Everything Soccer

[CTIDANDREW]

What's the story with Carter Vickers?

I would say he has the best shot.
He has limited experience with Poch since they overlapped at Spurs for a few years, plus he has the best club success over the past few years outside of Chirs Richards with his success at Celtic.
(3) Team of the year's in Scottish Premiership
Almost (40) club appearances per year for 4+ straight years.
Champions League experience
Playing in the pressure of one of the biggest clubs in Europe

It sounds like he is possibly moving to PL side this summer, which I believe he and his agent have been told would greatly help his World Cup chances, on top of a likely nice pay raise.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Turner is going to Lyon who just got relegated to League Duh.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Welcome back.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

US was the better team in the first half, it was 1-1.

Would rather have not gone to penalties, but man, did Matt Freese step up big. He could end up being the guy when all is said and done.

I hope Costa Rica didn't take too much out of them. Guatemala is playing with a ton of confidence right now and no fear.

 

[Fbolt]

At the 60 minute mark the USMNT was gassed-passes were junk and they kept going for "hope" crosses and thru balls. Disappointing they couldn't keep the energy up for the entire game.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

At the 60 minute mark the USMNT was gassed-passes were junk and they kept going for "hope" crosses and thru balls. Disappointing they couldn't keep the energy up for the entire game.

Very close to going up 3-1. Hit the crossbar.

Would have rather not gone to pens, but grinding one out might have been just what they need. Guatemala won't be any easier I'm guessing.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Very close to going up 3-1. Hit the crossbar.

Would have rather not gone to pens, but grinding one out might have been just what they need. Guatemala won't be any easier I'm guessing.

Ranked 106th in the world.
Don't have anybody on thier squad playing in a meaningful league in Europe.

This USA squad should play them off the pitch and dominate.
I get that it's CONACAF, but this is a home game for USA at a Soccer specific stadium in St. Louis with proper grass for soccer.
It should be at a minimum a comfortable two goal victory.

 

[DCDomer]

Ranked 106th in the world.
Don't have anybody on thier squad playing in a meaningful league in Europe.

This USA squad should play them off the pitch and dominate.
I get that it's CONACAF, but this is a home game for USA at a Soccer specific stadium in St. Louis with proper grass for soccer.
It should be at a minimum a comfortable two goal victory.

We talking about the same U.S. team? Having superior talent is zero indication of what result we'll get.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

We talking about the same U.S. team? Having superior talent is zero indication of what result we'll get.

I get the skepticism, I personally am at my lowest caring level when it comes to USA soccer now on my third decade on this planet, but we're talking about a home game at a soccer specific stadium with proper football pitch conditions against Guatemala here.

Things are looking bleak if this is anywhere near a competitive match one year out from hosting the World Cup.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Ranked 106th in the world.
Don't have anybody on thier squad playing in a meaningful league in Europe.

This USA squad should play them off the pitch and dominate.
I get that it's CONACAF, but this is a home game for USA at a Soccer specific stadium in St. Louis with proper grass for soccer.
It should be at a minimum a comfortable two goal victory.

You're actually one of the people on this board who follows the sport, so I'm going to ignore this portion of the post because you ultimately know better. It's the knockout round of a summer tournament. Nobody gives half a watery shit what their world ranking is.

They beat Jamaica for the first time ever and just knocked Canada (who in some circles were favorites) out on pens. They're confident, not to mention Costa Rica battered the US around pretty good yesterday. Both teams should have some bumps and bruises.

Hope you're right, but I expect a fight.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Very close to going up 3-1. Hit the crossbar.

Would have rather not gone to pens, but grinding one out might have been just what they need. Guatemala won't be any easier I'm guessing.

All of the favorites minus Mexico are out.

That being said anything is possible with this tournament. I would feel safe about any opponent b

 

[CTIDANDREW]

You're actually one of the people on this board who follows the sport, so I'm going to ignore this portion of the post because you ultimately know better. It's the knockout round of a summer tournament. Nobody gives half a watery shit what their world ranking is.

They beat Jamaica for the first time ever and just knocked Canada (who in some circles were favorites) out on pens. They're confident, not to mention Costa Rica battered the US around pretty good yesterday. Both teams should have some bumps and bruises.

Hope you're right, but I expect a fight.

We last played Guatemala in a home game that was “meaningful” in 2016
It was a WCQ that if we lost, we wouldn’t have even made it to the Hex stage of Conacaf World Cup qualifying for Brazil.

That crop of boys went out and blew them off the pitch and won 4-0 in style.

I understand this is at best a B- team, but we will likely have a transfer market value starting 11 on Wednesday that may be as high as 75-100X more expensive then the squad guatmela will put out there.

We need to see Poch ball in action, and dominate an inferior opponent in a big summer moment.

I just want to feel good about this program for the first time in like two years on Wednesday night.
A midfield of Adams, Tillman, Berhalter, Cardoso (if he gets out of the dog house) should run circles around Guatemala.

 

[stpeteirish]

People are worried we'll lose to Guatemala? WTF. Has Guatemala ever been good? Have they ever gualified for the World Cup thru CONCACAF?

 

[NDty9]

Inter and City, go down in the same day !!! WOW….. the City vs Al Hilal match was electric !

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Inter and City, go down in the same day !!! WOW….. the City vs Al Hilal match was electric !

Best match of the tournament so far. Al Hilal has electric pace on the front line and great distribution on counters from midfielders/Neves.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

People are worried we'll lose to Guatemala? WTF. Has Guatemala ever been good? Have they ever gualified for the World Cup thru CONCACAF?

1. That is not what was said.
2. They're in the semifinal of a Gold Cup.
3. I'm not sure why that's relevant to tomorrow's match.

 

[NDty9]

Best match of the tournament so far. Al Hilal has electric pace on the front line and great distribution on counters from midfielders/Neves.

It for sure was. They were notttt scared at all. Even after going down 0-1 (debatable hand ball) …. Soooo fun to watch . And now we get to see them go against a wild Brasilian team, next (Fuck inter! Forza Milan!)

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Sunday. Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[NDty9]

Sunday. Wouldn't have it any other way.

It’s go time !!

 

[GowerND11]

Diogo Jota and his brother passed away today in a car accident. He just got married 5 days ago. Just tragic…

 

[Cpnd1]

Diogo Jota and his brother passed away today in a car accident. He just got married 5 days ago. Just tragic…

YNWA Diogo

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

We try to make sports matter more than they do, but in the end, they really don't.

Cherish your loved ones and hug a little tighter today, boys. Just horrible news.

 

[NDRock]

First game I’ve watched in the Gold Cup. Was really impressed with Mexico. Seemed the much better team. Not sure if this was just a one off or if they’ve got a really good team these days.

 

[IA4irish]

US and Mexico are right next to each other in World rankings. In classic fashion, US looks bad when it really matters. We have been incredibly disappointing on the national stage for years. Mexico was the aggressor all night and earned the win.

 

[DCDomer]

Scandalous to not give that handball. He literally used the ball to posture himself off the ground in the box.

 

[IA4irish]

I should add that many of the US best players did not play in the gold cup including Reyna and pulisic. I’ve just been frustrated with this team over the years

 

[NDRock]

I should add that many of the US best players did not play in the gold cup including Reyna and pulisic. I’ve just been frustrated with this team over the years

I don't follow the USMNT much but the post game commentary hit on this fact pretty well. They also said Mexico was basically at full strength. Hopefully we're at our best next summer.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I would not be stunned if only around five of these guys were in the real competition for starting on the USMNT next year (I still believe Tyler Adams and Matt Turner and Tim Ream will start, but they are not young-and-upp-and-comers so maybe they don't even count. The only new guy that I was continually impressed with was Luna. He has aggression, foot skills and attitude. Until Mexico, I thought Ageymang was a real hold-up 9 that we lack, but Mexico thugged him and he caved to the rough treatment. Tillman also got the treatment and was "mild" in his play though sore all over no doubt. Most of those other guys are clearly B or C level players as far as serious competition is concerned --- maybe Richards will be OK if he gets smarter about his job. The USMNT fielded the worst pair of fullbacks I've watched, and unfortunately that's a position of need.)

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Only 4 of these guys would start if the WC started tomorrow - Adams, Richards, Ream, and Tillman. Maybe Freese. So 2/3 of the starters are out of the lineup against basically Mexicos strongest lineup. This was a fine tournament and provided valuable information for Poch. This would have looked vastly different with Jedi and Dest at outside backs, Mckennie alongside Adams in the cm, and a front 3 of Pulisic, Weah, and Balogun/Pepi. This result doesn't worry me nor surprise me, in the slightest.

Think about it this way. The players who stood out in this tournament play in Europe (or in Reams case has a career of experience there). Whereas the guys who looked "in over their head" were largely MLS guys. Most of the 1st team lineup is from the big 5 in Europe and Eredivisie (stronger than MLS). This is not a coincidence. I dont hate the MLS, but the level of play just isn't there, yet.

 

[Fbolt]

Bernhalter was playing the ball well during set pieces-he should get an opportunity to camp again.