2023 FIFA U-20 WC US vs. Slovakia 5/26 2:00 PM EDT (Pre-match/PBP/Post-game)

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by asoc, May 24, 2023.

  1. RefIADad

    RefIADad Member+

    United States
    Aug 18, 2017
    Des Moines, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It’s a knockout tournament, so anything can and likely will happen. But I truly believe that in this event, this US team has a fair chance to win any game they play. And this is the first time I’ve ever felt that way for a US team in any sort of World Cup tournament at any age level.
     
  2. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think we have a chance because of our so far surprisingly good defense. Three in the back has been solid against the two good teams and leaves that extra CB for when one gets beat (inevitable at this age). We also have two players coming in and Tsakiris should start rounding into form. No idea about other teams issues and we won't be favored as the rounds go on but definitely a chance.
     
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  3. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I definitely don't know why one would watch these matches and feel the need to go out of their way and say they're not going to win this thing. Maybe it was an overreaction to not beating Fiji 3-0 instead of 9-0. But we beat the team who beat them 9-0 and then beat the team they beat by 1 by more. The lesson you should learn, which you should already know, is that performances against minnows who play organized doesn't translate one way or another against real opponents. And that's going to determine how far we go. So far so good.

    I also think there's looking at the club associations of these players and believing they aren't as good because they're not in Bayern's or Ajax's reserves...whatever that meant. This group's players could go from the higher level most of them are playing at, MLS, to a bigger club's reserves; if that's what they and their clubs want. But that wouldn't exactly be good for their careers and outlooks, even if it would impress some w/ a very superficial perspective.

    A lot of players from this squad will be useful players for the seniors. That number may well be higher than ever. And they're not finished products. A couple can go from good to great. The closest is Paredes probably. He'll be added now. Outside of that we can benefit from having less weak links and a better collective than ever.

    Then there's the coaching upgrade. Ramos was a decent coach. But Varas is savvier tactically and with his tourney strategy. He knows he has by and large interchangeable parts, w/ the superior depth, so he's been rotating, and will keep doing so to some degree, to get the most energized team out there.

    Winning it all is probably a long shot, but far from a no shot, especially if we supposedly had one in '19. That team got housed by Ecuador. This one out-played them.
     
  4. Maximum Optimal

    Maximum Optimal Member+

    Jul 10, 2001
    This team is characterized by its superior depth and Varas has been smart to lean into that.

    The senior team can always use new stars, but if this cohort's contribution ends up being mainly in the form of enhancing the senior team's depth that wouldn't be such a bad team. It would allow the senior team coach to adopt a rotational strategy in future tournaments.
     
  5. twoolley

    twoolley Member+

    Jan 3, 2008
    This team has a lot of surefire pros. Great depth.
     
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  6. Agenbite

    Agenbite Member

    Jun 22, 2016
    I am not as concerned about Slonina.
     
  7. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What's the implication of this comment?
     
  8. Agenbite

    Agenbite Member

    Jun 22, 2016
    He is a prime example of a kid who was playing mucho mucho minutes in MLS, went to Chelsea and only getting junior team minutes. But I am confident he will continue to develop and get quality minutes sooner rather than later. His work ethic, his ability to self-evaluate, and his ability to receive guidance from others are all as phenomenal as (and far more important than) his natural talent. So he will be fine. However, in general I agree with the comment I quoted you on. 99.99999% of the time.
     
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  9. um_chili

    um_chili Member+

    Jun 3, 2002
    Losanjealous
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great post. I’d add that winning it all is a long shot for any team, period. You have to navigate your group and then win four games in a row against top competition. Of the 24 teams that started this tourney, 23 will go home without winning. 1/24 is long odds by any standard.

    That said, after seeing this team sweep their group opponents and concede no goals, it certainly seems plausible that they could win it all. A lot will depend on if and how they can raise their game against stronger competition. They may or may not but they clearly have the capacity to do so.
     
  10. Ball Chucking Hack

    Jan 21, 2005
    Raleigh, NC
    Brazil looking very Brazilian today.
     
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  11. WheezingUSASupport

    Dortmund
    United States
    Aug 28, 2017
    Israel or Senegal win now guarantees the US plays Nigeria.
     
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  12. DeweyEvans

    DeweyEvans Member

    United States
    Jan 25, 2020
    Don't think an Israel win guarantees it
     
  13. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    Yes, Israel - Japan result is irrelevant for us.
     
  14. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Yep, not one team scares me. Not that I think we are the favorites.
     
  15. Gacm32

    Gacm32 Member+

    Chelsea
    Switzerland
    Nov 28, 2010
    Geneva
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    Gambia. They look very talented, have a ton of pace, and look to hit quickly on the counter. That’s a bad match for a team in the USA that looks to possess a lot of the ball and push numbers forward.
     
  16. Gacm32

    Gacm32 Member+

    Chelsea
    Switzerland
    Nov 28, 2010
    Geneva
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    What are the scenarios now? Nigeria or New Zealand for thé USA? Is it the higher ranked out of the two if they end up on the same points but different goal difference?
     
  17. Bluecat82

    Bluecat82 Member+

    Feb 24, 1999
    Minneapolis, MN
    Club:
    Minnesota United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, they have a spreadsheet based on which groups provide the 3rd place teams. See Post #229 of this thread.
     
  18. Ball Chucking Hack

    Jan 21, 2005
    Raleigh, NC
    #343 Ball Chucking Hack, May 27, 2023
    Last edited: May 27, 2023
    If Colombia comes back and ties, or wins, it's New Zealand. (almost certainly) Otherwise, it's Nigeria.
     
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  19. Agenbite

    Agenbite Member

    Jun 22, 2016
    I am so mad at Columbia!!! grrrrrrr!!!!!
     
  20. redondos

    redondos Member

    AC Milan
    United States
    Nov 16, 2022
    Me? I love Colombia.
     
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  21. bballshawn

    bballshawn Member+

    Feb 5, 2014
    Delaware
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Does Isreal winning affect anything?
     
  22. Ball Chucking Hack

    Jan 21, 2005
    Raleigh, NC
    Probably not. If Tunisia lost by like 4 goals tomorrow it might, but otherwise, it won't.
     
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  23. Agenbite

    Agenbite Member

    Jun 22, 2016
    Okay so the simple version of US avoiding Nigeria is:

    If either of tomorrow's groups end with a third place team with over 3 points OR have only 3 pts but beat a (-1) goal differential, we get to play New Zealand.

    At least one of the third place teams in Groups E,F must qualify for the round of 16.
    THANK YOU COLUMBIA!!!
     
  24. Shawn Pug

    Shawn Pug Member

    Mar 18, 2022
    #349 Shawn Pug, May 27, 2023
    Last edited: May 27, 2023
    That means, if Tunisia W/T or L to Uruguay less than 3 goal, or France and Honduras do not end with T, then Japan is out (no C3 advances). If Japan out, USA will face New Zealand in the knockout stage.

    Unless third place of group A also eliminated (possible? UPDATE: No) IMG_4260.jpg
     
  25. Ball Chucking Hack

    Jan 21, 2005
    Raleigh, NC
    A (New Zealand) is through. Unless things get super weird, we'll play them.
     

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