World Cup 2022

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

All to play for for the US. The one worry is Iran are very very disciplined and need only a draw. We lack finishers and Zimmerman looked shaky today, so I worry about missing chances and giving one up on the break.

[Samurai Bucky]

I only saw the second half of the game.  It appeared when somebody like Pulisic came to the top corner of the 18 yard box, ALL of the other forwards were coming towards him.  I would have liked to have seen them spread it out a little more and not bring their defenders over.  

Zimmerman almost cost the US the game... again!  That pass in his own zone at the end of the game was almost fatal.  Uggh!

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

TV ratings show 20 million for USA/England (Fox and Telemundo). That's what the NFL does weekly.

Not sure if that's impressive or not, honestly. The NFL is such a monster that it's nice to see soccer getting that number. On the other hand, that's like a Week 7 game for an event that comes once every four years, in a great time window (not up against football), on a holiday, against maybe the best opponent imaginable. So....

Should the US win, they'll go up against the Netherlands (probably) on Saturday, 9am, prior to CFB kickoffs. That number might tell us more...hope we get a chance to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brewcrew82]

This is it. Win or go home. I think they score early and then add one late for a 2-0 victory. Predicted goal scorers: Sargent and Pulisic. MotM: Tyler Adams (who else?). 

Interesting change in the starting lineup with CCV over Zimmerman. Zimmerman has been shakier than usual this World Cup, especially with his passing, so I can't say I'm opposed. Nice to have some more speed at center-back next to Ream, as well. Just hope CCV is up to the task.

This game will define the Berhalter era. Lose or draw and he's almost certainly canned and will remain the subject of mocking amongst the fanbase. Win and he probably still won't be re-upped, but his tenure will be looked at as a huge success given that he got us back to the World Cup and helped set a path for even greater success for this young generation heading into 2026. 

[Brewcrew82]

We're getting the chances. But we're gonna need to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net at some point. 

[Brewcrew82]

Someone please! Put it in the net!

[Brewcrew82]

Captain America!

[Fear The Chorizo]

 

Haven't seen anything proving that was offsides....should be 2-bagel at the half

[Brewcrew82]

5 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

 

Haven't seen anything proving that was offsides....should be 2-bagel at the half

He was just barely offsides. And I mean JUST BARELY.

[homer]

6 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

 

Haven't seen anything proving that was offsides....should be 2-bagel at the half

I guess this is offsides?

 

[wallus]

I am a very casual soccer fan (World Cup is about it). Why does the US not have any hispanic/latin players? This seems like a complete failure by those in charge. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

3 minutes ago, homer said:

I guess this is offsides?

 

To me that graphic shows on sides, but I don't know what portion of a bad defender's position dictates whether a streaking player is too good at getting open or not.

Would love to see how that gets pulled together so fast and how altering the contact of the pass by a 1000th of a second can shift the call to match the call on the field.

Why not have a replay that shows both the boot on the ball and where the players are at that exact moment picture in picture with a call?  Seems more logical for integrity of the game than magic leg healing spray to me.

[Fear The Chorizo]

7 minutes ago, wallus said:

I am a very casual soccer fan (World Cup is about it). Why does the US not have any hispanic/latin players? This seems like a complete failure by those in charge. 

This goes back to how the u.s. soccer program is run - the pool of potential talent is hamstrung in a big way by how youth soccer programs are organized - not to mention the fact it just isn't anywhere close to the primary sport for the best athletes in this country.

[homer]

Just now, Fear The Chorizo said:

This goes back to how the u.s. soccer program is run - the pool of potential talent is hamstrung in a big way by how youth soccer programs are organized - not to mention the fact it just isn't anywhere close to the primary sport for the best athletes in this country.

I've seen people say if we ran our programs like they do in Europe we'd be a powerhouse. 

[Brewcrew82]

17 minutes ago, wallus said:

I am a very casual soccer fan (World Cup is about it). Why does the US not have any hispanic/latin players? This seems like a complete failure by those in charge. 

They do have some. Jesus Ferreira, Cristian Roldan, Ricardo Pepi, etc. Problem is we have to compete with Mexico for these players as well since they tend to have dual eligibility. E.g. Julian Araujo, David Ochoa. 

[Brewcrew82]

Okay, we're going to need Gio Reyna in this game Gregg with Pulisic out. 

[wallus]

3 minutes ago, homer said:

I've seen people say if we ran our programs like they do in Europe we'd be a powerhouse. 

I don't really see a reason why we can't have all our players at least be Premier League quality

[wallus]

Power Plays would make soccer more interesting.

[Brewcrew82]

Mark Attanasio getting nervous with Josh Sargent down...

[Fear The Chorizo]

15 minutes ago, homer said:

I've seen people say if we ran our programs like they do in Europe we'd be a powerhouse. 

Imagine if the current group of nfl slot receivers and corners, NBA point guards, and mlb middle infielders all jumped into a time machine and went back to when they were 6 years old and drilled for 10 years straight under organized training to develop soccer skills.  Add in a year or two in Hollywood to develop acting/flopping and it wouldn't be a question of how good a US national team would be.

 

[Brewcrew82]

Well, looks like they're not going for the second goal with these last two subs. 

[Brewcrew82]

WOHHHHOOOOOOO!!!!!

[GAME05]

Good number of years ago now, but I've heard foreign players being thankful that the US has so many other sports or else nobody but the US would win any soccer matches.

 

[homer]

Pulisic is being taken to the hospital.

[OldHeidelberg]

4 minutes ago, homer said:

Pulisic is being taken to the hospital.

I was watching while working but he continued playing after that goal, right? I swore he was in when they had the 3 on 1 that Weah messed up the pass on. Tough break if he is out Saturday but still huge, if very stressful at the end, win for USMNT.