The Official US Soccer thread

[Zeno]

That was a tough and ugly win but we’ve seen in this tournament that the knockout rounds are not easy for a lot of the favorites.

That free kick by Tillman was just a thing of beauty.

 

[Stout]

Really proud of the boys. It would've been easy to go into a shell and just drop deep. They kept going at Bosnia with every chance they got, earned a free kick, and Tillman buried it.

Sucks that Balogun will miss the next game. This ref was shambolic. Bosnia commits 5 or 6 yellow card fouls? Nah, that's okay. Balogun accidentally commits a bad foul without possibly looking, that he could do nothing about? He didn't even signal for a yellow, but VAR stupidly intervenes and the ref doesn't have the guts to stick by his guns? Absolutely shambolic. Might cost us a win over Belgium.

Then again, Belgium are there for the taking. They aren't all that and a bucket of chicken. They're old and can't handle a swift press. Let's go all out at them.

 

[Adrian]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[cardpa]

I watched the Belgium/Senegal match and I truly believe that the US can play with them and beat them. Poor marking and lack of discipline on defense was the downfall of Senegal. When Senegal gave up that first goal they became very unorganized in the back and played like they were afraid to lose instead of taking control of the match. They didn't even work the ball to run time off the clock opting instead to commit balls forward giving Belgium more opportunities. The US will need to maintain shape defensively and Belgium is susceptible to speed in the opponent"s attack. Not having Balogun will hurt in that regard.

 

[Adrian]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Zeno]

That Balogun red card was a result of the consistent and over the top whining by the Bosnian manager for the entirety of the match. There is absolutely no other explanation for it. Can't cry over spilled milk, so we have no choice but accept it & move on.

I assume Pepi starts, I actually think Pepi has a higher work rate than Balogun but he lacks his pace, nose for the goal and overall skill so it is a loss.

It appears the rest of the starters came out the match healthy and probably are hitting their stride as far as chemistry and match fitness go.

My fear of lack of grit going in to this tournament seems to have been misplaced, last night showed it. I couldn't be prouder of these guys for how they are representing.

Oh, last night at work I met the officials from the Mexico/Ecuador match and the head of security for the entire tournament. They were really a pleasant bunch and down to earth. The security guy gave me a challenge coin for helping them out.

 

[cardpa]

That Balogun red card was a result of the consistent and over the top whining by the Bosnian manager for the entirety of the match. There is absolutely no other explanation for it. Can't cry over spilled milk, so we have no choice but accept it & move on.

I assume Pepi starts, I actually think Pepi has a higher work rate than Balogun but he lacks his pace, nose for the goal and overall skill so it is a loss.

It appears the rest of the starters came out the match healthy and probably are hitting their stride as far as chemistry and match fitness go.

My fear of lack of grit going in to this tournament seems to have been misplaced, last night showed it. I couldn't be prouder of these guys for how they are representing.

Oh, last night at work I met the officials from the Mexico/Ecuador match and the head of security for the entire tournament. They were really a pleasant bunch and down to earth. The security guy gave me a challenge coin for helping them out.

It would not surprise me if Pochettino moved Pulisic into Balogun's spot and started Reyna in Pulisic's spot. He has played Pulisic there before. The odds are Pepi starts but Pochettino may surprise us.
First order of business after the WC is getting Pochettino signed on for another four years. I think Pochettino is warming up to it based on his interaction with the fans and the players. Hell, he was even singing Country Roads after the match last night with the fans.

 

[Lorenzo]

It would not surprise me if Pochettino moved Pulisic into Balogun's spot and started Reyna in Pulisic's spot. He has played Pulisic there before. The odds are Pepi starts but Pochettino may surprise us.
First order of business after the WC is getting Pochettino signed on for another four years. I think Pochettino is warming up to it based on his interaction with the fans and the players. Hell, he was even singing Country Roads after the match last night with the fans.

that would be interesting. I think it is a possible look for them. I think starting out he will play Pepi in the #9 spot with Pulisic and Robinson on the left. If Pepi is not effective I would make a change. To be fair to Pepi, he has not had much opportunity with the preferred starting team (as the lone striker). in the friendly against Senegal Pepi looked really good with a lot of the preferred starters. Pepi was not nearly as effective against Australia playing a 4-4-2 and no Pulisic.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I assume Pepi starts, I actually think Pepi has a higher work rate than Balogun but he lacks his pace, nose for the goal and overall skill so it is a loss.

I don’t watch very much soccer, but I know Pepi is a shadow of Balogun.

And that’s trouble because if we’re being honest Balogun has been our only dangerous offensive player.

I hope we don’t look toothless against Belgium but I’m pretty concerned we might.

 

[ajcardfan]

I don’t watch very much soccer, but I know Pepi is a shadow of Balogun.

And that’s trouble because if we’re being honest Balogun has been our only dangerous offensive player.

I hope we don’t look toothless against Belgium but I’m pretty concerned we might.

I am actually not worried about it. This World Cup is already successful for the US IMO. We even have the excuse of "we got screwed by FIFA suspending our best player" and it would be true.

Not that we are going to tank and take that excuse. I know we will play extremely hard and that if we lose to Belgium it will not be an embarrassment.

Any game we play from here on out is more icing on the cake.

 

[Zeno]

It would not surprise me if Pochettino moved Pulisic into Balogun's spot and started Reyna in Pulisic's spot. He has played Pulisic there before. The odds are Pepi starts but Pochettino may surprise us.
First order of business after the WC is getting Pochettino signed on for another four years. I think Pochettino is warming up to it based on his interaction with the fans and the players. Hell, he was even singing Country Roads after the match last night with the fans.

I like this idea but maybe Berhalter for Reyna, I think Berhalters motor and toughness would be a perfect match for what we expect from the Belgians.

I am really hoping Berhalter gets a chance in the Championship after the tournament. He needs to move beyond MLS and I am not sure he is ready for Bundesliga, La Liga, Premiership play yet, a season of experience in the Championship would be great for him. Hell, get him to Wrexham LOL

 

[Adrian]

Joe Pompliano

@JoePompliano
·
31m


BREAKING: The USMNT's win against Bosnia-Herzegovina averaged 24.4 million viewers on Fox, peaking at 31.8 million.That makes it the most-watched soccer telecast in English-language U.S. history.

 

[Adrian]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Adrian]

DraftKings
@DraftKings
·
5h
USMNT World Cup Wins All-Time

1930 - 2
1934 - 0
1950 - 1
1990 - 0
1994 - 1
1998 - 0
2002 - 2
2006 - 0
2010 - 1
2014 - 1
2022 - 1
2026 - 3 (so far)

 

[cardpa]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

We need him for four more years.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I am actually not worried about it. This World Cup is already successful for the US IMO. We even have the excuse of "we got screwed by FIFA suspending our best player" and it would be true.

Not that we are going to tank and take that excuse. I know we will play extremely hard and that if we lose to Belgium it will not be an embarrassment.

Any game we play from here on out is more icing on the cake.

Hmmm… if you wanted to say the round of 16 was the minimum expectation I could go along with that.

True progress to me would be represented by a semi-final game however.

 

[ajcardfan]

Hmmm… if you wanted to say the round of 16 was the minimum expectation I could go along with that.

True progress to me would be represented by a semi-final game however.

Sure, I think the farther we go the better. And I do think we can beat Belgium.

But, the historical standards of US soccer are so low this tournament is already the best OVERALL result right now. Most wins in a World Cup ever. Won the group, clinched after 2 games. Second time to win a knockout stage game.

Personally, before it started I wasn't sure we would even advance out of the group. I thought Paraguay or Turkey was going to win it.

 

[Stout]

I am actually not worried about it. This World Cup is already successful for the US IMO. We even have the excuse of "we got screwed by FIFA suspending our best player" and it would be true.

Not that we are going to tank and take that excuse. I know we will play extremely hard and that if we lose to Belgium it will not be an embarrassment.

Any game we play from here on out is more icing on the cake.

It is not a success. Not remotely. We have only reached the round of 16. We kind of always do that and then flame out. To be successful, especially on home turf, we MUST win this game. They're being disingenuous with the whole "First knockout win since '02" bit. Yes, it's a knockout game, but we benefited from a far lesser opponent than you would have played in any other WC knockout game, and, again, it was the round of 32. Other WCs only had 32 total teams.

The WC will be a disappointment without a win v Belgium. Anything after THAT is gravy.

 

[Stout]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

I wonder why he's been dressing like a trucker?

 

[Stout]

DraftKings
@DraftKings
·
5h
USMNT World Cup Wins All-Time

1930 - 2
1934 - 0
1950 - 1
1990 - 0
1994 - 1
1998 - 0
2002 - 2
2006 - 0
2010 - 1
2014 - 1
2022 - 1
2026 - 3 (so far)

Pointless stat. It's skewed by an inflated team pool and a vastly inferior knockout opponent in Bosnia.

 

[Stout]

Hmmm… if you wanted to say the round of 16 was the minimum expectation I could go along with that.

True progress to me would be represented by a semi-final game however.

I won't go so far as to say we need to get to the semis to have made true progress. The quarters, or final 8, would be really good. Then again, it does only get us back to the same progress we made in '02. Gawd, has US Soccer as an overall program been a failure the last 25 years. Until now, maybe.

 

[Stout]

Sure, I think the farther we go the better. And I do think we can beat Belgium.

But, the historical standards of US soccer are so low this tournament is already the best OVERALL result right now. Most wins in a World Cup ever. Won the group, clinched after 2 games. Second time to win a knockout stage game.

Personally, before it started I wasn't sure we would even advance out of the group. I thought Paraguay or Turkey was going to win it.

Literally false. The clear best overall result was in '02 when making the quarters, or final 8. And, to be even sweeter, we got there with the OG Dos a Cero game.

I think maybe you're claiming this has been a great success for us already because you don't remember or haven't heard of the '02 run? I could understand that.

 

[Chaplin]

It is not a success. Not remotely. We have only reached the round of 16. We kind of always do that and then flame out. To be successful, especially on home turf, we MUST win this game. They're being disingenuous with the whole "First knockout win since '02" bit. Yes, it's a knockout game, but we benefited from a far lesser opponent than you would have played in any other WC knockout game, and, again, it was the round of 32. Other WCs only had 32 total teams.

The WC will be a disappointment without a win v Belgium. Anything after THAT is gravy.

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

 

[ajcardfan]

It is not a success. Not remotely. We have only reached the round of 16. We kind of always do that and then flame out. To be successful, especially on home turf, we MUST win this game. They're being disingenuous with the whole "First knockout win since '02" bit. Yes, it's a knockout game, but we benefited from a far lesser opponent than you would have played in any other WC knockout game, and, again, it was the round of 32. Other WCs only had 32 total teams.

The WC will be a disappointment without a win v Belgium. Anything after THAT is gravy.

Okay that is fine with me. I do think we can beat Belgium.

I won't be happy if we lose to Belgium. But I am not going to be devastated either. The future looks bright.

 

[Lorenzo]

The 02 team was good. They beat Portugal and Mexico. Their best game was probably against Germany but they lost. I still think that was also Mexico’s best team. I do think this team is better than the 02 team and by a fair amount. But they haven’t beaten a top side yet. If they do that against Belgium I will be happy.

I still think that people are trashing group D this year based on the fact that the USA won the group in 2 games. I’ll say it again. There were no minnows in group D. You can make the case that Bosnia is the worst we have faced so far. The game was only close because of the red card.