Generic soccer thread
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@rockchalkjayhawk yeah Gaga has already played with the senior team. Hes solid. Couple others too have played up. Watched the game too. The own goal was tough, hope the kid bounces back.
Too early to pick up a custom Balogun 9 jersey?
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I coach soccer at my junior high. 2 teams simultaneously actually as we have a boys and girls team. So from early March to the end of May is a marathon of activity from managing 35-40 inner city kids academic and behavioral lives to ensuring refs show up, busses are scheduled, uni’s are distributed, and yes, even the coach is responsible for measuring and lining the field! It’s quite fun but exhausting, and sometimes involves sitting at school well after all the kids have gone home waiting for Leslie’s mom to show up! 7 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie combined, plus 2-0 in coed games to accommodate one school that could only field a coed team. So really 9-4-1 final record, not too bad.
Girls are totally raw but one scored 29 goals for me over the last two seasons! Needless to say she had some ability, but had never been coached so it was fun. Boys were more experienced but generally streetball type players that we see in basketball. Flashy moves, but team concepts lacking quite a bit. If I was the cheerleading sponsor or the boys or girls basketball coaches I would have made more but only had to coach one team, which is a discussion for the next contract negotiation. Equal pay for equal work!! But all that aside, I love doing it, love yelling at kids to spread out, attack from the outer edges, drop the ball backwards, defense push up, let that kid be offsides, don’t go cover them!
This is the non-glamorous side of soccer.
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@wissox beautiful. My soccer knowledge has grown up with the older 2 as theyve progressed. Maybe i will take a swing at junior high coach at some point too! My eldest was goalie for his and they went undefeated. Was story book. But 9-4-1 is def legit!
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@approxinfinity Bit of a long story here but here goes. I was hired in 2000 to teach at a rural Wisconsin school. They asked me if I could coach soccer as they were starting a new program. So I started my career as a varsity assistant coach. The head coach was someone who knew little more than I did.
A man named Mel stepped in and offered to help. He was a soccer dad who went full bore into learning. His rep was so immense that he actually interviewed at UNC as an assistant coach for their women’s team! I learned so much from that man and it’s allowed me to stay in soccer for over 20 years now. TBH, I haven’t gone full bore into it like him, so I’m in no way an expert, but competent enough!
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Wow. Reading that the San Francisco 49ers are purchasing Leeds United outright. crazy!
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@wissox i dont pretend to be an expert in soccer tactics but learning a new sport from scratch, a sport that has an amazing history, and world wide support, i think rejuvenated my interest in profession sports where its entirely possible i would have just tuned out altogether otherwise. American professional sports just aren’t nearly as enjoyable.
Anyway, i can understand how a self taught soccer dad had a wealth of knowledge. Its easy to love soccer.
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Good summation of Pulisic’s options this summer: https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/pulisic-usmnt-chelsea-milan-man-napoli-juventus-bayern-psg-transfer/blt4a2639481f2dd678
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Liking what i am seeing against mexico in first half. We are absolutely dominating possession, we need to be a little more creative in the final 3rd. Long balls on the ground up the middle is too tight a window. Should be 1-0 on Pulisics 1v1 move. He is torching Sanchez.
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And boom goes the Dynamite. Pulisic 1 Mexico 0
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Sounds like Berhalter will be returning as manager and will be announced tomorrow officially.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 yeah. I’m not thrilled. This group is talented and hungry and Berhalter doesnt give the appearance of being either.
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Man, I should know better than to watch USA v Mexico before bed. Now I’m all riled up!
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So much to say. Maybe I’ll comment tomorrow when I’m awake.
First impression: interesting lineup. Mostly the Weston and Musah combo. I was worried about that at first.
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@rockchalkjayhawk yeah! Interested to hear your thoughts. I loved almost everything about that ass kicking!
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Man, i’m still riled up after last night’s game! Fun one to watch.
There seem to be two topics to discuss: the actual tactics and players, then the typical uncalled for stuff.
Back to the Weston/Musah pairing in front of the defenders. When i saw that i was like, to hell with defense, we’re going all out attack mode! I was a bit worried about who would actually stop any attacks in the mid. Well, obviously it worked out since we basically shut Mexico down. Very surprising. McKennie was a bit sloppy with his distribution (a trend?), but he contributes in other ways. Musah was great.
Captain America!! Weren’t Dempsey and Donovan former Captain America’s? ha.
Pulisic was the most surprising to me. I haven’t see that kind of burst of speed out of him in a LONG time. Was Mexico slow, or is he healthier? Quite an effort from him. Very happy to see that. Worried for sec about that sliding goal he scored…memories of the world cup injury.
The new guy was basically invisible to me. Didn’t really touch the ball much. Not happy to see that. We need to maybe reconsider our strategy – feed the new and very capable center forward!
Loved the way we pressed and held the ball. Great effort all around.
Reyna. Well, he got clocked in the face. Thought he was dead for a sec. I’m still waiting for his breakout. But, i’m looking at him with a stern eye. So, maybe he was better than i thought. We played well when he was in, so i guess that speaks for itself. No complaints, but maybe didn’t see what i wanted to see.
Anyway, very exciting game. The sloppy brutality at the end is another thing…
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We own Mexico. Also Concacaf sucks.
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Ha, we’ll still struggle with away games in hostile territory. that never changes.
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Such fun to watch the USMNT thrash Mexico. Completely outclassed in every way…I’m not sure that I remember a game like that with Mexico before. I’m not a follower of Mexico’s team so they could be down or whatever…doesn’t matter. Loved it.
I loved the attacking style. Putting Reyna in the middle and pressing forward was such a pleasant gift to watch. Their second goal was a thing of beauty. Jedi to Turner to Dest to McKennie to Weah to Pulisic…gorgeous.
The red cards were unfortunate. McKennie’s was pretty questionable to me. He’s standing up for his guy who just got totally cheap shotted…gets surrounded by Mexican players right by their bench…to get a straight red there was ridiculous in my mind. Dest just simply can’t get caught up in the normal “we-fell-behind-let’s-just-play-cheap” Mexican tactic. I think they’ll plug in Scally and Luca De La Torre for those guys and only have a slight step back, but it would’ve been fun to watch them play with the same squad against Canada. Before the altercation, I think it might’ve been Dest’s best game for the USMNT.
Last night’s game actually presents a good ‘problem’ for them going forward. I wonder if they played the way they did last night because Tyler Adams wasn’t available. He’s clearly going to be on the field (and should be) when healthy, but when he’s playing that means one of Musah/McKennie/Reyna/Weah isn’t and they tend towards a more defensive posture. Makes me wonder if there might be situations where a more attacking style might work better against different teams which could lead to a consideration of playing a squad like last night with Adams off the bench once they get ahead? Sadly…with the re-appointment of Berhalter (who vastly prefers the defensive style) we may never know. If only for one night it was fun to watch…and at Mexico’s expense made it all the sweeter.
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Sure was fun to watch @focojayhawk
You make some excellent points.
Berhalter, yet another soccer subject to discuss! Almost forgot.
I don’t like this rehire, but maybe nobody else decent wanted it? I don’t think Jesse’s press press press would work for the US.
No major complaints about GGG, but his relationship with a potential star player (reyna) has to be an issue. Can’t have that. coach has to go.
No way they are seeing eye to eye ever again.
Maybe our performance against Mexico will change his mind about the lineup? doubtful, huh.
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Thought Dest had his most complete game Ive seen. Really great on ball, off ball, dispossessing and passing. Pulisic was a worthy captain. McKinnie seems to pass without scanning too often but second goal was beautifully facilitated. Good to see Miles Robinson back. Chris Richards was solid. Really loved the backline. Didnt want to see Zimmerman. Thought Gio Balogun musah and Weah were solid. Really like Gio in the midfield. Logical to me. Gives us the creativity of De la torre with more size and power. Think Pepi off the bench is good. Aaronsen off bench is good. Let them be energy guys.
The ref was a weenus. Lost control when he didnt call second yellow on Alvarez after his hit job on Reyna. -“oh, we can do that?” Loved Pepi icing it with third goal. I was not beyond lobbing profanities at Mexico from the comfort of my couch. Something about fornicators ingesting feces.
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The one good shot Mexico had, Turner passed it up the middle to Musah lazily checking back. Reminded me of similar non challance that cost us a goal against Netherlands from the midfield (I think Musah).
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Ref was a total weenus. Absolutely lost control. i was trying my hardest not to get all worked up again and rant about the ref and red cards!
The game seemed even a little more over the top than the usual Mexico/USA games. Actually, a lot of the first half was pretty polite. I was wondering if things had changed. Then Jorge Sanchez (no. 19) played pure instigator. d**k
The smash job on Reyna was shockingly not a card.
Dest needs to control himself. that was entirely unnecessary. I guess his frustration just grew. dunno. And he played great! Why did he need to push dude in the neck a few times??? no clue. wasn’t even our ball, right? frustration.
McKennie is an idiot basically. he didn’t really deserve a red (i still don’t know what he did), but he didn’t help himself any by being who he is. he’s a yellow waiting to happen any game. He must need that firey emotion to get going.
As for the famous Mexico PUTA chant. whatever. Do i like it? absolutely not. But i’d just laugh as a player. They are trying to get under your skin. It should not bother any player. who cares. let em sing. Fans may be pissed, sure. But a player should not lose focus over being called a name. Fifa cannot control fans from chanting whatever foul words they want. not going to stop. It’s societal. Stop the game, call the game, not gonna work. IMO it’s lame as hell to stop a game when people in the stands say bad words. is there a solution? I don’t see one. You can’t kick everybody out. How do you blame a team when their fans sing? not fair to the team, either. That being said, i wouldn’t be pissed if they made Mexico pay for it! ha.
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@approxinfinity said in Generic soccer thread:
The one good shot Mexico had, Turner passed it up the middle to Musah lazily checking back. Reminded me of similar non challance that cost us a goal against Netherlands from the midfield (I think Musah).
Turner freaks out at least once a game with his passing. usually at the start.
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@rockchalkjayhawk agree 100% you control the game not the fans. Ref failed
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Balogun is the truth.
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@BShark yes, yes he is.
Love the front line plus Reyna in the midfield. Really dangerous. Weah has been very very good too
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It will be hard to stomach if they dont look like this when Berhalter returns. BJ Callahan for mayor!
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Another shocker of a pairing in front of the defense today. Musah with Aaronsen? Wow! Didn’t see that coming. Why not. He runs around with boundless energy.
Balogooooal! I could get used to that.
I have enjoyed the 4-2-3-1 mix the last two games. Maybe that’s where Gio needs to be, in the middle of the three. Beautiful assist today.
Somebody’s gonna be pissed among Musah, Adams, Weston and Gio when are all healthy. I guess that’s a good problem to have?
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This video is hilariously spot on. Impressions of great players. Check it! I LOLd.
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Usmnt rolled out an absolute stinker of a lineup tonight. Is attempting to win every game too much to ask? Felt like a Berhalter especial.
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@rockchalkjayhawk enjoyed the vid thx!
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@approxinfinity said in Generic soccer thread:
Usmnt rolled out an absolute stinker of a lineup tonight. Is attempting to win every game too much to ask? Felt like a Berhalter especial.
Oh man. That was u-g-l-y.
What a turd of a lineup. Some were calling it the “B” team, but I’d argue really not even the “D” team.
The first 65 minutes were slow, plodding, highly uneventful and youthfully inexperienced.
Expected with that starting 11 I suppose. Jamaica is a solid team.
If you’re going that way, I woulda started Cowell over Morris at the very least. He can be exciting.
I guess the result was fair, although 2-2 was more realistic with all misses by both sides.
The announcers were dogging Miazga, who I read was dogging GGG about his lack of playing time last year.
Sonora was bad.
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@rockchalkjayhawk i enjoy J Morris because he always gives 100%. Not a Yedlin fan. Sonora was awful and took all the corners. Vasquez and Cowell could be part of the equation and should have started.
flat toothless shots at goal from the wing, stone footed first touches. Rough.
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Yea, some rough performances.
To me, J Morris and B Aaronsen are the same guy. 99% effort, 1% skill. That’s not a bad thing sometimes, effort is helpful. but most times they offer little else.
I’m on the fence about Dest. He was so hyped early on as a highly skilled dude. It shows up now and again.
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@rockchalkjayhawk he might have been the best player against Mexico. I was impressed.
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I must be half asleep after a late night. Why I brought up Dest I’ll never know! Zzzz
Yedlin! I’m with you on him. He’s a spare part at this point. Unpackage when all other options have been depleted.
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We whooped some St Kitts and Nevis butt tonight.
Well played. We dominated possession. Looked sharp.
Jesus F. had a hat trick. This was by far the sharpest I’ve seen him near the goal. Impressively quick reaction time. Ball left his feet lickity split. Nice.
Mihailovic with a beautiful finish. Reynolds with an absolute smash finish.
Busio had some nice assists.
I have to say Cade Cowell was a massive disappointment. Tentative, indecisive, didn’t seem like he could beat anybody one on one. I had high expectations for him, especially in this game. Bummer.
Sonora…once again sh*t the bed.
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Oh, and I’m shocked that Gaga didn’t start in goal. Is he cap tied yet?
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@rockchalkjayhawk Mihailovic Ferreira Vasquez Busio and Reynolds were good.
Zendejas, Sonora, and Cowell struggled.
Everyone else
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I think Mihailovic earned consideration for future opportunities
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Just read this about Cade Cowell. Kinda what I was thinking last night.
LOSER: Cade Cowell
It’s not that Cowell had a bad game, because he didn’t. He was decent enough and dangerous enough. Still, you were left wanting more from the 19-year-old attacker, who just couldn’t quite take this one over in the way he did so often at the Under-20 World Cup.
Handed a chance to start, Cowell never really threatened the opponents with his pace and dribbling ability. Part of that was because of the style of game, of course, with the defense bunkered in, but even when he had moments, he just couldn’t quite create magic like he did earlier this summer.
At this point, Cowell may just be a better supersub for the USMNT, with his physical attributes having a better chance to impact games later on. That’s not to say he’ll be in that role permanently, because his ceiling is so high, but at the moment, his game is just missing the little things that help break down a bunkered defense.
Those little things could come eventually, and the U20 World Cup showed us that Cowell is, in fact, a player for the big moments. He’ll have bigger ones than a Wednesday night game against St. Kitts and Nevis, and the hope will be that he can take those moments and make a slightly bigger impact than he did in this one.
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Beautiful first goal by US tonight. jones, our wingback gave the ball up to Roldan then made a run to box, received the ball and hit Ferreira at the 6 who popped it up and hit it quickly back post. Nice and fluid!
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@approxinfinity Just tuning in and checked on other matches. Seems like this is not a serious event for us.
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Mexico-Qatar is pretty compelling right now.
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Was hoping for the tie, dislike Mexico and dont like that Qatar bought way in to Concacaf. Was hoping for tie. Still looks bad for Mexico. Now with win Qatar advances
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@BShark well we get to see the kids and non starters. Cowell had a few electric moments. Vasquez and Ferreira also. Enjoyed.
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Delayed response to the US game last night…
BAM! One shining moment and now Cade Cowell is oozing with confidence! You see his demeanor change after that breakaway goal? Awesome. He had no fear after that. Hope it sticks.
Alejandro Zendejas does not deserve another chance. I realize we use the Gold Cup to grow our younger players, but cmon. Dude was just awful the entire tournament.
Loved the way we dominated possession, and kept the counters to a minimum (mostly).
That field in Charlotte was an embarrassment. The ball didn’t do anything close to normal on that pitch. You could see the players struggle with how to pass, trap, expect the bounce, etc. terrible. Grass over artificial turf? Insane. Horrible decision.
Top of the group! Happy that we found our scoring touch. Jesus! Another hat trick! That first goal was another master touch.
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When’s the US play next? I’ve got nothing but time to kill in this recovery!
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US plays July 9.
Awaiting opponent.
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It’s summer transfer time. A few updates as i see em:
1: Pulisic has agreed to terms with AC Milan. Now the teams have to agree on a transfer fee.
2: Sergino Dest. Barcelona says they want to get rid of him by the end of the week. no teams seem interested at the moment. What happened to him? Thought he was a wunderkid?
3: Folarin Balogun. Arsenal looks like they want to put him on the market. He’s currently on loan in France. Arsenal is looking for suitors for about $50M. He’s been linked with AC Milan, Juventus, Marseille and RB Leipzig.
4: Yunus Musah: Inter and AC Milan seem to be in a battle for the Valencia player. that’s a good thing! He’s also linked with Fulham.
5: Brenden Aaronson. After relegated with Leeds, he could join Union Berlin on loan. His brother Paxten plays in Germany as well.
6: Weston McKennie: Rumors of him joining AC Milan with Pulisic and Musah. Juventus doesn’t want him any more.
7: Timothy Weah: Signed with Juventus.
8: Tyler Adams: Also relegated from Leeds. Looking for a new home. Linked with Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.
