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US Men's National Team (16 Viewers)
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
you have not missed much. It appears Honduras is playing for qualification which means just trying to lose by less than 4.
At least to this point.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
And an occasional hoof over the top when Honduras decides to get feisty and actually try a little press in the US half. Feel the excitement!
El Floppo
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This game is the perfect example of why these tie breakers are such complete BS when all the teams don't play simultaneously in the last game.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I've always thought it was great that Honduras gave their players varsity letters.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
thank you ref. 0 added time 
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I was so excited that he was called up as he appears to be killing it in Germany but in the 2 games I watched him play in this tournament, he played very poorly.
I would not be unhappy if Tab changed things up if LLanez is healthy enough to play.
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Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Well, that was definitely a game of something vaguely resembling soccer.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
If Tab does not get hired for the senior Nats and wants to continue advancing in his coaching career, I think he needs to get a club head coaching job.
Seeing if FC Dallas is the right fit might be an interesting opportunity.
Seeing if FC Dallas is the right fit might be an interesting opportunity.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
what Floppo said. There was very very little to do. Honduras was more interested in faking injuries than attacking.
He looked very good against Costa Rica though, who at least tried even if they were over matched. McKenzie's pass to Mendez for his bomb was one of the most talked about plays in that game.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The US will play Costa Rica in the second game at the end of the January camp in San Jose, CA on Feb. 2nd.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jeff CarlisleVerified account @JeffreyCarlisle
Hearing there will be near wholesale changes for the #usmnt and a possible change of formation vs. Italy.
Hearing there will be near wholesale changes for the #usmnt and a possible change of formation vs. Italy.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Twellman is reporting that Pulisic will captain tonight, making him the youngest captain in US history.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
youngest starting lineup in the modern era for US.
3-5-2 today
.....................Horvath
......Long........Zimmerman.......CCV
Cannon..........Adams.......................Moore
.............Acosta...........Delgado
....Pulisic...............................Sargent
3-5-2 today
.....................Horvath
......Long........Zimmerman.......CCV
Cannon..........Adams.......................Moore
.............Acosta...........Delgado
....Pulisic...............................Sargent
Ned
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Only saw the last 25 minutes or so. That was a hard watch.
I guess we got a lot of kids’ feet wet, but this feels like a lost year for the program. NOT GREAT, BOB!
I guess we got a lot of kids’ feet wet, but this feels like a lost year for the program. NOT GREAT, BOB!
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Bombshell of that report is Lopetegui expressing interest in USMNT job and the US giving him the brush off. I don’t have much of a problem with Berhalter, but Jesus.
From Wahl:
The long saga to name the U.S. men’s national team coach is almost over. Columbus Crew manager and sporting director Gregg Berhalter is still the odds-on favorite to become the next USMNT coach, with an announcement potentially coming by the end of next week. Meanwhile, a source with firsthand knowledge says that Julen Lopetegui, who coached Real Madrid and Spain this year, recently approached U.S. Soccer through an intermediary to express interest in the U.S. job.
The long saga to name the U.S. men’s national team coach is almost over. Columbus Crew manager and sporting director Gregg Berhalter is still the odds-on favorite to become the next USMNT coach, with an announcement potentially coming by the end of next week. Meanwhile, a source with firsthand knowledge says that Julen Lopetegui, who coached Real Madrid and Spain this year, recently approached U.S. Soccer through an intermediary to express interest in the U.S. job.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Saccharine seems like a lovely guy. I don’t ever want to see his lovely face ever again. Dude needs to be booed mercilessly if he’s still on the sidelines again...boos aimed through him at US soccer.
only Adams and CP belonged on the field. And neither of them particularly elevated themselves. That said, every time either of them had the rare break that looked promising, Italy pulled the cynical professional foul.
horvath had a nice night blocking shots, but his distribution is terrible
gall showed promise, but the game had opened up a bit. Wood brought nice missing bite to the forward line and looks more comfortable with two up front.
italy did anything they wanted except score a bunch of goals. It was all just too easy against that mess of a us team. I always look at second balls won as being a good indicator of relative team shapes. All Italy. And verrati was just on another level.
only Adams and CP belonged on the field. And neither of them particularly elevated themselves. That said, every time either of them had the rare break that looked promising, Italy pulled the cynical professional foul.
horvath had a nice night blocking shots, but his distribution is terrible
gall showed promise, but the game had opened up a bit. Wood brought nice missing bite to the forward line and looks more comfortable with two up front.
italy did anything they wanted except score a bunch of goals. It was all just too easy against that mess of a us team. I always look at second balls won as being a good indicator of relative team shapes. All Italy. And verrati was just on another level.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
===========
Julen Lopetegui did not offer his services to U.S. Soccer with a view to taking over the national team, his agent has told ESPN FC.
Reports said former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui had approached U.S. Soccer via an intermediary to express an interest but had been turned down.
"That is not correct," agent Carlos Bucero said. "Julen has not offered his services for any position.
"It has only been a few days since his exit from Real Madrid and now is the time to recover, rest and later study new objectives."
Julen Lopetegui did not offer his services to U.S. Soccer with a view to taking over the national team, his agent has told ESPN FC.
Reports said former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui had approached U.S. Soccer via an intermediary to express an interest but had been turned down.
"That is not correct," agent Carlos Bucero said. "Julen has not offered his services for any position.
"It has only been a few days since his exit from Real Madrid and now is the time to recover, rest and later study new objectives."
El Floppo
Footballguy
to be fair, being turned down by US soccer isn't something you'd ever want to admit happening.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
12 months flushed.
Looking ahead to end of 2019, a new coach could have had two years with the team before qualifying which would be more than enough time to see if things are working BEFORE qualification starts. And two years is more than fair to have a coach replaced if need be.
Now new coach will have half that time and US Soccer might be in the spot of "did he have enough time or should we replace him?" if things go badly next year.
As it stands, the 2019 Gold Cup is likely to be the most important since maybe 1991 for the US as we need a measuring stick of where we stand in the region asap.
Looking ahead to end of 2019, a new coach could have had two years with the team before qualifying which would be more than enough time to see if things are working BEFORE qualification starts. And two years is more than fair to have a coach replaced if need be.
Now new coach will have half that time and US Soccer might be in the spot of "did he have enough time or should we replace him?" if things go badly next year.
As it stands, the 2019 Gold Cup is likely to be the most important since maybe 1991 for the US as we need a measuring stick of where we stand in the region asap.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I keep mentioning my anger towards seeing arachnid's face. and again- it's not at him- it's at him still being there. and at a US team that has increasingly unraveled over the last year in terms of organisation on the field.
I'm not a results guy for these friendlies. If the team shows something positive in a 4-0 loss, I'm in. but I've seen absolutely nothing for a long time now. a couple of individual flashes or goals against the run of play... doesn't add up to much for pushing the program forward for me. and we've been used to a US team that is compact and organized... that goes back as long as Ive watched this team. this year, and even going back to last year- an absolute and increasing mess. shape is off consistently, second balls lost consistently, teams finding it very easy consistently.
as andy said- this was time that could have been spent blooding new players but more importantly setting up for the future in terms of an approach and organization and expectations.
I may have foolishly thought that there wasn't a rush back when we got knocked out of the WCQ. but I didn't expect this to drag on so long, and for the play on the field to deteriorate so much... especially with what should be a quality field of players.
of course, some of this from the US picking challenging teams to play. a minnow or two might have helped the US... but only if there were a coach on board who was setting up something for the future. the game against CR should be interesting and a more telling image of where the US stacks up locally. they've looked outmatched against CR for a bit- this devolved organisation doesn't make me feel confident, even if I'm hopefully of the group of players stepping up.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
We all thought that to be honest. Lets review:
=========================
* Knocked out of WC
* Fans: "Ok lets not panic and hire the first coach"
* Months go by and US Soccer states they want to hire a GM first
* Fans: "Ok, maybe that makes sense, lets let the GM figure out who he wants and we will move on from there, but lets not dawdle"
* Months go by with US Soccer taking forever to hire Earnie
* Fans: "Well ok at least we have some one now, hopefully he digs right in"
* US Soccer: "Oh, did we mention he can't start for 2 more months?"
* Fans: "$#%@!!, ok well at least it sounds like he is going to hit the ground running with his short list he said he already had in hand"
* Many months go by and all we get are reports of who was NOT interviewed. I have not seen even a SINGLE report that anyone was actually interviewed
I tend to not look at "complete and total incompetence" as the reason for any thing this bad as my first instinct. The combination of this process being so egregiously poor and the fact that from everything we know Earnie seems competent in every spot he has been, tells me something else is going on. My only guess is something we mentioned before and that there is a financial reason to wait this long.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I don't want Dave to be near the team again but I acknowledge he was put in a near impossible spot by US Soccer IMO
* "don't pick players to win the game, pick as many young and new players as possible"
* "we don't know if or how long you will have this job so do what you can"
* "oh and while blooding constant young players, some who have little to no pro experience, we think it will be smart to let you play the hardest group of friendlies we can possibly put together. You should have no issues playing Portugal, France, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, England and Italy while seeing if the kids can even stand on their own two feet yet. Oh and you don't know this yet, but you will never once get to play your best young players together in any game. Good luck!"
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Duane Rollins @24thminute
There’s a low rumble coming out of US soccer circles that Gregg Berhalter is now equally likely to end up with the #LAGalaxy as he is with #USMNT.
There’s a low rumble coming out of US soccer circles that Gregg Berhalter is now equally likely to end up with the #LAGalaxy as he is with #USMNT.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Grant Wahl responds to the denial here. Just wait until the semi casual US fans realize who Jay Berhalter is
======
Grant WahlVerified account @GrantWahl
Understand the desire to not lose face, but I literally spoke to the intermediary who contacted US Soccer on Lopetegui's behalf (a well-connected person who was not his agent). Intermediary contacted USSF's Jay Berhalter, who passed it to Earnie Stewart
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
100% agree. However, because my perspective isn't nearly as 'seasoned' as you and the other longtime soccerguys, I want to add some 'out of the box' thoughts to this, re: the 'direction' of US soccer moving forward:
1. I don't know if these are the exact words to describe how USMNTs have played in the past, but I believe words like grit, hustle and hard work were used. That's what I want to see, and I don't think I've seen that very often in the 10 or so years I've paid attention to them. I think the 2010 WC team displayed these qualities the most, and in my limited time paying attention, I think those words seemed like more of an afterthought to Klinsmann, or he just ignored them, expecting his players to bring those qualities on their own and being self-motivated, and he seemed ill-equipped to bring those out in his players. Either way, I can only really remember a couple of times I felt I've seen anyone demonstrate those qualities since 2010, and they were in meaningless friendlies. Swag's play in the Portugal friendly last year, as well as his play against France (specifically the yellow card he drew after France scored) just before the WC are my top 2. I guess what I'm trying to say does go along with the statement about figuring out a style of play. I think the new coach/direction need to be more about playing with heart, passion and grit than about technical prowess, though I will add here that we need to stop playing checkers when our opponents are playing 3-D chess, but that relates to my other thought. If they're out there playing with passion and grit that shows, I'm OK with lopsided losses, but when they give up goals like the first 2 of the England friendly, when they seemed to playing scared, that frustrates me more than when they give up goals like the one Varela scored against us in the 2014 WC. In short, we've had 'lesser' talent go toe-to-toe with the best on the world stage, and I think that getting them to play greater than the sum of their parts is the #1 priority for the next coach.
2. I've mentioned multiple times in this thread a comment that Zlatan made about soccer in the US vs the Premier League in this interview because it really struck me as one of if not the most obvious key for US players moving forward. You can watch the interview for yourself, but my takeaway was he was referring more to speed of thought than foot speed. That's what I think Sargent has in the few times I've seen him play, in that he seems to already know what he's going to do as soon as the ball touches his foot, and I think Swag has a good feel for the flow of a game as well. Maybe that's what I'm confusing for what I call playing with fear. It seems like our top option when pressed is to pass backward instead of trying to attack. I think Nagbe was the first player I noticed since Dempsey to actually try to take on a defender. Even Adams, whom I like very much, seems too eager to pass to someone else instead of trying to create. Hopefully there's someone who knows how to address that issue.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
@Charlie Steiner great post.
You may have noticed that your question/thesis presents a bit of a conundrum.
The US has more than enough players to play a hard, gritty, style like the old days.
When JK was hired, he was asked to elevate the program since hard/gritty only goes so far.
The conundrum is that when you try and improve that hard gritty style, you some times have to ignore the "donkey's" like Lalas, Hejduk, Zardes etc etc that define the low skill/I will do anything to win style. But when those players get marginalized, you lose a bit of an identity.
We are in a VERY bad spot right now in this long term transition as we are kind of stuck in between having the hard nose, lower skilled players and having enough higher skilled, less gritty players to make a difference.
A coach who could some how blend the two facets would be ideal, but that might be more fantasy than reality.
As shown in these friendlies we are still eons away from the top sides in terms of speed of thought. It is so clear to see how long it takes a US player to see a passing angle compared to a top 10 countries players.
You may have noticed that your question/thesis presents a bit of a conundrum.
The US has more than enough players to play a hard, gritty, style like the old days.
When JK was hired, he was asked to elevate the program since hard/gritty only goes so far.
The conundrum is that when you try and improve that hard gritty style, you some times have to ignore the "donkey's" like Lalas, Hejduk, Zardes etc etc that define the low skill/I will do anything to win style. But when those players get marginalized, you lose a bit of an identity.
We are in a VERY bad spot right now in this long term transition as we are kind of stuck in between having the hard nose, lower skilled players and having enough higher skilled, less gritty players to make a difference.
A coach who could some how blend the two facets would be ideal, but that might be more fantasy than reality.
As shown in these friendlies we are still eons away from the top sides in terms of speed of thought. It is so clear to see how long it takes a US player to see a passing angle compared to a top 10 countries players.
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El Floppo
Footballguy
I agree that there's been a bit of a lack of tenacity to the team and players. deuce, caillou and germany had it and nobody's really shown the same mentality since (yeah- agree swag has shown moments).
here's the thing though. the old teams needed to rely on that because the skills weren't there. but they mostly relied on being tactically sound and playing to their own skillset. guys knew their roles and where they needed to be and yeah, they worked their asses off to make sure there were. but without the tactics, it would have just been a bunch of decently talented guys running around with grit and determination. this loss of direction tactically has been the worst part of what's going on- because no amount of running through walls is going to help if the overall team shape is a mess and even one player loses the collective plot... let alone most of them.
I feel like the soccer smarts have been coming for US players, especially the younger ones coming up through the academies. but again- without a collective and mutually understood direction... it's individually created one-off plays and goals against the run of play.
last night and against england- the US couldn't make a third pass. this speaks volumes about their complete lack of understanding about where they need to be going collectively as that 1st pass being made. italy had it. they moved as a unit- even though these were mostly b-c team players and oven ready meals.
so what I'm saying is- hustle/grit/etc and soccer smarts... absolutely both needed. but both useless without a direction and mutual understanding of what the plot is.
