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US Men's National Team (24 Viewers)

in theory
more guys in better leagues on better teams.. with MLS academies pumping out more and more of them... IN THEORY, should be enough to start elevating this team out of that 10-45 group of relatively equal teams into more of the 5-20 of teams that are consistently a tier above that big next group.

like the scrappy underdogs they are, this ragtag group of US players continues to defy the odds and play down.

hopefully Poch will instill... that magic fairy dust you mentioned, because I'm not seeing where the improvement comes unfortunately. too many key players moving backwards with their game the last year.
 
A rare fair take from Herc

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https://x.com/usmntonly
USMNT Only

@usmntonly

"Christian Pulisic is a hell of a player, but he’s an introvert. The one guy who will demand from his teammates can’t get on the field, it’s Tyler Adams.

Christian Pulisic reminds me a lot of Landon Donovan. Hell of a player, but when it came to that, there were other players to do that on the field."-

@herculezg on Christian Pulisic being the leader on the pitch for the USMNT and demanding more from his teammates
 
That was impressive... for both teams. The defensive team's press was incredible. Perfectly spaced, each guy did his job. The passing out of a press like that.... pretty sure our USMNT couldn't do that. That's a level of youth soccer we haven't played or coached in the past. Really cool to see.
Wasn't a fan of that second or third pass lazily rolling in front of the goal.
 
hey, he stole my "I don't care where they play, I care how they play" mantra.... Lol

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“Not only the players in Europe, not only the players who play here in MLS — to every single player around the world — we are going to pay attention,” Pochettino said. “The door is open. It’s only about who performs and who can show they can join the national team. That’s one of our first ideas we want to translate to the players. If they perform, we are going to be there watching
 
That was impressive... for both teams. The defensive team's press was incredible. Perfectly spaced, each guy did his job. The passing out of a press like that.... pretty sure our USMNT couldn't do that. That's a level of youth soccer we haven't played or coached in the past. Really cool to see.
That said, there was a pass across the entire box that should never ever be made with that kind of defensive press.

But yeah... Very nice stuff.

That was impressive... for both teams. The defensive team's press was incredible. Perfectly spaced, each guy did his job. The passing out of a press like that.... pretty sure our USMNT couldn't do that. That's a level of youth soccer we haven't played or coached in the past. Really cool to see.
Wasn't a fan of that second or third pass lazily rolling in front of the goal.
Hifiv3
 

This was very good. I wish I understood Spanish as he gave some long detailed answers to the Spanish language reporters.

I did not realize Poch is actually a package deal. Where ever he goes, the same 3 assistants come with him. He said at first they are going to see if they can manage on their own and if not he would be open to more hires who might be familiar with US Soccer.
 
What do you want to know about Poch?

I have not really read anything about his hiring. He typically (since his Southampton days, maybe even Espanyol) - brings 3 coaches with him wherever he goes. Jesus Perez is his right-hand man - and probably the brains of the operation. I think his background is in fitness. Miguel d’Agostino, generic assistant coach - been with Poch a long time. And, Toni Jimenez, goalkeeping coach. Recently, Poch has also brought his son, Sebastian, along as a sports scientist - i.e. fitness guy.
Bump
 
W Luca Koleosho scored the only goal in Burnley's 1-0 win over Leeds. Given our current struggle with real wings, I think he's probably obvious he would be called in and it's mostly a matter of getting him to file a one-time switch.

Ledezma continues to start at RB for PSV. I haven't seen him play there but it's an interesting development. He's still only 24.

And in the way way out territory, Adri Mehmeti (2009) made his debut for NYRB reserves and got an assist. He's the same year as Sullivan (and Albert) and is an elite 6. He has pretty much dominated when he's played for the USYNT. The 2009s are actually playing now and he wasn't called because NYRB wanted him to start playing for the reserves. One to watch as he's viewed as just below Sullivan and Albert as a prospect.
 
Ledezma continues to start at RB for PSV. I haven't seen him play there but it's an interesting development. He's still only 24.
I've been watching PSV games, including right now..

Hes in Dests spot with Bakayoko, PSVs most dynamic player (think Leao-lite), in front of him. He's mostly been playing a true RB and not getting forward that much because Baka is taking those spaces.

It's Holland, and it's PSV, so he hasn't been asked to do much on either side of the ball, but he's been consistent and seems to have the hang of spacing defensively and osuhing up to support his RW offensively.

Wait...now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure Dest was playing LB and pairing with Chucky last year, not Baka. Either way...Dest had the confidence and freedom to get forward a lot more and combine with the attack than what I've seen from Richie so far.
 
W Luca Koleosho scored the only goal in Burnley's 1-0 win over Leeds. Given our current struggle with real wings, I think he's probably obvious he would be called in and it's mostly a matter of getting him to file a one-time switch.
This will very likely be Poch's first big dual nat test.

And I think Poch would have a strong case to make that his path to a full national team is going to be much quicker for the US than Italy where he is still in the youth teams and it is very unlikely Italy will call up a player not in a top division.
 
I was thinking yesterday, that with Morgan's retirement, the two biggest names in US Soccer are now the two coaches of the national teams.

More American's probably know Pulisic but worldwide Poch is likely much more well known.
 
Oh damn
.... Richie just hammered a screamer to the upper 90 from 30 yards out..forced the GK into a great save. Would've been an insane goal. Had no idea he had that in him.
 
Oh damn
.... Richie just hammered a screamer to the upper 90 from 30 yards out..forced the GK into a great save. Would've been an insane goal. Had no idea he had that in him.
Lol...just his a great cross in the Tilman JUST missed on a bike that would've also been insane.

Tillman and dejong out, Pepi in 65m
 
By the way, Pulisic is off to a great start this year with stats.

I believe he now has 2 goals and 2 assists in his first 4 games, putting him ahead of last years individual record pace he set.
 
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Assist for Pulisic off of corner. 2-0 to Milan
Took the PK to make it 3-0. But then didn't take the next one for 4-0.

I wonder what gives...
maybe coach wants to spread the wealth?

If I am not mistaken, I think this was Pulisic's very first PK attempt at club level.
It looks like Pulisic is the main penalty taker for Milan, but I think that was just a nod to Tammy to get him his first Milan goal while already up 4-0 and reward him for putting in some great work this game. I think if it's a 2 goal or 1 goal lead Pulisic would've taken it again.
 
With Pulisic now being the primary corner taker AND the primary PK taker for Milan, I see him having double digits goals and assists pretty easily this year. Could we see a 15/15 season from him?! More?! That would be pretty crazy.
 
Assist for Pulisic off of corner. 2-0 to Milan
Took the PK to make it 3-0. But then didn't take the next one for 4-0.

I wonder what gives...
maybe coach wants to spread the wealth?

If I am not mistaken, I think this was Pulisic's very first PK attempt at club level.
It looks like Pulisic is the main penalty taker for Milan, but I think that was just a nod to Tammy to get him his first Milan goal while already up 4-0 and reward him for putting in some great work this game. I think if it's a 2 goal or 1 goal lead Pulisic would've taken it again.
confirmed!

Tammy Abraham spoke to
@SkySport: "Pulisic is the designated penalty taker, but Leao wanted me to score. It’s nice to have teammates who want the best for you."
 
I have been in England the past week for work. Talked lots of footy with English blokes.

3 topics came up consistently: 1) Poch and what a coup he is for the US. They are all convinced that he's a great coach and would have like him for the 3 Lions. 2) Jedi being exceptional in club football and that he's really English and not American. 3) Pulisic sucking at Chelsea and playing much better everywhere else but England. They see this as proof that the EPL is a notch above all other leagues.

This just reinforced my perception about the hubris and unearned confidence in English football.

Of and more than one recognized that any game against the US was going to be a dogfight against a tough (and fit) competitor with great athletes on the field. One guy said he'd rather face Denmark or Portugal than the US as you know it was gonna be tight against the Yanks.
 
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