Back to the important stuff....

[dawg80]

Was watching one of Mexico's games the other day, when the camera panned the crowd, one El Tri fan lifted his shirt revealing another with "F**K ICE" printed on it. They hate our country but refuse to leave it. I don't have a particular dislike for the players on the Mexican team, it's their fans, yuck!

Claudio Reyna, Tab Ramos, Marcello Balboa, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, Johnny Harkes, Demarcus Beasley, Tim Howard, Eric Reynaldo, Jeff Agoos, Carlos Bocanegra, Cobi Jones, Michael Bradley, Alexi Lalas, Earnie Stewart. That's 16 players off the top of my head who, if all in their prime, would make for a pretty good team.

[DallasDog]

Man Cobi Jones just played forever under Arena

[dawg80]

Man Cobi Jones just played forever under Arena

My Dream Team needs a manager...any suggestions?

[dawg80]

My NIGHTMARE team is this version.

USMNT 1 Mexico 2

POSSESSION! Perfect demonstration of the importance, no not just importance, the absolute crucial, have to have it, POSSESSION. All we did for most of the game was chase the ball. Both of Mexico's goals was a direct result of their having the ball for nearly 70% of the match. Mexico is not particularly good on offense, but when they are allowed to have that many chances, like 12 corner kicks, they are bound to find a couple of goals.

When Aygemang is out there the US is playing 10 v. 11.

[DallasDog]

My Dream Team needs a manager...any suggestions?

I would think someone that understands the game on a European level, like Klinsmann did/does, but also understands the American players skill/mentality better. David Wagner comes to mind. He hasn't had huge success at the club level, but whether we swing big or small, the decision makers at US Soccer seem able to Tech it up.

[DallasDog]

Aygemang was pretty much worthless the whole tournament. Hopefully everyone at US Soccer sees that and can move on. I could have grabbed 20 guys playing in the MLS this weekend that would have impacted the cup games more than he did.

[dawg80]

Pathetic

USMNT 0 South Korea 2

This is, for the most part, the 2026 WC roster too. Won't advance out of group play at this rate. US has not beaten a FIFA top 25 ranked side since 2019, going 0-2-6 in that stretch. Why is Josh Sargent even on the national team roster? Shows me absolutely nothing. Not just him, the whole roster sucks. Coaching sucks too.

[DallasDog]

I didn't watch. I knew we were going to get outplayed when I saw the roster and starting XI. Japan will probably sushi roll us as well.

[dawg80]

Don't expect a result vs. Japan. Yeah, sushi rolled!

We lack genuine talent, but the US has always lagged the world in talent, nothing new there. But this bunch also lacks gumption, lacks the will to battle for 90 minutes. There is simply nothing there. In tactical scheme, this bunch lacks aggression. Often, we have a counterattack, have the numbers but don't press it. Instead, we pull it back, pass it around the perimeter of the defense and eventually turn it over. Once, and I don't recall who or which match it was, one of our guys gained possession of the ball standing on the corner of the box, his back toward the goal and his first reaction was to play it back 30 yards to setup again. Had he turned with the ball he had two good options: 1) shot on goal or 2) a pass to one of guys in position in front of the goal. I was literally screaming at the TV (which my wife, who is also a knowledgeable soccer fan, shook her head to with "they can't hear you."). ATTACK! ATTACK! Take effing shots!

Not to toot my own horn, but I KNOW I could coach this team better than they're getting now. (which ain't saying much, I know..)

[dawg80]

US 2 Japan 0

Better. But, Japan started its B team only subbing in a few starters in the 60th minute. Still, the US played better than it has been, more aggressive. Clearly, what should be our starting 11 for the WC is starting to emerge. Balogun is our best #9 and both Luna and Zendejas should be on the field at the same time. Pulisic is overrated but still one of our better players, so he needs to start. And I also like McGlynn. Has a powerful shot as he demonstrated last night, can score against any goalkeeper from inside of 30 yards. The woodwork saved the Jap keeper last night. We are weak at #6, holding midfielder position, and need a steady right back for the defense. I like Ream and Richards back there. Freese has done a good job in goal.

Mostly, last night, we were more aggressive, "on the front foot" all night. Took 20 shots, the Jap keeper made 9 saves, a couple of them sensational saves denying the US goals.

The USMNT will NEVER, EVER be able to match the talent on the field against sides in elite international play, like in the World Cup. So, to make up for that the US has to overachieve and that means being in awesome shape and playing at a fever pitch pace for 90 minutes.

Always feel better after a win. Japan is ranked #20 in FIFA rankings, so finally a "W" against a Top 25 ranked side, albeit a friendly where the opposition didn't really try all that hard.

[dawg80]

USMNT 1 Ecuador 1

Play Australia tonight.

[HogDawg]

USMNT 1 Ecuador 1

Play Australia tonight.

Some things never change; low scoring tie games in soccer are one of them. So much excitement in a 1-1 match.

[dawg80]

USMNT 1 Ecuador 1

Play Australia tonight.

US 2 Australia 1

Australia was riding a 12-game winning streak and is ranked in the Top 25 in the world. So, a decent opponent. Still, it's just a friendly. The USMNT is showing flashes of being "mediocre +."

I find Coach Poch's comment pretty interesting, he said, "Culture is more important than strategy." This is true in all sports (although strategy and tactics cannot be ignored). So, okay, but the culture of this team/program is one of "laid backness" that I see. There is no FIRE, no ZEAL, none of that "US pride!" that elevates the team to overachieve. Westin McKennie seems to be trying to instill some of that much-needed FIRE, as is Chris Richards. Maybe this is the beginning of some of that good ole "Yankee spirit." Only 6 friendlies and less than a year to the start of the 2026 World Cup.

[DallasDog]

That laid back culture was firmly set in place by Berhalter, it became deeply entrenched in the program and some of the players as well. That is a tough thing to break loose in the final stretches of a world cup lead up (Poch's time so far), even for a deep benched country, which we really aren't. I firmly believe that Poch is being told by US Soccer there are certain people on the team and in the pipeline that are non-negotiable and that hampers him some. Now I am also not convinced that Poch is a national team manager either, I think his bread and butter is the club level.

I do believe that if he had taken the job at the start of a 4-year cycle he would not be as diplomatic about the program as he has been in the media, and we would see a lot more of the U-21 group etc. cycling through games and camps.

I really have no faith in the leadership of US Soccer as an organization when it comes to the men's side of things.

[dawg80]

USMNT U20 beat Italy 3-0 to advance to the U20 World Cup quarterfinals.

But then lost to Morrocco 3-1. Is considered an upset.

Tab Ramos is head coach. An own-goal wrecked our chances of winning.