***Official 2022 World Cup Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[CletiusMaximus]

Well, there's a lot to build on and still plenty left to build for 2026. I hope GGG isn't the architect for the next 4 years.

Only thing I want to see is him turning his resignation in or USMNT Firing him but neither has the balls for it. Don't get distracted this squad was winning in spite of him do to the talent. GGG coaching this squad 8-1O years ago barely wins and already sacked.

His contract is up so neither of these things has to happen. We could bring in Alex Ferguson himself and many keyboarders would say he’s inept and claim they understand the team and the game better. That’s just a fact of life.

 

[QuizGuy66]

This thread of posters could manage this team better

-QG

 

[The General]

For hardcore soccer people…Is the Dutch team massive or the US team short? They looked like beasts out there.

It's kind of both of those things. Dutch are fairly big and US are particularly short and not bulky body types.

Does it matter that much? To me looked like we were pretty outclassed. But my soccer US homer friends are saying that was not the case.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

 

[NewlyRetired]

For hardcore soccer people…Is the Dutch team massive or the US team short? They looked like beasts out there.

It's kind of both of those things. Dutch are fairly big and US are particularly short and not bulky body types.

Does it matter that much? To me looked like we were pretty outclassed. But my soccer US homer friends are saying that was not the case.

They were not out classed. The Dutch finished their few chances, we did not. The xG in the game was almost identical.

I have seen the US be out classed many many times over the years and it never looks like this.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

We could bring in Alex Ferguson himself and many keyboarders would say he’s inept and claim they understand the team and the game better. That’s just a fact of life.

So you're saying we've made it as a footballing nation?

 

[DJackson10]

just no way to defend not playing Gio more

I heard from a couple of people Gregg and Gio had a disagreement and GGG not having thick skin benched him. Used Gio's injury history to excuse not playing him because of Injury to defend the act. Instead of having the balls and saying he benched him he came up with an excuse most wouldn't question in the first match. He screwed himself though after that match when he said GIO was available off the bench

The person who reported this recanted it. No idea if he was pressured to do so or not, but worth noting that the source of those rumors eventually walked it back.

From someone I know in the know he was probably pressured to retract it. Gregg has a huge ego and thin skin. Yrs ago when he managed Swedish Side Hammarby they were brutal on him for not being offensive enough. They were 2nd division. After he resigned the team ended up promoted to first division. Gregg has friends in US media which is why they aren't as critical of him.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

You mean the backside defenders on all three goals? Or someone else?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

You mean the backside defenders on all three goals? Or someone else?

Yes he definitely called them out, and also said the difference was that their playmakers finished in the final 3rd when they had opportunities and ours failed to. Nothing that was untrue, he was just very candid.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Jedi had a rough game but a great tournament in my opinion. He had absolutely nothing left - hats off to him.

Stonefeet. Over the next four years he really has to work on touch.

Most of the team does

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I do think it's a very difficult game to handicap. We played well and created a lot of danger, but not a lot of great scoring opportunities. We conceded very little overall, but all three goals were off terrible defending where someone was either not tracking back or wildly out of position. And they had the lead for the whole game, which makes it even harder to judge.

 

[DJackson10]

The Gio thing is the biggest mark against GGG - not because of how Gio is as a player but because we cannot afford to have a coach making decisions that way. LvG shows the opposite with his tactical plan vs USA.

This is why Italy won in O6. Lippi put egos aside with certain players. Brought in some guys he had spouts with. With calciopoli going on he knew a big run would help sooth things to an extent for Italians. Can't have a manager at this level with an ego

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Can't say I'm not disappointed in the result but it sure feels like the US deserved a bit more. Credit the Dutch for the absolute right game plan. It felt like the had 37 guys in the box every time we had a build going.
To GGG credit, what could he have actually done drastically different with the group he had. The US is still a couple dynamic players away from competing with top tier teams.
I think GGG was the right coach at the right time but now the US needs someone to get us over the hump. And it doesn't have to be a messy divorce. Thank GGG for the trophies, giving us a least a little hope and let's pray soccer keeps building in interest in the states.

 

[DJackson10]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

Media wise I meant not fanwise. Stu was literally Swinging off his nuts today. Landon called the MF great today. I think he was smoking a duchy before coming on

 

[The Z Machine]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

Who? Jedi?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

I wouldn’t describe his comments like this. He noted what we all saw and I think it’s undeniable what happened.

I‘m all for new management this cycle but today was 100% failure of execution by the players on the field who should do better.

 

[gianmarco]

Dear US Soccer Academies,

Please have EVERYONE try out as a #9 and work on finishing. You have 4 years.

Thanks,
GMarcoFBG

 

[gianmarco]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

I wouldn’t describe his comments like this. He noted what we all saw and I think it’s undeniable what happened.

I‘m all for new management this cycle but today was 100% failure of execution by the players on the field who should do better.

The guys looked gassed today. With so little rotating, it was bound to happen. Even if they can still run around, effectiveness and mental sharpness takes a hit without enough rest. Our key guys played a LOT of minutes.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

today was 100% failure of execution by the players on the field who should do better.

Feels like it was all four games really. Give these same players another 75(?) moves into the same prime attacking positions we had in this tournament and I think you end up with more than three goals.

And maybe it's just plain luck, but I do wonder if some of it is just seasoning and being in the biggest games more often. I expect these exact same players would perform better 3.5 years from now. There are a LOT of young players out there and very little in the way of steadying leadership.

 

[Sammy3469]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

The criticism was always, he’s good enough to get us to a certain place, but not good enough to get us past that point. If anything, this match proved that out. I don’t know who the answer is (truly quality coaches are rare), but the collective naivety of GGG and the team was the most striking feature of todays match. Some of that is GGG setting us up to cover up some of the naïveté of our young players, but at the end of the day a smart tactically aware coach (ie not Southgate) was going to do this to us.

Y’all know I harp on end line crosses and well we got a masterclass in tactics on how to create them.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

A lot of good to take from this (a few years ago who here thought we'd play a game against the Netherlands in the world cup and have 16 shots and the majority of possession?), but the thing that kind of sucks is sometimes with soccer you feel like there is a lot of luck, just the ball bouncing the wrong way or whatever, and in this case WE got the lucky bounces, but still lost pretty comfortably by 2 goals.

All of the Dutch scoring chances were well earned. Really, of our 3 best chances, they were all just lucky. The ball that squirted out to Pulisic at the start, the errant back pass to Haji, and then the accidental Gyasi goal. We had enough lucky bounces to win the game, and still ended up losing by 2 goals.

 

[Dickies]

Yikes Turner is really throwing people under the bus in this interview.

You mean the backside defenders on all three goals? Or someone else?

He wasn’t wrong

 

[Sammy3469]

Let me just add, that we’re at the stage talent wise that tactics matter. We’re good enough not to simply eat up pressure and hope to score on the counter (pre-GGG), but the tactics have to match that new ability. The weakness of this team was the defense of the outside backs and LvG figured out how to isolate them and make them make the mistakes he knew would happen.

 

[BassNBrew]

The most impressive parts were a) their game plan

Hope LvG gets a lot of credit in the press. Had to be a little bit hard not to try and outplay the US for a team with the quality of the Dutch. But they sat back, trusted we couldn't find the final ball around the box, and then countered like a machine.

Did they counter like a machine? Second goal came off a throw in and the third the guy who served the ball stood out there for ages while the guy left wide open probably injured his shoulder waving his arm around for the ball.

just no way to defend not playing Gio more

I heard from a couple of people Gregg and Gio had a disagreement and GGG not having thick skin benched him. Used Gio's injury history to excuse not playing him because of Injury to defend the act. Instead of having the balls and saying he benched him he came up with an excuse most wouldn't question in the first match. He screwed himself though after that match when he said GIO was available off the bench

The person who reported this recanted it. No idea if he was pressured to do so or not, but worth noting that the source of those rumors eventually walked it back.

From someone I know in the know he was probably pressured to retract it. Gregg has a huge ego and thin skin. Yrs ago when he managed Swedish Side Hammarby they were brutal on him for not being offensive enough. They were 2nd division. After he resigned the team ended up promoted to first division. Gregg has friends in US media which is why they aren't as critical of him.

Who do you know in the know on this subject?

 

[BassNBrew]

Let me just add, that we’re at the stage talent wise that tactics matter. We’re good enough not to simply eat up pressure and hope to score on the counter (pre-GGG), but the tactics have to match that new ability. The weakness of this team was the defense of the outside backs and LvG figured out how to isolate them and make them make the mistakes he knew would happen.

The weakness of the dutch was the midfield and defense and GGG figured out how to isolate them and make mistakes he knew would happen, our guys didn't bury those opportunities.

 

[nysfl2]

I'm pretty sure that if a player on my 8th grade girls team made the defensive mistakes that we made on the first and third goals, they'd be sitting on the bench for the rest of the half

 

[BassNBrew]

I'm pretty sure that if a player on my 8th grade girls team made the defensive mistakes that we made on the first and third goals, they'd be sitting on the bench for the rest of the half

Would that be true if Shaqunia Moore was your replacement option?

 

[The General]

For hardcore soccer people…Is the Dutch team massive or the US team short? They looked like beasts out there.

It's kind of both of those things. Dutch are fairly big and US are particularly short and not bulky body types.

Does it matter that much? To me looked like we were pretty outclassed. But my soccer US homer friends are saying that was not the case.

They were not out classed. The Dutch finished their few chances, we did not. The xG in the game was almost identical.

I have seen the US be out classed many many times over the years and it never looks like this.

Yeah I guess I’m not familiar with the terms and don’t really watch that much. From the amateur eyes the Dutch looked so much cleaner and their chances were much better.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I just don't see how the Gio snub is particularly relevant. Maybe Gio could have played more in the group stage, but who should have sat? I doubt it would have changed the final results of the group considering what England did to Iran. He did pretty well today, but most of that was after Haji came in and Gio moved to Weah's position. He's not a striker. Pulisic and Weah were pretty good all tournament. As were McKennie, Musah, and Aaronson. So there weren't a ton of spots to play him in.

 

[DJackson10]

I just don't see how the Gio snub is particularly relevant. Maybe Gio could have played more in the group stage, but who should have sat? I doubt it would have changed the final results of the group considering what England did to Iran. He did pretty well today, but most of that was after Haji came in and Gio moved to Weah's position. He's not a striker. Pulisic and Weah were pretty good all tournament. As were McKennie, Musah, and Aaronson. So there weren't a ton of spots to play him in.

Jesus for sure. My issue and others over the years was GGG's lack of offense throughout his managing career. He resigned from Swedish 2nd div team Hammarby at the time as fans and media and club didn't like the lack of offense. After he left Hammbrey got promoted to Swedish first division and hasn't looked back. What did that club and this USMNT team have in common managed by this guy? Lack of offense and ideas for it. GGG seems like a good coach for a nation in the bottom tier but he sucks tactically.

Starting line up today should've been for the attack

Pulusic Weah/Pulusic Weah/reyna/Aaronson

Reyna/Aaronson

Offensive mind players with ideas and your best players on the pitch.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Burkhalter's roster is never right. This team needs finishers. And since nobody small can finish with the ball at their feet, they need the ability to insert size. It's not even an option with who he picked for the team. The size differential was noticeable. The odds of a cross header being won by the USA was 0.0%. Seems we have the midfield and never had many goalie issues. It's the rest of the roster needs work, or at least the way it is used tactically

 

[ChiefD]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight. It’s clear a lot of you know so much about the game and it’s refreshing to have discussions about the game we all love.

We don’t always agree but 95% of the conversation in here and the USMNT thread is respectful to each other. So rare these days. I’ve played soccer since 1974 and to see where we are today vs. when I started damn near makes me cry.

I’ve enjoyed the discussion with all of you, and now look forward to the rest of the World Cup. What a treat to have Messi to watch this afternoon as a salve to this wound.

Cheers,boys!

 

[brun]

Frustrating to watch.
Can't finish and guys left unmarked to receive balls in the area. Just a tease.
As my son pointed out while we were watching post game. Seems like every WC the analysts talk about the young guys making progress and there's hope for more success in the next one. Not sure I believe it but I'll probably still try to get tickets for games at Foxboro in 26.

 

[DJackson10]

Lalas as cheerleader is best Lalas.
Rest of Lalas is annoying

-QG

Lalas as a cheerleader is fun but don't let that distract you that him and a few others use to be Berhalter's teammates on USMNT. Like Roberto Martinez who has friends in the media guys like Lalas etc are afraid of being negative towards their buddy. Its the brotherhood thing of sticking together etc.

Lalas is right in terms we should be proud of the boys and future looks good but thats talent wise. We need a coach who's tactically better and puts his ego aside for the betterment of the team/country.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Haji Wright joins Julian Green as the impossible names in a 2075 trivia question.

 

[DJackson10]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight. It’s clear a lot of you know so much about the game and it’s refreshing to have discussions about the game we all love.

We don’t always agree but 95% of the conversation in here and the USMNT thread is respectful to each other. So rare these days. I’ve played soccer since 1974 and to see where we are today vs. when I started damn near makes me cry.

I’ve enjoyed the discussion with all of you, and now look forward to the rest of the World Cup. What a treat to have Messi to watch this afternoon as a salve to this wound.

Cheers,boys!

If Messi loses today while I'm at work I might lose it. I love that guy so much. Argentina win and WC win would make me very happy.

 

[BassNBrew]

I just don't see how the Gio snub is particularly relevant. Maybe Gio could have played more in the group stage, but who should have sat? I doubt it would have changed the final results of the group considering what England did to Iran. He did pretty well today, but most of that was after Haji came in and Gio moved to Weah's position. He's not a striker. Pulisic and Weah were pretty good all tournament. As were McKennie, Musah, and Aaronson. So there weren't a ton of spots to play him in.

Jesus for sure. My issue and others over the years was GGG's lack of offense throughout his managing career. He resigned from Swedish 2nd div team Hammarby at the time as fans and media and club didn't like the lack of offense. After he left Hammbrey got promoted to Swedish first division and hasn't looked back. What did that club and this USMNT team have in common managed by this guy? Lack of offense and ideas for it. GGG seems like a good coach for a nation in the bottom tier but he sucks tactically.

Starting line up today should've been for the attack

Pulusic Weah/Pulusic Weah/reyna/Aaronson

Reyna/Aaronson

Offensive mind players with ideas and your best players on the pitch.

Best coach in US history. Two tourney titles, successful qualifying, thru group stage.

 

[DJackson10]

Haji Wright joins Julian Green as the impossible names in a 2075 trivia question.

Wright produced in a farmers league. How he managed to get on this roster is repulsive but when you lack a consistent goal scorer people get desperate.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight.

you're welcome - its been my pleasure

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I just don't see how the Gio snub is particularly relevant. Maybe Gio could have played more in the group stage, but who should have sat? I doubt it would have changed the final results of the group considering what England did to Iran. He did pretty well today, but most of that was after Haji came in and Gio moved to Weah's position. He's not a striker. Pulisic and Weah were pretty good all tournament. As were McKennie, Musah, and Aaronson. So there weren't a ton of spots to play him in.

If we had beaten England we'd be playing Senegal in about an hour.

I don't get why GGG wouldn't try Weah at striker. If anything, Weah was our only player all tournament that showed an ability to actually strike the ball wall. He had 3 or 4 really good/strong strikes throughout the tournament, and I'm not sure another player had a single one. Everyone else kept scuffing their shots. And Weah was likewise the only one that was calm with the ball in a scoring area. Everyone else looked panicked when they got near goal. That Weah finish against Wales was so calm and easy for him. None of the strikers ever looked that calm and confident with the ball at their feet in the box, and none of them ever came close to striking it as well as he did throughout the tournament.

Forget "false 9", he probably could've played better as a true striker than any of the true strikers did, all while getting Gio in there who filled a huge hole against the teams playing defensively. Because what we needed against those bunkered down teams was someone to take a defender or two on and beat them to open up the other guys, which is Gio's strength and Weah's weakness. Weah isn't going to get the ball out wide, juke 3 guys, and create space for someone to make a run. That's what Gio does, and that's what we needed. Because everyone playing straight up and just passing the ball as soon as someone marked them meant everyone was always marked and no one was ever really threatening.

 

[Sleestak]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight. It’s clear a lot of you know so much about the game and it’s refreshing to have discussions about the game we all love.

We don’t always agree but 95% of the conversation in here and the USMNT thread is respectful to each other. So rare these days. I’ve played soccer since 1974 and to see where we are today vs. when I started damn near makes me cry.

I’ve enjoyed the discussion with all of you, and now look forward to the rest of the World Cup. What a treat to have Messi to watch this afternoon as a salve to this wound.

Cheers,boys!

If Messi loses today while I'm at work I might lose it. I love that guy so much. Argentina win and WC win would make me very happy.

Never cared for hacking, diving Arghentina. Do have a lot of respect for Messi.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Lalas as cheerleader is best Lalas.
Rest of Lalas is annoying

-QG

Lalas as a cheerleader is fun but don't let that distract you that him and a few others use to be Berhalter's teammates on USMNT. Like Roberto Martinez who has friends in the media guys like Lalas etc are afraid of being negative towards their buddy. Its the brotherhood thing of sticking together etc.

Lalas is right in terms we should be proud of the boys and future looks good but thats talent wise. We need a coach who's tactically better and puts his ego aside for the betterment of the team/country.

Oh no doubt - but the fire up the crowd homerism is still the best Lalas. That's his least annoying role. Need that on a broadcast. Lol just don't need the rest of his stuff.

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight. It’s clear a lot of you know so much about the game and it’s refreshing to have discussions about the game we all love.

We don’t always agree but 95% of the conversation in here and the USMNT thread is respectful to each other. So rare these days. I’ve played soccer since 1974 and to see where we are today vs. when I started damn near makes me cry.

I’ve enjoyed the discussion with all of you, and now look forward to the rest of the World Cup. What a treat to have Messi to watch this afternoon as a salve to this wound.

Cheers,boys!

I would like to add to your nice sentiment that the group of "once every 4 year fans" have been fabulous to read and interact with. Lots of good stuff every where.

I guess it helps that the US did not crash out after 2 games because maybe then it gets uglier but as some one who reads soccer stuff from all over the web, I can safely assure you the group we have here in the FFA are the most knowledgeable and level headed of pretty much any where online.

Twitter, reddit, BigSoccer etc are all cesspools IMO.

Who would have thought a fantasy football web site would be such a pleasant oasis to discuss the sport

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I just want to say thanks to a lot of you guys for the great expertise and insight. It’s clear a lot of you know so much about the game and it’s refreshing to have discussions about the game we all love.

We don’t always agree but 95% of the conversation in here and the USMNT thread is respectful to each other. So rare these days. I’ve played soccer since 1974 and to see where we are today vs. when I started damn near makes me cry.

I’ve enjoyed the discussion with all of you, and now look forward to the rest of the World Cup. What a treat to have Messi to watch this afternoon as a salve to this wound.

Cheers,boys!

I would like to add to your nice sentiment that the group of "once every 4 year fans" have been fabulous to read and interact with. Lots of good stuff every where.

This is absolutely true. Even when Woz was being annoying, he was defending the status quo of offside instead of arguing to abolish it. Amazing progress.

 

[Desert_Power]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

Not sure why this quote is messed up. To be clear, I agree with your take. Berhalter gets a lot of criticism relative to his results.

 

[The Gator]

Well that’s an obvious handball missed

 

[FreeBaGeL]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

Not sure why this quote is messed up. To be clear, I agree with your take. Berhalter gets a lot of criticism relative to his results.

He gets a ton of criticism on FBG and Twitter, but I think DP was speaking about the media where he gets very little. Not playing Gio is pretty much the only thing that's come up for the media. I don't think I've seen once on any of the postgame TV coverage the mention of how huge the advantage LVG created for the Netherlands tactically in that game was.

 

[encaitar]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

Not sure why this quote is messed up. To be clear, I agree with your take. Berhalter gets a lot of criticism relative to his results.

People didn't like the hire when it happened. It felt like(and probably was) nepotism. However, I don't think anyone being honest with themselves could say that Berhalter hasn't lived up to the expectations he was given. If you said WCQ, out of group stage, and 2 trophies at the time of his hire? Everyone would've signed up of that immediately.

 

[NewlyRetired]

But I hate how no one is critical of Burhalter.

People have been killing him since day 1. Just a blood bath for 4 years straight. He got significantly more criticism than he probably deserved (and he deserved plenty over the cycle)

Not sure why this quote is messed up. To be clear, I agree with your take. Berhalter gets a lot of criticism relative to his results.

People didn't like the hire when it happened. It felt like(and probably was) nepotism. However, I don't think anyone being honest with themselves could say that Berhalter hasn't lived up to the expectations he was given. If you said WCQ, out of group stage, and 2 trophies at the time of his hire? Everyone would've signed up of that immediately.

and not just out of group stage, but played well too. We have gotten out of the group stage before with significantly less quality play on the field.

 

[Tick]

Best team we've ever had, they did things we've never been able to do on attack. They were great defensively until this game, then missed a few marks and the Dutch were ruthless.