USMNT

[wm02]

They lost on a shootout in the final round. I've watched a lot of Poland on account of some Polish blood and they stink badly. I'm confident they'd not be an issue.

I watch most of the Poland games (my wife grew up in Poland) and while I’m not afraid of what they offer, I’m hoping we don’t draw them for marital harmony ?.

 

[barneygumble]

It’s England we’re bound to mess up at some point. That US side was packed full of hard working players.

 

[wm02]

It’s England we’re bound to mess up at some point. That US side was packed full of hard working players.

Don’t forget- US has never lost to England in a World Cup.
Only two matches played between the countries but still

 

[TheBigIguana]

It’s England we’re bound to mess up at some point. That US side was packed full of hard working players.

What's crazy is for me that side is easily the best I've seen at a World Cup (I'm too young to actually remember 2002). They were actually pretty decent, Dempsey and Donovan near their peaks, a serviceable and settled backline, Howard was still good, Bradley was at the point where he could actually get around the midfield and Altidore was at least annoying. The only problem was the second striker and Bob insisting on Ricardo Clark. They weren't a million miles from the quarter and who knows, maybe they don't get shithoused by Uruguay. Freaking Ricardo Clark.

 

[carolinablue232]

What's crazy is for me that side is easily the best I've seen at a World Cup (I'm too young to actually remember 2002). They were actually pretty decent, Dempsey and Donovan near their peaks, a serviceable and settled backline, Howard was still good, Bradley was at the point where he could actually get around the midfield and Altidore was at least annoying. The only problem was the second striker and Bob insisting on Ricardo Clark. They weren't a million miles from the quarter and who knows, maybe they don't get shithoused by Uruguay. Freaking Ricardo Clark.

If Edu had started against Ghana, we’d have been into the quarters. I have no doubts in my mind. Everyone knew Clark starting was the wrong choice except Bob. At least he had the sense to change it in the first half but by that point the damage was done.

Also, the goal Gyan scored in extra time was just a flat out gift. A hoof that Should’ve been easily dealt with.

 

[barneygumble]

Costa Rica aren't really even well organized, Navas was simply incredible. It wouldn't stun me if they ended up being the worst team at the tournament. Likewise Navas could just keep it up.

The US played really well at times. I'm not so worried about their ability to play against teams that look to play. They've had good showings against Mexico for example. What is going to be an issue is if they draw someone like Morocco or Iran who will keep it tight and possibly hurt them breaking.

I think the sides you’d probably have to watch out for in terms of negativity are the Asian sides really.

As you saw with South Korea in Russia, all it takes is taking your chances. Certainly Iran and Saudi are going to be ultra negative.

Ghana are pretty dire too. Wouldn’t he entirely shocked to see the same from UAE/Australia/New Zealand or Panama to be honest.

I just don’t think there are too many weak European sides, even with a regressing Croatia, they’re still strong.

 

[barneygumble]

Don’t forget- US has never lost to England in a World Cup.
Only two matches played between the countries but still

Great stat to have too. I think England always have that “team to beat” tag from countries were associated with really from Ireland through to the US, so yeah, I get it. Teams raise their game.

As I said earlier, the change of the continental drawing pots changed loads, and it means that there’s no mouth watering “Group of Death”, but I’d take USA, Wales/Scotland.

 

[TheBigIguana]

If Edu had started against Ghana, we’d have been into the quarters. I have no doubts in my mind. Everyone knew Clark starting was the wrong choice except Bob. At least he had the sense to change it in the first half but by that point the damage was done.

Also, the goal Gyan scored in extra time was just a flat out gift. A hoof that Should’ve been easily dealt with.

I still fully believe this too. I didn't even know what was going on at that point really, but I'd watched enough of the US and just thought Clark was flat out bad. I've watched years of Doucoure and Gomes now and Clark still hasn't been eclipsed for inept midfield displays other than maybe that time Danny Drinkwater turned up for Villa and watched as City scored 6. It still stings lol

 

[TheBigIguana]

I think the sides you’d probably have to watch out for in terms of negativity are the Asian sides really.

As you saw with South Korea in Russia, all it takes is taking your chances. Certainly Iran and Saudi are going to be ultra negative.

Ghana are pretty dire too. Wouldn’t he entirely shocked to see the same from UAE/Australia/New Zealand or Panama to be honest.

I just don’t think there are too many weak European sides, even with a regressing Croatia, they’re still strong.

Yes I agree, Japan will be negative too. Certainly Australia would be, but I can't see them having enough to get past Peru.

The only European sides of interest really are Poland, Serbia and Wales/Scotland/Ukraine as you're splitting hairs with Pot 1 and the rest are in our pot. As I've said I don't fear Poland. Scotland and Ukraine I think we're well better than. I'm not really scared of Wales but they've got a strong degree of continuity. A lot of those guys have played together for a good while now. Serbia I know less about as a team but they've got a few players.

All in all I think the US should be expecting to make it through the groups even with the worst possible draw.

 

[carolinablue232]

I still fully believe this too. I didn't even know what was going on at that point really, but I'd watched enough of the US and just thought Clark was flat out bad. I've watched years of Doucoure and Gomes now and Clark still hasn't been eclipsed for inept midfield displays other than maybe that time Danny Drinkwater turned up for Villa and watched as City scored 6. It still stings lol

Such fine margins, but it’s funny what sticks with you. That decision, Edu’s disallowed goal against Slovenia which was also bs, wondos miss against Belgium in 2014 that would’ve won it. I remember the good stuff too (Donovan’s last minute winner against Algeria), but those killer moments really stay with you...

 

[TheBigIguana]

Such fine margins, but it’s funny what sticks with you. That decision, Edu’s disallowed goal against Slovenia which was also bs, wondos miss against Belgium in 2014 that would’ve won it. I remember the good stuff too (Donovan’s last minute winner against Algeria), but those killer moments really stay with you...

Dempsey's first minute goal was a great moment too. Then the Portugal gut punch the next time out. We really did miss out in 2018 although that side was crap I think could have gone 0 for 3 easily.

 

[carolinablue232]

Dempsey's first minute goal was a great moment too. Then the Portugal gut punch the next time out. We really did miss out in 2018 although that side was crap I think could have gone 0 for 3 easily.

Probably. But they were also made more crap than they needed to be by the managers decisions along the way. That’s what I fear going into this cup as well. Gregg has shown to have favorites like Zardes whom he mentioned in his interview yesterday as well that have no business even being in the conversation. Putting Steffen back in for Turner in prior rounds when there was zero reason to as well. I’m worried he’ll go into the group stage and rotate things too much with players who likely shouldn’t have even been on the plane and well suffer as a result. If he doesn’t, and we can find a somewhat in form #9, we’ll at least have a chance in every game.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Probably. But they were also made more crap than they needed to be by the managers decisions along the way. That’s what I fear going into this cup as well. Gregg has shown to have favorites like Zardes whom he mentioned in his interview yesterday as well that have no business even being in the conversation. Putting Steffen back in for Turner in prior rounds when there was zero reason to as well. I’m worried he’ll go into the group stage and rotate things too much with players who likely shouldn’t have even been on the plane and wel suffer as a result. If he doesn’t, and we can find a somewhat in form #9, we’ll at least have a chance in every game.

Yes, he seems to think we have a lot of depth and while we kind of do in terms of there being lots of players to pick the drop off is way steeper than he seems to acknowledge.

The center forward situation is concerning. Zardes is crap. Pepi has a ton of potential but is now not really playing and probably shouldn't be overrelied on. Ferreira probably isn't ready to be playing there against the best sides. And then you've got the guys who are sort of on the outside like Pefok (always been meh for the team imo), Sargent (not playing striker at club level and also meh), Dike (I like him but he's on the B team, needs to get fit and firing), Hoppe (also B team and maybe not a striker long term) and Gioacchini (also B team). Then there are the outside the box options like Weah or Reyna as a false 9 type.

TLDR being I'm concerned about what they plan to do up top and don't really trust Gregg to come up with a good answer. Low key Pulisic has turned into a bit of a pint sized Marcus Rashford and a setup where we play Reyna as the tip of a diamond behind him and Weah with Dest and Robinson creating the width intrigues me.

 

[carolinablue232]

Yes, he seems to think we have a lot of depth and while we kind of do in terms of there being lots of players to pick the drop off is way steeper than he seems to acknowledge.

The center forward situation is concerning. Zardes is crap. Pepi has a ton of potential but is now not really playing and probably shouldn't be overrelied on. Ferreira probably isn't ready to be playing there against the best sides. And then you've got the guys who are sort of on the outside like Pefok (always been meh for the team imo), Sargent (not playing striker at club level and also meh), Dike (I like him but he's on the B team, needs to get fit and firing), Hoppe (also B team and maybe not a striker long term) and Gioacchini (also B team). Then there are the outside the box options like Weah or Reyna as a false 9 type.

TLDR being I'm concerned about what they plan to do up top and don't really trust Gregg to come up with a good answer. Low key Pulisic has turned into a bit of a pint sized Marcus Rashford and a setup where we play Reyna as the tip of a diamond behind him and Weah with Dest and Robinson creating the width intrigues me.

Wouldn’t hate trying a front 3 of Pulisic - Weah - Reyna. That’s dynamic enough to cause problems for most anyone. Where we’d probably struggle is against ball dominant sides where we need an outlet target.

Also, I don’t really understand why Hoppe has been seemingly frozen out altogether. He’s versatile enough to have around even if he’s not first choice.

 

[wm02]

What's crazy is for me that side is easily the best I've seen at a World Cup (I'm too young to actually remember 2002). They were actually pretty decent, Dempsey and Donovan near their peaks, a serviceable and settled backline, Howard was still good, Bradley was at the point where he could actually get around the midfield and Altidore was at least annoying. The only problem was the second striker and Bob insisting on Ricardo Clark. They weren't a million miles from the quarter and who knows, maybe they don't get shithoused by Uruguay. Freaking Ricardo Clark.

That 2002 World Cup was so great. Waking up at 4 or 5 in the morning, crazy results.
That Torsten Frings