The USMNT kicks off their World Cup Qualifying campaign Thursday night at 10:05 PM ET(woof) on the road in El Salvador! It should be a raucous atmosphere as El Salvador has not been in the final stage of World Cup Qualifying since the 2010 cycle.
The US set up camp in Nashville, which is the site of the second match in the window vs Canada on Sunday. They will round out the window heading to San Pedro Sula in Honduras on Wednesday.
Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen did not travel with the team to San Salvador, and Matt Turner is starting in goal (yay!).
Discuss below!
During his pre-match press conference, #USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter confirms that forward Christian Pulisic (day-to-day) and goalkeeper Zack Steffen (back spasms) did not travel with the team to El Salvador. #SLVvUSA pic.twitter.com/hLQsY1j3Nz— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 1, 2021
Comments
San Pedro Sula!? Having lived in Honduras 4 years, I seriously hope they stay in the hotel 100 percent of the time when they are not playing. That is one extremely dangerous city. Think the Wild West high on crack and you start to understand.
It's probably the most hostile venue in CONCACAF. I'm sure they would hold training in the hotel if they could.
From Wikipedia:
Sheeeshhh.
I want to see Matt Turner in action, he has been stellar all year in the MLS.
He's starting
Great article on the tactics and environment used to "CONCACAF" the USMNT over the years and how they're more prepared to flip the script this time around.
SI.com
Good read. Thanks for sharing.
I BELIEVE
I BELIEVE THAT
I BELIEVE THAT WE
I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL
I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL GET AT LEAST 5 POINTS FROM THIS WINDOW WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SUCCESS GIVEN THE INEXPERIENCE OF THE SQUAD AND THE DIFFICULTY OF PLAYING ON THE ROAD IN CENTRAL AMERICA
That would be ideal! 5 out of 9 with two on the road would be a fantastic start to qualifying! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Also, is the game only available on paramount+!? 😡
CBS Sports Network or NBC Universo for TV and Paramount + or fubo tv for streaming :(
Okay, a few random questions from a futball noob who is interested in following the US team:
Are the 3 games really Thursday/Sunday/Wednesday? That seems like pretty quick turnarounds, especially considering the travel between each game.
What are our chances of qualifying this time around?
Who on the US team is good? Not like "this guy's playing well lately" good, or "I think this guy can be a difference maker." I mean, who is GOOD. Like if there was an NBA for soccer, who do we have that would be in the league.
Can someone give a simple breakdown of what the qualifying process/schedule is?
Yes they really are Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday. Yes it is quick, and yes it is stupid. I'm not sure when these matches were originally supposed to be played but COVID may have had an effect on the schedule.
Very good. We have arguably the most talented team in the region. They are internationally inexperienced, but they are very young and talented. If we can get 23-25 points from 14 matches, that should be plenty to qualify, which is very doable.
You probably have heard of Christian Pulisic, who is a top attacking player in the world on his day. He is unfortunately not playing tonight but should play on Sunday. Other players to watch for: Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in central midfield. Not as flashy as Pulisic but are outstanding players. Gio Reyna usually plays right wing and is one of the top young players in the world (only 18!). Sergiño Dest at right fullback has not played terribly well for the US lately, but he is incredibly technically skilled on the ball and very dangerous in the attack. As we like to say in the soccer world, he has sauce. Also, Matt Turner (GK) is not as highly rated as the others I mentioned but I think he is really good. I don't follow the NBA super closely, so I don't know if these comparison will be good, but Pulisic = Luka, Reyna = Trae Young, McKennie = KAT, Adams = Bradley Beal (maybe, except good at defense instead of offense), Dest = Ja Morant.
We will play the other 7 teams in the final qualifying group, once home and once away. Total of 14 matches. The top 3 qualify for the World Cup and the 4th place team enters into a two-legged playoff with a team from Oceania or South America I think.
HTH!
Simple breakdown: just-win-baby.gif
Yes, the games are like that. So are the other teams games, so no advantage/disadvantage there.
Normal turnaround, usually in Europe that is the schedule for the big leagues.
We should qualify. If we don't it's a travesty. This could be our golden generation of soccer players.
Renya, Pulisic, McKennie are the most notable/marketable players right now, but almost all of tonight's starters play in Europe. This is something that hasn't been the norm in previous cycles, and is a big deal. Europe is the big leagues for soccer, like the SEC to football, and having our players over there really proves their skill.
Hope that brief overview helps!
These 10 o'clock kicks ain't good for us old farts
Or for those of us doing brisket for gameday
Hopefully for you, you went to bed instead of watching. Painful soccer to watch
We've done a lot right except find a way to score. Gotta be better when attacking.
Berhalter is still Berhalter I see.
Not shocked. Away in CONCACAF can be a bitch. Was hoping JAM could hold off MEX, but it was Azteca.
What a awful boring game
A road point in CONCACAF is a good point. This was the first concacaf game for a lot of our players. Good experience for them moving forward.
I agree.
That said, Robinson and McKinnie had balls teed up that they just have to finish. Sargent missed a few passes that could have led to better chances. There was plenty of flow in the game that we should have taken advantage of. All in all, I liked our energy and am ok with one point. But you can't leave goals out there considering the randomness of CONCACAF.
It was so hard to watch; our gold cup lineup looked more enthusiastic but I'm wondering if it's because these guys haven't had much time together in a while or it was just tough sledding to get outta there with a draw because of the location.
Just finished watching on DVR. Rough time out for a lot of the first-timers. I don't think it can be understated how tough of an environment that is. Those fans were loud and I'm sure that's the first big match they've been to in some time.
That said, they field looked fine, the ref was decent, and the fans weren't overly hostile as they can be in some cases. The 3 points were there for the taking. I saw someone make a comment about Berhalter - not really sure why you would pin this on him? I mean he put out a fairly strong lineup - the players just didn't create many decent chances. It's been a problem for them for a while. I thought playing Reyna centrally might help with that, but they didn't have much going on. Dest was not very good tonight, I really think he needs to be back on the right. I thought Pefok looked bright when he came on. Sargent works hard and presses well, but he didn't hold up play particularly well and he tends to get the ball stuck under his feet a lot. He will probably still start v. Canada, but I'd like to see Pepi come on as a sub and start Pefok v. Honduras.
Overall, a point is a fine result away. They could've done better and we need to see how they respond to coaching following their first experience in Central America, but it's a fine result.
The El Salvador fans belting the national anthem. Unreal
I didn't understand the formation choices last night. I'd have thought a 3-4-3 and playing down the wings would've been a much better option than the 4-3-3 against El Salvador. They like to possess the ball and they want to play down the middle of the pitch. It's always the question of who do you take off the field to bring on the extra CB - but I think it would've worked last night since we were down our two best "pure" wingers.
Also we need to stop the Dest at LB experiment. He never seems to play well on the left for the USMNT and I get that you have to put him on the field somewhere - but I don't think the experience of Yedlin overcomes the deficiencies of playing Dest out of position.
I have no idea what our strongest forward combination is. A week ago, I'd have said Pulisic-Sargent-Weah with Reyna underneath as a CAM. Now with injuries, rotations, and the lack of a solid striker, I think playing a #10 instead of a dedicated striker isn't even out of the equation. Though maybe it is because to play in CONCACAF, you ideally want a bully upfront to hold the ball up.
I think they go to 3 at the back vs Canada for two reasons: to match formations because I believe Canada also normally plays 3/5 at the back, and to decrease defensive responsibilities for the fullbacks. I don't want any of our fullbacks responsible for marking Alphonso Davies without help. Dest and Robinson make way more sense as wingbacks anyway. My lineup would be:
Turner
Robinson-Sands-Brooks
Dest-Adams-McKennie-Robinson
Reyna-Sargent-Pulisic (Aaronson)
Aaronson start if Pulisic isn't fit to start. Sargent because I think it's too much to start Pepi and Pefok has already played a lot of minutes this season for his club. He's better as a sub anyway.
Watched most of the game last night...but always like to check FootMob to confirm what I think I saw.
Sargent, 64 minutes played, 24 touches, 5.9 rating
Siebatcheu, 26 minutes played, 15 touches, 6.3 rating.
Not a huge difference, but the touches per minute and recoveries (2 for Sargent and 3 for Siebatcheu), well, if you've been paying attention....I'm NOT a Sargent fan. Maybe he got some good experience last night, but I don't want experience. I want to qualify!!! And while Sargent might be on the squad that gets us there, it won't be because of his contributions.
I think that's fair and as I said above, I didn't think Sargent had the best game either. However, he is still a young player. It may not feel like it because he's been on the radar for years, but he's still just 21 years old. He has a lot to improve upon, but striker is such a streaky position. I think once he starts putting together a good run of performances he will start scoring goals.
Having said that, there are other players ready to take his spot if that doesn't happen. Gregg seems to be a pretty patient guy and values the things that Sargent does do well, but it's like you said - now is the time for results.
Agreed. I don't mind growing talent for the future, but he can do it league play. In the interim while he's maturing, I don't want attempting to craft a new striker to affect the teams chances simply on the "he's young" tagline. If he's not cutting it, Berhalter needs to replace him with someone who WILL score. And for my money, he's not the golden boy. Just my 2 pence.
Sargent is to scared too shoot. He needs to stop trying to get it on his strong foot when there's a person right in front of him and try to put a ball on target just to see what happens😂
The Ben Simmons of US Soccer.
What will happen is it will get blocked because there's a person right in front of him 😂 (Also he took 5 shots last night)
Looking at FootMob, he took 4 shots, 2 were blocked, 2 were off target, and he had one big chance missed.
Huh, I also got it from FotMob but I saw 5 shots. Regardless, it's not as though he doesn't shoot, he's just not a very good finisher.
Still one of the worst strikers I've ever seen imo
Lol. Like I said he's not great but there are a lot of much worse strikers in the world. Even in top 5 leagues. He scored 2 goals for Norwich just before he came here.
Yeah, I mean, I can't believe the 21 year-old isn't lighting it up in every game he plays in.
Concacaf away can be brutal practically playing in a cell with riot police to shield players from piss and bottles to take a simple corner. Fair point not the best result but its a start.
USMNT kicks off in Nashville vs. Canada tonight at 8 PM on Fox Sports 1 (I think). Should be a very competitive game with both teams managing just a draw from their openers. Berhalter has already announced that Zack Steffen is unavailable again due to back spasms. I assume this means Matt Turner will start again. He didn't have much to do in the first match, but that should change against an exciting Canada side that was unlucky not to beat Mexico in the Gold Cup despite missing Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies, two of their best players who started on Thursday. I'll post the lineups when they're out!
Just reported that Steffen actually has tested positive for COVID (not a good trip for him overall...). Looks like Turner may get to start all three matches. Reports say that everyone else has tested negative and is available.
Rumors swirling that Gio Reyna has picked up an injury and will not play tonight. If at all true I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench and maybe be ready for Honduras depending on the severity. If he can't go, I'd roll with Pulisic and Aaronson on the wings
Canada lineup. Missing Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan (both #good). Rumors the Reyna and McKennie are both unavailable tonight...yikes
Reyna out with a hamstring and McKennie out for a team policy violation...not a good look - I'm sure we'll hear more about that. Meanwhile, back 4 - hope Dest is up for it tonight. Glad to see Pefok get the start.
Sounds like McKennie broke COVID protocols. Not surprised he's suspended as they've already had problems with Steffen testing positive. That's a tough loss, but Acosta has been playing really well so I'm confident in him. This is a huge game...if we don't get 3 points there is going to be way too much pressure on the next game and the next window.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL AARONSON
Big time team goal. Pulisic is the heart of this team. Just taking foul after foul and keeps working
Alphonso Davies. Very good at soccer. We cannot let him run free.
Holy fuck he's fast
Canada scores after Davies cooks Yedlin down the right flank. Ugh
This team blows. Canada is not a good team.
What? This is not true
Finishes 1-1. That's a tough result. Not sure why Gregg waited so long to make subs...really have to win at Honduras now
They deserved those boos from the crowd after the game. Piss poor performance.
Just get rid of Berhalter now. Dude is gonna miss the World Cup with some of most talented players we've ever had
Yeesh what a shit performance at home. Dropping points at home is not a way to get to Qatar. They drop points against Honduras and I'll begin to get very very concerned. They need to find some.cutting edge or they're going to be watching the world cup from the couch
That was disappointing. Makes the next game a must win I think. 3 points or less this window or really any window is not gonna cut it. Needed to have pefok or any other striker or winger coming back to the ball in the middle of the field. Passing it around the back was never going to do anything with how compact Canada was playing.
Coming out of the game now. Horribly disappointing. We have no answer for when the opponent parks the bus. No urgency, no aggression (Aaronson the exception). Absurd defensive miscue led to the goal. Could see it from a mile away.
We've got a lot to figure out, from top to bottom. At this point this is not a World Cup team.
Why was mckennie left out has berhalter said why yet?
broke covid protocol.
https://sbisoccer.com/2021/09/weston-mckennie-suspended-for-usmnt-canada-after-violating-team-covid-protocols
Deep breath.
Man, the more I hope things will be different, they just stay the same.
Berhalter is acting just like Jurgen. Different line ups, different formations, different approaches to the games. Grow players for positions, play them in those positions, and attack the other team. All I keep hearing is this is the strongest squad we've had in forever...then at the end of the sentence is the caveat that they are really young. Here's a thought...don't confuse them by switching up the approach every single game.
I hate Dest. It's me, I know, my burden and my shortcoming. He plays for Barca...one of the top teams in the world. You know why he works in that SYSTEM? Because he understand his role and it never changes. He fits what is required and serves that role. But when he dons the USA crest, Gregg has him with a different focus in every game. You can't take all of these players under 24 and expect them to just play great every game with a different thought process. Pick a system and grow the players into that.
Also, while Pulisic may be the most talented ever to wear the USA Crest, he can't be expected to perform miracles on the pitch. He was listed at striker, but for 99% of the game he wasn't the tallest on the pitch. A. don't list him at the 10 slot if he's not playing it. B. he doesn't play the 10 for any other team in the past 4 years, so why expect him to come on and play something different. C. put him in the spot where he can have the most success, i.e. his natural wing position.
I want a striker that plays facing the goal. too many guys play back to the goal and when there's a bunch of traffic, no plays can be made. Either play the wings tall so he has options to dump it off towards the corners of the box or get someone to face the goal!!!
Sorry, ranting. Frustrated. Tired of the "what is that" every game. When you watch successful teams/Nations, they have a system that is plug and play. No matter who plays that position, they understand the expectations of that spot, and aren't required to learn something new when they step on the pitch.
Is this road Paint Creek Road through West Virginia when you decide not to pay the toll on 64?
I wouldn't sound the alarm bells just yet as other results have us still in this after 2 games. We desperately need a win, but the offense was offensive
It's like they don't know how to finish in the box.
also
Getting a win in San Pedro Sula is extremely difficult. There are no more passionate fans in the world than the Catrachos. They care more about fútbol than politics, religion and food combined.
You take food out of this, I've never been disappointed at a Honduran gathering.
Hondureños do love their food, baleadas and pupusas are legit. Let's call it a tie.
2 ties yeah they suxx
If we get 2 points outta of the 3 games. Berhalter has got to GTFO
Doubt it would happen even if they do lose, but can't say I don't agree
Mckennie has been sent back to juve and won't be on the squad for the Honduras game.
Take it with a grain of salt, but Landon Donavan stated on a podcast that he knows the story, and it "It's almost beyond repair," in regards to that situation.
As in he won't be a part of USMNT going forward? There has been alot of talk out of juve that they are not happy with his attitude and off field antics which I was hoping was all smoke but this ain't good
Doesn't sound good. At the very least he might not be called in again for a few windows. (Speculation)
ESPN said he brought a unauthorized person into the bubble
He spent the night out out one night which broke COVID protocols and then he followed it up the next night by bringing an unauthorized person to his room. Supposedly this is after he spoke the the team about accountability after the El Salvador match. Now his father is tweeting about other players going out one night also.
I think McKennie definitely has maturing to do and I'm ok with them sending him off for now. But I also 100% think he wasn't the only one going out. These are soccer players after all and Nashville has some VERY QUALIFIED "unauthorized guests" if you know what I'm saying
Multiple violations, not just with the USMNT but also at Juve.
Just go get your ish straight Weston. That is all. And we do hope you bounce back. But straighten up.
His father is just stirring the pot. Let it be, and see the first two words in my response.
Sounds like he needed his pp touched
🤦🏻♂️x1000...
Sounds like McKennie was at training Saturday evening and the team was informed he was suspended Sunday morning. I think you all can guess what the violation was. It hurts, but honestly you can't have guys going out the night before a game like this, even if COVID wasn't a thing.
Jackson Yueill sucks, but I doubt he'll actually play. But still, this is shaping up to end in spectacularly bad fashion.
McKennie needs a veteran to get his head right, like Cristiano at Juve. I'm not sure who the veteran is on this roster, Brooks? Pulisic?
A. Cristiano, while older, isn't the veteran to get your head right. Either you learn from him by osmosis and watching, or not. But he's not a take-you-under-his-wing kind of guy.
2. Cristiano isn't on Juve anymore.
iii. "I'm not sure who the veteran is on this roster" Isn't that sort of the problem. We don't, they don't. Nobody does.
Yeah, that's definitely a big problem. The lost generation of players in their late 20s and early 30s who should have had WCQ experience and should be bridging the gap for this generation are sorely needed. However, they don't exist because that generation was not talented. We are just going to need guys like Tyler Adams and Pulisic to step up. McKennie, being relatively experienced, talented, and vocal would have been another great option to be a de facto "veteran leader" on this team if he wasn't so immature, apparently.
So our biggest issue seems to be that our midfield just isn't creative enough to break down a defense, and our forwards/wingers aren't getting service far enough up the field to be dangerous. Pulisic is world class but there's no reason he should be dropping deep near the halfway line to try to take on 3 defenders.
Injuries/dismissals have taken out a lot of key players, but I think this lineup gives us the best chance to get 3 points.
Back 3 so that Yedlin and Antonee Robinson can do what they do best - get forward. Adams can cover the back line more than adequately. Put Miles Robinson on the right so that his pace and athleticism can cover for Yedlin.
Aaronson looked lost against el Salvador playing in the midfield, but his best position isn't on the wing, it's as a CAM. Arguably a false nine, but there's no way we play without a dedicated striker. He plays there for his club (and plays well), and while I'd rather have Reyna when healthy, he might be able to get service to our forwards in dangerous spots.
de la Fuente is the 2nd best pure winger we have left on the roster - I'd rather have Weah if he's healthy but no dice there either. Striker is a revolving door and I don't particularly like how Pefok's game translates to our team (he's very static and doesn't seem to move around a lot to receive the ball), it's time to give Pepi a chance, but I'd be OK with Sargent since we need 3 points.
I agree with a lot that you said and I hope this goes well...
A couple notes:
- Yedlin doesn't really offer much in the way of attack like he used to. I also think we should go 3 at the back but I think it will benefit A. Robinson more than Yedlin. He's our only option at this point, but he's got to be pretty gassed at this point so he may not be bombing forward much anyway.
- Maybe it's just the lineup graphic, but interesting that you put Brooks in the center and Zim on the left. I'd switch them or go with Sands in the middle.
- We need someone in the #10 space and I get why Aaronson is the choice, but he just wasn't doing anything against ES. I don't know what the answer is, but unless GGG thinks the lightbulb has come on, I don't see the point in trying it again. I'd rather put Pulisic as a 10 (if we're playing with a 10 - not so in this formation) and Aaronson on the wing even though that limits CP. I think he looks much better on the wing than in midfield, particularly with pressing. He doesn't have the size to win physical battles in the midfield when the US pressing system requires that. Also, he certainly doesn't have the defensive capabilities to operate in what is essentially a 2-man midfield with Adams.
-PEPIIIIIIIIIIIII
Pls guys do something thanks
Huge match tonight. If we can get 3 points, we can hope that they'll regroup and keep making progress in the next window and feel okay about 5 points. If they get 0 or 1 point, it's bad. Like, the singular result of not winning in Honduras wouldn't be that surprising in isolation, but the way this whole window has gone - they NEED 3 points. I don't think Gregg will be fired even if they lose because it's really hard to replace a coach in the middle of qualifying (and who would even replace him right now?) but I think his seat is hot if they don't win.
With the lack of midfield and wing options, I think it's best to go to a back 3. You can protect the sometimes defensively-challenged A. Robinson (although he was very good v. Canada) and the probably very tired Yedlin. Adams has 180 mins on his legs, but you can't rest him with no midfield depth in what is now a must win game. I don't have strong feelings between Acosta and Lletget, but we may need Acosta's expertise at poophousery in this game. At wing, I think Aaronson is better, but I'd rather him come off the bench and run at tired defenders for 30 mins that have to take him off when we need a goal because he's gassed. Up top, it's time to board the Pepi Train.
Turner
M. Robinson-Sands (or Zimmerman)-Brooks
Yedlin - Adams - Acosta - A. Robinson
Konrad-PEPI-Pulisic
Really gotta have this one. USA wins 2-1
No yedlin plz he absolutely got destroyed against Canada. I'll take a 3-5-3
He got beat once by a world class player. He didn't get destroyed. Now if you want to speak on his ability to build the attack, that's true. But that's also the same for the entire team.
Would have been 3 points if he was aware that DAVIES WAS MAKING A RUN FULL SPRINT DOWN THE LINE but I digress
I would also take a 3-5-3. Not sure FIFA will let us start 12 players though.
Who exactly do you propose we play at RB? There is literally no one else on the roster who can do it, except maybe Acosta, but we're also very thin in CM.
And Yedlin was fine against Canada. There are maybe 2 or 3 players in the world who can run with Davies. Yedlin took one or two steps wrong and at that point it's over. You have to expect he's going to get beat by one of the best players in the world and Robinson should have been quicker to cover
Shaq Moore
Shaq Moore is in Spain...
PepeHands
I'm so sick of US Soccer showing the lead-in times for games. It's not at 10, so don't list it at 10. Kick is at 1030. And it's not even on normal cable...it's on Paramount Plus. Sheesh.
Oh i didn't realize it was on Paramount+. That may be for the better. Saves me from feeling obligated to watch it.
Idk what your TV situation is, but you can check the Spanish channels too if you have any. For this game, I believe it's Universo
I can get Paramount +, it's more about the fact that it shouldn't be this difficult to watch a game for a team that is supposedly #10 in the world, and trying to qualify for the World Cup.
And more about the jacking up of the times. They do this every game, show 30 minutes before actual kick so you tune in and listen to Taylor blabber on about something that doesn't matter.
The issue with qualifying is the home team control the TV rights. I think it's at least a step up that it was on Paramount+ versus being solely broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo/Universio. Still not ideal but better than past cycles.
Reddit Soccer Streams will have links. Can post here if needed.
I believe it was originally at 10pm, and then the Honduran Federation changed it. Home federations have control over game times. The US Soccer twitter account is advertising it as 10:30pm now. Unlike our usual friendly "Kick-off times".
Canada up 3-0 on El Salvador. Whoo boy we've got some work to do.
The games on Telemundo and Universo for those with YouTube tv kickoff sometime in the next 15-20 minutes
5-3-2 with Pepi and sargeant up top
Glad I signed up for Paramount+ for this. No energy and sloppy so far.
Honduras keeper just cantonad his own defender fuck pulisic is lucky it wasn't him. Sands in mind field is a weird move and so far the midfield is struggling to take any real sustained control.
Me thinks that knee was intended for Pulisic.
Big hit. Yikes
As a team. Our first touches are trash
Why the fuck are dudes just standing around?
Pepi got kicked in the nards on that one
Is Sargent afraid to shoot sweet Jesus from that angle throw it on goal and see what happens
Brooks is fucking awful tonight and what an awful read to step up there. He's been piss poor this international break
Agreed. That kind of bullshit will get you get benched in hockey. Leaving the team out to dry.
Why do we refuse to mark on crosses?
Good grief. So many terrible defense.
Got my stream to work not ten seconds before that goal. Holy shit.
Berhalter playing scared football is what killing this team
I was just thinking they should fire him at halftime. This is trash.
This team look lost they can't get the ball and when they do now plan with it. If this keeps up I'm not losing sleep staying up for this shit.
God Sargeant is garbage. Get him off the squad and NEVER recall him again🙄
He is so incredibly lazy with the ball and has the worst first touch. How is playing at this level?
They're gonna let honduras get the ball deep and then on the counter attack? How about we just attack. WTF kind of strategy is this?
I can't recall one challenge they have won at mid-field so far.
He'll be fine when he realizes he didn't earn a yellow...
Hear me out team usa. HIRE EDDIE HOWE
Welp, if you're gonna get CONCACAF'd, CONCACAF back. Glad Kellyn didn't see a card
If you're gonna sit back and play a defensive shell might as well get your money's worth! Stop pussy footing around and get some hard challenges on the ball.
really lazy passing tonight
Thats a corner!!!
There's certainly some home cooking on the calls tonight, but I think it's mostly the ref trying to make it out of there alive.
Don't disagree. But there is no way that Pulisic would send that ball sailing out like that when he is trying to control it with seconds left. It clearly went off the defender sliding to challenge. Just so obvious.
If we don't adjust at all in the 2nd half. Berhalter will pass Corn for my less favorite coach at the moment
This is just absurd though. At least Corny only affects our fanbase. Berhalter is screwing over the whole country.
Adams and Pulisic playing 2 v 10.
1.5 v 10. Pulisic has been getting back defensively and contributing. Adams keeps coming forward and offering nothing in the attacking third.
Since none of them seem capable of playing defense, I'd rather see them sell out hard and attack. Either way they are leaving the GK out to dry.
I really respect this teams ability to not show any effort or ability to create opportunity in the offensive third. It's impressive at this point.
This team is straight up trash. Waaaaay too much talent to be playing like this. Everyone in a decision making role needs to be fired.
So we have Walker Zimmerman on the bench. Yedlin on the bench. Rodman and Aaronson on the bench. Why? We are resting them for the next round we play in October? Mark McKenzie and Sands haven't shown me enough previously to make the case for them to be on field right now. Did anyone tell Sargent this isn't a friendly?
Sands as holding mid didn't work they need to put on Aaronson, lleget and get Sargent off the field and brooks is lucky he doesn't have a more ruthless manager on the bench who would've subbed him for that awful first half
Only an idiot like Berhalter would have an experimental lineup in a WC Qualifier.
THERE'S SOME FIRE
10/10 backflip
Where I'm from we call that a gainer.
I still think that man has no dick and he should be fired, but YASSSSSSS!!!!
Sergent off the pitch and we score in 3 minutes. Coincidence? I think not.
Finally getting away from Greggyball too. Building out of the back should be a situational tactic, not the teams only course of action
Bet that's just a cramp
Still limping
I've limped for days after a calf cramp
Great save. Terrible play at mid field.
Can we please stop with the relay passes and actually control the ball and make a good pass?
Holy shit, Adams DOES know where the opposing goal is
Pepi!!!!
I think we're the only ones that stayed up
I'm up!!
Primus just checked in also.
PEPIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Pretty sure I mentioned Yedlin.....
And Aaronson lol
PEPIIIII YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD
Got to love this ref refusing to card anyone. I'm fine with letting them play.
I Don't mind it either. No one has done anything egregious yet in my opinion. Soccer would be beter if they managed penalties like bball.
He forgot his book and just doesn't wanna let anyone know
Game. Blouses
BALLGAME
Alright Honduras, show your class! That crowd sounds agitated.
Can we just start these guys every game?
GIMME ALL THE GD
USA! USA! USA!
Beehalter still sucks. Get some of those second half guys in the regular line up.
From one of the worst first half's I ever seen to one of the best 2nd half's I ever seen. What a rollercoaster😂
No joke. I said to myself at half time that I am either going to witness the lowest point of US soccer or an epic moment that will propel them to new heights. We shall see!
Also, clint dempsey sounds like a cheap charles barkley impersonator.
USA!!!!
Also to Yedlin. I'M SORRY I DOUBTED YOU😂
To those who want Berhalter out:
What realistic and available hire would immediately upgrade the team to the point of blowing things up midway thru qualifying? The answer IMO is none. Keep it steady, changing coaches didn't work out last time... I don't think a new coach would make very many changes to the main lineup. You really don't want to change coach in the middle of qualifying unless it's complete desperation.
Man you guys are rough in the game thread 😂
Can't deny it was a bad first half. Immense credit to the team for pulling through missing most of their best players. And yes, Gregg deserves some credit. I know you all don't want to hear it, but this is his first WCQ window too. He had to try a new formation because he was missing players from multiple position groups (yes, part of that is his fault for not calling replacements, but again he's learning). And if you think it's all on the players that they started playing better in the 2nd half, you're just being naive. It's been a rough window, but we got 5 points as Lowkey said above, you can't just replace a manager mid cycle unless things are going really bad. It would have to be someone who's managed internationally before and someone who either works in MLS or doesn't currently have a job. That leaves you with...Bob Bradley or Bruce Arena. That's not going to help.
As far as analysis of the game, I can only offer this...
I just want Gregg to be better. Period. Stop futzing with the lineups, formations, and tactics. If we truly are the #10 team in the world, line up and make them beat us. Stop leveling the pitch before kick. And stop putting players in spots to just play; not for them to thrive. (Putting Pulisic up top is stupid. He doesn't play there, doesn't need to be there, won't be successful there, and this isn't the high school team where you just put the best player up top.) And get Sargent OFF THE PITCH!!!!!
Just because this is his first world cup qualifying windows buys him ZERO slack. This is team USA, not team Gregg where he can maybe feel his way around and potentially be successful in a few seasons. He's been around the team, the program, the entire system. He's not a newbie. No slack given. BE BETTER.
And they all are rough windows. If the team isn't prepared...um...who do you think is at fault. Not getting them prepped, not having them ready, not having the intensity, not having "IT"...falls on him.
Yes, nice win, but DO. BETTER. GREGG!!!!!
I think he'd be the first one to say he needs to be better. He bought himself some time with this win - all I'm saying is give him a chance to do better in the next window (which is another winnable set of games) because we don't have any better options right now.
You mentioned players playing out of position in another comment, and while I get it, this actually happens all the time in internationals. Davies doesn't play left wing for Bayern - he does for Canada. Bale doesn't play attacking mid for Madrid, but he does sometimes for Wales. Ideally, he'd be playing left wing all the time so he doesn't have to think about changing roles, but that wasn't possible last night. And he played fine!
All I was saying is everyone was like, "wow, the players came out and played so well in the second half." Coincidentally, right after the only chance the coaches have to really talk to the players and make big adjustments. Weird, right?
Bottom line is, the whole team and Gregg absolutely need to be better. I think they got a wakeup call with this window that it's not going to be a walk in the park. It's not like Europe. Next time, they'll be ready and I think ultimately they are going to be fine. If it still looks bad in the next window, then by all means fire Gregg and hire...someone else. Idk who, but sure.
Why? Why can't we line up Pulisic in his natural position? Why do we have to high school it up and play him in some spot he's not used to? This is silly. Against Canada they put him at striker. And he was never up top. If you put him at striker, and he doesn't actually play in that position on the field, you are playing 10.5 against 11. He doesn't need to drop and hold hands with the left mid, or with the AMC. If you want him to play AMC (a position he hates, and that experiment at Chelsea has been abandoned) then actually put a plyer up top.
As for Davies...he has and does play left mid/wing occasionally. And transitioning from def to mid isn't a huge stretch. Either way, Canada can Canada all Canada wants...we aren't Canada.
As for Bale, he's a Welsh God, and can play where ever he pleases. World class when he is on the pitch. (And as you say, occasionally. Wales has a population equivalent to Iowa. They don't have the depth the USA supposedly does.)
I don't recall him playing striker against Canada. He was playing left wing and Pefok was striker. He style is to play off the shoulder of the striker and pick up the ball in the center of the pitch anyway. I would also be against playing him as a striker because that limits a lot of what he is good at.
Last night, he played in a free role underneath the strikers. I shouldn't say that it wasn't possible for him to play wing. Obviously, once the subs were made and Sargent came off, they switched to the normal 4-3-3. But I don't think they had the numbers/stamina to keep that up for a full 90. Aaronson was probably gassed from playing most of the first two matches at his very high intensity. Roldan is clearly thought of as a sub option, not a starter. It doesn't appear as though Konrad is fully trusted yet. Ultimately, the 3-5-2 didn't really work, but I can understand why he tried it.
This was a frustrating and nerve-wracking window, but we survived. Let's hope we simplify things and get back to it next month.
We're not. FIFA world rankings are BS and always have been
Full disclosure (although probably evident), I had a few beers last night so I was definitely overly critical. That being said, that first half made me want to puke in my lap.
Agree with what you guys are saying. Stop tinkering and put the best players out there in the positions where they belong. Stop outsmarting yourself!
You all should check out FC Dallas' twitter page for top notch Pepi content
Love it!!!!!!
While most seem to be bashing GB, I appreciate he went with some new faces and switched things up based on the results of the last two games. Those last two games definitely did not inspire much confidence and everyone would have been critical if the same lineup (minus dest for injury) was started and the played poorly again.
That said, the first half looked terrible. To his credit, he made some changes at half and early in the second half and made some adjustments that paid off rather than waiting until the 80th minute.
I'll be watching the second half this afternoon, after staying up to watch the first half I was done at half time after that joke of a performance. Glad they pulled the rabbit out the hat there and glad to see the subs made that GB did. Not a fan of expiermenting but at the same time due to covid/injuries/suspensions the squad is ever changing and I'm sure hes trying to sort out who his best team is. Gotta imagine Pepi is now his starting striker and Aaronson has become a very important piece creatively for the team. Also I hope we never see a back 3 again or Adams as a wing back that shit was terrifying to watch and Brooks as a back 3 was so sloppy stepping up to try and press he deservedly got the hook at half time.
To those who want GB sacked it aint happening and it wouldnt change a damn thing, hes learning and we need to give him a fair chance.
For sure. I've always been an Aaronson fan, but he's been one of the best players this window. For next window, I'd like to see below:
Turner
Dest - Robinson - Richards - Robinson
Adams - Musah
Aaronson - Reyna - Pulisic
PEPI
Brooks always looks great in Europe, but he was straight-up bad this window. If McKennie is ready to focus put him with Adams (but also Musah is really good). Aaronson has earned a starting spot and put Reyna where he belongs at the 10.
Last thing I'm gonna say for this window. Pepi new striker never ever bring Sargeant again EVER
Agree Pepi has earned more starts. But others will still play. Zardes should be back next window. Hoppe, Gioacchini, Pefok are all in contention with Sargent for that last spots. Needs to find his finishing boots, but he will still be involved. He did not do himself any favors with this window though.
I think a top 3 of Pulisic Hoppe and Pepi with Aaronson as cam but kinda being a shadow striker would be killer imo
I completely forgot about reyna😂 make Aaronson a box to box CM then😂
I don't think he can do that at all. Doesn't win physical battles in the midfield. I'd start him over Hoppe. I know everyone loves Hoppe, but he still has a lot to learn in terms of when to try stuff and when to just make the simple play. Not ready to be a nailed on starter. He's fun though!
Yeah I don't like Aaronson as anything but a wing. He wasn't great playing in the midfield against Canada (I think that's where he played). He's a great pressing forward/wing and very good on the counter but I don't think he can play in the midfield in the manner we need him to.
He was supposed to be out at right wing against Canada, but if I recall he was "inside" quite a bit...
Ive notice alot of us players up top kinda free roam everywhere. Which I don't blame them looking for any holes in the back
Looking for holes in the back, eh?
👀😂
I get that...but also when the ball ends up where they SHOULD be and they aren't there...that makes me pull my hair out (as a recovering coach...)