The Official US Soccer thread

[dreamcastrocks]

I am content with this group. Let's get Scotland in!

Same. Unlike the group of death from 2014. US should be favored to get out of his group.

 

[Chaplin]

I honestly don't think there is a Group of Death this year. Competitive, yes, but maybe Group H and Group E would qualify, especially if Costa Rica beats New Zealand.

 

[gmabel830]

I honestly don't think there is a Group of Death this year. Competitive, yes, but maybe Group H and Group E would qualify, especially if Costa Rica beats New Zealand.

Agree.. some have a strong 1-2 punch, but none where you look and go “dang, can’t believe one of those teams won’t make it through!”

 

[Ronin]

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[cardpa]

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That was a disappointment, how many different ways could these people ask the same or similar questions. You could even tell by Pulisic's answers that he was wondering good God it's the same question in a different form.

 

[cardpa]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/grading-berhalter-and-the-usmnt-world-cup-qualifying-campaign

I thought this was a pretty interesting and pretty accurate article.

 

[Ronin]

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[Zeno]

Nations League stuff is pretty blah, hard to get excited playing El Salvador and Grenada.

I just wish we could do away with this crap and have an "Americas Tournament"--South-Central-North that actually counted for something.

 

[Ronin]

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[Stout]

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Much better tune-up games.

 

[cardpa]

I think they need to be playing two friendlies a month up to the WC. They really need to get their cohesiveness down better.

 

[Zeno]

They normally do a farewell series prior to the WC, I am sure we will see some of the "just missed qualifying" teams on one of those. Hopefully we see Italy, that would be a good challenge...maybe add what teams don't qualify from the Ukraine-Wales-Scotland eliminators.

 

[cardpa]

They normally do a farewell series prior to the WC, I am sure we will see some of the "just missed qualifying" teams on one of those. Hopefully we see Italy, that would be a good challenge...maybe add what teams don't qualify from the Ukraine-Wales-Scotland eliminators.

I think between now and November they need to play at least 3-4 friendlies against WC qualifiers each different in how they play so they can get a taste of what they may face down the road. I wouldn't want any cupcakes between now and then.

 

[Ronin]

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[cardpa]

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McKennie is worth more and I think Zimmerman is worth more.

 

[Lorenzo]

McKennie is worth more and I think Zimmerman is worth more.

Zimmerman for sure seems like a great value to this team. I wonder if Brooks will have a place in the squad.

 

[Lorenzo]

It's not an impossible group for the US to get out of. You never know what England team will show up in tournaments--they were stacked when we played them in South Africa and we still managed a draw and the US should be favored in the other 2 matches (regardless of who wins the Euro playoff). The U S has the talent, the only thing holding them back is the manager.

England have so much pressure on them heading into this World Cup and the draw won't do them any favors regarding the amount of expectation that will be on them to win every match in the group stage. England vs Scotland (or Wales) would be epic. I think this is a tricky draw for both England and the USA..I doubt England would want to face Scotland or Wales. From what a lot of people are saying about Iran...they are pretty good as well. I think it will be tough to get out of this group, but feasible for this team if they can get healthy, hate to see Reyna injured again.

 

[cardpa]

England have so much pressure on them heading into this World Cup and the draw won't do them any favors regarding the amount of expectation that will be on them to win every match in the group stage. England vs Scotland (or Wales) would be epic. I think this is a tricky draw for both England and the USA..I doubt England would want to face Scotland or Wales. From what a lot of people are saying about Iran...they are pretty good as well. I think it will be tough to get out of this group, but feasible for this team if they can get healthy, hate to see Reyna injured again.

I don't see Iran as a pushover by any means. As for Reyna.

https://sports.yahoo.com/usmnt-dortmund-star-gio-reyna-191706430.html

 

[Ronin]

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[Stout]

Dear lord, Steffan's antics in the FA cup are inexcusable. His lazy, lackadaisical approach is not for me. Never want to see him between the sticks for the U.S. ever again.

 

[gmabel830]

Dear lord, Steffan's antics in the FA cup are inexcusable. His lazy, lackadaisical approach is not for me. Never want to see him between the sticks for the U.S. ever again.

Yeah that was BAD

 

[cardpa]

Dear lord, Steffan's antics in the FA cup are inexcusable. His lazy, lackadaisical approach is not for me. Never want to see him between the sticks for the U.S. ever again.

Not only should he be released immediately from the team and banished forthwith but the goalie coach should also be fired. If Berhalter brings him back Berhalter should be fired.

 

[cardpa]

An interesting article about Steffen's stiff game and the potential lack of playing time for both US goalkeepers going into the WC.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ne...smnt-goalkeeping-dilemma-for-gregg-berhalter/

 

[Zeno]

This is the danger of sending one of our GK's to a team in Europe to ride the bench. Much rather have a guy getting regular playing time in MLS than riding the bench in Europe for "practice reps".

 

[Lorenzo]

I don't see Iran as a pushover by any means. As for Reyna.

https://sports.yahoo.com/usmnt-dortmund-star-gio-reyna-191706430.html

I agree about Iran. I would probably rather face Scotland as opposed to Wales or Ukraine, but IDK. that really stinks about Reyna, obviously he wasn't fully fit in this last window, or he was and Berhalter was being conservative, but he looked really good when he was on the ball. Obviously hoping that he makes a full recovery in time for the World Cup, I guess we really lucked out that it is in the winter this time. certainly will be difficult for him to make it back.