Pre-match: USA v Netherlands Round of 16 12/3 10 am ET

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by OWN(yewu)ED, Nov 29, 2022.

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  1. imasyko

    imasyko Member+

    May 16, 2002
    Spring City, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #101 imasyko, Nov 30, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2022
    Now there's a statement I never thought I'd read here!

    Based on the games I've see him play for the USMNT, I don't rate Ferrera and don't know what others have seen in him that do? Not trying to be a smarta**, just asking...

    Edit: Just read that he can press, which does have value.
     
  2. bct81

    bct81 Member+

    multiple (DC United, Dortmund, Arsenal, Leeds....)
    United States
    Mar 17, 2007
    moving around the US every few years ....
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    like the group stage unfolded - we will perform or not based on MMA midfield.

    If they are fully rested and fit that group of 3 is torture to play against ... few weaknesses and they have no fear.
     
    HartwickFan repped this.
  3. rgli13

    rgli13 Member+

    Mar 23, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    im not even through the iran post match thread so i havent gotten into this one yet, apologies if already posted...

     
  4. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Adams is also one yellow away from missing a game. So in theory if we were to win the round of 16 game and Adams got a yellow (very possible), then Acosta would have to be able to start the quarterfinal. More concerning would be if we won the round of 16 game and both Acosta and Adams get yellows.
     
    schrutebuck repped this.
  5. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    I think Van Gaal makes this a better matchup for the US. He’s been very pragmatic with his team, perhaps with the idea that it’s pragmatism he’ll need to win the quarters, rather than flair and creativity, against more talented teams.

    If we’re healthy, we won’t lose the midfield battle in the first 65 minutes. The question is if we can contain Cody Gakpo, and if we can finish our chances.

    After 65 is where our depth problems come in. They have some real talent on that bench if they’re down a goal, and we don’t really have back ups mids who’s best talent is around retaining possession and progressing the ball.
     
  6. ifsteve

    ifsteve Member+

    Manchester United
    United States
    Jul 7, 2013
    MS and ID
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Card accumulation done like this is total garbage but it is what it is. At this point you play who you feel are the best players (fitness and tactical) in the match in front of you. Cards be damned. To me the only time I care about cards from here on out is if its literally a coin toss between two players then sure sit the one on a card. Otherwise its all hands on deck.
     
  7. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh of course. You do what you need to do to win and hope you don't end up having a guy get suspended in the next round. The only time you pull a guy is if you get a big lead and that's not a likely thing for this game.
     
    WrmBrnr, FTGOTC and gogorath repped this.
  8. Khan

    Khan Member+

    Mar 16, 2000
    On the road
    Agreed with your son.

    Completely ceding possession and territory only gives your enemy confidence and momentum when you should he trying to deny them of that.

    At a minimum, possessing the ball denies your enemy of time an opportunity to threaten your goal. Wright should have been Reyna vs Iran, to play a bit of keepaway to finish the game.
     
    acima, HartwickFan, Swami and 4 others repped this.
  9. TimB4Last

    TimB4Last Member+

    May 5, 2006
    Dystopia
    Sounds as though no one here is ready to put Adams on the shelf (possibly until 2026).
     
  10. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Though they also are a team who will press very aggressively.
     
  11. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    That won't work with MMA, and I think Van Gaal will see that and back off a bit
     
  12. NorthBank

    NorthBank Member+

    Arsenal; NYRB
    United States
    Mar 29, 2006
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'll take those odds. I wonder if the gap will narrow if/when Puli is cleared fit to play?
     
  13. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    Looks like it's going to be Australia the team that takes us out in QFs.
     
    majspike and gogorath repped this.
  14. FC Tallavana

    FC Tallavana Member+

    Jul 1, 2004
    La Quinta
    The path to the semis is doable. Unlikely, maybe. But doable.
     
    largegarlic and theboogeyman repped this.
  15. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    Repped for the research but we shouldn't rotate aside from Zimmerman, Aaronson, Ferreira or Reyna. It's win or go home and those are the only guys without a huge drop-off.

    I think the Acosta hate is too much, but I wouldn't start him. There's zero chance Musah AND McKennie aren't there -- that would be a massive mistake.

    Aaronson and Reyna are more than talented, but if Pulisic is healthy, he's playing. And Weah seems to be the most energetic of our attackers and least in need of a rest. But I could see a replacement there for gameplanning. If Pulisic can't go, it'll probably be Aaronson, but if you want a more like for like, it's Reyna.

    I think we largely need to ride our horses unless you really feel the replacement is going to be better that day. There should be no planning for the quarterfinals in terms of starting rotation.
     
  16. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    argentina has looked very poor thus far this tourney....i would want them over any of the other favorites
     
    Deep Wilcox and WrmBrnr repped this.
  17. Pickles

    Pickles Member

    Jun 4, 2014
    Early thoughts and questions...

    * The Dutch will come to play and I suspect it will be a more open game than the three we saw in the group stage. I don't know if that's a good thing.

    * The longer the game goes, the worse for the US, I think, due to the apparent need to make subs for fitness reasons. I can't recall a US World Cup squad with so many fitness / fatigue / injury issues to work around. Does this mean that maybe there are some changes in the starting lineup? Imagine if this game went to extra time... how many players could be trusted to go 120 minutes without falling apart? Maybe you can get away with starting one or two 60-minute players, but beyond that it's a risk.

    * For that reason, I suspect Aaronson - who by many accounts is super fit - will start, and maybe switch from wing to midfield or vice versa depending on the plan.

    * Considering our aerial impotence in the attack in the group stage, I'm doubtful that any of our strikers will be heading crosses against the likes of Van Dijk. But of our strikers, who can cause the most trouble on the break?

    * Question... who are the penalty takers for a shootout? I think Turner would do a reasonable job on his end, but I don't have much faith in our outfield players to smash cold-blooded penalties.
     
    FTGOTC repped this.
  18. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    musah needs to sit imo...he was dreadful in the final third in the grup games especially vs iran.....need more from his position offensively
     
  19. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    We had multiple counters, with numbers, with high quality attackers yesterday when we were fresh, and didn't even get shots off. We had counters with Aaronson in the second half as well, including Haji's WTF shot. We had a ton of similar nothing counters against Wales as well.

    I'm not sure why people are so certain that simply putting Reyna in puts the ball in the net.

    But it does work a lot. It's stressful, and fans hate it, but it's the most prevalent tactical decision for coaches for a reason. Everyone loves to hate on the prevent-style defense, but let's not act like it isn't consensus.

    Honestly, in retrospect, we should have put in Ferreira or Reyna instead of Wright. But the other subs were all defensive choices for players who were super laboring on defense. We were absolutely exhausted. We had gotten sloppy. There was going to be no team-wide effort on counters or for possession. Go back and watch how many giveaways Musah and Jedi had down the stretch. One or two players can't hold the ball. They can counter -- and that's why Aaronson and Wright were in. The latter just isn't very good.
     
    QuakeAttack repped this.
  20. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    36
     
  21. CANPRO

    CANPRO Member+

    Dec 23, 2002
    Congrats to you all. I hope your joy continues in this tournament.
     
  22. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    Yes, he put a few last bursts in at key times, gutting it out, but he was slower to the ball, tackling with his arms, committing fouls he didn't need to, and turning it over more often.

    Just tired.
     
  23. redondos

    redondos Member

    AC Milan
    United States
    Nov 16, 2022
    It's important to keep in mind that there's never been a WC tournament like this one. Someone mentioned Croatia basically just using 14 players the entire last cup, but this schedule is more compressed.

    There's not enough time to recover.

    You're going to start seeing teams wither and players break down. I understand the necessity of us doing what we had to do to get out of the group, but we have to start managing our team better.

    Aaronson and Gio need to play (and probably start), if he's ready LDLT needs to get in (especially against Holland).

    When these games start going to 120 minutes, it's going to be complete chaos on the field.
     
    acima, nbarbour, Guinho and 10 others repped this.
  24. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'll take having a lead and not seeing our more favored subs than being behind and seeing them.
     
    Maximum Optimal repped this.
  25. QuakeAttack

    QuakeAttack Member+

    Apr 10, 2002
    California - Bay Area
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Actually, LOL, I had watched the game, but re-watched again last night. You are right. Ecuador should have one the game.

    Based upon the game, I think the key will be our wingback play (Robinson and Dest). I think that they can take advantage of Holland. Holland tried to play through the middle. I'm a little concerned with McKenna and Musha being able to hold them for more than 60 minutes.

    I hate to say it, but the key is going to be the bench. This game has a very good chance ending in a tie and going to extra time. Neither team has shown to be explosive.
     
    Guinho repped this.

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