Pre-match: USA v Netherlands Round of 16 12/3 10 am ET

Be careful. You’re treading on keyboard warrior territory on the US boards by suggesting anything about game management or burnout.

It’s a real thing and glad you stated it because some of these threads get so wordy with people just trying to be right. And also promoting Matt Doyle as well.

The use of subs has not been great. I have concerns about Musah. Rewatched the game and his fatigue is not just a “sleep it off” because you’re 20. He completely lost good running form midway through the second half. Not the only one either.

Hope Berhalter continues to play his cards “right” from here on out, because the subs have barely gotten consistent minutes and the players that have talent to help aren’t playing.

 

I am no longer concerned about Argentina. They may not even make it that deep and no guarantees and old Messi has all those minutes in him or can avoid injury between now and then. If we can hold England 0-0, we can get a result against Argentina. If we keep playing MMA into the ground, then we will be forced to bunker/counter our way out of the event.

 

Some version of this post has preceded each of the last two matches.

 

Damn straight! Seize the gravy!

 

In terms of scheduling and player rotation, this is the critical match. The scheduling lightens up significantly for the winners in the two Saturday matches with 6 days off before the quarterfinal.

This may have to be the match that Berhalter has to find the magic formula with subs.

 

As long as it only requires magic, we should be in good shape.

 

The game against Poland was almost disgraceful. Poland didn't want to come forward and once Argentina were up by 2 they just passed the ball around. Most have driven Mexico crazy, who were a little bit unlucky. But, it's Mexico, so....

 

Good point. Our subs are going to have to step up if we want to go further than playing the Netherlands.

 

I wouldn't want to go to PKs with the Dutch. They are likely to be far better at finishing, I could see our guys missing several.

 

Just maybe Canelo Alvarez shouldn't have threatened Messi; can't imagine Argentina were super motivated to help Mexico out.

 

Who’s rewatching all the Netherlands games as though you wish you could help come up with some winning strategy to get past them?

...My wife just asked me, “haven’t you already watched this game?” Lol. I just told her it’s the World Cup. You’ve got to expect a little weirdness for a few weeks.

 

Argentina probably expended at most half the energy the USA did in their final game. In addition to being probably the best player of all time, Messi is the best at managing his efforts (certainly the GOAT of walking around the pitch.) Argentina, in addition to being more talented and experienced than the USA, are also far deeper. MMA look gassed already, and we have few alternatives. Of course the USA could get a positive result vs. Argentina, but the odds are very much against it.

 

Maybe one of our guys will be the first to have a "successful dribble" against him for the first time in 37 years, or whatever the statistic is.

 

He’s not invincible this season in EPL and UCL when it comes to dribbles against.

 

I think there will be minimal rotation in this match. Berhalter has his best squad figured out and he's sticking to it. Antonee Robinson, while I'm sure he's tired, will continue to start. His style of play, regardless of how piss poor his touches were last game, is crucial to opening up the attack for our team, and he's a tireless defender. I think there might be 2 changes from the Iran game--Zimmerman will be back, and Aaronson starts but I don't know who will be dropped from the lineup for him.

 

If Berhalter had half a brain he would put in Luca Koleosho for this match.

 

This is true, but they're considerations for substitutions not starting 11. You don't go into a game that could possibly end up being 30 minutes longer than normal expecting that. You go into it trying to win in 90 and not have to play an additional 30. Berhalter will start his top squad as he sees it for the game. What happens later happens later, and if we're not winning 3-0 in the 89th minute I'll just hope that Berhalter has made smart decisions about what comes after that.

 

If Pulisic and Sargent are healthy, we will see the exact same lineup, but with Zimmerman instead of CCV. That's the squad. Berhalter's not going to change it now.

 

On your first point, I agree completely. Win in normal time and avoid being extra tired for the next game. I think that's every coaches' MO anyway, because it makes sense.

On your second point, would it make Greggggggg smarter in your mind if you knew he hadn't put any thought into who should take penalties until the 119th minute?

 

Yeah, I'll disagree with this. Excessive worry about the bench is just the latest groupthink over here.


IMO, two issues are what will do us in:

1. We score about as well as a 90 year old, wheelchair-bound man does in a whorehouse, and

2. The coach is an imbecile.

 

This. I don't know why anyone's even discussing rotational changes. We're dancin' with who brung us. Ok, *maybe* one additional switch up top, but assuming everyone's healthy, I don't see any major shakeups.

 

I am not advocating we start the bench guys - simply pointing out that there is a reasonable chance this goes into extra time and depending what the score is at the half - we may really need great bench contributions. Despite the youth and fitness level - MMA simply cannot sustain their performance level indefinitely. Egg needs to have a well crafted plan for Saturday. After that it gets easier with 5 days rest (knock on wood that we win Saturday).

 

pick up some roses for her ... smile ... then go right back to the game ... that will win you a few days of grace at least.

 

sooner or later the gods can (I hope) allow us to get a couple of first half goals. ... I hope that is this Saturday.

 

I hope we do! It's a whorehouse. The 90 year old guy is scoring as much as he wants (can!!!)