Futbol Talk

[MuggsyB]

Whiffing the ball is never good.

[MuggsyB]

We created an "identity" in this game?  I don't see it.  Unless that identity is what not to do in the World Cup?

[Its DJOver]

Since when have you let that get in your way?

It's very annoying when 95% of the thread is actual intelligent comments. I imagine we won't have any "distractions" again until next June.

[GB Warrior]

It's just hard to see the USMNT making the next step without more aircraft carriers

[Shaka Shart]

Mexico out hustled, had an actual attacking gameplan, had more talent playing. Not a surprising result.

Congrats to them on winning the "Saudi Arabia presents: The CONCACAF Gold Cup sponsored by Saudi Arabia"

[brewcity77]

We look pretty lost out there Brew.  Why can't we find guys that can control the ball and attack?

I think they played really well, far better than I expected going in.

You have to remember, very few of these players will be on the USMNT roster for the World Cup next summer. Freese, Richards, and Adams will compete for starting spots. Beyond that, there were guys who are fighting to make the bench next year. Tillman, Luna, McGlynn, Arfsten, maybe Agyemang, and that's it.

This was essentially Mexico's A team barely getting by our C team. I don't love the idea of playing a deep defensive line and rarely attacking, but our best hope in this game was always to defend for 70% of the time and hope to nick a goal (we did, but didn't hold up) or take it to penalties (12 more minutes and we get there). Guys like Arfsten, Freeman, de la Torre, Berhalter, they just aren't international level attacking threats. Agyemang is physically gifted but doesn't have nearly the control or agility to pose any danger.

Because of that, our best shots were either moments of brilliance from Luna and Tillman or set piece delivery from Berhalter or McGlynn. That was enough to get us to the Final, even enough to have us in the game until the last 15 minutes. Not to mention the worst missed handball call I've seen since 2002. But frankly, this team wasn't supposed to make the Final, much less win it.

Considering the two friendlies leading into this, winning all three group stage matches and reaching the Final is a great accomplishment. Celebrate what they did, don't despair over what went wrong against a vastly superior opponent. Play this game again with our first choice roster and I like our odds.

Oh...and that handball...

https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1942020506699403512

[JWags85]

I think they played really well, far better than I expected going in.

You have to remember, very few of these players will be on the USMNT roster for the World Cup next summer. Freese, Richards, and Adams will compete for starting spots. Beyond that, there were guys who are fighting to make the bench next year. Tillman, Luna, McGlynn, Arfsten, maybe Agyemang, and that's it.

I think Tillman will actaully be fighting for a starting spot.  Had a really nice year for PSV, just signed a big transfer to Leverkusen and continues to grow exponentially as a player.

I don't want to see Arfsten anywhere near the roster for the WC, he gets lost WAY too much.

Guys like Arfsten, Freeman, de la Torre, Berhalter, they just aren't international level attacking threats. Agyemang is physically gifted but doesn't have nearly the control or agility to pose any danger.

De La Torre is so disappointing that he seems to have plateaued.  I love his edge and his attitude and I thought he could grow to be a key piece.  He's just not quite there.  Not good enough to be a super consistent in La Liga, but clearly still a level above MLS as his loan spell has shown.

Agyemang is fine for friendlies and lesser match ups, but unless he makes a big jump after a year in the Championship, he's just a Temu version of Altidore.  Strong and fast, good hold up play, but very lacking in technique, missed numerous key runs cause he's not instinctual enough, not great touch.  He's the opposite of Luna who has everything else but might just be lacking a bit in the physical gifts.