Europe just dominating so far
5 of the 6 in the quarters I believe so far
5 of the 6 in the quarters I believe so far
2026 World Cup - USA team thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Pulisic is totally not ready for the big stage. Smallest performances in the biggest moments. Really weak effort and we can't have that or survive that when our supposed best player or one of them plays at a low level and is a non factor.
The first two things are that Ream and Freese need to have played their final games in a US jersey.
I agree. The only chance we had was when we tied it but then spit the bit with another easy goal. I find it mind boggling that we put no pressure on them at all.
The state of the US goalkeeping is shockingly bad. Freeze was shaky in the Bosnian game, and Turner is a complete disaster. That’s one position in which the US never should have trouble finding competent players.
He needs to look at himself too. Why was the team not ready and why did they lay such an egg?
I will turn my attention to the brilliance of France. Allez Les Bleus!
When they go through the gears it’s like watching Brazil in their hey day.
When they go through the gears it’s like watching Brazil in their hey day.
They're playing for a reason...maybe that's sad but if there were better guys they'd be in
Very thorough summation. Exactly what I'd expect from you because of your indepth knowledge of the sport.
I remember when we had Keller, Friedel and Howard back to back to back. We have fallen so far
I don't think we were scoring in the 2nd half.
Carli Lloyd calling us out, lost the game before even stepping out on the pitch....chasing, tentative, scared, not confident on the ball.
Disappointed in Pulisic. We didn't see enough of him.
This team has much more talent. Don’t be blinded by the results…we’re lacking a goalie that’s a difference maker, but have a much deeper player pool and much better overall talent.
Belgium was a different animal tonight vs what they displayed in the prior 4 matches. It didn't help that the goalie was awful. That.third goal was like something l witnessed when my son played in the YMCA league when he was 10
"I'm tired of moral victories"
"It's not losing but how they lost"
Great comments in the post game...favts
"It's not losing but how they lost"
Great comments in the post game...favts
A generation ago, Marcus Hahnemann had 115 starts in the Premier League but was our #3 and couldn’t get any action (9 career caps).
I thought that Slonina might be the answer in our pipeline, but his trajectory has dropped dramatically. I don’t even know where the answer lies…gun to my head, and I’d probably go Brady as our starter in 2030, but I don’t like it.
Lloyd nails it. They weren’t ready at all. They got the proverbial punch in the mouth and folded. I’d feel so much better about our progress if we had just lost a competently played game like 2-0. We caned Paraguay, and handled Australia and Bosnia easily - playing with flair and intent - and then just pissed down our legs at the sight of Belgium. Belgium is quality and has our number, but they’re not a serious contender this year.
It’s not losing, it’s how they lost. Yup. Compare us to Cape Verde who went out on their shields - scaring the piss out of Argentina
I thought Lloyd did an amazing job--very honest, blunt. Many took a much softer approach.
When they play Spain, Belgium will look like what they are: an aging team that’s past their sell by date. That’s what makes the games that the US played against them today and back in March shocking. This Belgium team only scored one goal against Egypt and no goals against Iran, and were losing 2-0 to Senegal a week ago in the 80th minute.
Do we also question how good the US is? The Paraguay win remains solid but BH & Australia weren't exactly good.
I expect he will. This team needs better futbol players but I have no idea if they are coming up through any systems. Pulisic's play was very disappointing in the whole series of games. Maybe he was just never healthy? Balogun, Tillman, and perhaps Richard's remain as future contributors going forward. Who else?
I never thought that the US was that good; they struggled in most of their warm up games, including getting crushed by Belgium, losing to Germany, and blowing a 2-0 lead to Senegal. This whole group or generation of players has accomplished very little despite being hyped because a lot of them play for major European teams.
The D was atrocious tonight. They folded in a stiff breeze. That couldn’t happen and them have a real chance in the match.
I thought they’d be better. Oh well. They weren’t going to beat Spain in the quarters.
My 2030 World Cup opener lineup…
———————-Kochen———————————
Freeman—-Banks—-Richards—Robinson
———-Tessman——Cardoso———————
Tillman————-Luna———————-Pulisic
———————-Balogun——————————
Reyna, Sullivan, Weah, Adams, Brady(GK) right there too
———————-Kochen———————————
Freeman—-Banks—-Richards—Robinson
———-Tessman——Cardoso———————
Tillman————-Luna———————-Pulisic
———————-Balogun——————————
Reyna, Sullivan, Weah, Adams, Brady(GK) right there too
3 of their goals were atrocious defensive lapses. Any defenders involved in one of those plays for another top country and they’d never see the pitch again for their country.
I'm disappointed in the passing ability and ability to win one-on-ones offensively and defensively. Kept getting beat for open crosses and then trouble marking up and positioning in the box. Must have much better goalie play.
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From kickoff the mentality wasn't right. Composure, timidity, hesitancy, fear to make a mistake—whatever you want to call it—it was not what it needed to be right from the outset. They made it far too easy for a Belgium team that has not been in great form. There's no denying Belgium have the edge in tactical and technical acumen, but there was far more at play here than that. Too slow to loose balls, not winning 50/50's, not playing quickly enough. In reality, the USMNT should be close enough to put up a battle along the lines of what we saw in Mexico City last night. But, they didn't—and it's a script that often gets replayed with this program. Belief seems to die when it matters most against higher quality opponents. The biggest stars fail to raise their play. You cannot win at this level when your best players don't play as the best players. The saddest part about all this to me is the wasted opportunity we had to get soccer wedged more into the mainstream—everyone was talking about this team. But, that kind of defeat when record numbers of people are watching invites the casual masses to simply fall right back into their priors regarding this sport.
Thanks for the info on future starting eleven and subs.
We’ll have a team that can make some noise in 2030, but I hate the thought of another winter 2034 tournament…so bad for US interest and for what is does to the big Euro leagues. Although lots of smoke around the US getting it again in 2038 (12 years is so soon, but no one likes $$$ as much as FIFA).
Sounds like a 2028 Copa America in the US is also very much in play again. Really hope that happens.
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The memes for this WC
have been amazing.
Leeeeroyyyyy Jjjjjjjeeeeennnnkiiiinnnnnnnnnsssss!!!
have been amazing.
Leeeeroyyyyy Jjjjjjjeeeeennnnkiiiinnnnnnnnnsssss!!!
Keep an eye open for Gozo, Albert, Mehmeti, and Hall. Not saying all will be there, but it may not be shocking if a couple of them find their way.