2021 USMNT Thread

[OrangeFoo]

I have seen enough of Yueill.

This team has all this talent and GB plays him against Switzerland.

I wish we could upgrade manager.

Team was okay in the first half... probably outplayed the Swiss. Second half, Swiss came out guns ablaze and scored pretty easily.

Berhalter’s system makes it way too easy for an opponent to bypass the entire midfield and get into a 1 v 1 situation with the goalie. Either the winger is wide open or the middle is wide open.

For as talented as the roster is, and it is talented, I think we miss out on yet another World Cup. Way too easy to bypass the midfield, I’m not sure where the goals come from outside of Pulisic and most importantly no true leaders.

For better or for worse US soccer has been defined by those players who make up the spine of the team. They will pick up the team by its laces and make the defensive plays and score the big goals that push us forward... first Ramos, Lallas, Harkes, Wynalda then Reyna, Stewart, Cobi, JOB, Mathis, then Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore. Our players today are as talented and in some cases more talented than previous generations, but we are missing the spine which can will this team to wins and we have been missing it since Dempsey left and Altidore and Bradley basically aged out. Easy to criticize the vets, but the next generation has hardly covered themselves in glory. We missed the transition from one generation to the next.

 

[Alsacs]

Team was okay in the first half... probably outplayed the Swiss. Second half, Swiss came out guns ablaze and scored pretty easily.

Berhalter’s system makes it way too easy for an opponent to bypass the entire midfield and get into a 1 v 1 situation with the goalie. Either the winger is wide open or the middle is wide open.

For as talented as the roster is, and it is talented, I think we miss out on yet another World Cup. Way too easy to bypass the midfield, I’m not sure where the goals come from outside of Pulisic and most importantly no true leaders.

For better or for worse US soccer has been defined by those players who make up the spine of the team. They will pick up the team by its laces and make the defensive plays and score the big goals that push us forward... first Ramos, Lallas, Harkes, Wynalda then Reyna, Stewart, Cobi, JOB, Mathis, then Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore. Our players today are as talented and in some cases more talented than previous generations, but we are missing the spine which can will this team to wins and we have been missing it since Dempsey left and Altidore and Bradley basically aged out. Easy to criticize the vets, but the next generation has hardly covered themselves in glory. We missed the transition from one generation to the next.

If we don’t make the 2022 WC then all of the US soccer leadership need to be relieved.
GB doesn’t give any confidence at all.
A good manager could use the talent we have available now and make sure we are top 3.5 in CONCACAF this WCQ cycle.
Only Mexico has superior talent.
Costa Rica is solid, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica aren’t better than us.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Jackson Yuell needs to be better closing down space defensively. Switzerland got the ball thru the middle of defense with ease on numerous passes. He was out of position on the first goal Switzerland got. It was his mistake that allowed the chance. Still, not bad overall. He isn’t good with the ball and defensively was a step slow intercepting a couple of dangerous passes. He isn’t fast enough to stop those passes and it caused Horvath to have to make a couple of saves to keep it tied before the Swizz got their second goal.

We need a player at his possession to be faster and who can disrupt those passes.

USMNT needs to find a 6 who can play if Adams can’t stay healthy. It’s not Yueill I thought he was the worst player on the pitch for us yesterday before being subbed off.

+1 to this. Yuell seemed to be chasing the game from the start on D... he couldn’t close down the Swiss. He did okay on with the ball, but he did seem to take the easiest pass vs trying to create something. Probably a good MLS player but not impactful at the international level in game 1.

 

[OrangeFoo]

If we don’t make the 2022 WC then all of the US soccer leadership need to be relieved.
GB doesn’t give any confidence at all.
A good manager could use the talent we have available now and make sure we are top 3.5 in CONCACAF this WCQ cycle.
Only Mexico has superior talent.
Costa Rica is solid, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica aren’t better than us.

Don’t disagree

 

[DeGrozz]

For as talented as the roster is, and it is talented, I think we miss out on yet another World Cup. Way too easy to bypass the midfield, I’m not sure where the goals come from outside of Pulisic and most importantly no true leaders.

You gotta remember — this isn’t a US team that has been playing together for long and then went in to play a team that is fairly experienced together, held their own in a brutal Nations League draw, and is filled with regular Big 5 League players (4 or so who play on a decent Bundesliga team together).

It was kinda the perfect experience game for our guys to step into. No need to write them off yet, especially in a cycle when I think teams outside of US/Mex are down.

 

[Alsacs]

You gotta remember — this isn’t a US team that has been playing together for long and then went in to play a team that is fairly experienced together, held their own in a brutal Nations League draw, and is filled with regular Big 5 League players (4 or so who play on a decent Bundesliga team together).

It was kinda the perfect experience game for our guys to step into. No need to write them off yet, especially in a cycle when I think teams outside of US/Mex are down.

I think we make the WC this cycle but CONCACAF did make a change to the final round this cycle.

It’s not a hex anymore it’s an octagon and we have to play 14 matches rather than 10 in the final cycle.

It’s going be USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica and 3 more teams probably Canada, Panama and one more.
Playing 14 matches from January till June.

 

[OrangeFoo]

You gotta remember — this isn’t a US team that has been playing together for long and then went in to play a team that is fairly experienced together, held their own in a brutal Nations League draw, and is filled with regular Big 5 League players (4 or so who play on a decent Bundesliga team together).

It was kinda the perfect experience game for our guys to step into. No need to write them off yet, especially in a cycle when I think teams outside of US/Mex are down.

Agree that this was a perfect experience for the team. But my concern is that in the past we‘ve always had guys who were the guys counted on to win games. This version of the USMNT is made up of a bunch of really talented but complementary players outside of Pulisic. I guess they will need to learn how to win games.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Temporary thread hijack, since there is little appetite / no action on a Premier League or Champions League topic on this board.

Chelsea won the Champions League this past Saturday, as most of you probably know. It is the 2nd time they've won it. Here is the hype video they showed the players before the game.

As a fan, I totally loved this. It is no surprise to me that the players came out on fire against Man City at the start of the game. Check it out.

https://www.chelsea-news.co/.../video-incredible-hype.../

Chelsea have now won 10 trophies overall since I began following them during the 2009-10 season. They and Man City have dominated the last decade of English Football.

Next year's Premier League should be exceptional. Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea all look like title contenders.

And then you have a next group of Man United, Leicester, West Ham (if they get Tammy Abraham and hold onto Declan Rice), Everton (if they hold onto Carlo Ancelotti), who should all challenge for Champions League.

And then you have another excellent tier of teams who nobody wants to face at less than their best:

- Tottenham (whoever their next coach is, with or without Harry Kane, because $140M buys a lot of replacements ...),
- Arsenal (they can't be this bad again, can they?),
- Aston Villa (if Abraham lands here ...),
- Leeds (Bielsa is coming back),
- Crystal Palace (talented roster, Nuno Espirito Santo likely getting the job to replace old Roy Hodgson).

Even Wolves (with Raul Jiminez returning from a skull fracture) and Newcastle (under new ownership) could seriously compete for European places.

It's going to be a hell of a year next year. Hope you like the Chelsea video.

 

[IthacaMatt]

If we don’t make the 2022 WC then all of the US soccer leadership need to be relieved.
GB doesn’t give any confidence at all.
A good manager could use the talent we have available now and make sure we are top 3.5 in CONCACAF this WCQ cycle.
Only Mexico has superior talent.
Costa Rica is solid, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica aren’t better than us.

I'll say it again. Get an Italian manager.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Agree that this was a perfect experience for the team. But my concern is that in the past we‘ve always had guys who were the guys counted on to win games. This version of the USMNT is made up of a bunch of really talented but complementary players outside of Pulisic. I guess they will need to learn how to win games.

I think the new guys are learning how to win. Even if you consider some of them "passengers" on teams that won those trophies, they still got exposed to winning cultures at some great European clubs. Winning breeds that strength.

I already look at Weston McKennie as one of those guys. John Brooks is one of those guys. Maybe Steffen becomes another one.

Pulisic is "legit". There's no arguing that anymore. He can win games. Reyna is fast becoming one of those guys, too, and certainly has the genes, having grown up surrounded by success.

You have to play games that matter to learn that winning mentality. And now finally we have meaningful games for this new group to play and learn from, and grow.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Team was okay in the first half... probably outplayed the Swiss. Second half, Swiss came out guns ablaze and scored pretty easily.

Berhalter’s system makes it way too easy for an opponent to bypass the entire midfield and get into a 1 v 1 situation with the goalie. Either the winger is wide open or the middle is wide open.

For as talented as the roster is, and it is talented, I think we miss out on yet another World Cup. Way too easy to bypass the midfield, I’m not sure where the goals come from outside of Pulisic and most importantly no true leaders.

For better or for worse US soccer has been defined by those players who make up the spine of the team. They will pick up the team by its laces and make the defensive plays and score the big goals that push us forward... first Ramos, Lallas, Harkes, Wynalda then Reyna, Stewart, Cobi, JOB, Mathis, then Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore. Our players today are as talented and in some cases more talented than previous generations, but we are missing the spine which can will this team to wins and we have been missing it since Dempsey left and Altidore and Bradley basically aged out. Easy to criticize the vets, but the next generation has hardly covered themselves in glory. We missed the transition from one generation to the next.

On defense, I think the problem in the second half was a combination of 3 guys, in particular -

1. Kellyn Acosta was too stationary as a holding midfielder and people played right past him on occasion before he was taken out.

2. John Brooks was just embarrassed twice by Embolo, who should have scored twice right before Brooks went out, and

3. Dest didn't track back to provide cover enough on that side. What was with that stupid scorpion kick inside his own box that led directly to the goal?

Isn't his natural side the other side, though?

 

[DeGrozz]

3. Dest didn't track back to provide cover enough on that side. What was with that stupid scorpion kick inside his own box that led directly to the goal?

The Knicks had my primary focus on Sunday, but I finally got around to watching the game with some attention.

I don't know if we've ever had an outside back that has left their team out to dry as much as Dest did during that game.

Dest was acting like he had Gattuso and Vieira covering for him, not Jackson Yueill. It obviously messed with Brooks's positioning. He also kept pinching centrally in possession, taking away possession options, when he was supposed to be deep and wide.

We're more talented than we have ever been, but we are miles and miles away from being elite -- we can't have players in defensive positions doing that in competitive matches -- good teams will create too many opps every time.

 

[OrangeFoo]

The Knicks had my primary focus on Sunday, but I finally got around to watching the game with some attention.

I don't know if we've ever had an outside back that has left their team out to dry as much as Dest did during that game.

Dest was acting like he had Gattuso and Vieira covering for him, not Jackson Yueill. It obviously messed with Brooks's positioning. He also kept pinching centrally in possession, taking away possession options, when he was supposed to be deep and wide.

We're more talented than we have ever been, but we are miles and miles away from being elite -- we can't have players in defensive positions doing that in competitive matches -- good teams will create too many opps every time.

My guess is he is doing exactly what the coach wants him to do. This generation of players is trained to be an extension of the manager on the pitch. If Adams had been playing, he would have provided a lot more coverage for Dest. The high press with Dest worked really well in the first half from an offensive perspective, but did lead to some easy chances for the Swiss. The problem isn’t Dest, the problem is the manager who doesn’t adjust his tactics to his opponents. We are not good enough at CB or DMID to play the way Berhalter wants to play against good teams. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem to realize that. I *think* we might be good enough to play like that against concacaf sides and win however... but it’s risky. One or two big mistakes per game and good bye World Cup.

 

[cusefan88]

Adams and Pulisic obviously make the team better. Brenden Aaronson will be a valuable guy off the bench. His work rate is phenomenal.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

The Knicks had my primary focus on Sunday, but I finally got around to watching the game with some attention.

I don't know if we've ever had an outside back that has left their team out to dry as much as Dest did during that game.

Dest was acting like he had Gattuso and Vieira covering for him, not Jackson Yueill. It obviously messed with Brooks's positioning. He also kept pinching centrally in possession, taking away possession options, when he was supposed to be deep and wide.

We're more talented than we have ever been, but we are miles and miles away from being elite -- we can't have players in defensive positions doing that in competitive matches -- good teams will create too many opps every time.

It is both an opportunity and a real conundrum.

Dest spent more time in their box than he did in ours.

He is so gifted, and dynamic, offensively that, getting him into the attack, simply makes us a better offensive side.

Unfortunately, the Swiss simply played the ball into the gap he left on the flank and showed that, for all his gifts, Brooks is not going to be handle opposing strikers and wingers 1 v 1 (and neither can our other center backs).

So, what do you do?

A 3-5-2 with two 6s to help cover the left flank? Dest as one wingback and Weah as the other? Can Cannon play wingback? Can we play 3 center backs?

A 4-4-2 so you have an outside mid to cover for Dest when he goes forward?

I don't think a 4-3-3 works if Dest is going to have license to go endline to endline.

 

[DeGrozz]

My guess is he is doing exactly what the coach wants him to do. This generation of players is trained to be an extension of the manager on the pitch. If Adams had been playing, he would have provided a lot more coverage for Dest. The high press with Dest worked really well in the first half from an offensive perspective, but did lead to some easy chances for the Swiss. The problem isn’t Dest, the problem is the manager who doesn’t adjust his tactics to his opponents. We are not good enough at CB or DMID to play the way Berhalter wants to play against good teams. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem to realize that. I *think* we might be good enough to play like that against concacaf sides and win however... but it’s risky. One or two big mistakes per game and good bye World Cup.

I don't think that's how Berhalter is asking Dest to play at all. Watch how many times that Brooks is pointing at and yelling at Dest for being out of position or having a terrible work rate on defense.

The first goal -- Dest is in no man's land, we lose an aerial duel, and then he doesn't attack the ball or move to take away the easy outlet. He left his side of the field completely open, that pulled Brooks out of position between the lines, and they easily ran on us down the right flank. That's not a coaching or tactical issue, it's an effort and execution problem there.

He's massively out of position on the second goal too. You can easily see how far wide he is defensively leaving a monster gap between himself and Brooks setting up that opportunity (then played the stupid scorpion clearance back into the box).

I get he is extremely dangerous going forward, but still, you have to play the tactics your coach wants you to play if you want any chance to beat teams as good as the Swiss. If he keeps giving half-assed defensive performances like he did this weekend, it's gonna cause a locker room issue.

I know the manager has his own system, but I'm thinking a three across the back may suit this team better. I don't think our personnel is perfect for a 3-5-2, defensively, but maybe that's a better way to cover up his defensive liabilities.

 

[OrangeFoo]

I don't think that's how Berhalter is asking Dest to play at all. Watch how many times that Brooks is pointing at and yelling at Dest for being out of position or having a terrible work rate on defense.

The first goal -- Dest is in no man's land, we lose an aerial duel, and then he doesn't attack the ball or move to take away the easy outlet. He left his side of the field completely open, that pulled Brooks out of position between the lines, and they easily ran on us down the right flank. That's not a coaching or tactical issue, it's an effort and execution problem there.

He's massively out of position on the second goal too. You can easily see how far wide he is defensively leaving a monster gap between himself and Brooks setting up that opportunity (then played the stupid scorpion clearance back into the box).

I get he is extremely dangerous going forward, but still, you have to play the tactics your coach wants you to play if you want any chance to beat teams as good as the Swiss. If he keeps giving half-assed defensive performances like he did this weekend, it's gonna cause a locker room issue.

I know the manager has his own system, but I'm thinking a three across the back may suit this team better. I don't think our personnel is perfect for a 3-5-2, defensively, but maybe that's a better way to cover up his defensive liabilities.

If Dest really is playing like this without being instructed to... that brings up a very different set of issues. Should Dest be a USMNT player if he's basically going to do what he wants? Or is Berhalter not clearly setting his vision for how he wants Dest to play?

We aren't Liverpool... we are not good enough at midfield or center back to have fullbacks who don't play D. Maybe Adams is our Fabhino and Weston is our Gio?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

I don't think that's how Berhalter is asking Dest to play at all. Watch how many times that Brooks is pointing at and yelling at Dest for being out of position or having a terrible work rate on defense.

The first goal -- Dest is in no man's land, we lose an aerial duel, and then he doesn't attack the ball or move to take away the easy outlet. He left his side of the field completely open, that pulled Brooks out of position between the lines, and they easily ran on us down the right flank. That's not a coaching or tactical issue, it's an effort and execution problem there.

He's massively out of position on the second goal too. You can easily see how far wide he is defensively leaving a monster gap between himself and Brooks setting up that opportunity (then played the stupid scorpion clearance back into the box).

I get he is extremely dangerous going forward, but still, you have to play the tactics your coach wants you to play if you want any chance to beat teams as good as the Swiss. If he keeps giving half-assed defensive performances like he did this weekend, it's gonna cause a locker room issue.

I know the manager has his own system, but I'm thinking a three across the back may suit this team better. I don't think our personnel is perfect for a 3-5-2, defensively, but maybe that's a better way to cover up his defensive liabilities.

This is the type of situation that can make, or break, Berhalter.

Can you figure out a way to keep Dest's dynamism on the field (which the team absolutely needs) while not getting torched defensively.

There is where Berhalter will earn his keep.

In that regard, the Swiss were a great match-up. Not a top tier team that would overwhelm us with talent but they are experienced, well-coached, organized, solid tactically and a tough out (have gotten out of group stage at last three tourneys - 2 WCs and 1 Euro).

Talent-wise, we can hang with them. They exposed our defensive frailties down the left flank in the 2nd half and punished us. Not sure a Concacaf team, other than Mexico, could have done that.

Now, how do we adjust?

 

[IthacaMatt]

Adams and Pulisic obviously make the team better. Brenden Aaronson will be a valuable guy off the bench. His work rate is phenomenal.

Aaronson was very promising, but I think he needs to get stronger.

 

[upperdeck]

This is the type of situation that can make, or break, Berhalter.

Can you figure out a way to keep Dest's dynamism on the field (which the team absolutely needs) while not getting torched defensively.

There is where Berhalter will earn his keep.

In that regard, the Swiss were a great match-up. Not a top tier team that would overwhelm us with talent but they are experienced, well-coached, organized, solid tactically and a tough out (have gotten out of group stage at last three tourneys - 2 WCs and 1 Euro).

Talent-wise, we can hang with them. They exposed our defensive frailties down the left flank in the 2nd half and punished us. Not sure a Concacaf team, other than Mexico, could have done that.

Now, how do we adjust?

would have interesting to see wht had happened had the team potted 2-3 of those first half chances and gotten a 2 goal lead .

 

[IthacaMatt]

This is the type of situation that can make, or break, Berhalter.

Can you figure out a way to keep Dest's dynamism on the field (which the team absolutely needs) while not getting torched defensively.

There is where Berhalter will earn his keep.

In that regard, the Swiss were a great match-up. Not a top tier team that would overwhelm us with talent but they are experienced, well-coached, organized, solid tactically and a tough out (have gotten out of group stage at last three tourneys - 2 WCs and 1 Euro).

Talent-wise, we can hang with them. They exposed our defensive frailties down the left flank in the 2nd half and punished us. Not sure a Concacaf team, other than Mexico, could have done that.

Now, how do we adjust?

Maybe if we keep Dest on the right side, where he plays for Barca, and played for Ajax, he will be better balanced. Robinson was playing better toward the end of the year in the Prem. Is Cannon that much better than Robinson?

 

[cusefan88]

Maybe if we keep Dest on the right side, where he plays for Barca, and played for Ajax, he will be better balanced. Robinson was playing better toward the end of the year in the Prem. Is Cannon that much better than Robinson?

Robinson's form with the USMNT hasn't been that good tbh. I do think he's better than Reggie Cannon though.

Cannon can make things interesting if he moves to Spezia (Serie A) and has a good upcoming season in Italy. Nice problems to have.

I also appreciate coming to a Syracuse forum and reading interesting takes on USA tactics. For me my full scrutiny will come when WCQ kicks off in the fall. Hope Tyler Adams is healthy for most of it.

 

[upperdeck]

one thing not really discussed was the swiss game where the US trained at altitude to try and prep for the game in Denver this week.. clearly the 2nd half went worse, maybe it helps this week.. It also was stated the US was trying to learn some things and perhaps forced some players into spots for the bigger picture.

 

[IthacaMatt]

On defense, I think the problem in the second half was a combination of 3 guys, in particular -

1. Kellyn Acosta was too stationary as a holding midfielder and people played right past him on occasion before he was taken out.

2. John Brooks was just embarrassed twice by Embolo, who should have scored twice right before Brooks went out, and

3. Dest didn't track back to provide cover enough on that side. What was with that stupid scorpion kick inside his own box that led directly to the goal?

Isn't his natural side the other side, though?

Self-correction - as we start the Honduras game, the guy who I assumed to be Acosta was Yeiull, and I agree with the other poster who came away unimpressed.

Let's see if he can do better tonight.

 

[DeGrozz]

I think one thing we will all agree on is from the pre-game show to the game's production (13 minutes in), this has been one of the worst USMNT broadcasts that I have seen in a while...

Time to switch to the Spanish stations...