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US Men's National Team (6 Viewers)

Dinsy Ejotuz said:
An alternate view of Nat Team ratings. FIFA's are important since they drive actual stuff in the real world, but they're generally not very good IMO.

tl;dr - USA 24, Mexico 25, Costa Rica 37, Canada 40, England 8, Iran 27, Wales 39
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Since you seem to be focusing on WC2022 in your list of teams, lets add Netherlands at #4.

I think the ELO ratings are closer to real life than FIFA's but I also maintain the difference in quality from ~15 to ~40 in both lists in extremely small. Any of those teams can beat each other on any given day. It is almost a coin toss in that group.
 
Dang... just did some mental math and the US is 4-4-11 in major comps since 1994 against the top 12 on that ranking system.

Two of those wins were in 1994 (Colombia) and 1995 (Argentina) and another was 2002 (Portugal). So one win vs this group in the last 20 years (Spain, 2010) and none in the last 13.
 
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Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Dang... just did some mental math and the US is 3-4-10 in major comps since 1994 against the top 12 on that ranking system.
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Off the top of my head, which of these are the 3 wins?

Colombia in 94 WC
Spain in 2009 Confed Cup (maybe a stretch to call this a major comp to be fair)
Portugal in 2002
Argentina in Copa America 1995
Brazil in Gold Cup but that is not major I guess..

Have we played France/Croatia in anything major since 94? I can't recall...
 
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Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
NewlyRetired said:
oh oh. Balogun getting his very first taste of concacaf conditions :)

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

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I considered responding that with no qualifying this cycle, he wouldn't have to worry about a game in 100-degree weather in San Pedro Sula until 2027 at the earliest. Always Be Closing.
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I still remember the abject horror in Chandler's voice when he told the story of his first trip there and the bottom of his boots melting :)
 
NewlyRetired said:
We always talk about how there is no way MLS can cover the country for development so this is very good news

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

www.mlssoccer.com

MLS NEXT Announces Expansion for the 2023-24 Season | MLSSoccer.com

Nine new clubs that exhibit a commitment to player development, high-quality coaching, and promotion of key diversity, equity, and inclusion values will enter MLS NEXT in Fall 2023
www.mlssoccer.com www.mlssoccer.com
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Yes and no. We all know the size of the country and trying to cover that with 26 MLS Teams (US Based) academies is an issue. But simply giving more clubs the MLS Next label doesn't really change anything. I think we are real close to MLS Next splitting into two division, one will be all the MLS academies and maybe a select few traditional powerhouses (San Diego Surf, Solar, etc) and one for all the others which will get the luxury of the MLS Next badge and exposure but basically be there to fund the project. I say this because it's diluted enough that the middle to lower tier MLS Next teams are no better then an ECNL team. Case in point my sons U17 ECNL team just played Sporting Delaware (changing names to Sporting AC and one of the teams in that article), we won 2-1. In fact our clubs U15, U16 and U17 boys all won while the U18/19 team had a draw. Our U16 team went to Georgia for an invite showcase and played 3 MLS Next teams earlier this year and went 2 wins and a draw.

So will they pick up some new players by going to MLS Next sure but with the Union, FC Delco and Real Jersey FC all already having MLS Next teams in the Philly area it is going to be just a lot of moving of players, I don't think they will be light years better then their top team (ECNL) now. Unlike going to somewhere like the Union academy where a lot if not all the cost might get picked up these smaller programs are not cheap and the travel is even worse then ECNL or USYS NL Pro so you are going to have talented players (and their parents) just say no.

Bottom line the top MLS teams academies are great, I watched the Unions U14's play some top U15 teams a few years ago, the Union had U13's on the team as well. Technically and speed wise they were amazing, the only thing they struggled on was the physicality due to the age/size difference but still won. But just adding middle to lower tier MLS Next programs is only really helping the MLS pay for the program.
 
====================================

Juventus are closely monitoring United States winger Timothy Weah, according to Calciomercato.

Weah, 23, is of contract with Lille in the summer of 2024 and the Turin giants are expected to push to sign the USMNT star at the end of this season when his transfer fee will have lowered.
Since joining Les Dogues from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2019 for a fee of €10 million, the son of former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah has recorded eight goals and eight assists in all competitions. However, Weah is yet to score for the Ligue 1 side this season, with two assists in 24 appearances.

Still, his versatility is reportedly admired by the Bianconeri, as the natural right winger has been starting at left-back under the orders of coach Paulo Fonseca following an injury to Ismaily.

It is reported that Juve will continue to observe Weah, who has interest from clubs across France, and could swoop in the summer transfer window.
 
Balogun's instagram post getting 2,000 comments. I'm convinced we landed Dest because the internet responded after he begged for Instagram follows on the Scuffed podcast. As much as USMNT Twitter drives me crazy, sometimes the internet is good.
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
Paul Tenorio reporting that Gio Reyne has been playing centrally in training. Can it be possible that the worst MLS coach that I can remember comes in as an interim and just starts getting everything right?
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Centrally, #9? Or centrally, #10?
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My guess would be more of an 8, which is what he typically plays at Dormund. I don't expect him to play a 9 so if he is to be a true central player, the formation may have to change (maybe 4-2-3-1)
 
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If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Well a DeBruyne style would be awesome, especially if we land Balogun, but I am unsure Reyna's style is pass first and give the glory to others (this is what makes DeBruyne so special at the club level.)

I think Reyna has the skill and vision but it is not how he has played his soccer up til now. Being told you are the best player on the field from the time you are 2 years old is probably hard to deprogram, even at the international level, since Reyna knows he is near the top of the food chain already in the US set up.
 
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
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Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
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Lampard would be another great one, but if you watch Reyna's highlights in his pro career, he has almost no goals when arriving the box late. Pulisic has made his living off of crashing the box in his career but Reyna does not have that general style IMO. The ball is typically at his feet and he is taking some one on or creating an opening for a shot window.
 
NewlyRetired said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Well a DeBruyne style would be awesome, especially if we land Balogun, but I am unsure Reyna's style is pass first and give the glory to others (this is what makes DeBruyne so special at the club level.)

I think Reyna has the skill and vision but it is not how he has played his soccer up til now. Being told you are the best player on the field from the time you are 2 years old is probably hard to deprogram, even at the international level, since Reyna knows he is near the top of the food chain already in the US set up.
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I think a realistic target for GIo would be someone like Odegaard. And Gio is probably a bit ahead of where Odegaard was at the same age. At the high end maybe Paul Pogba when his head was on straight. Like Pogba for France at the 2018 World Cup. A guy who can both do a ton of ball progression, but who also does create chances, even if he's not a chance creation God like De Bruyne.
 
NewlyRetired said:
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lampard would be another great one, but if you watch Reyna's highlights in his pro career, he has almost no goals when arriving the box late. Pulisic has made his living off of crashing the box in his career but Reyna does not have that general style IMO. The ball is typically at his feet and he is taking some one on or creating an opening for a shot window.
Click to expand...

Reyna has always reminded me of a poor man's Kaka.
 
((Morpheus)) said:
NewlyRetired said:
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lampard would be another great one, but if you watch Reyna's highlights in his pro career, he has almost no goals when arriving the box late. Pulisic has made his living off of crashing the box in his career but Reyna does not have that general style IMO. The ball is typically at his feet and he is taking some one on or creating an opening for a shot window.
Click to expand...

Reyna has always reminded me of a poor man's Kaka.
Click to expand...
oh that is brilliant.

Very similar body types and very similar in that both are so much faster than they appear when running because they glide past players like skating.....

And Gio got to Germany years before Kaka made it to Italy. I think Gio is still younger right now than when Kaka made it to Milan so we even have some time before we have to be sure of "poor man" although Gio has to stay healthy to make some progress.
 
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NewlyRetired said:
he appears to be having a good year after a slow start so he should have some options

=====

Tom Bogert
@tombogert


USMNT GK Zack Steffen tells @thegoalkeeper he plans to leave Manchester City this summer: “I don’t think I’ll go back. No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, & obviously an amazing club, I don’t really have any plans to go back.”
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How do you just leave when you're under contract under 2025?
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
An alternate view of Nat Team ratings. FIFA's are important since they drive actual stuff in the real world, but they're generally not very good IMO.

tl;dr - USA 24, Mexico 25, Costa Rica 37, Canada 40, England 8, Iran 27, Wales 39
Click to expand...
And now Mexico sits at 23 and USA at 24. Your rankings lose all credibility when you have Mexico above USA. US out of group stage, Mexico didn't make it. Last four matches...

Draw at Mexico
2-0 USA at USA
Gold Cup Final USA B team 1, Mexico 0
Nations League Final, USA 3-2


NewlyRetired said:
encaitar said:
NewlyRetired said:
ok, well done Orlando Magic!!!

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I love how this has now somehow turned into a college like recruiting trip. Bring in the rich boosters!!!
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I am 99.9% certain that US Soccer arranged the whole thing, but I don't care :)
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Good for them getting it right. Go to where you are appreciated.
 
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lamps was a true box-to-box guy, like Matheus. ripper on the tackle and tracking back, as well as driving the ball forward on the dribble or pass and pounding the box. while he has parts of those qualities, I'm not seeing that in Gio as much. I'm liking the Kaka comp- and definitely Pogba (hopefully happy, in the mood Pogba and not the other guy who played in england).

((Morpheus)) said:
NewlyRetired said:
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lampard would be another great one, but if you watch Reyna's highlights in his pro career, he has almost no goals when arriving the box late. Pulisic has made his living off of crashing the box in his career but Reyna does not have that general style IMO. The ball is typically at his feet and he is taking some one on or creating an opening for a shot window.
Click to expand...

Reyna has always reminded me of a poor man's Kaka.
Click to expand...
Dude!!!!!!!! how have you been?! and welcome back!
 
I honestly gave no hope to Bucky Gungun coming to the US... even before the season he's had. I still feel like England will give him a full-court press when he leaves FL and it would be hard for him to choose the US if England came calling... but what a screw up not bringing him up for these games now. definitely creaked that door open. but tbh... I thought there was no chance Dest was ever coming over either- and he didn't even have former buddy/teammates to talk to. digits crossed for him.
 
El Floppo said:
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lamps was a true box-to-box guy, like Matheus. ripper on the tackle and tracking back, as well as driving the ball forward on the dribble or pass and pounding the box. while he has parts of those qualities, I'm not seeing that in Gio as much. I'm liking the Kaka comp- and definitely Pogba (hopefully happy, in the mood Pogba and not the other guy who played in england).

((Morpheus)) said:
NewlyRetired said:
encaitar said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Reyna ends up in the midfield, who's his target comp (not the guy he's as good as, they guy we'd like to see him play like stylistically)? DeBruyne?
Click to expand...
Truly? Frank Lampard. He'd be looking at getting into box and scoring on late runs, not so much assisting IMO.
Click to expand...
Lampard would be another great one, but if you watch Reyna's highlights in his pro career, he has almost no goals when arriving the box late. Pulisic has made his living off of crashing the box in his career but Reyna does not have that general style IMO. The ball is typically at his feet and he is taking some one on or creating an opening for a shot window.
Click to expand...

Reyna has always reminded me of a poor man's Kaka.
Click to expand...
Dude!!!!!!!! how have you been?! and welcome back!
Click to expand...
Life is good :thumbup:

A couple of weeks ago I was looking for the annual March Madness thread and I stumbled upon the old-timers thread instead. Logged in for the first time in several years, posted an update, and just kept coming back to lurk in the soccer threads. Funny enough, I was looking through my old posts and got a good chuckle out of one in which I touted a relatively unknown 17 yo kid (Puli!) who had just signed for Dortmund. Little did I know that my own kids would be rocking his jersey years later.
 
USMNT twitter has peaked (in a good way)

A self proclaimed expert on all things grass, is 100% certain that Balogun was training at the same field the USMNT was training at when Balogun posted his "this heat" picture.
 
El Floppo said:
I honestly gave no hope to Bucky Gungun coming to the US... even before the season he's had. I still feel like England will give him a full-court press when he leaves FL and it would be hard for him to choose the US if England came calling... but what a screw up not bringing him up for these games now. definitely creaked that door open. but tbh... I thought there was no chance Dest was ever coming over either- and he didn't even have former buddy/teammates to talk to. digits crossed for him.
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There does not seem to be any indication that England have room for him. Depending on how Southgate views things, he may be as low as 5th on the striker depth chart. I don't think Balogun has the patience to wait this out so I am expecting he might make the decision this summer.
 
From Twitter
The U.S. U-19's defeat Argentina 3-1 today in Buenos Aires.
U.S. goals:
- 12th min: Sergio Oregel (Chicago Fire)
- 30th min: Korede Osundina (Orange County SC)
- 59th min: Rodrigo Neri (Atletico Madrid)
 
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