The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

My man Hippo predicted this failure back when the squad was announced. Remember that Chandler & Johnson weren't selected. You think they could have helped? Think about TnT's goals. Both came from the left side of the pitch. IMHO Johnson would have performed better at that position than Nagbe, but it's neither here or there because we are not going to Russia. Just a dream deferred.

I read a report from somewhere where they talked about all the US games and basically said every game involved build up from the left side aside from the blowouts. And it got really bad when Villafana became the primary LB.

USMNT wins that game in T&T if they have Johnson at LB and Cameron at CB.

Also they really should ahve deplayed a 4-2-3-1 with Bradley partnered with Dax or Acosta Pulisic, Arriola, and WOod attacking mids and Jozy as the target man. Would have given us much more defensive coverage.

 

[robdogj]

I USMNT wins that game in T&T if they have Johnson at LB and Cameron at CB.

Or even have Johnson play at LM, his preferred position. But for some silly reason, BA didn't pick Johnson & now the US is looking from the outside at the Big Dance. People might say CONCACAF is easy, but look at the final match day of the Hex. Mexico, Costa Rica & The Yanks all lost. IMHO that is a good thing for the competitiveness of the Region.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Eh, Mexico and Costa Rica had nothing to play for. The region generally is improving. But Panama, Honduras, and T&T are very far behind the USMNT. But player selection and lineup selection are key. Arena failed at both of them. Not bringing in Johnson, not playing Cameron, not offering any coverage for CBs on the road.

What this screams to me is that USMNT needs a huge shakeup. From the top down. Gulati gone, bring in someone new and they pick the coaches. USMNT has all the talent to dominate CONCACAF aside from Mexico. There was a big failure in a whole generation of goalkeeper that was compounded by Guzan tanking in Europe that didn't buy a little more time. Hopefully Horvath, Gonzalez, Klinsmann, etc. work out for the future. And Bradley's move back to MLS hurt his performance but there was no one to press him. Klinsmann addressed this before, talking about how frustrating it was that no one was pressuring even Jermaine Jones much less Bradley.

 

[robdogj]

for all of you USNMT fans that are singing The Blues, The Baby Nats are tearing it up in India at the U17 World Cup. Today The Baby Nats won 5-0 over Paraguay to advance to the Quarterfinals. Next up will be either England or Japan. I know who most want . BTW checkout #11 Andrew Carleton. That dude is all that & a bag of chips.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

The U-17 team has some exciting players. Hopefully someone from Europe comes over and buys up Carleton soon. Baffling to me that one of our more exciting prospects isn't getting more PT in MLS. Sargent and Weah are legit as hell though. Sargent just signed to Bremen where he'll be joining them in January. Weah was recently signed by PSG. ANd if he can be as good as his pops was, we'll have a truly amazing player on our hands.

 

[robdogj]

The U-17 team has some exciting players. Hopefully someone from Europe comes over and buys up Carleton soon. Baffling to me that one of our more exciting prospects isn't getting more PT in MLS. Sargent and Weah are legit as hell though. Sargent just signed to Bremen where he'll be joining them in January. Weah was recently signed by PSG. ANd if he can be as good as his pops was, we'll have a truly amazing player on our hands.

it seems from my view that most of these players are with Atlanta United. I believe there are at least 3 starters that play for this side & they have appeared with the senior team already. The MLS has assisted both our neighboring countries & our country in producing better talent in the region.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

it seems from my view that most of these players are with Atlanta United. I believe there are at least 3 starters that play for this side & they have appeared with the senior team already. The MLS has assisted both our neighboring countries & our country in producing better talent in the region.

MLS is assisting and it needs to play an important role. But there is an issue in MLS where they often play older safe vets (see Dax McCarty, Chris Wondolowski or Kyle Beckerman) rather can go with youth. Erik Palmer-Brown may be the best example. Highly regarded CB/CDM for the YNT, was recruited by PSG, Ajax, and Man City (who he signed for the latter) and only played in 10 league games for Sporting KC. A guy Man City considers worth a shot cannot play over Ike Opara or Matt Besler.

Klinsmann said it best when talking about Pulisic, MLS doesn't give it's young players enough opportunity. Don't get me wrong, MLS needs to improve it's youth system and it's already paying off. But what's important to remember is it's still far off from where it needs to be. And where that is involves more young players playing regularly. Some teams are good about it. Others aren't.

 

[fourfarthing]

And Columbus is looking to move...

 

[Qhrumphf]

Spurs sitting at top of Champions League group on away goal tiebreaker. Above Real Madrid. Went to Bernabeu and didn't lose. I'm floored. Granted we were the luckier to escape with a point. But 1 point far better than the expected zero.

We have to majorly f*** up now to not advance out of a group I thought we had no chance to advance from.

COYS

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Also of note the Baby Nats (U17 and U20) both got to the quarterfinals of their respective world cups. Only US and England achieved that this year.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

These are awful times for crew 96. I can't imagine my future without crew matches. It's shameful what's happening

 

[skraeling]

These are awful times for crew 96. I can't imagine my future without crew matches. It's shameful what's happening

Dude took a page out of Kronke's book.

 

[robdogj]

I know it's late for this discussion, but I still can't understand why Danny Williams doesn't get called up for the USNMT? The guy can start for his club team vs Man U & put in a shift. IMHO he could have done the same at Trinidad & Tobago.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I know it's late for this discussion, but I still can't understand why Danny Williams doesn't get called up for the USNMT? The guy can start for his club team vs Man U & put in a shift. IMHO he could have done the same at Trinidad & Tobago.

Because Bruce Arena only knows and trusts MLS players. Look at our starting Xi vs. T&T. Only Pulisic and Wood never played in MLS. Meanwhile we didn't pick Johnson, Chandler, Williams, CCV, etc. who all would have been quality picks. In fact on his whole roster, those 2 were the only one without a decent amount of MLS as I recall.

 

[robdogj]

Because Bruce Arena only knows and trusts MLS players. Look at our starting Xi vs. T&T. Only Pulisic and Wood never played in MLS. Meanwhile we didn't pick Johnson, Chandler, Williams, CCV, etc. who all would have been quality picks. In fact on his whole roster, those 2 were the only one without a decent amount of MLS as I recall.

can we make a case for David Wagner then? He did play for the USNMT. What about Preki? I always regarded him as a Great American Hero for scoring the goal for the USA only win over Brazil

 

[Qhrumphf]

I joked with my Liverpool supporting friend about our 9-0 victory bringing us above ManU on GD. Then Kane scores in the first 5 minutes. I joke about it being 18-0. Son scores barely 5 minutes later. My jaw drops.

Of course we took a foot off the gas. But still, that was fun.

We actually beat Liverpool. At Wembley no less.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

can we make a case for David Wagner then? He did play for the USNMT. What about Preki? I always regarded him as a Great American Hero for scoring the goal for the USA only win over Brazil

Wagner I think is the favorite if he'll leave Huddersfield. If he doesn't I think the favorite is either Blanc, Vermes, Pereja, or if we are willing to spend money, Roberto Martinez is my dream pick.

 

[fourfarthing]

Please, can we forget the Liverpool Spurs game. YNWA.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

MLS decision day was exciting. Wish Atlanta got the win, but they're an extremely impressive expansion squad.

Giovinco is a golden god.

 

[robdogj]

so the USNMT will be lead by Dave Sarachan. Ok it's on an interim basis & I guess there is no real rush to get a gaffer since the next comps won't be until 2020. We shall see how this pans out.

 

[Qhrumphf]

My hometown Bristol City (that I normally can't be bothered with) bested another EPL side in the League Cup.

Spurs play Wet Spam tomorrow.

Meanwhile holy f*** Wolves are holding their own against a now mostly first team Manchester City. This is going to penalties.

 

[robdogj]

spuds just lost to West Ham at Wembley in the League Cup

 

[Qhrumphf]

Welp that was a match to forget. I leave work it's 2-0, I get home it's 2-3 at full time.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Could be worse. We could have lost to Crystal Palace...

 

[MSK_Chess]

I read that Atlanta are taking the USA by storm.

 

[robdogj]

first ball grabbed in the EFL Cup draw

 

[Qhrumphf]

Well I'd say this certainly takes care of the shame of cup elimination from West Ham.

SPURS 3-0 REAL MADRID. As of 75th minute at least

 

[Qhrumphf]

League Cup be damned. We're gonna win the Champions League!

Shhh don't jinx it.

View attachment 1509576672892.jpg

 

[Qhrumphf]

https://youtu.be/Aw-r1eWVMbo

 

[robdogj]

spurs gonna win the Champions League!