4th quarter of the AFC game on the new TV! It was great. The soccer? Not so much I hear.

Those things are hard as heck to hang up. I hired a Mexican immigrant to do some odds and ends like that and it took him and his buddy forever.

The best thing about yesterday is I didn't waste a free trial of Paramount+. I DVR's the Telemundo telecast and watched it on a slight delay.

As for NZ, yea I hear you about T&T but that was a road game. NZ will be in Qatar in June in 120 degree heat. BTW, why couldn't Qatar build retractable domes with the money they are spending. I didn't realize it was a single game so its certainly conceivable NZ could get a goal, defend the rest of the game and win 1-0 or maybe beat us in PK's but the US would be a massive favorite.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Yeah and if that happens? The USA should just disband this and tell these "stars" to go get real jobs or play real sports. Because it is getting ridiculous and the excuses that are constantly uttered.

The problem with most American players, they are prep school boys.

Not the national teamers as they are mostly Europeans or Mexicans born to American parents or the son of a 2nd generation immigrant like Pulisic.

The problem with US Soccer is they STILL, STILL cannot win the traditional American athlete vs basketball, football, or baseball and still have to rely on the offspring of immigrants or kids that dont grow up in the US.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

US Soccer is a joke and if they lose or draw in eff'ing St. Paul...I'd sack his ass.

My prediction is that if they lose or draw in St. Paul they are not making the world cup.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Are you sure it’s NZ? The Grumps always talk about it, as they did this AM, being a Comebol team like Chile, that we won’t beat.

Edit: as soon as I post this, they just corrected themselves. It’s is Oceanic.

BTW, I don't know if you listened to it but on the United States of Soccer show Jason Davis said basically the exact same thing that I've been saying about Zardes. Something along the lines of "there's probably a level that Gyasi Zardes can play at". But clearly that level is not a high level qualifier.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

My prediction is that if they lose or draw in St. Paul they are not making the world cup.

They are staring down the barrel of only 6 more points. And I think they have to find a way to get 8.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

BTW, I don't know if you listened to it but on the United States of Soccer show Jason Davis said basically the exact same thing that I've been saying about Zardes. Something along the lines of "there's probably a level that Gyasi Zardes can play at". But clearly that level is not a high level qualifier.

That level is a crappy ass MLS

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

They are staring down the barrel of only 6 more points. And I think they have to find a way to get 8.

They boys on the various Sirius shows have been saying 24 is the mark for qualification. I'm to lazy, to dumb to look at the table and do math and "what happens if this happens, then that happens"

I hate Berhalter. He is a fraud and a shill. US Soccer, still the good ole boys network.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

They boys on the various Sirius shows have been saying 24 is the mark for qualification.

I think the problem with most of these projections is that they are basing that number off of what has happened in the past. They are taking how many points typically got it done in the past and are prorating that out for the four extra games.

The problem with doing that is that they didn't add two more decent or average teams to the group. They added two more crappy teams. Typically there has maybe been one team in the group that basically everyone else pummels. They get maybe a win and a few draws at home and lose the rest of their games. Well, this cycle there are three of those teams, not just one. Other than when they play each other, El Salvador, Jamaica and Honduras aren't taking a lot of points off of anyone else. So the good teams have three teams to pile up the points against rather than just one.

24 will almost certainly be enough to finish in 4th, but there is a really good chance at this point that 24 won't be enough to finish in 3rd.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Here's kind of an illustration of what I mean. The first number is the points per game for the team that finished in that position in the last cycle, the second number is the points per game for the team currently in that place in this cycle.

1st: 2.1 - 2.2
2nd: 1.6 - 1.8
3rd: 1.3 - 1.8
4th: 1.3 - 1.7
5th: 1.2 - 1.3

The bottom three teams have combined for three wins, and two of them were both El Salvador and Jamaica beating Honduras.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Bottom line is this isn’t good no matter how people want to spin it.

First we have to beat Honduras at home. That should obviously happen but obviously with this US program, nothing is a guarantee.

and then if you beat Honduras, you have to get at least 4 points in your last 3 games. One is at home vs Panama which will be very tough, and then that leaves Mexico and Costa Rica on the road, two places where you never ever win historically, and rarely ever draw.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Bottom line is this isn’t good no matter how people want to spin it.

First we have to beat Honduras at home. That should obviously happen but obviously with this US program, nothing is a guarantee.

and then if you beat Honduras, you have to get at least 4 points in your last 3 games. One is at home vs Panama which will be very tough, and then that leaves Mexico and Costa Rica on the road, two places where you never ever win historically, and rarely ever draw.

Panama sucks. Its all MLS or Panamanian-based players. They are taking advantage of a historically bad CONCACAF. The US is light years better but of course, it seems the US keeps everyone in the game with them.

Also, its very possible that we will just need 3 in the final window. If we beat Honduras and Panama (and Panama loses in Azteca tomorrow), CR needs 9 points in their next 3 and then have to beat us on the final day to overtake us. They cannot drop any points in their next 3.

Panama losing in Azteca and Orlando seals their fate. The team you have to worry about a little is CR since they have a favorable schedule. Their toughest game left is at home vs Canada tomorrow.

We are on 18. If we beat Honduras and Panama, that's 24.

CR is on 13. They have to win their last 4 to get to 25. Chances of that are probably 1%-5%.

If we win tomorrow and Mexico beats Panama, we're basically already there.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

Welp no Tyler Adams and Chris Richards who picked up a few nicks. Already sent home. Again, I feel pretty confident he goes with Zardes again who brings nothing to the table. Probably will see Acosta replacing Adams. I'm ok with that, it just depends which Kellen Acosta we get. When he's on, he's an effective defensive midfielder but when he is off, he's unbearable.

I still think they qualify but it will take some work. They really did have a chance to go up to Canada and quell everything, take control of the table but Mr. Genius in the room has to make dumb roster decisions because he thinks he knows what's best.

I think he should line up A. Robinson and Dest on the outside of Zimmerman and Robinson. Musah and Junkyard Dawg with Acosta or De La Torre and Puli and Weak flanking Pepi.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Welp no Tyler Adams and Chris Richards who picked up a few nicks. Already sent home. Again, I feel pretty confident he goes with Zardes again who brings nothing to the table. Probably will see Acosta replacing Adams. I'm ok with that, it just depends which Kellen Acosta we get. When he's on, he's an effective defensive midfielder but when he is off, he's unbearable.

I still think they qualify but it will take some work. They really did have a chance to go up to Canada and quell everything, take control of the table but Mr. Genius in the room has to make dumb roster decisions because he thinks he knows what's best.

I think he should line up A. Robinson and Dest on the outside of Zimmerman and Robinson. Musah and Junkyard Dawg with Acosta or De La Torre and Puli and Weak flanking Pepi.

That’s a bingo.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

LOL. Pathetic. So why? I always ask why, and I never get a good answer. If there is talent, why can't you beat WOG teams? Teams who likely can't afford new spikes. Countries with less people than Allegheny County.

And it is always the coaching. I am sorry, how effing complicated is this sport? You guys act like this is quantum physics, it is basically defensively keep your self between the man and ball and goal and offensively to find open spaces to get clean shots. It ain't that hard. I watch these set pieces and I think, "do they practice?"

And then player personnel. Why wasn't Pepi playing? He looks like a star? Is he too young? That seems as idiotic as Canada leaving off Sidney Crosby when he was 18 on their Olympic Team (that did not win gold) because he was too young and needed to pay his dues. Same with some of the selections you bitch about. Reminds me of the Russian hockey entry, especially in the Sochi Olympics because they had to have a predetermined amount of KHL players and not all NHL players.

But what? What is it?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

LOL. Pathetic. So why? I always ask why, and I never get a good answer. If there is talent, why can't you beat WOG teams? Teams who likely can't afford new spikes. Countries with less people than Allegheny County.

And it is always the coaching. I am sorry, how effing complicated is this sport? You guys act like this is quantum physics, it is basically defensively keep your self between the man and ball and goal and offensively to find open spaces to get clean shots. It ain't that hard. I watch these set pieces and I think, "do they practice?"

And then player personnel. Why wasn't Pepi playing? He looks like a star? Is he too young? That seems as idiotic as Canada leaving off Sidney Crosby when he was 18 on their Olympic Team (that did not win gold) because he was too young and needed to pay his dues. Same with some of the selections you bitch about. Reminds me of the Russian hockey entry, especially in the Sochi Olympics because they had to have a predetermined amount of KHL players and not all NHL players.

But what? What is it?

For this cycle, its hard to explain because we actually do have the talent. Not Brazil or Germany or France talent but talent.

I would compare this side to the Wayne Rooney/John Terry/Frank Lampard/Steven Gerrard generation of England in that you had a bunch of world stars that simply could not play well together. This US team isnt at that level but they are stars of lesser quality but just dont look like a good team.

For previous generations, we simply weren't that good. Better than Central American and Caribbean countries yes, but not that much better and the reason for me is ALWAYS because we draw players from too small of a pool

- Sons of a US Military dad and German mom who grew up in Germany

- Sons of Mexican or Central American immigrants who grew up in California, Texas, or the Northeast.

- Players who grew up in Europe but have an American parent

- Rich kids whose parents pay $20K-$50K for their kid to play at the highest American youth levels. And almost 0 of these kids ever reach the USMNT.

So that leaves out like 95% of youth athletes in this country as they still choose football, basketball, and baseball.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

For this cycle, its hard to explain because we actually do have the talent. Not Brazil or Germany or France talent but talent.

I would compare this side to the Wayne Rooney/John Terry/Frank Lampard/Steven Gerrard generation of England in that you had a bunch of world stars that simply could not play well together. This US team isnt at that level but they are stars of lesser quality but just dont look like a good team.

Lol. Isn’t that the uber/incredible English team that couldn’t beat the US in the World Cup? Our teams of old weren’t as talented but we best people up. That should be enough to explain to Owt that it is an incredibly complicated game that’s about more than just talent.

the average age of this team is less than 24. The only players over 24 were the goalkeeper, and zardes. And universally everyone (other than Pitt79) knows Zardes shouldn’t ever step on a US national team Field again.

im not making excuses. Well maybe I am. But I don’t lose any sleep over this stuff. I just think chemistry and coaching is what this team needs. The chemistry will just take time. These are kids playing against men. But the coaching? Who the heck knows.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Lol. Isn’t that the uber/incredible English team that couldn’t beat the US in the World Cup? Our teams of old weren’t as talented but we best people up. That should be enough to explain to Owt that it is an incredibly complicated game that’s about more than just talent.

the average age of this team is less than 24. The only players over 24 were the goalkeeper, and zardes. And universally everyone (other than Pitt79) knows Zardes shouldn’t ever step on a US national team Field again.

im not making excuses. Well maybe I am. But I don’t lose any sleep over this stuff. I just think chemistry and coaching is what this team needs. The chemistry will just take time. These are kids playing against men. But the coaching? Who the heck knows.

1-1 on the Botswana border. I was so pumped for that game. That generation of English players was such a disappointment. They were all world superstars and always went home early. I see this US group as similar but on a lower level. They seem more like coddled "wunderkids" who think they can put on the US jersey, show up and win.

They were talking about Clint Dempsey the other day in regards to his HOF selection and Alejandro Moreno made such a fantastic point. He said how soccer is still the sport for rich kids in the US but Dempsey had a background more similar to a South American. Not rich, grew up playing pick-up games, had that killer mentality who would do anything to beat you. He also said he was the first American he ever saw to do all those fancy, crazy tricks with the ball. Stuff you cant really do in games but stuff you do in pickup or street soccer.

This team desperately needs a Clint Dempsey. I actually see some of Dempsey in fellow Texan Ricardo Pepi but he's still young.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

LOL. Pathetic. So why? I always ask why, and I never get a good answer. If there is talent, why can't you beat WOG teams? Teams who likely can't afford new spikes. Countries with less people than Allegheny County.

And it is always the coaching. I am sorry, how effing complicated is this sport? You guys act like this is quantum physics, it is basically defensively keep your self between the man and ball and goal and offensively to find open spaces to get clean shots. It ain't that hard. I watch these set pieces and I think, "do they practice?"

And then player personnel. Why wasn't Pepi playing? He looks like a star? Is he too young? That seems as idiotic as Canada leaving off Sidney Crosby when he was 18 on their Olympic Team (that did not win gold) because he was too young and needed to pay his dues. Same with some of the selections you bitch about. Reminds me of the Russian hockey entry, especially in the Sochi Olympics because they had to have a predetermined amount of KHL players and not all NHL players.

But what? What is it?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Full interview

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Full interview

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Even if we qualify, I think we have to make a coaching change. This US team has looked about as bad as any I can remember, including the AARP team last cycle that didn't qualify against much tougher competition. They shouldn't look this bad against Central American teams who arent even good by their standards. For example, this is the worst Honduras team in decades and we will win 1-0 or 2-0.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Even if we qualify, I think we have to make a coaching change. This US team has looked about as bad as any I can remember, including the AARP team last cycle that didn't qualify against much tougher competition. They shouldn't look this bad against Central American teams who arent even good by their standards. For example, this is the worst Honduras team in decades and we will win 1-0 or 2-0.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with 1-0 or 2-0 to be honest because we know most teams in concacaf are going to park the bus vs this US team. So it’s not going to be wide open and back and forth like it was vs Mexico this summer. And when teams park the bus, we need to figure out a way to break a team down in possession and manufacture goals. The service hasn’t been great and we don’t have that dominant #9 that can create goals. Especially when Zardes is in the lineup. We have to start Pepi tonight and we need to find ways for him to get the ball in dangerous areas. That’s not easy for this team to do. The roster is too fluid and it takes time for players to develop the kind of chemistry it requires to effectively break a team down.

I honestly think our best chance it to get Pulisic on the ball where he can take players on, get into the box, and draw a penalty. Scoring any other way won’t come easy.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Well, there’s nothing wrong with 1-0 or 2-0 to be honest because we know most teams in concacaf are going to park the bus vs this US team. So it’s not going to be wide open and back and forth like it was vs Mexico this summer. And when teams park the bus, we need to figure out a way to break a team down in possession and manufacture goals. The service hasn’t been great and we don’t have that dominant #9 that can create goals. Especially when Zardes is in the lineup. We have to start Pepi tonight and we need to find ways for him to get the ball in dangerous areas. That’s not easy for this team to do. The roster is too fluid and it takes time for players to develop the kind of chemistry it requires to effectively break a team down.

I honestly think our best chance it to get Pulisic on the ball where he can take players on, get into the box, and draw a penalty. Scoring any other way won’t come easy.

Am I the only one who thinks maybe we should do a 4-4-2 with Pulisic up top, especially when Gio comes back? We don't have strikers but are pretty loaded at midfield/wingers with Weah, Reyna, McKennie, Adams, Arriola, Aaronson, etc