Everything Soccer

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503

I'm not sure why it would have to be so comprehensive.
 

nsisk157

Active member
Messages
917
Reaction score
211
We severely lack a creative, central midfielder. One who can carry the ball and pick a pass. It should be Reyna but he just hasn't taken the next step just yet and prefers coming off a wing.

Also, I think Cardoso has to start over Adams. Adams is fine in defending but offers nothing in terms of passing ability and moving the ball up the field.

Obv, GGG out.
 

Cackalacky2.0

Specimen
Messages
7,802
Reaction score
5,525

I'm not sure why it would have to be so comprehensive.
It will be comprehensive in that their moneyball metrics will bring them right back to GGG AGAIN! After the Acolyte, the SCOTUS ruling on Presidential immunity and now the USA unable to even get out of group play against Panama and Bolivia on home soil ....I fucking give up. Im done. I just can't anymore.
 

Pops Freshenmeyer

Well-known member
Messages
4,985
Reaction score
2,207
We severely lack a creative, central midfielder. One who can carry the ball and pick a pass. It should be Reyna but he just hasn't taken the next step just yet and prefers coming off a wing.

Also, I think Cardoso has to start over Adams. Adams is fine in defending but offers nothing in terms of passing ability and moving the ball up the field.

Obv, GGG out.
I thought McKinnie deserved the bench, personally.

But we are definitely in agreement that the lack of a real attacking midfielder is a huge problem. Of course it could also be a product of Berhalter's philosophy of using the perimeter.
 

nsisk157

Active member
Messages
917
Reaction score
211
I thought McKinnie deserved the bench, personally.

But we are definitely in agreement that the lack of a real attacking midfielder is a huge problem. Of course it could also be a product of Berhalter's philosophy of using the perimeter.
Agree on both. There are some young studs coming up in the ranks that can maybe fill... but i do think philosophy is neutering some players as well.
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
6,592
Reaction score
3,491
England move on. Southgate gets a lot of flack but he gets his team deep in almost every major tournament. Think that’s now one final, two semi finals, and one quarterfinal in his four tournaments as manager.
 

CTIDANDREW

Well-known member
Messages
923
Reaction score
323
I think I read somewhere he has now won more knockout games as manager than all other England managers combined since the 1960’s.
He is far from perfect, but that stat alone is a great reminder why you rarely see the top managers in the game get involved in international management. Thankless job to say the least.

Also, I texted a buddy earlier today who is a Dutch expat in USA.
I was so jealous for the 45 mintues he experienced today with that amazing comeback, then their ability to hang on for the last 10 or so mintues.
I hope the USA team allows us to feel that again in 2026, but as long as Gregg is the manager I have no belief
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503
Southgate picking Alexander Arnold for the fifth and final pen was quite an interesting choice. I assume AA must really bury them in training on a day to day basis considering he dropped him as a starter after two group stage matches. Maybe Conor Gallagher isn't up for it.

France in the 1998 World Cup, Italy in the 2006 World Cup and Italy in the last Euros are all teams I can recall not being terribly impressive but ended up winning it all anyway. Could very well be England in this Euros. Be that as it may, the team selections and tactics have left plenty to be desired. They were minutes away from being knocked out by a decent Slovakia team and individual brilliance by Bellingham saved them. They're advancing, but the tactics and player usage being questioned is well within logic.

All five pens were taken well and with supreme confidence. Bodes well for England going forward.

Spain vs Germany was electric. I think it comes down to the winner of Spain vs France, but I am hoping the Netherlands pull it off somehow.

As for the Copa, the longer Canada hang around the better. Yeah, it's spiteful, but so what. If you're a fan of the USMNT you deserve some spite.
 

Cackalacky2.0

Specimen
Messages
7,802
Reaction score
5,525
I recently saw a poll on bleacher report that was showing odds on next USMNT coach. The poll had:
Klopp 2/10
Pep 1/10
Churundulo 8/10
and like three other coaches who are currently employed at 3/10 or worse. LMAO

I mean wtf
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503
I recently saw a poll on bleacher report that was showing odds on next USMNT coach. The poll had:
Klopp 2/10
Pep 1/10
Churundulo 8/10
and like three other coaches who are currently employed at 3/10 or worse. LMAO

I mean wtf
Klopp and Guardiola are pipe dreams.

Pellegrino Matarazzo is my guy. Don't know if they can obtain him but that's who I'd want.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503

U.S. men’s Olympic soccer team roster​

GOALKEEPERS (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)

DEFENDERS (6): Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)

FORWARDS (5): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt), Taylor Booth (Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)

ALTERNATES (4): Josh Atencio (Midfielder, Seattle Sounders FC), Jacob Davis (Defender, Sporting Kansas City), Johan Gomez (Forward, Eintracht Braunschweig), John Pulskamp (Goalkeeper, Sporting Kansas City)
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
6,592
Reaction score
3,491
Southgate picking Alexander Arnold for the fifth and final pen was quite an interesting choice. I assume AA must really bury them in training on a day to day basis considering he dropped him as a starter after two group stage matches. Maybe Conor Gallagher isn't up for it.

France in the 1998 World Cup, Italy in the 2006 World Cup and Italy in the last Euros are all teams I can recall not being terribly impressive but ended up winning it all anyway. Could very well be England in this Euros. Be that as it may, the team selections and tactics have left plenty to be desired. They were minutes away from being knocked out by a decent Slovakia team and individual brilliance by Bellingham saved them. They're advancing, but the tactics and player usage being questioned is well within logic.

All five pens were taken well and with supreme confidence. Bodes well for England going forward.

Spain vs Germany was electric. I think it comes down to the winner of Spain vs France, but I am hoping the Netherlands pull it off somehow.

As for the Copa, the longer Canada hang around the better. Yeah, it's spiteful, but so what. If you're a fan of the USMNT you deserve some spite.
What tactics and selections have been questionable? I always hear soccer fans complain about tactics at the national level but rarely hear their reasoning. I’m genuinely curious. Seems to me like a national coach doesn’t have the time to really get complex with their teams due to a lack of training. It’s why I think a guy like Pep would hate the job. I just assume when people complain it’s the same as when we complain about play calling. Usually it’s the outcome we are bitching about.
 

nsisk157

Active member
Messages
917
Reaction score
211
What tactics and selections have been questionable? I always hear soccer fans complain about tactics at the national level but rarely hear their reasoning. I’m genuinely curious. Seems to me like a national coach doesn’t have the time to really get complex with their teams due to a lack of training. It’s why I think a guy like Pep would hate the job. I just assume when people complain it’s the same as when we complain about play calling. Usually it’s the outcome we are bitching about.
I think you are right for a fair bit of it but that fact that you see world class players like Kane and Foden essentially neutered, Jude playing out of position, etc.. Points to philosophy. But this has been England's issue for my entire lifetime. I am here for it too, England struggling, but England should likely get into the final and then it is a coin flip
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
6,592
Reaction score
3,491
I think you are right for a fair bit of it but that fact that you see world class players like Kane and Foden essentially neutered, Jude playing out of position, etc.. Points to philosophy. But this has been England's issue for my entire lifetime. I am here for it too, England struggling, but England should likely get into the final and then it is a coin flip
Sure but the team is full of guys who are focal points on their club teams. You can’t come up with a system that plays to all of their strengths. Not to mention they are playing against other top players in the world. This seems to be typical of most national teams in big tournaments. It’s why I think the level of play is always superior in the later rounds of the champion’s league than it is in these type tournaments. The drama though, is tough to beat at the national level.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503
What tactics and selections have been questionable? I always hear soccer fans complain about tactics at the national level but rarely hear their reasoning. I’m genuinely curious. Seems to me like a national coach doesn’t have the time to really get complex with their teams due to a lack of training. It’s why I think a guy like Pep would hate the job. I just assume when people complain it’s the same as when we complain about play calling. Usually it’s the outcome we are bitching about.
The way he's used Bellingham, Foden, Alexander Arnold to begin with. Trippier at left back. Build up, or lack thereof. No runs in behind.

It's conservative international tournament football and it sucks. Hence why every so often during this tournament, some football actually happens. Not every match has to be a tense, gritty affair. Especially with the talent they have. Wasting energy and playing extra minutes all for being overly pragmatic might catch them in the end. It did in the last Euros.

I was glad all those guys nailed their PKs. Can't scapegoat anybody like three years ago.
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
6,592
Reaction score
3,491
The way he's used Bellingham, Foden, Alexander Arnold to begin with. Trippier at left back. Build up, or lack thereof. No runs in behind.

It's conservative international tournament football and it sucks. Hence why every so often during this tournament, some football actually happens. Not every match has to be a tense, gritty affair. Especially with the talent they have. Wasting energy and playing extra minutes all for being overly pragmatic might catch them in the end. It did in the last Euros.

I was glad all those guys nailed their PKs. Can't scapegoat anybody like three years ago.
Soccer is interesting as it’s one sport where people care about style of play almost as much as results. Don’t hear many fans of football, basketball, baseball, etc…care how their teams win. They just want them to win. I’m perfectly happy with pragmatic and winning.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503
Soccer is interesting as it’s one sport where people care about style of play almost as much as results. Don’t hear many fans of football, basketball, baseball, etc…care how their teams win. They just want them to win. I’m perfectly happy with pragmatic and winning.
The process can often lead you to better, easier results.

Like fucking around for over an hour with Slovakia is something you probably don't need to put yourself through, let alone your supporters.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

What do you hillbillies want?
Messages
10,590
Reaction score
9,503
Good. Southgate stays for 2026.

Seriously, Kane was a passenger in that second half. The Watkins sub was perfect.
 
Top