Everything Soccer

[Jiggafini19Deux]

LOL Right? Its crazy to me that these two are like " FU Im not changing for no one" meanwhile PL teams have figured out what they are doing and beat them mercilessly with in game adjustments.

Amorim already sounds like he's begging to be sacked.

The jump from Portugal to England is pretty extreme, it appears.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Every 2026 World Cup ticket price, if you’re lucky enough to get chosen to buy

Breaking down the earliest information as the first batch of fans gained the chance to buy tickets for next summer

www.nytimes.com

The resale market is ridiculous. Any notion I may have had of trying to get to a game has gone out the window.

 

[Irishdawg]

USMNT down 0-1 to Ecuador at Halftime. So frustrating to watch!

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

USMNT down 0-1 to Ecuador at Halftime. So frustrating to watch!

I thought they actually played quite well. Ecuadors goal came against the run of play. US largely dominated possesion and had more chances.

 

[Irishdawg]

I thought they actually played quite well. Ecuadors goal came against the run of play. US largely dominated possesion and had more chances.

Yeah, get what you’re saying and happy they tied it up. Just thought they could have had 1-2 more goals. What’s your thoughts on Poch mixing up the lineups? Some old more experienced guys mixing in with the new and CP coming off the bench.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This game showed me (again) that we have about half the quality players we need on the pitch at any time. ... and game-to-game who the heck knows what you'll get out of the majority of middling guys we have.

In this game our excellent players were McKennie (who looked really good being allowed to be closer to goal), and Balogun (who was terrific waiting for the moment to run and when to stop and wall-up the ball) and Ream (who was our defensive rock and stabilizer as he nearly always is.) The one other starter who came out of nowhere to be very impressive setting up plays was guy named Tessman. He buffooned the Ecuadoriians countless times in the midfield and near the box as well. ... may have found another worthy player there, just as we found Luna earlier. Other guys ranged from "meh" to poor. That included the big center back that everyone drools over who made one of the two errors that gave Ecuador their goal. Ream had to pick up his trash a couple of other times in the game as well. (Ream made one non-hurtful error when he backpassed to the goalie not realizing that the goalie's foot skills were not that good. Other than that he was basically our "sweeper" and communicator and stabilizer, ... and Captain.) Weah was OK but playing a position with which he was not familiar. Luna only got to play a little, but was his usual whirling dervish pest and clever passer.

I'm going to guess that Pocchettino will play a modified three-in-the-back with wingbacks varying and straying far up field most of the time. The team looked like it liked the attack mode from that array better. ... I've really liked Luna, and in this game, I marveled at how clever and even strong on the ball Tessman was --- the announcer, late in the game also mentioned what a good game he had. People like Tessman and Luna might make it easier to play Weston McKennie as a forward and not a midfield responsibility guy. Pulisic//Balogun//McKennie as the forward attack? Adams as Defensive mid, and clever guys like Luna and Tessman feeding the front? Both Luna and Tessman happily play defense by the way. (IE favorites like Tillman did zip in the game, by the way.) These people were at least dynamic interesting players and I'd like to see them together on the field for a while. ........ my idiosyncratic take on the Ecuador game.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

1) Mckennie is a Swiss army knife.
2) Musah is too, which is why I'm suprised he's not getting a call up.
3) Weah is not a wing back, he looked very uncomfortable there. Though I'm not sure where he fits in this system with 3 atb.
4) A healthy Robinson and Dest still provide a leveling up for this system as a whole.
5) Give me Adams and Cardoso as a pairing at the double pivot at least once for a look, because that pairing has the highest upside. I'm kindness meh of Tessman and Morris and LDLT. Obviously Wes or Musah could slot in there as well, if needed.
6)Still need to find a 3rd CB to go alongside Ream and Richards.
7) Tillman and Balogun should be locks for starting.
8) There honestly isn't enough room for all our attacking players and Midfielders in this Poch system, which is a good problem to have. Weah, Luna, Gio, maybe even Mckennie potentially won't have starting roles.

 

[sportallyr]

Balogun was really impressive yesterday. Can't wait to see this team when they are at full strength!

 

[dublinirish]

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Awesome story, but I pray to the man above that Cape Verde's card gets pulled into Group D!
Quite possibly could be the worst squad to ever qualify for the world cup when looking at thier roster.

Obviously, the expansion of the world cup starting this year is going to lead to that becoming a more common occurrence.

 

[BabyIrish]

Lady Irish are currently ranked #1 in the country.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Awesome story, but I pray to the man above that Cape Verde's card gets pulled into Group D!
Quite possibly could be the worst squad to ever qualify for the world cup when looking at thier roster.

Obviously, the expansion of the world cup starting this year is going to lead to that becoming a more common occurrence.

Every tournament is going to be expanded and therefore watered down. I don't like it, but it's all in the name of more profit because more games means more revenue.

We could get a Cameroon 1990 or Morocco 2022 here or there, but I think you're going to see some major beatdowns in the group stages now that won't be enjoyable for neutrals.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Irishdawg]

Damn, actually surprised that doesn’t happen more often.

 

[notredomer23]

USMNT has seemingly turned a corner. Unbeaten in last 5 against stellar comp. Throttled Uruguay tonight. Poch has them boys believing

 

[Fbolt]

Really digging Bernhalter's set play. Pleased Gio had an assist as well-two good matches for him.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Luna = Discovery of the Season.

Wide-field awareness = Sweet passes = Offense continues in attack zones.

Also: never-ending hustling and +++ defense willingness.

Now: how and where on the field in first eleven?

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Luna = Discovery of the Season.

Wide-field awareness = Sweet passes = Offense continues in attack zones.

Also: never-ending hustling and +++ defense willingness.

Now: how and where on the field in first eleven?

He won't be in the starting 11 unless there are injuries. Its the most crowded part of the pitch. Mckennie and Adams will likely start double pivot with Tillman and Pulisic playing behind Balogun. Luna may be first midfielder off the bench though.

 

[BabyIrish]

He won't be in the starting 11 unless there are injuries. Its the most crowded part of the pitch. Mckennie and Adams will likely start double pivot with Tillman and Pulisic playing behind Balogun. Luna may be first midfielder off the bench though.

About a month ago I would have put his chances to start at like 20/30%. I think those chances have increased. A couple of reasons:
1. The main guys you talk about just can't seem to get healthy. Who's to say they will by the summer? Who's to say if they do that they will be fit enough?
2. Luna has been the main fixture of the team for the past year if not longer. Poch loves him, and quite frankly, he plays well. I have yet to see a bad game from him.
The past three months have shown the depth of the player pool. Alot of tough decisions on the horizon for Poch.

 

[BabyIrish]

USMNT has seemingly turned a corner. Unbeaten in last 5 against stellar comp. Throttled Uruguay tonight. Poch has them boys believing

I have no idea if this was Uruguay's 1st team/ 2nd team/ 3rd team, etc. But we outclassed them the whole way. Pretty impressive stuff also considering Mexico just tied them 1-1 a couple days earlier.

 

[ACamp1900]

Fantastic week or so of international results,… the Mexico boos warm my heart as much as the Scottish cheers.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I really do get the player quality issue. It's just that I really liked what I saw when the Coach let McKennie play forward --- I think that he's more of a game wrecker closer in. And, with Luna, I watch him like I watch great linemen at work (i.e. closely even when the ball is not at his feet or the guy two passes from him scores, but wouldn't have happened without his earlier pass)... the guy is being productive almost in every moment. His quick move-the-ball passing is so clever and slick, and often excitingly aggressive ... Lord, I'd like to see him with the other attack-minded guys like McKennie and Pulisic. And sure, Adams as the eraser.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

About a month ago I would have put his chances to start at like 20/30%. I think those chances have increased. A couple of reasons:
1. The main guys you talk about just can't seem to get healthy. Who's to say they will by the summer? Who's to say if they do that they will be fit enough?
2. Luna has been the main fixture of the team for the past year if not longer. Poch loves him, and quite frankly, he plays well. I have yet to see a bad game from him.
The past three months have shown the depth of the player pool. Alot of tough decisions on the horizon for Poch.

So who are you benching?

 

[notredomer23]

I have no idea if this was Uruguay's 1st team/ 2nd team/ 3rd team, etc. But we outclassed them the whole way. Pretty impressive stuff also considering Mexico just tied them 1-1 a couple days earlier.

It was a mix of their A and B team. Missing Lucas Torreiera and Federico Valverde, but had Rodrigo Betancur, Jose Gimenez, Ronald Araujo, and Nahitan Nandez. US was in essentially same boat leaving out some key pieces.

It's an attribute of a team that's hard to quantify, but the US under Bradley and Arena 1.0 could always compete even when outclassed because they had an "edge" when playing that has been missing since Klinsmann. Berhalter beat any semblance of that out of them being so system focused. I am starting to see that "edge" with this team, and that's an exciting thing since the talent gap they'd be outclassed against the top world powers has shrunk sizably in the last 15 years.

I am not ready to be a believer that this team can make it to the quarters or further just yet, but I am cautiously optimistic that they will be playing some great ball come this summer.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm not smart enough to answer the "benching" question; I just follow my eyes as to who I'd like on the pitch.

Eleven guys. Goalie plus back "four", leaves six. Big "9" (Balogun or ...?). Pulisic and McKennie beside him? leaves three. Adams and Luna and one other Mid. What about Weah? The Coach has tried him at right back ... maybe insight as to his thinking.

Once pitch is filled, all others are "on bench." People's pet players will cause them anxiety and griping, I know.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

He won't be in the starting 11 unless there are injuries. Its the most crowded part of the pitch. Mckennie and Adams will likely start double pivot with Tillman and Pulisic playing behind Balogun. Luna may be first midfielder off the bench though.

Yeah... while I agree with OMM I have not seen him up against elite midfielders. At least with Adams and McKennie they have been playing against elite MFs for years. Could be a super sub but dont think he breaks into the starting 11 for multiple games. Looks like Gio is making a case over the last two games.... Balo, Puli, Gio, McKennie, Adams... Im forgetting someone... but thats a solid starting front 6

 

[BabyIrish]

So who are you benching?

I don't have a clue, and I'm not even advocating that it should happen. All I know is he has featured in 17 of the last 18 games for the USMNT. That means something.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I don't have a clue, and I'm not even advocating that it should happen. All I know is he has featured in 17 of the last 18 games for the USMNT. That means something.

Hes certainly proven himself worthy of a roster spot. I still think he's one of the odd men out with a fully healthy midfield. Same goes for Gio. The player pool has never been deeper. Its a great problem to have.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I love Diego Luna. Whatever opportunities are afforded to him to get minutes on the pitch, I hope he gets them.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I love Diego Luna. Whatever opportunities are afforded to him to get minutes on the pitch, I hope he gets them.