Actually we don't loose often. Just look up the Euros and WC's. Most of the times we go out after 30 minutes extra time plus penalty shoot out in the final or semi final. Think we are record holder not winning the title without loosing one match. The times we actually did loose we simply werenot good at all or the opponent was as good, so that also has nothing to do with that notion playing pretty but loosing. People really should put down those orange/rosy tinted glasses and look at us in real light.
The Dutch lived on their reputation for Total Football like the Italians lived on their reputation for Catenaccio. In the last years someone lifted the lid, and found the kitty was dead.
The change that needed to happen under Jurgen should've been incremental, not revolutionary. No one expected the US to tiki taka and walk balls into the goal, but to be able to play out of the back, possess the ball comfortably to relieve pressure on defense, create chances from the run of play and not rely strictly on counter-attacks. The word I remember hearing a lot was "proactive". This was well within the ability of the players at Klinsmann's disposal; he had one of the most technically-skilled US teams ever in his first cycle, albeit at the tail end of their primes. They also achieved it at times, prior to 2014, although rarely and never more so than when Donovan was in the squad. The problem wasn't lack of talent, but lack of vision. To be proactive, you have to have a plan that everyone is working proactively to implement on the field, rather than reacting to the other teams plan. It's how the "big" teams and some select medium teams, like Mexico, play. Klinsmann never armed his men with a plan or style to implement. As a result, his teams were rarely organized or attractive in meaningful games.
Pulisic. Hands down the best in our pool for that task. We needs guys around him who make you pay if you forget about them while you are focused on stopping CP. I guess Jozy can hold a spot, but would like to see somebody make a strong case for that spot, I think it is Weah. If Saief gets playing after his injury I like him as a wing option. If Antonee Robinson can hit crosses like that the whole offensive task just got much easier, and room will develop in the middle. I am not even sure what it would be like to have a left back dropping crosses on a dime, even if he has a ways to go on defense.
Yet 2012 and 2013 was the best 2 year performance as far as win % in the history of the program! Must have been just luck I guess? When Arena took over you said that you would judge Bruce based on his performance in competitive matches. Still waiting for your judgement.
He’s better now on the wing but fine - we’d still need another attacher. We need 4 including the #9. Jozy, pulisic, weah and who?
FTR we disagree on Puli. Wood's stock is down for me. Green, and Saeif was looking the part pre-injury. I hope we haven't heard the last form him. If Dozy Antiscore is the choice, I wouldn't even mind that no soccer playing Zardes, leading the line and making a nuisance of himself with Green Puli and Weah behind. I am a little worried about Weah since game time is going to be hard to come by for his club.
I'm curious what you think that proves. Nobody's talking about Arena. You're mistaken if you think I'm as compelled to mount a kneejerk defense for him as you are for Klinsmann.
Well, if you had seen the portrays made by the famous photographer Erwin Olaf of the Dutch team before the WC 2010 started you would have known not to get in our way https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/300-dutch-football-team Spartan Soccer Warriors: 300 Dutch Football Team Ads by Erwin Olaf Trend Hunter
Um, kind of creepy weird but at least not as bad as those infamous US photos. Not sure why players agree to this kind of stuff.
To get into the finals I would overlook a lot! No telling about what would be ok if it helped them win it!