USA VS Iran

[ski]

I really liked what Landon Donovan said on the topic of who is going to be our striker vs Iran- sooo much talk about this.

Landon Donovan said something like- “I don’t care care if we play 10 forwards/strikers vs Iran….we MUST score goals to break out of group.

So who to play??
Ferreira?
Weah?
Sargent??

I really like Weah up there, he is soo fast and has a confidence goal in the WC.

[usasoccerboy]

Weah is a winger.

Sargent, Wright, and Morris have all already had their chances. I would start Ferreira.

One thing I have talked about all through qualification was how we come out flat after playing that first game. I think we came out flat against England too, because only the striker position was changed from Wales game. I think Berhalter needs to use a changed lineup against Iran that is fresh and hungry. Our starters are not linking up and creating GOOD shot opportunities so try something different. Sure, we created some more opportunities than say against Wales, but they were weak compared to what they could be. Then again, after two games apiece, three ConCACaf teams have only scored one goal apiece. So goals are hard to come by. We may need to get lucky to hang on to a 1-0 lead, but I would love 2-0 much better as such would have got us the win against wales, but we were lacking then too.

[ski]

I agree…
Change it up- put Weah up top and let him attack the space behind.

Yes Ferreira would be a good choice also, he is hungry and willing to prove. What’s going on with Reyna? I hear there may be some controversy with the coach?

[usasoccerboy]

amp.marca.com/en/world-cup/2022/11/27/6382d9d2268e3e02588b4576.html

[usasoccerboy]

This third group game has been brutal for the USMNT history.

bolavip.com/en/qatar2022/usmnt-and-their-poor-third-game-record-at-the-fifa-world-cup-20221128-0009.html

[beasleyisbeastly]

I’d be surprised if ferreira doesn’t start. I’d like to see Aaronson start (don’t ask me for who) and we have to get Reyna on at half if we aren’t winning by then. I have a terrible feeling Gregg is going to absolutely bottle this lineup.

Please boys make us proud. I have faith in our boys to get it done. I hope they can light a fire under their @$$es because you know iran will come out firing with everything going on behind them in Iran. I expect quite the spectacle. Not much else to say. This is it.

Get’er done!

[ski]

We as a family are so excited and amped for this game. My girls will be home in time and I am taking a 1/2 day off from work.

The stage is set….a Nations eyes, hopes and dreams are upon them? Who is going to be the hero???

Will it be cross bar Pulisic? Weah? Sargent? Morris? Reyna? McKennie? Ferreira?

My pick and hope is that Pulisic finally hits it- always liked this kid.

A pretty good write up:
slate.com/culture/2022/11/usa-iran-world-cup-group-b-preview-reyna.html

[usasoccerboy]

I am nervous and have a feeling of grief, because I go by history and remember that 98 game and being so disappointed, and yet that team had felt like this team in that we constantly possessed the ball but couldn’t generate scoring chances.

The USSF cannot afford to lose or tie this game, but I am afraid this is going to happen as history always seems to repeat itself in World Cups; however, this World Cup has broken from that tradition in a lot of ways.

But, if you look at CONCACAF’s performance so far, it leaves a lot to be desired.

We need a hero. We need a player to elevate his game and take over and score repeatedly. We cannot just play for a 1-0 win like we did against Wales. We need to put the game away if we can score before they do.

[usasoccerboy]

Since 2019, the only away wins we have are N Ireland, Jamaica in 2019, and Cuba in 2019.

[usasoccerboy]

Sargent starts up top and Carter-Vickers replaces Zimmerman.

[usasoccerboy]

Spanish officiating crew.

[beasleyisbeastly]

PULISIC!!

WHO ELSE!?!?


Sergiño man of the half for me. Dangerous crosses including his beautiful headed pass across for the goal.


Noticing more long diagonal balls this game and I don’t mind it. Second goal is crucial. Iran always a threat for one goal

[ski]

Pulisic for the goal! Hell yeah!
Good for him, it’s a shame he was unable to celebrate and enjoy it.

Abdominal injury?? Ehhh…it looked to me that he got his nads rocked. If you look at the replay his face is screaming rocked gonads- the commentator said he opened his account, haha.

Yes, as soon as Dest headed that ball, he knew it was gold!

Still no Reyna or Ferreira? I am surprised tbh.

[beasleyisbeastly]

Horrid second half. Absolutely terrible. No spells of good possession. Gregg allowed the game to open up and we could have easily paid the price with a couple better directed headers from the Iranians. Gregg’s inability to adjust is going to be the last straw for this team at some point.

Bringing in shaq moore and Acosta was a terrible mistake. Moore gave up an unnecessary deep throw and an even worse corner. Complete liability.

Thought Sargent played well before his injury. Sad to see him go out like that I hope he’s ok.

With all that said…

ON WE GO TO THE LAST 16!

[ski]

Really really really like the way we were playing in the first half. It was so attacking, so fluid and so domineering!

So I look at that game and wonder why/how we played so WHO DAT good in the first half and then so WHO DAT horrid the second half??

1. Pulisic
2. Fresh McKinney
3. Overall player 2nd half conditioning- same as vs Wales.

-I like how dynamic Pulisic can be and other teams know this and play differently when he is on. But frick…his strong last touch when in the attacking 1/3 is so bad and predictable.
-I think McKinney is just a good, smart player that has a tremendous impact in the midfield. Unfortunately, he got tired and really needed to sub out.
-Robinson had a really good first half.
-Dest played like a beast the entire game. I was not happy when he came out.
-Musah….MUSAH….MUSAH had a hell of a game! Really seemed to me that he was everywhere trying to do everything. Dest had a great game too but I give Musa player of the match.
-Weah- disappointed here….you just have to convert those opportunities into goals!
-Adams had another really good game…all over the place and keeping everybody in check. I would really like to hear to communication coming from this kid.
-I think Sargent was starting to make an impact and then got hurt.

All in all a good result but no way in hell we can play like that and expect positive things against France, Brazil, Spain……maybe, just maybe against the Oranjes.

[beasleyisbeastly]

Nov 29, 2022 18:41:34 GMT -6 ski said:

Really really really like the way we were playing in the first half. It was so attacking, so fluid and so domineering!

So I look at that game and wonder why/how we played so WHO DAT good in the first half and then so WHO DAT horrid the second half??

1. Pulisic
2. Fresh McKinney
3. Overall player 2nd half conditioning- same as vs Wales.

-I like how dynamic Pulisic can be and other teams know this and play differently when he is on. But frick…his strong last touch when in the attacking 1/3 is so bad and predictable.
-I think McKinney is just a good, smart player that has a tremendous impact in the midfield. Unfortunately, he got tired and really needed to sub out.
-Robinson had a really good first half.
-Dest played like a beast the entire game. I was not happy when he came out.
-Musah….MUSAH….MUSAH had a hell of a game! Really seemed to me that he was everywhere trying to do everything. Dest had a great game too but I give Musa player of the match.
-Weah- disappointed here….you just have to convert those opportunities into goals!
-Adams had another really good game…all over the place and keeping everybody in check. I would really like to hear to communication coming from this kid.
-I think Sargent was starting to make an impact and then got hurt.

All in all a good result but no way in hell we can play like that and expect positive things against France, Brazil, Spain……maybe, just maybe against the Oranjes.

I have to disagree that Robinson was good in the first half. My friends and I were all pointing out his losses of possession and poor dribbling in the first half. He just dribbles straight and takes a touch too long that’s defended easily. Bad

[kevin]

That 2nd half was the longest 45 minutes of my life.

[usasoccerboy]

Nov 29, 2022 10:42:14 GMT -6 usasoccerboy said:

I am nervous and have a feeling of grief, because I go by history and remember that 98 game and being so disappointed, and yet that team had felt like this team in that we constantly possessed the ball but couldn’t generate scoring chances.

The USSF cannot afford to lose or tie this game, but I am afraid this is going to happen as history always seems to repeat itself in World Cups; however, this World Cup has broken from that tradition in a lot of ways.

But, if you look at CONCACAF’s performance so far, it leaves a lot to be desired.

We need a hero. We need a player to elevate his game and take over and score repeatedly. We cannot just play for a 1-0 win like we did against Wales. We need to put the game away if we can score before they do.

I love being wrong. 1-0. Boy that was something else. Let’s take this moment and run with it. Skies the limit.

[usasoccerboy]

We were gassed the second half. The problem with Berhalter not playing his bench is that he is wearing out our roster. Musah had a hell of a 20th birthday, but the intense level of World Cup play had him go well beyond what he probably thought he could do. At the highest international level, the game it takes to not only compete, but to go a full 90 is more than you and I will ever know. DeLaTorre may have to play the next game either as a starter or an early sub to give Musah a rest. We should think about playing some of those other guys , because relying on our starters for 7 games is not going to produce solid outings. Berhalter’s substitutions also leave a lot to desire. I am still not sure Pulisic will be ready, so give Aaronson start and let Pulisic play the late sub if he is able on Saturday. The good thing about Carter-Vickers playing is Zimmerman should better on Saturday. Turner has performed better than all the greats of our past this past group play. Friended, Howard, Keller, and Meola got nothing on him. Arsenal are licking their chops knowing that he is their backup - and maybe he will win that starting spot. McKenne looks tired too. As for Robinson’s heavy touch, he has always been that way, but remember that his asset is he Marshall’s that entire left side getting up and down the field. You do that for three World Cup games in a row and see how your touch is. Dest is working in fine showing those clubs how he can really perform. Sargent looked good in that he contributed more than most of our strikers, but I m fearful he could be out for the cup. Wright didn’t show enough. Time to use the fresh body of Ferreira. We could use his energy against Holland and who knows? He could be like Italy’s 1982 Palio Rossi who came on to the knockout stages and propelled Italy to be World Cup champions.

USA needs to practice their pks.

[ski]

Nov 29, 2022 19:16:18 GMT -6 beasleyisbeastly said:

Nov 29, 2022 18:41:34 GMT -6 ski said:

Really really really like the way we were playing in the first half. It was so attacking, so fluid and so domineering!

So I look at that game and wonder why/how we played so WHO DAT good in the first half and then so WHO DAT horrid the second half??

1. Pulisic
2. Fresh McKinney
3. Overall player 2nd half conditioning- same as vs Wales.

-I like how dynamic Pulisic can be and other teams know this and play differently when he is on. But frick…his strong last touch when in the attacking 1/3 is so bad and predictable.
-I think McKinney is just a good, smart player that has a tremendous impact in the midfield. Unfortunately, he got tired and really needed to sub out.
-Robinson had a really good first half.
-Dest played like a beast the entire game. I was not happy when he came out.
-Musah….MUSAH….MUSAH had a hell of a game! Really seemed to me that he was everywhere trying to do everything. Dest had a great game too but I give Musa player of the match.
-Weah- disappointed here….you just have to convert those opportunities into goals!
-Adams had another really good game…all over the place and keeping everybody in check. I would really like to hear to communication coming from this kid.
-I think Sargent was starting to make an impact and then got hurt.

All in all a good result but no way in hell we can play like that and expect positive things against France, Brazil, Spain……maybe, just maybe against the Oranjes.

I have to disagree that Robinson was good in the first half. My friends and I were all pointing out his losses of possession and poor dribbling in the first half. He just dribbles straight and takes a touch too long that’s defended easily. Bad

Yes. I have to agree with you here but Robinson did very well on that left side and had the Iran players scurrying around in haste. Hell, the entire USA team should be nicknamed “long touch”! This is one of the reasons I am excited to see Reyna play, I heard/read that he is very good in tight spaces and controls the ball well. After the match, I saw Berhalter and Reyna claps hand together in glee…. So there is no animosity or just playing nice for the camera?

To my dismay, the subs that did come on were just not good at all. Poor touches, passing, consistency, movement in space….ugggg, just really bad. As Kevin said, made the entire 2nd half hard to watch. Starting to see a pattern here….

Onto the Oranjes…..