The Official US Soccer thread

[MigratingOsprey]

With the expanded field and larger knockout pool you really can't benchmark to prior tournaments

It's difficult to say it's super diluted as the expanded and smaller teams have had some competitive moments, but really need to see who is standing going into the final 16 and see how what compares to prior 16s

I went back to all group stages since 2002. Not a single team with 3 points in the group stage made the knockouts. Every tournament there were teams with 4 points that didn't get through.

This year every team with 4 points made it and a pair of teams got through with 3 points

It's just not the same thing - will take a few more tournament cycles to really figure out what a new normal is, but expectation should 100% be to get out of the groups and getting to the round of 16 shouldn't be an amazing or unusual thing

The challenge is getting deeper into the tournament - this is where we get stuck

 

[Lorenzo]

With the expanded field and larger knockout pool you really can't benchmark to prior tournaments

It's difficult to say it's super diluted as the expanded and smaller teams have had some competitive moments, but really need to see who is standing going into the final 16 and see how what compares to prior 16s

I went back to all group stages since 2002. Not a single team with 3 points in the group stage made the knockouts. Every tournament there were teams with 4 points that didn't get through.

This year every team with 4 points made it and a pair of teams got through with 3 points

It's just not the same thing - will take a few more tournament cycles to really figure out what a new normal is, but expectation should 100% be to get out of the groups and getting to the round of 16 shouldn't be an amazing or unusual thing

The challenge is getting deeper into the tournament - this is where we get stuck

I agree about a lot of this. That said I am still using my eyes to judge the play of the U.S. team. They’ve done beyond what i expected them to do already on the pitch in the way that they have played. If we were one of the squads with 4 points struggling to score goals I would be more reserved in my opinion of this team. We also were not in a weak group. We just didn’t have a traditional power in our group. Some of the traditional powers got to play against a team like curaçao who would not have been here in the last format. All the teams in the USA group are traditionally in the top 32 format. And before we just completely disregard Bosnia, they beat Italy to get there. The only knock against this team is that they have not defeated a traditional power. And they have that chance now. I don’t see this as 2014 again. I see Belgium as a favorite, but I think the USA will beat them this time as opposed to hoping the last time. And if they do indeed beat Belgium the narrative will then shift to Belgium being old and the USA having home field advantage. So I do see the side where people feel the USA need to do something truly unprecedented to gain respect.

 

[Lorenzo]

One other thing to keep in mind. If Australia win today, all 3 group D knockout teams will be in the top 16, with one of the pre group D favorites already home. I get that it wouldn’t happen in the old format. But we aren’t in the old format. Why are we looking to the past to judge what is happening now? How do we keep calling it a weak group if that happens?

 

[cardpa]

The three host countries have all advanced to the final 16. After watching Belgium, I believe we can not only hang with them but beat them. I think it's possible it goes to PKs. I'm glad their match against Senegal went to extra time so it would have a little extra wear and tear on Belgium. I'm happy about making it to the final 16, but have to admit it would be a bit of a letdown if we can't get past Belgium. A final eight would be most satisfying.

 

[Chaplin]

The three host countries have all advanced to the final 16. After watching Belgium, I believe we can not only hang with them but beat them. I think it's possible it goes to PKs. I'm glad their match against Senegal went to extra time so it would have a little extra wear and tear on Belgium. I'm happy about making it to the final 16, but have to admit it would be a bit of a letdown if we can't get past Belgium. A final eight would be most satisfying.

Agree. Belgium is beatable. But Spain in the final eight? Probably a bridge too far, but that would be a fun game.

 

[Adrian]

Yahoo Sports


@YahooSports
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FIFA confirmed the one-game suspension of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun following his red card vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.Balogun is eligible to return to action in a potential quarterfinals match for USA if it advances vs. Belgium

 

[Adrian]

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[Crimson Warrior]

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It all goes right in the rubbish though if the Red Devils run us off the field.

Monday is a chance to capture the imagination of the entire country.

Please don’t blow it USMNT.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I agree about a lot of this. That said I am still using my eyes to judge the play of the U.S. team. They’ve done beyond what i expected them to do already on the pitch in the way that they have played. If we were one of the squads with 4 points struggling to score goals I would be more reserved in my opinion of this team. We also were not in a weak group. We just didn’t have a traditional power in our group. Some of the traditional powers got to play against a team like curaçao who would not have been here in the last format. All the teams in the USA group are traditionally in the top 32 format. And before we just completely disregard Bosnia, they beat Italy to get there. The only knock against this team is that they have not defeated a traditional power. And they have that chance now. I don’t see this as 2014 again. I see Belgium as a favorite, but I think the USA will beat them this time as opposed to hoping the last time. And if they do indeed beat Belgium the narrative will then shift to Belgium being old and the USA having home field advantage. So I do see the side where people feel the USA need to do something truly unprecedented to gain respect.

I agree with all of that

Was difficult to judge what this team had and one of my concerns over time is that the US doesn't pull enough of their top team together to build much going into big tournaments or see what they have

Some concerns about where goals come from are still there, especially with balogun out. Defensive depth questionable and sometimes unorganized.

However, the run in games had me feeling better and this team is coming together

I like how they look to probe forward instead of regroup back. They have some strength in the middle and versatility and are unlocking it by playing one touch, movement and using speed on the edges and cutting back in

I like it

I absolutely loved Tyler Adams last game and he's been good throughout

Dest needs to be involved - it has to be deliberate throughout the match, he's a problem going forward and manipulates space - if the US can mix it up, it's guy the best and I'm this role he's able to press and be athletic defending as well

Richards has really matured as a player in the past 18 months

This team also really seems to just be vibing right now - they are loose and are enjoying the moments

It's fun

 

[Stout]

We always do? We've won 3 games, which is the most we've ever won!

We always seem to make the round of 16. Not always--'98 and '06 stand out--but that has become the norm. Simply making the round of 16 is nothing earth shattering for this team.

 

[Stout]

Agree. Belgium is beatable. But Spain in the final eight? Probably a bridge too far, but that would be a fun game.

No one could throw stones at us for losing to Spain. It would be great to beat them, but yeah, no lol

 

[Lorenzo]

I agree with all of that

Was difficult to judge what this team had and one of my concerns over time is that the US doesn't pull enough of their top team together to build much going into big tournaments or see what they have

Some concerns about where goals come from are still there, especially with balogun out. Defensive depth questionable and sometimes unorganized.

However, the run in games had me feeling better and this team is coming together

I like how they look to probe forward instead of regroup back. They have some strength in the middle and versatility and are unlocking it by playing one touch, movement and using speed on the edges and cutting back in

I like it

I absolutely loved Tyler Adams last game and he's been good throughout

Dest needs to be involved - it has to be deliberate throughout the match, he's a problem going forward and manipulates space - if the US can mix it up, it's guy the best and I'm this role he's able to press and be athletic defending as well

Richards has really matured as a player in the past 18 months

This team also really seems to just be vibing right now - they are loose and are enjoying the moments

It's fun

I agree. Dest did draw the free kick for the second goal in the last game. But it did seem like he had a quiet game. I think a lot has to do with the red card. Without the send off that’s probably a 3 or 4-0 win. Robinson had a great defensive game. And freeman as well. The emergence of freeman allows Dest to be almost a full time attacking player. Then combine the trust that we have in the Richards and Ream pairing. All of our top 11 players are difficult to replace. But I feel Adams, Richards, Ream, and Robinson are the key guys that we can’t afford to lose. They are capable of holding the ball and preventing counterattacks when we press high up the pitch. Add freeman to that list. This is the way pochettino deployed Tottenham when they were very good from 2016-2019. But you have to have the right players to play that system. And this USA team has that combo of pace, quality on the ball, and physical toughness. The one thing we lack when you look at a France team, we don’t have a top 5 player in the world. But we have a really quality team that can win if they stay together.

 

[Lorenzo]

No one could throw stones at us for losing to Spain. It would be great to beat them, but yeah, no lol

A lot of us know that we aren’t good enough to look beyond any knockout game. And we definitely can’t look past Belgium. Old or not, they are a true test and this would be similar to our 2-0 win over Mexico which was somewhat of a stunner even with our history of beating Mexico. I don’t think we should also assume that Spain won’t be challenged either by whoever they play. Other than France I really don’t see any team that has that wow factor that will blow people away. I think England are in big trouble as well.

 

[ajcardfan]

We always seem to make the round of 16. Not always--'98 and '06 stand out--but that has become the norm. Simply making the round of 16 is nothing earth shattering for this team.

Come on, it's not exactly the same.

The other years were making the round of 16 by simply advancing out of the group. This year we actually had to win a knockout game to make the 16.

I expect us to win, and then the grumpy poos with their high expectations can be happy for 5 minutes. Human nature will take over again and if we lose in the round of 8, or 4, the words "choke" and "collapse" will come right back out.

Not addressed at you in particular Stout. But I don't see in our history a team that has played like this one has. And, no 02 was not better even though they did make it one more step. Actually, they did what this team did this year, won a knockout game. This year, this is one more hurdle to go all the way.

 

[ajcardfan]

I said the other day that we aren’t good enough to look beyond any knockout game. And we definitely can’t look past Belgium. Old or not, they are a true test and this would be similar to our 2-0 win over Mexico which was somewhat of a stunner even with our history of beating Mexico. I don’t think we should also assume that Spain won’t be challenged either by whoever they play. Other than France I really don’t see any team that has that wow factor that will blow people away. I think England are in big trouble as well.

It almost feels like Mexico-USA is fated. But that is insanely hopeful.

 

[Lorenzo]

It almost feels like Mexico-USA is fated. But that is insanely hopeful.

Oh yeah that would be awesome if it happened. Good lord. I haven’t even thought about that. Talk about a rivalry taken to a completely different level. If the game is not at azteca I feel like we would win by 2 goals. But yeah that’s pie in the sky hope at this point. I really hope England beats them, but other than France or Argentina, I’m not sure I’d pick anyone to beat Mexico in that stadium especially now that they are fully acclimated. That is a massive advantage and beyond an equalizer. You have to be extremely fit and have a lot of quality to beat Mexico there.

If Mexico keep winning I feel like they are going to lose their first game in the states lol.

 

[Stout]

Come on, it's not exactly the same.

The other years were making the round of 16 by simply advancing out of the group. This year we actually had to win a knockout game to make the 16.

I expect us to win, and then the grumpy poos with their high expectations can be happy for 5 minutes. Human nature will take over again and if we lose in the round of 8, or 4, the words "choke" and "collapse" will come right back out.

Not addressed at you in particular Stout. But I don't see in our history a team that has played like this one has. And, no 02 was not better even though they did make it one more step. Actually, they did what this team did this year, won a knockout game. This year, this is one more hurdle to go all the way.

Oh, '02 was indisputably better so far. You seem to think all knockouts are created equal. In '02 they beat a very good Mexico side. We just beat a Bosnia side that wouldn't have been in the tournament, let alone in the knockout rounds. Huge difference. I mean, we're not in the quarters yet and you're saying '02 wasn't better even though they made the quarters? And came within a whisker of making the semis? That's just madness.

Of course I'm thrilled with how we've done thus far. I especially love how we ground out the last win after the red card. Bosnia or not, that showed guts. Slapping Paraguay down like that rocked. Bossing the Aussies in the first half did too. I think we have every chance of beating Belgium. If we can manage that, I will certainly give the nod to this team over '02, unless they get humiliated in the quarters.

 

[ajcardfan]

Oh, '02 was indisputably better so far. You seem to think all knockouts are created equal. In '02 they beat a very good Mexico side. We just beat a Bosnia side that wouldn't have been in the tournament, let alone in the knockout rounds. Huge difference. I mean, we're not in the quarters yet and you're saying '02 wasn't better even though they made the quarters? And came within a whisker of making the semis? That's just madness.

Of course I'm thrilled with how we've done thus far. I especially love how we ground out the last win after the red card. Bosnia or not, that showed guts. Slapping Paraguay down like that rocked. Bossing the Aussies in the first half did too. I think we have every chance of beating Belgium. If we can manage that, I will certainly give the nod to this team over '02, unless they get humiliated in the quarters.

02 was what really got me into following National Team soccer, so I of course loved that team and beating Mexico. For a single GAME, undoubtedly the best in my memory of American soccer.

But I struggle to see how that team out achieved this one in the group stage +1 to get to the same spot. I just seen a LOT better play, overall, from this squad. For example, when Balogun got his red card the entire rest of the game was probably the best display of passing I have ever seen from an American team. There were almost no turnovers, unforced errors.

Now, if Belgium beats us 4 to 1 that would be a downer for sure. And we could revisit the overall tournament for the US.

As far as Bosnia being a crap opponent, I think this round of 32 (which supposedly was going to be watered down with a lot of blowouts) shows there are no bad teams or bad wins in this round this year. Germany and the Nederlands are home. Argentina hung on for dear life against Cape Verde who Bosnia would have been favored against. Yeah, we are not at such an elite level we should, as FANS, turn our nose up at any win.

 

[cardpa]

Breaking News, FIFA has suspended Balogun's red card and he will be able to play tomorrow against Belgium. Am I happy he gets to play, Yes. Do I think the decision is ********, absolutely.

 

[Zeno]

The Belgians are pissed. The red card should never have happened but I can’t think of an instance of overturning a suspension in a major tournament like this before. Guess we got some “home cooking”

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

The Belgians are pissed. The red card should never have happened but I can’t think of an instance of overturning a suspension in a major tournament like this before. Guess we got some “home cooking”

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[BooksOrangePlanet]

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[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

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[cardpa]

The Belgians are pissed. The red card should never have happened but I can’t think of an instance of overturning a suspension in a major tournament like this before. Guess we got some “home cooking”

If I were the Belgium, I would be pissed too.