The 2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

Chaplin

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I started watching live during my recording with about 20 minutes left and it was the announcers gushing about the team, saying they were so good in the 2nd half. But all I saw is a regression. Over passing in the box not even looking for shots. And the passing was abysmal. Not a great way to finish the group stage.
 

Lorenzo

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I started watching live during my recording with about 20 minutes left and it was the announcers gushing about the team, saying they were so good in the 2nd half. But all I saw is a regression. Over passing in the box not even looking for shots. And the passing was abysmal. Not a great way to finish the group stage.
Pulisic barely missed on a great look. Aaronson also missed on a wide open look. Pepi is probably the 2nd #9 off the bench but he was underwhelming today. Maybe Haji Wright played his way to a shout off the bench for the next game by doing nothing.

Overall I thought the effort was there, but just way too clumsy defensively. They had to end the game a man down and trustee probably did more harm by being out there. But they still went for it which is impressive to me.

the team will look completely different on Wednesday.
 

Chaplin

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Pulisic barely missed on a great look. Aaronson also missed on a wide open look. Pepi is probably the 2nd #9 off the bench but he was underwhelming today. Maybe Haji Wright played his way to a shout off the bench for the next game by doing nothing.

Overall I thought the effort was there, but just way too clumsy defensively. They had to end the game a man down and trustee probably did more harm by being out there. But they still went for it which is impressive to me.

the team will look completely different on Wednesday.
Hope your right and that the team we saw in games 1 and 2 is the real USA team and not this one.
 

Lorenzo

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Hope your right and that the team we saw in games 1 and 2 is the real USA team and not this one.
Well the only guy that started in this game that will start in the next game is Weston McKinnie. Even Berhalter is most likely coming in off the bench. Both Berhalter and mckinnie were the two best players for the USA.

Before we get too down on the guys that did play. The World Cup comes down to depth and a battle of attrition. Maybe we lose to B&H, but if we beat them, depth will start to come into play. Some of the guys that played tonight might have to step in for a starter. If something happens to Adams, I feel good about Berhalter. But a lot of guys got some rest tonight which is important if they are able to win the next match.

The one area I’m really concerned about is center back. Luckily we have Ream and Richards, but if one of them can’t go that is where there is a massive drop off more than anywhere else on the pitch. And we saw that tonight. Center backs and holders in the midfield are the most important positions if you want to prevent getting scored on and play high up the pitch the way pochettino wants to play.

After tonight it’s 100% clear that poch definitely picked the starting 11 right to open the tournament against Paraguay. I feel really good about that lineup and it appears that’s what we will see on Wednesday now that pulisic is back.
 

Lorenzo

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germany and usa got punched in the mouth today - not by talent but by sheer determination pride and heart
I was impressed with a few of the turkey players. Great quality. And the centerback that pocketed Pepi was one of the best players on the pitch tonight. Pepi had a lot of menacing services that got erased by that guy. But make no mistake, that was USA’s B team out there. And I still thought for most of the 2nd half the USA looked more likely to score.
 

BooksOrangePlanet

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I was impressed with a few of the turkey players. Great quality. And the centerback that pocketed Pepi was one of the best players on the pitch tonight. Pepi had a lot of menacing services that got erased by that guy. But make no mistake, that was USA’s B team out there. And I still thought for most of the 2nd half the USA looked more likely to score.
they kinda manhandled pepi - wouldn't let him do his thing
 

FB94

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while the game itself didn’t matter, the overall look and feel of this game was poor. Defensively they were bad. Offensively average. Just didn’t see the fire in this team as before for majority of the game. I hope this is a wake up call going into win or go home mode that they cannot take anything for granted.
 

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