USMNT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

It's a friendly, it's not about the final score.
They were badly outplayed from start to finish, and seem incapable of any stretches of possession.
I was optimistic about this young group...really disappointed in these last two game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

[Anonymous]

And, amazingly, Kevin Lasagna is a real Italian soccer player, and not, as it sounds, a nickname of a New Jersey mobster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

So what, no one in their right minds think it should have turned out any different. The USMNT is not on that plane yet. This isn't a news flash, anyone who has followed international soccer for any length of time knows we are not on par to compete against any of the solid European or South American teams at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

So what, no one in their right minds think it should have turned out any different. The USMNT is not on that plane yet. This isn't a news flash, anyone who has followed international soccer for any length of time knows we are not on par to compete against any of the solid European or South American teams at this point.

No, we have every right to think the US should do better than 24% possession. This is a team filled with European based players, which we were always told would make things better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

So what, no one in their right minds think it should have turned out any different. The USMNT is not on that plane yet. This isn't a news flash, anyone who has followed international soccer for any length of time knows we are not on par to compete against any of the solid European or South American teams at this point.

No, we have every right to think the US should do better than 24% possession. This is a team filled with European based players, which we were always told would make things better.

Oh come off it already, it’s going to take time. This same argument over and over over the course of weeks doesn’t advance your case. You need to wait a few years before it has any merit. The old crew just went out a couple of months ago.

[Anonymous]

Every singly player on that team plays on a team that deals with possession better than they did the last two games.
This isn't a matter of player development any more, it's about team development and coaching, which we obviously have none of.

[Anonymous]

Takes time and a more permanent coach to develop that team. This group has had neither in the short period they’ve been together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takes time and a more permanent coach to develop that team. This group has had neither in the short period they’ve been together.

They had over a year to find and hire the permanent coach. Tata has not signed the contract with Mexico, Cherundolo says he is available, Tab Ramos is available too, and even Lopetegui could be an option. However, they will probably hire an MLS coach with slightly above 500 record so get ready for the next round of "we need more time" after the coach is hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takes time and a more permanent coach to develop that team. This group has had neither in the short period they’ve been together.

They had over a year to find and hire the permanent coach. Tata has not signed the contract with Mexico, Cherundolo says he is available, Tab Ramos is available too, and even Lopetegui could be an option. However, they will probably hire an MLS coach with slightly above 500 record so get ready for the next round of "we need more time" after the coach is hired.

1. The post was responding to the point made that they need team development. Hard to do that over a few months together without the new coach in place was the response. It had nothing to do with how long the search was taking.

2. Let’s see what happens, who is hired, how the players respond, and how the team develops before rendering final judgement. Unless they re-hire Arena, and then I’m completely with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

So what, no one in their right minds think it should have turned out any different. The USMNT is not on that plane yet. This isn't a news flash, anyone who has followed international soccer for any length of time knows we are not on par to compete against any of the solid European or South American teams at this point.

No, we have every right to think the US should do better than 24% possession. This is a team filled with European based players, which we were always told would make things better.

US soccer has and always will be kickball. We don’t have the coaching or scouts to make it anything else. The travel culture focuses on wins at the youngest ages which is achieved by kickball with the strongest pre-pubescent kids.

That’s not going to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:0-1 with the goal coming at the very end vs an experienced set of Italians for a bunch of young guys just starting at that level isn’t too shabby. Of course they have a long way to go and hopefully getting a permanent coach will help. But it could have been a lot worse.

That performance wasn't just shabby, it was abysmal. The GK did well, and we got lucky with some poor finishing by the Italians, but the reality is they completely dominated the game. We couldn't get close to them. Didn't look anywhere near their level.

We were out possessed 74% - 24%, outpassed 788 - 267, and outshot 17 - 3. Their passing accuracy was 88%. Ours was 67%.

Stats only tell part of the story though. The contrast between how comfortable the teams were when trying to play out of pressure was most striking. In fact, I don't even think it would be accurate to say we really ever did try to play out of pressure. Passing back to the keeper only for him to dump it long every time doesn't really count.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we play soccer like cowardly robots.

And that's the difference between analyzing the soccer game and analyzing the score line. We were played off the field in both games and were very lucky to not to be completely embarrassed, as we should have based on performance, by huge scores.

So what, no one in their right minds think it should have turned out any different. The USMNT is not on that plane yet. This isn't a news flash, anyone who has followed international soccer for any length of time knows we are not on par to compete against any of the solid European or South American teams at this point.

No, we have every right to think the US should do better than 24% possession. This is a team filled with European based players, which we were always told would make things better.

Oh come off it already, it’s going to take time. This same argument over and over over the course of weeks doesn’t advance your case. You need to wait a few years before it has any merit. The old crew just went out a couple of months ago.

Good point. I get so tired of hearing the same argument made over and over again. Like for example, "It's going to take time, ..."

We've been hearing that argument for the last 20 years. We aren't getting any closer. That's the problen.

[Anonymous]

Nothing you just wrote in the past two posts is any different than anything you have been saying on this forum for the past couple of months. You aren’t adding anything to the discussion.

You will not change minds and win your argument by posting the same crap ad nauseum. I and other sane people will wait to see how this shakes out, you can continue to bitch and moan about scouts and US Soccer. It’s really just pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing you just wrote in the past two posts is any different than anything you have been saying on this forum for the past couple of months. You aren’t adding anything to the discussion.

You will not change minds and win your argument by posting the same crap ad nauseum. I and other sane people will wait to see how this shakes out, you can continue to bitch and moan about scouts and US Soccer. It’s really just pathetic.

And nothing US soccer has been doing with the USNTs has been anything different.