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USA Soccer thread
- Thread starter Fk_Pitt
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Great performance so far tonight. Some sloppy loss of possessions and scary counterattacks but our guys are not playing like underdogs.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Acosta has easily been the MOTM. If he keeps this play up, he will be an extremely comfortable backup to Tyler Adams.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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This was a Mexico A-/B+ team. This win cannot be downplayed because they were gritty, they were courageous, showed some great composure and it was against top competition.
Great jobs guys and I'm starting to give Berhalter a more kudo's with each win.
For as shitty as us as an American fanbase was in 2017 after that disaster in Port of Spain, they really are putting that in the past and putting optimism in us as supporters.
Matty Turner has probably played himself out of the MLS to. I fully expect him to be in Europe come January of 2022.
Great jobs guys and I'm starting to give Berhalter a more kudo's with each win.
For as shitty as us as an American fanbase was in 2017 after that disaster in Port of Spain, they really are putting that in the past and putting optimism in us as supporters.
Matty Turner has probably played himself out of the MLS to. I fully expect him to be in Europe come January of 2022.
WOW!! That was a blast. OK, the non soccer guy's stupid takes.......but here it goes.
1) I thought the USA team was pathetic earlier in the tourney. Not realizing this was the B team, maybe in some cases the C team. Young guys.......
2) The set pieces were a complete disaster. Until tonight.
3) Agree with Acosta being the man of the match. Almost every set piece he delivered an opportunity.
4) I love Hoppe. My all time favorite US soccer player is Clint Dempsey. He has that same swagger and want to be the man,
5) Black kids. Let's face it, we all know the USA is never going to be a factor in soccer on the International level if it remains the provenance of rich, white prep school kids. We have to get the African American kids involved. And it looks like we have.
6) Looking forward to WC qualifying now. USA soccer is taking a leap not a step forward.
1) I thought the USA team was pathetic earlier in the tourney. Not realizing this was the B team, maybe in some cases the C team. Young guys.......
2) The set pieces were a complete disaster. Until tonight.
3) Agree with Acosta being the man of the match. Almost every set piece he delivered an opportunity.
4) I love Hoppe. My all time favorite US soccer player is Clint Dempsey. He has that same swagger and want to be the man,
5) Black kids. Let's face it, we all know the USA is never going to be a factor in soccer on the International level if it remains the provenance of rich, white prep school kids. We have to get the African American kids involved. And it looks like we have.
6) Looking forward to WC qualifying now. USA soccer is taking a leap not a step forward.
Hoppe and Dike are said to be going to England. I’ll be happy if Dike goes back to the Championship. We were wondering the other night if Turner was Europe bound. What a shot stopper he is. But he looks dreadful with his feet.
Acosta was unreal and the US backs were excellent and well organized.
Italy and US failed to qualify for Olympics and both won the Region 2 years later. Pretty amazing.
Some quick thoughts:
This was huge for US soccer. Definitely a redemption for WC qualifying and Olympic qualifying flubs. As Pitt fans, we know that “learning to win” is critical.
I hate to even bring it up but both recent victories against Mexico were razor thin and we could have very easily been on the other end. But we weren’t and you could see that we don’t respect and fear Mexico the way we used to. The team believes they can win and fought like hell to make it happen.
I like Berhalter more and more. These teams are playing together, going hard and showing skill and wait for it - our athleticism - is really starting to come through. We have some athletes who can run and get up in the air.
He’ll have some tough decisions for World Cup qualifying. This tournament didn’t solve the striker problem. We have a few decent options in Sargent, Dike and Zardes but nothing locked down. They may bring Hoppe as a forward for his toughness and effort, but he’s not world-class technically yet.
Midfield is looking better and I thought Acosta was the man of the match tonight. The more I watch Busio I like him a lot but he’s not there - yet. Would definitely be a drop-off from Reyna, Adams, Musah, etc. Lletget disappeared tonight and Roldan is even further back.
Im also curious to see what we do with the backs. I think Miles Robinson played himself into the discussion (and they mentioned he played every minute of the tournament which says something of Berhalter’s opinion of him). Because Dest likes to press high - Robinson’s athleticism might be useful from that center back position.
Keeper - I think it’s still Steffen’s spot for now, but it feels great to have a backup option who isn’t 38 years old.
Lots to be excited about for the future of US Men’s Soccer and the competition for selection will drive this team to even greater heights.
This was huge for US soccer. Definitely a redemption for WC qualifying and Olympic qualifying flubs. As Pitt fans, we know that “learning to win” is critical.
I hate to even bring it up but both recent victories against Mexico were razor thin and we could have very easily been on the other end. But we weren’t and you could see that we don’t respect and fear Mexico the way we used to. The team believes they can win and fought like hell to make it happen.
I like Berhalter more and more. These teams are playing together, going hard and showing skill and wait for it - our athleticism - is really starting to come through. We have some athletes who can run and get up in the air.
He’ll have some tough decisions for World Cup qualifying. This tournament didn’t solve the striker problem. We have a few decent options in Sargent, Dike and Zardes but nothing locked down. They may bring Hoppe as a forward for his toughness and effort, but he’s not world-class technically yet.
Midfield is looking better and I thought Acosta was the man of the match tonight. The more I watch Busio I like him a lot but he’s not there - yet. Would definitely be a drop-off from Reyna, Adams, Musah, etc. Lletget disappeared tonight and Roldan is even further back.
Im also curious to see what we do with the backs. I think Miles Robinson played himself into the discussion (and they mentioned he played every minute of the tournament which says something of Berhalter’s opinion of him). Because Dest likes to press high - Robinson’s athleticism might be useful from that center back position.
Keeper - I think it’s still Steffen’s spot for now, but it feels great to have a backup option who isn’t 38 years old.
Lots to be excited about for the future of US Men’s Soccer and the competition for selection will drive this team to even greater heights.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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3. Not only giving good service on set pieces, he was defensively tremendous. He had alot of good tackles, he won the ball many times when the Mexican player had control and was a total pest out there. But not a chippy, overmatched pest.
4. Hoppe I think will surpass Josh Sargent in pecking order. I think if he was up top instead off Zardes, the U.S. may win this game 2-0 and not needed Robinson's goal.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Dike yes to the Championship and that is not dig. I know the Championship, it's a very difficult division, easily better than the vast majority of top divisions, he just needs the right fit. He is an Alexander Mitrovic type player.
Hoppe, I'd like to see him stay in Germany. Schalke is a hot mess so they could possibly try to cash in on him, get him in a mid table Bundesliga team and see how he does.
Turner I think with a move to Europe could and would improve with his feet. I think he is 1B right now behind Steffen. Steffen isn't exactly Pele with his feet either.
Good takes.
2) Berhalter seemed to be grooming Busio throughout the tournament as a future leader of the midfield (for the JV squad 😀) and let him take a disproportionate number of free kicks. Most of them were flat (no air under them) and impotent. And so were most of his shots on goal.
I can’t tell yet if it is a lacking skill or just a confidence thing. I am guessing it is confidence…and that Berhalter has seen him do it enough in practice and other scenarios to keep asking him to take them. But this tournament his set piece balls were pretty bad. And yes, beautiful passes by Acosta tonight!!!
Amazing how quickly we forget about the hero of the Nations League. He was a good shot stopper too.
Sargeant needs to get his stuff together
the Championship is a good fit for Dike because it’s so physical.
Acosta reminded me of Kante tonight. He was everywhere in the midfield. I can’t even imagine Adams playing that well.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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This was a massive win. 2 in a row again El Tri and those 2 got them trophies. This one was more impressive than June because this is a very talented Mexico team. This was as close to their A squad as possible.
I think Sargent gets passed over. Zardes will hang around because they guy gives it all. I think Hoppe will shine and I'm looking forward to seeing Timmy Weah get a chance. He showed himself well with Lille last season helping them to win Ligue 1. I just hope Dike take that step forward that Jozy couldn't.
Midfield is very strong. McKennie and Adams but you have Acosta backing up Adams.
I think Miles Robinson may have cemented himself in the back with John Brooks.
I'm really digging the attitude this team could have. McKennie is a junkyard dog. Brooks doesn't put up with any crap.
I'm bullish on the future of this team and its chances. I don't think there's any question they qualify and I think they can make some noise. Berhalter is growing on me.
I saw a lot of heart from hoppe Zardes and arriola tonight but not the technique or talent needed for World Cup qualifiers
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Berhalter has a great problem. Steffen, Horvath or Turner. I think what will help solve his problem is
A. Does Steffen get loaned out again for regular PT
B. Does Horvath flourish at Notty Forest
C. Does Matt Turner roll this performance into the rest of the season with NE
There's only 30 days of the transfer window left so some teams in Europe may want to try and strike while the iron his hot with Turner. Would NE say no because they are tops in the east of MLS and then sell in January.
Dike is a bull, maybe Barnsley will take a run at him again.
Acosta was unreal tonight. He was everywhere. He had an answer for just about everything when Mexico tried to push deep into the middle of the attacking end.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I personally think Hoppe puts a few in tonight if you switch him with Zardes with those chances. Hoppe just has a bounce to him, he is aggressive and looks to attack. His glancing header was very good, just a hair outside of the post.
Can a Barnsley afford the Orlando valuation of 20 million? They won’t get that now, but that was the rumored number.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Nope, Barnsley's run last year was magical and completely unexpected. They barely survived relegation to League 1 in 19-20. I didn't know Orlando was asking $20 million. That's alot for top Championship clubs and lower level EPL clubs. I just don't want to see him go to Newcastle United, I think he'd fail miserably there because of how Steve Bruce plays. Southampton or Brighton could be nice options.
I don’t know who needs a #9. I know Chelsea does. Lol. But Dike needs to play and he’s not ready for the Premier league.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Could see the Chelsea special. Buy a young guy with lots of promise and put him immediately on the loan market
I would think one American has run his course there. Miazga’s time has to be up. It was nice seeing him in a chelsea uniform the other day vs Bournemouth. And he did well. Even had a shot on goal.
Dude, what did Pulisic do to Tuchel? I assumed when he was hired that was good because of their previous relationship at Dortmund but it seems like he goes out of his way not to play Pulisic.
Ok so how many of you stayed up to see the Gold Cup Final and also got up to watch the women vs. Canada in the Olympic semis? I did. I’m sure I will pay for it in the early afternoon but it was well worth it! Great win for the men. You can feel a new generation coming for the men.
Sadly, I fell asleep at the 88th minute and completely missed the rest of the final. First half performance US men were on their heels and just defensive. 15 minutes into second they flipped the field and started to get some offense. First half had something like Mexico with near 70% possession. I thought I recorded the game but didn’t. Hopefully a repeat today.
Yeah…Pulisic is another one who does not seem long for Chelsea. I feel as though when Lampard was manager, he was perfect for Lampard. Lampard wasn’t sold on him at first, but then had no choice to start Pulisic in every game. He seems to be best attacking from wide areas in a 4-3-3, and Lampard was married to that formation. Tuchel rode a 3-4-3 to a European Championship and that takes a position away from the front line. Tuchel is infatuated with Timo Werner, and with Kai Havertz emerging as superstar, it doesn’t leave room for CP10 in the starting lineup. Yesterday in a friendly, Tuchel started CP10 at wing back, and from what I can tell he didn’t do much at this new position. The game was $8 to watch online and I wasn’t going to spend that for a silly practice game.
I’m wondering if this will be Christian’s last year at Chelsea. As long as Werner is there, Pulisic will be a reserve. And they are trying really hard to buy a big money #9 like Haaland or Lukaku. If they do that, there’s even less playing time in the attack. Pulisic and Werner would eventually be sold to help pay for it. But I’m satisfied because without CP10, Chelsea wouldn’t have even qualified for the Champions League that they won. And of course he played a role in the Champions League scoring the decisive goal against Real Madrid in the semifinal.
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I woke early to watch the 2nd half. What a brutal penalty. No one argued…but that was just unfortunate.
Just caught the highlights. Wish I didn’t fall asleep. Very exciting game with nonstop action back and forth.
Great thoughts. You sell yourself short on your soccer takes.
as far as the black kids, It’s still a pay to play sport. Most of these black players are what progressives would label as “privileged” if it wasn’t for their skin color. So while, let’s face it, these guys bring more athleticism into the program…we still are not fishing for players in the same pool that p football and basketball is.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I’m drawing a blank. it’s just harsh. Penalties should be given in more clear and obvious goal scoring opportunities, not 50/50 balls a foot from being outside the 18. I lost a game last year where my player clipped a player who was in the upper left side of the box and had her back to the goal and was actually dribbling away from the goal. Was it a foul? Yep. Absolutely. But those fouls should not be penalties.
The Mexican team was not good all tournament long. But regarding last night, that’s just a tough one for him. How can his group come with the same energy that they would have brought if we brought our best? I know it’s a coaches job to get them ready…but human nature is a funny thing. He will fall on the sword though.
