really loving the class and professionalism from Balogun, he wasn't raised in the US but he sure exemplifies of what it used to be like to be an American, we need more people like him, Pulisic and his group can learn a thing or two from Balogun
I'm really enjoying the Tim Howard/Landon Donovan podcast, here are the two latest shows were they discuss the USMNT fallout and the World Cup
Bogert knows our pool well. I need to pay more attention to the Red Bulls. Looks like Michael Bradley is a decent coach. 🇺🇸 30 USMNT players to watch for the 2030 World Cup squadWay too early projection of players in the mix. How many of the 2026 squad will return in four years? Which talented youngsters are on the radar?https://t.co/Imeo0jlCRp— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 9, 2026
Pulisic defenders have come out of the woodwork here are a few quotes I found amusing and this just in Pulisic has a micro fracture, so this may change some peoples perception how things went down https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/74...pulisic-injury-usmnt-belgium-world-cup-milan/ I think this whole argument comes down to us older people seeing something magical happen with those Dempsey, Landon, Howard teams and the younger generation believing that what they're seeing is tons more magical to what we saw, different perspectives. also players and pundits having agendas over perceived slights during their playing days that they can now gripe about. I'd love to hear perspectives from players that you don't normally hear from McBride, JoB, Freidel, Hejduk and I would probably value their opinions over the the talking head former players.
The micro fracture thing but he will be ok in a few weeks is such BS. I bet you could find a micro fracture in every player on the team after that game. Puli just doesn't show up in big games and yet we keep hearing he is the greatest American player of all time. It's the hubris that is so annoying. Keep him far away from the G's.
Weird for Jones to go off on Landon like that. Funny thing is if you pay attention beyond the hot takes, Landon has been very empathetic to Pulisic. The first thing he said is he understands the need to take a break. But the protectionist take is also weird from Jones, since this kind of media pressure is exactly what Klinsmann advocated. Pulisic would face way worse for being part of THE HISTORICALLY WORST performance by the US in a World Cup. We've never conceded 4 goals before in ANY World Cup and we've faced the likes of 94 Brazil (eventual winners), 2014 Belgium, 2006 Italy -- never conceded four times. It's ironic too because Pulisic seems like he's depressed. His body language, his quotes, his inability to get up mentally for what is clearly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in a home World Cup. They are rightly infuriating. But they also sound like they're coming from a guy who desperately needs a break and known he's needed one for a long time. I think LD would understand that. Pulisic probably does really need rest.
Micro fractures are not a little thing so I guarantee you won’t be able to find micro-fractures on “everyone.” My grandson had one in his toe, wasn’t diagnosed so he kept trying to play through the pain for over two months. Fracture just got worse and worse until he couldn’t play at all. After diagnosis he was put in a cast and after that was removed he had a couple months of PT and specialized exercise rehab. The truth is that we don’t know how bad Pulisic’s injury was but his quick self-removal (without seeming that bothered by it) was a terrible look for a player who generally doesn’t seem to care that much about the national team success. If my grandson could play through the pain he should be able to as well. He probably came out to protect his club career. In any case, he hasn’t earned the benefit of doubt, on that we agree.
Steve Cherundolo named Olympics coach. One would think this is an audition for the senior side. I like it. Some thoughts about Steve Cherundolo getting hired as the U.S. Olympic team coach. - obviously a #USMNT legend with a stellar career for Hannover and the NT.- Has about as strong of a resume as is realistic for this position- As @dhelfrich21 told me in May, the federation… pic.twitter.com/sEKLwYzS2S— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) July 9, 2026
the Mayor of Hannover is back! I guess going back home to Germany wasn't all it was cracked up to be https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44735107/lafc-coach-steve-cherundolo-step-end-2025-season I also want to see how he does for the Olympic team, so does the USSF keep Poch and once he falters go with Cherundolo, interesting to say the least
We did lose 5-1 to Czechoslovakia at the World Cup in Italy in 1990, but that was our first World Cup appearance in 40 years, so your point still stands!
I think you’re correct that it was the optics around his removal and the quotes he made after the fact to the effect of he can rest now that’s driving most of the criticism. The other issue is that the man has been on 2 World Cup rosters and spent good chunks of those 9 games either injured or coming off early due to injury. On the other hand guys like Riqui Puig have played almost an entire half with a blown ACL in an MLS conference final and then cry inconsolably because he was going to miss an MLS cup final. I guess each player handles these sorts of things differently and Pulisic seems to have chronic injury issues.
And while the score lines weren’t as terrible the performances and results in 1998 were pretty abysmal. Three games, three loses (including against Iraq), five goals conceded, only one scored which was a late consolation goal. Finished dead last. Iraq at the time was something like 30 or 40 places lower in FIFA standings.
'98 was a clown show all around, I don't fault you for trying to remember that debacle. Harkes not keeping it in his pants and violating team dynamics as a leader by having an affair with a teammates wife. keeping the whole fiasco under wraps leading to more speculation and the dark cloud that hung over the team because of it. Sampson replacing Agoos with Regis, who at the time didn't speak English. going from hope coming off the '94 WC, to the disaster of '98, its no wonder why the 2002 team is beloved and held in high regard, they rose from the ashes and put on a performance that made all Americans could be proud of. I miss those days immensely
The lack of expectations, matches at weird times (for us), and funky internet access of that era adds to the mystique of the 2002 squad. I remember sleeping through my alarm, then getting up to check the score (those dial-up modems took forever to connect). I couldn't believe the US was up 3-1 at halftime vs that Portugal team; I thought Yahoo had made a mistake!
Anyone have a chance to listen to Coaches Corner? And Bob, Bruce, and Berhalter talking about every US World Cup game. Love their dynamic!
I haven't listened to it yet but I will, thanks for sharing, also here is the link for those interested
I have seen a lot of pretty convincing evidence that the Europe is better at developing basketball players these days, especially fundamentals. Look at Jokic, Doncic, among many others. The complaints about AAU basketball strongly align with those made against club soccer and the emphasis on winning over development.