Everything Soccer

[Rogue219]

Ghana is in, so there is at least one team that will be grouped with the USMNT, obviously.

Would like all three points tonight against Costa Rica.

 

[notredomer23]

Assuming health, Berhalter's next task is figuring out how to get Adams, Reyna, McKennie, Musah, and Pulisic on the field all at the same time. Reyna or Pulisic false 9 maybe? Reyna feels slightly wasted as a RW given his abilities, but Idk how you don't have a midfield of Adams, McKennie, and Musah.

Steffen needs to go on loan somewhere to get more PT prior to the World Cup. He's sloppy and that comes from not playing.

Will a striker step up in the next 8 months? I like Ferriera. Pepi seems too raw, and idk if he works in a 4-3-3. Maybe Sargent can find some form?

Draw is tomorrow. Here's to hoping it's favorable.

 

[Rogue219]

I'm just glad they didn't miss out.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

For those who don't want to look it up:

Pot 1:
Qatar
Brazil
Belgium
France
Argentina
England
Spain
Portugal

Pot 2:
Mexico
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Uruguay
Switzerland
United States
Croatia

Pot 3:
Senegal
IR Iran
Japan
Morocco
Serbia
Poland
South Korea
Tunisia

Pot 4:
Cameroon
Canada
Ecuador
Saudi Arabia
Ghana
Wales or Scotland / Ukraine
Costa Rica or New Zealand
Peru or Australia / United Arab Emirates

Only two European nations can be in the same group. I believe only one per other region also.

I'm thinking round of 16 is the goal for the US here. Pending on the group, you could get an easy Qatar, Tunisia, and UAE or hellish Brazil, Senegal, and Ecuador/Wales. If it's an easy group they can finish on top and hope to get a surprise second place team. They are young, but talented. Four years, they need to be doing some damage.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Assuming health, Berhalter's next task is figuring out how to get Adams, Reyna, McKennie, Musah, and Pulisic on the field all at the same time. Reyna or Pulisic false 9 maybe? Reyna feels slightly wasted as a RW given his abilities, but Idk how you don't have a midfield of Adams, McKennie, and Musah.

Steffen needs to go on loan somewhere to get more PT prior to the World Cup. He's sloppy and that comes from not playing.

Will a striker step up in the next 8 months? I like Ferriera. Pepi seems too raw, and idk if he works in a 4-3-3. Maybe Sargent can find some form?

Draw is tomorrow. Here's to hoping it's favorable.

I think the only real chance at a "World Cup" number 9 for the USA in the next 7-8 months to emerge is Daryl Dike.
We desperately need his size up top, and the other options Pepi, Ferriera, Sargent, or even Pefok just don't have the size for the hold up play, counter attacking style number 9 we are going to need to have a good run at this tournament.

He has no chemistry with the other attacking players, which likely means Gregg will not give him a chance but his pure physical size and talent would help us greatly in the games we will be struggling for over 40% possession and defending 10 men behind the ball vs the European & South American Giants.

Hopefully he comes back from his injury soon, and plays well for West Brom.

 

[notredomer23]

I think the only real chance at a "World Cup" number 9 for the USA in the next 7-8 months to emerge is Daryl Dike.
We desperately need his size up top, and the other options Pepi, Ferriera, Sargent, or even Pefok just don't have the size for the hold up play, counter attacking style number 9 we are going to need to have a good run at this tournament.

He has no chemistry with the other attacking players, which likely means Gregg will not give him a chance but his pure physical size and talent would help us greatly in the games we will be struggling for over 40% possession and defending 10 men behind the ball vs the European & South American Giants.

Hopefully he comes back from his injury soon, and plays well for West Brom.

Good point about Dike. He should be given opportunities this summer. Pefok has proven he is not an international level striker. Pepi can certainly be that guy but he's only 19.

None of the teams in Pot 3 or Pot 4 are particularly intimidating. Seems they changed the format because Pot 4 used to be exclusively Euro teams I believe.

 

[phillyirish]

If we just want to give up on our striker putting in goals, which has been the case, then Sargent or Pepi are our best bets cause they provide the most off ball. I like Ferreira and feels he has the best playmaking abilities to support Reyna and Pulisic on the wings.

But Dike and Pefok just don’t give us anything else if they’re gonna shank the one chance (usually a gimme) they get all game.

Personally I love Reyna in the CAM role, but I’m told all the elite teams eschew that role at the international level.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Agree with the false 9 as our best lineup to get the most talent on the field together. A big, physical 9 would be great but we just don't have one that is consistently good enough. Pulisic, Reyna, and Weah have to be on the field. Adams and Mckennie have to be on the field. Musah and Aaronson should be on the field. The only way to have them all together or mostly together is a false 9.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Fuck it. lets let CP and GR and Aronson be three false 9s with free roles ahead of the midfielders and btw the defensive wingers lol. That would be an improvement to our missing CF dilema.

I kid...... maybe

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I actually think the defense is in good shape, especially once Dest is back. Antonee Robinson is a stud. Every time I watch USMNT he stands out. I'd argue he was our best player over the course of qualifying.

 

[phillyirish]

I actually think the defense is in good shape, especially once Dest is back. Antonee Robinson is a stud. Every time I watch USMNT he stands out. I'd argue he was our best player over the course of qualifying.

Funny saying this after last night, which was probably his worst USMNT performance. First touch was miserable all game. But I agree he is solid, and is tremendous offensively when he gets going.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I love the theory you are all posing above about playing with Christian, Reyna, or any one of the talented young guys in that false nine 4-3-3 style that has been so prevalent all across world football this past decade. It is certainly the best way for Gregg to get the most talented players from our player pool on the field together at once.

However, I am just a little concerned that even though we do have all this great young talent playing in Europe the second we come up against any of the normal powerhouses Brazil, England, Belgium, Spain, etc... We are going to need to revert back to the old 10 men behind the ball, defend like our lives depend on it, counter attacking style that the U.S.A. has been utilizing for my entire lifetime.

For that reason, I believe we need to bring strikers that are above average at hold up play and a threat during set pieces. Dike is a solid option for that, but has been often injured these past 12 months, and has not been able to play in any important games.

At the end of the day we don't really have any great options 8 months out which stinks, but hopefully someone will emerge. Pepi is probably our best bet of the current players that have played regularly, but his hold up play an link up play need a lot of work over the summer. I have to believe that is the main reason he has not played much for Augsburg yet, because they are paying him too much money to be sitting the bench during a relegation battle.

 

[GowerND11]

There's talks (is it confirmed?) that they will allow more players on the roster for this WC. I know he isn't part of the plan moving forward but with experience and strength, do you call up Jozy to do what we are saying we need someone to do, which is hold up play??? Just a thought

 

[CTIDANDREW]

There's talks (is it confirmed?) that they will allow more players on the roster for this WC. I know he isn't part of the plan moving forward but with experience and strength, do you call up Jozy to do what we are saying we need someone to do, which is hold up play??? Just a thought

Roster prediction: Who the USMNT could bring to Qatar 2022 World Cup | MLSSoccer.com

It’s official: The United States have qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a disaster that led to the USMNT missing the 2018 edition, they’re back. And the pool seems deeper than ever. A lot of good players are vying to be on the plane to Qatar in

www.mlssoccer.com

(Really nice write up on potential 23 man squad)

They do mention Jozy as a break glass in case of emergency option.
His form at club level has been non existent though for about three years running.
Arena knows him well, and can maybe turn things around for him but I think his USA playing days are sadly over.
42 career international goals, and not one of them in a World Cup. Crazy stat for another in a long list of what could have been in the history of the number nine position for the USA Nat'l team.

 

[phillyirish]

i really hope we see Joe Scally and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the June window. Carter-Vickers is having the best season of any of our European players. He’s arguably the MVP of the rejuvenated Celtic squad.

Also hope Berhalter puts Steffen back at his natural Man City position, which is backup.

 

[ACamp1900]

If Celtic win this weekend look for them to begin moving on a permanent for CCV,… we will see

 

[notredomer23]

USMNT was youngest average team to qualify for the World Cup by 2 years. Anything this year is bonus. 2026 has the potential to be historic.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Funny saying this after last night, which was probably his worst USMNT performance. First touch was miserable all game. But I agree he is solid, and is tremendous offensively when he gets going.

He played all 270+ minutes over the 3 games in the window. Fatigue was definitely a factor in his heavier touch last night.

 

[ACamp1900]

USMNT was youngest average team to qualify for the World Cup by 2 years. Anything this year is bonus. 2026 has the potential to be historic.

Winning the whole fuckin thing is quite a bonus,…

 

[phillyirish]

If Celtic win this weekend look for them to begin moving on a permanent for CCV,… we will see

They should do it either way. Jota too, but rumor is now he might want to go home to Portugal. Both are worth much more now than any predetermined fee.

Between those 2 and Liel Adaba, has to be one of the greatest trip transfers ever.

 

[ACamp1900]

They should do it either way. Jota too, but rumor is now he might want to go home to Portugal. Both are worth much more now than any predetermined fee.

Between those 2 and Liel Adaba, has to be one of the greatest trip transfers ever.

This is the biggest game in Scotland in, hell, maybe my lifetime,… what’s at stake can’t be overstated

 

[phillyirish]

This is the biggest game in Scotland in, hell, maybe my lifetime,… what’s at stake can’t be overstated

You talking about sunday? I’m psyched, but I think you’re overstating it. They play again in the cup semis 2 weeks later and will play again in Phase 2.

 

[ACamp1900]

You talking about sunday? I’m psyched, but I think you’re overstating it. They play again in the cup semis 2 weeks later and will play again in Phase 2.

If Celtic wins this weekend it’s all but settled,… and the league winner goes straight to the CL groups next season,… no, I’m not overstating

 

[phillyirish]

If Celtic wins this weekend it’s all but settled,… and the league winner goes straight to the CL groups next season,… no, I’m not overstating

Oh wow, I didn’t know SPL is going straight to champions next year, that’s huge. With the garaunteed money that brings, and the financial state of the Rangers right now, that could ensure another decade of Celtic dominance lol.

You’re right a win basically seals it, but a loss wouldn’t end it and still leave Celtic in first place on a point of GD.

 

[ACamp1900]

X-f

Oh wow, I didn’t know SPL is going straight to champions next year, that’s huge. With the garaunteed money that brings, and the financial state of the Rangers right now, that could ensure another decade of Celtic dominance lol.

You’re right a win basically seals it, but a loss wouldn’t end it and still leave Celtic in first place on a point of GD.

Oh wow, I didn’t know SPL is going straight to champions next year, that’s huge. With the garaunteed money that brings, and the financial state of the Rangers right now, that could ensure another decade of Celtic dominance lol.

You’re right a win basically seals it, but a loss wouldn’t end it and still leave Celtic in first place on a point of GD.

X-fucking-actly,… a Celtic win COULD bury Gers for good,… it’s POTENTIALLY one of the bigger single euro matches in years guys

 

[DCDomer]

ACamp you're absolutely right. The automatic group stage money has completely changed the game.

Seen the picture of Morelos on crutches in the airport... let's have them. Can you hear the Rangers sing, noooo noooo

 

[ACamp1900]

ACamp you're absolutely right. The automatic group stage money has completely changed the game.

Seen the picture of Morelos on crutches in the airport... let's have them. Can you hear the Rangers sing, noooo noooo

I’m worried,… remember the Covid game early this season??? No. Way. Rangers. Win.

This feels like that,…

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Regarding our WC roster... do we think Roldan, Lleget, Zardes et al will be getting called in? With it being in the Winter time Id have to think the european based players will be playing, maybe injured, and the MLS based players are likely healthy but not match ready?

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Regarding our WC roster... do we think Roldan, Lleget, Zardes et al will be getting called in? With it being in the Winter time Id have to think the european based players will be playing, maybe injured, and the MLS based players are likely healthy but not match ready?

Zardes has been benched to start the MLS season, and reports are he is on the trade block.
If he plays any meaningful mintues in Qatar, then I would be very disappointed that a younger option had not progressed above him.

Daryl Dike just announced out for the rest of the season with a new injury for West Brom. Terrible.

 

[notredomer23]

Regarding our WC roster... do we think Roldan, Lleget, Zardes et al will be getting called in? With it being in the Winter time Id have to think the european based players will be playing, maybe injured, and the MLS based players are likely healthy but not match ready?

I don't think it's too bad. Regular season ends October 9th. Most these guys in the squad are on playoff teams so their season will continue for at least another week or two on average. I'm assuming they will convene camp at least two weeks prior as well. Qatar begins November 21st. Might give these MLS players a week or two to recover rather than the European players who are going to be in a condensed schedule.