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2026 World Cup - USA team thread

Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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Australia playing a 5-4-1. That's really packing it in, and should make it tough for the USA to get chances.

It's surprising how effective the USA has been in creating legitimate opportunities against Australia's configuration. And on the flip side, it's also been surprising how well Australia has been in creating good counter opportunities. They are really fast up top.
 
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Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!

Took a while to determine, as the AR flagged for offsides. But after VAR review, a goal is awarded to the USA.

2-0







 
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Erial_Lion

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I'm sure it's contrary to popular opinion, but I'd go much more conservative in this second half and keep some more men behind the ball. Australia is most dangerous on the counter, and it's not like they'll dominate possession if we play more conservatively. Most will want to keep the foot on the gas, but give me a 2-0 (or even 2-1) win and move along...winning the group (if things go right tonight) guarantees we can rest our first 11 on Thursday and make sure no one meaningful misses the round of 32 game.
 
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Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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Erial_Lion said:
I'm sure it's contrary to popular opinion, but I'd go much more conservative in this second half and keep some more men behind the ball. Australia is most dangerous on the counter, and it's not like they'll dominate possession if we play more conservatively. Most will want to keep the foot on the gas, but give me a 2-0 (or even 2-1) win and move along...winning the group guarantees we can rest our first 11 on Thursday and make sure no one meaningful misses the round of 32 game.
Click to expand...

Yeah, wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing, but if results in a USA win, it would accomplish the primary goal of winning the match. It will be interesting to see how the USA approaches things in the 2nd half. And at some point, you would expect the Australian team to switch out of their defensive shell, and really attack the USA.
 
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Moogy

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Erial_Lion said:
I'm sure it's contrary to popular opinion, but I'd go much more conservative in this second half and keep some more men behind the ball. Australia is most dangerous on the counter, and it's not like they'll dominate possession if we play more conservatively. Most will want to keep the foot on the gas, but give me a 2-0 (or even 2-1) win and move along...winning the group guarantees we can rest our first 11 on Thursday and make sure no one meaningful misses the round of 32 game.
Click to expand...

The USA is in the middle of what, I think, is unprecedented offensive success at this level ... I think you keep your foot on the gas to maintain that mindset going forward. Let them get more and more comfortable being the predator, rather than the hopeful prey.
 
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LionsAndBears

LionsAndBears

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Tom McAndrew said:
Yeah, wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing, but if results in a USA win, it would accomplish the primary goal of winning the match. It will be interesting to see how the USA approaches things in the 2nd half. And at some point, you would expect the Australian team to switch out of their defensive shell, and really attack the USA.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't even consider going conservative until we got our 3rd.
 
LionsAndBears

LionsAndBears

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I thought Australians prided themselves on being tough? Nothing tough about all this flopping!
 
Grant Green

Grant Green

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Erial_Lion said:
I'm sure it's contrary to popular opinion, but I'd go much more conservative in this second half and keep some more men behind the ball. Australia is most dangerous on the counter, and it's not like they'll dominate possession if we play more conservatively. Most will want to keep the foot on the gas, but give me a 2-0 (or even 2-1) win and move along...winning the group (if things go right tonight) guarantees we can rest our first 11 on Thursday and make sure no one meaningful misses the round of 32 game.
Click to expand...
I watched out of the corner of my eye as I worked, but looked like they pretty much took this approach. While not often a great approach in a football game, this can work well in soccer. On to the knock-out round.
 
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Lil Nicky Scarfo

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Wooo. With that, we will play the 3rd place team from one of Group B,E,F,I, J (like a Bosnia, Senegal type team) and then the winner of Group G most likely in the R16 to get to the quarters. That could be an aging Belgian team. Think of our run in the CFP 2 years ago.

Much better than finishing 2nd. They get Group G 2nd in R32 then likely Arg. Sayonara
 
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