How about make Scaloni as our new coach? He can build the team around Pulisic. As Hugo Perez said — just find the guys who can get the ball to Pulisic where he is most dangerous.
I'd love Scaloni as a coach. Of course, it took a loss to Saudi Arabia and a very uninspired game against Mexico, I think, for him to make the midfield switch. But all credit to him for the fix. You almost have to wonder if they had beaten Saudi Arabia anyway if there's no change and they lose in the knockouts. Sometimes a bad loss is a good thing. I'd also note that Julian Alvarez went from backup to starter over the course of the Cup as well. We did build around Pulisic. Of course, people are mad we didn't build around Reyna.
Ironically, both Ghana and Iran had their external problems. Ghana had the blow up with their federation re not getting paid. Iran had the political problems at home with the demonstrations. Was 2022 the worst R16 game we've had? I think so, both on eye test and objectively unless I'm forgetting one somewhere. I hope we will start concentrating on the R16 games as our yardstick and focus of study. That should especially be so in 2026 when we will be seeded. I'd like to see us look at 2026 as a 4 or 5 game tournament. Edit: just deleted something because I remembered this will be, I suppose, a 32 team ko round. So, 4th game should be, odds on, easier (along with the "quinto partido")
You'd have to ask yourself how much of Scaloni's decision making had to do with his familiarity with Argentine players and their "mind set" and if that would translate to Americans.
Doubt Scaloni is going anywhere short of starting off poorly in qualifying next cycle, but another positive in him was his flexibility in tactics. For those with an Athletic subscription: https://theathletic.com/4014632/2022/12/18/argentina-world-cup-scaloni-tactics-messi/
I think the Belgium game was much worse. We were fortunate that game stayed tied to begin with because they were definitely badly outplaying us. Brazil in 94 is worse too, especially given that we were a man up on them. 2002 and 2010 are better.
Good article from the Athletic on guys who don’t play at all during World Cups https://theathletic.com/3571363/2022/12/13/world-cup-no-minutes-maddison/?source=user_shared_article And for those who denigrate guys being there because of vibes, culture, and chemistry reasons Although Deschamps was not impressed with Rami at the time, a prankster in the camp is a lot better than a sulker whose negative energy can destabilise the whole group. Indeed, a couple of months before that World Cup, Deschamps gave an insight into his thinking around squad selection and said that his aim was “not necessarily to pick the best 23 players”. “I know very well that some players will deserve to go to the World Cup but they will not be on my list,” the France manager said. “In Russia, some players won’t play or they will just a little. I do not know who yet, but it will be the case anyway. Football qualities are essential, but the social aspect and the team spirit are both also very important.”
Was anyone else aware this legend was still playing football in his 40's and doing things like this? ⚽️ "El delantero fue el jugador más veterano en anotar en la CONMEBOL #Libertadores 2022 con 40 años y 323 días"La cuenta oficial de la Libertadores, recuerda el gol de Roque Santa Cruz ante Athlético Paranaense. 🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/B7JwS8xM4E— Versus (@SomosVersusPY) December 26, 2022 Roque Santa Cruz still scoring goals like this at 40 years old. 🤩 #Rovers pic.twitter.com/5sTKFadoZB— Talk Of Ewood (@TalkOfEwood) August 15, 2022 Ironic RSC is used as a cautionary tale, as if he's Freddy Adu. He's better in his 40's than Adu ever was & may have been our best true striker ever if eligible. He's had a much better career than Jozy and arguably than McBride. A 20-something RSC would have been a locked on starter for us this WC. Heck, this version may have been on the roster. LOL We have a CF jinx.
That first goal was against Paranaense, that made the final of the 22 Libertadores and only lost to the Champions, Flamengo. That Libertad team also has Oscar Cardozo, who is about to turn 40 (Santa Cruz is already 41).