The Uruguay match was clearly a case of should have done better, but the result obviously could have been a lot worse. Learn (hopefully) and get ready for Grenada.
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The Uruguay match was clearly a case of should have done better, but the result obviously could have been a lot worse. Learn (hopefully) and get ready for Grenada.
US 5 Grenada 0
Ferriera scored 4 goals, only Grenada, but a nice breakout performance and much needed for the guy Berhalter WANTS to be the go-to striker.
Overall it was an "okay" effort, especially in the 2nd half. But Grenada is ranked 170th in the world for a reason...they ain't very good. Bigger test looming on the road at El Salvador.
WC qualifier playoff, or play-in, game:
Costa Rica 1 New Zealand 0
typical CR effort, bunker defense, playing 3 center backs, 5 defenders, and counter-attack offense. And a world class keeper in Navas.
Four CONCACAF teams are in the WC Finals. I like Canada's and CR's chances the best to make some noise in Qatar.
Pathetic...
US 1 El Salvador 1
Berhalter is not the coach we need to elevate the program.
Of the 32 teams in the WC Finals the US is dead last in set plays, worst on both offense and defense, this being over all matches since WC qualifying began last year. The US used to be known for our set plays, to be dead last is horrible. And what is our offensive scheme? Looks like a pick-up game in an adult soccer league.
Musaf is dynamic...not much can be said about others, average at best.
I think a draw was acceptable under last nights conditions. Looked like they were playing on the dirt track in the rain at Louisiana Downs. The goal conceded was bad, don't know what the GK saw. But coming back after the Red Card to Arriola (and the makeup Red Card to El Salvador). Getting the goal in stoppage time was huge.
Our GK was expecting a cross to the six, and was completely surprised by the shot. Lexi Lalas is convinced it was a cross, just one that got away from the ES player, Larin, and he just got lucky.Originally Posted by sportdawg
The field conditions were deplorable...although I have played on much worse...but I am speaking to the scheme, our tactics. Sucks!
BTW, I do not agree the ES red card was a "make up" call. He took down our guy, Musah, I think it was, and was last defender back. Arriola's was bogus. Yellow card, maybe, but not a red card offense.
Current rankings/predictions for the WC Finals are interesting, curious...for the four CONCACAF teams, they are:
US #14
Mexico #18
Canada #29
Costa Rica #30
out of 32 entries.
This means ONLY the US is expected to make it out of pool play into the knockout round of 16. And that just barely.
Canada is having internal problems, much turmoil with players' contracts, controversy with coaches, staff, support (lack thereof) from the Canadian Soccer Federation, a real mess. All of this over-shadowing a talented side that was (is?) capable of doing well in Qatar. CR is dismissed as the 4th best in CONCACAF, also some coaching/management issues, and therefore has no prayer. But their style gives them a chance. Not very exciting soccer, but very frustrating for opponents.
For 2022 I hope the US advances out of group play. That will be an accomplishment for this young...mostly clueless...squad. I think we can. Wales just lost their head coach due to some off-field mess, Iran is not very good, and England's shine has dimmed after a series of shocking defeats, like 4-0 to Hungary recently. The Lions are still ranked fairly high, at 6th, but they were as high as 3rd just two months ago. We can get a result with England, a draw, and that one point should be enough to propel us into the Round of 16 (combined with results vs. Wales and Iran).
USWNT 3 Columbia 0
Taylor Koernick makes her national team debut and scores a goal. Great way to start her NT career.
Sophia Smith scored twice. For any other team, any other nation, Smith would be a national hero, leader of their national team. For the USA, she's just another player, part of the incredible depth the USWNT has.
At 6’1 I think we will see a lot of set piece goals and redirections from the air from Kornieck for years to come.
Kornieck is gonna have to show she can actually move and be a contributor in the flow of the game, and that means with the ball at her feet. In the air, yeah, she has an advantage.
Horan is no attacking midfielder and is not suited to try to fill Carli Lloyd's shoes. Rose Lavelle is much better and should assume that role. Game completely changed after Horan went out and Lavelle moved into that position. Horan is better suited as a holding midfielder, she's a lot like Michael Bradley was for the Men's side.
US 2 Columbia 0
World Cup and Olympic qualifying begins next week. US in a group with Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico, three decent sides. For CONCACAF that's a "group of death." Actually, in women's soccer, CONCACAF is rated higher than most associations in the world.
Last night's game was a real blah, but Columbia sat in a bunker defense all night, and combined with a very good keeper, made it tough for the US to score goals. Glad to see Horan back in the holding-midfielder position, a role she is best suited for. Lavelle, Rapinoe, and Morgan all had off nights. Forget Kornieck, she is not national team material. Too slow and looks totally lost and clueless. Naeher is our clear #1 keeper, made a great save last night.
US Men U20 team vs. Dominican Republic for CONCACAF tourney title. Have already qualified for the next Olympics. Thankfully! Missing international tourney cycles hinders player development.
US 6 Dom Rep 0
US sweeps thru tourney, 4-0, outscoring opposition 16-0 in the process. Former great Tab Ramos doing a great job molding our youngsters into international players.
USWNT opens CONCACAF tourney play tonight vs. Haiti.
Yuck!
US 3 Haiti 0
Deceiving final score, Haiti was very threatening and the US lucky on occasion. Sullivan is not a holding midfielder, the speedy and talented Haitian strikers torched her for 90 minutes. Horan played forward but was ineffective. Lavelle was non-existent for the second straight match. When Rapinoe came in in the 70th minute we started getting production from the midfield.
This team is in transition. Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe dominated the midfield for years and now Lloyd is retired and Rapinoe is in the twilight of her career.
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