Klinsmann has been fired. Who will be the next USMNT headcoach?
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Klinsmann has been fired. Who will be the next USMNT headcoach?
We could bring Bob Bradley back when he gets inevitably fired from Swansea :P :DQuote:
Originally Posted by latech
haha - he looks miserable on the sideline so far since he got the Swansea job. Bob is in way over his head.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
I was a Swansea fan before Bradly (you might call me a bit of a Welsh Nationalist) and I shook my head at that hire, hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by latech
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/11/16/
Thanks for your service...but it's time for Klinsmann to go.
You got your wish.
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016...rgen-klinsmann
Coaches usually don't make it two cycles and Klinsmann is not known for his tactical acumen (or his player relationships for that matter)
My guess is Arena for the end of the cycle and then someone new. I think Arena gets them through the hex and into the WC group stage. Don't know about any further.
We might have to build around Pulisic, Wood, and 2022.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/u-socce...201319837.html
Yep, he had to go.
Surprisingly, given his back ground, he is clueless about tactics. His team is always a step behind, out of place, and there are no adjustments during the match when the other side is having success.
Bruce Arena will do well enough to get us to Russia for 2018.
WTH happened to the WNT?
Once they admitted they were all lesbian they lost their secret powers.Quote:
Originally Posted by revf
We used this tourney as an opportunity to give youngsters plenty of PT. Not concerned at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by revf
They are protesting having to directive that there will be no protests during the National Anthem
We're not gonna protest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3FQ4bK080o
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/br...005103265.html
We are in deep doo-doo....
For the past 20+ years qualifying for the World Cup Finals has been a mere formality. The top three CONCACAF teams automatically make the field of 32, and the fourth place team gets a play-in match, which usually the CONCACAF teams wins. None of that has been a concern for the USA since we have finished either 1st or 2nd in the qualifying, and were never in any danger of missing out.
But, we have a tough road ahead to qualify for Russia 2018. Even without the rash of injuries we were looking at a 1-3 start. Now, even our home match later this month is in question due to as many as 7 starters out with injuries.
I'm not that worried. I don't think we will be in 1st place or anything, but remember Mexico in the last CONCACAF? They won only TWO matches and made it to the World Cup. The play in game is not usually an issue. If we get a draw or better with Honduras we should be ok. Panama should be a fairly confident victory.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Now two losses in March might reorient my thinking, but you can't control injuries and its too soon to worry about not qualifying.
USA 6 Honduras 0
Wow!
It would be easy to just say, welcome back Bruce Arena. And surely he deserves credit. But, this was about our veterans and that kid, Christian Pulisic. I like the combo of Altidore-Dempsey-Pulisic up top. They put so much pressure on a defense. And Michael Bradley playing where he is most comfortable/effective as a holding midfielder. Tim Howard in the goal.
On to Panama.
Two things:
1. Arena playing people where they are comfortable. He's not "tinkering" every game which is the main thing that infuriated me with Klinsmann. A good manager puts his players in the right spots to win the game.
2. We have a great midfield lineup. Best in years. Nagbe (a Klinsmann reject), Bradley (in his natural position), Lletget (a Klinsmann reject), and especially Pulisic (who will be the greatest 10 we've ever had).
Already I see people downplaying the victory, saying it was Honduras. Yet we forget we were without some of our starters. Wood, Jones, Chandler, Yedlin
I'll take 6-nil
Greatest ever? I hope so. Since our current "greatest ever(s)" are all retired.
1. Landon Donovan
2. Claudio Reyna
3. Tab Ramos
Reyna and Ramos were not pure #10's, mostly midfielders. But, they did what the team needed and often pushed the pressure higher, thus moving forward into a semi-10 at times. But, both could have played the #10 and done very well, but the US didn't have someone of that quality to play behind them.
Landon Donovan is hands down the best of all time. Pulisic shows all the qualities of a world-class striker, but he needs to grow in the other areas and do ALL the things LD did, if he truly wants to be the greatest ever. He is just 18! He has all the time in the world to grow into the position. For the US, our #10 has to get back on defense a lot. We don't have the luxury of defending with just 7 plus the GK. LD was magnificent tracking back and making plays, as a midfielder, in our defending one-third.
Our back four needs a lot of help....
Yeah the back 4 were clearly the weakest link. I might have started Demarcus over the rookie, but that's a minor quibble. Brooks shows times when he's the best newbie on the field and times when he is lost. I don't know what to do with him. Cameron and Gonzalez were serviceable but can get lost on the pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Hopefully we can get a healthy Chandler, Yedlin back which makes our back four a little better.
When I coached soccer, I spent the bulk of the time teaching defense. I know all of these players, who have ascended to this level, are skilled and have been taught proper defending techniques. In other words, I'm sure they know what to do. Yet...they seem to forget during matches.
It's quite simple, really: mark up goal side and do NOT allow the player you are marking any space. That's it!
Except, for the USMNT, our back 4 seem to have brain farts and allow attacking players to create space. Happened several times last night. With just a little bit of luck, Honduras could have/should have scored 3. Against quality strikers, the US gets burned often.
I talked to a kid who was reffing a U-8 game my kid was on. He told me you have no idea how much the game speeds up the higher you get. One of his best friends was a top player in the state of Louisiana and worked out with the U-17 team, he said it's crazy fast and it only picks up from there.
Defense is about limiting mistakes especially at the highest levels. Speed kills when marking space especially if you have a good ball distributor. One of the most unnoticed players on the pitch yesterday was Altidore. Dempsey got a hattrick but Altidore was sharp with his distraction and distribution. He would draw people off and let someone else take the goal with quick passes.
Tim Ream should never be called up again...ever.
The refs let this game get ugly quickly.
Jones is out of shape and probably shouldn't have started.
That said, we are in 4th place. With a home win vs. Trinidad and a road draw at Azteca (very difficult) we should be ok.
Glad to get some kind of result. Right now any point(s) on the road are good.
It's good to see both of the national teams with two young legit number 10s.
Pulisic and Lavelle are going to be forces for years to come.
Bradley has got to go. He's becoming a liability.
I'm ready to see what Acosta can do.
At one time I thought MB was one of the best holding midfielders in the world. Klinsmann messed with things and moved him up as an attacking MF....I think Klinsmann may have even thought MB could become a #10. But, even when MB was back as a holding MF, his game never returned. He's a turnover machine. If he stays on the roster he might make a good marking back, like Beasley transitioned to late in his career.
vs. T & T tonite. Have to have the 3 pts tonite. Nothing less than a "W" will do.
Got 3. It's what we needed. Qualification picture looks pretty good right now.
Sunday in Azteca will be brutal. (Always is) I kind of expect a 2-4-4 and going for the point with Arena. I think a point on the road in Azteca is as good as a win.
Again, our future looks good. Yedlin, Acosta, Vilifana, and of course Pulisic continue to impress and grow.
Worried that our experienced players are looking tired. Deuce was lost several times. Bradley. Howard struggled uncharacteristicly.
We are not very good.
Struggled to dispatch a last place T & T. Yeah, did enough to get the 3, but we were lucky too. Our defense sucks. Why it is so difficult to understand the concept of close marking, especially in the box, is beyond me. And where are our MFers consistently getting back in the defending 1/3? Sometimes some of them get back...but never all of them. Then, they are AWOL in the attacking 1/3 too at times. Why have a MF if they won't play it right? Just add defenders and strikers and skip the midfield.
I thought Howard had a good game. Maybe not one of his best, but he did have some saves and made a couple of nice plays to cut off the pass, before a shot could be taken. Given how pathetically weak our back 4 is, any GK who can keep a clean sheet must have done something right. He, and we, got lucky when that header went off the bar.
Pulisic is the real deal...as a striker. But, as a #10 leaves a lot to be desired getting back, even into the midfield. Donovan was awesome at covering ALL of the attacking 2/3...and even saved the day at times in the defending 1/3 in key games. Pulisic is just a kid, and no doubt will grow and continue to develop into the GREAT player we know he'll be. He has already mastered being a striker...if that is his position.
If we get a point at Azteca, I'll be thrilled!
I'll take it.
Brilliant goal by MB, and a solid performance from our back 4, especially Geoff Cameron.
A point at Azteca. That is a huge result. Mexico doesn't lose at Azteca.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
I was surprised by the Guzan pick, but Arena's game plan was solid.
Cameron was great. Solid Defense.
And we are much closer to qualifying for the WC.
Now that we passed the Azteca test, an even larger test looms: home to Costa Rica*. We need to get 3 pts and get some payback. Getting the "W" vs. CR will also assure, or practically assure, we are Russia-bound in '18. I feel a lot better about our chances now.
* I don't mean beating CR at home is harder than getting a result at Azteca, of course not. But, it's the key match for US to qualify for the WC Finals. Arena has been pointing to that match for months and even spoke about it prior to last night's game. We NEED the 3 pts at home. It's what is expected and it's what separates those clubs moving on from those who can only watch the Finals on TV.
Sept. 1 — HOME vs. Costa Rica (TBA)
Sept. 5 — AWAY to Honduras
Oct. 6 — HOME vs. Panama (Orlando, Fla.)
Oct. 10 — AWAY to Trinidad and Tobago
Need 6 pts from HOME games and at least 2 pts from AWAY games, giving US 16 pts at the end of the Hex and that should be good enough to secure a top 3 finish and an automatic qualifier to WC Finals.
The Ticos at home should be a tough test. They are a legit team and will qualify for the WC in 18. (El Tri, Ticos, US are my top three)
I also feel we could steal the away game at T&T. I mean it's a road game, but Azteca it is not.
US 2 Ghana 1 in a friendly. Dwyer and Acosta each get their first international goal. Fourth straight time the match between us and them has ended in a 2-1 score. Series tied at 2.
Looking forward to tomorrow's Confederations Cup Final, Chile vs. Germany. Should be a good one.
Gold Cup opener.... USA 1 Panama 1
No surprise there, eh, as this marks the 4th straight match with them that has ended 1-1. Except for Dwyer, nothing good to say about any of the newbies. Dwyer scored our goal last night, but more importantly he is playing well and making things happen. Applies a lot of pressure from his striker's position. Acosta is just out there....running around, chasing the ball, being out of position play after play after play. He is only 21, a youngster, but if he was truly a "world class" type player, he'd already be showing more. I can't see Arena wasting a roster spot on him for the World Cup.
Same thing with the other youngsters currently on the Gold Cup roster. None of them act like they've played the game before. Simple, mental things like where to be on certain plays as they develop, both on the offense and defense. They are out of position time after time. Nerves? Maybe. But come on, man! they're wearing the uniform of the US National Team!!!
Next up, please....
USA vs. Martinique tonite.
Gotta have the 3 points.
US 3 Martians 2Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
R U kidding me! Our B Team sucks. Martinique doesn't even have a FIFA sanctioned team, or a program. They are amateurs. Yet, they pushed our B Team to the limit!
On a bright note, I like the way Agudelo plays. Needs to elevate his fitness level, but I think he might be a good addition to our WC roster. Want to see him play some more though before I make a final judgment. None of our B Team defenders or midfielders, the newbies I mean, have shown they have what it takes. Germany would have scored 12 goals against us last night, maybe 15. The gap between WC class talent and our B Team is enormous. Beyond enormous!
I understand, and support, Arena for putting together this roster for the Gold Cup this summer. While it's nice to win such tourneys, in the big picture we to develop young players at the international level. It's just that....it's hard to watch. It's cringe-worthy! As one would expect, the biggest weakness on the B Team is the midfield. Heck, even our A Team struggles in the midfield at the WC level. Finding world class (World Cup (WC)) midfield talent is the key and is hard, even for soccer elite countries. Brazil has fallen off these past 5 years because they have a mediocre (by WC standards) midfield.
Our back 4 is also a struggle. But, we can patch together a "good enough" back line considering we have good Keepers, and IF we had a strong holding midfield(er). Michael Bradley used to provide that for us, and he was legit good. MB has dropped off, partially because Landon Donovan is no longer our #10. LD dropped back and helped our midfield a bunch on defense. It's the reason LD is the best player in US history; the guy was awesome on defense.
Anyway....Nicaraqua is next. Just win and move on.
The best international teams have great promotion structures and club teams. In any sport. Think about the difference between, say, the NY Red Bulls and Man U. Laughable. So its really no surprise that we struggle more than we improve.
Anyway....Nicaraqua is next. Just win and move on.
We won and moved on.
Nicaragua/El Salvador - what's the differenceQuote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Ah....not much.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
Didn't know how right I was!
El Salvador is ranked 103rd in the World FIFA rankings, Nicaragua 105th. The US is ranked 35th.
CONCACAF is weak, well, even more so than usual.
Mexico is the highest ranked, at 16th. Costa Rica is 26th.
US vs. Costa Rica tonite, Gold Cup semi-final. Mexico vs. Jamaica in the other semi.
Last time we played CR we got crunched, 4-0, in a WC qualifier. It got Klinsmann fired. Now, 12 games later, under Bruce Arena, we have not lost a match. Tonite, neither side will have its true A Team, but their back-ups are better than ours. CR, based on its ranking, should be a slight favorite tonite. But, we have brought in more first-stringers than they did for the knockout phase of the tourney.
Arena has to change the formation to provide additional help for our woeful back line. I'd use a 4-2-3-1. Two holding midfielders, Bradley and .... well, someone else.
Hoping we can escape with a 1-0 win.
US 2 Costa Rica 0
It was the Clint Dempsey show! Came off the bench in the 66th minute, 0-0, and CR enjoying the run of play. Tim Howard had two great saves to keep the score level. Dempsey's experience and quality showed immediately. He was in the role of attacking midfield, below Altidore and Morris. The US won possession of the ball and dominated play over the final 24 minutes. Dempsey assisted Altidore with a perfect pass, and then CD equaled LD with his 57th career goal on a 22-yard free kick, perfectly played around the wall and inside the near post. Good stuff....no great stuff from CD!
We have also found another midfielder, Darlington Nagbe.
http://www.foxsports.com/west/story/...ta-rica-072317
We are on a 13-game unbeaten streak since Arena returned. The all-time best is a 16-game streak in 2004-05....under Arena.
Coaching makes a difference.
Dempsey off the bench was brilliant. Shifted the entire game. CR was done when he came in. He almost broke the record. Deuce will be used more and more like this in the future. This is the role Donovan should have had in 2012, but Klinsmann was too much of an asshole to admit it.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Arena is developing young talent AND keeping the best of the experienced players.
Nagbe looks legit.
Vilifana, Acosta are getting better. Acosta did better with Bradley in to help him. Defense kept good formations for the most part. Howard made two great saves.
Also Jordan Morris made some great runs. Three legit strikers give us some options (Wood, Altidore, Morris)
Jamaica 1 Wetbacks 0 :laugh:
US vs. Jamaica in the Gold Cup final.
Love it:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer...723-story.html
Only 43K at the Rose Bowl. Hah! looks like Trump's policies are having an effect on illegals being here!
As for the game, and the aftermath, couldn't happen to a nicer bunch. Loved the shock look of all those Mexican fans.
Tonite!!
USA vs. Jamaica
They knocked us out of the 2015 Gold Cup beating us 2-1 in the semis. Time for a little payback. But, it won't be easy.
Jamaica is very athletic. Their players are big and fast. A lot like Usane Bolt and the Jamaican track team, they can run. They are athletic and talented, but not always organized. We should be able to play a better brand of soccer.
They are ranked 76th in the FIFA world rankings. The US sits at 35th. But, as Lou Holtz once said, you don't have to be the best in the world, just the best team in the stadium on that day. Jamaica is very capable of beating us tonite. But, they won't: US 2 Jamaica 1 (Dempsey sets US career scoring record with game-winning goal).
Costa Rica was a good win. +29 Elo points! (if you're following my stuff in other threads, *this* Elo is the real one (well, really the real one is for World Chess Rankings)). Those numbers give the US about a 77% chance to win.
http://www.eloratings.net/gold_cup.html
Jamaica is really fast and plays solid stifling defense in the middle.
I love the way Jordan Morris plays. Full speed all the time.
That being said he did lose his man on the corner kick that led to the goal.
Lucky for him that he found the net late in the game to get the point back.
Nagbe is really good at controlling the ball. Would love to see him and Pulisic controlling the midfield.
Besler plays very fundamentally sound defense. He keeps his mistakes to a minimum. Him and Omar in the back were good.
Gold Cup Champions once again.
BTW, Arena hasn’t lost a game in 14 games! That’s impressive.
Well, I got the score right, US 2 Jam 1, but it was Morris with the game winner. Although, Dempsey was an inch from giving us a late lead.
It's always a good thing to win a tourney, and certainly we have reason to be pleased to be Gold Cup Champs. Some of our youngsters stepped up and seem to be on the verge of becoming legit world class players. Fine....but...
There is a reason we are ranked 35th in FIFA rankings. 32 teams make it to the World Cup finals (Russia, summer of 2018), most of those will be Top 30 ranked. The level of competition is waaaay better than what CONCACAF has to offer. Our weakness on the back line, and in the midfield, is still so glaring. Cameron and Brooks will anchor the defense, and Pulisic will bring exciting talent to our offense. But, for the most part, our WC team was on the field tonite.
I want to see Nagbe control the ball, at times slow it down, possess it, and orchestrate a build-up to an attack. And! as Arena has told him, at times Nagbe needs to be selfish, keep the ball, and create his own shot. IF one player holds the key to the US breaking thru into the Elite 8, or dare I think it, the Final Four in Russia, it's Nagbe. Granted he's got a lot of growing up to do and needs to improve quite a bit, but he has a year to Russia, and with the proper coaching and personal development Nagbe could be our new Claudio Reyna.
Our two top defenders Brooks and Cameron weren't there. Arguably the best midfield we have Pulisic wasn't there. No Yedlin. No Bobby Wood.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Wood, Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, and Pulisic. (I predict all five to be WC starters) I would say these five make a huge impact on the team. Pulisic on the pitch will change the way Nagbe is used and I think will give him more openings. You are correct that he needs to be selfish more. He can control the ball and I saw brief moments of that. Many times he was too quick to pass it away. I also give Jamaica credit. They really collapsed the field on defense. Stacking up eight in the box and cut off crosses very quickly.
I think we will start to see Arena start playing the WC starters together in the next cycle to get them used to playing together as a unit.
He used to the Gold Cup to see how well our subs operated. Some are better, some need some coaching and work. Acosta needs to grow more, but he is 22 and has good upside. I like the way he played with Bradley (who he might have to replace one day). The average age of this Gold Cup was 25! Third youngest Gold Cup group ever.
And perhaps the best thing of all, I like Arena's approach to the game over Klinsman's. He puts people where they are comfortable and strong and gives them help to succeed. Just look at the change in Bradley. He is more relaxed, patient, and aware of the game. Our defenders at least know their assignments and were much better in tracking them all night. There is no confusion of roles which happened all the time under Klinsman.
Arena is a much better coach than Klinsmann.
I don't see Bobby Wood as a WC starter. But, agree with the other four. So, essentially, we had 7 of 11 WC starters playing in the Gold Cup, from the quarterfinals on. Yedlin...hmmm...yeah, I suppose he'll be one of the first 11, thus a starter, but I'm not sold on him. Has flashes of brilliance mixed in with WTFs! Need consistency from midfielders. Yes, I think Arena will slate Yedlin as a MF rather than a marking back. If 100% healthy and fit Jermaine Jones is a better choice for that slot. If not, will Arena use a precious roster spot on Max McCarty? I don't see how he can.
It comes down to the same ole same ole with the US side. We don't have FOUR legit world class midfielders.
Yes, Arena had better put our best team out there for the upcoming WC qualifiers. We haven't secured a spot in Russia yet.
Woods has more international experience than Morris. Morris maybe has more athleticism. We need two strikers.
Jermaine Jones? Really? He looked awful in his last appearance. Out of shape and played rough. He was beaten several times. He is older than Deuce!
Dax is interesting, but I haven't seen enough of him yet. Anyway I think this WC team could be better than the one that went to Rio. I'm not worried about the rest of the schedule. El Ticos at home (already beat them in the Gold Cup). Panama at home. T&T on the road. Difficult to win in the road, but it's T&T.
Im counting Honduras as a loss on the road. Arena will probably play defensively and hope for the point.
This would secure us 3rd and a guanranteed spot in the WC.
We need two strikers? Well, I'm hoping Altidore will be one of those, and Pulisic can play striker. In fact, it's his best position. Below them could be Dempsey and Bradley as center MFers, Nagbe on a wing, and we need a 4th MF. In the back, Cameron and Brooks in the center, maybe Yedlin as right back and either Gonzalez, Zusi, or Besler on the left. Or, Yedlin as that 4th MF and then choose 2 of those 3 as marking backs.
As for Jermaine Jones, he had a HUGE 2014 WC in Brazil. He was steady and solid. He was, in fact, probably our MVP. But, he is old, that will be 4 years ago by the time of Russia, and so, yeah, maybe age has gotten him. That's why I qualified it by saying "if 100% healthy and fit."
I see potential in that Villazona (???) kid. Whatever his name is. He played left back last night. I like Dom Dwyer as a spot sub for instant offense. Yeah, it's Dax McCarty. I just can't see using a WC roster spot for him.
We dug ourselves a hole in the Hex starting 0-2 to the other two contenders for the top 3 spots, the auto-qualifiers. We left ourselves no margin for error. We NEED to win at home, and at T&T, which we should do. Honduras on the road? We crunched them at home, surely we can get some kind of result on the road there.
US Women's Team is struggling big time. Lost for the first time ever to Australia last night, 1-0. Opening match of the Tournament of Nations. We are now 25-2-1 all time vs. the Matildas.
Enjoyed the run of play, but they got a lucky bounce goal, and we just couldn't (can't) finish! Alex Morgan had three well-struck shots, Crystal Dunn had a great look INSIDE the 6-yard box, Rapinoe was missing badly on her open shots, and Carli Lloyd was so "not into it" I forgot she was even on the field. This marks THREE home losses in 2017. That is a record...and it's still only July. Next up...Brazil in the tourney.
Must still be suffering from that WC champion hangover...
So....it's Brazil 3 USA 1 80th minute.
Oh....it's Brazil 3 USA 4 90th minute (Full time)
We scored 3 goals in final 10 minutes to pull it out. The Women's team needed this boost. Have been sluggish and not finishing. They finished in the final 10 minutes tonight.
Ellis seems to be taking a page out of Klinsmann’s playbook. Lots of weird formations, new players out of position.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Awful goalkeeping. I mean hope solo was a bitch, but at least she knew what she was doing.
Yeah, Ellis is trying to develop young players, and is experimenting with veterans in different positions to see if they can be productive elsewhere to allow the youth on the field. For instance, she might want to develop young strikers but wants Alex Morgan out there to bring her leadership and experience to the mix. So, she might try Morgan in the midfield allowing Dunn, Pugh, and some others time up front. In the meantime, Morgan has to learn how to play MF and will look "out of place." I have no problem with experimenting in the non-WC cycle years. Bruce Arena is doing it now, IN a WC-cycle year. He did it in the early rounds of the Gold Cup.
The US Women's team is ranked #1 in the world in FIFA rankings. We are about one thing: winning World Cup titles. I hate to lose....even a friendly. The players hate to lose...even a friendly. But, one has to be mature about this and look at the big picture. We have to develop youth or the US's hold on the top of women's international soccer will fade away.
As for Keeper.....ouch! Even without Hope Solo surely we can do better than this.
But! last night was fun! We had the run of play and was much the better team, but Brazil made the most of their 6 shots, and we missed 15 shots, before hitting the net 3 of 3 down the stretch. Like the Australia lost, we ran circles around Brazil, who is ranked #7 in the world. But, we couldn't finish. Pugh missed from two yards out in front of a WIDE OPEN goal. Their Keeper was on the ground, out of the play, and Pugh missed! Gotta do better.
Wanna know why the USWNT is the best in the world? We have the best midfield, led by Rapinoe and Lloyd. Those two are the #1 and #2 best MFers in the world, and they both play for the USA. It's what our Men's team lacks.
I'm not worried, we will be ready for the 2019 WC. It's what we do....
Oh yeah, Rapinoe can handle the ball. Lloyd seemed a little missing the last two matches. Her creativity is vital to our team.
I am hoping a Nagbe/Pulisic tandem can one day get to that level. Time will tell. I do think Nagbe is improving with every match. He needs confidence more than anything. Klinsman wouldn't let him develop. I think Arena is pushing him like you said to be a little more stingy with the ball instead of passing it.
Interestingly enough a lot of people commented on Rapinoe's goal. She had help in front of the net with a better shot if she had passed the ball (her angle to shoot was terrible), but she was so determined to bury that ball in the net that she didn't even look to pass. It was always going to be her goal. I think Arena wants to see more of that demeanor from Nagbe.
Rapinoe over-powered the keeper with that shot. She hammered it. But, the prettiest goal of the night was Press' shot. Simply brilliant.
I have high hopes for Nagbe and Pulisic. The question(s) I have about Pulisic is what is his best position? I think, right now, it should be striker. Later on I see him developing into a true #10 and being our next Landon Donovan. In the international matches he's played, he has hung up top, did not retreat back often like a great #10 will do to help the defense. I think his instincts are as a striker. Nothing wrong with that. Would be nice for the USA to have our own Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo....
For the next two years, at least thru Russia 2018. I'd pair Pulisic with Altidore and have Bradley and Dempsey as center mids, Nagbe on one wing. Yeldin or someone else on the other wing. Midfield would effectively play a diamond formation with Dempsey on the point (offense) and Bradley in back (defense).
USA 3 Japan 0
Much better tonight.
back to the men's team...
WC qualifying resumes Sept 1 vs. Costa Rica. It's a home game, they skunked us 4-0 down at their place, so it's time for some payback. After that we hit the road at Honduras. Need 4 pts total out of these two matches. It would be quite an upset, a shocker, if we miss the WC finals. Say what? Yep, I mean the men's team.
Only SEVEN countries have qualified for every WC Final dating back to 1990. They are: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and the USA! Surprising, I know.
And there are big buck$ at stake. Qualifying for the WC Finals puts about $125 million into the coffers of that nation's federation.
Tonite!
Hopefully our offense can keep the ball and score a couple of goals. I like having Altidore, Dempsey, Pulisic, and Nagbe on the field at the same time. Fabian Johnson will play left mid, apparently, and he runs the overlaps well. Bradley is holding MF, and he'll be busy helping a depleted back line. Cameron is slated to start, but no John Brooks, out with an injury. Besler or Ream will fill in. Villafana and Zusi are most likely marking backs...about as good as we have right now. Yedlin is also out with the injury bug. So, half the for-sure #1 defense is out for tonite.
Howard will be in goal.
Need the 3 pts. Just win.
Out classed...
Some of the worst soccer I have seen played. Sloppy. No intensity.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
I’m done with Bradley. Ream is no Brooks and was easily beaten.
I get it our best Defense was out tonight, but all the more reason to bunker down and play defensively rather than load the offensive side. Pulisic HAS to learn how to play BOTH sides of the pitch if he wants to wear the 10. Altidore was completely lost. Wood disappeared. Nagbe looked young.
All that being said. I had Mexico 1 and CR 2 out of Concacaf. We were always playing for that third spot.
We could use a Mexico win and a T&T win tonight.
Honduras 2 T&T 1
Mexico 1 Panama 0
The best we can hope for now, more than likely, is to hang on to 4th and have to play (and win) that play-in match.
Costa Rica is legit good. They were screwed by the refs in Brazil vs. Netherlands and should have reached the WC semis. They are not a top 10 side because they lack the "style" up top, no world class striker(s). But, what they do very well is play team defense.
Pulisic got used and abused. He looked like an 18-yr-old kid vs. a legit international side. There is no reason to think he won't develop into one of the best players in US soccer history. But for now...he is a kid playing a man's game. Altidore continues to disappoint. I, and others, keep heaping praise and hope on him, and yet he lets us down in big games like last night. He is out for the Honduras game because of back to back yellows. No big deal.
We need to think "get a point" Tuesday at Honduras. Play three center backs, like we did to get a result at Azteca. Right now we are tied for 3rd with Honduras with 8 pts, and Panama sits in 4th with 7 pts. That means that one of the following: USA, Honduras, Panama will be close but OUT of the WC finals.
Going back to 1958 the US had lost ONE WC qualifier at home....we have lost twice in this cycle (Mexico and now CR).
Ream is a bad joke. Cameron was disappointing last night. He has been more solid and dependable, but he had an awful game. Both of their goals are shots that Howard usually, routinely stops. On the other hand, their goalie was awesome, including making that save on Pulisic's deflected shot that is as good as it gets. One of the best saves you'll ever see.
When we are bad.....we are REALLY bad. But, tip of the hat to CR. They are a solid, well-coached side.
CR is a legit team.
I agree the first goal they scored was one that Howard usually stops in the past. You can see him losing a step. The problem is we haven’t bothered developing another legit goalie and have relied on Howard for too long. On the other side you can see why their goalie starts for Real Madrid. He made a save that should have been a goal 90% of the time. He put on a goalie clinic last night.
Altidore out is no big deal (he’s usually out even when he’s in :laugh:). Let Morris play up front. At this point I would rather be developing the younger Morris. Cameron didn’t pair well with Ream and it showed. Ream has no place playing at this level.
Mexico helped us out with a win over Panama. I think we have to get three in Honduras. They are the ones this is going to come down to. We will finish 3&4 and I would rather not have to do the play in game.
Remaining schedule
at Honduras
Panama
at T&T
Need 5 pts, with the 3 coming vs. Panama.
Now it all rests on Panama.
Yep! Bobby Wood equalizes in 85th minute. That was huge.
We have got to show up for this frickin' HOME game!
Some further thoughts on these past two matches.
1. Why the hell do we play Costa Rica in NYC? I understand that it doesn’t change the outcome of the game, but our own federation is selling our team out for ticket sales. Take Mexico for instance. They play us in Azteca because it gives them the largest advantage. Every other nation in concacaf uses their home field to their advantage which is why it is so hard to win on the road.
2. So where do we choose to play our last match against Panama where we need the win to make it to the WC? Orlando. Not Seattle, not Portland, and not where a huge American population base is.
I've got a question about the 2026 bid that Mexico, Canada and the US is submitting. If the bid is awarded, who gets the home team auto-bid?
For the 2014 WCQs I thought they were well placed, Mexico in Columbus and CR in Colorado (altitude and snow). This time it is almost like they want to give the team a reason to blame the crowds if we don't qualify.Quote:
Originally Posted by revf
My heart says that we will secure 3rd place, but my head says we will be in fourth place with a play in game.
They are bumping the number of teams from 32 to 48, so I'd imagine all 3 would get auto-bidQuote:
Originally Posted by atobulldog
We had Mexico in Columbus this time too.Quote:
Originally Posted by atobulldog
As for the other question about who gets the auto-qualifier, I don't think it'll matter, unless you're Canada. The field is expanding from 32 to 48 teams. The US and Mexico are in anyway, even without an auto-invite. Still, an interesting question.
I think that was the right setting, we just screwed the pooch.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
I don't always agree with Alexi Lalas. (He can be a pompous ass)
But his rant on the UMNT is spot on. Rich men having all the advantages in the world playing with zero passion and no urgency.
Yeah....Alexi can be an ass at times. Except when I agree with him! ;) And this time, I do.Quote:
Originally Posted by revf
It all comes down to Friday night.
The biggest match in a long time.
Yep, huge! It's do or die time. Put up or shut up. (can't think of anymore cliches')
Balls to the wall?
That works.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
This game is HUGE! Oh, I said that already. Well, it is!
USA!!
USA 4 Panama 0
The US delivered tonite!!!
And, it all started with the USA team standing, hand on hearts, singing the National Anthem. I know what sport I support. Eff the NFL.
Clinical, start to finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Nagbe didn't have a good game, and the entire midfield was out-played by Panama. Bradley often found himself alone trying to defend the middle against 2 or 3 attacking Panama midfielders. It was surprising that they came out, and stayed, in a 4-4-2 pushing forward so much. Like Costa Rica, Panama's success has come from playing a bunker defense and only counter-attacking. Their style tonite opened them up to US counter-attacks and man! did we make them pay the price.
Now, we have to get a result at T & T.
Costa Rica scored the tying goal in added time, final CR 1 Honduras 1. If Honduras had lost the USA would have locked up at least 4th place. Had Honduras won, we would have needed a win at T&T to assure at least a 4th place finish. As it is, the US, Panama, and Honduras remain mathematically alive for the 3rd and 4th spots, and one of the three will get left out.
We have 12 pts, Panama and Honduras each have 10. If they win (Pan home to CR, and Hon home to Mex) and we lose at T&T, we are out. If they win and we draw, then Honduras is out due to GD (unless Hon smokes Mexico by 10+ goals!). CR and Mex have qualified for Russia. Their remaining game means nothing to them. I fully expect both to "phone it in" and would love nothing more than to help knock the US out. We need a result at T&T. A win would be great, then we are in. But, we need at least a draw. This is another "do or die," "put up or shut up," "balls to the walls," situation.
Wouldn't hurt my feelings if either, or both, Pan and Hon lose or settle for draw.
Oh, the 4th place CONCACAF rep gets Syria in the play-in series. Syria is playing its home games in Malaysia since it is not safe in Syria just now.
We are playing at T&T and only need a draw with the huge Goal Differential.
I expect a very heavy defensive effort with only occasional safe pushes forward. T&T doesn't have the best-attacking front, so this is not a match I am worried about.
There is no back-up plan if we blow this now. All it takes is one goof-up, one unlucky bounce. Our back line has shown a tendency to lose track of what they're suppose to be doing. I'll worry about it right up to the final whistle.
Gonzalez scores an own-goal in 17th min, US down early 1-0.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Mexico leads Hon 1-0 early.
0-0 CR and Pan thus far
Nope, down 2-0 now. And Hon has tied Mexico 1-1
US is Teching it up.
Yep. As clinical as Friday night was, tonight was an admission slip to the clinic until preliminary qualifying starts for Qatar.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
In the long run, it might be best as it will force a complete overhaul of U. S. Soccer. But it will be a painful period to have to endure.
That's what happens when you go for the draw instead of the win, Holtz! I mean Arena
US misses WC for first time since 1986.
FIRE EVERYONE! Starting with Gulati.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Trinidad, Trinidad, Trinidad
Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
http://cdn.meme.am/instances/58146631.jpg
& TobagoQuote:
Originally Posted by LT