“This is a team that is complex [i.e. multi-faceted], because they have answers to every element you throw at them. We knew they were a very complex rival. We knew they have coordination, broadness, triangulations, and we were not ready … They dominated technically, tactically and physically as well.” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro
I just now realized how nice it was to not be stressed watching the US in a World Cup game. lol I loved the Gio goal. I root for him and hope he reaches his potential as a player.
A lot of non soccer fans on another forum I post on were happily shocked to see such competency in reffing and reviews, especially after watching so much NBA playoffs. Good job to the ref and (gulp) FIFA.
The physicality thing never made any sense to me. No this isn't the Jermaine Jones team, but it's not 11 Brendon Aarronsons either.
Yes, I remember reading that Tillman prefers to be higher up. He is setup to be Adams' partner but he did move up quite a bit to link up and give credit to Wes and Freeman to take that area when Tillman joined the attack. I see Austria to be weaker, less technical than Paraguay. They will bunker and hope for a counter opportunity.
Yes, it was different rules. In 1950, FIFA allowed national federations to set their own eligiblity rules, and the USSFA's rules were that in order to play for the U.S., you had to have filed "first papers" declaring your intention to become an American citizen. Gaetjens (Haitian), Joe Maca (Belgium) and Ed McIlvenny (British) all had done so, but of the three, only Maca eventually did become an American citizen. Later in 1950, FIFA (reacting to a protest from England) upheld the inclusion of Gaetjens, Maca and McElvenny. That seems to have been the correct decision under the rules then in force, but there is no way that FIFA would decide the same way under today's rules. In any case, the United States probably deserved a break in 1950, since it had had to play against Luis Monti of Argentina in the 1930 World Cup and Luis Monti (the same man) of Italy in the 1934 World Cup.
@ hydration break of second watch we’re really good. Thats all the analysis I can muster. Still pumped
Props to Paraguay for thinking they were good enough to play out of our pressure. They weren’t. But props for trying over and over and over only to have it jammed back in their throats repeatedly
And one last last comment, that I'm not sure was made above... Balogun deserves a lot of credit (from me at least) for staying on his feet on our 3rd goal. Sure had he gone down he probably woulda earned a PK, which he or someone else probably woulda scored. BUT that woulda been so so much less of the beautiful game than the way he muscled his way through a challenge, and then produce a golazo to the top corner.
Fwiw I mostly meant that I didn't think about the surface whatsoever until that moment, not that I was blaming it. Maybe we just had the wrong cleats or maybe just nerves.
Or coaches insist on turning on the sprinklers 5 minutes before the game and then put their players in minimalist cleats not designed for greasy surfaces.
As I've mentioned before, the USA does a lot better when the referee does not allow mixed martial-arts on Pulisic, time-wasting, and flopping around like a fish. Paraguay had to actually play Soccer instead of engage in antics for 90 minutes.
I second or third the comments above... this ref was great. Poch told him so after FT... so lovingly. In the back of my head was the HR who was "in charge" of the last USWNT game vs Brasil. It was an ugly match and she completely lost control. Luckily last night didn't devolve into that level of petulance and violence so the dutchman could keep a lid on it, which he did admirably.
That USA vs Brazil match might as well have been Rugby Union with all the holding onto people Brazil was doing. Lots of rolling mauls and rucks.
Or the Club World Cup? Or WCQ or Gold Cup or YNK what other competitions might use grass, because there seems to be a trend away from turf??
Was indeed there. Had an amazing time! Fans were overall tremendous: energized and engaged the entire match. Early goal certainly helped with that. As you noticed, there was very little organized chanting that made its way through -- maybe once each half there was a "U"..."S"..."A" slow chant thing. If there was an AO section, I never saw it or heard it (and I did look). Surprising number of Arsenal jerseys by the way. Saw a Tomiyasu one, which warmed my heart a little.
Yes. The Saudis had 32% possession and 3 shots. The US had 63% possession and 17 shots. It was exactly the same.
Supporters section was in the north end zone. (Behind the goal Gio scored). Second level or third. They were leading chants and noticeable from where I was. Roughly at midfield in the second level.
Through the TV? I couldn't. But then again my TV audio is a little weird. And I never opted for headphones, which probably woulda been cool. But my wife was sorta watching too, so...