Everything Soccer

[IHateMarkMay]

It's looking like United's summer business could be: Sancho, Varane, Neves.

DDG
AWB
Varane
Maguire
Shaw
Neves
Bruno
Pogba
Sancho
Cavani
Rashford


Much stronger lineup than last season. The Pogba situation is worrying (could leave on a free next summer) but I could see him being much happier/productive in this squad and possibly signing back up during the year.

It seems like they'll go after a DCM if Pogba leaves, which I think he should. His flashes of brilliance isn't enough to make up for the games he is on the field but you wouldn't know or his agent's (Railoa...) off the field. Sell him for 50 million and fund Neves or Rice.

Also, Henderson is number one this season I think. He was starting towards the end of the year last year and I'd be surprised if he isn't starting game 1.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

DeGea makes a ton of money just to sit on the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to offload him and eat some of his wages to do so.

 

[DCDomer]

DeGea makes a ton of money just to sit on the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to offload him and eat some of his wages to do so.

Still not sure who the #1 GK should be. DDG isn't what he was 16-18, but Henderson hasn't convinced me he's better.

 

[notredomer23]

Pretty surprised to see Varane go to United for so cheap when CBs like Harry Maguire are more than twice the cost.

Really not gonna like seeing United good this year. Gotta hope Ole Gunnar continues to hold them back.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

USWNT go through to quarterfinals with Netherlands on GOAL DIFFERENTIAL. woof.

 

[notredomer23]

USWNT go through to quarterfinals with Netherlands on GOAL DIFFERENTIAL. woof.

the USMNT would never.

 

[DCDomer]

Varane to United is official. Things are shaping up now. Need a DM and they can be title challengers.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Naeher in the locker room rn

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Bwwwwaaaaahahahahahahhaah fuck you mexico

 

[GowerND11]

The Mexican fans were already spinning last night that the Gold Cup doesn't even matter, that they had their "B" team, and they only care about the Olympics now.... Oh the schadenfreude

 

[notredomer23]

That was essentially our B team verses there A.2 team. 8 of the 11 started against the US in the Nations League Final. 4 of the US starters weren’t even on the roster and only 3 started the final.

a lot of these young MLS guys have a very bright future in Europe. Busio is off to Venezia. Hoppe is being sought by Arsenal and Everton. Cannon is likely making a move to Ligue 1 or Serie A. George Bello I thought absolutely shut down Tecatito. James Sands is so damn good he just needs to get a bit stronger, but a European move for him is imminent. I don’t think Eryk Williamson will move on from MLS, but I think he’s earned a spot on the bench for the A team.

credit where it’s due: I thought Zardes greatly exceeded expectations.

I’ll be fine never seeing Arriola again. To me he’s the old USMNT. Fast and quick and can be in the right position but no skill.

 

[notredomer23]

Oh and enough can’t be said about Matt Turner. Not the best distributor but his shot stopping is the best in our pool IMO. That early corner diving save I don’t think Steffen or Horvath are making.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I need to reassess my position on Berhalter. I was and to some degree still am not a fan of his tactics or positional choices….. but to do what he did this summer with what was available was nothing short of very very good. The guys genuinely seem to want to play hard and that was some of the most intense ground covering and defense I’ve ever seen from USMNT. Last night was pure heart and determination from everyone. I’m withholding judgement until at the first couple Hex games but hopefully with a mix of these guys and our clear European talent we shouldn’t have too much problems qualifying.

love the fact that Robison got the winner against Tata. Dude may be out of job shortly.

im not a fan of Zardes and I give him a hard time but JFC did he absolutely commit to playing as hard as he could last night. He just kept going and going.

what can you say about Acosta? For a twenty minute window in the second half it was like there was no one else on the field. Dude was balling at both ends.

Central defense didn’t put a single foot wrong and that was without Zimmerman too.

Mexican tears are delicious

 

[IrishLion]

It's crazy to see how far the USMNT has come over the past three years during the transition to the young guys, and more recently in Berhalter's system.

It's obvious that the program is improving; there seems to be legitimate depth, and a much greater number of players with actual skill (not just the ol' blue collar "effort" trait).

Is it a result of something happening at the youth level where more kids than ever are rising to the top? Is it Berhalter bringing out the best in some talented players? Is it a combination of both, where a capable coach knows how to hit the right developmental buttons with a 'golden' generation?

Or is it all a coincidence, where a guy like Arena or Klinsmann would have had the same group, looking just as talented, and Berhalter is just the beneficiary?

 

[notredomer23]

It's crazy to see how far the USMNT has come over the past three years during the transition to the young guys, and more recently in Berhalter's system.

It's obvious that the program is improving; there seems to be legitimate depth, and a much greater number of players with actual skill (not just the ol' blue collar "effort" trait).

Is it a result of something happening at the youth level where more kids than ever are rising to the top? Is it Berhalter bringing out the best in some talented players? Is it a combination of both, where a capable coach knows how to hit the right developmental buttons with a 'golden' generation?

Or is it all a coincidence, where a guy like Arena or Klinsmann would have had the same group, looking just as talented, and Berhalter is just the beneficiary?

Great post.

I think Berhalter has proven to be a better manager than Arena and Klinsmann and barring a WCQ disaster deserves to be manager in the run up to 2026.

I also think Berhalter is benefitting massively from Klinsmann and the changes he essentially made US Soccer take in regards to youth development. There was no universal training programs, the emphasis was on winning (which, while important, will only benefit those more physically developed), and academies were few a far between. Pre-2010 if you were worth something you essentially went to IMG Academy. That was the only option essentially. Thankfully since his departure, US Soccer has only continued on the right track. The academies have given players a path to early first team playing time or Europe, and away from playing in college which is where development goes to die usually. Those that aren't up to standard usually end up thriving in the college game, and sometimes develop later on, but we're going to see that less and less.

While I do think Klinsmann and Arena would be seeing similar success against the rest of CONCACAF, I don't know if the US would have won either final with them at the helm.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Great post.

I think Berhalter has proven to be a better manager than Arena and Klinsmann and barring a WCQ disaster deserves to be manager in the run up to 2026.

I also think Berhalter is benefitting massively from Klinsmann and the changes he essentially made US Soccer take in regards to youth development. There was no universal training programs, the emphasis was on winning (which, while important, will only benefit those more physically developed), and academies were few a far between. Pre-2010 if you were worth something you essentially went to IMG Academy. That was the only option essentially. Thankfully since his departure, US Soccer has only continued on the right track. The academies have given players a path to early first team playing time or Europe, and away from playing in college which is where development goes to die usually. Those that aren't up to standard usually end up thriving in the college game, and sometimes develop later on, but we're going to see that less and less.

While I do think Klinsmann and Arena would be seeing similar success against the rest of CONCACAF, I don't know if the US would have won either final with them at the helm.

Ill say this to add to your post. Klinnsman didnt use the MLS players very much and Arena (pre-Klinnsman) didnt expand the talent pool while he was in charge. In fact if I recall Klinssman didnt think much of MLS palyers at all and was focused on Euro players exclusively. Klinnsman put us in a severe hole during qualifying by relying on the same team every game and not using MLS guys where advantageous. After Arena came in, he did a piss poor job trying to finish up qualifying and completely mismanaged us into failure. We were not in a terrible spot (though clearly not great) when Klinnsman was fired but no fucking way should we have been in a do or die game in T&T. It was a clear failure of the whol esystem from coaching, tactics, team selection, and development.

Its going to take a lot to convince me they are on the rght path with Berhalter as Im still no where near sold on that they have addressed the previous failures. If we get through qualifying with little or no difficulty then that will go a long way to ease my distrust.

 

[IrishLion]

If we get through qualifying with little or no difficulty then that will go a long way to ease my distrust.

Speaking of qualifying... that November match against Mexico is across the river in Cincy's new stadium. Really jacked up for that... but it's going to be outrageous trying to get tickets to a 26k seat stadium for a World Cup qualifier between the US and Mexico.

I have pretty good connections in the Cincy front office, and idk if that will even be enough to get tickets lol.

 

[notredomer23]

Speaking of qualifying... that November match against Mexico is across the river in Cincy's new stadium. Really jacked up for that... but it's going to be outrageous trying to get tickets to a 26k seat stadium for a World Cup qualifier between the US and Mexico.

I have pretty good connections in the Cincy front office, and idk if that will even be enough to get tickets lol.

What a knife into the heart of Columbus supporters that it's going to Cincy. Deservedly so, btw. Awesome stadium.

 

[ACamp1900]

Been fighting an infection and just chilled last night,… as happy as I am surprised. I’ll have to rock my USA jersey today when I pick my daughter up from school.

 

[NorthDakota]

Been fighting an infection and just chilled last night,… as happy as I am surprised. I’ll have to rock my USA jersey today when I pick my daughter up from school.

ACamp exposing children to COVID!

 

[ACamp1900]

ACamp exposing children to COVID!

They tell me only my personality is contagious at the moment

 

[Rogue219]

Pretty surprised to see Varane go to United for so cheap when CBs like Harry Maguire are more than twice the cost.

Really not gonna like seeing United good this year. Gotta hope Ole Gunnar continues to hold them back.

He will. They'll just have a better squad to help mask whatever dumb crap he does.

If there are full stadiums this season, all bets are off. I don't care how many players land in Manchester on either side of town.

 

[BabyIrish]

Last night was amazing. The whole team battled all night long. Reminded me of the 2000’s teams. Love the direction of the program. I’m sold on Brooks and Robinson being our center backs going forward. And I’d be totally fine with Turner being the #1 and Acosta splitting time with Adams. All three were so strong the whole tournament.

 

[Rogue219]

Manchester City have offered Aston Villa $100M for Jack Grealish, who wasn't even in England's Starting 11 for last month's Euros.

This is tough to compete with for, well, everyone else.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Manchester City have offered Aston Villa $100M for Jack Grealish, who wasn't even in England's Starting 11 for last month's Euros.

This is tough to compete with for, well, everyone else.

Saw reports earlier that it was up to him if he was staying or going and that he was expected to take it soon.

Don't see how it improves City that much, they have an abundance of attacking midfielders. They'll still go out and get Kane too.

Also, Chelsea is doing everything they can to get Lukaku, something like offering 130 million and Marcos Alonso.

 

[Rogue219]

Saw reports earlier that it was up to him if he was staying or going and that he was expected to take it soon.

Don't see how it improves City that much, they have an abundance of attacking midfielders. They'll still go out and get Kane too.

Also, Chelsea is doing everything they can to get Lukaku, something like offering 130 million and Marcos Alonso.

He can play winger, too. Again, if it doesn't improve them that much, why the record breaking fee? I assume City will have outgoing players sold?

Kane's hold out makes him look bad and it does nothing good for Spurs. Only City benefit from him doing what he's doing.

 

[notredomer23]

Losing Grealish, but adding Buendia, Bailey, and Ings is for sure a net gain for Aston Villa. They're also not done and are linked with James Ward-Prowse and Todd Cantwell. Top 8 and ahead of Arsenal seems realistic.

 

[NorthDakota]

Losing Grealish, but adding Buendia, Bailey, and Ings is for sure a net gain for Aston Villa. They're also not done and are linked with James Ward-Prowse and Todd Cantwell. Top 8 and ahead of Arsenal seems realistic.

James Ward-Prowse was always a purchase I made on FIFA 14-17. Still a pretty young guy but seems like he's been around forever.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Saw reports earlier that it was up to him if he was staying or going and that he was expected to take it soon.

Don't see how it improves City that much, they have an abundance of attacking midfielders. They'll still go out and get Kane too.

Also, Chelsea is doing everything they can to get Lukaku, something like offering 130 million and Marcos Alonso.

Abundance of attacking midfielders is very vague, and in my opinion not true.
They have KDB, Gundogan, Foden, and Bernado Silva who occupy two spots for the two attacking mids in Pep's 4-3-3 system.
With the likely signing of Grealish, it probably means that Bernardo will be sold to a La Liga squad if anyone comes in with a fair offer.
Sterling, Mahrez, Torres, Jesus make up the three attacking spots of the front three. We shall see what happens on the Kane front in the next few weeks.
Rodri is almost always the Pivot with Fernandinho playing when needed.
That is ten players (eleven if you add Grealish) for six spots as of right now.

I wouldn't really call that an abundance, when the squad plays over 60-70 competitive games a season on average for the past decade.

Grealish is making a great career move, plain and simple.
He has been the best player at Villa for the past five seasons, and has never even made a PFA (PL) team of the season.
Also, as Rogue pointed out he is not even a nailed on starter for the national team.
If he wants to take the next step, and become a world class player he needs to make the move to a top European squad.
Villa fans have every right to be upset, but anybody with any sense about them should see it is a good move for Grealish and his career ambitions.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Abundance of attacking midfielders is very vague, and in my opinion not true.
They have KDB, Gundogan, Foden, and Bernado Silva who occupy two spots for the two attacking mids in Pep's 4-3-3 system.
With the likely signing of Grealish, it probably means that Bernardo will be sold to a La Liga squad if anyone comes in with a fair offer.
Sterling, Mahrez, Torres, Jesus make up the three attacking spots of the front three. We shall see what happens on the Kane front in the next few weeks.
Rodri is almost always the Pivot with Fernandinho playing when needed.
That is ten players (eleven if you add Grealish) for six spots as of right now.

I wouldn't really call that an abundance, when the squad plays over 60-70 competitive games a season on average for the past decade.

Grealish is making a great career move, plain and simple.
He has been the best player at Villa for the past five seasons, and has never even made a PFA (PL) team of the season.
Also, as Rogue pointed out he is not even a nailed on starter for the national team.
If he wants to take the next step, and become a world class player he needs to make the move to a top European squad.
Villa fans have every right to be upset, but anybody with any sense about them should see it is a good move for Grealish and his career ambitions.

You are right, abundance was not the correct word. However, adding Grealish in to get time with KDB, Gundogan, and Foden (and Silva unless they offload him) is quite an insane amount of talent for 2 spots. Without any injuries, how much time does he get in the PL? When healthy, you always play KDB, he's world class. Gundogan was a monster last year, Foden is one of the best young talents in the PL.

Kane is hurting himself, but maybe he just wants to get out of Tottenham that bad. I only see City being rumored to be wanting him (that can afford him), it'll be interesting to see if he doesn't leave and how he handles himself having to stay another year.