World Soccer XXX: We Have Men Too!

[First Time, Long Time]

And now resorts to memes as though that makes their argument better...like a troll does.

[Jimjamesak]

As seen elsewhere:

not the worst evacuation from the Middle East by the US

[Jimjamesak]

And now resorts to memes as though that makes their argument better...like a troll does.

[First Time, Long Time]

Welcome to block. You can **** off.

[Jimjamesak]

Welcome to block. You can **** off.

[Slap Shot]

I am too.

My only reservation is where the goals are going to come from. I just don’t know of anyone in the pipeline that can realistically do it.

They could start with set pieces. That may or may not be a reason to critique Berhalter but Pulisic was not getting it done all tournament.

[Jimjamesak]

They could start with set pieces. That may or may not be a reason to critique Berhalter but Pulisic was not getting it done all tournament.

Despite someone's thoughts to the contrary I think there is some reasons to criticize Berhalter, set pieces and continuing to use Pulisic being one of them. Though, to me, it's another of those situations where you can criticize Pulisic and criticize Berhalter but it's also a situation of well, who else do you use? Acosta could be used but do you really want him starting? Aaronson? Now you've got to put either Pulisic or Weah on the bench.

I think there is criticism for not rotating lineups but, unfortunately, the way the group schedule worked out and the draw to Wales made it very difficult to do. When you need a win against Iran you can't start guys like Aaronson, Acosta, Yedlin, Scally etc.

Similar thing with the subs. Earlier subs in the group games would've been better but even that's kind of debatable, certainly not fireable.

On the macro level there's criticism to be leveled at US Soccer and MLS over the lack of playing time for young American attackers and the constant use of foreign players in those positions. But, at the end of the day MLS is a business first and the GMs and Coaches are going to do what wins them games first and US Soccer trying to meddle around in MLS like that would be a huge nono (and possibly illegal). In the same vein, I'd criticize MLS teams like FC Dallas for selling young attacking players like Pepi to go ride the bench on Euro teams instead of giving them another year or two to grow. But, again, it's a business.

On Berhalter, I'd ask his vocal critics the same thing I always ask: Who do you realistically replace him with? Tata and Herdman both flamed out in the group stage, Marsch isn't leaving Leeds and besides Red Bull Press Merchants like him are really bad for National Teams and especially bad for international tournaments (you think our guys were tired under Berhalter's system?). No other notable foreign name is likely coming here (despite what every YouTuber playing FM or FIFA might think) and no coach in MLS would be any different than Berhalter. Hugo Perez I guess but, again, that's not much different from Berhalter other than Perez is Latino.

On the greater system stuff, people need to calm down and be patient. The MLS academies are starting to churn out better talent and the results at youth tournaments are starting to reflect that. They've qualified for the Olympics, the U20s and look pretty good for the U17s. Honestly, there's an argument that the current U20 generation may be as talented if not more than the current one. We'll get a sense next summer during the U20 World Cup.

[Jimjamesak]

I think the "USSF should X foreign coach" discussion has already hit peak meme status as I just saw a serious suggestion that they hire Sam Allardyce.

[JF_Gophers]

All we need is guys who can actually hit the net with their shots. Having some finish would cover for other deficiencies. Hard to win games 1-0 every time out.

[dxmnkd316]

"Continue to use pulisic"????? Jim, come on.

[SonofSouthie]

Mbappe, more goals than the entire US team.

[unofan]

"Continue to use pulisic"????? Jim, come on.

I read that as "using pulisic for set pieces," not overall.

[dxmnkd316]

I read that as "using pulisic for set pieces," not overall.

Ok. I knew I had to be reading that wrong.

[First Time, Long Time]

Mbappe, more goals than the entire US team.

Not that surprising.

[Jimjamesak]

I read that as "using pulisic for set pieces," not overall.

Yeah, that’s what I meant.