The first I’ll never get over. A selfish, petty decision by a selfish, petty person. I’m in the minority on the second one - I think that shot was a lot harder than it looked, he had just come on and forwards miss 80% of their shots in real life. Can’t judge them with tiny sample sizes.
I am having a heated debate with some other dudes regarding this. Tata didn't make use of all that was available to him playerwise. Chicharito is certainly one of them and he had repeated whenever asked his bags were ready and all he needed was the call. Forget about Vela, he is done with the national team and has repeatedly said so even tho I don't see him being out-played by dudes like Herrera and Guardado especially in that Argentina match. Today he used Orbelin and Edson and you see how much more dynamic the team looked. Lots of other things that Tata just effed up on and put the team on a path to underperform. Don't even get me started of the lack of strikers and the choice of Raul Jimenez. That guy was not 100%. Berhalter gets alot of flak for sitting Reyna but if the player is not 100 he is not 100. What the hell is he gonna do? Put him in and maybe drag the play down to where the team gets beat because of it? Tripple G had the balls to say screw it, he is not starting. Plus Gio is one of Berhalter's favorites. If he was anywhere near ready he would have started the kid. Both Vela and Javier certainly should be called up if only to say thank you and goodbye in the coming process even tho the three northern countries wont have to go through qualifiers. A special game at Azteca, just for them. Anyhoo, Tata is done and probably landing at Buenos Aires International as we speak. He must be hugely relieved this nightmare is over.
Was JUST rehashing this with my husband AGAIN while we watched Mexico get eliminated on our recording tonight. I didn't know the result ahead of time. What a suspenseful game! I wish Antuna had scored. Also, that free kick goal was a stunner - is that guy named Beckham?
USMNT Soccer Fans: “Why did we hire Berhalter when Tata was available?!?” Mexico El Tri Fans: “Hold my beer.”
Works for me. To this day I’ve never seen anyone as nervous watching a sporting event as Berks at the 2012 MLS Cup. I got anxious just watching her….
He would have been called offside (unless the ref overruled it, he wasn't actually offside but the AR raised his flag). And in general I have a tough time anymore blaming players who are trying their best, although maybe that's because I used to be a Cubs fan and scapegoating was a way of life
Feeling bad for Canada making our 1990 team look like 1960 Real Madrid. Should have taken Raheem, I guess
Fine, I forgive Wondo for the miss, but I will not forgive him for being a quake, thats going too far
Morocco currently topping a group with Belgium, Croatia and Canada with one half of soccer to go. Bonkers.
Both coaches wayward USMNT fans pined for during qualifying (Herdman and Martino) have been eliminated, which tells you everything about our fanbase. Whether it was the reason or not, Martino choosing steadfastly to not bring Chicharito looms large.
And as I speak, Belgium are eliminated from the World Cup Finals. Lukaku missed a least two golden chances, probably 3. Such shocking misses people are joking he got paid off.
What a story this group has been. Croatia Belgium might be the most riveting scoreless game I've ever watched. And I can watch Modric play all day long, the dude's in a different class.
absolutely shambolic performance by Lukaku and he is devastated, have to feel for him, he seems like a stand up bloke
US Soccer CCO Jay Berhalter: Gregg Berhalter was chosen out of a field of top world class coaches. M'kay...
If Antuna had just been more aware and started his run two seconds later he would have been onside. Yeah, that was Luis Chaves. 26 year old that many think should have seen the inside of the national team much sooner. Very good all around player and has a hell of a foot. He almost did it again on another set play but it was bit under powered and the keeper got to it. All they needed was one more goal regardless of the Arabian goal and they were through.
Also Wondo would have looked better if he were a worse forward. An average forward would have just blasted the ball into the keeper to no avail. But Chris opened up his stance to try to redirect the ball around the keeper, just inside the far post, a very difficult maneuver. The ball was crossing his body rapidly, he was a quarter second too late and he ends up looking like a fool. Would it have been better for him to have blasted it into the keeper so he didn’t risk ridicule? In retrospect - yes!
Would have loved for Costa Rica and Japan to have topped the group. When the Ticos went ahead it was crazy at my office. Great couple of games!
Oh, come on, who DIDN'T have Japan winning that soft-ass group EDIT - Japan living out the "Call an ambulance...BUT NOT FOR ME" meme EDIT EDIT - The only team that could beat Japan? Costa Rica. CONCACAF SUPREMACY CONFIRMED