Game Thread: World Cup / USMNT Chat Thread

[AUDub]

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...usmnt-roster-reflects-reyna-injury-challenges

Interesting ESPN article on Berhalter's first team call up since coming back.

I think it's trying too hard to gin up a narrative due to Gio not getting a call up when he's obviously still hurt.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I think it's trying too hard to gin up a narrative due to Gio not getting a call up when he's obviously still hurt.

Agreed. That relationship needs to be fixed (as much as it can be) though, if it hasn't already.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

If the parents will stay out of it.

 

[Windsortide]

Interesting tune up coming up in October vs Germany.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

We have a friendly with Uzbekistan Saturday at 4:30 on TNT. Should be interesting.

 

[BhamToTexas]

We have a friendly with Uzbekistan Saturday at 4:30 on TNT. Should be interesting.

Yeah, I wish it wasn't on Saturday.

 

[AUDub]

We play at frigging 930 Saturday.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

We play at frigging 930 Saturday.

Look on the bright side. The team will be home by daylight

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Another interesting ESPN article on Berhalter and our offense going into the next cycle. Still sounds a little shaky to me.


https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38334316/gregg-berhalter-usmnt-reach-2026-world-cup-final

 

[BhamToTexas]

Another interesting ESPN article on Berhalter and our offense going into the next cycle. Still sounds a little shaky to me.


https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38334316/gregg-berhalter-usmnt-reach-2026-world-cup-final

A back three makes me a bit nervous but we need to have that option in the toolbox regardless. Reyna has to be on the pitch.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Reyna needs to take over and be a world class striker. But I will believe it when I see it. I kind of like the back three idea if we can keep the wing backs running full blast.

 

[AUDub]

Looks good so far. Balogun is drifting almost playing a False 9.

1-0 Weah in the 4th.

Weston McKennie's insane ball control made that one.

 

[AUDub]

Reyna needs to take over and be a world class striker. But I will believe it when I see it. I kind of like the back three idea if we can keep the wing backs running full blast.

He should never be expected to be a striker. He's a 10, a creator.

The 3 at the back is basically our "hunker down" mode. You're counting on a lot of vertical play from the wings there.

 

[AUDub]

Man we are loose positionally. Not rigid at all. Pulisic is at left wing but isn't afraid to go to the right as needed. Flo just all over the place driving the CBs nuts.

 

[AUDub]

Tightened up as the half went on. Seemed like we dropped the pace.

 

[AUDub]

Ream almost singlehandedly surrenders the equalizer and Turner comes to the rescue.

 

[AUDub]

A W but an underwhelming one.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Haven't seen it yet, but it sounds like verse two, same song. Good in the build up, failure to finish.

 

[AUDub]

Haven't seen it yet, but it sounds like verse two, same song. Good in the build up, failure to finish.

I think Luca going down as early as he did stung us. When we had everything working through him and Musah it was a thing of beauty. When he broke his nose we elected to experiment with Tanner (not a bad time to do so, honestly) and the game promptly changed.

That and Ream having a poor game didn't help. Thank goodness Turner was on point between the sticks.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Interesting article about the two kids from Birmingham on the USMNT for the game last night.

https://www.al.com/sports/2023/09/goodman-alabama-makes-soccer-history-with-usmnt.html