US Men's National Team (12 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Luca was just a body but they just kept running him out there. No idea why you dont give SOMEONE else a chance (Pax or Mcglynn)

I was looking forward to watching Pax play this summer but he did not even dress tonight. I don't know if hurt or coaches decision but I think they were only allowed to dress 23.

Johnny and Haji were both out so that left one more which turned out to be Pax.

Saw almost nothing of him on the field this summer. I assume he must have not impressed at all in training.

 

[gianmarco]

encouraged

Not disagreeing, just would like to know what you saw that was encouraging in regards to a mostly different team taking the field next year?

No GGG

 

[TLEF316]

Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion....but I dont see what you could consider "encouraging" in terms of the overall team picture (in terms of how they perform as a group)

There were overall good performances by 4 or 5 guys who are likely to play next Summer but half this starting lineup and most of the roster shouldn't see the field in the WC. Poch built a big chunk of his offense around sending long balls to a Agy...who I REALLY hope isn't on the roster.

Richards cemented himself as a really good #1 CB (for our level). Adams stayed healthy. Tilman's club form finally transferred over and Luna planted himself firmly in the mix in the MF.

Everything else coming out of this was question marks (we still dont know who the goalie is) or negatives (Johnny disaster and then Hurt, old man Ream still likely our best CB2 option)

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Ag on skates there. Such a great ball by Ream too

He's the most ungainly striker I've seen in a long time. He's big enough to get in good position, but damn he gets the ball lifted off of him every time. I haven't seen one good possession/turn from him.

My kingdom for Jozy right now.

Ocean Liner

 

[El Floppo]

Luca was just a body but they just kept running him out there. No idea why you dont give SOMEONE else a chance (Pax or Mcglynn)

I was looking forward to watching Pax play this summer but he did not even dress tonight. I don't know if hurt or coaches decision but I think they were only allowed to dress 23.

Johnny and Haji were both out so that left one more which turned out to be Pax.

Saw almost nothing of him on the field this summer. I assume he must have not impressed at all in training.

I honestly forgot about Pax. And i was looking at this game thinking there was nobody there to create an offensive spark off the bench. They needed a goal and Poch sent out Tolkin and Aaronson...both fine players, but guys id think of as insta-offense.

 

[BassNBrew]

Proud of our boys.

We showed well this tourney despite an obvious lack of talent. I'm slightly encouraged for the WC and looking forward to seeing the full team prepare for the main event.

This is schtick right? We used to win titles with GGG and regularly beat Mexico, now we look like a shell of our former team.

 

[TripItUp]

Proud of our boys.

We showed well this tourney despite an obvious lack of talent. I'm slightly encouraged for the WC and looking forward to seeing the full team prepare for the main event.

This is schtick right? We used to win titles with GGG and regularly beat Mexico, now we look like a shell of our former team.

Definition of false equivalency

 

[TripItUp]

Not disagreeing, just would like to know what you saw that was encouraging in regards to a mostly different team taking the field next year?

Several reasons to be at least a little optimistic

1) Consistent Effort
2) Somewhat Capable Depth
3) Tactically aware and sound (goodbye GGG)

I reserve the right to change my mind if things change.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I think we can be encouraged by the manager getting a good result from a young team given a short time to prepare. It’s great to see the team exceed expectations relative to talent, having become somewhat accustomed to the opposite.

 

[encaitar]

There were 3 guys on that field for the US that will figure in to next year's sqaud. We finished 2nd and have a right to feel upset for not having been given an obvious hand ball that could've/would've sent us to the title. This is absolutely a win for the US IMO. If we had even 3-4 more normal starters for our team I feel we cake walk Mexico this game.

I actually like what I've seen from our tactics and I hope we can see our full A team adopt them as well as this B team seems to have done so. I actually have hope for next June(probably a dumb thing to do).

 

[The Z Machine]

I think the encouraging parts are 1)Tillman and Richards showing they are class and deserve a starting spot. 2) The team was technically deficient but not tactically naive. GGG seemed to be naive and didn't want to change his approach much. Poch has shown more flexibility to use what is available and ser them up. 3) This group started out  rough, getting worked in the friendlies. But they came together and built cohesion as the tournament went on. That bodes well for the WC. 4) The series very much showed who isn't ready for this level, namely Agy, LDLT, Freeman, McGlynn, etc. Better to know whi can't cut it than wonder about them. 5) Hopefully seeing this group get to a final will cause some jealousy for those that opted to stay away. Maybe they don't stay away next time.

 

[El Floppo]

Not disagreeing, just would like to know what you saw that was encouraging in regards to a mostly different team taking the field next year?

Several reasons to be at least a little optimistic

1) Consistent Effort
2) Somewhat Capable Depth
3) Tactically aware and sound (goodbye GGG)

I reserve the right to change my mind if things change.

Effort wasnt an issue with the A group last WC...so dspite the last the last xouple friendlies, not something i was ever concerned about.

I think the general breadth of depth is promising for the future...but if this was what is essentially the backups for the A team, its not good enough to compete against WC competition. They were better only over an awful T&T team and otherwise looked uncertain and at times overwhelmed against teams that likely wont be in the WC (or who might sneak in as bottom feeders in the expanded size). Swiss and Mex are both WC teams...these B team players were not at their level. Too much inconsistency from this group.

A few of you have been encouraged by the tactics. At an individual level, i was discouraged by the naivete and inconsistency i saw each game. But i do like that Poch adapted the team approach to the players on hand and am hoping he can figure out how to further adapt something to the A team...which i havent seen happen in his early roll-outs. The upcoming friendlies are going to be vital- snd the A team players must treat them with their effort and desire as if they were games that mattered.

 

[B Maverick]

I think a few things we can be encouraged by are as follows:
1) Tillman looks like someone that can take the 10 spot that Gio and Musah couldn't nail down. His game might be a combo of the two, with some added strength. I definitely want to see him with CP, McKinnie, Weah.
2) We attempted to serve the strikers more than I had seen prior. Hopefully that continues. With our other options at striker, I have always felt that we didn't serve enough which is part of why they didn't seem to score enough. If we keep trying to feed, someone will own that spot.
3) Richards seems to have nailed down one of the CB spots. Ream still looks solid for the other. If he can maintain for a year, or someone can take it from him, I am ok either way.
4) We may have found at least one potential impact sub in Luna. Although he disappeared vs Mexico, I am hoping that was more about fatigue and those around him then getting lost vs better competition. And perhaps with a better defender behind him (Robinson), he may be able to take more risks and not get lost in the back.

I think a few things we can be DIScouraged by are as follows:
1) Keeper. Freese didn't look any better or worse than the others. He's more imposing physically, but his hands are suspect and I am not sure about his feet.
2) Depth. Still lacking players to push the "starters" at a lot of positions. Outside Luna, I don't see many that I'd want near the top team.
3) Poch's subbing/rotation. Whatever his reasons were, I think this game came down to fatigue and the lack of meaningful subs/rotation through the tournament. He often waited to long to make a change, relying on players that weren't showing to try and change a game. Might have been depth or avail of players, trust, etc. But it was an issue.
4) Still rolling out the likes of Aaronson and LDLT. Players that have not shown any reason to be called in again. Yet here they are, being subbed in needing a goal.

 

[B Maverick]

a right to feel upset for not having been given an obvious hand ball

Sorry but that has not been called as a handball for several seasons. He was falling over and went to brace himself with his hand. Natural position. No intent, didn't take the ball away from an opponent, not going to get called.

I'd even say the same if it was Michael Oliver making the call.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

 

[gianmarco]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

 

[SwampDawg]

Its incredible how little movement the guys in front of the ball are making. 6 guys often standing in place.

Even my wife commented on this during the game. Unless we were countering they just stood around, no wonder there was no one to pass to.

 

[encaitar]

a right to feel upset for not having been given an obvious hand ball

Sorry but that has not been called as a handball for several seasons. He was falling over and went to brace himself with his hand. Natural position. No intent, didn't take the ball away from an opponent, not going to get called.

I'd even say the same if it was Michael Oliver making the call.

I disagree, Sanchez was looking at the ball the entire time. His arm was extended in a way that you wouldn't naturally do to try and brace yourself IMO. Seemed intentional to me, but ref and VAR agreed with you. I still think the US players have a right to be angry about the non-call...

 

[El Floppo]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

 

[B Maverick]

a right to feel upset for not having been given an obvious hand ball

Sorry but that has not been called as a handball for several seasons. He was falling over and went to brace himself with his hand. Natural position. No intent, didn't take the ball away from an opponent, not going to get called.

I'd even say the same if it was Michael Oliver making the call.

I disagree, Sanchez was looking at the ball the entire time. His arm was extended in a way that you wouldn't naturally do to try and brace yourself IMO. Seemed intentional to me, but ref and VAR agreed with you. I still think the US players have a right to be angry about the non-call...

Not sure I agree with the bolded, esp with the feet tangled with the US player and how he fell. But I get it.

Sometimes these calls are about how the ref interprets what he sees and not necessarily about the laws. And some make you wonder if the ref has ever played because of how they interpret something. Up until recently I would be agreeing with you. But now, begrudgingly, I think they made the correct call based on how these moments are being ruled over the last few years.

 

[gianmarco]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

He was holding his arm, yes. Pulling back? Not so much. With the stuff that wasn't being called all game, it wasn't a foul. Player still had the ball and decided to fall AWAY from the "arm pull" to earn a free kick in a dangerous area instead of just staying up.

In a tightly called game, I can see it being whistled sometimes. In that game and that context? Absolutely not, especially since he didn't need to fall and still had possession but knew he was stuck there, thus trying to get a cheap call and did.

 

[El Floppo]

2) We attempted to serve the strikers more than I had seen prior. Hopefully that continues. With our other options at striker, I have always felt that we didn't serve enough which is part of why they didn't seem to score enough. If we keep trying to feed, someone will own that spot.

Iirc, somebody was complaining about this...but having players try to push the ball into a big forward that on occasion gave the Mex defenders (and quality players, at that) real problems- that feels like the Poch tactic working with the players on hand. Yes, Ag wasted a lot of that service...but they were trying it. I actually wanted them to pump it into him even more once Montes picked up that yellow. Put him under pressure..but it didnt happen (goes towards the naivete i mentioned).

Im hoping Poch can likewise figure out how to unlock Balo who is, from what ive seen, more service dependent to maximize his abilities. Pepi too for that matter.

 

[El Floppo]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

He was holding his arm, yes. Pulling back? Not so much. With the stuff that wasn't being called all game, it wasn't a foul. Player still had the ball and decided to fall AWAY from the "arm pull" to earn a free kick in a dangerous area instead of just staying up.

In a tightly called game, I can see it being whistled sometimes. In that game and that context? Absolutely not, especially since he didn't need to fall and still had possession but knew he was stuck there, thus trying to get a cheap call and did.

Agree about context of the game and calls made. Ag and Tillman were going down from what seemed like heavier challenges and not getting the calls.

But this was still a foul, even if i agree it was out of context with how the ref xalled the game.

 

[gianmarco]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Like I said....

So Luna didnt grab and pull his arm back?

Not sure what injury threat has to do with drawing a foul thats occuring. Certainly wasnt a big foul and the mex player made the most of it and got the call. Id expect US players to do the same.

He was holding his arm, yes. Pulling back? Not so much. With the stuff that wasn't being called all game, it wasn't a foul. Player still had the ball and decided to fall AWAY from the "arm pull" to earn a free kick in a dangerous area instead of just staying up.

In a tightly called game, I can see it being whistled sometimes. In that game and that context? Absolutely not, especially since he didn't need to fall and still had possession but knew he was stuck there, thus trying to get a cheap call and did.

Agree about context of the game and calls made. Ag and Tillman were going down from what seemed like heavier challenges and not getting the calls.

But this was still a foul, even if i agree it was out of context with how the ref xalled the game.

Sure.

Would also have been fine if it was whistled when he actually had his arm for that moment. Not after he let go and player fell the other way.

 

[B Maverick]

He was holding his arm, yes. Pulling back? Not so much. With the stuff that wasn't being called all game, it wasn't a foul. Player still had the ball and decided to fall AWAY from the "arm pull" to earn a free kick in a dangerous area instead of just staying up.

In a tightly called game, I can see it being whistled sometimes. In that game and that context? Absolutely not, especially since he didn't need to fall and still had possession but knew he was stuck there, thus trying to get a cheap call and did.

Luna twisted him around and got him off balance, so the fall would be exactly how I would expect in that moment. Soft compared to some of the plays the ref let go? Sure, I would agree with you there. The ref seemed to let a lot go, then call a softer foul. Consistency is something I yell about with refs all the time. But for once in a game vs Mexico, I didn't feel he was in favor of one team over the other.

Heck, posted up thread that the booking the Mexican CB got that set up a nice US free kick in a dangerous spot was directly after letting Luna foul someone and not calling it.

 

[bagger]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Just absurd.

 

[El Floppo]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Just absurd.

That were complaining about this? Agreed.

 

[B Maverick]

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Rochards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

 

[bagger]

Just for funsies, this is the foul that was called to set up the game winning free kick.

I'm just glad the guy is okay after that. Could have been career threatening.

Just absurd.

That were complaining about this? Agreed.

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Rochards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

That’s pretty crazy.

 

[NewlyRetired]

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Rochards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

We were all hoping Johnny would do what Tillman did and cement himself as a starter. But what little he played this summer he looked average at best coupled with a howler.

We have played our last competitive match until the WC so Johnny is going to have precious few chances to show that he belongs on the field. And it can't come at the club level any more, he has to show with the US some quality eventually or he is going to go down as one of the biggest enigmas in USMNT history.

 

[NewlyRetired]

There was nothing Poch could do about injuries: Dest, Jedi, Balogun, Steffen and Pepi

There was nothing Poch could do about CWC: Reyna, Weah, Weston and Campbell

There was little Poch could do about the wanting time off: Pulisic, Musah


But I think it is fair to ask about players like Zendejas, Scally, Reynolds, Sargent and a few others, who were coaches decisions to not be rostered, in positions where the roster really needed some help.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

a right to feel upset for not having been given an obvious hand ball

Sorry but that has not been called as a handball for several seasons. He was falling over and went to brace himself with his hand. Natural position. No intent, didn't take the ball away from an opponent, not going to get called.

I'd even say the same if it was Michael Oliver making the call.

I've gone back and forth on this one, but if you say he "went to brace himself with his hand" by putting it on the ball, doesn't that by definition make it an intentional handball? He's supposed to avoid handling the ball, but in this instance he's intentionally putting his hand on the ball to brace himself and in doing so he not only handles the ball, but he controls it and moves the ball into a more favorable position. Its hard for me to say how this action is typically called because I don't recall ever seeing this type of play. At the same time, I don't like the mentality of complaining about it. Its a call that could go either way and we can't deny the better team won the game.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Its hard for me to say how this action is typically called because I don't recall ever seeing this type of play.

ESPN did a nice job discussing the play, the rules and similar plays in the past in this article

How the VAR cost the USMNT a crucial handball penalty in the Gold Cup final

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino was fuming after the VAR didn't give his team a handball penalty. Did he have a point?

www.espn.com

 

[El Floppo]

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Rochards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

We were all hoping Johnny would do what Tillman did and cement himself as a starter. But what little he played this summer he looked average at best coupled with a howler.

We have played our last competitive match until the WC so Johnny is going to have precious few chances to show that he belongs on the field. And it can't come at the club level any more, he has to show with the US some quality eventually or he is going to go down as one of the biggest enigmas in USMNT history.

And he plays a position that is built on an understanding of the system and players in it around him.

He whiffed on getting a chance to acclimatize to the system, so if Poch still rates him over the coming season, its imperative Johnny works in with the other starters starting with the next friendly.

Based on club play, i still him doing well in a double pivot with Adams next to him- hes good in La Liga advancing the ball well and smartly.

But yeesh, he was awful in limited minutes here, so who the hell knows.

 

[B Maverick]

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Richards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

We were all hoping Johnny would do what Tillman did and cement himself as a starter. But what little he played this summer he looked average at best coupled with a howler.

We have played our last competitive match until the WC so Johnny is going to have precious few chances to show that he belongs on the field. And it can't come at the club level any more, he has to show with the US some quality eventually or he is going to go down as one of the biggest enigmas in USMNT history.

Oh for sure. This was a time for some of these guys to show they should be considered and push the so-called starters. It is now going to be up to players who are in form in their domestic leagues, now coming into a friendly and playing like it means something. Regardless if its a FIFA top 5 or 125 ranked team.

Weah, Balo/Pepi, Ream, McKinnie are there for the taking. Tillman has made his claim, who else will?

 

[El Floppo]

BRFootball/Jon Arnold on Twitter with its predicted US lineup for the WC (sorry can't link from my work computer):

Freese
Dest Richards Ream Robinson
Cordoso Adams
Tillman
Weah Balogun Pulisic


Not sure what they saw in Cordoso to put him in over McKinnie.

We were all hoping Johnny would do what Tillman did and cement himself as a starter. But what little he played this summer he looked average at best coupled with a howler.

We have played our last competitive match until the WC so Johnny is going to have precious few chances to show that he belongs on the field. And it can't come at the club level any more, he has to show with the US some quality eventually or he is going to go down as one of the biggest enigmas in USMNT history.

Oh for sure. This was a time for some of these guys to show they should be considered and push the so-called starters. It is now going to be up to players who are in form in their domestic leagues, now coming into a friendly and playing like it means something. Regardless if its a FIFA top 5 or 125 ranked team.

Weah, Balo/Pepi, Ream, McKinnie are there for the taking. Tillman has made his claim, who else will?

I mean, i think all those guys will be hard to knock off- bit would be psyched if somebody stepped up enough in the next year to do it.

At this point i think the only guys that have played their way into locked spots are: jedi, richards, dest, cp...and thats it.

Even richards might be vulnerable if guys rise to it. Adams, based on these performances, definitely is.

But if the GC guys were the next guys up and nobody else rises, all of the players you mentioned are completely safe.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If we had to pick out one player (besides an extremely unlikely Gio resurrection) to make the leap before the WC, I think it has to be Banks. My heart goes out to Ream because damn, he can still do a job at 37 years old but it would take almost nothing to see him fall off a cliff.

But I give it a less than 1% chance Banks will be ready in time and even if he was ready based on club play, Poch would have to take a huge leap to roster him since he would likely have had no time with the senior team by next summer.

Then again there are always a handful of players across the WC who make their debuts in the WC itself so I guess anything is possible.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

 

[El Floppo]

If we had to pick out one player (besides an extremely unlikely Gio resurrection) to make the leap before the WC, I think it has to be Banks. My heart goes out to Ream because damn, he can still do a job at 37 years old but it would take almost nothing to see him fall off a cliff.

But I give it a less than 1% chance Banks will be ready in time and even if he was ready based on club play, Poch would have to take a huge leap to roster him since he would likely have had no time with the senior team by next summer.

Then again there are always a handful of players across the WC who make their debuts in the WC itself so I guess anything is possible.

Watching that 16yo mex player...where is Cavan right now?

 

[El Floppo]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

That looks like a quote of him post match...of course hes going to only want to talk about the people actually there and not the other guys who of course will be there later.

I wouldnt infer anything from that. "Essentially says...blah blah blah" isnt what Poch ACTUALLY said there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If we had to pick out one player (besides an extremely unlikely Gio resurrection) to make the leap before the WC, I think it has to be Banks. My heart goes out to Ream because damn, he can still do a job at 37 years old but it would take almost nothing to see him fall off a cliff.

But I give it a less than 1% chance Banks will be ready in time and even if he was ready based on club play, Poch would have to take a huge leap to roster him since he would likely have had no time with the senior team by next summer.

Then again there are always a handful of players across the WC who make their debuts in the WC itself so I guess anything is possible.

Watching that 16yo mex player...where is Cavan right now?

IMO, Mathis Albert is closer than Cavan is.

I just hope both of them play in the U17 World Cup, that would be quite the treat.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

I think this summer rubbed Poch wrong in many different ways.

I think he is mostly upset at Pulisic and Musah.

The player I am most unsure about is Dest in terms of Poch. I have not been able to read between the lines of the formal announcement as to whether Dest pulled out or Poch had him sit out.

 

[El Floppo]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

I think this summer rubbed Poch wrong in many different ways.

I think he is mostly upset at Pulisic and Musah.

The player I am most unsure about is Dest in terms of Poch. I have not been able to read between the lines of the formal announcement as to whether Dest pulled out or Poch had him sit out.

If Poch wants to start Freeman, Seb or ldlt instead of a Dest, Musah or CP... I quit.

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

I dont want to continuously harp on the handball but the intent of the rule change was to stop calling it for obvious unintentional balls that deflect or hit a hand while a player is moving/turning. Even if falling, you cant place your hand on the ball and stop it from moving. Sure there may not have been "intent" but it complete changes the trajectory of the play - not "oops it hit my hand next to my hip while I was turning away".

Bigger question to me...
What is the normal time together in camp prior to world cup starts? Is it possible, with our lack of meaningful friendlies, that we can get guys into camp (or camps) a little earlier or get more work with poch in? Clubs will dictate a lot but its world cup... they've got to understand at least a little right?

 

[Brunell4MVP]

I didn't hate the officiating. Soccer players flop so much one person can't cover it all. But should a Guatemalan ref team be in charge of a US/Mexico game? He also reffed the 2019 GolD Cup finals where Mexico beat the US, and he called 2x the number of fouls on the US in that game. We got outplayed in both games. Seems like they should bring in refs from Europe or Asia for the tourney though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Bigger question to me...
What is the normal time together in camp prior to world cup starts? Is it possible, with our lack of meaningful friendlies, that we can get guys into camp (or camps) a little earlier or get more work with poch in? Clubs will dictate a lot but its world cup... they've got to understand at least a little right?

The first World Cup game is June 12 for the US.

The last game of Serie A next year is on May 24. I expect most of the leagues will end around that time. That gives them about 2.5 weeks of training together depending upon when every one finishes up.

Typically a team will play 3 friendlies in the run up to the World Cup.

The bigger club teams rarely release players early for a WC early. The one hope would be that some of the club teams will have nothing to play for in the last week and maybe, just maybe a player could leave early but I am not banking on it.

 

[bagger]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

I like it. If you get a good coach he should be deciding how the makeup of his team is.

Look that message is likely not them specifically but overall telling players it’s not a done deal. I agree that is going to get better effort from the players than just coasting because they think they can walk in and get a spot.

 

[bagger]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

I think this summer rubbed Poch wrong in many different ways.

I think he is mostly upset at Pulisic and Musah.

The player I am most unsure about is Dest in terms of Poch. I have not been able to read between the lines of the formal announcement as to whether Dest pulled out or Poch had him sit out.

Which is likely true with CP and Musah. CP will start obviously but if I was him Musah would be out of the starting lineup and I think it’s the right call.

Musah isn’t good enough to act like CP.

 

[El Floppo]

I get that he wants to curb player power. I do understand that. But this does not seem to be the time to keep beating this drum.

https://x.com/the_bonnfire/status/1942047425096511657

"We're looking forward to having a chance to evaluate the entirety of the player pool and will continue to look to assemble a team that gives us the best chance to win." It's not hard to say.

I think this summer rubbed Poch wrong in many different ways.

I think he is mostly upset at Pulisic and Musah.

The player I am most unsure about is Dest in terms of Poch. I have not been able to read between the lines of the formal announcement as to whether Dest pulled out or Poch had him sit out.

Which is likely true with CP and Musah. CP will start obviously but if I was him Musah would be out of the starting lineup and I think it’s the right call.

Musah isn’t good enough to act like CP.

How is he acting like CP? By taking the summer off? I agree thats a bad look for a guy whos season was in a freefall and whos starting spot for the US was looking less and less likely.

But I don't know the circumstances around why he did it. Obviously NOT the same reasons as CP- overuse and exhaustion and needing to recharge this final summer before a long season ahead being a figurehead for his club, let alone the WC. So i figured it was likely due to trying to line up a new club (although playing in the GC would've only helped that cause, imo) or emotional rather than physical exhaustion.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Don't ****ing tease me like this

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

FC Augsburg new head coach Sandro Wagner: "Banks and Kömür are top players. I’m really looking forward to working with them."