This is clearly implicit in a lot of the thinking on this topic around here (and it sure seems at the upper levels of the USSF too). As a general matter I think plenty of both coaching upside and downside exists in soccer, but as it pertains to this specific circumstance I think it's something close to the opposite of what you said. World Cup entry is automatic, and not knowing the format it's a bit difficult to assign an exact target, but I think so long as we have a modicum of health no coach should have us embarrassing ourselves. There just isn't much downside to fear, really. The upside though is that we could genuinely play with anybody in the tournament, and if you can play with them you can beat them. And the World Cup is the most important, but when you look over the entire cycle (especially if they can gussy up the 2025 Gold Cup with guest teams), you really have a sustained opportunity to show something this program has never shown the world before. IF and only if things really mesh and are elevated tactically plus health and luck and all the other things you need. It's not a theoretical impossibility that could happen under Gregg, who is a pro and mostly has the ear of these players and a basic feel for how to use them. But if that's the target you'd never choose Gregg in a million years. It really is just a question of daring for something more.
We put such an outsized level of importance on the World Cup - so many US fans only have the US as their outlet for fandom where many countries are much more focused on their club teams (even if they enjoy the World Cup like the rest of us) as well as European Cup, Champions League, Copa America, etc. The World Cup shouldn't be the be all end all of soccer fandom - which is why US fans who denigrate MLS seem so misguided to me. We want Americans to be fans all the time, not just during the World Cup. Can you imagine England fans thinking Foden should not play at Manchester City because it hurts his World Cup prospects? Can you imagine English fans blasting their national team coach because a guy like Busio is not playing? Fans ranting about the coach don't realize they are often a symptom of the adolescence of US Soccer progression, not the cure.
It's just very clear that we have very, very different expectations for what the program can and should be. That's fine, but we just need to accept that we won't agree on that point. I don't like just scraping by and looking at minor victories as something to be overly celebrated. The things that are being "celebrated" would be great for a country like Jamaica or Panama that is trying to work into a different level of being competitive in CONCACAF and not on the world stage. We're past that point. Our goal shouldn't be being the third-best team in CONCACAF qualifying. Our goal should be being a legitimate contender for the quarterfinals every single World Cup. Our goal should be battling an elite team like the Netherlands toe to toe and not being out of the game in the first 10 minutes. Our goal should be to look at a World Cup and not think, "Golly gee, maybe if seven other things go our way we'll sneak into the Round of 16. Let's try hard, boys!!" For far too many fans of USSF, our goals are better suited for the bottom half of the Ocho. We're better than that and need to aim higher.
This should be our goal once we actually have top 8 talent in the world. We don't right now, and we aren't on the level of pretty much any of the teams that are currently in the quarterfinal (the exception being probably Morocco).
Alot of inaccuracies in this thread, including the fact that Earnie Stewart was not solely hired by Jay Berhalter. Indeed most of the thread focuses on a relationship between SUM and USSF that no longer exists.
What did Stewart and McBride need to do for the WC. I am sure somebody else took care of all their travel plans. BTW, those guys are a problem too. The whole thing is broken and mediocrity is abut the best we can expect. When you don't do the work in 2023, you are just making the job harder down the road. This js one of the stupider ideas I have ever heard on here. It is as if you have no clue what it takes to be the best at something. Not sure I do, but know those folks go all in all the time.
English fans do this all the time with Foden. Again, why are so many fans so content with mediocrity? Doesn't anyone want to see the US national team be successful?
I've have talked to a number of people and seen other online who feel similary. I know my interest in the team is at an all time low and will not be following as closely going forward. 1600143277981777921 is not a valid tweet id
Notice the careful wording in the article. This does not look good. Not, Berhalter forced the hire of Berhalter because of MLS influence.
No one wants the NT to do poorly. Some of us are just realistic as to where the team really is, talent-wise. Until the talent increases on the team, we're not a team that can routinely expect to be in the round of 8.
I suspect the SUM thing was all about perception. I suspect things will actually get worse and not better.
No clue how big of deal this is, but doesn't smell good to me. Look who the committee chairs are for the Technical Development Committee which Earnie Stewart oversees. pic.twitter.com/Irvrgd8nWm— LANK (@xx_SCRIM_xx) December 6, 2022
Well, England fans are their own form of deluded, but that's a different topic. Why do you think I'm content with mediocrity? Why do so many fans have such certainty they are right about their angry, half-baked opinions as though it has some real impact on our team.
You seem to be an ideal fan for this federation. This approach will obviously mean we get there much slower than we could. Never thought of complacency as the secret to success.
I would hate for us to become a mirror image of the English fan base. As much as I like and respect the country and culture, their fans are living in a premier league bubble. The reference points always point back to what top team their stars play in, followed by a collective sense of disbelief they don’t perform to expectation. The underlying issue isn’t the players, who are good, but don’t make up the best TEAM in the world. The issue is the projection and unrealistic expectation of the fan. My sense that gap actually undermines their players and team psychologically. As a starting point, we just need to recognize our talent is not currently top 10. And that’s fine. We can and will get there. But it’s going to take a little time with distinct stages of development and investment.
GB's plan that we can go toe-to-toe with a top 10 team was flawed. Specifically, when his back 4 was holding for their live in the final minutes of the last 2 games.
I'm not an ideal fan for the USMNT because, unlike so many of you, I'm not deluded about how good the USMNT is. I've been following the team since I first watched the WC in 1994, so I'm pretty familiar with its ups and downs. If you look at it objectively, the USMNT performed exactly at the level of its talent in the 2022 World Cup. Hopefully that talent level rises enough by 2026 to let us do better (I'd be disappointed with anything less than going to the round of 8), but your delusions of the team's grandeur don't change the reality of its abilities.
I think Tata would have been even worse. He is known NOT to play young players. He never gave a fair chance to players like miles Robinson or Vazquez. If he was in charge, we would have seen Altidore and Bradley for sure.
I'd guess because the team has been mediocre and you have been content. Why do Americans think they can come up with a different approach and catch up with the rest of world? I know I am confident in my ideas that seem obvious based on my life experiences. I have no clue what is controversial about playing our best players and getting the best coach we can. Many, including our federation, seem to have anterior goals besides having the best national team we can.
The thing about unproven theories is that there are multiple ones. It's not like the above is the only possibility. I've been posting this forever and I have yet to see anything to disprove it. The ex-players are in control of the USSF. Not MLS or "the good old boys". The ex-players were instrumental in getting Cordeiro in office and they have consolidated their power even more now that Cone is President. (EDIT: This is historical record. Not theory). (Edit: This is theory) On seeing the state of the 2014 MNT they flexed their muscle and tossed Gulati. They negotiated separately with Cordeiro and they essentially asked for the reigns of the NTs while Cordeiro goes off and lands the WC hosting. Anyone thinking that anyone else is calling the shots (Stewart a "puppet" LOL) is not understanding the voting share that the players have been handed by Congress. Their main concerns (theoretically, not proven) was to restore the culture so they staffed the MNT with members of the most cohesive MNT team on record. The 2002 group. Yes, Berhalter was always the choice but it was always the players running the shots and I would say that's fine by me.
It appears you don't understand my expectations. I dont have any delusions. Feel free to tell me what i believe that is delusional. Yikes, you have been a fan for almost 30 years and you can't tell if the team plays well or not.
That is the direction we are heading. Lots of folks stuck in their MLS bubble with delusions about the league and its players. Lots of arrogance for no reason.