What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

US Men's National Team (12 Viewers)

Another PK, this time Tammy takes it and not CP.

Saved again.
Bad karma for not having CP take it.

I think in his extended opportunity as their pk taker Pulisic was 1 for 1.

Feels like the rest of the team is a combined 1 for 5 this year.

Actually curious whether the manager is choosing who takes the penalties or just letting the players decide. Theo looked awfully protective of that ball before his (weak) shot today.

If the players are deciding this may be my biggest soccer-related pet peeve (and I have a lot). This is SO, SOOO, SOOOOOOOOOOOO stupid. It's an extremely high leverage situation in a low scoring sport - any manager who doesn't decide 100% of the time who is taking the kick should just be fired on the spot. Don't even bother letting them finish the game.
Apparently Fonseca confirmed after the game that Pulisic is the penalty taker and “it must never happen again.”

Which you think would have been addressed at halftime after Theo pulled rank (apparently it was his birthday) and missed. On the replay you can see CP try to reach for the ball from Abraham and get rebuffed.

Doesn’t really speak well of the locker room.

I’m still confused as to how you use your two subs on Leao and Pulisic in a game you trail by 1 goal. Take out your two creators, that should work.
 
Theo is the captain and I can "understand" him wanting to score on his birthday. That one seems forgivable, especially considering Theo's skill and how long he's been with the team.

The second one? Tammy is a ****ing loan player. The moment he pushed Pulisic away there should've been 9 guys in his face ready to kick his *** for attempting to usurp Pulisic's role in the squad. If Tammy(and Tomori, his best friend, who grabbed the ball and handed to Tammy) don't sit for at least a couple of games for this stunt, then Fonseca has absolutely no balls.

If I was the coach and watched this happen on the field, they both would've been immediately subbed and it would've taken a lot of apologizing and hard work in training before either of them ever saw the field again, if ever.
 
Theo is the captain and I can "understand" him wanting to score on his birthday. That one seems forgivable, especially considering Theo's skill and how long he's been with the team.

The second one? Tammy is a ****ing loan player. The moment he pushed Pulisic away there should've been 9 guys in his face ready to kick his *** for attempting to usurp Pulisic's role in the squad. If Tammy(and Tomori, his best friend, who grabbed the ball and handed to Tammy) don't sit for at least a couple of games for this stunt, then Fonseca has absolutely no balls.

If I was the coach and watched this happen on the field, they both would've been immediately subbed and it would've taken a lot of apologizing and hard work in training before either of them ever saw the field again, if ever.
Not to mention that Pulisic would be tied for the league lead in goals scored if he took and converted that PK (or leading the league if he did both).

I would imagine there's monetary bonuses for that. His birthday? What is he, 12? And Tammy? F that.

Now instead of potentially being 2nd in the table, they are 6th. It's kind of unbelievable, really.

ETA -- Pulisic has never missed a penalty in his career. Abraham has missed 5.
 
Last edited:
Theo is the captain and I can "understand" him wanting to score on his birthday. That one seems forgivable, especially considering Theo's skill and how long he's been with the team.
unless CP handed him the ball, that's not how it should work, sorry. Designated PK taker or **** it all
 
What is most scary about Fonseca’s lack of control is that one of the PK’s happened before half time. He clearly said nothing about it during half time or even worse if he did, the players don’t respect or fear him at all.
 
Poch went to an MLS Next Pro game today. Kind of odd….
Any idea which one?
I think it was Austin FC 2. I assume they have camp in Austin since I think that is where the first game is in this window.
Hard to tell who played in the game, but could just be checking out prospects while he's in the area. I think Cruz Medina might be on 'Town' (the team that played against Austin yesterday). Also looks like Gio's little brother and Cade Cowell's little brother were are on the teams that played.
 
Leao has done **** all again, but will likely play 90 while CP gets the hook. At least, that's the way this season has played out so far. /Whine
Good call. I had to step away for a bit, but came back just in time to see Chukweze (Pulisic's replacement) take a shot from near the goal and literally hit the cone in the corner.
I mean, it could be they're doing it to keep him fresh and healthy, given his injury history
True, but you'd think tie games and down by one goal are the two situations where you'd make an exception and let him play 90. Sit him late if they're up at all or down by 2+.


After the match, the Milan coach explained the substitution of the former Chelsea man and that of Leao as follows: “The substitution of Rafa was my choice. I wanted more depth with Okafor. I was afraid for Pulisic because he had a problem with his flexor during the week.”
 


After the match, the Milan coach explained the substitution of the former Chelsea man and that of Leao as follows: “The substitution of Rafa was my choice. I wanted more depth with Okafor. I was afraid for Pulisic because he had a problem with his flexor during the week.”
You mentioned this earlier but I have to give Milan as a whole a pass on how they are handling Pulisic due to the fact that he has had I believe one of the longest runs of health in his career since he came to Italy.

Some of that is likely just luck and variance but some of it may be how they are handling him as well.
 
Apparently Fonseca confirmed after the game that Pulisic is the penalty taker and “it must never happen again.”
What bothers me about this is that it feels like he blamed Pulisic only saying "I spoke to him and told him it must never happen again".

Pulisic is not the captain. Fonseca should be telling the entire team, not just Pulisic.
To be fair, I also just saw another translation which said

"I spoke to them and told them it must never happen again".

I hope this one is the correct translation. It certainly makes more sense.
 


After the match, the Milan coach explained the substitution of the former Chelsea man and that of Leao as follows: “The substitution of Rafa was my choice. I wanted more depth with Okafor. I was afraid for Pulisic because he had a problem with his flexor during the week.”
You mentioned this earlier but I have to give Milan as a whole a pass on how they are handling Pulisic due to the fact that he has had I believe one of the longest runs of health in his career since he came to Italy.

Some of that is likely just luck and variance but some of it may be how they are handling him as well.

I posted it as a hoped for best answer to why hes always an earlyish sub... Tbh, I genuinely didn't think that was going to be case, but am glad it is.
 
Just saw the Pulisic goal... the touch and control to float that inside the far post on the volley is incredible. One of the all-time best club goals by a US player IMO.

Harkes in the League Cup, Dempsey v Juventus... I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but CP's is up there in the top top tier for me.

Really nice to see Pulisic go all "hold my beer" to the chatter that A Rob might be the best US club player ever (outfield division).
 
Last edited:
Our injured starting eleven...

Balogun
Gio-Booth(?)-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-???-Dest
???

Not 100% sure that some of these guys are injured, but I think so. We need another CB and a goalie, and we either have to play Paredes at LB or move Dest over and put Weah at RB (with Paredes as the other wing)...but this team definitely rivals our healthy team right now.
With Cardoso joining the injured list (although it's not much of an injury, considering he just played 90 minutes with it) we can move Maloney to the open center back spot and put Cardoso in a double pivot with Adams.

Just one more position to fill. My money's on one of our goalies getting injured in the next week or so. I realize that's going to be a challenge with most of them not playing, but my money is on one of them rising to the challenge.
I gotcha buddy :)

Add CCV to the CB and Kochen as keeper. Both injured :)
 
Our injured starting eleven...

Balogun
Gio-Booth(?)-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-???-Dest
???

Not 100% sure that some of these guys are injured, but I think so. We need another CB and a goalie, and we either have to play Paredes at LB or move Dest over and put Weah at RB (with Paredes as the other wing)...but this team definitely rivals our healthy team right now.
With Cardoso joining the injured list (although it's not much of an injury, considering he just played 90 minutes with it) we can move Maloney to the open center back spot and put Cardoso in a double pivot with Adams.

Just one more position to fill. My money's on one of our goalies getting injured in the next week or so. I realize that's going to be a challenge with most of them not playing, but my money is on one of them rising to the challenge.
I gotcha buddy :)

Add CCV to the CB and Kochen as keeper. Both injured :)
Balogun
Gio-Booth-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-CCV-Dest
Kochen

Sub: Cardoso

vs. our healthy team
Pepi
Aaronson-McKennie-Pulisic
Musah-LDLT
Jedi-Ream-McKenzie-Scally
Turner

Really good match-up!
 
Our injured starting eleven...

Balogun
Gio-Booth(?)-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-???-Dest
???

Not 100% sure that some of these guys are injured, but I think so. We need another CB and a goalie, and we either have to play Paredes at LB or move Dest over and put Weah at RB (with Paredes as the other wing)...but this team definitely rivals our healthy team right now.
With Cardoso joining the injured list (although it's not much of an injury, considering he just played 90 minutes with it) we can move Maloney to the open center back spot and put Cardoso in a double pivot with Adams.

Just one more position to fill. My money's on one of our goalies getting injured in the next week or so. I realize that's going to be a challenge with most of them not playing, but my money is on one of them rising to the challenge.
I gotcha buddy :)

Add CCV to the CB and Kochen as keeper. Both injured :)
Balogun
Gio-Booth-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-CCV-Dest
Kochen

Sub: Cardoso

vs. our healthy team
Pepi
Aaronson-McKennie-Pulisic
Musah-LDLT
Jedi-Ream-McKenzie-Scally
Turner

Really good match-up!
Just saw that Luca was hurt as well. Lol
 
It's beating a dead horse at this point, but my news feed knows I'm interested...




As Daniele Longo writes for Calciomercato.com, Paulo Fonseca is ‘not a coach who likes to hide in front of cameras and journalists’ and he was ‘since, frank and direct since his first day at Milan’. Last night, after the defeat, he stated: “I’m p*ssed off, the taker is Pulisic. It must never happen again.”

The message that lingers, Longo states, is ‘that of a squad that does not listen to its coach, or even better, of a coach who does not have control of the dressing room’ The cooling break at the Stadio Olimpico with Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão hinted at it, and last night reinforced it.

What Tammy Abraham did is ‘absolutely unacceptable’ as he ‘got the ball from Tomori, he pushed Pulisic who was the designated penalty taker away in a bad way and then shot badly, putting his personal success before that of the team’.

Pulisic has five goals and two assists in seven games. He is ‘probably the only Milan player who never makes a mistake in his attitude and preparation for the match’, and sometimes he ‘may even play less well, but he always manages to be useful for the team’.

The USA international ‘is an introverted man who likes to work hard and talk little’. He doesn’t have the personality of Mike Maignan or the boldness of Theo and Florenzi but ‘he is a leader and as such he must be respected’.

What happened yesterday ‘was a clear lack of respect’, the journalist adds, before concluding: “For his part, Pulisic can and must take on more responsibility to become the leader of a group that must come together quickly.”
 
Our injured starting eleven...

Balogun
Gio-Booth(?)-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-???-Dest
???

Not 100% sure that some of these guys are injured, but I think so. We need another CB and a goalie, and we either have to play Paredes at LB or move Dest over and put Weah at RB (with Paredes as the other wing)...but this team definitely rivals our healthy team right now.
With Cardoso joining the injured list (although it's not much of an injury, considering he just played 90 minutes with it) we can move Maloney to the open center back spot and put Cardoso in a double pivot with Adams.

Just one more position to fill. My money's on one of our goalies getting injured in the next week or so. I realize that's going to be a challenge with most of them not playing, but my money is on one of them rising to the challenge.
I gotcha buddy :)

Add CCV to the CB and Kochen as keeper. Both injured :)
Balogun
Gio-Booth-Weah
Adams-Maloney
Paredes-Richards-CCV-Dest
Kochen

Sub: Cardoso

vs. our healthy team
Pepi
Aaronson-McKennie-Pulisic
Musah-LDLT
Jedi-Ream-McKenzie-Scally
Turner

Really good match-up!
Just saw that Luca was hurt as well. Lol
Ok...Aidan Morris moves into the healthy lineup, and we now have some great depth in the injured midfield.
 
It's beating a dead horse at this point, but my news feed knows I'm interested...




As Daniele Longo writes for Calciomercato.com, Paulo Fonseca is ‘not a coach who likes to hide in front of cameras and journalists’ and he was ‘since, frank and direct since his first day at Milan’. Last night, after the defeat, he stated: “I’m p*ssed off, the taker is Pulisic. It must never happen again.”

The message that lingers, Longo states, is ‘that of a squad that does not listen to its coach, or even better, of a coach who does not have control of the dressing room’ The cooling break at the Stadio Olimpico with Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão hinted at it, and last night reinforced it.

What Tammy Abraham did is ‘absolutely unacceptable’ as he ‘got the ball from Tomori, he pushed Pulisic who was the designated penalty taker away in a bad way and then shot badly, putting his personal success before that of the team’.

Pulisic has five goals and two assists in seven games. He is ‘probably the only Milan player who never makes a mistake in his attitude and preparation for the match’, and sometimes he ‘may even play less well, but he always manages to be useful for the team’.

The USA international ‘is an introverted man who likes to work hard and talk little’. He doesn’t have the personality of Mike Maignan or the boldness of Theo and Florenzi but ‘he is a leader and as such he must be respected’.

What happened yesterday ‘was a clear lack of respect’, the journalist adds, before concluding: “For his part, Pulisic can and must take on more responsibility to become the leader of a group that must come together quickly.”
so some blame put on Puli by not being enough of a leader and inisting that he take the penalties.

BTW, if Fonseca had balls, he'd bench both Tammy and Theo.
 
This Pulisic PK stuff makes me think of Cavan who effectively told an older much more experienced player to **** off when it came to who was going to take a free kick.

Pulisic just does not have it in him to fight his own team mates. And I don’t fault him for that. He is paid to score goals and create goals, of which he is the number 1 player in Serie A since he came to the league.
 
Doyle is predicting that GGG will be going after Weston with a deal Juventus will not be able to reject this winter and building the Fire around Wes as a center piece.
 
Doyle is predicting that GGG will be going after Weston with a deal Juventus will not be able to reject this winter and building the Fire around Wes as a center piece.
Honestly worries me. I think one of the only things keeping Weston in top shape is always having to fight for his job. I worry we’d see a lazy(fat?) Weston if he’s made the centerpiece of a team. Maybe unfounded, but it does worry me.
 
Doyle is predicting that GGG will be going after Weston with a deal Juventus will not be able to reject this winter and building the Fire around Wes as a center piece.
Honestly worries me. I think one of the only things keeping Weston in top shape is always having to fight for his job. I worry we’d see a lazy(fat?) Weston if he’s made the centerpiece of a team. Maybe unfounded, but it does worry me.
Me too.

Weston has made it abundantly clear he wants to get paid. I am pretty sure a team like Chicago could double any salary he could get in Europe with out blinking.

If Weston no longer has the big carrot contract incentive, there could be issues, especially considering the long MLS offseason for teams that don’t make the playoffs.
 
He is a dual Nat (US and England). Born in England, moved to US at age 3 and entered NYCFC academy and moved up the ranks. He has appeared 8 times for the A squad this year. He was a starter on the England U17 team so until he sees his path blocked, I am going to assume he favors England

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

Fabrizio Romano
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano
@FabrizioRomano

Manchester City will sign 2007 born talented left back Christian McFarlane in January 2025, deal sealed as expected.

Man City Academy and City Football Group to bring in another huge talent from US after Cavan Sullivan.
 
Last edited:
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
I would hope our fan base would realize that if Poch is selecting MLS players, there's a reason for it and not for the same perceived reason that a guy like GGG might be doing it.

Non-issue for me.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
I would hope our fan base would realize that if Poch is selecting MLS players, there's a reason for it and not for the same perceived reason that a guy like GGG might be doing it.

Non-issue for me.

Well yeah, but just LOOK at you.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

I fully support this and think it makes sense to try and field the best team possible no matter what club they are on. Cleary we under perfomed in Copa and players seemed complecent. I think this is a part of startegy to change that.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
I would hope our fan base would realize that if Poch is selecting MLS players, there's a reason for it and not for the same perceived reason that a guy like GGG might be doing it.

Non-issue for me.
what is really sad is that it is actually an issue for some fans. The fact that you have to actually articulate your stance, instead of it being completely obvious, is such a poor reflection on how ignorant much of our fan base has been.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
I would hope our fan base would realize that if Poch is selecting MLS players, there's a reason for it and not for the same perceived reason that a guy like GGG might be doing it.

Non-issue for me.
He probably wants some guys that have some of that USA grit instead of these silver spoon nancy's playing overseas.
 
Well Poch just became public enemy #1 of the USMNT twitter nuts :lmao:

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

Looking at our roster, I think this may come in the form of keepers and cb’s. I think we only have two cb’s who get playing time in a top 5 league in Europe and zero GKers who get time.
I would hope our fan base would realize that if Poch is selecting MLS players, there's a reason for it and not for the same perceived reason that a guy like GGG might be doing it.

Non-issue for me.
He probably wants some guys that have some of that USA grit instead of these silver spoon nancy's playing overseas.
It's kind of awesome that we hired the coach with the worldwide pedigree and his message coming in has essentially been "this team needs more dawgs in it."
 
Turner is a wonderful story and a great guy to root for but his talent level should be, at best, holding down the US #2 keeper spot.

Ever since Howard started his decline in the 2018 cycle, we have had such mediocre goal keeping.

Howard's decline, Guzan, Steffen, Turner, Johnson, Rimando...........none of it is any where close to the heyday of Friedel, Keller and prime Howard. Heck, I would take a prime Meola over every one we have today.

I hope this next generation can get us back to well above average goal keepers but I think it won't come until the 2030 cycle.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top