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USWNT ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings. This is an all-time low in history. This is probably good. Takes some of the pressure off of 'em, and should put a chip on their shoulder. Of course, none of that matters. Still have to win the biggies: the Olympics and the World Cup. Only getting the gold medal and lifting the cup matters, not subjective rankings.
Yep. When you look at teams in the top 10 on either side men's or women's (women's game less so in the past but the world has improved vastly), it all comes down to the horses they have during that current cycle. Look at all the "golden" generations that have come and gone for countries and not won a major trophy etc. The hardware is all that counts.
Interesting discussions about including Alex Morgan on the 18-player Olympic roster. As much as I like her, my take is a "no." Yes, winning the gold medal (any medal, really) at the Olympics is important, but it's not nearly as important as winning the World Cup. Alex Morgan is now part of the past and the program needs to look to the future. Morgan does not need to take a roster spot away from a young player who will benefit from the experience of this international tournament. In the women's game the Olympics are still very important and brings out the best the world has to offer. On the 4-player alternate roster, yeah, but not on the critical 18-player roster. Sorry Alex.
BTW, I am not expecting much from the USWNT in the Olympics. We don't know (yet) if Emma Hayes is truly the answer. Maybe she will be and that'll be great. But there is a hill to climb to bring this talented, skilled, athletic bunch to the peak of that hill. Our youngsters still have no clue what international soccer entails. Hopefully this summer in Paris it'll be an eye-opener and they will learn and respond, building towards the World Cup.
Reminds me of one of my coaches I had who had a sign on his wall: Sometimes you win...and sometimes you learn.
I agree and felt the same way about a couple of the older players taking spots at the last Cup. That being said this is a cycle problem that our men face all the time that our women haven't had too. This cycle leading to the next Cup is all about finding our best young players and getting the experienced needed at this level of competition.
Alex Morgan is off the Olympics roster, not even one of the 4 alternates. In her typical classy way, she expressed disappointment but understands and will be cheering on the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasDog
USMNT try to move to 2-0 vs. Panama today in the Copa America tournament. They should, but did lose to Panama last time they played.
This is at least on paper (I never underestimate Berhalter screwing something up) a much stronger squad than the Gold Cup team. I think it's another 2-goal victory. Not necessarily a clean sheet though.
Never underestimate a Berhalter team screwing up. Have to beat Uruguay to advance, I don’t see that happening.
I will say this, Weah made a dumb decision that significantly contributed to that loss and made a win against Uruguay even more difficult. Adding that extra fatigue to our starters when several should have been subbed off around the 60th minute, if we had put them away early like we should.
Yep, Looks like Canada will be the only Concacaf team to advance. Jesse Marsch has had the job officially for just over a month. Not saying he was/is an answer, but we could have hired him after he was let go by Leeds and the Berhalter situation happened.
If we flame out of the group stage tonight, and Berhalter remains in charge of this group for the '26 Cup, it will be rinse and repeat against any good teams from here on out, and we will be 3 and done in '26.
We'll probably make the knockout stage since 8 3rd place teams (out of 12) will be advancing.Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasDog
US is out, Panama joins Canada representing CONCACAF in the quarterfinals.
Berhalter has NEVER beaten an elite team in a tournament that matters. He is 7-1-6 in the 14 games since he returned. We host the 2026 World Cup and if Berhalter remains we will most likely not advance out of group play. USMNT is horrible, the worst group, worst team in US soccer history.
Berhalter may be the worst manager the USMNT has ever had.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Low expectations, low effort, low tactical ability. He's basically a rec coach.
Fairly extensive poll was conducted on a blog I follow, over 17,000 responses. Right at 80% say fire Berhalter now, today. Another 8% say give him more time, and 12% are not sure. Not sure about what???
Depending on the pool I would predict a max of 3 points and while that puts you in the running as a 3rd place team it then comes down to GD and cards. We aren't going to score a whole lot; we have had years to improve in that area with GB and it isn't going to happen all of a sudden. We also seem to have some maturing left to do so we aren't running around slapping folks at midfield. Hell, two losses and a draw are very possible the way he sets his team's up to play.Quote:
Originally Posted by sportdawg
A) Give him more time??? he has had the better part of 6 years. Also, arguably the most talent across the board we have ever assembled. B.) Not sure... like you said about what... I think they weren't sure what the poll was about... The pictures that Berhalter has on the USSF people must be absolutely criminal, because they are committing another crime by leaving him in charge.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
The 13,600 that said fire need to stage an intervention for the rest.
To me it’s not just about the results. Most coaches get one cycle. We are 1.5 into berhalter. Will it make a difference if we bring in someone new. Do they have time to implement their system?