The Official US Soccer thread

[Lorenzo]

Ertz is playing out of position. She is normally the defensive mid and the dumb arse coach has her playing as a center back. I watched half of the Portugal game and there was no build up through the mid, just direct balls up the flanks. Morgan has been stinking the entire pitch up and should be benched. When one of your right outside backs (Dunn) has more touches than anyone else for the game it means your mid is failing big time. Fox looks clueless and Smith apparently has gone AWOL as she has done nothing since the Vietnam game.

Andonovski must think he only has a couple players on the bench with the way he is using it. Why O'Hara isn't being utilized is beyond my comprehension. Now, they lose Lavelle for the next game due to card accumulation and they in all probability will play Sweden. By all rights they should have been boarding a plane home today, not moving out of their group. Lady luck smiled upon them last night as that shot banged off the right post for Portugal. A few inches to the left and that ball is in the net and it would have been game over.

Dunn, Morgan and Rapinoe dancing and smiling post match and Smith taking selfies with the fans was too much for Carli Lloyd.

Lloyd quote: “There’s a difference in being respectful to the fans and saying hello to your family,” Lloyd said on the FOX postgame show. “But to be dancing? To be smiling? The player of the match was that post.” "(They're) lucky to not be going home right now."

I fully expect a 3/4-0 game in Sweden's favor come Sunday. If things go really bad it could end up being a five to seven goal performance by Sweden.

Is it just me or does Carli Lloyd seem to have old woman syndrome? It feels like she has been salty for a long time, even when she was still playing in 2019 and not being a featured player. I hope that Alexi Lalas is not influencing her because his analysis is trash IMO.

I don't think it has anything to do with effort or passion. I think there are some issues with team chemistry. they seem to be struggling to connect more than just a few passes together. and even when they finally seemed to break Portugal down as Portugal's legs were tired, it felt like the USA women could not connect on basic passing in the final third.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Yeah, Lloyd comes off really bitter - to the point where Lalas was trying to reign her in a little, like "I'm performative in my outage, this is a bit much"

I agree about the chemistry.

Maybe slow because they don't know where the runs are coming from, etc.

I think Horan had really been the only one consistently decisive in attack.

I think they are talented enough they can play possession, but shaky enough and without much organization or trust that they really don't threaten and are open for s quick counter or a turnover when playing back and then the game is over

 

[Yuma]

Horan has been under rated. She has been one of our best players. We need others to step it up like her.

 

[Lorenzo]

Rose Lavelle will be out of the next game because of yellow card accumulation. She is not 100% but she is the best attacking player that the team has. If they win the next game without her then they have a chance to go far.

 

[Lorenzo]

Well the USA are out. Inability to score goals is their problem. It’s weird seeing so many people, mostly dudes, take shots at them on social media.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Well the USA are out. Inability to score goals is their problem. It’s weird seeing so many people, mostly dudes, take shots at them on social media.

Yeah, they've been a lightning rod for a while - fairly pathetic in the comment sections

Rough way to go out.

They played a good game against a really good opponent. They had the run of play and better chances.

Some the Sweden goalkeeper did very well with, others the US could have been a bit more clinical

By far their best showing, but if you can't get s single goal in over 120 minutes then you can't complain about dealing with PKs

Even then the US just missing target 3 times - twice to essentially seal the deal

Then just really bad fortune on the ball just sneaking over the line on the continued action after a pretty good block

It's like that sometimes

There is no reason they couldn't have come out like this in group play though.

Coaching needs to change.

 

[cardpa]

Finishing, finishing, finishing, something the USWNT failed to do. The Sweden game was their best effort of the WC yet when you can't finish, you run the risk they did. You don't place a 22 year old in her first WC in the fifth position for PKs. Terrible decision by the coach. If anything she should have been the first or second shooter.

 

[gmabel830]

At least they went out playing much better than in the group stage, but a just result all things considered.

 

[Yuma]

Well the USA are out. Inability to score goals is their problem. It’s weird seeing so many people, mostly dudes, take shots at them on social media.

All the guys that don't like to watch chick sports.

 

[Dr. Jones]

The #1 team lost to the #3 team in the world on PK's. There will be bigger upsets in the next few rounds I bet as the Japanese look great and are pretty much a home team in that hemisphere.

With that being said, i predicted a loss to my friends as I saw no way the Lady Yanks get past the Swedes without Rose. In the end they did better than I expected in the game and probably should have won. Regardless of the three PK chokes.

And no way the Yanks win with the "vibes" they have had the past few months. This team was just not good enough, especially without Rose IMO.

The past generation was much better and what is left is old and past their prime from a fitness standpoint. We may not win for another cycle or two. But should always do better than an exit in the round of 16. The skip must go IMO.

 

[Yuma]

The #1 team lost to the #3 team in the world on PK's. There will be bigger upsets in the next few rounds I bet as the Japanese look great and are pretty much a home team in that hemisphere.

With that being said, i predicted a loss to my friends as I saw no way the Lady Yanks get past the Swedes without Rose. In the end they did better than I expected in the game and probably should have won. Regardless of the three PK chokes.

And no way the Yanks win with the "vibes" they have had the past few months. This team was just not good enough, especially without Rose IMO.

The past generation was much better and what is left is old and past their prime from a fitness standpoint. We may not win for another cycle or two. But should always do better than an exit in the round of 16. The skip must go IMO.

I can see us rebounding right away, IF we do have new younger players join the club AND the skip goes, too!

 

[Dr. Jones]

I can see us rebounding right away, IF we do have new younger players join the club AND the skip goes, too!

Maybe. But if Rodman represents the best striker of that group, we may be in for some trouble. Our midfield is not good enough. Rose aside, the invention is just missing. And the moxy of Pino and Wambach is so hard to match. Pino was a shell of herself in this cup. She probably should have stayed on the bench in that Sweden game.

Ertz may unretire but also may not. At 31 that hurts. Horan will be older at the next cup (32) than Ertz is now (31). Lavelle will be 31 or 32 at the next one also. And Naehler is done too probably at 35. Our keepers may need some work. And no one younger than Lavelle really did anything worth noting in the past few months. Maybe Smith & Sullivan?

Not sure how the 16 year olds look but that's the squad 18 through 28 till you get to Rose.

 

[gmabel830]

Matt Turner off to Nottingham Forest, which means Ethan Horvath likely off to somewhere else.

 

[Yuma]

Maybe. But if Rodman represents the best striker of that group, we may be in for some trouble. Our midfield is not good enough. Rose aside, the invention is just missing. And the moxy of Pino and Wambach is so hard to match. Pino was a shell of herself in this cup. She probably should have stayed on the bench in that Sweden game.

Ertz may unretire but also may not. At 31 that hurts. Horan will be older at the next cup (32) than Ertz is now (31). Lavelle will be 31 or 32 at the next one also. And Naehler is done too probably at 35. Our keepers may need some work. And no one younger than Lavelle really did anything worth noting in the past few months. Maybe Smith & Sullivan?

Not sure how the 16 year olds look but that's the squad 18 through 28 till you get to Rose.

We have enough players in the Women's Premier League and NWSL that we should have a good pipeline of players. There will be a lot of controversy going younger unless some of our current players retire.

 

[Stout]

Now I must root against Tyler Adams, as he is joining Chelski.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Now I must root against Tyler Adams, as he is joining Chelski.

Can't believe Liverpool didn't get involved, outside of his injury issues.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Can't believe Liverpool didn't get involved, outside of his injury issues.

I think that's why.

 

[cardpa]

Maybe. But if Rodman represents the best striker of that group, we may be in for some trouble. Our midfield is not good enough. Rose aside, the invention is just missing. And the moxy of Pino and Wambach is so hard to match. Pino was a shell of herself in this cup. She probably should have stayed on the bench in that Sweden game.

Ertz may unretire but also may not. At 31 that hurts. Horan will be older at the next cup (32) than Ertz is now (31). Lavelle will be 31 or 32 at the next one also. And Naehler is done too probably at 35. Our keepers may need some work. And no one younger than Lavelle really did anything worth noting in the past few months. Maybe Smith & Sullivan?

Not sure how the 16 year olds look but that's the squad 18 through 28 till you get to Rose.

The Athletic had an interesting article. Apparently there were 54 women who were born in the US that are playing/played for other nations in this WC. I guess the question is were none of these women good enough to make the US roster or were they never given a chance to compete for a roster spot. For those of you who have access to The Athletic here is the link.

https://theathletic.com/4760864/202...yers/?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=7412546

 

[MigratingOsprey]

The Athletic had an interesting article. Apparently there were 54 women who were born in the US that are playing/played for other nations in this WC. I guess the question is were none of these women good enough to make the US roster or were they never given a chance to compete for a roster spot. For those of you who have access to The Athletic here is the link.

https://theathletic.com/4760864/202...yers/?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=7412546

Mostly, no - they weren't.

The Philippines national team is pretty much all US born. They've setup an infrastructure and pipeline out of California for a long time and now have some investors bringing it together.

You do have some true "dual nationals" with options where maybe they felt a stronger attachment or clearer path in another federation, but not sure they've given up a lock in the top 11

I can see it impacting depth, camp competition, etc

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I think that's why.

I'm incredibly disappointed at the glacial pace at finding a real #6 and a starting quality CB. I can't believe those needs weren't addressed weeks ago, when players would have a chance to develop familiarity.

FSG better pull something out of their pocket, or people will be rightfully pissed. (Caicedo?!?)

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm incredibly disappointed at the glacial pace at finding a real #6 and a starting quality CB. I can't believe those needs weren't addressed weeks ago, when players would have a chance to develop familiarity.

FSG better pull something out of their pocket, or people will be rightfully pissed. (Caicedo?!?)

No way they pay the price for Caicedo. Pretty sure they are going to cave and spend the 50M on Romeo Lavia, but he is a potential player being only 19 with 1500 premier league experience under his belt. Hard to plan for your captain bolting for Saudi, considering how vital he has been. Fabinho, maybe. Hard to plan for one but not both.

Since they both left within a week or each other, other teams know that we are desperate and makes Liverpool's negotiations more difficult.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

No way they pay the price for Caicedo. Pretty sure they are going to cave and spend the 50M on Romeo Lavia, but he is a potential player being only 19 with 1500 premier league experience under his belt. Hard to plan for your captain bolting for Saudi, considering how vital he has been. Fabinho, maybe. Hard to plan for one but not both.

Since they both left within a week or each other, other teams know that we are desperate and makes Liverpool's negotiations more difficult.

Apparently not too difficult!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Apparently not too difficult!

Wow. This move reeks of desperation and I don't like it. He isn't worth 70M, let alone 110M! 75M for Van Dijk, 110M for Caiceido?

Liverpool balk at paying the 55M for Lavia, but pay double for a player that's older. (albeit better)

You do a move like this, if you think you have a chance to win the title. This move doesn't move the needle much IMO. It is still a top 4 target for Liverpool. I'd feel better about our chances to compete for a title if we signed 3 35M midfielders, vs 1 at 110M.

 

[gmabel830]

Wow. This move reeks of desperation and I don't like it. He isn't worth 70M, let alone 110M! 75M for Van Dijk, 110M for Caiceido?

Liverpool balk at paying the 55M for Lavia, but pay double for a player that's older. (albeit better)

You do a move like this, if you think you have a chance to win the title. This move doesn't move the needle much IMO. It is still a top 4 target for Liverpool. I'd feel better about our chances to compete for a title if we signed 3 35M midfielders, vs 1 at 110M.

Caciedo is a really great player that is still very young. Of course it’s a lot easier for Brighton to say that acquiring him for next to nothing.. expectations on him will be massive now.

Brighton come off looking really smart in this one too, as we repeatedly rejected Chelsea offers with a reported £100M asking price that everyone thought was insane. By the time they offered what we reportedly wanted, Liverpool swooped in with an even higher bid.

Brighton are trying to sign Mohammed Kudus of Ajax, but he is balking. He’s not a direct Caciedo replacement but would soften the blow. Or we could go get someone like Lavia for like half the price and still put away tens of millions of quid. I was listening to a BHA Podcast last night, and they suggested that since we have a plethora of quality young attackers now (which would be bolstered by adding Kudus) they wouldn’t be surprised if both Adam Lallana and James Milner feature prominently in the midfield as savvy vets to keep things organized. Risky strategy, but this team has made all the right moves recently.

Edit: Looks like Kudus move is increasingly unlikely to happen and there’s Chelsea/Arsenal buzz now. Brighton are sure to spend some of that coin, with RB and defensive depth in general the priority.

 

[gmabel830]

Wow. This move reeks of desperation and I don't like it. He isn't worth 70M, let alone 110M! 75M for Van Dijk, 110M for Caiceido?

The money in soccer has gotten ridiculous - comparing the value of past fees to current ones will just drive you insane. It’s like balking at a $750k house because it was only worth $400k five years ago. Market has changed and you very well might be waiting forever to find that house at $400k again.

I don’t think it’s a desperation move at all, but I do think he’ll have a tough time living up to what will probably end up being unrealistic expectations. Even after record after record of club selling fees, Brighton fans have seen Caciedo as the biggest one coming for awhile.