By the strict letter of the law maybe. But in practice, I've never seen something like this specific play called back before.
You are 100% right. It's a pick play. Miles still has to be more aware of what is going on -- this isn't the first time he's seen a pick. Ream needs to collide the with screener and go down. This ref would have never called it but you need to make clear someone got in your way. But it's not a legal play.
There's two fundamental problems with them. One, linear weights models are inherently too simplistic for a complex game of interactions. But that's not the big problem. The big problem is that the coefficients they use aren't really tied to well to winning. I compare it to QB rating in the NFL -- the coefficients make some sense but are fundamentally made up. Models like fotmob have very clear biases because the coefficients don't really tie to winning well. Why did Pulisic have a bad day? 10/16 passing and 3/12 on dribbles plus 2 dispossessions and 4/18 on duels. Some of that is probably legit -- the passing isn't great though these models greatly overrate easy passes. But the big thing is that a model that is really tied to winning doesn't actually dock much for a turnover in the final third -- some final third turnovers are actually a net positive to score a goal -- and that's where Christian is getting banged here.
Well, the ref wasn't particularly good in this one, AND it was really well-executed. Illegal or not, I have a hard time imagining even a good ref calling that in the WC. Except that we're the home team and they might throw us some bones like that that other teams won't get.
I'm only a little surprised that Haji didn't get any minutes in either game. In the end, I've always thought he was a distant 3rd (and would have been 4th--and out of the roster--if Agyemang didn't get hurt). He might not see any time on the field until/unless we need a goal in the last few minutes of a knockout and we throw everything at our opponent.
The defense held a line for the free kick. Everyone has to remain in that line until the kick or someone risks keeping other players onside. The good news is that it's another data point that the coaching staff will go over with the players in training tomorrow.
The algos are very objective and very thorough. They will look at every single event for every single player and give consistent ratings. Unlike posters on BS, they will not miss good plays by a player the algo does not like or miss poor plays by a player they like. The standard algos also don't have any sense of context so they tend to rate all events the same. A great example is Kellyn Acosta's professional foul on Bale towards the end of the v Wales WC2022 match likely saved us a point yet Acosta got docked in his rating for a foul and a YC. Of course you can only rate events that are actually captured.
The US defensive setup was really odd on that play. https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1typbr5/usa_0_1_germany_kai_havertz_2/
I'm not the resident BS tactician. I do know, after watching the replay many times, that it was a good, designed play by Germany. I don't know what our team could have done better to prevent it (aside from not giving the free kick in the first place, which would be a good start, but free kicks are going to happen regardless). Can you explain what was odd about our setup on the play? I thought it looked pretty normal, but something should be better to not allow such an easy shot there.
Do you think it’s accurate to say Adams had a poor game against Germany. Know the defensive unit as a whole has been cited as a concern but there’s been more criticism about Tyler and him being out of position that I saw. Was a bit more worried since this wasn’t really exhaustion based like the Netherlands game in 2022 or the Gold Cup games. Mention that because we don’t really have anyone else.
I saw a comment on a different thread (can't remember who posted it unfortunately) talking about how we played the Dutch in a tune-up game back in 2002 and how despite losing 2-0 we were playing well and it served as a massive confidence boost going into the tournament. That's what this game feels like.
Great call by you on the illegal pick. I can't figure out the markings. Who was Freeman marking? Looks like Wes was on Tah and Nmecha was unmarked? Looks like some kind of mix up to me Kai Havertz gets Germany on the board after just two minutes ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1qGyD2UUfa— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 6, 2026
@Reccossu, it seems that we've met your standard for this game. You nailed it on the 2-1 loss. The only xG info I can find shows the US with 1.66 xG to 1.33 for Germany, so we beat the 1.5 xG you hoped for. And no one got injured (pending further info on ARob, but I think all is well there). There's something to work with here.
Maybe you just stop the goal instead of worrying about an offside trap? Maybe we're using an 80s defensive strategy in 2026?
Yea after rewatching the first goal. It was a well executed training ground designed set piece pick play. Not sure how much better you can expect Ream or Robinson to do on it. Ethically shaky but the ref didn’t call anything.
I wish Arfsten was given more minutes. I do not rate him, but he will play if the team goes far. I think right back looked shakier today than it did last weekend. I though Tillman did a better job carving up the defense last weekend than any player did today. I thought Pulisic paced himself today. A nice pass or too in the first half, then much more dangerous in the second half. I thought Dest looks very good on offense, transitions from D to O very quickly, but was easily bodied oof the ball by the Germans. I am not sure what to make of McKennie across these two games? I liked Weah's grit. The ref let this game get way too physical. I though Aaronson was quiet for a long time, but when he switched on he was a positive influence. I loved the Berhalter elastico attempt. I would have liked to see Haji get some minutes. I think he has something to offer in this tournament. I liked the corner to Jedi and a pass for a shot. I think Miles Robinson played for exposure. Same thought as Arfsten. I think McKenzie will start. I wanted to see more from Reyna. He was out there with a mixed up lineup, but one the things he is counted on to contribute is possession in tight spaces and opening up a defense that is packed in. Not sure he added much today. Watching the US build out of the back can be stressful. The Germans challenged that well today. The US responded well, in general. This is a key area where I think Poch favors Freese over Turner. I think both teams left some goals on the table. In both games, the US could have scored more. That is a positive. I feel better about the team and our chances after these two games. Looking forward to the cup. Go USMNT!
According to Guzan there were too many players in the wall and because of that both not enough in the penalty box and Freeze was partially blocked causing him being glued to the goal line.
Unfortunately not exactly. Dutch keeper had at least a half dozen of amazing saves back then. There was a prior game with Italy when we also played really well and lost (I recall because of some stupid Regis play) that was at a similar level to this one.
https://nypost.com/2002/05/20/u-s-falls-short-in-last-world-cup-test/ By Brian Lewis Published May 20, 2002, 4:00 a.m. ET Rando article about the 2002 USMNT vs Netherlands game: The U.S. outshot and at times outplayed a Dutch team that reached the ’98 World Cup semis, was ranked ninth in FIFA’s latest poll, and was out to prove they belonged in next month’s Cup. But two goals – one unlucky and one cheap – and Netherlands keeper Ronald Waterreus’ 11 saves sent the the team to Korea on a losing note but not a downbeat one. Roy Makaay scored in the 45th minute, knocking defender Eddie Pope to the ground in the box and slipping a shot under keeper Brad Friedel’s arm. The Netherlands scored again in the 76th minute after midfielder Andy van der Meyde picked off David Regis’ weak backpass to keeper Kasey Keller, who replaced Friedel at halftime. Meyde jumped over the charging Keller and scored.