I don't know about the rest of you but Wahl has whined so much about so many things the last few years that I am beginning to automatically take the opposite viewpoint from him.
Wahl is of a cohort of USSF media insiders who are getting touchy about the rise of outsider media covering USMNT, and about claims that the insiders act more like sycophants than critical analysts of the program. In fact there is an odd touchiness all around USSF. USSF is like an autocratic government that knows they cannot derive any legitimacy from their accountability to the soccer masses, so they need to promote a continual success narrative. TBF, there is probably a residual mindset about pumping up the sport in the US to protect its economic viability, but that seems anachronistic now (at least, on the men’s side). These insider journalists sometimes act as if they need to protect that success narrative. Or maybe they just think the YouTubers, upstart online publications and the like are unsophisticated interlopers whose criticisms are naive. But if they aren’t protecting a narrative, why is all the critical analysis coming from outsiders? Wouldn’t you expect a little diversity of opinion (more than just Herc Gomez) among the insiders? And it’s not like the outsiders are rubes. Maybe all of this is growing pains, part of the transition to a more sophisticated soccer culture.
"He [Turner] got frost bite." Oh well obviously no one could have seen this coming and no one is to blame... please move along nothing to see here! ARENA: “He [Turner] got frost bite.” Spoke with Bruce about the decision for @ussoccer to play a WCQ in negative temperatures. Incredibly revealing moment after last nights 1-0 loss to #RBNY. #NERevs #NESW #USMNT @wpro @Hot106 @MikeDOnAir @nickgradioshow pic.twitter.com/jnasAifEc2— Tommy Quinlan (@TommyQuinlan_IV) April 3, 2022
This post is so freaking out of context. Go read the goalkeeper thread. Even Turner himself has said that this has ZERO to do with why he isn't playing right now. He has a hairline fracture in his foot. His OTHER foot.
Who said otherwise? Where did I mention why anyone "isn't playing right now"? Or are you just making up a straw man to be mad at? In fact that's the reason I didn't post this in the "goalkeeper" thread where it may not be relevant to why Turner is injured right now, but instead in the "window 4 home venues" thread where it is certainly VERY relevant to one of the home venues for window four! But it's STILL the case that multiple USMNT players, Matt Turner (foot) and Reggie Cannon (ears) and who knows about any others as they probably don't want to upset Gregg who blacklists players for rolling their eyes, got frostbite because US Soccer and soccer genius Gregg Berhalter MADE THE DECISION to hold a home game in subzero temperatures (which was completely predictable at that time of year and time of day in friggin SAINT PAUL MINNESOTA) facing the worst team in the Octagonal a Honduras team that is in shambles... so congrats to them for their brilliant strategery!
Likely mentioned above, but this choice was also unsporting to our opponents from Honduras, risking their health as well as ours. It was completely unnecessary and an embarrassment. Let’s not do anything like that ever again.
As bad as frostbite is (and I'm not going to downplay it, it definitely sucks), Turner and Cannon will be fine in the long term. If numerous NFL playoff games can be held in subzero temperatures in places like Green Bay and Buffalo (some of which made the Minnesota qualifier seem like a tropical paradise) and the players who played in those games came out fine, then we shouldn't be acting like the sky is falling when a qualifier in Minnesota is played in similar temperatures. Even then, as much as frostbite sucks, it's not enough to keep a player out of commission for two months.
NFL players are padded up much more than soccer players and are exposed to the elements much less than soccer players, as they can usually stay beside sideline heaters for half of the game. It was always an asinine decision to play this match in Minneapolis.
They're also not running around as much as soccer players (running around gets the blood pumping, which of course warms you up. I say this as someone who's exercised in similar temperatures) AND are often out in the conditions longer due to NFL games lasting longer. And while they are padded up, they don't provide THAT much warmth in the long run. Very few (if any) people freak out and say "The Ice Bowl shouldn't have been played in those conditions!", despite much, much, MUCH colder temperatures than what the US had to deal with in Minnesota I remember articles of people claiming the players would suffer irreversible lung damage from the cold. Not once, I repeat, not once have I heard of anyone suffering lung damage due to the cold air here, let alone a professional athlete. Besides, it would have been asinine to play the match in Minneapolis.....that's why they played it in St. Paul
What player has been blacklisted for rolling their eyes? More broadly how many players have been blacklisted all together? Some may say Brooks, but it’s very possible we see him this summer and it’s also the case he’s not a good fit for the system we’ve been playing.
Oh so he's not based on some future thing that hasn't actually happened yet but is "possible"? Makes sense!
I agree that it doesn't make sense. But no more does that make sense than you indicating that Brooks has been "blacklisted" for "rolling his eyes". Of course, you've been involved in plenty of discussions about the rationale for dropping Brooks (plays a high line poorly, gets beat and gives up, doesn't want to travel [back issues/not inclined to do that to sit the bench]) but obviously the real reason for him not being around is that he rolled his eyes.
I agree the running helps, but when you have one position where you don’t run much if at all and you can’t wear pads, it’s a stupid decision overall. That player got frostbite and I believe the Honduran goalkeeper had a cold related injury as well.
The thing is if he’s been blacklisted than we won’t see him this summer or ever again. But if we do see him this summer that’s evidence that he was never blacklisted. Everyone wants to assume it’s some sort of blacklist situation versus Berhalter thinking he’s not a good fit for the system. No one ever seems to ask for instance if Tim Ream has been blacklisted from the national team. People don’t always have to take the most uncharitable interpretation of the situation. And the thing about Berhalter isn’t he hasn’t been afraid to bring people back to the national team after long absences.
Whether or not he has been “blacklisted” even if does not get called, it’s not proof that he was/is blacklisted. Likewise, if he does get called….that’s not proof that he wasn’t. It is possible to be removed from a blacklist. Imo, he hasn’t been blacklisted, but that is just my opinion
I just don't think any blacklist exists. Berhalter is pretty clear that no one is every truly out the national team. I think Brooks got surpassed by Zimmerman, plus we shifted to a system which is not a good fit for his skillset.
Thanks for posting the Arena video up above. I hadn't seen that -- or heard about the frostbite to Matt and Reggie. That sucks. I have lived through 23 winters up here, and "completely predictable" is going a little too far. Here is what we knew when the site was selected: That said, the buck stops with whoever made this call. If that's GGG, he took an unnecessary risk (we could have beat Hondo anywhere), and it came back to bite his players. Personally, I would've much preferred a St Paul qualifier in the April-October timeframe. Allianz Field is a great venue.