Post-match: 2022 World Cup, USA-Iran

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Dr. Gamera, Nov 29, 2022.

  1. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    This isn’t 2014 and Klinsmann. He won’t have to
     
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  2. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    There are no like for like subs for Musah, McKennie or Dest. Or really Sargent, for that matter.
     
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  3. fishmonger

    fishmonger Member

    Jul 2, 2014
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Thanks for hanging out and keeping it focused. I learned a few things from you.
     
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  4. eagercolin

    eagercolin Member

    Metro
    United States
    Aug 25, 2017
    Buffalo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I want Cobi to step in and teach these guys how to head for the corner flag.
     
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  5. diablodelsol

    diablodelsol Member+

    Jan 10, 2001
    New Jersey
    They are now called “Freedom Ovens”
     
  6. Eleven Bravo

    Eleven Bravo Member+

    Atlanta United
    United States
    Jul 3, 2004
    SC
    Club:
    Atlanta Silverbacks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Alright. Phew. It’s taken me awhile to compose myself. Here’s my post-match analysis.

    Let me start off, in three World Cup group games, we’ve given up ONE goal that came from a penalty kick. Our midfield and defense has been outstanding.

    Secondly, everyone who knows my posting history, knows that I have been hyper-critical of Gregg Berhalter. Sure, there are some things here or there that I wouldn’t do. But he met the benchmark. Get out of the group. That was my standard. He did that. So, let me go on record admitting: Gregg Berhalter’s 2022 World Cycle should go down as a success.

    That said, wow, we did it. Let’s celebrate. That was a very hard fought win.

    But let me throw in some critiques, because we must critique, I’m very worried about our fitness moving forward. We definitely ran out of gas. And if we’re missing either Pulisic and/or Sargent would come come out looking very impotent. Please, be okay.

    Speaking of those two. Wow. Pulisic will go down in legend status. I wish we could have captured his celebration, but what he did set the example for every player moving forward. You must be ready to sacrifice your body for this team. What a legend. Please, be okay.

    And, man, it will really be a damn shame if Sargent isn’t fit. I thought he was very good today. Maybe not great nor outstanding but very good would be a great way to capture his performance. He put in a Warrior-like show, and that’s exactly what we need from our center forward. Be dangerous. But pressure. Hold up. Link up with your teammates. Sargent did that. It would suck to be good with our center forward and then have to go back to the drawing board.

    Speaking of center forwards..... No more Haji, please. He’s trash. Back to back bad games. And if I recall correctly, he came in against Wales too, and our team suffered because of it. If we need another center forward. Go with Jesus Ferreira. It’s not even a debate anymore for me. Sargent or Ferreira or something else. But no Haji.

    Additionally, come on, Gregg. Shaq ain’t it. You’ve got options too. Yedlin or Scally. This isn’t hard. We don’t have to play Shaq.

    I want to see Reyna but when we get the result, how much can you criticize the coach? Personally, I worry about Reyna’s discipline and maturity even more than I worry about his fitness. He’s the most talented American of all time. But I don’t know if he’s going to come in yet and be a warrior like we’d need him to be. That said, I hope I see him against the Dutch.

    I don’t think that Brenden Aaronson had a good game. Arguably the worst game that I’ve seen from him. If Pulisic is out, we’re going to need more from him.

    Kelyn Acosta was okay. But when he came on, we lost control of the possession game.

    Carter-Vickers was more nervy than Zimmerman but overall, he got the job done against a very talented Mehdi Taremi.

    Okay, that’s the negatives.

    Wow, again. I’m so proud of this team. The fight. The “brotherhood” to quote McKennie. They really give it everything.

    It’s hard not to agree that our midfield and our defense can go against anyone in the world.

    Musah... what a warrior. Happy birthday, brother! You deserve a big celebration tonight.

    Dest was good. Jedi was good. McKennie was good. Adams was typically good. Same with Ream and Turner.

    Weah seems to shine in that second forward role. That’s exactly where I have him lining up against the Dutch, and moving forward.

    Now, get some rest. Celebrate. Recover. Realize that the pressure is off now, so just come out and show what you can do against the Dutch. It’s all gravy now!

    Thank you, for making me proud!

    Go USA!
     
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  7. Ghost

    Ghost Member+

    Sep 5, 2001
    Credit where it's due:zero goals in the run of play.
     
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  8. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    Or at least Haji Wright.

    though I hope it’s Jesus who starts Saturday
     
  9. the5timechamp

    the5timechamp Member+

    Nov 3, 2012
    Not to take anything from all players, but I hope part of the reason for that is due to the ref not being whistle happy or buying into the nonsense from either side… Yeah Klinsmann can go the F off forever as far as im concerned
     
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  10. NorcalHockeyhooligan

    Feb 25, 2012
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Same here. I’ll even take a second helping of crow, as I predicted the US wouldn’t advance.
    Will Berhalter continue to fail upwards if the team beats Netherlands IN SPITE OF Berhalter’s bad sub choices and preference to bunker early?
     
  11. bungadiri

    bungadiri Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 25, 2002
    Acnestia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Okay, took me a second.
     
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  12. zlatan_but_a_car

    Botswana Meat Commission FC
    United States
    Oct 16, 2017
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  13. orcrist

    orcrist Member+

    Jun 11, 2005
    Bay Area, California, USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    :thumbsup:
    I'm not even thinking about him lately, and for a really nice reason!
     
  14. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    A worse ref falls for the absolutely embarrassing level of flopping by the Iranians at the end.
     
  15. zlatan_but_a_car

    Botswana Meat Commission FC
    United States
    Oct 16, 2017
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  16. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    The results will probably earn Gregg a renewal through 2026 if he wants it. No one can argue with results — well, you can but the PTB won’t care. I understand those who are discouraged by his decisions, and assume it is about a sense of potential that may never be realized. It’s not illogical to think that we could be better, or that GB’s unbalanced sense of creativity and ambition (very high on the defensive side of the ball, very modest on the offensive side) might not let this generation be what they could be. But as long as he meets the Fed’s expectations we just have to hope he continues to evolve.

    Here’s what I wrote before the match:

    “If we don’t win today (or even if we do) and Gregg is retained after this WC, I have two hopes.

    If we don’t beat Iran it will be because of offensive impotency. I hope Gregg can be persuaded that (even accepting that offense is more important than defense) his defensive acumen and plans can coexist with lineups and tactics that create more chances during the run of play. I am not sure he believes that. He may see our inability to create good chances during run of play as a failure of the striker pool (not converting crosses or being good enough at holdup play). OTOH, he’s a data guy and he has to see that we just don’t get any possession in Zone 14. As a defender he must know that we are one dimensional in attack and that, at the very least, being better at attacking through the middle makes us tougher to defend.

    The second hope is that he can become more secure in his dealings with all of his stakeholders. I am sure the appearance of nepotistism made him defensive from the start, as it would anyone. His dealings with players (e.g., Brooks) and press (questioning Aaron Long’s abilities is “insane”) reflect a defensiveness or insecurity that doesn’t serve him or anyone else very well. He has accomplished a lot. He has assembled a squad that regularly plays at a very high level defensively. He has recruited dual nationals exceptionally well (though there is room for improvement still with Mexican Americans). He has created a strongly positive and inviting atmosphere around the team. He should feel more secure (and less bunkered) than he seems to feel. He should not be prickly about critical questioning. He should be open to it. As Karl Popper said (paraphrasing), when people challenge our views they are doing us a favor, by helping us think critically about what we believe, thereby bringing us closer to the truth.”

    I bet Gregg does evolve, at least a little. Meanwhile I feel a bit bad for the kids who have shown what they can do at the B1 level and are not getting a chance to show it in Qatar. You never know the future, and this may be their only shot. It must be frustrating for them.

    But winning is winning. If Sarge and Pulisic or Ok I could see us give the Dutch a game. Let’s go!
     
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  17. diablodelsol

    diablodelsol Member+

    Jan 10, 2001
    New Jersey
    The good stuff is never easy
     
  18. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    Oh and Jedi…is the kid from the Mighty Ducks that kept skating into the wall
     
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  19. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    Since we have statements on the record to the contrary, why would you think that?
     
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  20. grandinquisitor28

    Feb 11, 2002
    Nevada
    It reminds me a lot of Bradley in '10. Making it to the knockouts was awesome that tourney, but the mistakes were so gratuitous that when I saw the starting lineup against Ghana, I threw up my hands and went for a hike, catching the 2nd half and extra time at a nice little restaurant near the hike.

    The first half was spectacular in moments and generally excellent, but the second half included just utter ---- in terms of subs for the second half. Just totally incompetent. Reminded me of how I felt w/that lineup against Ghana, and how I felt when I saw Tab go away from the lineup that beat France and back to the lineup that struggled mightily in the group stage (and then the key "WTF" players, just like in '10, played the key role in the defeat, not closing down Colombian attackers, and playing soft, responsible completely for the opening goal).

    The second half decisions neutered what we were doing well and put us at grave risk of throwing away the game and then the result. You have guys that can possess the ball, hold the ball, and counter, that is a much better strategy than to go France '18/Belgium '14 style hail mary bunker approach and just pray you don't give up a penalty or a wide open point blank header (which of course we risked and more). Come on Berhalter, seriously, everytime you do something so good like that first half against Wales or against Iran, you come around and make sure there's plenty of reason to aim the hate back at you for the most mindblowingly stupid subs imaginable. The subs were there and obvious across the board, and there we are, avoiding all of them for incredibly stupid choices again.

    Good job getting to the knockouts, but seriously, it could've been far easier if you just got out of your own way w/the subs. You do that, we win matchday 1 and matchday 3 comfortably and finish on 7 points, easy. Instead, we threw away the result against Wales, and nearly advancement against Iran all because of subs. WTF?!?!?!

    It didn't have to be this terrifying.

    Reyna? Ferreira? Scally? We have guys that can pass the ball, possess the ball, do things w/it, and Berhalter just won't play them. Bizarre.

    Very, very happy for the team. Deserved, especially w/the cynical play from Iran, went from likable to not, really damn fast (like a more skilled Guatemala or Panama in terms of diving, and PK claims, and hacking), glad we're through. Still trying to figure out what happened to Pulisic, not sure how he could get a concussion from that. Saw Sargent walking around (w/o cleats or socks) celebrating after it, so it cant be anything torn or broken, good for him, hope it's nothing too serious, looked scary as hell.
     
  21. eagercolin

    eagercolin Member

    Metro
    United States
    Aug 25, 2017
    Buffalo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's carrying a yellow -- I think that has to factor into it.
     
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  22. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    Yeah, he had some problem touches today.
     
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  23. Dervos

    Dervos Member+

    Mar 13, 2002
    Club:
    Austin Aztex
    Right now, to my absolute delight, Gregg's recruiting and team building are beating his callups and substitions. He's recruited and built a squad of players so good they can overcome his worst meddling and poorest choices :D



    God help us if we see Shaq Moore vs the Dutch though.
     
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  24. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Dest isn't 90 minute fit (subbed out all three games). Berhalter trusts Moore more on D than Scally or Yedlin. He is worse with the ball at his feet, but also almost scored getting forward with a nice run. He is faster than Scally and has better defensive awareness than Yedlin.

    Zimmerman for Weah was park the bus time. A tad early for me, but getting that height on the field was 100% the right thing to do. As was 5 in the back.
     
  25. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Defensively: He didn't win balls in the air. He just bodied his man and hoped the next guy didn't get beat. Got beat in behind on the near goal that was cleared off the line. He also got beat by a half step in and around the box on about 5 occasions, and then made borderline contact which could have been called. 1 or 2 should have, at least outside the box. These things change the narrative. If you're associated w/ a goal as a defender you get more heat, and vice versa, but you only control what you can.

    Offensively: His passing contribution was average. Ream did the heavy-lifting there and on defense. And he's not a set-piece threat.

    This isn't enough to justify CCV's place. The start was a mistake. He should go back to the bench.
     

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