When you sub in players in the 80th minute (who actually didn't make it in to the 83rd minute), you are basically giving your subs 1 or 2 touches to prove themselves. Berhalter was asleep at the wheel when there were so many US players who were visibly exhausted.
USSF just needs to be revamped. I don't really know what the process looks like behind the scenes, but it seems like the hiring process takes less precedence on merit and tactical acumen than it does with familiar faces. We have too much talent to look the inferior side so often. You could even see it with the Nations League final against Mexico -- we won the game but Mexico completely dominated the middle of the park and we could not play out from the back. I like Berhalter and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it's obvious that our players aren't in the most optimal position to succeed. Too much space. Too many 1v1 situations.
I'm still optimistic!! Looking forward to Wednesday.
People got excited by the results this summer and didn’t pay enough attention to how those results were achieved, ie: a lot of luck. Beating teams 1-0 can only happen consistently when you are the early 2000’s Italians. We may have beaten Canada, Haiti, Qatar, Honduras, but we were outplayed in those matches. At least 5 games we won in the 83rd minute or later. In the nations final against Mexico, we gave up 57% possession and 22 shots (as well as a memorable penalty kick save.) In the gold cup final it was over 60% possession to Mexico. And frankly, this is one of the least talented Mexican teams we have seen in awhile. Too many people let the wins mask what ere overall poor performances. Performances FAR below our talent level. Berhalter was a mediocre MLS coach (38% winning percentage.) He had no business getting the job over FAR more qualified candidates and nothing that has happened since has shown any different. He’s consistently outcoached on tactics. His substitution strategies are baffling. He makes almost no adjustments to when teams do, especially in the second half. He’s won matches but it’s simply because of sheer talent and luck. As far as performances go (being threatening, controlling a match, having strong second halves), we’ve regressed 20 years under him. We’re winning in grit and luck and counterattacks/set pieces while inferior teams control the majority of the match. The warning signs have been there, the performances have been subpar, but people kept dismissing them with the 1-0 wins. Now they’re waking up.
It's unacceptable, but it's not the end of the world (yet). Canada is good and is probably closer to the USMNT level than any of us would care to admit. Not Mexico, but better than the Central American teams. My biggest concern was (i) the style of play and (ii) the lack of substitutions. If you KNOW that Canada is going to play deep and sit back, then why play the ball from John Brooks all night? If you have a deeper bench, then why don't you take advantage of tired Canadian legs and get subs on? .
Inability to move the ball quickly is factor most responsible for disappointing result IMO. Going forward, I’d like to see Pulisic and Reyna (or Hoppe) on wings - they relish running at defenses, so let them do that. It would bring creativity to the offense and better, faster ball movement that would unnnerve defenses and lead to better chances.
I thought Dest was fantastic on both sides of the ball before he went out. We were in the corner on his defensive side and he looked solid defensively. Davies was a threat, but he’s fucking Alphonso Davies! I hope the injury is nothing major because today Dest showed once again that he can play defense when he wants to.
Tyler Adams along with Pulisic played their hearts out while the rest left a lot to be desired. No excuses for McCkennie, hope he learns his lesson and puts team first. Overall I feel like the US was trying to play short passes too often, forcing balls on top. Not much of imagination in the second half and is on the coach when the subs come on the pitch late in the game. You cannot wait till the 75th minute to realize changes are needed 😌
I'm afraid you can't compete with 3G in a 5G world. Again, late subs weren't given an opportunity to make a difference, no plan for containing Davies, no tactical adaptation mid-stream.
All the doubts about Berhalter’s hiring are being proven now. Disappointing. Can still be a good round of games with a win in Hi duras, but just don’t see that.
Crowding the most talented guys in the middle and asking Robinson and Dest/Yedlin to provide service was never going to succeed. Awful game-plan. I also don’t think we should let Adams off easy for his cheep shot that stopped a breakaway. That’s McKennie-like in my opinion. That’s two major discipline issues in 24 hours, one on the field and one off that are both unacceptable. Aaronson’s post game interview was also really childish. There’s all this talk about veteran presence - Ream/yedlin/brooks/Pulisic get poor grades for keeping the team focused. These kids give the impression they don’t really get it.
When you sub in players in the 80th minute (who actually didn't make it in to the 83rd minute), you are basically giving your subs 1 or 2 touches to prove themselves. Berhalter was asleep at the wheel when there were so many US players who were visibly exhausted.
Zero tactical adjustments by Gregg?
USSF just needs to be revamped. I don't really know what the process looks like behind the scenes, but it seems like the hiring process takes less precedence on merit and tactical acumen than it does with familiar faces. We have too much talent to look the inferior side so often. You could even see it with the Nations League final against Mexico -- we won the game but Mexico completely dominated the middle of the park and we could not play out from the back. I like Berhalter and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it's obvious that our players aren't in the most optimal position to succeed. Too much space. Too many 1v1 situations.
I'm still optimistic!! Looking forward to Wednesday.
People got excited by the results this summer and didn’t pay enough attention to how those results were achieved, ie: a lot of luck. Beating teams 1-0 can only happen consistently when you are the early 2000’s Italians. We may have beaten Canada, Haiti, Qatar, Honduras, but we were outplayed in those matches. At least 5 games we won in the 83rd minute or later. In the nations final against Mexico, we gave up 57% possession and 22 shots (as well as a memorable penalty kick save.) In the gold cup final it was over 60% possession to Mexico. And frankly, this is one of the least talented Mexican teams we have seen in awhile. Too many people let the wins mask what ere overall poor performances. Performances FAR below our talent level. Berhalter was a mediocre MLS coach (38% winning percentage.) He had no business getting the job over FAR more qualified candidates and nothing that has happened since has shown any different. He’s consistently outcoached on tactics. His substitution strategies are baffling. He makes almost no adjustments to when teams do, especially in the second half. He’s won matches but it’s simply because of sheer talent and luck. As far as performances go (being threatening, controlling a match, having strong second halves), we’ve regressed 20 years under him. We’re winning in grit and luck and counterattacks/set pieces while inferior teams control the majority of the match. The warning signs have been there, the performances have been subpar, but people kept dismissing them with the 1-0 wins. Now they’re waking up.
Berhalter just isn't good enough...Do we have to lose another WC cycle before people see this!?
It's unacceptable, but it's not the end of the world (yet). Canada is good and is probably closer to the USMNT level than any of us would care to admit. Not Mexico, but better than the Central American teams. My biggest concern was (i) the style of play and (ii) the lack of substitutions. If you KNOW that Canada is going to play deep and sit back, then why play the ball from John Brooks all night? If you have a deeper bench, then why don't you take advantage of tired Canadian legs and get subs on? .
All indicators of coaching failure.
I think McKennie is our most important player. Pulisic & Reyna are our best & most talented.
I blame Covid, or whoever is behind creating the v!rus & unleashing it on the world but I'd like to know exactly what WMac did. Very disappointing.
So is Reyna & his hammy. When did he tweak it?
Greg waited two long to bring on fresh legs. Can't wait till the 80th minute
Inability to move the ball quickly is factor most responsible for disappointing result IMO. Going forward, I’d like to see Pulisic and Reyna (or Hoppe) on wings - they relish running at defenses, so let them do that. It would bring creativity to the offense and better, faster ball movement that would unnnerve defenses and lead to better chances.
I thought Dest was fantastic on both sides of the ball before he went out. We were in the corner on his defensive side and he looked solid defensively. Davies was a threat, but he’s fucking Alphonso Davies! I hope the injury is nothing major because today Dest showed once again that he can play defense when he wants to.
Tyler Adams along with Pulisic played their hearts out while the rest left a lot to be desired. No excuses for McCkennie, hope he learns his lesson and puts team first. Overall I feel like the US was trying to play short passes too often, forcing balls on top. Not much of imagination in the second half and is on the coach when the subs come on the pitch late in the game. You cannot wait till the 75th minute to realize changes are needed 😌
I'm afraid you can't compete with 3G in a 5G world. Again, late subs weren't given an opportunity to make a difference, no plan for containing Davies, no tactical adaptation mid-stream.
All the doubts about Berhalter’s hiring are being proven now. Disappointing. Can still be a good round of games with a win in Hi duras, but just don’t see that.
Crowding the most talented guys in the middle and asking Robinson and Dest/Yedlin to provide service was never going to succeed. Awful game-plan. I also don’t think we should let Adams off easy for his cheep shot that stopped a breakaway. That’s McKennie-like in my opinion. That’s two major discipline issues in 24 hours, one on the field and one off that are both unacceptable. Aaronson’s post game interview was also really childish. There’s all this talk about veteran presence - Ream/yedlin/brooks/Pulisic get poor grades for keeping the team focused. These kids give the impression they don’t really get it.
All signs of a lack of direction and leadership from the very top.
And berhalter gets an F for tactics
I don’t think it’s time to panic. However, McKennie’s actions were incredibly unacceptable. He should not wear the arm band for a very long time.
It always seemed like when we needed Claudio, he was hurt, too.