Kudos to the entire team, playing with heart and skill, a nice combination that we don't typically get. Far exceeding my expectations and getting great look at some fringe players. I'm ok with whatever result on Sunday, Mexico should win given their squad but I'm open to a nice suprise. Nice work to the coach and the players in this tournament.
Not really happy with how Gregg likes to control possession with meaningless passes to cycle through patterns. Good teams don't give you the time to do it, but against minnows it will work. He was late making changes as usual but the right changes were made. Zardes is not a starter, but he is a really good sub to chase a goal with 20 left. His first touch let's him down and his combining play keeps him from being more than that, but that's okay. Dike needs some rest and to get healthy, he isn't the same player. I'd start Hoppe up top against Mexico, he is not always effective but he is always trying something and we need that. No real big takeaways from this game outside of Turner looking more settled. That's good to see. Will have to attack with more pressure against Mexico, they should win based on paper but it doesn't always work that way. Just continue to get better.
Dear 8lb. 6oz. newborn infant Jesus, don't even know a word yet, lyin' there in your ghost manger, just lookin' at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin' 'bout shapes and colors, please let Tata come back to Atlanta United.
I didn’t say we’d fire him. I just ordered a name when someone asked who we’d replace him with — a guy I think we could get who would be exceptional too. But yeah it’s not going to happen.
Mexico is the favorite but some observations: 1. If we pull out a surprise win, it would be Dos A Zero in number of trophies this summer (and "youth tournaments" don't count if Mexico wins gold) lol 2. If we win, Tata could be sacked. Any replacement would be a more insular manager that would not be as relentless at recruiting dual nations. Tata respects MLS abd knows the potential of MLS academies in a unique way. 3. Chokeslam Rodriguez plays RB. Hoppe will start at LW and will be marked by him. Game is in Vegas. What are the odds on a double red card for those two?
I think we will have to flop at least 50% as much as Mexico does in order to have a chance, given how CONCACAF referees work.
Or just do a better job with our shots on target. Seems like against Qatar and Jamaica most of our good chances would go directly into the Keepers like a magnet to metal. Now Talavera to me is not that good. Maybe we can beat him for a cheap goal here or there.
I think this quote masks a larger point - without poaching US dual nationals, I'm not sure how much longer Mexico will continue to compete at the level they are competing. I'm just not that impressed with this team's talent right now. Tata's doing a good job getting the most out of the team, but even with Jiminez and Lozano this team is aging and lacks a lot of depth. A stronger US may force Mexico to resort to recruiting second-tier dual nationals or those players whose parents exert undue pressure on them to play for the "motherland". If the US can continue to improve and not tick off dual nationals (where I think the current USMNT leadership is doing a good job), we may see a changing of the guard sooner rather than later.
Last night I watched the Qatar match highlights and had a thought that doesn't really relate to the USMNT or Qatar per se. Al-Haydos stutter-stepped before putting his attempted Panenka over the bar. Over my years of playing and watching soccer, I've seen a lot of penalty takers stutter-step to try and get the keeper to dive early. IT DOESN'T WORK. I think I've seen it contribute to a goal exactly once, and I've seen it mess up the shot a lot more often than that. And yet players keep trying it, even seasoned pros. It's mind-boggling.
Turner knew that is what he does to the extent that he mimiced Al-Haydos’s run up in front of him before he took the PK.
I’m going to watch this game, but I have a strong feeling it’s going to be a VERY painful watch…. When Paul “big” Areolas is your most visible name, you’re in some trouble.