As far as I can tell... the reporter correctly translated other quotes I'm seeing attributed to him in places like l'Equipe and Abola, so I doubt it's made up?
Define "pretty good." One low-percentage shot on target and a capable chest trap on the goal doesn't equal "pretty good" to me.
I didn’t see that at all… I don’t think you are giving them credit. They were good. I’d say they are better than the English. They were a step up from any team we’ve played…
Yes. Pulisic is the more impactful player at comparable ages I'd say. Remember Landon laying off the ball to Ben Olsen--wasn't it?--against Ghana in 2006. Landon's game really matured thereafter. For one, he became absolute money on set pieces.
I don't necessarily think it is a creativity in the midfield issue when there is no focal point for the attack that can be a target or outlet to pass and run onto or give and go with. Until this game we totally bossed the midfield so the Dutch bypassed it. When we had the ball they dared our CBs to make a line splitting pass and forced us wide, but we have no target forward to hit it to, so when we did create danger it was because we got in behind their FBs and cut inside where we were often wasteful. GB looks like a savant if Puli takes that early chance and the game state causes an entirely different looking contest. Even then, if Haji has a better touch who knows what happens. I think it is as simple as we advanced but were fully extended in doing so. The problems weren't Berhalter or roster or subs as much as it was we needed a real striker and another ball playing CB alongside Ream. I think every starting line-up played well except the 9 spot. Sarge did okay and was really good in the Iran game, but he is more of a really hard trier than naturally gifted 9. I can't really fault the midfield, overall they gave hella performances to a man and will only get better if they all stay healthy. I think they can be more creative, but a good hold up 9 would give them an option they currently do not have.
True. But greater diversity in attack could have meant that we win our first two group games and then have the opportunity to rest/rotate players in the third game for those that think fatigue was an issue. I don't, btw, I think we were just outcoached. A predictable MMA/Pulisc attack is part of that, as is allowing us to have much of the possession in order to suck our outside backs higher up the field. We were susceptible to the counter all game long.
Case in point... based on how the teams played us, if you had another do or die match up, against Wales, England, Iran, or Netherlands, where would you rank the Netherlands in that equation? They certainly aren’t better than England. Not unless they have another fluke night like today. Maybe. Maybbbbbee. They were better than Wales. Personally, I think that Iran could have beat this Dutch team. We just did not get the job done. We had all these chances. Dominated open play. But we switched off and the ball just happened to go the Dutch’s way tonight. Again, put Costa Rica by their name, and I think we’ll all agree that we lost the most winnable match that we played in this tournament due to fatigue, bad coaching, mental errors, and missed chances. Unfortunately, that’s soccer. Sometimes, the ball just doesn’t go this way. But nobody is ever going to convince me that they just out-and-out outclassed us.
Gio doesn’t stop in mixed zone. “Sorry, sorry, sorry.”— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) December 3, 2022 This is another interesting post-match event...
LMAO... so basically, LvG said, "I dared GGG to adjust, and he didn't!" LOL... The Dutch game plan should have been crystal clear by minute 5. As soon as I saw Dumphries rush in on Jedi early on I had a bad feeling about this.
That was the worst team we played in this tournament. The only reason we’re saying differently is because the name behind their team.
Not getting my hopes up, but... What my editor said.It's been rumored behind the scenes for a while, and Berhalter hinted at it today.It won't be the carnal victory for fans who want a firing, but it will be more noble. https://t.co/TPOwh5PIS6— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) December 3, 2022
If this was an old school game, the Dutch played a classic game of "Rope-a-dope." Let us run around and get tired, then counterattack and score. Im sorry but GB was schooled and I hope he can apply this lesson in his NEXT JOB. Not only was he schooled on the field but out failure goes back to his player selection. So many on the bench that he had no intention of using. Pool, poor, poor choices and that's his fault So now what? Will Ernie/McBride do the right thing? We need a fresh start with a new coach that has no built in bias and experience on the International Level. No retreads. GB had his shot and I dont think 3 goals in 4 games is going to make it. If he is kept on for another cycle, can we expect any better result? I dont think so
You and I are just going to have to agree to disagree. I expect they’ll get thumped by Argentina if Argentina plays what they’re capable of doing. I just don’t see it with them. They were a lot more beatable than I thought.
I think you're missing my point. If you cut off Landon's career at 24 and compared it to Puli's career thus far, one could make a strong argument in favor of Puli. I'm not a fan of these comparisons when you're putting one player's career against someone who hasn't even reached their prime.
I generally find I share your perspectives on the team and games. On this one though, I feel like we watched different games. That Dutch team would beat Wales and Iran!
Kids are never as good as their parents....Jacob Dylan ain't Bob, Tim Weah ain't George, Lily Collins ain't Phil....
Haven't read the whole thread. Thought we looked really, really good and on the front foot for the first 40 minutes or so. The first goal against the run of play was bad, but the overall tenor of the 1st half was good. Couldn't put the ball in, but it seemed almost inevitable that we would score 1 or 2. The second goal and fatigue really changed the game and we looked the worse team in the 2nd half. The offense looked better early, with playing balls into the top of the box and just generally having more ideas than in the group stage. Really would like to replay the game with us converting one of our early chances. Dest was really good on the ball. Bad mistake on the second goal. Wright looked better in this game then he did any of the others. Reyna was good as a sub and I will forever wonder why he did not get more time in the tournament. Turner had a really good game and kept us in it, although this was not US-Belgium. Wish we could have had more rotation in the group stage. We just were much worse throughout the tournament in the second half. I hope we have a new manager in the next couple of months.
They were absolutely clinical and firing on all cylinders. I say they make it at least to the semis and probably the finals. I think they'll easily pick apart whoever they face next.
Done! BTW - it’s been fun chatting with everyone on the forum over the last few weeks. We lost, but the future is bright.
it’s the same crap, over and over again with every coach and every cycle. kinda curious: which prior usmnt did a better job than Berhalter? Not the previous two coaches, that’s for sure. Bob Bradley? I guess most people will point to Arena’s first stint, because he drew and beat Mexico in the second round (instead of the Dutch).
I would be fine if got moved to an advisor position within the US staff. I’ve been critical of him, I would like someone who can take us to that next level, I’m not normally big on 2 cycle coaches anyways, and as frustrated as I am with him, he did enough to not be dishonored. He got this team set up for the 2026 World Cup. He deserves credit for that.
He's gotta be livid. Luckily he's still a very young man and if he's as great as I think he's gonna use this as motivation.
Yes, but we finished 3rd in qualifying ... on goal difference. That tells me that we're not playing up to our potential. Ultimately, that comes down to coaching, but a big part of it is complacency. We can get by so easily in C'CAF that we are overwhelmed tactically and physically when we get to the WC stage. One would have thought 2018 would have been a lesson, but we keep making the same arrogant mistake of thinking that because we dominate C'CAF that we have world class talent and potential. One thing that I don't think has been mentioned yet is that the Dutch manhandled us all over the field today.
My point is Donovan was already a bigger impact player at a younger age than Pulisic. I think he's good, but he just doesn't light things up the way Landon did. Now Landon would sometimes go missing too; as one analyst said, he was good by American standards.....