I would put Croatia up there also, although they don't have the same degree of energy, Modric is still a master conductor and Kovacic is very good too. Casemiro has been the best individual midfielder also.
USMNT | World Cup Discussion Thread
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I would put Croatia up there also, although they don't have the same degree of energy, Modric is still a master conductor and Kovacic is very good too. Casemiro has been the best individual midfielder also.
I don't see Berhalter trying to play on the front foot against the Netherlands. Against England, he basically played a 4-4-2 in defense with a mid block and zero pressing to the center backs. The goal was to not letting them play into any of the midfielders without direct pressure. This basically forced England to either pass it around the back at a snails pace or play risky balls forward which the US would counter from and start their own attacks from. Will be interesting to see how he approaches the back 3 of the Dutch. I can see Timber being crucial in playing/dribbing out from the back if the US take a similar approach and leave the center backs with time and space.
If Sargent is not fit, then Jesus Fereira has to start up top in place of Wright who had one of the worst substitute appearances in a long time. Fereira has played pretty well for the US before and arguably is their best link up player, just a crap finisher/goalscorer.
Pulisic has had some great moments this world cup but I do agree he doesn't define this team. We have so many others stepping up.
That said there's just something about Pulisic in the final third where you know even if he's having an absolute garbage game he can come up with quality moments. Bit of that X factor.
I really fear berhalter is going to just park the bus and invite pressure. Dutch aren't all that and we should play some ball. Who cares if we get knocked out let's play in style.
Just randomly scrolling through Twitter and this made me chuckle.
I enjoyed watching the USA game more than i enjoyed any of the games we played at the world cup so far.
Because van Gaal has golden genitalia (as said by Robben during WC 2014 - its a saying that suggests that someone is very lucky) i wouldnt be suprised if the USA will miss Pulisic and more of their better players because of injury and we will stumble to a very boring 1-0 win…
Because van Gaal has golden genitalia (as said by Robben during WC 2014 - its a saying that suggests that someone is very lucky) i wouldnt be suprised if the USA will miss Pulisic and more of their better players because of injury and we will stumble to a very boring 1-0 win…
Well, not obviously, because I’ve watched them all. I live in the US. They may have outplayed England, but it was all huff and puff and no end product. They created what? About one chance? And a long range hit against the bar. Just lots and lots of running but no real quality. Fact is they only scored once against Wales and were dreadful in the second half. And today, I was watching England but when I switched over for the last 20 of the US game, they were just shanking it long and desperately trying to hold on to a 1-0. Their games have been 1-1,, 0-0 and 1-0. They aren’t a free scoring or entertaining side. They are a plucky side who run a lot but have little in the way of actual quality. Meanwhile the Dutch are about as prosaic as it gets. Different ways to be boring to watch. The game isn’t exactly a mouth watering prospect.
So you didn’t see the first 60 minutes of the game where the US pretty much dominated Iran in all phases and didn’t give up a single serious chance? They obviously struggle to close out games up a goal, but they have looked very impressive in 6 of the 8 halves this World Cup. They have very real quality especially in midfield, the problem is a lack of depth for those players.
The midfield is decent. But even when they dominate, they barely create any real chances. Just huff and puff. Yes I’ve “only” viewed 2.5 of the 3 games they’ve played. Thought they were decent in 2 of the 5 havles I saw then play but thought they were Poot for the second half vs Wales, okay in the first half vs England and poor in the 2nd half vs Iran. Even in the one game, vs England, where they played their best 90 minutes and ran their little socks off, they created about one decent chance. Anyway, my point was that they are good or poor, they’ve done well to qualify through the group, it was that I’ve so far found them boring to watch, much like the Netherlands and hence think it’ll be a stinker of a game. I stand by that. Likely a game of very few chances. Lots of running from the Americans, without much quality, and lots of passing without threat from the Dutch.
God, that’s so sadly accurate. The US coach just needs to believe they are good enough to at least make a go of playing these teams head up. I think the players, many of whom ironically have much higher level experience than Berkhalter, DO believe it already.
And Tim Ream .. I dont watch Fulham … is he normally this good? He looks like the American Thiago Silva at the moment, calmly showing up on exactly the right place looking for all the world like he’s calmly making a latte, not playing in the WC.
Generally I hate anyone with a man bun in principle … but Timmy is now my official exception.
Will Pulišić be ready for Saturday?
That "Wright" guy in the 99th minute... God damn, how braindead can you be? Take it to the corner and waste time until the ref blows for the game, instead of shooting the tamest shot in world cup history that my little kid could catch.
Just watching Tyler Adams on MSNBC and he is so damn impressive. He has been the captain on the field for years, but is now officially getting the recognition.
Also, Roger Bennet is a national treasure. You can tell how much players love him. Whenever he pops up on interviews their faces light up like Tylers just did. MiB seems to have been around forever and those guys have had a big influence on US Soccer culture and knowledge.
Also, Roger Bennet is a national treasure. You can tell how much players love him. Whenever he pops up on interviews their faces light up like Tylers just did. MiB seems to have been around forever and those guys have had a big influence on US Soccer culture and knowledge.
Excellent tactical analysis of how Berhalter set up the US to break down the Iranian bus. I have been one of his harshest critics, and I still don't think he is the right coach to propel us to the next level, but this is some really good planning.
How USA’s left-side rotations wreaked havoc against Iran - The Athletic
Another thought that comes to mind is that I think we are seeing how qualifying in CONCACAF is a real detriment to the top sides. The combination of tactics/horrible pitches/fouling make playing tactical football almost impossible. I think Mexico and the US (and maybe Canada??) enter the WC with very little time spent playing tatical football in high intensity match conditions. I really hope US Soccer is working on a plan to get us involved in some competitive matches in the run up to 26 as we wont even have those WCQ's, as poor as they are, to learn from.
How USA’s left-side rotations wreaked havoc against Iran - The Athletic
Another thought that comes to mind is that I think we are seeing how qualifying in CONCACAF is a real detriment to the top sides. The combination of tactics/horrible pitches/fouling make playing tactical football almost impossible. I think Mexico and the US (and maybe Canada??) enter the WC with very little time spent playing tatical football in high intensity match conditions. I really hope US Soccer is working on a plan to get us involved in some competitive matches in the run up to 26 as we wont even have those WCQ's, as poor as they are, to learn from.
Or at least have the decency to score. But yeah, he was terrible. Shouldn't see another minute. Hopefully Sargent can play.
This is like that Liverpool fan gif.
They've only played 6 halves and I'd agree with simon that they only looked good in two of those halves (1st against Wales and Iran) and even then they clearly lack class up front. It's true they aren't the only side to have that problem and the Dutch have looked anything but convincing but in a WC knockout, it could very well come down to tactics. As dour as he is, it's hard to argue that LVG isn't far more experienced and levels above Berhalter. I do think the US has a decent chance though, if they pace themselves and do not burn out in the first half, but it's going to be a trickier match than any they've faced so far because Southgate seemed content to just play for the draw in the 2nd match.
bloody hell....US has a fantastic draw on their side with having Holland in the next round
potential after that is the winner of Australia/Group C winner in the Quarterfinals
potential after that is the winner of Australia/Group C winner in the Quarterfinals
It can't happen I don't think, but could you imagine the scenes if the Group C winner had been Mexico and we somehow beat the Dutch?
It can't happen I don't think, but could you imagine the scenes if the Group C winner had been Mexico and we somehow beat the Dutch?
damn that would have been immense to say the least....i'd love to see us get a crack at Poland in the Qtr's if we are fortunate to get past the Dutch
How much will a bruised dick slow someone down?
It can't happen I don't think, but could you imagine the scenes if the Group C winner had been Mexico and we somehow beat the Dutch?
Big if getting past Holland but definitely doable. Then I reckon it’s odds on to the semis, where I think it’ll be Spain? Not sure I worked it out properly.
Basically Spain vs France/Brazil in the final…
Barring any upsets, of which there have been loads.
haha....guessing you've never had a bruised dick
No, it actually sounds dreadful.
it is bloody fuking painful
Updates on Pulisic?
Hanging further to the right than usual due to swelling.
So what exactly got hurt on Pulisic, his abdomen or his nuts?
i think his nuts ended up inside his abdomen
They first listed his injury as an abdominal injury. After the trip to the hospital and scans it was listed as a groin contusion.
Don't know, how bruised is it?
Don't know, how bruised is it?
Is it “I’m 14 and moms VS catalog arrived” bruised or “I played 3rd base and forgot to wear my cup” bruised?
His balls were right in the way of the pelvic bone.
You just know there was that two second long pause from when he got his balls crushed to the pain starting. It never fails when I make a save with my nuts that the pause instills me with some confidence that it’s okay, I’m alright, not hurt that bad.
Then the pain comes.
and the world goes white
Yep. Then some fecker runs up saying ‘get on your back & pull your knees to your chest!’
feck off, asshole, nothing helps at that moment.
Hey fellow Yanks. Guess who is out of the tournament watching the USMNT still play? Mexico, Belgium, Germany (oh and Italy).
Kind of nice after missing out last year.
Kind of nice after missing out last year.
Can't forget Canada, remember their fans being extremely smug when they beat us in qualifying and wondering what was so special about our players, they got absolutely shanked in all 3 of their matches.