Christian Pulisic best of awful bunch as U.S. crashes out of World Cup

[Nightman]

How could we win the Gold Cup and then not qualify

I thought the Gold Cup was a pretty big deal

 

[BigD16]

How could we win the Gold Cup and then not qualify

I thought the Gold Cup was a pretty big deal

The first Gold Cup of each cycle is a big deal in order to qualify for the confederations tournament (it's a tuneup tournament every 4 years a year before before the World Cup with the best teams from each confederation)

The gold cup that we won this summer was nothing more than a money-grab from US soccer. While we were playing our "make believe" tournament against other countries B and C teams, the best in the world were prepping/playing in the confederations cup.

The important gold cup in 2015 we lost.

 

[StylisticS]

I pretty much agree with everything you said. I'm not a fan of MLS at all. Every year I say I will try watching it but it's so awful when you can just watch the premiere league and bundesliga in the states instead. That said, we got beat by national teams who's teams are made up of primarily MLS players. I still wonder what could've been if Bradley and Donovan decided to stay in Europe, oh well. Pulisic is more motivated than them and won't do the same.

I completely agree about Geoff Cameron. I would've played him over gonzo and started Dax McCarty or Kellyn Acosta next to Bradley in place of jozy and just played with a lone striker (Bobby wood). All we needed was a draw.

I wish Fabian Johnson would play LB for the nats but he only wants to play further up the pitch.

USMNT need to drop anybody 28+ years old and start bringing in the new blood. We should've done that during this gold cup but instead Bruce wanted to stroke his ego by winning a meaningless tournament. Systemic changes need to happen, starting with the termination of the manager and high officials. They've done enough damage setting back soccer another 10 years in this country.

It seems like the USSF and MLS wants to be anti-europe as much as possible. The entire world is not only denigrating the USMNT, but they are also denigrating the MLS. The MLS has said no to promotion/relegation when the entire world has this system pretty much. Especially the top football/soccer leagues. The MLS loves to champion itself as one of the leagues that's nearly at the level of EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, League, Ligue 1, or even Serie A. But in reality, it's not only way behind those leagues, it's behind LigaMx and even England's 2nd level. Leeds United would probably destroy Toronto FC, let alone Man City from the Premier League. It's time for them to think of having a pyramid system with either the NASL, USL, or both. It will create competition, force teams to train their players, and help players get better.

That pay for play system has to go as well. Make these academies cheaper and more widespread. There needs to multiple academies especially in major cities. Have them grow they skills and passion so the clubs and national teams will take a look at them. You can't run MLS like you can the NFL, MLB, and NBA. You can't get your players though a draft system. College systems are not the best places to get the best skilled players for this game. The best players are now headed to Europe to train for a reason.

 

[StylisticS]

The first Gold Cup of each cycle is a big deal in order to qualify for the confederations tournament (it's a tuneup tournament every 4 years a year before before the World Cup with the best teams from each confederation)

The gold cup that we won this summer was nothing more than a money-grab from US soccer. While we were playing our "make believe" tournament against other countries B and C teams, the best in the world were prepping/playing in the confederations cup.

The important gold cup in 2015 we lost.

And like many have said, what you saw in 2015 led to what you see now. They lost to Jamaica in the semifinals. I think it was the first time Jamaica ever beat the US in the United States.

Also, I try to get into the MLS. I truly do. I support FC Dallas. But it's just horrible to watch. In the EPL, I support Arsenal but I also watch the other teams. Watching Man City this year is just beautiful to watch. Same with Man United. Barca in La Liga is also fun to watch especially with their tactics.

 

[BigD16]

It seems like the USSF and MLS wants to be anti-europe as much as possible. The entire world is not only denigrating the USMNT, but they are also denigrating the MLS. The MLS has said no to promotion/relegation when the entire world has this system pretty much. Especially the top football/soccer leagues. The MLS loves to champion itself as one of the leagues that's nearly at the level of EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, League, Ligue 1, or even Serie A. But in reality, it's not only way behind those leagues, it's behind LigaMx and even England's 2nd level. Leeds United would probably destroy Toronto FC, let alone Man City from the Premier League. It's time for them to think of having a pyramid system with either the NASL, USL, or both. It will create competition, force teams to train their players, and help players get better.

That pay for play system has to go as well. Make these academies cheaper and more widespread. There needs to multiple academies especially in major cities. Have them grow they skills and passion so the clubs and national teams will take a look at them. You can't run MLS like you can the NFL, MLB, and NBA. You can't get your players though a draft system. College systems are not the best places to get the best skilled players for this game. The best players are now headed to Europe to train for a reason.

MLS will never enforce relegation. It's America, money triumphs all else. MLS doesn't care about US soccer. They don't care about quality. All they care about is money. That's why their product is embarrassing.

Pay for play is just an extension of that same mentality. Money over everything. Parents are looking at anywhere up to $3,500 per season for their kid to play at the most competitive levels. We're never gonna develop the most talent by using this youth development system. Pulisic is what he is because his father played professionally and is a coach and because he always played with older kids. US Soccer needs a complete overhaul and it's not just because of this result against T&T.

Like you said, that 2015 Gold Cup was embarrassing. I remember watching that game at a local American Outlaws charter and everybody just being upset/stunned. I proceeded to get drunk.

 

[BigD16]

And like many have said, what you saw in 2015 led to what you see now. They lost to Jamaica in the semifinals. I think it was the first time Jamaica ever beat the US in the United States.

Also, I try to get into the MLS. I truly do. I support FC Dallas. But it's just horrible to watch. In the EPL, I support Arsenal but I also watch the other teams. Watching Man City this year is just beautiful to watch. Same with Man United. Barca in La Liga is also fun to watch especially with their tactics.

Any second division team from a top European league would mop the floor with any MLS team. Not only are they more technically gifted, the pace at which they play at is at an entirely other level. European club players are always fighting to be in top 11. MLS is the home of those not good enough and a retirement home for the ones that were.

 

[Doomsday]

Not sure it will make much difference, the talent just isn't there.

 

[BigD16]

Not sure it will make much difference, the talent just isn't there.

For sure we have enough talent to qualify for the World Cup out of the easiest confederation. So many tactical mistakes. However, this is a systemic problem so others should be getting fired too.

 

[csirl]

Its difficult for the US team to get good international experience when they are in CONCACAF. Most opponents are small countries.

I have never understood why US Soccer doesnt petittion FIFA to do the logical thing and merge CONCACAF and South America into The Americas. Will also solve the severe repetitive fixture fatigue in South America.

 

[Ranched]

LOL. Lost to a team that wasn't even qualified. Nice!

 

[daschoo]

Its difficult for the US team to get good international experience when they are in CONCACAF. Most opponents are small countries.

Just to double check are you arguing that the reason you got knocked out is because the teams that knocked you out aren't good enough to give you a challenge?

edit: it could be worse, we haven't qualified for a world cup or euros since '98

 

[diefree666]

I keep hearing how the US is going to be the next major superpower in soccer from those that keep talking about youth soccer.

Been hearing this for 20 years.

From what I see kids quit caring about soccer once they hit High School at the latest; many in junior high.

There just is not the interest to continue.

Throw in the absolutely pathetic joke of what supposedly constitutes the brain trust (gag) of US Soccer and frankly I see no real change in sight.

 

[StylisticS]

I keep hearing how the US is going to be the next major superpower in soccer from those that keep talking about youth soccer.

Been hearing this for 20 years.

From what I see kids quit caring about soccer once they hit High School at the latest; many in junior high.

There just is not the interest to continue.

Throw in the absolutely pathetic joke of what supposedly constitutes the brain trust (gag) of US Soccer and frankly I see no real change in sight.

That's because once you get to junior high, football and basketball takes over. It's just the way it is set up here in the US. I don't even remember my middle school team having a soccer team. It's pretty evident that you can't approach this game like you can with the football and basketball. The coaches would rather teach at camps and academies than teach at schools. Before middle school, soccer is everywhere. I think no other sport is played more than soccer with kids up to 10-11 years old. Once you get to middle school, the sport might as well be invisible.

 

[Bigdog]

My 11 would have been.
3-4-3... old school.

Hamid
Yedlin-Besler(until Brooks is healthy)-Cameron
Fabian-Acosta-Bradley-Nagbe
Morris-Wood-Pulisic

I control game with midfield play, control the ball and allow the front 3 to use skill and sheer speed to go score.

Bring on Dempsey/Jermaine Jones
pocket 1 sub in case of injury.

If this was your line up for Trinidad game there is one problem. Morris was injured so he could not play and Jones is way too old. I read an article on why Arena did not have Cameron in the starting 11 and the reason was he felt he was not in shape yet he played 90 minutes the weekend before with Stoke City and earned solid reviews for the game. Makes you wonder what the heck was Arena thinking. Wait a minute, he wasn't thinking at all.

 

[BigD16]

If this was your line up for Trinidad game there is one problem. Morris was injured so he could not play and Jones is way too old. I read an article on why Arena did not have Cameron in the starting 11 and the reason was he felt he was not in shape yet he played 90 minutes the weekend before with Stoke City and earned solid reviews for the game. Makes you wonder what the heck was Arena thinking. Wait a minute, he wasn't thinking at all.

Arena is a stubborn coach who chooses loyalty/ the old players that he has connections with. Gonzo over Geoff Cameron is inexcusable. He himself said he was good to play.

Also, Morris isn't a winger. He has no left foot and relies on pace to get by defenders but he has no creative qualities to his game which is required from a winger. Morris is a forward/striker who can finish around the box and make who will use his pace to test the last defender by beating the offsides trap.

 

[csirl]

Just to double check are you arguing that the reason you got knocked out is because the teams that knocked you out aren't good enough to give you a challenge?

edit: it could be worse, we haven't qualified for a world cup or euros since '98

Yes. If all your games are against bad opponents its difficult to put in place a system you can get dragged down to their level.

I also think that pro players playing amateurs or semi pro can give their opponents too much respect as they habitually play as if each opponent is professional. You see it in Europe all the time - when good teams play Gibraltar, Malta, San Marino etc. Individual players could probably take the ball, beat several defenders and score, but they habitually built up each attack slowly as thats the way they normally play.

 

[diefree666]

A friend of mines daughter was a huge soccer fan I thought when she was 8-11. She is now 27. I asked her yesterday about soccer and she made it clear it had no interest at all for her. I asked her about when she was young and she just shrugged. "It was something to do and I met other girls my age."

And that was all.

 

[rynochop]

Yeah, my stepdaughter played about four years as a kid, her team sucked every year but she eagerly went to practice and games, then hit middle school and had zero interest. Sons played one year.
Soccer moms probably get worn out too after the novelty of how cute they are playing wears off.

 

[jterrell]

If this was your line up for Trinidad game there is one problem. Morris was injured so he could not play and Jones is way too old. I read an article on why Arena did not have Cameron in the starting 11 and the reason was he felt he was not in shape yet he played 90 minutes the weekend before with Stoke City and earned solid reviews for the game. Makes you wonder what the heck was Arena thinking. Wait a minute, he wasn't thinking at all.

I know Morris has a hamstring but it was a month ago he tweaked it. Thought he could play 45 mins for us in a win or go home game.

Jones is old as dirt but still our roughest player.

 

[Bigdog]

I know Morris has a hamstring but it was a month ago he tweaked it. Thought he could play 45 mins for us in a win or go home game.

Jones is old as dirt but still our roughest player.

We just need new blood I there but I totally agree with you on Johnson and Cameron. Could not believe they were not in the starting 11. Johnson was left off the team all together.