Yeah, he's just being diplomatic, I feel. Trying not to cause problems with friends and former teammates, not to mention prospective future USMNT managers and hierarchy. He always did seem to have good common sense.
"Clint doesn't agree with me so he must be lying." It's funny. A bunch of foreign pundits, coaches, and former US players all think he did a pretty good job. So did our star player. The only people who have seemed to complain have playing time issues... The only people who seem to think Berhalter was a terrible coach is a certain segment of the fanbase. Clint sees what pretty much everyone else sees. The team played well, was organized, had and executed a plan, and the expectation that this team should be Top 8 or better in the world is not consistent with the talent.
How about we have a poll of regulars in this thread (no anonymity): If the final choice of next manager is Berhalter or Marsch, which one would you vote for? I'd go with Marsch. Marsch is in the lead 1-0.
If our top options are American coaches like Jesse Marsch who keeps getting fired and Steve Cherundolo who is getting outcoached again, just hire 38 year old Nicolas Larcamon away from Leon if he's currently running circles around Cherundolo in the CCL final... some relatively unknown dude from LigaMX isn't going to take the USMNT job, or is too expensive for US Soccer?? Steve Cherundolo has gotten coached off the field over these 2 legs so far.Leon have made them react to their style and have them way out of rhythm. His team has the ability to get back into the game but it won’t happen if he can’t make the right adjustments— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) June 5, 2023 Disaster of a first half for LAFC. Why the hell did Cherundolo change formations for the second leg of a final?— USMNT 🇺🇸 Thoughts (@USMNT_Thoughts) June 5, 2023 I know this is benefiting from hindsight but what a stupid lineup choice from LAFC. I don’t understand not starting one of Cifu or Tillman.— Paul Harvey (@Thundering165) June 5, 2023 I’d take Giorgio Chiellini out at half. .He’s not looked right. How long has it been since he’s played? LAFC shell shocked and Leon looking the part w/ what LA give them. #CCLFinal— herculez gomez (@herculezg) June 5, 2023 Don't you have to be winning before you can "finish him", isn't that how it works? This TIFO is 🔥@LAFC hit 'em with the "FINISH 'EM!" Mortal Kombat tifo. pic.twitter.com/scv7Y2e5BQ— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 5, 2023
Stuff like this is a great reminder that while grown a lot MLS has a long way to go. Seriously, Cherundolo started getting his name put in the NT ring after like 6 months in charge of being handed the best team in the league. It's a joke. But at the same time its not like we have a long list of other options.
We have the entire world of options, literally hundreds of options. We don't have to pick between Berhalter and Marsch and Cherundolo.
If he keeps it up, maybe an option for 2030 sure. But Cherundolo getting pantsed right now with his team "shell shocked" is why you don't hire a national team coach because they did well your the domestic league for one season.
Cherundolo is a young coach and there are going to be growing pains. If you were to hire him it’s because you have faith in his long term potential while knowing he still has things to learn in the immediate term. This game is also why CCL is a good barometer as well.
Cherundolo really personally recruited this guy to LAFC where he said LigaMX has no tactics, only for their coach to run circles around Stevie C over both legs… Didn’t one of the LAFC players say Mexican teams didn’t play tactically? Anyone have that clip?Completely taken to school in these two legs. Respect your opponent.— USMNT 🇺🇸 Thoughts (@USMNT_Thoughts) June 5, 2023 Tim Tillman, “I think Mexican teams really don’t play that tactically. It’s more or less emotional. Very much 1v1s. It’s all about fighting, all about the emotions. Of course they’ve got quality up front but if we play well I’m sure we can win over there.”📸: @TheStrikerNews pic.twitter.com/n0v0TAZQu1— Justin Ruderman (@JustinRuderman_) May 29, 2023 Tactical Masterclass by Nicolas Larcamon and Leon. Easily the best team over two legs and deserved CCL Champions. In the City of Stars it was LAFC’s stars that let them down. #CCLFinal— herculez gomez (@herculezg) June 5, 2023 Leon to Tim Tillman pic.twitter.com/nNH7WlQONv— 🔱🈲 (@adorsey75) June 5, 2023
I'm one of the people who was inclined to take Henry if that's how the chips fell. But that's mostly because I like him as a person (from what I know) and I think he's a very smart guy with a strong upward coaching trajectory because of it. He's an emotionally positive person, which is a trait I value (for comparison: Mourinho is an emotionally negative person). Also, he's one of the best strikers of the last few decades, and his presence could only help in that regard.
I don't really want either, which is similar to my feelings when I'm given only two options in voting in other arenas.
We’re still using this excuse? Cherundolo expresses regret at the disadvantages MLS teams face in this competition in comparison to their Liga MX counterparts.— Mike Gray (@MikeGrayAFC) June 5, 2023
I'm interested in the actual quote from Cherundolo in this regard. Because, on the face of it, he's got no reason to excuse his team's piss poor performance at home. I watched both games, and his team was outplayed across the field in both. The team--and I mean the whole team, coaching included--just wasn't up to the task today or last week.
This is his full quote Cherundolo: in tournaments like this, in order to play finals and win them, you have to rethink your roster rules and regulations #Concachampions pic.twitter.com/3xAgSplO6B— Eduard Cauich (@MayanTiger1) June 5, 2023
I know they’re still fairly young as a club, but if LAFC want more quality depth, then I’d say they should get their academy producing. There’s no reason they shouldn’t have more cheap homegrown contributors given their talent-laden location. Also, I don’t really know anything about him, but should Crocker be looking at the Leon coach for the USMNT?
You got all that from my post, which didn't really say anything more than Clint is careful with what he says?
People spent so much emotional anger on the Berhalter hire................that they essentially forgot to enjoy a Gold Cup win, a Nations League win, a successful WCQing campaign, and a trip to the WC Round of 16. The complete overhaul of a locker room culture that was truly toxic at the end of 2018 (again, see Ringer article). Our talent IS NOT that of a top 8 team in the World. Not actually close. Maybe people are watching our best players suffer in big leagues this year and perhaps are starting to realize that. Pulisic is on the bench. Aaronson didn't play well. Musah had a tough year. Weah had a tough year. McKennie had a tough year. Dest had a tough year. The list goes on and on. Pepi is on the worst team in Holland, and people think he's some sort of savior. Richards had a tough year. Blah, blah, blah. We really could hire Ancelotti as coach and NOT have a better cycle than we did under Berhalter. We DON'T have to hire an American coach. Also, Cherundolo's status as an "up and coming American coach" doesn't change because he lost in the CCL Final. Just needs more experience. And so does Noonan by the way. MLS has such parity that it can be truly humbling. Cuz you're the flavor of the month one day and the next your'e getting schooled. One team that's been consistently good, and consistently playing above their wage bill is Philadelphia and Jim Curtin.
Their oldest homegrowns from the academy are 18. Dueñas got some minutes in the last CCL round and about 200 MLS minutes so far this year.
He was reportedly a candidate for the Mexico job, but they decided to go with Cocca instead. Feels like he's probably not enough on the radar for the USMNT job. I think more likely would be if he ends up in MLS (Inter Miami maybe?).