USMNT soccer team thread | Page 40 | Syracusefan.com

USMNT soccer team thread

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I'll take Howard any day anywhere over Guzan, who is not very inspiring IMO

This may sound weird, but Howard didn't seem as big out there as he used to. Like he stopped lifting weights, or maybe is losing bone density and shrinking a bit. Maybe it's just me being old, but he did not have the command of his box anywhere close to what he used to have.
 
I don't know -- I still don't like how Beasley played that counter.

You can't rely on your defense to sprint 90 yards from the other box, end up in a position to support you after you force the man with the ball into a dangerous position.

So first, I still don't believe Beasley made the right play giving Vela so much space to allow him to cut-in centrally. There's always chaos on defense when getting caught on a counter, I'm not sure why he assumed that any support would be available for him when half the team was chasing Mexico's 4 v 3 break.

I also don't know how he doesn't go in with a stronger tackle when he makes his move. I get that he's a very small player, but there's no reasonable shot he has at the ball when he makes his initial lunge, so his best play is at least to disrupt Vela's movement and knock him off balance. Instead Vela gets two yards of separation and from 20 yards out, it's target practice for these guys.

But like I said, it's chaos on counters, you can probably find 20 faults on that play.


Well, Vela had time to dribble inside past Beasley along with 2 other defenders who didn't pick him up before letting go with that shot. So I don't put it all on Beasley.
 
This may sound weird, but Howard didn't seem as big out there as he used to. Like he stopped lifting weights, or maybe is losing bone density and shrinking a bit. Maybe it's just me being old, but he did not have the command of his box anywhere close to what he used to have.

No he's not in as good of shape as he was, but not sure if that's from the injury. I'd still take him over Guzan. Bruce even said he would've played if he didn't just play in a bunch of games for Colorado and the short turn around to Azteca. He's still the undoubted #1.
 
Well, Vela had time to dribble inside past Beasley along with 2 other defenders who didn't pick him up before letting go with that shot. So I don't put it all on Beasley.

You mean the two defenders that were trying to catch up to Chicarito so he wouldn't be able to be put through on goal?
 
You mean the two defenders that were trying to catch up to Chicarito so he wouldn't be able to be put through on goal?

Yes, but both guys were watching him instead of the guy with the ball. When Beasley steered Vela inside, somebody didn't call out to pick up the ball, while both of the other guys chased the runner.
 
For some reason, I thought Panama was playing Costa Rica this week, so I thought it be cool that we were guaranteed to remain in third place -- I was wrong though. Panama plays Honduras

If Honduras can hold on for this upset, it'll be HUGE for the US.

EDIT: HOLY SCHLITZ that was one of the best saves I've ever seen in my life! It was like Howard vs Brazil in the Confed Cup (but this one didn't actually cross the line).
 
For some reason, I thought Panama was playing Costa Rica this week, so I thought it be cool that we were guaranteed to remain in third place -- I was wrong though. Panama plays Honduras

If Honduras can hold on for this upset, it'll be HUGE for the US.

EDIT: HOLY SCHLITZ that was one of the best saves I've ever seen in my life! It was like Howard vs Brazil in the Confed Cup (but this one didn't actually cross the line).
TV????
 
For some reason, I thought Panama was playing Costa Rica this week, so I thought it be cool that we were guaranteed to remain in third place -- I was wrong though. Panama plays Honduras

If Honduras can hold on for this upset, it'll be HUGE for the US.

EDIT: HOLY SCHLITZ that was one of the best saves I've ever seen in my life! It was like Howard vs Brazil in the Confed Cup (but this one didn't actually cross the line).
We want a draw here. Honduras has T&T at home next we don't want them competitive as 5 teams alive would suck.
Honduras deserve to lose with this BS flopping around time wasting.

Draw though helps the USA.
 
We want a draw here. Honduras has T&T at home next we don't want them competitive as 5 teams alive would suck.
Honduras deserve to lose with this BS flopping around time wasting.

Draw though helps the USA.

I think Panama is much more likely to grind out points where they shouldn't be competitive. I'd rather see them drop as many points as possible, but another team drawing is rarely a bad result for the rest of the group.

On a side note -- Seattle/Portland are playing right now in the US Open Cup. Not many recognizable names, but it's been a fun game to follow. (it's really been an awesome day for soccer -- ENG/France in the late afternoon, tonight Christos -- a pub team -- put a scare in DCU, OKC gave Colorado a scare, 2 CONCACAF qualifiers, and SEA/POR to end the night).

Tomorrow, we've got FC Cincinnati of the USL taking on the Columbus Crew in the Open Cup. FC Cincinnati is expected to bring one of the largest (if not the largest) Open Cup crowds ever to the game. We've also got NYCFC vs. Red Bulls and Orland vs Miami FC. If you've never checked out the Open Cup action -- try it. It's so much fun to watch teams trying to punch above their weight class.
 
Supporters section, US Open Cup, NCFC vs Houston Dynamo. Go NCFC!
IMG_6577.JPG
 
What a frustrating second goal to give up. 12U ish right there.
 
Weather delay in Raleigh... we have to hit visiting hours with our golden retriever, he was diagnosed with liver cancer last night. Can't stay, knotted at 2.
IMG_0068.JPG
 
Just got home and saw Houston scored their 3rd in the 109'.

US Open Cup is great. Really hope MLS expands and takes NCFC... a great atmosphere down here in Raleigh and the largest youth system in the country.
 
I do like the 3 at the back. It helps us cover for individual shortcomings among some of the center backs, who are very experienced, by the way. It also does cover for our fullbacks. By making them wingbacks in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, they are also not as exposed by talented wingers on the defensive side. Overall, I really like that system for us going forward. We seemed more solid, despite the occasional lapses.

It also helps Bradley.

Whether planned or not, when they play a diamond midfield with Bradley as the lone holding mid, he plays far too deep.

I have been looking for a positioning map for US-Mexico, similar to what I found for T&T. I would bet anything that it will show that the spacing between Bradley and the centerbacks and Bradley and the other two center-mids is much better.

Bradley is a system guy. He needs to be put in the right places to be effective. He is not effective as a #10, which is how Klinsmann used him (although Klinsmann did not have the benefit of Pulisic). And he is not effective in the Pirlo role because he plays too deep and does not have the vision and pinpoint accuracy that Pirlo does (but who does?). He is most effective, IMO, as part of a tandem playing a dual 6-8 role - as he did with Acosta vs Mexico. For some reason, the Acosta pairing simply worked much better than the Bradley-Jones pairing. I cannot pinpoint why. Perhaps the formation with the extra centerback provides Bradley with the opportunity to get forward more.

Frankly, the posters who have been killing Bradley may watch the game but they don't understand the nuances of the game. If they had criticized him for his positioning in the 4-4-2, that would have been understandable, although not necessarily on Bradley if he had been instructed to play that deep. But there has been no specificity in the criticism. It has simply been: Bradley sucks and shouldn't be out there. Those posters could not be more clueless and wrong.

I know someone argued with me earlier that O'Brien was as good as Pulisic. Wrong. There is nobody who has ever worn the stars and stripes that can hold a candle to Pulisic and his natural abilities.

100% agreed about Yedlin. In the first half, Arriola was not providing any cover. In the second half, Arriola (and Nagbe) did a much better job of tracking back and I though Yedlin was really good.

Think about what happened. 7 changes and we walked out of the Azteca with a draw that, IMO, was deserved. And we did it without a miraculous goaltending effort.
 
It also helps Bradley.

Whether planned or not, when they play a diamond midfield with Bradley as the lone holding mid, he plays far too deep.

I have been looking for a positioning map for US-Mexico, similar to what I found for T&T. I would bet anything that it will show that the spacing between Bradley and the centerbacks and Bradley and the other two center-mids is much better.

He is most effective, IMO, as part of a tandem playing a dual 6-8 role - as he did with Acosta vs Mexico. For some reason, the Acosta pairing simply worked much better than the Bradley-Jones pairing. I cannot pinpoint why.

100% agreed about Yedlin. In the first half, Arriola was not providing any cover. In the second half, Arriola (and Nagbe) did a much better job of tracking back and I though Yedlin was really good.

Think about what happened. 7 changes and we walked out of the Azteca with a draw that, IMO, was deserved. And we did it without a miraculous goaltending effort.

I think Kellyn Acosta has a better workrate and is better on the ball than Jones, who I think should be eased out of the squad. He and Bradley are too similar, and frankly Bradley is better at what they are asked to do.

Bradley did play a bit more forward against Mexico, at least in the first half. I did see the location map somewhere online after the game.

Very happy so far with Yedlin. Working for Rafa Benitez has upped his defensive positioning considerably. Can't wait to see him play in the Premier League this season!

We should be favorites for the Gold Cup if Mexico is sending a B squad due to the Confederations Cup. I would like to see that new Goalkeeper from Mexico who is in the process of switching to the US. I would also like to see Dom Dwyer get a run out. I'm not sold on Bobby Wood or Jordan Morris so far. They have shown flashes, but are off target too often. I like our midfield much better than our attack right now.
 
I think Kellyn Acosta has a better workrate and is better on the ball than Jones, who I think should be eased out of the squad. He and Bradley are too similar, and frankly Bradley is better at what they are asked to do.

Bradley did play a bit more forward against Mexico, at least in the first half. I did see the location map somewhere online after the game.

Very happy so far with Yedlin. Working for Rafa Benitez has upped his defensive positioning considerably. Can't wait to see him play in the Premier League this season!

We should be favorites for the Gold Cup if Mexico is sending a B squad due to the Confederations Cup. I would like to see that new Goalkeeper from Mexico who is in the process of switching to the US. I would also like to see Dom Dwyer get a run out. I'm not sold on Bobby Wood or Jordan Morris so far. They have shown flashes, but are off target too often. I like our midfield much better than our attack right now.

Wood definitely rusty althugh he had been playing really well before he got hurt... Dempsey is basically a poacher at this point. I still like Altidore. He is a handful for any center back...Morris is young and still learning...

And who ever thought that GK could be a concern? I agree with you that Howard has lost a step and Guzan is not convincing...
 
I think Kellyn Acosta has a better workrate and is better on the ball than Jones, who I think should be eased out of the squad. He and Bradley are too similar, and frankly Bradley is better at what they are asked to do.

Bradley did play a bit more forward against Mexico, at least in the first half. I did see the location map somewhere online after the game.

Very happy so far with Yedlin. Working for Rafa Benitez has upped his defensive positioning considerably. Can't wait to see him play in the Premier League this season!

We should be favorites for the Gold Cup if Mexico is sending a B squad due to the Confederations Cup. I would like to see that new Goalkeeper from Mexico who is in the process of switching to the US. I would also like to see Dom Dwyer get a run out. I'm not sold on Bobby Wood or Jordan Morris so far. They have shown flashes, but are off target too often. I like our midfield much better than our attack right now.

Mexico with a good result against Portugal in Confed Cup.

Did not see game so cannot comment but stats show that Mexico dominated possession.

A good sign when Mexico competes with top teams. Shows that we are also getting closer.

Germany sent a B squad but it looks like Mexico, Chile and Portugal all sent their A teams.
 
Mexico with a good result against Portugal in Confed Cup.

Did not see game so cannot comment but stats show that Mexico dominated possession.

A good sign when Mexico competes with top teams. Shows that we are also getting closer.

Germany sent a B squad but it looks like Mexico, Chile and Portugal all sent their A teams.


I watched the game. Mexico did a good job overall. But tactically they made a couple mistakes, IMO. On the attacking end, Vela was their best player for 60 minutes before he was taken out for Oribe Peralta, who probably should have been in the starting lineup. Mexico had problems in the final third, except for Chicarito, who was very clutch in evening the score after Ronaldo got the opener. Mexico showed good fight, after having given up the apparent game winning goal at around 85 minutes, to come back and score in stoppage time to gain the draw. Very good result.
 
Mexico with a good result against Portugal in Confed Cup.

Did not see game so cannot comment but stats show that Mexico dominated possession.

A good sign when Mexico competes with top teams. Shows that we are also getting closer.

Germany sent a B squad but it looks like Mexico, Chile and Portugal all sent their A teams.


Germany's B squad could still win this tournament. They are so deep and talented.
 
The referee in the New Zealand-Mexico is the worst I have seen in an international match.

My god he had no control and his usage of the VAR was pathetic. That guy should never be in a charge of a major tournament match ever.
 
The referee in the New Zealand-Mexico is the worst I have seen in an international match.

My god he had no control and his usage of the VAR was pathetic. That guy should never be in a charge of a major tournament match ever.


Yeah, VAR so far is hideously slow. They need to make a decision in like 30 seconds, not 3 minutes. They also blew that offsides call that cost Chile their first goal against Cameroon.
 
does Saief add anything useful to the team?

Yea he plays on the left side so he could play left back potentially. More of a wingback or mid, but I think could play LB. from what I've read one of the better players in his league. He has good ball skills. Will have to see at the gold cup
 
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