US misses WC for first time since 1986.
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US misses WC for first time since 1986.
Trinidad, Trinidad, Trinidad
Morning after thoughts...
We needed this as much as Germany needed to blow up their program. We cannot continue the same system. I stand by my belief that Sunil Gulati needs to step down. The system has to be reworked from the bottom up. No more pay for play. No more rich white suburban athletes who are outclassed by younger, faster, stronger competitors. I seriously think for soccer to ever reach the upper echelons in America we need to treat soccer training like we treat gymnastics training. Academies where you train 24/7 from birth on up.
The new coach (Arena didn't have a job as soon as he left the match) should be someone who understands the game and has a plan. Others have mentioned someone who has experience in European or South American leagues. We also need to start a development program for coaches. We need to train our coaches in Europe and South America. They have to understand the game better.
Only two people on the pitch last night are worthy to ever don the crest again... Yedlin and Pulisic. The rest should be retired immediately. Let them play out their golden years in the fake MLS league. Bring in the youth and let them get acclimated to the international game. (I will say our U17 team is doing phenomenal right now) Any new player brought on the team needs to play in Europe. This has to be mandated. Playing in MLS is kindergarten soccer and in no way comparable to European soccer.
Speaking MLS, we have to have promotion and regulation. I don't care what the owners want. It is the only way to actually get better as a league and as a country. You want a better league then you take action to make it a better league. Promotion and Regulation give incentives to actually developing players rather than a dumb playoff format.
It's the same issues...
we suck at midfield. Yes, it's about possession, but it has to be constructive possession. Last night at halftime we held the advantage in TOP 61-39%, yet trailed 2-0. We possessed it even more in the 2nd half, and played better (1-0) but still, against a makeshift T&T side we should have dominated on the scoreboard too.
Then there's the back line...there is nothing to say when your defenders don't execute even the most basic defending techniques and tactics. It's pointless to worry about the tactics of switching/changing in the defense to confuse the opposing side, or worry about over-lapping and sending backers forward, etc.. when they can't handle the simplest basics of tightly marking goal side, of not getting caught watching the ball (that only happens to our guys about 90% of the time), of filling space collapsing toward your goal, etc.... these are things we teach U12 kids (not that they master it, they are just kids after all, but we teach it!)
I agree, as a whole, U.S. Soccer needs to do some soul-searching and decide if it wants to actually grow up....or not.
When should I start "caring" again?
Catrachos play Socceroos first in SPS
Well, as bad as our men's team is, our women's team is that good and better. Last night, in the Dome, we beat South Korea 3-1 in a friendly. We still need a GK. Not that last night's Korean goal was her fault. But, in the bigger picture, mediocre GKing can get you beat when it matters most, like in the Final Four at the World Cup (2019). Julie Ertz has emerged as THE BEST sweeper in the world. She dominates the middle of the field on defense. And then goes up and is a threat on offense, such as her brilliant goal last night. It doesn't get any better than that. Even after watching it several times, including in slow motion, it is hard to believe she scored that goal.
And we are deep. The truth is we could create a "second string team" that left on its own would be ranked in the top 10 in the world, and would be a legit contender to reach the Final Four. Only concern is goalie(s). Which is strange because one thing the US has done very well in, both men's and women's, is producing keepers.
USMNT news again.
I know it’s just a friendly but I have to say it was amazing to watch a young team maintain the back line the whole match. Formation was perfect 90% of the match.
They took chances when they could but really held the midfield and backfield lines. Very good defense.
Very fitting that Jaelene Hinkle plays for the Courage...she is very brave in a way that most of us would probably not be.