USMNT - 2026 Cycle - "Early Days"

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 12:35 pm

Does a pressing style fit the USMNT? Because Bielsa likes to press and play in the opponents half of the field. He's Rick Patino. He's the opposite of Mourinho who only sits back and counter attacks. So is the US team fit enough?

When Bielsa coached Argentina in 2002, they weren't fit enough to press. Long European season combined with an early World Cup in Japan, it started May 31.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 1:05 pm

Don't know much about bielsa but I'd say yes they want to pressure. I don't personally prefer that but I'd say more us teams at any/every level prefer high pressure so its in the DNA of your talent base. Just not sure it works consistently at the top level. Even if it does it's hard to count on that to deliver chances when you need them. And yeah you better be committed but i don't think they have commit like that anymore. They've got enough guys elsewhere and from elsewhere that they don't have to go all in on a style. But it does fit.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 1:29 pm

Would seem they have the guys up front to do it but wouldn’t we need CBs that are waaaaaaay more … skilled/mobile?

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 2:05 pm

Long way off. I'd think the style would hide a lack of skill/possession/awareness but requires backs that can win long balls and track down runners. Those are standard skills in the us

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:16 pm

Is it a drastically different skillset than how City requires a need to be able to pass and recover in space? Because I’m picturing Zimmermann and it seems a lot more like Otamendi nightmares against the counter than anything positive.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 7:01 pm

I would think Bielsa Ball would have been much better suited for late 90s USMNT. They weren't as technically skilled, but had better fitness and worked harder than any other country. Our current pool has so much talent, it'd be a waste to play a high press rather than more of a possession game and win off creativity and skill.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 8:03 pm

That's selling the athleticism and tenacity of this generation short. You have to be able to press. Its not all mentality and togetherness. That half a step is a big deal in closing down space. And they're very definitely second best globally in terms of skill and awareness. Competent but not dominant on the ball. Ability and willingness to pressure could be what closes the gap.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:25 am

HaulCitgo wrote: ↑Sun Jan 29, 2023 8:03 pm That's selling the athleticism and tenacity of this generation short. You have to be able to press. Its not all mentality and togetherness. That half a step is a big deal in closing down space. And they're very definitely second best globally in terms of skill and awareness. Competent but not dominant on the ball. Ability and willingness to pressure could be what closes the gap.

I think you are selling their skills and awareness short. I know they are capable of playing the press game, but I don’t think they need to. We have Weah, Gio, Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Aaronson, Musah, Dest, Robinson … all highly intelligent, technically skilled players. I’d much rather have them on the ball dictating play than running around chasing. Especially in a WC or Copa, when you are playing as many as 8 games in a short window. They will be exhausted by the end of the group stage playing a full press.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:45 am

Point was more the 90s teams couldn't have pressed if they wanted to. And we just saw the us try to out play the Dutch. Went poorly. They lack top level quality and competent depth to dictate play against the top 20 or so. Not sure they could even pull that off on the road in concacaf. Maybe in 4 years? Aaronson is born to press and at least 3-4 of those guys are better running at you with the ball than trying to keep it. I'd say none are holding or playmaker types. They all want to get up and down to varying degrees.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 12:37 pm

If your argument is that we were sitting back against the Dutch when we should've pressed then I'd encourage you to go rewatch the first goal they scored.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 1:17 pm

That they tried to play and didnt sit back.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 1:42 pm

HaulCitgo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 1:17 pm That they tried to play and didnt sit back.

Yep, Dutch sat back and struck on the counter. Our boys were exhausted and fell into their trap. And when it was obvious that's what they were doing, GGG failed to make a change and we were torn apart.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:39 pm

Which why it's very frustrating hearing all these guys departing singing the praises of the program (and by extension GGG) for a "successful" run at the WC.

Barely getting out of the group stage and getting absolutely smoked in the next round is a C+/B-. In the moment, it felt great to escape the group. And there's no big shame in losing to Holland. BUT... he ran the midfield into the ground in the group stages, he inexplicably left one of the most talented young players at the tournament on the bench for most of the run, and he got absolutely out-coached in the final game.

The idea that this guy is the best we can do is nauseating.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:31 pm

BTW, McKennie to Leeds is official. Season-long loan with an option for them to buy at the end.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:50 am

Reports are John Herdman has left Canada to coach New Zealand. So Canada is now in the same boat as the US looking for a coach. In fact, all three 2026 Co hosts have vacancies.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Wed Feb 01, 2023 12:51 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:50 am Reports are John Herdman has left Canada to coach New Zealand. So Canada is now in the same boat as the US looking for a coach. In fact, all three 2026 Co hosts have vacancies.

I bequeth you Berhalter. Enjoy.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:18 pm

Sounds like lots of live international soccer to be had in 24, 25, 26. Gold cup with euro invitations and the south American tournament

Https://www.google.com/amp/s/worldsocce ... 18340.html

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 11:43 am

Oooh. I like that for the Gold Cup.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 12:20 pm

Klopp for US national team coach. We can manifest this. Let's try.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 7:30 pm

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:13 pm

U17 Concacaf championships are going on (FS1 and FS2 have the games)

US of A is 2-0
Great White North is 2-0
El Tri is 2-0
Panama 2-0

A win or draw v Canada sets up a game against Dominican Republic. Else they likely get Haiti or Suriname in the round of 16.

This is a very complicated qualification. 4 teams qualified straight to the bracket round from a separate tournament involving places that you go to vacation or do offshore banking.

Make the semifinals and you get a U-17 World Cup slot.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:22 pm

I missed this yesterday - hope?

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:03 pm

Saw that, and I don't know how much I'd want that.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:12 am

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:03 pm Saw that, and I don't know how much I'd want that.

As an Arsenal fan who started following the team right as Henry came into his own (and someone who went to several Red Bulls games to see him play), I am sort of excited, but I don't have much confidence in his ability as a manager. I know he was supposedly a disaster in a short stint at Monaco and I think he coached in MLS as well as being assistant coach to Martinez at Belgium, but I'm skeptical. OTOH, he lived in the US for long enough to understand the culture and he is really good as an analyst and players would have to respect the fuck out of him... I don't know. I get excited and nervous about every prospective hire every cycle because it's such an enormous decisions.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 12:28 pm

12-19-4 with the Impact for 15 months

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sat Feb 18, 2023 6:38 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:13 pm U17 Concacaf championships are going on (FS1 and FS2 have the games)

US of A is 2-0
Great White North is 2-0
El Tri is 2-0
Panama 2-0

A win or draw v Canada sets up a game against Dominican Republic. Else they likely get Haiti or Suriname in the round of 16.

This is a very complicated qualification. 4 teams qualified straight to the bracket round from a separate tournament involving places that you go to vacation or do offshore banking.

Make the semifinals and you get a U-17 World Cup slot.

75 minutes in and USA up 5-0 over Dominican Republic. Get Jamaica or Guatemala for a trip to the U17 WC (and the concacaf semis).

Cruz Medina (San Jose) has been very good at this tournament. He is US and Mexico eligible.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sat Feb 18, 2023 6:38 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:13 pm U17 Concacaf championships are going on (FS1 and FS2 have the games)

US of A is 2-0
Great White North is 2-0
El Tri is 2-0
Panama 2-0

A win or draw v Canada sets up a game against Dominican Republic. Else they likely get Haiti or Suriname in the round of 16.

This is a very complicated qualification. 4 teams qualified straight to the bracket round from a separate tournament involving places that you go to vacation or do offshore banking.

Make the semifinals and you get a U-17 World Cup slot.

75 minutes in and USA up 5-0 over Dominican Republic. Get Jamaica or Guatemala for a trip to the U17 WC (and the concacaf semis).

Cruz Medina (San Jose) has been very good at this tournament. He is US and Mexico eligible.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 12:22 pm

US - Guat is tonight at 8pm.

La Azul y Blanca were a bit underwhelming in the group stage, having lost to Panama and Mexico before thumping Curacao 8-3. They proceeded to take down Jamaica 2-1 to set up today's match.

With the way the US is playing, I would expect a highly physical match as Guatemala try to slow down a blistering US attack. Should also be noted, this tournament is in Guatemala.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:01 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Feb 21, 2023 12:22 pm US - Guat is tonight at 8pm.

La Azul y Blanca were a bit underwhelming in the group stage, having lost to Panama and Mexico before thumping Curacao 8-3. They proceeded to take down Jamaica 2-1 to set up today's match.

With the way the US is playing, I would expect a highly physical match as Guatemala try to slow down a blistering US attack. Should also be noted, this tournament is in Guatemala.

fs2...tonight..Mexico is on right now.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 8:12 pm

US up quickly on a bad turnover in the back. Also Guat is going ot have to make a change as a big collision results in what looks like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 9:33 pm

Not sure about the pk to make it 2-1, but 4-3 with 15! Minutes to play. Getting a bit squeaky bum for the us

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 10:43 pm

They made it. If this was in Guatemala, I hesitate to ask where the World Cup will be

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 6:56 am

Rex wrote: ↑Tue Feb 21, 2023 10:43 pm They made it. If this was in Guatemala, I hesitate to ask where the World Cup will be

Peru

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 10:03 pm

Cubbies beat Canada 2-0 to make it to the final against Mejico on Sunday.

(Incidentally, Puerto Rico beat Costa Rico. who CAN then beat to get the WC slot... That's a pretty crazy upset.)

US bossed the first half, CAN came out a little more desperate in the 2nd, but I honestly don't remember them really threatening to score. There was one point where a CAN player got the ball with oodles of time and space on the right side, but he did the classic dither thing and it came to nothing.

First US goal came off a sick set piece strike. Second goal came at the very end, but it put that dude (Figueroa) tied for golden boot. That guy has a future, in addition to wlu-mentioned Medina. Knack for the goal that you can't coach.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 6:06 pm

El Mini Clasico kicks off at 8p on FS2 tonight.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:42 pm

My.tv say Mexican Priemera Division. My tv is showing Nascar from Fontana.

But US down 1-0...so maybe just flip to FS1 for the Sounders

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:57 pm

Yeah, I got that off of the ussoccer website. Obviously wrong.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:12 pm

it was right -- the race was supposed to be saturday but got rained out

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:53 pm

FIFA finally officially announced that that USA, Mexico and Canada have automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Woohoo!

With that done, the format for the remaining 32 CONCACAF teams has been announced. 3 automatic spots plus 2 playoff spots.

First Round. The bottom 4 teams (29-32) will be paired in home and away playoffs. Currently that would be Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla. Get your tickets for the possible heated Virgin Islands derby!

Second Round. The 2 winners join the remaining 28 teams in 6 groups of 5. Single round robin, top 2 in each group advance.

Third Round. The 12 advancing teams are put into 3 groups of 4. Double round robin, group winners qualify for the World Cup, best two runners up go to the playoffs.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Mar 02, 2023 6:10 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:53 pm FIFA finally officially announced that that USA, Mexico and Canada have automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Woohoo!

With that done, the format for the remaining 32 CONCACAF teams has been announced. 3 automatic spots plus 2 playoff spots.

First Round. The bottom 4 teams (29-32) will be paired in home and away playoffs. Currently that would be Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla. Get your tickets for the possible heated Virgin Islands derby!

Second Round. The 2 winners join the remaining 28 teams in 6 groups of 5. Single round robin, top 2 in each group advance.

Third Round. The 12 advancing teams are put into 3 groups of 4. Double round robin, group winners qualify for the World Cup, best two runners up go to the playoffs.

So there is a possibility of 8 CONCACAF teams at the WC? That's crazy.