Bear Down Wildcats

Pretty sweet Poland win tonight!!!

What a disappointing performance. Yes, the US qualified but there was no creativity.

Ugly, but doesn't matter. Survive and advance. We did enough, and will be playing in Qatar. Right now, that's all that matters.

Seeded in pot 2 is a nice little bonus.

USA is in Group B in the World Cup with England (so far). That's a good draw. I'd rather play England than France, Belgium, or Brazil. The draw is going on right now.

The USA will play in a group with England, Iran, and the winner of the Euro playoff among Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine.

This is not a bad draw. Although we will start in the first couple of days in the World Cup.

Mexico got a good draw.

The USA vs England match is scheduled for the same day as the Territorial Cup, Black Friday.

I guess group B is tough. But if Berhalter brings the players he should and everyone is healthy the US should advance. Of course, there is a high probability that Berhalter will screw this up.

Top 2 in each group advance right? I like our chances.

Top 2 in each group do advance. We get the Euro playoff winner in the first game. That's almost a must win. England is next, and if we can get a win in the first game, we can play a more defensive lineup and play for a draw in game 2. Leaves the third game against Iran to advance. If things go as expected, Iran may already be eliminated by that point, and playing more guys at the end of the bench.

But again, it all depends on the first game. Draw or lose that one, and we'll need a result against England.

Absolutely fantastic group.

SCCats wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 6:21 pm Absolutely fantastic group.

I think so too. If Berhalter handles this right (big if) I believe the USMNT can win the group, with a ceiling of the semifinals.

Thursday night, Tottenham vs. Arsenal

EastCoastCat, you ready?

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:39 am Thursday night, Tottenham vs. Arsenal

EastCoastCat, you ready?

You mean the North London Darby to decide who gets the last Championship League spot for next year?

You bet your ass I am. Already put it in my work calendar as it starts at around 3:00pm EST.

Both teams are coming into the game with pretty good form and Son & Kane always worry the shit out of me. But the youngblood Gunners are showing some grit.

Spurs need a win, but Arsenal would be fine with a draw as they would be 4 points clear with 2 to play.

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:55 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:39 am Thursday night, Tottenham vs. Arsenal

EastCoastCat, you ready?

You mean the North London Darby to decide who gets the last Championship League spot for next year?

You bet your ass I am. Already put it in my work calendar as it starts at around 3:00pm EST.

Both teams are coming into the game with pretty good form and Son & Kane always worry the shit out of me. But the youngblood Gunners are showing some grit.

Spurs need a win, but Arsenal would be fine with a draw as they would be 4 points clear with 2 to play.

So you’re familiar…

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 7:00 pm

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:55 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:39 am Thursday night, Tottenham vs. Arsenal

EastCoastCat, you ready?

You mean the North London Darby to decide who gets the last Championship League spot for next year?

You bet your ass I am. Already put it in my work calendar as it starts at around 3:00pm EST.

Both teams are coming into the game with pretty good form and Son & Kane always worry the shit out of me. But the youngblood Gunners are showing some grit.

Spurs need a win, but Arsenal would be fine with a draw as they would be 4 points clear with 2 to play.

So you’re familiar…

Thanks, but honestly I’m not too into EPL fight songs. Guess I’m too American in that regards.

Instead of singing I’d be yelling “why don’t you press the fuckers higher” or “get your asses up the pitch.”

Ben White and Saka did not practice this week so if they don't play, along with Partey and Tierney already being out, it will be a huge advantage for Spurs.

Not feeling too optimistic about my Gunners right now.

Sandbaggin’ this early?

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 6:13 am Sandbaggin’ this early?

When I'm competing with you I gotta have my A game going...

Looking forward to the game . . . unless of course Woolwich Arsenal finds another phantom Covid case and begs to have it postponed again.

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 7:47 am Looking forward to the game . . . unless of course Woolwich Arsenal finds another phantom Covid case and begs to have it postponed again.

Well played. All these managers play these games to try and gain an advantage and I give Arteta props for sneaking that one through when it turned out only 1 player had it. But you have to admit how the League dealt with COVID-impacted games was a mess.

Should be an amazing game. I'm sure we will be back here afterwards on our respective takes.

Once again refs ruin a great matchup. Gift penalty shot and now a red card.

Congrats Chi.

Still got a half to go and obviously a lot can happen, but with how the Spurs have been playing D lately I like our chances.

I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:00 pm I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Congrats on the 3 points. Total domination after Arsenal shot itself in the foot (check that...both feet).

2 more matches to go. 1 point separation. Who blinks first?

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:06 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:00 pm I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Congrats on the 3 points. Total domination after Arsenal shot itself in the foot (check that...both feet).

2 more matches to go. 1 point separation. Who blinks first?

With how up and down Tottenham has been, I like Arsenal’s chances of taking the last spot.

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:13 pm

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:06 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:00 pm I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Congrats on the 3 points. Total domination after Arsenal shot itself in the foot (check that...both feet).

2 more matches to go. 1 point separation. Who blinks first?

With how up and down Tottenham has been, I like Arsenal’s chances of taking the last spot.

Congrats on 4th place and CL for next year.

The "bad" Arsenal reared its ugly head yet again yesterday and with 1 game left Spurs would have to literally fall on their face against the worst team in the league Sunday.

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 5:28 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:13 pm

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:06 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:00 pm I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Congrats on the 3 points. Total domination after Arsenal shot itself in the foot (check that...both feet).

2 more matches to go. 1 point separation. Who blinks first?

With how up and down Tottenham has been, I like Arsenal’s chances of taking the last spot.

Congrats on 4th place and CL for next year.

The "bad" Arsenal reared its ugly head yet again yesterday and with 1 game left Spurs would have to literally fall on their face against the worst team in the league Sunday.

Please don’t speak that scenario into existence. My nascent fandom might not be able to handle being a laughingstock.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 5:51 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 5:28 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:13 pm

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:06 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 2:00 pm I’d say “good match” but I doubt you’re feeling that, so instead I’ll just say…


COYS!!!

Congrats on the 3 points. Total domination after Arsenal shot itself in the foot (check that...both feet).

2 more matches to go. 1 point separation. Who blinks first?

With how up and down Tottenham has been, I like Arsenal’s chances of taking the last spot.

Congrats on 4th place and CL for next year.

The "bad" Arsenal reared its ugly head yet again yesterday and with 1 game left Spurs would have to literally fall on their face against the worst team in the league Sunday.

Please don’t speak that scenario into existence. My nascent fandom might not be able to handle being a laughingstock.

It's part of the "Laws of Karma/Jinx Transivity" which I am oh too well acquainted with.

Some good news for the USMNT today. Malik Tillman, who was born in Germany, but with a US citizen father, is filing paperwork to play for the US. Tillman is 19, already on the roster of Bayern Munich, and could be the #9 player the team is missing. Tillman has been described as Paul Pogba, if Pogba played the center forward position. Not a bad player to be compared to!

The transfer may not happen in time for the summer games on the schedule, but Tillman could still train with the squad. Should be ready to play by the World Cup. Tillman did play for the US Under 15 squad one tournament, where he assisted on a goal to current USMNT player Gio Reyna. Tillman is top shelf talent, and in any sport, you can never have enough talent.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-stat ... us-sources

Both Spurs and Arsenal took care of business today. Congrats Chi. Arsenal is a young team on the rise so hoping they shore up their inconsistency next year.

Also, great finish at the top today. City comes from 2 down with 15 minutes to play to beat AV and win the PL over Liverpool by 1 point.

I kinda wonder if Kylian’s contract might destroy (or at least do great, great damage to) PSG.

Go Liverpool! They had to delay the start because of really long queues.

Real Madrid only had a couple chances to score and they capitalized. Even though the first one was offside and disallowed the second one was a work of art. The pass was threaded perfectly. Great goal.

Real Madrid is the NY Yankees of the Champion's League.

Cortois was amazing yesterday. Liverpool was the better team, but a hot goalie and one great finish is b sometimes all you need to win.

Screw Liverpool and their cocky dickhead manager Klopp.

I’m excited about USMNT getting back on the field tomorrow. I am happily parking my ass at Tim Finnegans to drink some beer and take in the match!

Ukraine beat Scotland today 3-1. Ukraine will play Wales this weekend with the winner playing us in our World Cup opener.

Meanwhile, the USA is beating Morocco 3‐0 with about 5 minutes plus stoppage in a friendly. We've looked dangerous many times, and deserve this win. Morroco hasn't lost by multiple goals in years.

First time we ever beat Morocco who is ranked 24th in the world.

Palisic calling out the US fans for not showing up in the post game interview.

Sunday vs Uruguay is going to be great test for this team. USA at 13 and Uruguay at 16. Though I think USA is too at 13.

England Lol. Palisic will enjoy playing against them.

What a second half for Ferreira tonight.

US tied El Salvador 1-1 in a nasty, rain-soaked game last night. Each team got a red card, and the referee missed a hand-ball call that VAR would have caught, that would have given the US a penalty kick. Oh well. Such is life on the road in CONCACAF.

I know soccer aficionados around the world will see the 1-1 tie as a poor result for the US against a lesser side, but just once, I'd love see a top Euro country survive a trip to El Salvador and play in conditions like we played in last night. It's not easy.

Next stop, a couple of friendlies in Europe before the big tournament starts in Qatar. Berhalter has some interesting decisions around roster spots 20-23. Be interesting to see who he takes, and who he leaves out. For example, Jordan Morris, who scored the goal last night. Does that help him secure a roster spot?