MLS Bias

If anything Miles did the most in attempting to prevent the Sane goal, but in the end the latter’s run had too much free momentum.

 

Miles was the only one who reacted while everyone else stood ball-watching.

 

So anybody with Xitter read the rest of the responses to Wynalda? Is it McKennie (?) for lunging at the ball instead of sticking with Sane?

Is it Poch for not understanding how America likes to defend because he never played here and isn't invested in American soccer like a native would be?

Is he feeling 2012 Spanish and looking back to whoever on the USMNT lost possession ?

 

It's Americans intensively over-analyzing every single play, even though it was a friendly and doesn't really matter.

 

Yep, a similar goal in the club game would probably be viewed as “the other team scored.”

 

But then how would they know which league to blame for keeping their national team from winning every World Cup?

 

FWIW, most anaylsts are saying that Miles is getting too much criticism for Germany's first goal. Said lazy foul by Tyler, Freese setting up as if it was gonna be a shot (from an angle it would never be a shot), Ream getting picked, and Miles for not recognizing the pick.

 

Yep. That seems fair all around.

 

Clearly, the Bundesliga was the cause of the German goals...

 

Damn that Bundesliga quota.

 

So, 75% MLS’ fault.

 

Where else could Frees have stood where he could have collected that cross?

 

Let's talk Brian Gutierrez.

The Mexican-American was born in the US, joined the Fire Academy at the age of 12 and played for various US YNTs. He is 100% an MLS product.

He switched to Mexico and transferred to Guadalajara in December of 2025. He became an instant member of the Mexico MNT, playing 422 of 630 minutes in the 2026 friendlies and scoring 2 goals. Yesterday he started for Mexico's World Cup debut.

 

Brad Guzan mentioned that Freese had the wall and himself set up like it was going to be a shot and he felt like he took himself out of the play initially because of that. Doyle and the guys fom Scuffed and Backheeled echoed that

 

But if he'd positioned himself off his line, he would have been vulnerable to a near post flick on.

 

But he wasn’t any good until he started playing for Chivas in January 2026, and was able to receive that non-MLS training, which improved his technical and tactical play immediately. Right Adam?

 

I’m increasingly convinced that poster is an MLS false flag operation designed to gin up support for MLS from fans by forcing them to realize a lot of the talking points against the league are exaggerated and outdated.

 

Yes, it highlights an issue that beyond this stupid MLS vs other leagues debates, people get so caught up in arguing leagues vs leagues they don't differentiate individual talent and player.

Gutierrez should have been part of the program awhile ago. He will killing it and the talent clear before last year's GC. Before Mex came calling. So many said he was just a little behind Luna and there's no room for him. Prior to that was Esmir. No room for him either.

So it's interesting people hype the league and not the player.

And frankly on the global market between Luna, Gutierrez and Esmir, Luna probably ranks last with the least upside.

 

The US hasn't played yet and two former USYNTers and MLS homegrown players have STARTED games. Gutierrez for Mexico (homegrown player of Chicago Fire) and Esmir Bajrakterevic for Bosnia (homegrown player of New England).

With Gutierrez its simple as this. Poch looked at him. We can't say he was ignored. He was even on the Nations League roster. Poch just chose others.

There's an alternate universe in which Poch picks Gutierrez, Luna doesn't get cap-tied, and HE'S the one that Mexico snatches up. We know Mexico had been talking to him.

 

Sometimes I wonder how much the Fire's refusal to release players to youth national teams played a role in Gutierrez's international career trajectory, both his relative lack of senior USMNT opportunities and his decision to play for Mexico.

 

he played poorly vs south africa. i watched the game. not good enough for usmnt

 

He chose Mexico because Pochetino wasn't going to pick him. He stated he wanted to play for USMNT before making the switch.

 

I don't know if it was on this thread or another one but after seeing the great performance by USMNT it's gotta be QF or bust! No IF, ANDS OR BUTS.....Anything short of QF at home has to be considered a failure. If people were demanding QF in 2022 where we were playing away, QF should be demanded at home, playing with packed stadiums this time ROOTING for USMNT and not for the opponent, a better coach and what seems to be motivated players. I'm hyped right now!

 

Let’s wait and see the brackets.

 

Way to take the wind out of the sails. That first-half was one of the most mesmerising performances I've seen in a World Cup.

Exactly. If they get France or Argentina in R16 we'll go out and people will be OK with it. If it's Mexico or South Korea we have to win.