2022 World Cup!!

[thelawlorfaithful]

On 11/30/2022 at 12:32 PM, Bob said:

Hey who advances CURRENTLY from this group?

Lol the announcer just said Mexico would be out for committing more fouls than Poland. That would hilarious.

[dshawfan]

So just how good is the US defense? 1 goal allowed in the Group Stage, and that on a PK, yes? Are we truly improved defensively, have we faced weak attacks, are we just lucky? Does our midfield talent have anything to do with the performance of our D? As a futbol outsider, just trying to learn more about why things work as they do during the game.

[masterfrog]

On 11/30/2022 at 2:37 PM, thelawlorfaithful said:

Lol the announcer just said Mexico would be out for committing more fouls than Poland. That would hilarious.

The real problem with that rule is that yellow cards are so subjective and whether or not one is given often comes down to the random referee assigned to the game. The exact same foul in two different games could have a yellow card given in one, but not the other. 

[masterfrog]

On 11/30/2022 at 2:42 PM, dshawfan said:

So just how good is the US defense? 1 goal allowed in the Group Stage, and that on a PK, yes? Are we truly improved defensively, have we faced weak attacks, are we just lucky? Does our midfield talent have anything to do with the performance of our D. As a futbol outsider, just trying to learn more about why things work as they do during the game.

We will find out against Holland. 

[Old_SD_Dude]

On 11/30/2022 at 12:42 PM, dshawfan said:

So just how good is the US defense? 1 goal allowed in the Group Stage, and that on a PK, yes? Are we truly improved defensively, have we faced weak attacks, are we just lucky? Does our midfield talent have anything to do with the performance of our D? As a futbol outsider, just trying to learn more about why things work as they do during the game.

The US has always defended well. We don’t have a lot of victories against the top level teams in the world, but we rarely get blown out. We’ve always had very good goal keepers. Our good midfield helps because we have much more possession now than we did historically. The other team can’t score when they don’t have the ball. Tyler Adams is key. You’ll often see him in the rear area of midfield protecting the defenders and providing the link with the rest of the midfield. We’d be a very good team if we could score more. That’s our weakness. 

[roughrider]

On 11/30/2022 at 2:07 PM, Old_SD_Dude said:

The US has always defended well. We don’t have a lot of victories against the top level teams in the world, but we rarely get blown out. We’ve always had very good goal keepers. Our good midfield helps because we have much more possession now than we did historically. The other team can’t score when they don’t have the ball. Tyler Adams is key. You’ll often see him in the rear area of midfield protecting the defenders and providing the link with the rest of the midfield. We’d be a very good team if we could score more. That’s our weakness. 

That midfield trio is the motor for the US team.  All 3 are bosses.  And they're all real young.

[sebasour]

On 11/30/2022 at 1:50 PM, masterfrog said:

The real problem with that rule is that yellow cards are so subjective and whether or not one is given often comes down to the random referee assigned to the game. The exact same foul in two different games could have a yellow card given in one, but not the other. 

 

It's a terrible way to decide it, but the next thing up was a random draw. At least yellow cards are soccer related

[SparkysDad]

On 11/30/2022 at 1:42 PM, dshawfan said:

So just how good is the US defense? 1 goal allowed in the Group Stage, and that on a PK, yes? Are we truly improved defensively, have we faced weak attacks, are we just lucky? Does our midfield talent have anything to do with the performance of our D? As a futbol outsider, just trying to learn more about why things work as they do during the game.

I think they're good, but I think part of the problem in assessing the D was that I don't think England was really pressing to score (or needed to). I know all their fans were crying bitter tears about a draw with the U.S. but they really didn't need a win to get out of Group play.

Like was said above, we'll find out Saturday!

[Rebels2k3]

If I was LVG, I would go with a 4-3-3 and let the Depay-Gakpo-Bergwijn line cook. He hasn't used that formation in a while though, and has mainly used the 5-3-2 since this summer. This would also allow a bit more flexibility in the midfield to match up with the USA, which would probably exert some dominance against the 5-3-2 going by past results from the Netherlands.

[RSF]

Mexico coach Tata Martino falls on his sword.

 

Not that he had a choice - his contract expired once Mexico was eliminated.

 

1st time Mexico qualified but failed to make it out of the group stage since 1978.

[Swoll Cracker]

On 11/30/2022 at 1:50 PM, masterfrog said:

The real problem with that rule is that yellow cards are so subjective and whether or not one is given often comes down to the random referee assigned to the game. The exact same foul in two different games could have a yellow card given in one, but not the other. 

Lots of truth but Mexico really dirtied it up against Argentina. They earned those yellows.

[Swoll Cracker]

Poland were a friggin embarrassment. They parked the bus trailing 2-0 because they knew they would advance to the knockout round as long as the score lines of their game and the Mexico game stayed the same. I was really hoping they’d get sent home after playing that way.

[Bob]

Lukaku should have three goals, but has scored none!

[Bob]

On 12/1/2022 at 9:47 AM, Bob said:

Lukaku should have three goals, but has scored none!

now four!

[RSF]

Belgium packing their bags. Biggest shock of the tournament thus far.

[thelawlorfaithful]

Now Remco has to ride the Tour. Belgium will not sit for this.

[B_Lootz]

These final games of the group stage these past few days have been incredible drama. Very fun to watch.

[slappy]

On 11/30/2022 at 1:07 PM, Old_SD_Dude said:

The US has always defended well. We don’t have a lot of victories against the top level teams in the world, but we rarely get blown out. We’ve always had very good goal keepers. Our good midfield helps because we have much more possession now than we did historically. The other team can’t score when they don’t have the ball. Tyler Adams is key. You’ll often see him in the rear area of midfield protecting the defenders and providing the link with the rest of the midfield. We’d be a very good team if we could score more. That’s our weakness. 

Do the soccer guys in the world see how bad #3 Zimmerman is.  Can not see a scenario where he starts.  Hope I’m right

 

Des McKinney and adams seem to be legit from what I can tell.  
 

Wish we could replace Robinson.  Seems fast and athletic but he has no handle.  Is the Reyna kid good enough to play?

[RSF]

On 12/1/2022 at 11:48 AM, slappy said:

Do the soccer guys in the world see how bad #3 Zimmerman is.  Can not see a scenario where he starts.  Hope I’m right

 

Des McKinney and adams seem to be legit from what I can tell.  
 

Wish we could replace Robinson.  Seems fast and athletic but he has no handle.  Is the Reyna kid good enough to play?

Zimmerman is the reason we kept Iran scoreless.  When they ramped things up and he came off the bench, he was clearing everything.

 

Robinson (left back) and Reyna (winger/midfield) and not interchangable.  Ideally, both will be center pieces for the forseeable future.

[slappy]

On 12/1/2022 at 9:50 AM, RSF said:

Zimmerman is the reason we kept Iran scoreless.  When they ramped things up and he came off the bench, he was clearing everything.

He is slow footed and mentally a step slow.  Terrible foul against whales.  Late and to slow to react.  England was real bad.  He could not pass and he was slow to react.  Pretty easy for even me to see he is scared and out of place.  
 

yes he is 6’2 and the final 10 minutes he headed out 4 attempts.

that seems like a good spot play for a taller slow footed player.  I liked how he was used there.  But starting makes me nervous.  He will mess sh1t the bed again.