US Men's National Team (29 Viewers)

[AAABatteries]

Let’s make Bass happy and dare to dream for a minute. A win puts us in first but would still leave us needing a draw in the last match to advance. I’m not sure if that changes anybody’s mind about going for it today or not. Honestly, todays match is THE game I’ve waited for since the groups were drawn. I don’t want a full B team going out there.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I know that the ultimate goal is to make it through the group. And in all likelihood (Even if they have the group clinched, England has enough bench talent to beat wales)us beating Iran gets there.

But I HATE the idea of this group being asked to basically mail in the England game (which is what we're doing if we dont play with our best possible lineup). They need every big game experience possible.

I look at it the opposite way.

I am going to be EXTREMELY disappointed if our best players leave everything on the field today, pick up yellows along the way and come away with a valiant but meaningless point leaving us vulnerable and tired against Iran.

I'm still having my coffee this morning, but is it fair to say comments like this assume Wales will not beat England? Because that's a fair assumption, but I still think a point matters today. If we draw England, that means a win against Iran guarantees we advance. That's better in my opinion that a situation where we need to win AND need Wales to lose or draw. Psychologically its better I think for the players to know their fate is 100% in their own hands.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If GGG could trust Gio's health, this would be an ideal game for him to go 90 and then you let Pulisic and Weah split minutes on the other wing, keeping both fresh for Iran.

I think Aaronson has to go 90 today if we want a competitive line up out there in place of Weston. He should still be available as an impact sub against Iran.

Musah and Jedi have to watched for minutes. Scally for Jedi in second half should be fine. I guess it would be Acosta for Musah in second half unless LDLT has fully recovered.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I know that the ultimate goal is to make it through the group. And in all likelihood (Even if they have the group clinched, England has enough bench talent to beat wales)us beating Iran gets there.

But I HATE the idea of this group being asked to basically mail in the England game (which is what we're doing if we dont play with our best possible lineup). They need every big game experience possible.

I look at it the opposite way.

I am going to be EXTREMELY disappointed if our best players leave everything on the field today, pick up yellows along the way and come away with a valiant but meaningless point leaving us vulnerable and tired against Iran.

I'm still having my coffee this morning, but is it fair to say comments like this assume Wales will not beat England? Because that's a fair assumption, but I still think a point matters today. If we draw England, that means a win against Iran guarantees we advance. That's better in my opinion that a situation where we need to win AND need Wales to lose or draw. Psychologically its better I think for the players to know their fate is 100% in their own hands.

sure I agree, I am just looking at %'s.

The likelihood that Wales not only beats England but beats them by multiple goals seems extraordinarily unlikely given their lack of depth. They lost their first choice keeper on the red card today as well.

 

[AAABatteries]

I know that the ultimate goal is to make it through the group. And in all likelihood (Even if they have the group clinched, England has enough bench talent to beat wales)us beating Iran gets there.

But I HATE the idea of this group being asked to basically mail in the England game (which is what we're doing if we dont play with our best possible lineup). They need every big game experience possible.

I look at it the opposite way.

I am going to be EXTREMELY disappointed if our best players leave everything on the field today, pick up yellows along the way and come away with a valiant but meaningless point leaving us vulnerable and tired against Iran.

I'm still having my coffee this morning, but is it fair to say comments like this assume Wales will not beat England? Because that's a fair assumption, but I still think a point matters today. If we draw England, that means a win against Iran guarantees we advance. That's better in my opinion that a situation where we need to win AND need Wales to lose or draw. Psychologically its better I think for the players to know their fate is 100% in their own hands.

If Wales can get a win in that match it will be remarkable. They killed themselves in the 2nd half against us, killed themselves for 100 minutes today and their keeper is out with a red. I know it’s Wales-England but I see little hope for them. But, you never know - Maguire could do Maguire things and give up an early red. Could happen but seems really unlikely - you could tell they knew they needed to win today.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I know that the ultimate goal is to make it through the group. And in all likelihood (Even if they have the group clinched, England has enough bench talent to beat wales)us beating Iran gets there.

But I HATE the idea of this group being asked to basically mail in the England game (which is what we're doing if we dont play with our best possible lineup). They need every big game experience possible.

I look at it the opposite way.

I am going to be EXTREMELY disappointed if our best players leave everything on the field today, pick up yellows along the way and come away with a valiant but meaningless point leaving us vulnerable and tired against Iran.

I'm still having my coffee this morning, but is it fair to say comments like this assume Wales will not beat England? Because that's a fair assumption, but I still think a point matters today. If we draw England, that means a win against Iran guarantees we advance. That's better in my opinion that a situation where we need to win AND need Wales to lose or draw. Psychologically its better I think for the players to know their fate is 100% in their own hands.

If Wales can get a win in that match it will be remarkable. They killed themselves in the 2nd half against us, killed themselves for 100 minutes today and their keeper is out with a red. I know it’s Wales-England but I see little hope for them. But, you never know - Maguire could do Maguire things and give up an early red. Could happen but seems really unlikely - you could tell they knew they needed to win today.

Right agreed - the odds are very low but I'm just thinking about the mental aspect of knowing a win puts us through. Regarding the keeper - and I know it doesn't matter much - I don't think there's any dropoff. Hennessy hasn't been a #1 keeper for his club for several years, whereas Danny Ward is LCFC's #1.

 

[NewlyRetired]

ok lets break this down a bit as I am unsure we are looking at 11 changes today as some seem to be suggesting with a full B team,

1) Dest has a yellow, came off limping, and was overall poor against Wales. He likely would have been changed out today no matter what the group state was.

2) Weston has a yellow, came off limping and does not in any way look fit to go 90. There is a smaller chance that he would not have started any way today.

3) Every one wants to see Reyna play, so if he starts, either Weah or Pulisic or Musah will not start. If Gio is healthy, these will be even trades.

4) Jesus was very likely to start today no matter what. Sargent hardly made anyone scream he has to start against England with his non play against Wales.

After this, the only other possible change due to game state is Ream.

I would be shocked to see more than 6 changes but with GGG I guess we need to wait a few more hours to be sure.

 

[AAABatteries]

ok lets break this down a bit as I am unsure we are looking at 11 changes today as some seem to be suggesting with a full B team,

1) Dest has a yellow, came off limping, and was overall poor against Wales. He likely would have been changed out today no matter what the group state was.

2) Weston has a yellow, came off limping and does not in any way look fit to go 90. There is a smaller chance that he would not have started any way today.

3) Every one wants to see Reyna play, so if he starts, either Weah or Pulisic or Musah will not start. If Gio is healthy, these will be even trades.

4) Jesus was very likely to start today no matter what. Sargent hardly made anyone scream he has to start against England with his non play against Wales.

After this, the only other possible change due to game state is Ream.

I would be shocked to see more than 6 changes but with GGG I guess we need to wait a few more hours to be sure.

Another way to look at it is who do you expect not to sit to start with:

• Turner - no need and you want him sharp
• CP - captain America not starting against England? No way
• Adams - you don’t sit your captain here
• Musah - young and healthy. No reason to sit him
• Jedi - critical he stays healthy but he’s by far the best LB - he starts for me.
• Zimmerman - you can’t sit him after the penalty or you risk killing his confidence

Any of the other 5 might sit, IMO.

 

[NewlyRetired]

here is my prediction

................................Turner
Yedlin.............Zimm................CCV/Long..............Jedi
..................................Adams
...................Aaronson.............Musah
Reyna......................Jesus.....................Pulisic


subs:
Scally for Jedi
Acosta for Adams
Weah for Pulisic
Haji for Jesus
Some one for Musah

 

[AAABatteries]

here is my prediction

................................Turner
Yedlin.............Zimm................CCV/Long..............Jedi
..................................Adams
...................Aaronson.............Musah
Reyna......................Jesus.....................Pulisic


subs:
Scally for Jedi
Acosta for Adams
Weah for Pulisic
Haji for Jesus
Some one for Musah

Thats the 6 carryover guys I expect to start too. And outside of CCV/Long this may be a stronger lineup than what we started against Wales. Dest and Snacks just aren’t sharp at the moment.

 

[NewlyRetired]

here are the odds for advancement after Iran-Wales but before US England

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiaoN4mXgAUEKgc?format=jpg&name=small

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'd trust Ream to avoid a yellow, but probably start Scally and Reyna. That's not exactly throwing in the towel or anything and you give the two guys coming back off injuries a rest to see how the game plays out. If the game is competitive you can always run them out in the last 30 minutes.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Also, I think Berhalter goes for this 100%. Just like he did in qualifying -- where he put his best team on the pitch.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

I feel like people are confusing punting the game (which not a single person seems to be suggesting) with making a small amount of changes that would happen no matter what in every second game of a tournament for a variety of reasons.

If GGG makes 11 changes then I think we can all go nuts, but that would surprise me to be honest.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Betting markets, to advance:

• England 95%
• USA 53%
• Iran 46%
• Wales 6%

 

[AAABatteries]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

I don’t think anybody has suggested punting it - maybe there’s some goobers on Twitter saying sit all the starters but just about everyone in here has said either start your best XI or make a couple subs based on yellows.

 

[AAABatteries]

Betting markets, to advance:

• England 95%
• USA 53%
• Iran 46%
• Wales 6%

I’d love to have seen that if Iran didn’t score that first goal and they drew. I imagine we would be about 70-75%??

 

[AAABatteries]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

Wait, you consider us underdogs against Iran?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Betting markets, to advance:

• England 95%
• USA 53%
• Iran 46%
• Wales 6%

I’d love to have seen that if Iran didn’t score that first goal and they drew. I imagine we would be about 70-75%??

that sounds about right. An Iran Wales draw opened up the chance to advance with just 2 points across the 3 games. Now we need bare minimum 4 total points.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I’d love to have seen that if Iran didn’t score that first goal and they drew. I imagine we would be about 70-75%??

That's about right for the result against Iran (win or draw to stay ahead of them), but it would have opened the door for Wales some too -- so we'd have given some of that back. Probably like 60-65%? Just a guess.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

Wait, you consider us underdogs against Iran?

I assume he is basing it on the transitive property, which rarely holds up in soccer.

We came in knowing playing Wales and Iran were relative toss ups either way. I don't see any reason that it has changed.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

I'm expecting maybe 3-4 changes. Ream and McKennie are the two I would strongly consider not starting to make sure they are available for Iran. Ream is tougher given the lack of real options, but having him pick up a second yellow would really suck. Dest would make sense to rotate if we had anybody that wasn't a huge dropoff. Striker whatever - if we're not going with a false 9, you're just rolling the dice and hoping whomever you pick catches some lightning in a bottle. I could see taking Pulisic off at the 60th minute to preserve his legs a bit, but I would start him for sure. I also think we should start Reyna even if you don't plan on letting him go the full 90.

 

[El Floppo]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

Wait, you consider us underdogs against Iran?

he's saying Iran looked better vs Wales than the US did.

lots of variables there... part of which is that Wales may have worn themselves out to get that point vs the US. but Wales looked less likely vs Iran than they did vs the US in that 2nd half. and Iran is quality- and like Canada, well suited to do something in group stages here. england game aside, organized and fearless defense and guys up front who can hurt you. that called back goal would've been the goal of the tournament... even better than Richarlison's, IMO.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm expecting maybe 3-4 changes. Ream and McKennie are the two I would strongly consider not starting to make sure they are available for Iran. Ream is tougher given the lack of real options, but having him pick up a second yellow would really suck. Dest would make sense to rotate if we had anybody that wasn't a huge dropoff. Striker whatever - if we're not going with a false 9, you're just rolling the dice and hoping whomever you pick catches some lightning in a bottle. I could see taking Pulisic off at the 60th minute to preserve his legs a bit, but I would start him for sure. I also think we should start Reyna even if you don't plan on letting him go the full 90.

I kinda agree with all of this.

for Swag... who slots in? is LDLT helathy enough? does he roll with Acosta? or throw Aaronson in there to log possibly too many miles to be fully ready for Iran? tough calls.

 

[AAABatteries]

I think punting a game is crazy, personally. Iran looked A LOT better against Wales than we did. We need at least 3 points out of these two games and I would not want to have to count on getting those 3 against Iran. Again, they didn't just beat Wales they looked better against Wales in every facet of the game and could have easily won that game by 3 or 4 goals.

Soccer is crazy. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Japan beat Germany. If we need a win I'd rather have 2 chances at it than 1. If the game gets out of hand then sure, get guys out of there and save them. But I'd much rather go out and try and play England for 3 points and see if we can get a couple lucky breaks and do it than save up to have it all come down to one game where, honestly, I would consider us underdogs.

Wait, you consider us underdogs against Iran?

he's saying Iran looked better vs Wales than the US did.

lots of variables there... part of which is that Wales may have worn themselves out to get that point vs the US. but Wales looked less likely vs Iran than they did vs the US in that 2nd half. and Iran is quality- and like Canada, well suited to do something in group stages here. england game aside, organized and fearless defense and guys up front who can hurt you. that called back goal would've been the goal of the tournament... even better than Richarlison's, IMO.

As Andy has pointed out a couple times, Wales has little depth. I think that played in to how they approached our match and today. They don’t expect a result against England and played today kind of like a must win. CQ was great with his setup and tactics.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

England’s starting XI unchanged from Monday.

Reports are that the only change to the US XI is Haji Wright instead of Sargent but we’ll see

 

[NewlyRetired]

sounds like same US 11 except for Haji

not official yet

 

[NewlyRetired]

sounds like same US 11 except for Haji

not official yet

ok official now

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FibXIxtXEAIkfSl?format=jpg&name=small

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ream, Dest and Weston on yellows for those watching for Tuesday.

 

[El Floppo]

Ggggoing for it

 

[AAABatteries]

I have zero problems with the lineup and also not surprised. Let’s go boys!

 

[bushdocda]

Stoked for you all, have a great game!

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'm expecting maybe 3-4 changes. Ream and McKennie are the two I would strongly consider not starting to make sure they are available for Iran. Ream is tougher given the lack of real options, but having him pick up a second yellow would really suck. Dest would make sense to rotate if we had anybody that wasn't a huge dropoff. Striker whatever - if we're not going with a false 9, you're just rolling the dice and hoping whomever you pick catches some lightning in a bottle. I could see taking Pulisic off at the 60th minute to preserve his legs a bit, but I would start him for sure. I also think we should start Reyna even if you don't plan on letting him go the full 90.

Is there a preference for guys who play or have played extensively in the English PL when playing against England?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

LET'S GO GO USA

 

[AAABatteries]

I have zero problems with the lineup and also not surprised. Let’s go boys!

Actually, I take that back. Gio should be playing but I thought that about the last match too.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

If Gio is fully healthy the odds he takes these two non-starts well when folks get around to interviewing him are approximatly 0.1%.

Feel for GGG a little bit. No matter who he sits (Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, Reyna -- only room for two) there's going to be a very vocal minority with the knives out.

OTOH, I really think that playing with a striker is a terrible mistake. Hopefully Wright proves me wrong, but we've looked like dogshit most of the time with a true #9.

 

[Moe.]

No Gio against Wales is indefensible for me now

 

[AAABatteries]

His lineup decision makes me think he won’t sit back though - that front 3 plus Weston and Musah aren’t known for their defense.

 

[HellToupee]

Lake Placid 2.0

 

[berndog]

I have zero problems with the lineup and also not surprised. Let’s go boys!

I will have big problems if we lose Dest, Swag or Ream for Tuesday.
Odd game for me because even if we win it all boils down to the Iran game. I’d prefer we enter that healthy and full of piss and vinegar.

 

[El Floppo]

Lake Placid 2.0

YES

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

OTOH, I really think that playing with a striker is a terrible mistake. Hopefully Wright proves me wrong, but we've looked like dogshit most of the time with a true #9.

This ties back to the chat we had a few days ago. CP and Weah are both better wide and stretching the defense, but with a true striker you end up with both wings on an island if you play like that.

And our front three pool isn't great at pressing even without an aircraft carrier loitering in the middle of the box. Just seems like a true galaxy brain decision to me.

 

[AAABatteries]

I have zero problems with the lineup and also not surprised. Let’s go boys!

I will have big problems if we lose Dest, Swag or Ream for Tuesday.
Odd game for me because even if we win it all boils down to the Iran game. I’d prefer we enter that healthy and full of piss and vinegar.

Honestly, for how that game should go the big miss would be Weston, IMO. Would we prefer to have all 3, sure. I will say that almost every other side plays their best - I’m cool with it.

 

[bagger]

If Gio is fully healthy the odds he takes these two non-starts well when folks get around to interviewing him are approximatly 0.1%.

Feel for GGG a little bit. No matter who he sits (Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, Reyna -- only room for two) there's going to be a very vocal minority with the knives out.

OTOH, I really think that playing with a striker is a terrible mistake. Hopefully Wright proves me wrong, but we've looked like dogshit most of the time with a true #9.

This is it. We should have tried to play with a false 9 to see if we can get Gio in the field instead of Wright. Feels like we are just a better team with that structure but what do I know.

 

[AAABatteries]

I feel for Aaronson - arguably our best player during qualifying and he doesn’t start the first 2.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

I feel for Aaronson - arguably our best player during qualifying and he doesn’t start the first 2.

Yeah I'm pretty surprised at his minutes so far. We know from Leeds that he has no problem going 90 minutes game after game, so it's not like he needs to be saved.

 

[El Floppo]

other than Musah snoozing for a sec, I like what I've seen so far in these opening 10. I'd still like to see a player receive and turn- it's been on more than once.

 

[AAABatteries]

other than Musah snoozing for a sec, I like what I've seen so far in these opening 10. I'd still like to see a player receive and turn- it's been on more than once.

Somewhat understandable but Adams twice had the opportunity to be positive forward and passed back.

 

[El Floppo]

gonna be a loooooooong game if the US sits back like they have the last few minutes