2022 World Cup!!

[misplacedcowboy]

The 2022 edition kicks off in 10 days! Get excited.

US roster was announced yesterday. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/11/berhalter-names-26-player-usmnt-roster-for-2022-fifa-world-cup

Biggest WTF guy? Roldan, Moore, Morris

Biggest snubs: Tillman, Pefok, Pepi

 

Would be great to see the US get out of the group and look competitive in a knockout game. But after missing 2018, I'm just happy to be back in it.

 

First US game is on the 21st against Wales at lunch time. Let's get it.

[Kirbycreekpoke]

On 11/10/2022 at 2:57 PM, misplacedcowboy said:

The 2022 edition kicks off in 10 days! Get excited.

US roster was announced yesterday. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/11/berhalter-names-26-player-usmnt-roster-for-2022-fifa-world-cup

Biggest WTF guy? Roldan, Moore, Morris

Biggest snubs: Tillman, Pefok, Pepi

 

Would be great to see the US get out of the group and look competitive in a knockout game. But after missing 2018, I'm just happy to be back in it.

 

First US game is on the 21st against Wales at lunch time. Let's get it.

I like Pepi or Pefok over Morris. Loved Jordan early in his career but injuries have really done a number on him. His feet just seem heavy and don’t don’t see him getting by guys at this level. 

[misplacedcowboy]

On 11/10/2022 at 3:10 PM, Kirbycreekpoke said:

I like Pepi or Pefok over Morris. Loved Jordan early in his career but injuries have really done a number on him. His feet just seem heavy and don’t don’t see him getting by guys at this level. 

Agree. Morris is a waste of a roster spot when we have winger options like Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Aaronson, and even others like Musah or Sargent who are used wide with their clubs at times. Would rather see another striker option like Pefok or Pepi who gives us somebody to throw on when we're desperate for a goal.

Would prefer to see us with an extra striker and center back than have Morris/Roldan.

[Kirbycreekpoke]

On 11/10/2022 at 3:36 PM, misplacedcowboy said:

Agree. Morris is a waste of a roster spot when we have winger options like Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Aaronson, and even others like Musah or Sargent who are used wide with their clubs at times. Would rather see another striker option like Pefok or Pepi who gives us somebody to throw on when we're desperate for a goal.

Would prefer to see us with an extra striker and center back than have Morris/Roldan.

With Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson and Weah, no way Morris sees time at winger. So you bring him as a third striker?
 

He is not a hold up guy or a real finisher in the air. Sure he can get on the end of a cross but he is not particularly great at it. Hell, McKennie out of the midfield is way better at creating chances in the air. 
 

You are spot on with the extra center back. It takes one rogue elbow/head clash and you’ve lost a guy for the tourney. 

[slappy]

On 11/10/2022 at 2:47 PM, Kirbycreekpoke said:

 

You are spot on with the extra center back. It takes one rogue elbow/head clash and you’ve lost a guy for the tourney. 

I am trying to get the World Cup buzz going.  But seriously, I’ve seen soccer players coughed on and miss time with injuries.  Softest professional sport in the world.  But still let’s go. 

[jdgaucho]

You can still play college ball and make it onto the World Cup stage.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/soccer-men/article/2022-11-09/college-careers-8-usmnt-world-cup-players

 

[roughrider]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:37 PM, slappy said:

I am trying to get the World Cup buzz going.  But seriously, I’ve seen soccer players coughed on and miss time with injuries.  Softest professional sport in the world.  But still let’s go. 

worst part of soccer for sure.  Refs are starting to ignore the floppers and even yellow card the biggest fakes. 

And for my money, it's far less prevalent in the WC than in club soccer.   I would yellow card the hell out of the fakers and it would go away in short order. 

This WC I'm less fired up about because I think the US has a crappy coach.  Lot's of young talent though so I'm excited for the 2026 version, here in the states.  We plan on attending.

[misplacedcowboy]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:37 PM, slappy said:

I am trying to get the World Cup buzz going.  But seriously, I’ve seen soccer players coughed on and miss time with injuries.  Softest professional sport in the world.  But still let’s go. 

You think soccer is full of pussies? Watch a CSU football game and suddenly the soccer players look like heavyweight prize fighters by comparison 

[Swoll Cracker]

I’d like the USA chances to advance beyond the group stage if they had a good manager. I’m not a fan of Berthalter. The biggest saving grace is that they’re in a relatively weak group. Even England have looked out of sorts recently.

I never root for Brazil or Argentina in these tournaments but I’m really lookin* forward to seeing them play. Brazil is absolutely loaded with attacking talent and Argentina have talent and play very well together. I have followed England all my life but this ain’t their year, even with a pretty talented group; Southgate is just a horrible,manager. Portugal is loaded but they too are poorly managed. Belgium and Germany always dangerous and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them go far.

If I were a betting man I’d choose Brazil this year.

[dshawfan]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:00 PM, roughrider said:

worst part of soccer for sure.  Refs are starting to ignore the floppers and even yellow card the biggest fakes. 

And for my money, it's far less prevalent in the WC than in club soccer.   I would yellow card the hell out of the fakers and it would go away in short order. 

This WC I'm less fired up about because I think the US has a crappy coach.  Lot's of young talent though so I'm excited for the 2026 version, here in the states.  We plan on attending.

Does Jesse Marsch get a look if they make a change down the road? 

[sdsuphilip4]

It’s a 26 man roster, i don’t really see the big deal about last spots on bench for guys that won’t play. It’s been clear for quite some time that Berhalter doesn’t rate Pefok, while it is silly his form has been worse after a strong start to the year. 
 

I’m glad Ream made it, he’s been terrific in club play of late. That being said I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t higher on this team 6 months ago. Lot of players seem to not be in ideal form and in the friendlies the lack of creativity have been noticeable. Lets hope the Weston narrative (that he doesn’t give big effort except in big games) is true as we will need him to rediscover his form. He was the best player in qualifying

[roughrider]

On 11/11/2022 at 10:19 AM, dshawfan said:

Does Jesse Marsch get a look if they make a change down the road? 

If he's interested I would think so.    He'd be on the list but I am not the right person soccer knowledge wise to figure out how best to use the upcoming talent pool.   The middle of the field is covered but that back line is awful and strikers are iffy but at least young.   

It would be great to have a coach that doesn't have one style of play.   One who can adapt to the talent pool instead of forcing the talent to play his way and getting less out of them (Like the current model)

[sdsuphilip4]

On 11/10/2022 at 2:47 PM, Kirbycreekpoke said:

With Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson and Weah, no way Morris sees time at winger. So you bring him as a third striker?
 

He is not a hold up guy or a real finisher in the air. Sure he can get on the end of a cross but he is not particularly great at it. Hell, McKennie out of the midfield is way better at creating chances in the air. 
 

You are spot on with the extra center back. It takes one rogue elbow/head clash and you’ve lost a guy for the tourney. 

Morris would be like a 80th minute hail mary if you are still down a goal or 2 and need to desperately push everyone forward. At least morris has pace i guess. They aren't going to use 26 guys anyways. But yes more logical options for his roster spot

[misplacedcowboy]

On 11/11/2022 at 9:10 AM, Swoll Cracker said:

I’d like the USA chances to advance beyond the group stage if they had a good manager. I’m not a fan of Berthalter. The biggest saving grace is that they’re in a relatively weak group. Even England have looked out of sorts recently.

I never root for Brazil or Argentina in these tournaments but I’m really lookin* forward to seeing them play. Brazil is absolutely loaded with attacking talent and Argentina have talent and play very well together. I have followed England all my life but this ain’t their year, even with a pretty talented group; Southgate is just a horrible,manager. Portugal is loaded but they too are poorly managed. Belgium and Germany always dangerous and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them go far.

If I were a betting man I’d choose Brazil this year.

The "golden generation" for Belgium has been pretty underwhelming. Let's see if they can put it together for one last ride before a lot of their regular core ages out.

Hopefully the Brazil/Argentina/Germany types can avoid each other for at least a little while. Seems like there is inevitable a strong and weak side of the knockout bracket.

[Old_SD_Dude]

On 11/11/2022 at 9:19 AM, dshawfan said:

Does Jesse Marsch get a look if they make a change down the road? 

That would be a demotion. He’d only do it if he gets fired. But given the lifespan of most PL managers, he probably will.  

[Stealthlobo]

Viva España! Viva La Rojo! Still confused why Sergio Ramos was left out though...

One of the physicians at my girlfriend's work is going for 2.5 weeks to Qatar and invited us to see a couple games. However, we leave in 4 days to hopefully be immersed in the "football" culture throughout Ireland, Spain, and Germany for the entirety of the tournament. So excited!

[Stealthlobo]

Getting prepared for the trip 

[FresnoStateBulldogFan]

This was probably the best thing soccer could have done to promote the World Cup and get people interested in US soccer

[jdgaucho]

On 11/12/2022 at 8:35 PM, FresnoStateBulldogFan said:

This was probably the best thing soccer could have done to promote the World Cup and get people interested in US soccer

 

Have it go head to head with the NFL?

[thelawlorfaithful]

They’re gonna regret leaving Donavan off again.