US Men's National Team (9 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Not a great half by the US but Nico continues to shine with the only goal of the half. A close game greatly favors CR since they just want a chance to steal the game, and only need to avoid a blow out.

The field is in awful condition so the US is going to have to grind out this result.

 

[prefontaine]

The time wasting is going to be brutal here as CRC needs to be sure they don't lose by 3 or more. The "cramps" that kid got after being sent off was pretty hilarious though

 

[NewlyRetired]

terrible half of soccer. Just brutal. So many stoppages.

I guess take the win and move on. The US will get a 3rd place team in the quarter finals which was the goal. Good to see no goals given up over the group stage.

The US will play either ELS or Guat I believe in the quarter finals. Between the two teams they have combined for only 3 points so far and that was a win over the Dominican Republic by ELS. Guat has one more game to go.

 

[El Floppo]

I started watching during VAR for the red... So it wasn't a thing of beauty after that.

I really didnt like how the US saw that out. They had complete control, but kept trying to pinpoint force the ball into the heart of the CR defense without much success... Often after only a couple touches, so giving up the opportunity to burn clock or stretch the defense.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thiago Motta on Tim Weah:"As of today, I don't want him to play as a full-back, but he's a very helpful guy. He can play on both sides and, why not, even in attack. He gives us variety in the choices and I'm happy with what I saw from him today"

 

[NewlyRetired]

So as we know the US U20 key game was pushed until tomorrow.

I noticed something very interesting in the standings.

Mexico and Panama are 100% deadlocked in their group. Same points, same GD, same goals for, same goals against, and same amount of disciplinary points.

They play each other in the last game. If they draw, it will come down to either disciplinary points or a coin flip to see who wins group

Mexico and Panama ended up drawing 1-1 (Mexico scored in 90th minute).

Mexico tops group by 1 disciplinary point

US plays Guat in quarterfinals to determine WC Qualification. Game will be on Tuesday

 

[El Floppo]

Thiago Motta on Tim Weah:"As of today, I don't want him to play as a full-back, but he's a very helpful guy. He can play on both sides and, why not, even in attack. He gives us variety in the choices and I'm happy with what I saw from him today"

This is the kind of comment Swag usually gets.

The media reports out of Italy around Swag point towards him getting bounced because of his trade conditions torpedoing the deal with Villa. Can't imagine the club would be vindictive like that, but who knows.

 

[NewlyRetired]

USMNT Only
https://x.com/usmntonly
@usmntonly


“I knew the quality of Christian [Pulisic]. When he arrived, I sent him a message and I told him ‘bro, let’s kill them’. … I needed someone like him."

Rafael Leão spoke on Christian Pulisic and also said he prefers him in the No. 10 position, playing centrally.

 

[NewlyRetired]

this is probably a great sign that the Revs see a lot of promise for Peyton Miller (16 years old and has impressed every one over here in training and in his first minutes with the club.) Note that DeJuan Jones was a second tier National Team level player so this is no scrub he appears to have helped pushed out

==========================

https://x.com/tombogert
Tom Bogert

@tombogert

BREAKING: Columbus Crew to acquire DeJuan Jones from the New England Revolution in exchange for Will Sands and allocation money, sources say.

 

[bagger]

Canada is doing its best to replace Mexico as the team to hate

======

TSN
@TSN_Sports

Canada's men's and women's soccer teams have relied on drones and spying for years, sources say. Coaching staff and contractors working with Canada’s men’s and women’s national soccer teams have been engaged for years in efforts to film the closed-door training sessions of their opponents, including during the women’s gold-medal winning Olympic tournament in 2021, sources told TSN

To be honest they are already there for me.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The most dynamic offensive players on the Olympic team have been the wide players, Booth, Yow, Paredes and Aaronson.

I will be interested to see if the new coach will look to make some changes in that spot. A different formation could see Pulisic move central, and B Aaronson and Weah really should not have any belief their spots are locked on the roster.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yet another Concacaf team signs a manager, meanwhile the jeopardy theme keeps playing for the US job

========================

Fabrizio Romano
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano
@FabrizioRomano

Steve McClaren leaves Manchester United and signs in as new manager of Jamaica.

 

[SwampDawg]

Yet another Concacaf team signs a manager, meanwhile the jeopardy theme keeps playing for the US job

========================

Fabrizio Romano
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano
@FabrizioRomano

Steve McClaren leaves Manchester United and signs in as new manager of Jamaica.

The longer it goes on the more feeling I have it is going to be a very underwhelming appointment.

 

[El Floppo]

Yet another Concacaf team signs a manager, meanwhile the jeopardy theme keeps playing for the US job

========================

Fabrizio Romano
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano
@FabrizioRomano

Steve McClaren leaves Manchester United and signs in as new manager of Jamaica.

The longer it goes on the more feeling I have it is going to be a very underwhelming appointment.

It's going to be somebody like Cherundolo, but only after taking a year. Us old soccer nerds who liked him as a player will ask you to accept him while the team flounders and stumbles it's way into the WC.

When that happens, bump this post so I remember to be as frustrated with even the idea of it... Which is where I am right now.

They need to go big. And quick.

 

[prefontaine]

this is probably a great sign that the Revs see a lot of promise for Peyton Miller (16 years old and has impressed every one over here in training and in his first minutes with the club.) Note that DeJuan Jones was a second tier National Team level player so this is no scrub he appears to have helped pushed out

==========================

https://x.com/tombogert
Tom Bogert
@tombogert

BREAKING: Columbus Crew to acquire DeJuan Jones from the New England Revolution in exchange for Will Sands and allocation money, sources say.

I've watched a bit of Miller. To think he's still 16 is crazy. The stat they showed in his first game is he was the fastest player on the pitch during the match by 2 km/h and MLS is a speed merchant league. Most people don't hit peak speed til early 20s so he should be getting even faster.

I think he has a legit chance to be on the 26 squad and the Revs opening up a spot for him is huge in that regard.

 

[AAABatteries]

They need to go big. And quick.

TWSS

 

[NewlyRetired]

A little clip of Tessman on the Pat McAfee show

x.com

x.com

 

[NewlyRetired]

Tom Bogert

@tombogert

Highly-rated U.S. youth int'l forward Mathis Albert has OFFICIALLY signed with Borussia Dortmund

Albert, 15, departs the LA Galaxy academy. Scouts have raved to me about him at GA Cup.

Officially started at Dortmund

 

[NewlyRetired]

Tom Bogert
@tombogert

Highly-rated U.S. youth int'l forward Mathis Albert has OFFICIALLY signed with Borussia Dortmund

Albert, 15, departs the LA Galaxy academy. Scouts have raved to me about him at GA Cup.

Officially started at Dortmund

@prefontaine does he have a Euro passport or does he need to wait until 18 to play pro?

 

[prefontaine]

Tom Bogert
@tombogert

Highly-rated U.S. youth int'l forward Mathis Albert has OFFICIALLY signed with Borussia Dortmund

Albert, 15, departs the LA Galaxy academy. Scouts have raved to me about him at GA Cup.

Officially started at Dortmund

@prefontaine does he have a Euro passport or does he need to wait until 18 to play pro?

He has Euro citizenship. I think French. But I think this is one of those deals where his father got a "job" in Dortmund so he's going now. He doesn't even turn 16 til next March.

This is the kid that some scouts said was a better prospect than Cavan Sullivan (they are both 2009s). I think that's probably a stretch but he's super upper tier elite for sure.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

German press is reporting Matarazzo has been offered the US job.

US-Verband will Matarazzo

Geht nach der Trennung von der sportlichen Leitung die nächste Führungskraft bei der TSG Hoffenheim? Fakt ist: Trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo liegt ein Angebot des US-Verbandes vor.

www.kicker.de

 

[NewlyRetired]

German press is reporting Matarazzo has been offered the US job.

US-Verband will Matarazzo

Geht nach der Trennung von der sportlichen Leitung die nächste Führungskraft bei der TSG Hoffenheim? Fakt ist: Trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo liegt ein Angebot des US-Verbandes vor.

www.kicker.de

I am ok with this.

Sure, I would rather have seen a big name but I was too afraid we were going to back up the brinks truck into Southgate's driveway.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The interesting part of this is that the German press is the least likely to spread a random rumor and Kicker is usually even more stringent on their reporting. I think this news likely to be true.

And if it was offered, that means Matarazzo was at least interested enough to interview so it may just come down to the offer.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So it looks like Matarazzo favors a 3 CB system, which is something we have talked about a ton to see if we can get more out of both Dest and Jedi as wide players. This could lead to Pulisic coming central, which is where I think we can get the most from him in this next phase of his career.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So it looks like Matarazzo favors a 3 CB system, which is something we have talked about a ton to see if we can get more out of both Dest and Jedi as wide players. This could lead to Pulisic coming central, which is where I think we can get the most from him in this next phase of his career.

Agree with the bolded. If you're going to play Dest you have to account for the defensive tissue paper by beefing up somewhere else.

OTOH: we arguably don't have two quality CBs.

 

[Rustoleum]

German press is reporting Matarazzo has been offered the US job.

US-Verband will Matarazzo

Geht nach der Trennung von der sportlichen Leitung die nächste Führungskraft bei der TSG Hoffenheim? Fakt ist: Trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo liegt ein Angebot des US-Verbandes vor.

www.kicker.de

The kid from Stranger Things?

 

[NewlyRetired]

OTOH: we arguably don't have two quality CBs.

yes this is a huge issue, specifically with ball playing CB's, so any system he comes up with no only has to factor in losing Ream (we can't expect any more from him), he has to come up with a system where likely all 3 of them are not great at distribution (which usually means a DM drops back deep).

And seeing how we used 2 over aged slots on CB's for the Olympic team, it does not appear we have any CB's in waiting that could be expected to step up by summer of 2026.

 

[El Floppo]

And seeing how we used 2 over aged slots on CB's for the Olympic team, it does not appear we have any CB's in waiting that could be expected to step up by summer of 2026.

I was going to crack about how we can just wala take our two Olympic team CBs.

Sadtrombone

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

OTOH: we arguably don't have two quality CBs.

yes this is a huge issue, specifically with ball playing CB's, so any system he comes up with no only has to factor in losing Ream (we can't expect any more from him), he has to come up with a system where likely all 3 of them are not great at distribution (which usually means a DM drops back deep).

And seeing how we used 2 over aged slots on CB's for the Olympic team, it does not appear we have any CB's in waiting that could be expected to step up by summer of 2026.

Ba Gawd! That’s John Brooks’s music!

 

[NewlyRetired]

OTOH: we arguably don't have two quality CBs.

yes this is a huge issue, specifically with ball playing CB's, so any system he comes up with no only has to factor in losing Ream (we can't expect any more from him), he has to come up with a system where likely all 3 of them are not great at distribution (which usually means a DM drops back deep).

And seeing how we used 2 over aged slots on CB's for the Olympic team, it does not appear we have any CB's in waiting that could be expected to step up by summer of 2026.

Ba Gawd! That’s John Brooks’s music!

I don't know how much Matarazzo likes Brooks. He basically buried Brooks in the second half of the season and then the team decided to not re-sign Brooks who is as of now unattached with any team.

Ream had a career renaissance at a late age so anything can happen to Brooks but I would not bet on it.

 

[prefontaine]

With the Olympics done, the 2001-2004 group has now completed it's youth cycle.

2001 - Johnny, Balogun, Schulte, Harriel, A Morris, Tessmann, Booth, McGuire, Pulskamp, Reynolds
2002 - Gio, Musah, Scally, Lund, Tillman, Dietz, Tolkin, Atencio, Kamungo, Yow, Busio
2003 - Pepi, Paredes, Cowell, McGlynn, P Aaronson, Luna, Neal, Edelman, Gutierrez
2004 - Slonina, Brady, Wiley, Pukstas, Q Sullivan, Craig, Downs, Wolff

Bold have USMNT caps

There are some good players here but it's not a cycle that is significantly better (if better at all) than 97-00. I guess I would say it's deeper and so as they age we'll have more to choose from. What does stand out is something mentioned previously - few CBs. And while centerbacks emerge late, there aren't a lot of high end prospects here to pick from (only Dietz, Neal, and Craig made my list and two of those are stretches).

 

[prefontaine]

Btw, the 93-96 cycle is the lost one. Only Turner, Horvath, and Shaq Moore come from these age group on our Copa Roster and no one else has gotten a cap in the last year from these age groups. This is your 27 to 31 year-old group.

 

[NewlyRetired]

With the Olympics done, the 2001-2004 group has now completed it's youth cycle.

2001 - Johnny, Balogun, Schulte, Harriel, A Morris, Tessmann, Booth, McGuire, Pulskamp, Reynolds
2002 - Gio, Musah, Scally, Lund, Tillman, Dietz, Tolkin, Atencio, Kamungo, Yow, Busio
2003 - Pepi, Paredes, Cowell, McGlynn, P Aaronson, Luna, Neal, Edelman, Gutierrez
2004 - Slonina, Brady, Wiley, Pukstas, Q Sullivan, Craig, Downs, Wolff

Bold have USMNT caps

There are some good players here but it's not a cycle that is significantly better (if better at all) than 97-00. I guess I would say it's deeper and so as they age we'll have more to choose from. What does stand out is something mentioned previously - few CBs. And while centerbacks emerge late, there aren't a lot of high end prospects here to pick from (only Dietz, Neal, and Craig made my list and two of those are stretches).

fabulous break down!

This group is missing the tippy top tier players (the Pulisic/Donovan/Dempsey level). I had some hopes that both Gio and Balogun could be those level players but those hopes are fairy bleak now.

Is Neal the only CB in the entire list?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Only Turner, Horvath, and Shaq Moore come from these age group on our Copa Roster and no one else has gotten a cap in the last year from these age groups. This is your 27 to 31 year-old group.

That's downright amazing.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Only Turner, Horvath, and Shaq Moore come from these age group on our Copa Roster and no one else has gotten a cap in the last year from these age groups. This is your 27 to 31 year-old group.

That's downright amazing.

it really is.

Two are keepers (and one of which came to the sport really late) and the 3rd almost every one thinks has performed very poorly in his few chances with the nats.

 

[prefontaine]

Is Neal the only CB in the entire list?

Dietz and Craig also.

But one thing I'd say in the "we can't play a back 3 because we have no center backs" discussion is that in a back three, you often have more defensive minded fullbacks slot in instead of centerbacks.

For instance Scally has played as part of a back three at Gladbach. Cannon does as well. I think you might end up with better players on the pitch because you remove centerbacks for fullbacks. A back three also protects the slower center backs as you just need one with elite recovery pace (like Walker in a back three for England). Jedi might even potentially be an option - it would reduce his terrible crossing and allow Weah or Dest to fill that wingback role.

 

[McBokonon]

Derek Rae:
Per the Monday edition of Kicker, Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo disputes Bild’s assertion that the Italian-American would gladly accept an offer to take over the USA men’s team.
“These are false statements. I have never said I would like to leave our club.” #TSG #USMNT

Kicker also reports the interest from US Soccer in Matarazzo stems back approximately 2 weeks & as a matter of transparency, he made it known to (then) club boss Alex Rosen (who has since left.) #TSG #USMNT

 

[NewlyRetired]

Derek Rae:
Per the Monday edition of Kicker, Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo disputes Bild’s assertion that the Italian-American would gladly accept an offer to take over the USA men’s team.
“These are false statements. I have never said I would like to leave our club.” #TSG #USMNT

Kicker also reports the interest from US Soccer in Matarazzo stems back approximately 2 weeks & as a matter of transparency, he made it known to (then) club boss Alex Rosen (who has since left.) #TSG #USMNT

and back to square one :(

 

[NewlyRetired]

Going to be quite an age gap between Ream and Berchimas

===================

Men in Blazers

@MenInBlazers

Charlotte FC reportedly finalizing move for USMNT Tim Ream from Fulham, per @tombogert.

Mound City Maldini looks to be returning from European journey having carved out an amazing career abroad.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Derek Rae:
Per the Monday edition of Kicker, Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo disputes Bild’s assertion that the Italian-American would gladly accept an offer to take over the USA men’s team.
“These are false statements. I have never said I would like to leave our club.” #TSG #USMNT

Kicker also reports the interest from US Soccer in Matarazzo stems back approximately 2 weeks & as a matter of transparency, he made it known to (then) club boss Alex Rosen (who has since left.) #TSG #USMNT

reading it again, he does not seem to refute that he has been offered the job. Maybe this is a negotiating tactic?

 

[gianmarco]

Almost a month (7/10) since GGG was fired and still.... crickets.

So incompetent.

 

[Sammy3469]

Derek Rae:
Per the Monday edition of Kicker, Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo disputes Bild’s assertion that the Italian-American would gladly accept an offer to take over the USA men’s team.
“These are false statements. I have never said I would like to leave our club.” #TSG #USMNT

Kicker also reports the interest from US Soccer in Matarazzo stems back approximately 2 weeks & as a matter of transparency, he made it known to (then) club boss Alex Rosen (who has since left.) #TSG #USMNT

reading it again, he does not seem to refute that he has been offered the job. Maybe this is a negotiating tactic?

Hoffenheim basically let everyone in management besides Matarazzo go last week. So what was "no" two weeks ago is now a maybe or he wants it out there now to Hopp that if you want some stability, pay me. Besides for Hopp's money, Hoffenheim doesn't scream stability versus 2 weeks ago.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Derek Rae:
Per the Monday edition of Kicker, Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo disputes Bild’s assertion that the Italian-American would gladly accept an offer to take over the USA men’s team.
“These are false statements. I have never said I would like to leave our club.” #TSG #USMNT

Kicker also reports the interest from US Soccer in Matarazzo stems back approximately 2 weeks & as a matter of transparency, he made it known to (then) club boss Alex Rosen (who has since left.) #TSG #USMNT

reading it again, he does not seem to refute that he has been offered the job. Maybe this is a negotiating tactic?

nope. I read too much into it.

Question: When a federation signs a coach under contract, do they have to compensate the club team some how? The comment about no talks with Hoffenheim yet was confusing

==============================

Florian Plettenberg

@Plettigoal

The clear tendency is that Pellegrino #Matarazzo will stay at TSG Hoffenheim.

There was a request from the U.S. men's national soccer team on manager‘s side. But no talks with Hoffenheim yet. No offer. Matarazzo, now planning the next transfers with Frank Kramer.

 

[El Floppo]

Almost a month (7/10) since GGG was fired and still.... crickets.

So incompetent.

How could USSF have known that GGG would be gone? Huge surprise, so no wonder they have to start from zero to find somebody new... That's takes a lot of time, especially when completely blindsided like this.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

and back to square one :(

Depends on how cynical you are.

"I have never said I would like to leave our club."

I read that as an artfully worded non-denial.

 

[NewlyRetired]

and back to square one :(

Depends on how cynical you are.

"I have never said I would like to leave our club."

I read that as an artfully worded non-denial.

There was new information released today that makes it seem less likely.

 

[NewlyRetired]

https://x.com/TheAthleticFC
The Athletic | Football

@TheAthleticFC

Juventus left a number of big names out of their squad for their friendly against Brest — with new coach Thiago Motta confirming they are considered to be on the market. This included Weston McKennie, Wojciech Szczesny and Federico Chiesa.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Didn't expect to see Gio starting for Dortmund today. Maybe they're trying to show him off?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Didn't expect to see Gio starting for Dortmund today. Maybe they're trying to show him off?

I also saw Moukoko on the bench but I thought he left for Marseille?

 

[El Floppo]

Swag linked again to Spurs.