That’s not what I said. But their inclusion sure as hell didn’t help. Ferreira and his piss poor positioning and terrible touches ruined opportunities. Zimmerman wasn’t directly responsible but his soft marking causes issues around him. On the second goal, he was backing off and marking space instead of attacking the ball and forcing maybe a different pass or finding the lane to clog. He was bad. The first goal was certainly on Adams as he didn’t track his man. It was bad tactics and bad execution all the way around. But it doesn’t help when you are trying to go forward and your 9 is out of position and worthless when he did get on the ball.
Even though it was Dest's man to mark, he was clearly gassed. That guy was everywhere on the pitch and was often the only one to dribble past a defender. I don't blame him so much. Nobody on this team could take their man off the dribble. Although the midfield and backline passed and probed, nothing was done in the final third. The defense can be improved with coaching and discipline. The talent isn't there on offense.
It is but with a glaring hole at the 9. Someone in the middle has to be at least a threat. I still say that should’ve been Pefok.
I tend to agree with your analysis pretty much most of the time. That's the case again. ' I wonder if the decision to start Walker over CCV was because Gregg told Waker before the Iran game that he wanted CCV for the Iran game for the specific reason but Walker would be back if they won. They won and he probably didn't want to go back on his word to Walker....but sometimes tough decisions need to be made. Even then, Walker wasn't even as big an issue as the decision to go with Ferreira over Haji(although the difference isn't vast). Bigger question to be asked again is the decision to exclude both Pefok and Pepi from the squad. The hope going forward is that either Pepi is able to continue his promising form in the Eredivisie and translate it back to Germany or elsewhere...or another striker develops e.g. Folarin Balogun at Arsenal(If he chooses the USA). I could see Marsh or Wagner taking over prior to 2026. It's still a ways to go and even though Berhalter won't be fired now...who knows how the next couple of years go. Another positive...that midfield when healthy(looking at you McKennie) can go toe to toe with almost any top team in the world. Almost. They need more capable fullbacks/wingbacks. Also need to sort out whatever the issue was with Gregg and Gio. All in all I think it was a successful World Cup for the US team. Reasonable expectations wouldn't have had them in the R16 this tournament and they did well overall.
This group of players will never get to the 8 because they lack fundamental skills they should have mastered long ago. That won't change in 4 years. It would take some luck to advance any further. You can't apply strategy until we remedy. All that said, they did as much as any team in the past. But at the core, we need another crop of talent.
Maybe i'm not looking hard enough but I've yet to see many of the "if only lebron james played soccer" style takes from the average american sports fan. That is impressive and a good sign. Also, it seems pele is not dead after all. very nice.
The talent between the haves (France, Brazil, Netherlands, Spain) and the have nots is so massive man.
Netherlands are a better team just because they do the little things better. That isn't a talent issue whatsoever although you could argue their second best player in Memphis would be our best player. That first goal they scored was honestly a great example of how much better they were in the little things. That was such an efficient trip up the field and perfect cross to the middle with a first touch finish. Seemed like the US didn't try many first tries. They preferred getting in to their spot before shooting and I think that cost them.
It's tough because think one could make a case that Pulisic is our best player ever, but even he has errant passes, corners, and blown opportunities. And He's not even close to the threat that Memphis is or others. He shows sparks, which is rare in American soccer, but he's not electric.
I have to say Kylian is at least one notch above Neymar, Gakpo, Memphis, Morata, Ferran, Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, Richarlison. Vinicius could come close if he could score clinically.
It's a shame he plays in France. Such a boring league. Kylian at Liverpool or United or Arsenal would be must watch TV.
