lardonastick
Footballguy
jfc
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US Men's National Team (46 Viewers)
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Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
Are you going to do this every match? Asking for a friend.
Only until the fools show up and admit how wrong they were. Everyone crucifies Trip for his posts but lets that crap fly.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Has somebody really said this? Recently?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
it could have been 1000 times worse to be honest.
Imagine if Acosta does not take the yellow and he wins the game from 40+ yards out, and sends the US packing home in the first round almost for sure. That would have been soul crushing....
Dr_Zaius
Footballguy
As baffling as the Morris sub was, situations like that are why I was glad to see GGG bring Acosta on. I feel like he almost always makes the right play when the situation requires a physical or cynical response.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
US deserved only 1 point there IMO. Wales played to their strengths and kept the pressure on our D in the second half. Full credit for the smart play on the quick throw with the US out of position that led to the dumb tackle in the box for the penalty. Wales looked dangerous in the air every time, despite Ream playing awesome at the back.
MoM for me was Moore for Wales. He changed everything it seemed. He didn't get high ratings from others, but he was the reason Wales looked dangerous in the second half.
CP was poor on set piece deliveries. He got hacked and went down really easily. He provided an assist and didn't try to play hero, which was good. Overall, mediocre game from the USA's "best" player. Adams had a much better game as did Ream and Jedi. Weah played well and threatened early and forced Wales to not let him beat them over the top with his speed.
I was disappointed in Weston and Dest picking up yellows early on dumb fouls. if you're gonna get a yellow, get it for a professional, tactical foul like Acosta, or for an accumulation of fouls on one of their better players.
Finally, Wales might be in a position to drop points to Iran. They ran themselves hard and Bale went the full 100 minutes. We'll see if they can recover and score against Iran. I don't have high hopes that Iran helps us in any way, but it could happen.
MoM for me was Moore for Wales. He changed everything it seemed. He didn't get high ratings from others, but he was the reason Wales looked dangerous in the second half.
CP was poor on set piece deliveries. He got hacked and went down really easily. He provided an assist and didn't try to play hero, which was good. Overall, mediocre game from the USA's "best" player. Adams had a much better game as did Ream and Jedi. Weah played well and threatened early and forced Wales to not let him beat them over the top with his speed.
I was disappointed in Weston and Dest picking up yellows early on dumb fouls. if you're gonna get a yellow, get it for a professional, tactical foul like Acosta, or for an accumulation of fouls on one of their better players.
Finally, Wales might be in a position to drop points to Iran. They ran themselves hard and Bale went the full 100 minutes. We'll see if they can recover and score against Iran. I don't have high hopes that Iran helps us in any way, but it could happen.
dnurk
Footballguy
We could have definitely used his set pieces too. Pulisic was terrible all game and we generated virtually no threat on corners.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I was a bit shocked that Pulisic still took the last corner after Acosta came in. Pulisic struggled all day with set pieces (as did every one on crosses in the run of play).
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I agree. He caused a ton of problems for the US and this might be on GGG for not countering fast enough the clearly obvious change in tactics bringing him in for the speedster James was signaling.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
He is really our only player who has CONCACAF type instincts (that being both the bad and good) so making a foul like this is in his wheel house.
prefontaine
Footballguy
Unfortunately missed any commentary today and watched on my phone. Was it explained why Gio didn't play? Is he hurt?
Also, agree on set pieces. They were atrocious and we never got a chance on any of them which is a real shame.
For as well as we played in the first half, we really played like we always do and generated almost no chances. We had 1 Shot on Target the whole game and only 4 total shots -- all of which came in the first half I believe. Sargent hit the woodwork on one but Own Goal's attempt leading up to that was our only other real big opportunity. It doesn't inspire a lot of confidence going forward.
Also, agree on set pieces. They were atrocious and we never got a chance on any of them which is a real shame.
For as well as we played in the first half, we really played like we always do and generated almost no chances. We had 1 Shot on Target the whole game and only 4 total shots -- all of which came in the first half I believe. Sargent hit the woodwork on one but Own Goal's attempt leading up to that was our only other real big opportunity. It doesn't inspire a lot of confidence going forward.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
1) not hurt, GGG just thought Morris's speed/power was better for that part of the game. GGG mentioned Reyna is fully available for England
2) yeah :( . That removes one of Weston's major strengths.
prefontaine
Footballguy
That's awful
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
it was really hard to understand. All the other subs made sense, if not necessarily well timed, but leaving one of your few creative players on the bench with a good 20 minutes to go (thanks to the extended injury time in the WC), was head scratching at best.
He is getting skewered on social media for the choice.
formerfourdigit
Footballguy
I feel like we need to find a way to get points vs england. if england has six going in to the Wales game they won't have any incentive to go hard at them. we really needed all three today imo
encaitar
Footballguy
He should. Especially since he should've subbed Gio on for Pulisic at that point.
It was obvious Pulisic's race was run at that point. Weah too, but Pulisic is more important going into England. Gio should've subbed on for Christian and used his fresh legs/technical ability to try and pry them open.
encaitar
Footballguy
England will have 2 reasons to go hard against them.
1. If Wales win against Iran, they'd be on 4 points. If they beat England, they win the group. England won't want the tougher Round of 16 opponent, so they'd need to win. If Wales doesn't win against Iran, then it doesn't matter if we get points on England.
2. It's England vs. Wales. There's zero chance England is bottling that game.
Surprised at our lack of conditioning. No one was getting up the field to support int he second half.
Curious if extended play time for Pulisic and Weah today will result in fitness gains for Iran and the round of 16?
Only four times has a non-group winner won the Cup and not since 1982.
Dr_Zaius
Footballguy
If Gio was indeed available and healthy, the only thing I can come up with is that Morris was brought in to be another big body on set pieces. For Wales looking like the more dangerous side in the second half, it never seemed too likely that they were going to score during regular play. Scoring off a corner seemed like a decent possibility, though. Like I said, that's all I got 
encaitar
Footballguy
That's essentially what GGG said about that choice. He was brought on for size/speed. Thought he'd help in both boxes.If Gio was indeed available and healthy, the only thing I can come up with is that Morris was brought in to be another big body on set pieces. For Wales looking like the more dangerous side in the second half, it never seemed too likely that they were going to score during regular play. Scoring off a corner seemed like a decent possibility, though. Like I said, that's all I got
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That's essentially what GGG said about that choice. He was brought on for size/speed. Thought he'd help in both boxes.If Gio was indeed available and healthy, the only thing I can come up with is that Morris was brought in to be another big body on set pieces. For Wales looking like the more dangerous side in the second half, it never seemed too likely that they were going to score during regular play. Scoring off a corner seemed like a decent possibility, though. Like I said, that's all I got
well, we knew we were very unlikely to have a WC with out a head scratcher or two from GGG. Hopefully he limits it to this one choice but we should probably brace ourself for something else in the next two games.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It is early days yet from group A but there does not appear to be any team that is at the level of France, Brazil, Argentina or even England. I don't think any of the 3 of Ecuador/Senegal/Holland would be an automatic loss for the US should we be lucky enough to advance.
I am not even sure there is an advantage to finishing 1st vs 2nd in the group, because even if a miracle happens and we make the quarter finals, either France or Argentina will likely be waiting,
I am not even sure there is an advantage to finishing 1st vs 2nd in the group, because even if a miracle happens and we make the quarter finals, either France or Argentina will likely be waiting,
gianmarco
Footballguy
I think Portugal is just about at the level of those squads. They have some elite players an no real holes, IMO.
El Floppo
Footballguy
**Caveat...like pre, I watched on my phone and had to take a zoom meeting for the 2nd half of the 2nd half. My thoughts...
They looked like they did through qualifying, which I guess we should have expected.
Dominated against a weaker team, but couldn't hit a single cross or final ball to save their lives.
A lot of sloppy play in that first half despite their dominance- thankfully their shape was solid, which helped them control the field and win second balls. But Dest, Swag and CP were all pretty loose with their touches. and Musah was mostly invisible. They gave credit to Sarge for showing back and winning the ball that ended up on CPs foot leading to the goal, but tbh I don't know that anything he did couldn't have been done by either of the other guys.
No Gio is mindbottling. And credit to Morris- he actually played alright...but just can't bring what Gio brings- especially when the game was there to be won at the end.
That yellow on Dest was terrible, especially in light of some of the fouls he let go later. The yellow on Swag was super obvious though. Hope it doesn't come back to bite the team.
Because I was on my phone and in a meeting, I couldn't really see why the US lost their shape so badly in the 2nd half. I have to assume that forward sub for Wales made a difference, but they still couldn't win a 2nd ball and were stretched super thin way too much for the first freaking game of the world cup. The shift was stark and troubling.
They really should have won this one. I mean, a point is better than none, but it was there for them and they scuffed it.
They looked like they did through qualifying, which I guess we should have expected.
Dominated against a weaker team, but couldn't hit a single cross or final ball to save their lives.
A lot of sloppy play in that first half despite their dominance- thankfully their shape was solid, which helped them control the field and win second balls. But Dest, Swag and CP were all pretty loose with their touches. and Musah was mostly invisible. They gave credit to Sarge for showing back and winning the ball that ended up on CPs foot leading to the goal, but tbh I don't know that anything he did couldn't have been done by either of the other guys.
No Gio is mindbottling. And credit to Morris- he actually played alright...but just can't bring what Gio brings- especially when the game was there to be won at the end.
That yellow on Dest was terrible, especially in light of some of the fouls he let go later. The yellow on Swag was super obvious though. Hope it doesn't come back to bite the team.
Because I was on my phone and in a meeting, I couldn't really see why the US lost their shape so badly in the 2nd half. I have to assume that forward sub for Wales made a difference, but they still couldn't win a 2nd ball and were stretched super thin way too much for the first freaking game of the world cup. The shift was stark and troubling.
They really should have won this one. I mean, a point is better than none, but it was there for them and they scuffed it.
McBokonon
Footballguy
So, Trippier obviously started today. That doesn’t guarantee he starts on Friday but I’ll note that he got the armband when Kane was subbed off.
dnurk
Footballguy
Other thing that was frustrating to me in the first half…pretty much very dangerous chance was playing over their back line to Weah on the right wing. He has so much speed and creativity. watched him make run after run and our mids looked more interested in making small connecting passes than creating chances. With Wales playing soft in the first half and super compact in the middle third that long wing pass should have been used a LOT more.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Other games...
England made a decent Iran team look awful. I don't see Wales or the US being able to dominate them like that- I'm expecting it to be tight. I could even see Iran grabbing points. But England looked pretty damned good. Hoping they're complacent vs the US...and if the US plays like they're capable (at the high end, not like today), the US has potential to grab a point. Or get steamrolled.
I vastly undersold Holland coming into this. Wasn't impressed. They're not top 4 looking, but they seem pretty capable on both sides of the ball, especially with Memphis on the field.
England made a decent Iran team look awful. I don't see Wales or the US being able to dominate them like that- I'm expecting it to be tight. I could even see Iran grabbing points. But England looked pretty damned good. Hoping they're complacent vs the US...and if the US plays like they're capable (at the high end, not like today), the US has potential to grab a point. Or get steamrolled.
I vastly undersold Holland coming into this. Wasn't impressed. They're not top 4 looking, but they seem pretty capable on both sides of the ball, especially with Memphis on the field.
prefontaine
Footballguy
oh they have one massive 'hole
El Floppo
Footballguy
Thank you! Had meant to comment 9n that...
The US looked so easily dangerous moving the ball quickly and then either changing the point of attack across field or diagonally, or hitting it over the top. Great! Except they kept playing back passes instead...even when they had room to turn over and over again. I was yelling "TURN!" In my office, which want appreciated.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Speaking of decisions GGG needs to make:
Ream, Dest, Weston, and Acosta all have yellows. Acosta is not an issue but the other 3 probably need to be talked about.
It may even come down to the Iran Wales result. If Iran and Wales draw, most of the tie breaker scenarios go away and as such having to play England as tight as possible is removed. In that case, would GGG considered sitting Ream, Dest and Weston to be assured to have them available for the most likely must win against Iran?
Ream, Dest, Weston, and Acosta all have yellows. Acosta is not an issue but the other 3 probably need to be talked about.
It may even come down to the Iran Wales result. If Iran and Wales draw, most of the tie breaker scenarios go away and as such having to play England as tight as possible is removed. In that case, would GGG considered sitting Ream, Dest and Weston to be assured to have them available for the most likely must win against Iran?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
No one likes to put everything on Pulisic's shoulders but the simple fact remains in that he needs to lift his game if the US is to advance.
He gave away a non stop amount of balls today because he would not release it early enough even after he turned his defender and got free. What he did with Weah was perfect but he did not complete that type of pass maybe even twice more in the game (he sent Jedi through in the first half with a nice slipped ball if memory serves).
But in the second half, he was very very average, if not outright poor and the team is no where near good enough to advance if he stays that way. His dead balls did not find a single team mate the entire game.
He had a ton of chances to create something in open space today but that will be cut by 90% or more against England so if he is to have a big game, it will have to come against Iran. Hopefully we are still relatively alive come the 3rd game.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Eh... this game was a game they had to win in order to secure a good chance at advancement. There are still a lot of scenarios at play here, the least of which is can Wales bring it against Iran if they are spent from this match? And can Iran salvage anything after getting thrashed?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I stood out of my chair on this exact play pointing at the space on the TV screen like any one would actually care 
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Reyna let something slip that may have effected GGG's decision. Reyna said that while he was 100% today, that he had been experiencing some tightness in previous days. Since it was the last sub, I wonder if that played a part in the decision to not play him today.
ChiefD
Footballguy
It’s frightening that he misses that.I stood out of my chair on this exact play pointing at the space on the TV screen like any one would actually care
Moe.
Footballguy
For what?
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Kate
prefontaine
Footballguy
This really doesn't do much for me. Gio is one of our match winners. If we were easily winning or losing bad, no need to risk him. But this was 3 points there for the taking and we were in desperate need of a cocky sob to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Kid says he's 100%. You play to win the game.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Gustavo Lopes
@TheGusLopes
Johnny Cardoso, Internacional's midfielder, is in Italy to get his citizenship and, later, his European passport
@TheGusLopes
Johnny Cardoso, Internacional's midfielder, is in Italy to get his citizenship and, later, his European passport
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
People keep saying this. But let's pretend we were playing Mexico in our last game and with a knockout berth already clinched and we were in the state we are now. Pulisic just played a hard 100' and has been limping. Weston and Dest are on yellows and another away from suspension.
We really starting those guys and running them the full game to try and run up the score on Mexico?
It's doubtful. And we most likely won't need England to just beat Wales, but keep the pressure on and beat them by multiple goals. I don't think England would turtle up or anything, but they'd not be starting their best lineup and not be pressing hard to score as much as possible.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
I stood out of my chair on this exact play pointing at the space on the TV screen like any one would actually care
This is what I was posting about in the WC thread. We had 3 or 4 plays like this early in the 2nd half where we won a ball and had a real opportunity to make one pass to create a threatening chance to go up 2-0 and we just dribbled around or passed it back and were content with holding 40 seconds of possession instead.
It was a stark contrast after watching England earlier in the morning, where those passes were always made.
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