He was pretty unremarkable up to that point which is a positive if you’re a young defender making your international debut. That said, you’re right, his mistake on the above mentioned play was pretty god awful.
Ironically, Hope would have been a Galaxy homegrown if he hadn’t been cut from the Academy as a teenager
Neal’s been solid (except when he gave away a cheap goal) Sounds like a Galaxy center back. but he’s young. I’m staying optimistic.
Like our WC team our Camp Cupcake midfield looked good and controlled play. But two bad defensive mistakes (and some bad luck in our finishing) cost us the game.
Nice second half by Zendejas. Where did we get that guy from? The kid from San Jose, Cade Cowell, is just jinxed. He plays like that for the Quakes from what I have seen. Great runs, control and power but the dude cant get the ball IN THE NET! When I saw that double post hit I just rolled my eyes. I hope he finds the net, at least at this level. Next... Colombia!
Joveljic played like he does for us. Plays as a pushed up #9, not venturing back often so doesn’t see a lot of the ball. But due to his intelligence and skill he created several dangerous opportunities for his teammates, including a fk leading to a goal. Disappointed he couldn’t create more good shots for himself though.
When did Hoppe play wing? His profile on TransferMarkt shows him as a pure Center Forward with only 6 assists in his 3.5 year senior career. Plus he was a Galaxy Academy player who was more or less given the boot because he wasn't small and technical enough for the powers that be at the time. I doubt that he would be receptive to a Galaxy offer.
the entitled reyna's really scorched earth, the entire USMNT's hierarchy is now gone and I dont see any current person involved in the USMNT organization that has any powerful influence. The person that came to mind is Bruce but I feel his methods would not fit the current climate and player pool. Greggy boy needs to be gone and the reyna's need to be banned from any USMNT involvement going forward. I can imagine the reyna's sitting all smug in their mansion watching the chaos they caused and feeling it was worth it because they felt their entitled child was wronged. https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...earnie-stewart-exit-leaves-leadership-in-flux
I will never see that kid Reyna do well and cheer for him for anything he does. He and his family have poisoned me toward them. But this is a symptom in part of what is wrong with the system of soccer in this country. Too many good old boys running things and making everything personal and strings attached all over the joint. They need to get personnel for the higher echelons of USSF from a bigger pool of professionals perhaps from other sports like they did with MLS. They also need to make access at the player level easier then the current pay-to-play general format. we need to have more variety of player background in the mix. Not just well-to-do and well-connected families like the Reynas. This whole episode is just... YeGh!
Reyna is 18 right? I did a lot of stupid stuff at 18. And what he did wasn't worse than Jonathan Klinsmann and we got over that (mostly). Parents have no excuse but I wouldn't write young Reyna off. Besides international soccer is cutthroat - good managers figure out how to get the best players working together. Show me a nat team manager who doesn't play assholes and I will show you a soon unemployed manager. I bet Bruce would have little problem young Reyna.
For some unknown reason Club America let Zendejas play in these games even though they are mid-season and weren't required to. Add in the fact he hasn't decided between US and Mex yet the decision to let him play with with us was very surprising. I looked at the stats for Cade Cowell and man are you right - he can't score to save his life. He was clearly unlucky last night; anytime you hit so far inside of the post that the ball bounces straight across the goal mouth but doesn't go in you are --almost by definition -- unlucky. One half inch to the left and it would have been a beautiful goal. But I'm not sure his lack of goals for his club is bad luck as much as poor decision making and technique. At SJ last season he took 43 shots but only 14 on target and scored only 3 goals. More telling is his expected goal total was also only 3.3. The only way 43 shots can translate to only 3.3 eXg is if he is taking a boatload of low percentage shots. . He probably needs to quit shooting so much from distance when pressured. His stats suggest he needs to be more patient, work his way closer and take more shots from inside the box.
Same age Berhalter was when the infamous kick happened I believe. Some things keep and travel well and have consequences. Wether those are justified, or not. With me, the Reynas are a package deal. But that's just me. It happened for me with Harkes also. I could never see that guy and not SMH after what he did to a teammate.
just to clarify gio is 20 and is technically an adult, he's just decided to hide behind mommy and daddy's skirt and is letting them fight his battles or battles they created on his behalf with or without his knowledge. despite where you land on the subject, this is not a good look for anybody involved
LigaMX is in their 3rd or 4th date of their second or closing season for 2022. Having started in 2023, don't ask me why, so I believe they were just being generous with one of their own at a chance to get some PT with the US nats. I don't know that he is a starter for them. America sits in 11th place so far so nothing big to worry about just yet. Cowell needs to seek greener pastures than the forsaken Quakes. Somewhere where he is surrounded by a better team. Right now he has Ebobisse to get some tips on finishing but he could do with being in a much hungrier, better coached and better populated team who are going for the cup. Get that bug in him that pushes him to be better. He is only 19. Playing for SJ is ok but where is that team going?
For those still interested in the fallout. The soap opera and it's consequences, continue. "Claudio Reyna, the former U.S. men's national team captain who is at the center of a scandal involving his wife, his son Gio and USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, is out as sporting director of Austin FC." https://www.yahoo.com/sports/claudio-reyna-austin-fc-usmnt-gio-berhalter-215344438.html
Ouch! In youth soccer, you just get sent to the parking lot during games if you’re one of “those” parents. This one has caused a heck of lot more collateral damage.
Nice article from NBC Sports Chicago with glowing words on Neal. https://sports.yahoo.com/5-takeaways-usmnt-2-1-064000305.html
The CONCACAF Nations League just became more meaningful: USA to host 16-team 2024 Copa America with 6 CONCACAF teams. EDIT: I'm unsure if this edition of the Nations League or the next is the path for aualification path for the CONCACAF teams. A little help, please!
Neal had a short but pretty good shift against Colombia. He handled the physicality a bit better and seemed more proactive. The commentator singled him out as looking “ready for this level.” I still think he has some physical growth to do before he is duking it out with the big guys but maybe he is closer than I thought.
I didn't get to watch either of the friendly matches but it's nice to hear that Neal seems to be progressing. Regarding the Gio Reyna saga, I noticed that out of the three Bundesliga games post WC he's come off the bench in the first two (scoring game winners in both to his credit) playing a total of 48 minutes but was an unused sub yesterday against Leverkusen. In total he's only started three games all season. Makes me wonder about his fitness, is he still nursing that hamstring injury? Is he just out of shape?
Jury is still out - but if he fills out over the next 2 seasons and keeps improving, I could see him being the first true academy player who becomes a day in and day out starter for the first team.