23 Comments

Way too much hate here. This game was a gimme. After 2 exhausting games, where they did enough to cross the line barring a tragic, complete 2nd half collapse, they were going through. Did it end on the greatest note? No. Is there PLENTY to work on? Yes. And good thing. If they’d blown CR out, they might’ve rested on their laurels. Did they sort of back in? Yes. But ALL that matters right now is that they earned a ball for Friday’s draw.

After all the discussion about 3-game windows, and how tired US opponents were in the 2nd half of those 3rd games - throughout qualifying - it looked to me like the US got tired. Can’t blame them.

After the *disaster* of T&T, I say “well done”.

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The squad needed greater rotation. Too many tired legs in the second half.

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It’s good to be upbeat when cheering WC qualifying. Clint Dempsey is a clear knowledgeable star with his background and especially his humour.

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I was a severe critic of US soccer following the failure against Trinidad, four years ago. I hear all the kudos about the depth and brilliance of our young players. And then I just watched 14 games against very low levels of competition, on the world stage. And we mostly looked impotent and hopeless. And it didn’t matter who we had on the pitch. This last loss was an embarrassment and a humiliation. I am not in the group of fans who only cared about “ making it Into the World Cup.” I was looking forward to a team who would make us proud at the WC level. This team has shown it has no chance of doing that. This team showed me that the US has made no meaningful improvement since the debacle four years ago. Sure, we found a way to “ back in” to the tournament in Qatar. But I no longer have any motivation to watch our team. They just fail and disappoint. And they give soccer a bad name. Seriously, tonight was disgraceful.

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It's difficult to put into words how I feel. Disappointed? Yes. Relieved? Yes. Celebratory? No. The lack of energy told me there were tired US legs and, ironically, the fact CR had their B team in meant theirs were fresh. Those players had something to prove and the fact the ref kept his cards in his pocket with one exception meant CR could keep fouling to disrupt any chance of the US finding a rhythm. Having said that, I think this was the game of this window where they missed McKennie the most. Not so much for his play but for his assertiveness.

The current Zach Steffen does not provide much basis for confidence. He had a few "adventures" against Panama and last night another one created their second goal. I think a sharper Steffen might stop the first. Here's to him, Turner and Horvath getting lots of minutes in the lead up to November.

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This group is not going "3 and out" in Qatar. I believe in the nucleus of the group. CP, Reyna, Adams, & McKinney have something that you can't coach and you can't instill in players. They have guts, balls, and heart and the rest of the group will fall in line behind this core. Don't know how far it will take them this go around as I might be 4 years early but I'm holding a +6500 ticket for them to win this tournament and will be plowing some money into them to win the 2026 tournament when I have a chance. I think they make a run come November and I can't wait.

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Perhaps its time (with this current crop of players) to give up on formations with a #9. Our wingers do not cross well/often. Gio is talented enough to play "false 9" and there's plenty of time to work on new formations in advance of the WC

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It’s a good, young team with a coach who has also never done this before. Everyone is learning on the job. It’s wonderful that they’ve qualified and have a lot to build on (both strengths and weaknesses).

They’ll probably be the youngest team in Qatar. How they do is anyone’s guess. I could see a world where they get to the quarters or a world where they finish 4/4 in the group. For now, I’m just excited that they are going, that we have another nine months of analyzing and talking and worrying and another 8-12 years of what is shaping up to be a “golden generation.”

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A little harsh Grant... 3rd game of a long window on the road in Central America. The boys got the qualification job done & that’s all that matters. Are there questions? Yes. Everyone has questions at this point. Enjoy the success of qualification.... plenty of time to criticize moving forward.

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HowI do I unsubscribe.

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So many futile set pieces, but you posted your piece before the match ended. Impressive.

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Zach Steffen man, I dunno.

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Embarrassing game, given the opponent sitting their yellow card jeopardy players. Huge opportunity missed. But in terms of players, not sure there is anything to be learned…another mark in the Berhalter coaching books though.-

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Embarrassing game, given the opponent sitting their yellow card jeopardy players. Huge opportunity missed. But in terms of players, not sure there is anything to be learned…another mark in the Berhalter coaching books though.

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It sure does seem to me that the U.S. are more dangerous in transition than in possession.

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Mar 31, 2022·edited Mar 31, 2022

My 3 thoughts: 1. Navas is unreal. 2. Berhalter got us back, but gave the haters more to dislike. Do you get the feeling that he does less with more. I want a coach who does more with less. Thinking Canada and Costa Rica. 3. Not only do we need a real goal scoring striker (Pefok can’t do anything on the bench), we need terrifying CB’s capable of distributing the ball and staying on a mark on set pieces. European clubs will tear Zimmerman and Robinson apart. 4 and a bonus thought: Navas is a fantastic keeper.

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