we seem to have a quarters curse in the U20 WC.
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we seem to have a quarters curse in the U20 WC.
USWNT 1 Portugal 2
First loss ever to Portugal and in fact, in 12 matches Portugal has scored a grand total of 2 goals vs. the US, both last night. Afterwards Hayes lamented the "disjointed" effort of the US side. That's because Hayes has played so many different players, some 30+ earning caps, there is no team unity, the players do not know each other well enough. Soccer is a "players' game" and that means to be successful all 11 have to be on the same page and working together fluently. That only comes from players, the SAME players, getting lots of minutes together. But, I think Hayes knows this and we'll see a solid 18-player rotation going forward.
USWNT 3 Portugal 1
Better. Played a very young team so these struggles are to be expected. Of a roster of 23 players the total caps are 220. Kristine Lilley retired with 354 caps by herself. Just an example of the difference between past players/rosters and Hayes' current experimenting. It's great that Hayes is building a program, not just trying to field a team for the next major tournament. But at some point, and fairly soon, she needs to settle on 18 core players and another 5 in a pool of major contributors.
I think she already knows probably 98% of what she is going to field, but she is still trying to mine 1 or 2 diamonds. The problem with US Soccer- Men or Women is there are so many players that are truly worthy but never get looked at because of the disjointed club system in the US and the pay to play dynamics. They have even admitted it, but especially on the men's side never actually done a damn thing about it.
Yeah, Hayes probably has a WC roster in mind, but they are not getting a chance to gel together. I suspect the roster will be a mix of some veterans like Heaps and Lavelle, and probably Fox, Sonnet and a few others. But at least half the roster, or more, will be youngsters. Some of these younger players earned valuable international experience in the Olympics. But while a great tourney, the Olympics is not the WORLD CUP!
Even veteran players need to learn how to play with others who may be new to them.
And we need a keeper! Talk about big shoes to fill. Naeher is the best GK in women's soccer history, IMO.
Hayes has more time. Poch is the one that needs a solidified WC roster
True...but I have hope the USWNT can/will lift the cup. Poch's bunch will be fortunate to get out of pool play, even with the expanded format which makes it even easier.Originally Posted by DallasDog
Hayes has more time. Poch is the one that needs a solidified WC roster
USWNT 6 New Zealand 0
Another player earns her first cap under Hayes. Think I heard them say that is number 25 in 26 matches under Hayes.
Tonight's starting back like, 4 defenders, had 11 caps total between them. These are not just youngsters; they are babies in international soccer.
I think they will get out of pool play and then exit the very next match. I would love to be wrong though.
USMNT 2 Paraguay 1
Showed some flashes of being good. Lack consistency.
That lack of consistency is partly due to lack of depth in places and his constant tinkering to see if he can find something that works. He really has to zero in on his core and get them some time together.
I think our lineup should focus on an "attacking five" namely: Balogun, Pulisic, Reyna, Luna, and Pepe. Use a 3-2-3-2 formation. Far from perfect, but these 5 have been the most dynamic. I don't think these 5 have ever been on the field at the same time.
I am fine with whatever gets us out of the watered-down pool play so we aren't historically embarrassed. Anything after that is icing for me this time around.
USMNT 5 Uruguay 1
Taken at face value, all I can say is wow! Destroyed a quality opponent. But, Uruguay has just qualified for the WC finals and this was a friendly. They looked like they had their feet in wet cement. Want to say the US has turned a corner. But, I know better. Still, it was fun to watch.
One of the pro-Ukraine YouTubers I follow had a montage of Ukrainians reacting to their team beating Iceland 2-0 and thus qualifying for the WC finals to be hosted here in 2026. First, the world always reacts in a huge way when their country reaches the WC finals. But, for Ukrainians, talk about a much needed, and earned, distraction from their awful reality, wow! The tears of joy, the hugs, the high-fives these soccer fans shared...this is special. Slava Ukraine! (that means "Glory to Ukraine" in their language)
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