Deeg67

if I'm not mistaken the argument is not that the ref saw slow-mo during the VAR monitor review, but that he only saw slow-mo. He's supposed to have access to real-time replays and he didn't. Either way it doesn't matter, the fundamental facts don't change. It was never a red (multiple reviews by third-parties have confirmed this) but once it was given, there's no way to overturn it without shattering what's left of the tournament's credibility. It was a screw-up when it happened and now Infantino has made it a thousand times worse. And the really sad thing is the U.S. has been much better than the Sprouts and really should be able to handle them whether Balogun plays or not.

Sure, whatever. I mean, Ronaldo had a (two-match) ban suspended for this WC outside the rules because of politics. So did Otamendi and Caicedo. I don't see anybody arguing Argentina or Portugal should be kicked out of the tournament. That's just idiotic on the face of it. None of that makes it right, in any of the above cases. FIFA is hilariously corrupt and everyone knows it. But no impartial observer could look at that Balogun red and say it was justified in the first place. Messi did far worse and got nothing for it. Why? Corruption and politics. Or, as FIFA calls it, business as usual.

The Balogun thing is very unfortunate. He absolutely never should have gotten a red. There absolutely should be an appeal system for red cards. And he absolutely shouldn't have had it rescinded. There's no mechanism within the rules for that. It was an injustice that should have been allowed to stand (and used as an argument for an appeal system for future world cups). The problem is, Diaper Don poisons everything he touches. He's a vile pestilence. The Americans were having a great tournament - it's easily the best we've ever looked in a World Cup, even when we made the quarters. But now no matter what we do, it's tarnished. People will use this as a pretext to dismiss a genuinely strong side as only succeeding because of political interference. Poch should say "We're going to choose to abide by the rules and defeat Belgium without Balogun". But of course he's not going to do that.

There are a shit-ton of Brazil fans in Japan and walking to the train this morning it was like a scene from a George Romero movie.

34% possession. Against Norway.

Norway was always going to be dangerous because any side with a truly magical goal scorer has always has a chance. But they're actually a pretty decent side even without Haaland, and this is probably the worst Brazil WC team in decades.

Morocco are a very talented side, it's really pathetic that they relentlessly dive and cry the way they do.

It's really a shame to lose Balogun on an absolutely bogus red card. He's our most likely threat to score and pretty critical to our whole setup. But based on form we honestly should handle Belgium pretty easily. They're old, slow, and can be very predictable these days. But they're crafty and still have a couple of guys who can deliver a goal out of nothing. If I'm Poch my strategy is to absolutely run them off the pitch. The US team is bigger, stronger, faster and they need to play relentlessly at a blistering pace from the opening whistle. If they let Belgium drag them into a torpid slog they can get into trouble.

Not a high bar there.

But Algeria now gets Switzerland instead of Spain. Any way you slice it that's better on paper.

That was one of the strangest conclusions to a match I've ever seen.

I would have loved to see Haji Wright get a chance, because I have zero faith in Pepi if Balogun is unable to go for any reason. I feel pretty okay with Scally at either FB spot if it comes to that. It's CB where not having Trusty really scares me.

The Trusty ankle injury is a serious concern going forward - "I heard a little something" is pretty ominous. He's not a starter but one of the 2-3 most important subs. Gives us a physical presence and is quite good on the ball. Basically dominating Turkiye's first team with our B-team is a reflection of the depth in the American squad, though.

As a national team player, it will be hard to top the likes of Donovan, Dempsey, or Howard. In terms of accomplishment at the (highest) club level? That will probably be Pulisic when it's all said and done.

Performance overall was fine, losing pisses you off but doesn't mean much. Pulisic made such a huge difference and could have had 2 easily. I really have no clue what Poch sees in Pepi. He's as anonymous a #9 as it gets.