Yeah, I do. That's why I asked how that would even work? I can't imagine even Gregg charting out certain mandates about prescribed runs and prohibited runs. That's just not how the game works.
Basically, the guys who got picked and played a ton under Berhalter say they like him and the guys who didn't get picked are less than enthused. Exactly what one would expect. I'd also always take public statements by players with a grain of salt in either direction.
Is there a responsibility when a team presses to be in certain spots in case you lose the ball? Otherwise this is a big criticism of GB.
There is, but his teams in general were very structured anyway. It is clear that Earnie was looking for that structure in a coach after the mess that was Jurgen. Pepi‘s remarks are natural. He was probably one of the last cuts. Of course it hurts. No surprise he would say something like that, and I don‘t doubt there is some truth to it. It‘s no different than Puli being pissed about how a shadow was cast over the WC. It hurts. Not shocked he commented. The only difference here is that if you can‘t stand the coach you just takes sides and yours is justified and different because you say so. I‘m glad Puli spoke up because that actually took courage, especially when taking on the mob. He has the cache to do it, and people like him need to. Here is hoping Pepi‘s hurt can be turned into something positive.
Hmm Two-time MLS Coach of the Year Jim Curtin is still without a new contract. Curtin's current deal with the Philadelphia Union expires at the end of 2023.Talks are ongoing between the Union and Curtin, but nothing is close.Curtin has been head coach of the club since 2014. pic.twitter.com/tAbzN0aOjw— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 23, 2023
How else would you describe those who insisted that he would never drop Bradley, Trapp, Yueill, etc etc. Or that he didn’t integrate young players enough? These were VERY common complaints during his tenure, and they were completely nonsensical. They actually distracted from legitimate discussions about issues with scoring goals, and made a lot of posters lose credibility. But by all means, pretend that those things didn’t happen, or that those arguments legitimate. Just don’t expect anyone to take you seriously if you do.
I think that's "double talk" Pepi: comments against berhalter because gregg left him off the WC roster Pulisic: comments for Gregg because Gregg let Pulisic do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. You can't criticize Pepi without also acknowledging the opposite through Pulisic. The truth lies somewhere in the middle as always.
They can both be true. Pulisic suffered through the period they didn't make and the team was divided. He puts a lot of credit for straightening out the mess and making it an environment that is great. Pepi wasn't there for that and takes the environment for granted. He brings up freedom on offense when GB liked to script things. If GB did come back does he have a plan to improve the offense? Would everyone having more time together and being older and more experienced at the club level make it better? I'm a bit worried the players could become divided again with certain coaches but I don't know that that is a worse possible outcome then another cycle of inept offense. Ideally the new coach would keep the environment, keep the defense sound while making the offense hum and fixing the free kick and corner kick scoring problems.
If Chicago House cannot let of its love of the Berhalter Clan go, then let Gregg take up some office there. As manager, at this point I'd rather give Hudson a shot [despite his Colorado record] than be bound to "Gregg's Way.". What Pepi said about Hudson encouraging more creativity up front is encouraging... let's see what these two Nation's cup matches show us, particularly the one against El Salvador.
Your last sentence here is exactly what the new sporting director should not only be looking for in a new coach, but explicitly tasked with finding by Cone and USSF leadership. Berhalter did a good job making the team defensively solid; what the new coach…Berhalter or otherwise…must do is meaningfully raise the ceiling of this team offensively. Specifically, they need to improve the offensive efficiency through the middle third of the field from the halfway/center line to the penalty area. While MMA is great for stifling the opponent, they don’t offer enough going forward, at least in their current roles. I do think with time Musah can become a much more effective offensive weapon but what we are really looking at at present is committing to making Gio Reyna a driver of this offense. He’s the most likely candidate for some quasi-type CAM position, but whether it is him or someone else I do hope whoever the new coach is realizes we need to commit to someone in midfield who can offer more creativity, vision and finishing ability than the presumed incumbent group.
Rodrygo: “We joke with Ancelotti that we're waiting for him in Brazil. He jokes that we’ll make the call-up together with Militão & Vini”, told @geglobo ⚪️🇧🇷“…but you know, every joke has a little bit of truth in it”.“I think he could serious candidate to take Brazil job”. pic.twitter.com/iQO21rV5FA— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 23, 2023 Brazil definitely eying Ancelotti as well.
I would describe those predictions as wrong. I wouldn’t pretend to know annything about the motors, her character of the speaker. You have confused your own beliefs about what is “legitimate” discussion with some sort of objective standard. That doesn’t make you particularly unique around here, but you have done it, nevertheless.
Since day 0 Berhalter has run a progressive-read based positional play system that dictates that every player on the field reads where the defense is, determines the best place to move and play the ball in order to get a numeric or positional advantage. Many players including Ream, Long, and Williamson have in public interviews described the complexity of the system. After GB's first camp, Luchi Gonzalez who was Cannon's coach at Dallas publicly stated that such a system was likely not appropriate for a NT because a NT is not together enough to grove any such system. Ironically, Luchi became an assistant to Gregg after Dallas. One of the hallmarks of the Berhalter era is the slow, robotic, easily defended offense as the players ponderously do their reads and movements. Even Berhalter himself after the dreadful pre-WC camp said that he might have added to much more detail to the system thinking they could handle it. Pepi's statement should not be a surprise to anyone who has closely followed the Berhalter tenure.
Yes it could be interpreted that way. My point is that I have more faith in what Pulisic has to say. Hes older and more experienced.
Pretty much. I will say a couple of things. 1. I'm all for trying Reyna in the midfield. 2. But I'm also all for finding a way for the twin 8s to be more forward, especially Weston. We used to do this and were more effective, and it completely disappeared. This may mean benching Dest. 3. I think as strikers develop some of this clears up. 4. Kudos for Gregg for actually bringing in a set piece coach ... now why didn't it work?
Also, they were talking about different things. I know it's insane to have any nuance on here, but players can disagree ... but they also aren't necessarily in two iron-clad camps like fans can be. Pulisic might even agree with Pepi. Or he may have agreed, but with more time, began to see possibilities. A lot of offenses that are read and react take that time to get the reads down quick and it can take time for a switch to flip. Or perhaps after years with Tuchel, a very structured coach, he's used to it or Berhalter even felt less structured. And maybe Pepi doesn't really know what scores more; he simply knows what he likes. I remember when Greg Maddux, one of the greatest pitchers of all time, wouldn't throw to anyone but Eddie Perez because it was more comfortable. But he didn't pitch better with Eddie than other people. He just thought he did. And I'd listen to Greg Maddux on pitching a thousand times over virtually anyone else. And maybe Pepi feels that way, and is right ... but also appreciates other aspects like Pulisic does. No one agrees with anyone 100%. Instead we get everything lined up behind a very simple idea of Berhalter bad or good. Things like positional play are one of those things that feel very structured until you find the fluidity in them. The triangle in basketball is very similar. The instant you start seeing and reacting it isn't restrictive. But if you are looking and then thinking, I can see where it's a struggle. Personally, I can it being restrictive, especially to a player who hasn't played high level soccer. Berhalter absolutely wanted guys in certain spaces to counterpress and defend, in particular. So does Guardiola -- his players are simply more creative and versed. But you don't see them out of defensive position often, if at all. That doesn't mean it's the right call for these players, and it doesn't mean Berhalter is teaching it well, etc. But personally, if I don't have a player or two complaining about structure ... I kind of worry we don't have any.
I don’t know he’d be interested but here’s a top tier elite coach now in need of a job 🚨 Exclusive news confirmed: Julian Nagelsmann is set to be sacked with an immediate effect as FC Bayern coach. #FCBayernNews revealed earlier tonight now being confirmed by club sources too. pic.twitter.com/VcWEJPXQcY— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 23, 2023
Sadly, I don‘t think he will be short of suitors. Lewa leaving was a big deal but fan discontent with current upper management before this was pretty broad. Can‘t wait to hear responses.
Henry (who we shouldn't want) turned down the French women but is interested in the USMNT job... meanwhile Renard will coach the French women, did US Soccer ever contact him or even consider him? Herve Renard set to become new France Women’s head coach by @charlotteharpurvia @TheAthletic https://t.co/IEVDoq70Q5— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) March 20, 2023