I don't want to derail the thread too much by splitting hairs between the 2011 and 2013 teams. I do think that 2011 team had more talent on it though, they just had to play an away game for their do or die qualifier which burned them. I hold no resentment towards that 2013 team. Getting a point out of the group was more than anybody could have asked
If we can only beat Qatar 1-0, Nigeria 2-0, and lose to a European team 2-1, then we'll get stomped on by France. Look what another European club did to another CONCACAF nation, 12-0! Losing Mendez (to yellows), who had the potential to score on a set play or long shot, is a big loss. Every opportunity's going to count in this match because as per usual for the US seniors or youths there aren't many chances. It is what it is. No reason to be in dreamland, folks.
when the US sets up defensively and conservatively, yes, they stuggle to create. When they take the aggressive offensive stance like they did vs Nigeria they can create chances vs anyone...I would say Nigeria is more physically imposing than any team in the tournament and it didn't stop the US from creating against them.... And that european loss was luck. Ukraine couldn't get the ball across midfield for the first 30 minutes of the game.
well I knew it as soon as I saw the lineup. He should learn from these 3 games and realize that possession of the ball is the best defense.
Rome is great, though I did tell me wife that since we were in Europe already, my life long dream was to see the Polish countryside in June, but she didn't go for it.
Ukraine is actually beaten France in Euro Championship. Another Concacaf team just eliminated another top European team. Ledezma has potential to score on a set play or long shot.
FFS. We’re not going to our-possess the ball vs France. Your desire to play attractive attacking soccer vs good teams is a preference for style over substance.
First, this isn't the Full French national team...(which btw plyed super defensive in the last world cup anyway) second.... 40% possession is way better than 25%...both from a stylistic perspective and winning % perspective. if France is indeed as good as you make them out to be, the US still oughta be able to get around 40% possession if they play their game and don't capitulate with their strategy. bare minimum. Play your game..."land of the free home of the brave" not land of the wimps home of the chickens....these players aren't built to play scared and afraid. Ukraine could barely get the ball over the midfield line in the first game...play like that and let the chips fall where they may, imo. High press, play for real, aggressive....and keep the ball as much as you can....don't go into the game with your tail between your legs. Last I checked Pogba and Mbappe are not on the France U-20 team....these players are not some unbeatable dream team. i haven't heard of any of them and I follow the sport pretty closely. third, if the US somehow bunkers its way deep into this tourney...it will be irrelevant imo....what are those players learning? is the full USMNT going to benefit from players who lucked into a bunker advancement? nope. The USMNT needs players who can possess and go toe-to-toe with the best...let's see who has the chops and who doesn't...this is a chance to test the mettle and build character....not get scared. I'll bet you anything that if the US lineup is extra-conservative and the team kicks the ball upfield randomly all game like i'm guessing they might, they will be eliminated...and THAT will have little to do with the opponent and a lot to do with the approach.
Of course France only beat Panama 2-0. We're the CONCACAF champions, not Panama. On paper France is better than us. They may actually be better than anybody left in the tournament. But we do have the talent to beat them. We're not afraid. I like Mendez, but he's not Xavi. We have other talented players in this group. You go to the World Cup to test yourself against the best. That's the whole idea. So bring on France. If we come out of this game playing well and to our abilities, but lose...…………….c'est la vie. If this game goes like we want it to as USYNT fans, it'll be the "coming out" party of Paxton Pomykal on the world stage. FCD is getting their bank account ready as we speak. Cha Ching!!!
My Directv schedule still shows that US game on Fox Sports + and the Japan game on FS2. So I checked Fox Sports website directly and they show the US game at 1130 edt on FS2.
I need to play my day for Tuesday. Anyone can confirm if the game will be televised at 8:15 or replayed at 11:30
Well, we could have if we’d brought our best and most experienced players, but US U-20 teams are usually B+ teams because the A team players are playing up with the full national team. Imagine the midfield with Adams and our threat with Sargent...
Are we the only team in the U20 WC that doesn't have all of it's top players available? I always hear about how we're missing Sargent and Adams, but can't help but think other nations are missing similar, if not better, players?
it's impossible to know what a team's true ceiling is...but when I watch this team so far, I don't see a limit on what they can achieve....the first half vs Ukraine, the Nigeria game.... When the team then under-performs to their capacity...it's very hard not to think maybe the coach has something to do with that... It is part and parcel of being in charge of a team with a lot of talent...expectations are high....and when they aren't met ...the coach is the first target. If a team plays up to its highest self...then the coach shouldn't be blamed for a loss..... But if they have proven they can be at a certain level and then under-perform (likely as a result of coaching decisions) it is totally fair to blame the coach. Like it or not, managers have a HUGE impact in soccer. As soon as the EPL went after Klopp, Guardiola, Pocchetino Mourhino etc whaddya know...they are in the finals of everything.....they were outspending the other countries for a long time now but weren't winninig much until they got the right managers. simple.
That would be a great test of the FCD system (arguably the US' top development academy) and would probably be worth watching for that reason alone. How does the FCD system hold up against a juggernaut?
A true A team for the US would also feature high profile players that are currently with the senior team.
I have been thinking about this a lot. I think losing Mendez may be a loss but not a huge one. My reasoning for this is that it seemed like he would step up and shoot the FK directly at the keeper or have it go a few feet over the net. Over and over and over. After it happened for what seemed like the millionth time against Qatar I was thinking to myself maybe we should work on other types of set pieces with other players. This suspension will force us to train and try other types of kicks and maybe even crosses in those situations.