Goals - USA’s problems scoring in World Cups

[usasoccerboy]

Since last year’s Nations Cup games, it has been apparent to me that this new generation is talented, but when it comes to scoring, finishing, they are average at best. Soccer is a simple game. It will always come down to goals. If you can’t score them, you can’t win.

When Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan, I was mad, because he was one of the few Americans ever that had scored multiple goals in a World Cup and the only one ever to do it more than once. You would have thought that a great goal scorer, like Klinsmann himself, would have understood this. Or maybe deep down, he wanted to sabotage the USMNT’s chances out of pure ego and jealousy so he could stay on top of his soap box and preach.

Whatever the reason, the USAMNT has never been able to break open the goal scoring bank since their first World Cup where Bert Patenaud scored 4 in a World Cup, helped by the first hat trick in World Cup history. So, to change things, the USA needs to get production from their forwards and it is obvious this has not happened much since Berhalter has taken over.

The USA has 37 World Cup goals. Here is a breakdown by country of all the goal cup scorers including the USA and its 37 World Cup goals.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FIFA_World_Cup_goalscorers

[usasoccerboy]

So only 4 USA players have scored more than one goal at a World Cup and only Landon Donovan did it twice.

Can you see Pulisic, Reyna, Weah or any other player scoring twice in this next World Cup? How?

Will there be a drought or will they break it open?

[beasleyisbeastly]

Can’t really compare this team to any past World Cup teams. Completely different set of players. But you’re right in stating we lack a true goal scorer. I really hope Saint can become that player as he recovers from his injury. He was in great form until then scoring for Orlando and Barnsley. Other than that we don’t have much. I thought Ferreira was doing well towards the end of qualifying but still lacked the deadly presence. I’d bet ferreira and Saint will be the main men come WC time.

I also saw a lineup that had Tim Weah as striker with Reyna out wide. I’d really like to see this. Weah had a sense for goal during qualifying and if he could get his positioning down for striker he could be pretty good.

[usasoccerboy]

I believe we can compare when you look at the history of this country not being able to generate goals.

Only four Americans scored multiple goals so what makes us think one of these players are going to score 2 goals?

Only one player scored more than one goal more than once, Landon Donovan.

4 is the record for most World Cup goals scored in one cup and that was from 1930.

Harry Kane of England scored 6 in the last World Cup. Who is going to stop him? Zimmerman? Miles Robinson who plays for the championship division?

Landon Donovan has a warning for USA fans who think we have an easy draw. You can’t take anything for granted.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this team produces like the 1998 team. Potential does not equate to wins.

We need to score to win and this team has shown all qualification and in the Nations and Gold Cup, that producing goals are not our strong suit despite all of our supposed talent.

[usasoccerboy]

I assume Saint is spell changed D.I.K.E.

[beasleyisbeastly]

Apr 4, 2022 22:22:19 GMT -6 usasoccerboy said:

I assume Saint is spell changed D.I.K.E.

Not sure how the auto correct got “Saint” from Saint but yes

[beasleyisbeastly]

And I could absolutely see pulisic scoring multiple goals. He’s a big game player for Chelsea. I expect he’ll be a big game player during the WC.

[usasoccerboy]

Apr 5, 2022 11:58:02 GMT -6 beasleyisbeastly said:

And I could absolutely see pulisic scoring multiple goals. He’s a big game player for Chelsea. I expect he’ll be a big game player during the WC.

That is the hope.  Isn't it?  You know I would love for that to happen.  If they are going to see tape on the USA qualifiers, our opponents will see how those other teams took our best scorer out.   And compared to Chelsea, the USA team cannot feed Pulisic when they need him to take over the game.   With Chelsea, their opponents do not have the luxury to focus solely on stopping Pulisic.   

Look, I am a fan as much as you, but I have seen the history of this team for too long to think that all of a sudden someone is going to break tradition and open up the scoring flood banks.   I predict that Pulisic will score no more than 3 goals and that would be a decent result if we score that many.   I think this team is too young as of now to blow World Cup competition open.  I do not think we will get past the group stage.  I am hoping we do well, but the truth is that outside of playing in the states, we do not look to be playing that well.   

Another issue I am seeing, is this team cannot get healthy.  They are young players, yet they get injured or sick or don't get properly vaccinated or a host of other ridiculous things that keep our players out of important games.  That will have to change as well.

I have said in the past that this team has the talent to win one of the next two world cups, but for that to happen they would have to get very lucky and it seems that that luck is already against us.  I do think we can play up to the level of competition at times, but I have seen too much jekyl and hide from this team to trust that we will be at our best in Qatar.  I hope I am wrong.

[usasoccerboy]

Reyna injured again today with that hamstring.

[Cooldaddy]

in the 2nd minute of the game..... dang it