IMO our ideal draw might actually be to get Brazil out of Pot 1 (and have them run the table in the group). In that world we only have to surpass two teams... and if we advance it puts Brazil on the opposite side of the bracket. With the youth of our team I might prefer to effectively "concede" our first Pot 1 game - we will learn and stand a better chance later in the tournament (not to mention our young legs become a greater advantage).
The team I most want to avoid (since we cannot get Canada): Wales. Followed by Scotland. If we avoid those two then I think almost any other draw would put us on the 50% favorable side of all alternatives.
I'm finding a lot of pundits feel the US is the weakest in pot 2. It may be flattering the we are in pot 2, but we have earned it (nations league and gold cup champs).
It makes me wonder if we are the weakest team (1998, 2006) or if we'll surprise (2002, 2010).
The draw will be fun and the 7 month of dreaming begins.
Thanks for the great summary Grant. And we all love your on-site reports, as well as the post game Pod casts with Witty and Landon. It is the best perspective we get from a deep well of knowledge and experience.
I did take issue, today, when Landon offered how much progress the team had shown from the beginning of the qualifying matches to the end. Specifically, he identified the “ end date” as the Panama game. Avoiding any mention of the traffic accident we all witnessed in San Jose. If that were the legitimate book-end to the experience, we haven’t improved at all.
I defer to your views that we have great talent and depth. And, therefore, should be optimistic toward what we might accomplish in Qatar, 2022. But I have great reservation.
Many of “ our brightest stars” ( playing on big name teams in Europe), often don’t get much, if any, playing time. And many play for teams, one mistake away from relegation. So our stars may not be as bright as some believe.
We have yet to show we can regularly defeat the teams we should beat. We never win two games in a row . We failed in matches that left our jaws agape. We use “ a very young team” as an excuse for failure; yet we claim the World Cup has become “ a young man’s game.” And, I have to point out, the “B” team we lost to in San Jose was younger than we were.
So you can understand why I take some of our rationale for failure ( or not qualifying with more dignity and certainty) with a grain of salt.
And I totally agree with you all that we can’t hope to be successful at the next level with no prospect to play the 9 position. And we seem shaky at goal now as well.
So, we will shut down for a while and await some meaningless friendlies. We will play with roster possibilities and monitor injuries. And we’ll see. Are we really good now, or have we been blowing smoke into our own eyes?
“Panama had chances, and they could have scored goals. And you look back on these performances and you have to see how you can improve.”
Perfect attitude. We need to remember these guys are still KIDS, most still in their early-20’s. But they want it BAD. Hope that “we” don’t get a “group of death” draw, guys don’t get badly hurt in the interim.
Gotta schedule the toughest teams you possibly can for friendlies. Wish they could have a post-season, weeks long, summer camp to work on things. Sucks that the MLS guys wouldn’t be able to make it if they did.
As always, great write-up, Grant. It’s why we subscribe.
I love the animation Dan did here. It really captures the feeling in my heart this morning.
Great write up! Two questions moving forward-
What do you think the other formations could be that would play to strengths of squad?
What’s up with Darryl Dike? Does he get another shot at the 9 spot in the lead up to Qatar? Thanks much!!
A great recap of an epic journey...now for the next step! Thanks for all you do!
IMO our ideal draw might actually be to get Brazil out of Pot 1 (and have them run the table in the group). In that world we only have to surpass two teams... and if we advance it puts Brazil on the opposite side of the bracket. With the youth of our team I might prefer to effectively "concede" our first Pot 1 game - we will learn and stand a better chance later in the tournament (not to mention our young legs become a greater advantage).
The team I most want to avoid (since we cannot get Canada): Wales. Followed by Scotland. If we avoid those two then I think almost any other draw would put us on the 50% favorable side of all alternatives.
Enjoyed the read.
I'm finding a lot of pundits feel the US is the weakest in pot 2. It may be flattering the we are in pot 2, but we have earned it (nations league and gold cup champs).
It makes me wonder if we are the weakest team (1998, 2006) or if we'll surprise (2002, 2010).
The draw will be fun and the 7 month of dreaming begins.
Which teams from Pot 1 do you think we match up best against?
Thanks for the great summary Grant. And we all love your on-site reports, as well as the post game Pod casts with Witty and Landon. It is the best perspective we get from a deep well of knowledge and experience.
I did take issue, today, when Landon offered how much progress the team had shown from the beginning of the qualifying matches to the end. Specifically, he identified the “ end date” as the Panama game. Avoiding any mention of the traffic accident we all witnessed in San Jose. If that were the legitimate book-end to the experience, we haven’t improved at all.
I defer to your views that we have great talent and depth. And, therefore, should be optimistic toward what we might accomplish in Qatar, 2022. But I have great reservation.
Many of “ our brightest stars” ( playing on big name teams in Europe), often don’t get much, if any, playing time. And many play for teams, one mistake away from relegation. So our stars may not be as bright as some believe.
We have yet to show we can regularly defeat the teams we should beat. We never win two games in a row . We failed in matches that left our jaws agape. We use “ a very young team” as an excuse for failure; yet we claim the World Cup has become “ a young man’s game.” And, I have to point out, the “B” team we lost to in San Jose was younger than we were.
So you can understand why I take some of our rationale for failure ( or not qualifying with more dignity and certainty) with a grain of salt.
And I totally agree with you all that we can’t hope to be successful at the next level with no prospect to play the 9 position. And we seem shaky at goal now as well.
So, we will shut down for a while and await some meaningless friendlies. We will play with roster possibilities and monitor injuries. And we’ll see. Are we really good now, or have we been blowing smoke into our own eyes?
This quote from Tyler Adams sums it up”
“Panama had chances, and they could have scored goals. And you look back on these performances and you have to see how you can improve.”
Perfect attitude. We need to remember these guys are still KIDS, most still in their early-20’s. But they want it BAD. Hope that “we” don’t get a “group of death” draw, guys don’t get badly hurt in the interim.
Gotta schedule the toughest teams you possibly can for friendlies. Wish they could have a post-season, weeks long, summer camp to work on things. Sucks that the MLS guys wouldn’t be able to make it if they did.
As always, great write-up, Grant. It’s why we subscribe.