Post-match: USA v. South Korea - September 6, 2025 - International Friendly

We have enough talented players that can play much better than this …

 

Because a starting center back who can’t hack it is much more detrimental than a winger or 8 who can’t hack it. Also, there are other options at wing and in midfield where there is a dearth of options in the back and that’s the kind of thing that tips the list of concerns:

 

According to two sites we either won the xG battle 2.23-0.74 or 1.81-0.81. Poch is a genius.

 

What those stats don’t reflect is that he was the primary focus of opposing defenses in every match and still managed to score as much as he did.

 

The idea of Gio, maybe. Not the one that exists in real life in 2025.

 

He definitely underperformed his xG by a good amount at Reims though.

 

I also understand that point of view, in that I recognize that it's nonsense.

 

at this point not a single US player (overseas or MLS) or current coach has distinguished themselves positively by leading the team to win against a good opponent. If they don’t realize the dire situation they are in - there is no hope for them. They are all in this dung pile now. And the Golden Generation is not getting any younger.

 

Yeah he’s either going to get it together at the club level or he’s washed physically. But he’s the sort of guy who is automatically back in the team if he does get it together. We just need him to get some fitness and start getting minutes.

 

You're not. Poch can make $ anywhere else & USS wouldn't drop him if he got results with any players. Hell, they may not do it regardless, cuz of the investment & prestige.

This is maybe a concern of a manager on 1 of his last chances like Jurgen or a domestic manager w/out better job prospects than the USMNT. It's not for Mauricio Pochettino.

More like he cares about grit, is casting a wide net & thinks he a scouting genius the way he built up a couple clubs, but it's not working here due to his ignorance & our technical deficiencies.

There are better MLS players you're also ignorant about. You'll be calling for them the minute they step in Europe to enjoy a little success & wonder why any existing MLS'er may get favored. Never-ending cycle.

 

it is only nonsense if you have complete insight into the details of Poch’s contract. As I posted earlier - follow the money.

I do wonder what bonus structure he has based on WC results.

 

I was so happy with Balo, he can find space where there isn’t any, he creates the space with smart runs and that in turn creates room for others.
I would have liked to have seen a goal out of him but at least he’s shooting on goal which was lacking today.

 

Mauricio Pochettino: “I think we were better than South Korea, but if you’re not clinical… it’s difficult.”

I forget, which loss did Berhalter use a similar line after?

 

We're playing a 4231 w/ big gaps between the CDM's & CAM. It's a substantial difference, leading to problems considering our personnel aren't even the ball progressors they used to be w/out Musah. We can't connect to the next line unless that lone CAM finds space in the gaps & turns. We're also winning a lot less in traps/pressing cuz we have 2 players close instead of 3 & worse athletes.

 

How much of that came off of those three point blank shots that Balo had in a row. Not sure I can remember a play like that before.

 

What about the one that exists in ‘26? He’s finally going to play for his club so we can dream.

 

The only thing to come away from this match concerned about is the manager who thinks that it’s acceptable to start: 1) Ream, 2) Blackmon, 3) Arfsten, 4) Berhalter and not expect this exact result (or worse!). None of them are international quality, and when the foundation of the team is that shitty, nothing else is going to go well.

The US has the ingredients of a decent team, but man are we making it as difficult as possible to bake that cake.

 

I'm not saying he's bad. Quite the contrary. He's my #1 striker. I'm saying he hasn't been a plus finisher.

But I'd rather him create more and lack there than vice versa.

 

The real issue was the clear disorganization on defense on the goals we gave up.

 

What sites do you use?

 

I’m not writing either player off. I’ll stand in that at this point.

Balogun wasn’t magically scoring goals in the first half. You know that.

 

Live reaction from the players Poch didn't call in:

 

he may be ignorant and we may have tech deficiencies but I seriously doubt he did not structure a favorable contract … which may have been funded partially by investors tied to the MLS .. with terms and conditions - and yes if the team bolos next summer - he will be let go (with his sizable payout) and can blame the US soccer culture overall and the rest of the world will agree with him. And he goes on to Barca or wherever. So yes 100% follow the money even with Poch.

If we do ok - he will get paid well and he gets credit.

if we do poorly - he gets paid well - and can blame our culture and situations beyond his control.

either way he gets paid well and looks good.

 

Is it some type of weird karma that we fired Gregg Berhalter only to have Sebastian Berhalter become an automatic starter and the focus of the midfield? Or is Jay Berhalter still running things behind the scenes and that was all part of the deal?