The vast cohort of Tillman haters run silent, run deep, when Tillman has monster games like this, then surface from periscope depth any time he provides an anonymous entry to his collection of caps to reassert that he sucks lol. Their posting behavior is as reliable as a Swiss watchmaker's craft.
This, needless to say, is why I've been babbling nonstop about ref assignments. Those studies espn wrote about a few years ago underlined that Concacrap and Conmebol refs are notorious for allowing more violent behavior, and being more circumspect about issuing cards for violent behavior than UEFA refs. I checked to see if it was true of CAF refs as well, and it appears to be so. I am assuming AFC refs are similar to UEFA refs. Of course with all this being said, we've gotten royally screwed by multiple UEFA refs at WC's over the years, but I'd still take my chances with them, and w/our players experience playing with them on European clubs, to the trash decisions we typically get from Concacrap refs over larger sample sizes.
I'm not sure they were giving Puli space as he was making space for himself with elite pace and exquisite dribbling. Even when he was double teamed he was able to break through to create dangerous opportunities. But beating the first man was occurring all over the field not just Puli. That put Paraguay's defensive shape into shambles. They resorted to constant fouling to compensate and were lucky not to lose a player as the game wore on.
Australia will bunker but they're not dirty. Their thugs play Aussie Rules..and rugby...and cricket...
Thuggish cricket players. hmmm. Must be Square leg, Silly mid off, Third Man Long, Gully, 2nd slip or Deep Extra Cover.
Rugby League anyway. They hate Rugby Union for some reason. Speaking of the latter, 2031 will be the USA hosting the Rugby Union World Cup. The US team, unlike Men's Soccer, is terrible right now.
My biggest hot take of the game, and I’m prepared to get yelled at, is neither Weah nor Reyna really impressed me. Weah was a sloppy, running into people, giving away unnecessary fouls, plenty of energy with no thought or direction. Yes, Reyna has incredible skill and we once again saw it. But before that he was chirping, whining, jogging, which to me shows nothing for him has changed much. Putting him on in the last 10-15, ok sure but I don’t want to see him more than that really. Berhalter and Pepi did alright but are not starters.
The 3D World Cup experience is at https://www.3d-bbc.co.uk/ You can replay the whole match from any angle in 3D, the player's names are highlighted and stats like sprint speed are shown in "real time". You can watch the whole or choose an extended list of highlights.
Reyna doesn't have engine of Tillman, but he has a sweet touch on the ball. Weah;s game has decreased this year, he is playing more like an MLSer.
I mean, if they are ever going to maintain focus and bring the heat in game after game, the World Cup would be the time to do it.
They play both styles of rugby, although I think they're popular in different parts of the country. They're hosting the rugby union World Cup next year and have won it twice
The USMNT in Rugby Union managed to qualify for the one hosted in Australia. Hopefully the USA doesn't get its clock cleaned.
Good statistical analysis from a new stats app: https://futiapp.substack.com/p/what-futi-can-tell-us-about-the-usmnt xG of 2.3 - 7. Article has a passing network in it -- which I haven't seen for the US in a while -- plus xG by run of play v set piece, a possession value map (very strong on the left side), stats by phase of play ... Lots of great stuff. I suggest downloading the app.