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Mexico se lo puede chupar!Infinity Art Glass - Fantastic local artist and Shocker fan
RIP Guy Always A Shocker
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Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View Post
I copied and pasted that into my search bar at work. Thanks a lot lol.Infinity Art Glass - Fantastic local artist and Shocker fan
RIP Guy Always A Shocker
Carpenter Place - A blessing to many young girls/women
ICT S.O.S - Great local cause fighting against human trafficking
Wartick Insurance Agency - Saved me money with more coverage.
Save Shocker Sports - A rallying cry
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Now that I've had some time to let the game against Iran marinate, I have some thoughts.
First of all, it's amazing to see how differently soccer people evaluate games like that. Player and coach ratings seem to vary wildly from pundit to pundit. I thought it was a B- to B game played by us overall. Created a lot of chances that we didn't convert, and while we bunkered down for a while, got the result.
I think Berhalter has gotten the starting lineup correct for the most part throughout the World Cup. The one change I would make would be to have put Sargent in the lineup against England instead of Haji Wright. I do think we've been the better team for 4-5 of the 6 halves we've played, which is encouraging. The formations and tactics have made sense, although a lack of Gio Reyna is puzzling. I think he could be a real difference maker against the Netherlands if he is healthy and plays.
I don't have too much of a problem with playing defensive against Iran since they were not very dangerous overall. I think you could go either way and either play aggressive once you have the lead, or play more defensively. Either way, if it fails, people will say you made the wrong decision.
There is a certain and sizable faction within the USMNT fanbase that has this militant dislike for Gregg Berhalter and everything he does. When the USMNT lose, it's all his fault. When the USMNT get a result, he don't manage it well enough. I think there's some criticism of him to be had (substitutions vs. Iran for example), but this crowd loses me when anything and everything is criticized, and the faintest notion that the coach has made certain mistakes becomes grounds for termination.
It's been a problem in soccer for a while, and has its roots dug in American sports as well. Coaches/managers are sacked a few games in when the team doesn't do well.
Let's revisit the last two years for US Soccer:
CONCACAF Nations League Champions over Mexico
CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions over Mexico
Qualified for the World Cup
Placed second to England in Group B and advance to the Round of 16
I can't imagine we've ever had a two-year run that has been that good in terms of accomplishments. Not always pretty, but it's been a really nice run.
Again, certainly criticism to be had, but the constant barrage against Berhalter from some USMNT fans leaves me weary.
As far as our prospects going forward in this tournament, I feel good about the matchup with the Dutch. They're not a team like Brazil or Argentina that will outclass us at every position. They're better, to be sure, but the talent gap is not super wide. Gakpo has been fantastic this tournament, Frenkie de Jong is a fantastic midfielder, and Van Dijk is a rock as a CB.
I was hoping for a different result yesterday...if we were to beat the Dutch, we would face the winner of the Argentina-Australia game. That game could be a bloodbath. I would have much rather faced the winner of Poland-Australia, but you have to beat good teams regardless.
No matter what the outcome on Saturday, it's hard not to feel really good about this team going forward."In God we trust, all others must bring data." - W. Edwards Deming
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Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View PostThe one change I would make would be to have put Sargent in the lineup against England instead of Haji Wright.
Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View PostI don't have too much of a problem with playing defensive against Iran since they were not very dangerous overall. I think you could go either way and either play aggressive once you have the lead, or play more defensively. Either way, if it fails, people will say you made the wrong decision.
Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View PostThere is a certain and sizable faction within the USMNT fanbase that has this militant dislike for Gregg Berhalter and everything he does.
Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View PostIt's been a problem in soccer for a while, and has its roots dug in American sports as well. Coaches/managers are sacked a few games in when the team doesn't do well.
Originally posted by Kel Varnsen View PostAs far as our prospects going forward in this tournament, I feel good about the matchup with the Dutch. They're not a team like Brazil or Argentina that will outclass us at every position.
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No matter what the outcome on Saturday, it's hard not to feel really good about this team going forward.
Kung Wu say, man who read woman like book, prefer braille!
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I agree with your defensive comments. The way we went about it, we gave Iran their best chances of the match to score. When we were a little more aggressive, we dominated possession and they weren't much of a threat. I'd still have stayed more offensive, but maybe more cautiously so as to not get completely out of sorts and give something up. Iran really wasn't a threat at all until we packed it in. That's when it got scary.
Also, Sargent was fantastic.
Any updates on Pulisic? I know he said he'd be ready to go on Saturday, but do we have any official medical type of update on him?Infinity Art Glass - Fantastic local artist and Shocker fan
RIP Guy Always A Shocker
Carpenter Place - A blessing to many young girls/women
ICT S.O.S - Great local cause fighting against human trafficking
Wartick Insurance Agency - Saved me money with more coverage.
Save Shocker Sports - A rallying cry
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