All three North American host countries making it to the Round of 16 objectively demonstrates growth in the sport. We're getting better, winning more group stage games (some convincingly) and competing against the top squads better.
But there is still a significant gap between the very top countries and our squads. Those top 10-12 squads are deep, nasty and capitalize on seemingly all of our mistakes.
But also like he is literally worse than that part time 40-year old from Cape Verde or the guy from Paraguay. Like I don't care that he's MLS, I care that he makes zero impact plays. He's just sorta "there."We can't win this level of games with a goalie from MLS.
I’m going to retrain my brain to view this as a fun thing to watch on a White Sox off day.Good news is that a lifetime of ND fandom fully prepared me for this crushing letdown.
No offense, but it may be growth for Canada, but it is not growth for us or Mexico. In fact, R16 exits are just standard fare for both of us. Mexico has never gotten beyond it and we've only done it once. Losing is one thing, but getting run off the field by Belgium is a huge setback. This is the worst loss for the US in a long, long time considering the relative expectations coming in and the fact we're at fucking home. Mexico at least put up a fight against a far superior opponent. Rolling over and dying to a mediocre UEFA team is the same old, same old. Maybe hold off on the Poch extension.All three North American host countries making it to the Round of 16 objectively demonstrates growth in the sport. We're getting better, winning more group stage games (some convincingly) and competing against the top squads better.
But there is still a significant gap between the very top countries and our squads. Those top 10-12 squads are deep, nasty and capitalize on seemingly all of our mistakes.
The most frustrating aspect of this is that Belgium is not the cream of the European crop. They will get their doors blown off by Spain probably like 4-0. This was the perfect R16 opponent and we fucking blew it.I had zero faith in beating Belgium but wanted a solid effort,… it’s like ND for years there against top five teams, the usmnt just cannot beat the cream of Europe until we do
Yeah I don’t disagree,… I should say solid euro teams,… we can beat up on Bosnia, Scotland and such but not the bigger teamsThe most frustrating aspect of this is that Belgium is not the cream of the European crop. They will get their doors blown off by Spain probably like 4-0. This was the perfect R16 opponent and we fucking blew it.