USMNT

[RAFUH]

This aged not well. Davies just did Davies things.

I’ll take the blame, sake.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Think we played well in spurts tonight but we really should’ve put that to bed. Costa Rica are an awful side these days. Shadows of their former selves.

We gave up a stupid goal in the first minutes but they had no other chances. I think most days we win that to nil.

Creativity maybe wasn't all the way where it needs to be but the ball moved well and they opened up space. If you put Pulisic and/or Reyna into the side that played against Jamaica and Costa Rica we're scoring a lot more freely. I thought Aaronson and Weah both did well but I still think the other two are a step up.

 

[TheBigIguana]

This aged not well. Davies just did Davies things.

He's ridiculous

 

[ilikecheese]

Well we made that way too interesting but winning in basically a must win is big. Really wish we would have gotten that third goal.

Busio really played well there after coming on.

 

[PeregrineT]

That game showed just how important our midfield is, and why its our key right now. They absolutely dominated the game and ran circles around Costa Rica. The only thing that made it close was the defense struggling to handle the few basic opportunities Costa Rica got, and some lack of final third passing.

Should have been more and a needed win, but getting Pulisic and Reyna back, and McKennie not outdribbling himself 20 times should make it a very easy match. The physical power and heavy lifting in the midfiled is what the USMNT have needed for a long time to counter the CONCACAF Hack-A-USA-Player.

 

[Nymzee]

That was probably the first time I’ve looked at a lineup for the USA and liked it all. Usually Berhalter slips in someone absolutely trash to piss me off.

 

[Yank]

Busio is a borderline starter if Gregg stops being dumb

I think Hoppe was the right sub. But I get what you’re saying. Feels like Gregg is about making the guys feel included and he’s pretty sentimental. Think that’s why Steffan got the start tonight with it being in his old city too. No other reason exists to have put Turner on the bench unless he’s hurt…which he’s not

I like hoppe, but I've only seen him play like twice prior to today.

Busio I haven't really watched either, I think I've caught him play 1 game along the way and I don't believe it was one of his stronger games. So I'd defer to you guys if they were good subs, it was just an observation and thought that kept lurking in my head.

 

[carolinablue232]

That was probably the first time I’ve looked at a lineup for the USA and liked it all. Usually Berhalter slips in someone absolutely trash to piss me off.

Yeah, it wasn’t bad and that’s why we controlled the game after the first minute mess and gifting them a lead. He tried to start Arriola over Weah, though. So…maybe got a little lucky that Weah was even on the field to make the difference

 

[carolinablue232]

I like hoppe, but I've only seen him play like twice prior to today.

Busio I haven't really watched either, I think I've caught him play 1 game along the way and I don't believe it was one of his stronger games. So I'd defer to you guys if they were good subs, it was just an observation and thought that kept lurking in my head.

Busio is still a little ways away for me. Needs to mature physically to go a full 90 in these types of games I think. Good prospect though and getting real game time in Italy. He’ll probably be around for a long time to come.

 

[Nymzee]

Yeah, it wasn’t bad and that’s why we controlled the game after the first minute mess and gifting them a lead. He tried to start Arriola over Weah, though. So…maybe got a little lucky that Weah was even on the field to make the difference

I don’t really rate Weah. Hasn’t kicked on since that U17 WC where he scored a hatty. Had his injuries but meh.

 

[carolinablue232]

I don’t really rate Weah. Hasn’t kicked on since that U17 WC where he scored a hatty. Had his injuries but meh.

He’s still miles better than Paul Arriola who is essentially our winger version of Tom Davies. He tries but man he’s just as average as they come at this level.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

I was at the game, a few thoughts:

1) Columbus' new stadium is absolutely perfect. Keeps sound in. Not sure what it sounded like on TV but there was a buzz inside the ground, and chants seemed to echo around it.
2) We utterly dominated the game - McKennie in particular seemed to win a ton of balls and made a lot of great quick passes, not just down the flanks but a number of slight feints and then passing forwards. It seemed all of our guys were on the front foot - although we had no end product it was clear our guys were playing football - this wasn't our usual "try hard" type of team with no quality.
3) From about the 10 minute mark it was clear it was only a matter of time before we equalised. Dest's blast, my god.
4) We still desparately need a striker.
5) I thought our dear Antonee Robinson had a good game.
6) This side could do some real damage with a healthy Reyna and Pulisic
7) There was absolutely no response from Costa Rica after we equalised. You could tell they were done.

 

[Nymzee]

He’s still miles better than Paul Arriola who is essentially our winger version of Tom Davies. He tries but man he’s just as average as they come at this level.

Oh yeh, no debating that. Think Weah will get nowhere near when Reyna & Pulisic are back.

 

[wm02]

Very good summary @Pittsburgh Footy.
I’ll add 8) I’m fairly confident I’m faster than Bryan Ruiz at this point

 

[Lineker]

A little off topic, but did any of you used to frequent bigsoccer.com and read Bill Archer? I read his posts for many years over there and have been wondering for a few years what happened to him.

Thanks.