Getting torn apart at midfield. That's the difference in the game right now. Cannot get possession in the middle of the field and we are getting overrun at midfield.
2026 World Cup - USA team thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
They need to change tactics to get chances. If they do in the second half what they did in the first, they won’t get many chances.
Exactly.
Irony of all ironies.
And 1/3 is this country would wish his citizenship renounced.
I went back and looked at Belgium's 1st goal. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a fan of headers from basically the goal line for several reasons, including that they often cause confusion for the defensive team. On the play in question, Dest was the player that was closest to where the ball was trending to come down. And he seemed like he really didn't want to take it, but his presence also seemed to cause the other two US players in the vicinity to hold off on going for the ball.
Dest isn't the tallest guy -- far from it. And he's not a defender. But pretty much every soccer player knows that when your team is on defense and the ball is in your defensive penalty area, you don't hesitate to go for it. In fact, you do anything and everything that you can to get the ball out of the penalty area.
Balls in the air do create additional issues. But the US really screwed up their D on the play, in a place on the field where screw ups usually end up as goals for the other team.
Dest isn't the tallest guy -- far from it. And he's not a defender. But pretty much every soccer player knows that when your team is on defense and the ball is in your defensive penalty area, you don't hesitate to go for it. In fact, you do anything and everything that you can to get the ball out of the penalty area.
Balls in the air do create additional issues. But the US really screwed up their D on the play, in a place on the field where screw ups usually end up as goals for the other team.
We are just inept with our ball handling and touches in their penalty area when it is crowded with their defenders. Not showing any touch with the ball.
Pulisic needs to be the first sub.
His ego will be the USA’s downfall.
His ego will be the USA’s downfall.
ugh. Just an absolute disaster, on multiple levels, when the US was dominating things in the early part of the 2nd half
No foul needed to be called. He just kicked the back of the defender's legs.
Wow that was terrible. U.S. looks horrible. Clearly wilting under the pressure. Really disappointing and poor performance thus far.
I’ll root for Belgium to beat Spain, but Spain will make Belgium look like a second division team. The US is getting exactly what they deserve in this game because it’s been an embarrassing performance.
Next to Pulisic, the USA goalie (Freese) might be the next worst player.
Three idiot decisions so far… and counting.
Three idiot decisions so far… and counting.
The US used to produce goalies who started for Premier League teams and were considered to be very good; not anymore.
Can you imagine what Spain would have done to the middle of our defense. Ooofff
Can you imagine what Spain would do to a minnow like Cape Verde? It’s soccer. Spain hasn’t been looking great offensively.
This is a choke. Plain and simple. Nothing Pochettino could do about this.
We have 1 shot on goal. Absolutely pathetic. We should be better but simply are not at the same level as these top Euro and South American teams.
It’s a shame because they never gave themselves a chance to be competitive against this beatable team because the moment clearly was too big for them.They have literally misplayed EVERY pass into or near the box. It's actually pretty impressive
Maybe Cape Verde is better than we think
You're right anything could happen if we play(ed) Spain but not if they played like they have today
But, Spain plays continuos ball control and carefully picks their spots. They have the skill to do that. Their defense can close fast and rarely is out of position.
There's no urgency. They showed a flash to start the half but third goal killed their spirits.
Complete inability to execute in their penalty area. Sloppy ball handling, weak corner efforts and when by some miracle we get a shot it is right at the keeper.