28/75 knockout matches have gone to extra time starting 20 years ago in '02. 5, 6, 4, 8 and 5 respectively. 2014 in Brazil was the crazy one with 8 total of 15, and 5 in the round of 16 (including incredibly 3 of 4 on one side of the bracket). So take note of that, historically anyway, odds are about 1/3, randomly speaking, that ours joins that collection of extra time knockout matches. Factor in Netherlands approach and its even more likely. Need to find that early winner for sure (and then add to it).
Does minutes played make any real difference to CP's injury? I would believe it if a doctor said if he plays 3 minutes he might as well play 90 because it's all about whether he is comfortable enough to do it, and playing won't make it any worse. I could also believe the opposite, that somehow time or effort could exacerbate it. Anyone have a good sense of this? Given he only went 45' last game, it'd be fantastic to expect 90 (or more) from him tomorrow.
Unless we get strong contributions from some unlikely sources - such as Reyna, Ferreira, Acosta, de la Torre, maybe Moore / Scally, etc. - I don't think we can win. If dudes don't step up, our effectiveness relative to the Dutch will drop throughout the match, and that usually gets you beat.
I was a neurologist, not a trauma surgeon, but someone like Pulisic might recover from mild pelvic injury in several days. Let’s hope so. He’s sorely needed for as long as he can go vs a national team that is ELO rated #5 vs the US AT #21.
And this is where it's important to note that Berhalter's not an idiot. The guy is intensely data driven, he's a learner, he's a soccer geek. He knows they aren't scoring. (Louis van Gaal, by the way, has literally said this to a certain extent about the Netherlands. He doesn't think that they can win pretty, so he's going to play a little dirty. I'd argue there's a lot of that in Gareth Southgate's plan as well for other reasons, but he's set himself up for playing France or Brazil, not Wales.) So the answer is, we're here at the World Cup and he doesn't see a likely way to fix it. Because this is probabilities. Just trying something to try something is a mistake because it can mean elimination. Or, he views switch are going to be more detrimental to the defense than beneficial to the offense. I'd say it is pretty damn hard to be definitive here. Especially when I watched us squander a slew of great transition opportunities or be toothless on set pieces. Like yeah, Reyna might have helped there, but it was Sargent or Pulisic who made the error. Or Reyna might give better service, but where's my set pieces with Wes off the field? I don't think there's a simple answer here, that's all.
So, any of y’all have some crazy superstitions/rituals about the USMNT and this World Cup? I normally keep a trimmed beard anyways but I’ve gone full grizzly Adams and have no plan on shaving. Hoping to end up looking like ZZ Top by the end of this.
I'll do a different calculation. Possible Outcomes, W or L. The World Cup says it insists on "Fair Play". So as this is a Fair Game, the probability of W and L are equally weighted. So P[USA Wins]=1/2. .....
Well. if MMA tend to be better defensively than in chance creation and Berhalter is using them defensively instead of for chance creation, that seems to be good all around. Against Iran, I noticed they were letting McKennie have the ball and inviting him in so they could disposess him and counter which happened a couple of times but we saw they were mistaken when he didn't take the bait and simply launched the long ball on cue from Dest when he was wide open. Netherlands will not give him that chance. b.t.w., Netherlands was having problems creating chances as well in game 1 v. Senegal then put Klaasen in and sure enough he assisted on one and scored a second. Klaasen then started in the next game v. Ecuador and assisted on their goal in the 6' mark and they drew 1-1. Then he starts v. Qatar and in 26' he asists on Netherland's first goal. Our Davvy Klaasen would have been Aaronson but Berhalter simply wouldn't start him.
Haven't they suffered enough? I can imagine that might be a really good fit, if only because Italians did love themselves some solid defense back in the day.
I am officially going on the record as having moved from Team "I hate Berhalter" to Team "Got to give hiim credit, he knows what he's doing." I'm filing my one time switch right now.
Not a doctor, but my experience from my own body is that contusions don't get worse with more activity. Tendons and muscle strains of various kinds do. If anything, more activity helps, at least for me, but then I've not had a pelvic one.
Don't look now, but the Netherlands are #3 now. ELO gives the U.S. a 24% win expectation (remember no draws there). Five thirty eight puts us at 34%
Folks, Explain to me why we don't use the U.S. top scorer and guy who has shown he can put ball in net against top teams up top? I mean, of course, Pulisic. Perhaps Aaronson out left, Weah/Reyna to the right. Alternatively a front three of Pulisic-Weah - Reyna. It seems that none of us are impressed with our forwards, so perhaps that false nine with clever mid fielders is the way to go? Did we try such a thing and I'm just not remembering how bad that was?
I'm guessing that it's b/c we need Aaronson to sub in for whomever in the front 5 is gassed or injured.
At the risk of adding to fans nightmare fuel, I’d start Morris up top tomorrow. Haji was that bad to my eyes, just can’t go back to him. I know Morris will run hard, I know he’ll bang with defenders. Physically, he’s the best option we have. But I really believe in the guy and his ability to produce a goal or assist. I don’t feel that way about the rest, particularly now that Sarge is banged up.
Apparently, it's not the flu, just some coughing. On a different note, is it seen as an asshole act to go to an American soccer bar with a Dutch shirt? Gonna watch the game with a US friend. Serious question.
No, but hope you get a couple sneers and boos lol. In all seriousness, people won’t care as long as you’re cool.