Deeg67

1 hour ago, Super_horns said:

I presume the results last night mean the USA are guaranteed to top the group now ?

 

Because they have beaten both Paraguay and Australia.

Yup, very likely Bosnia or Qatar in the knockout round. And let's be honest, on paper those are weaker teams than the two they've already beaten.

2 hours ago, leicsmac said:

I unreservedly agree, but the problem is that in this case, the obnoxious asswipes are in charge and making it the direct or indirect problem of almost every other human being on the surface of this Earth.  

 

Believe me, I've spent time in the US, and some of the people I've met there have been the most genuinely lovely and brilliant people I've had the pleasure of meeting, but rightly or wrongly, in the current climate, blowback and generalisations are going to be made across all areas of international interaction, including sport. 

 

All of this being said, this US team is going to take a big name (possibly Spain in a QF?) to put them in jeopardy, I think. Poch has them playing well.

Do we really want to go there? Liz Truss and BoJo send their regards, never mind that we're talking about a country where Nigel Farage is starting to struggle because he's not racist enough for his core voters. People getting elected by minorities of voters - never mind the population at-large - are not representative of a country as a whole. Sorry, the "I hate Yanks" posts peppering this thread say a lot more about the home country of the people making them than they do the people being targeted.

But yes, the rest is football. I've been following the USMNT for decades and believe me, they've never had a squad of this quality playing this way. I've been saying for years (including here) that this was as close to a golden generation as the U.S. has ever had. MLS is now independently ranked in the top 10 leagues in the world, and climbing. Americans under 30 rank soccer behind only basketball, ahead of MLB and the NFL. All the jibes and smarmy put-downs here are well past their expiration date. America is a footballing nation now, and it's only going to escalate.

As for this tournament, the first two matches could hardly have gone better. Paraguay is better than they've looked here, and Australia is no pushover. But the test comes when the Americans have to face a squad that's got the ability to take the match to them (which may not come until the quarters, certainly not before the 16's). Poch is a clear step above any coach the USMNT ever had tactically, and he's always been a strong man-manager. Whenever we got to a big tournament we would always park the bus and try and pip a goal on the counter. Poch has a squad full of first-team players in top divisions and he has them playing like a team that expects to create chances and control the game. Anything less than the final 8 would be a disappointment at this point, anything more would still be an upset.

2 minutes ago, Ian Nacho said:

Pound for pound Turkey must be the one of the worst countries in the world. Massive country in terms of size and population. Football mad. The last Euros was the only time in my memory where they haven't stunk up the tournament. 

What's truly amazing is they had 72% and 78% possession and eclipsed 30 shots both games, and still couldn't score.

36 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

 

This again, unfortunately. 

No one - least of all here - should feel comfortable if we're judging an entire country's population based on the behavior of its most obnoxious asswipes.

Won the group with a match to spare. Quite a luxury for Poch - he can rest Pulisic again and rotate basically the whole side if he chooses to.

7 hours ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Am I going mad? I thought he was clearly onside and I'm a certified yank hater 

 

The bloke who nods it in is being played on, only question you could maybe argue is whether or not Balogun (who was off) is interfering with play by being so close to the keeper

 

Australia have been dead crap

Not you. He was miles onside and the two who were off had no bearing on the goal whatsoever. It's just blind copium and Yank hatred.

7 hours ago, -sodapop said:

hahahaha the americans clearly don't understand offside as they clapped for a good 15 seconds after the flag went up

That aged well.

Seattle is a soccer-crazy town. More enthusiasm and understand the game better than half the PL stadium crowds at the very least.

There's ten Harry Souttars out there.

Turkey's attack is much ado about nothing. Lots of tika-taka, no ideas, and no quality in the final third.

Selfishly would like to see Turkey get one back for GD purposes.

Not going to win any beauty contests but Australia is doing ugly about as well it can be done. No possession but they don't look under much pressure. Not being broken down, and clinical when getting a rare chance to counter.

Absolute crap football, but under the circumstances I guess it doesn't matter. First win in 36 years and hope 3 points is enough.

It's sad for starters that people can't separate football and politics. But it's even sadder when those people come from a place that elected Boris Johnson and if given the chance today would probably elect Nigel Farage to be their leader.

Reyna is the X-factor. He's got the skill to be an impact player in any league in the world, and his maturity has never matched that level.

This is a serious team. Top manager, technical prowess, physically big and fast. Real impact talent on the bench, too.

Oh, that's a big goal. Give that kid confidence and he can be huge.

I mean, obviously if it ends this way you'll gladly take it. But the US has been wasteful. Should be 5-0 or 6-0.

Ugh, Pepi has been terrible.

Next time Balogun comes off I'd like to see Haji Wright get a look. On great form for Coventry and Pepi has looked weak and indecisive. 

What a difference from Balogun to Pepi.

Poch needs to start subbing out some of the core pieces now.

That should have been a pen on Tillman.

3-0 is generous to Paraguay.

Great use of VAR there. Yellow for diving, no yellow for Ream.

5 minutes ago, Dan said:

USA have been superb. What is going on.

7 starters who start in European 1st divisions, a coach with real tactical nous at the highest level, and home crowd energy.