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Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:44 pm
by SCCats
I hope Pulisic is “ok” if you know what I mean.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:54 pm
by SCCats
That’s a fucking second goal

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:05 pm
by SCCats
I’m at “Nines”, Robert levandowskis sports bar in Warsaw making a scene.

So much fun!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:29 pm
by pc in NM
US playing too much in own end in second half, similar to change between halves vs Wales…

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:35 pm
by Catintheheat
I would not have put in Acosta for McKennie. De Le Torre, or even Reyna would have been a better option.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:40 pm
by EastCoastCat
These last 20 minutes will be nerve-wracking.

Can we please get a second goal?!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:47 pm
by Catintheheat
Why is Shaq Moore in this game, let alone on the team? Joe Scally would have been a far better choice.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:04 pm
by Catintheheat
Yes!!! Knock out round. We won in spite of playing not to lose and head scratching decisions by Berhalter.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:04 pm
by 84Cat
Whew!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:11 pm
by AzCatFan2
Got it done! Only thing that matters. Survive and advance, and getting this group of kids into the knockout round is fantastic. Anything else now is gravy, and great experience for four years from now.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:13 pm
by Catintheheat
We play The Netherlands in the knockout round.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:20 pm
by Merkin
Someone won't be happy


Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:01 pm
by EastCoastCat
No way in any universe was that a penalty.

But going to a 5 back with 18 minutes left was very risky. Glad it worked out and we are moving on.

Ferreira must be asking what it takes to get some playing time. Can't understand Berhalter's love affair with Haji Wright.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:33 pm
by AzCatFan2
I understand the strategy. Our back line is so good in the air and marking that it's going to take a perfect cross for us to give up a goal this way. 270 minutes plus stoppage time and we've given up 1 goal on a PK, that didn't come from a cross. We really can absorb pressure maybe better than any other country.

Still, when we aren't absorbing, we're pressing high, and winning the ball back quickly, and often in good attacking position. It does open us up more for a counter attack, and this is why Berhalter went with a back 5 in the 81st minute. He was betting Iran wouldn't be able to break us down and score if we parked the bus and forced Iran to play desperation crosses and long balls. Thankfully, the gamble paid off.

I hope we don't park the bus against the Netherlands. We have nothing to lose in this game. Let's go for it.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:42 pm
by azgreg
Image

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 4:03 pm
by CardiacCats97
AzCatFan2 wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:33 pm I understand the strategy. Our back line is so good in the air and marking that it's going to take a perfect cross for us to give up a goal this way. 270 minutes plus stoppage time and we've given up 1 goal on a PK, that didn't come from a cross. We really can absorb pressure maybe better than any other country.

Still, when we aren't absorbing, we're pressing high, and winning the ball back quickly, and often in good attacking position. It does open us up more for a counter attack, and this is why Berhalter went with a back 5 in the 81st minute. He was betting Iran wouldn't be able to break us down and score if we parked the bus and forced Iran to play desperation crosses and long balls. Thankfully, the gamble paid off.

I hope we don't park the bus against the Netherlands. We have nothing to lose in this game. Let's go for it.
Appreciate this breakdown since I’m still not intelligent enough about soccer to put what I’m seeing play out on the field into words.

Feels like we played three games not to lose. Now, as you said, would be a good time to play to win.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:40 pm
by Frybry02
Be curious to see the 11 Berhalter rolls out Sunday if Pulisic and Sargent can’t go.

No way can Wright start. Does Ferreira finally get a chance? Weah as a false 9? If so does Reyna finally get a start?
Im curious to see how Musah recovers. He was gassed.

So many questions heading into Saturday

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 10:50 pm
by RichardCranium
azgreg wrote: Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:55 am
Um...

I didn't know we were playing England in Baseball. When did that happen?

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:28 am
by SCCats
Catintheheat wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:13 pm We play The Netherlands in the knockout round.
Take a look at these Ecuador/Netherlands stats. Anything jump out at you? (Check the number of Dutch shots in the game)

https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/633805

I didn’t watch this game, but apparently there are some Dutch midfield problems. Now it’s still the Dutch and they are certainly a much better team talent wise than us, but there does seem to be some issues/things we might be able to target.

Now I did see this Dutch team play in Warsaw a couple months ago (for nations league, I think) and they basically snuffed out Poland completely in a 2-0 win where they looked pretty good, particularly defensively. I’ve got no clue how we score on them; perhaps try to target the misfiring midfield with some turnovers and quick counters?

But a big congrats to the team for making the knockouts!!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:50 am
by EastCoastCat
Virgil van Dijk might be the best center back in the world. It's already tough for us to score so I see this as a huge problem.

I really want to see Reyna and Ferreira get some minutes.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:40 am
by AzCatFan2
Pulisic is listed as day-to-day, and has said he'll be ready to go. The question is, if Pulisic can't go a full 90, do you start him and play him until he drops? Or do you keep him on the bench and bring him in as a super sub around the 60th minute, and let him go a full, final 30 hard?

I hope Sargeant can go as well. Wright just seems a little too tentative out there, and Sargeant has played well as the target man with his hold-up play, and has created some chances. If Sargeant can't go, we should put in Ferriera over Wright.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:56 am
by Catintheheat
Congrats to Australia for making the knockout round for only the second time in history.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 1:16 pm
by Catintheheat
Mexico has a chance. They are still 2 goals behind from qualifying. Still everything has to go right.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:30 pm
by gouacats
Catintheheat wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 1:16 pm Mexico has a chance. They are still 2 goals behind from qualifying. Still everything has to go right.
That was an exciting finish!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:37 pm
by RichardCranium
Catintheheat wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:56 am Congrats to Australia for making the knockout round for only the second time in history.
Aussie!, Aussie!, Aussie!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 12:01 pm
by Catintheheat
When playing the national anthem of Spain I noticed that not a single player was singing along, yet you can hear the fans. I know it is cultural but still seems strange.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:13 pm
by Catintheheat
Wow! Bonzai!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:21 pm
by Catintheheat
Fun games this afternoon. All 4 teams have a legitimate shot at the knockout stage with 25 minutes to go in both matches.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:27 pm
by Catintheheat
Costa Rica is in with a win or a tie is Spain beats Japan.
Spain is in if they win or tie. If they lose and Costa Rica wins they are out.
Germany is in if they win and Spain wins.
Japan is in if they win or tie (and Germany wins or ties).

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:31 pm
by Catintheheat
Wow! This table is crazy. Morroco already won their group stage today.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:57 pm
by Catintheheat
Japan wins the table and their second knockout stage in history.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:59 pm
by SCCats
Peace out Germans

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 2:40 pm
by AzCatFan2
Japan in by millimeters. The whole of the ball must cross the whole of the line, and with the ball being round, there are cases where the bottom of the ball is out, but the whole ball isn't. Guess that's the case of what happened today to put Japan through, and knock Germany out. Because to me, it looked like the whole ball was out on Japan's second goal. But what's a World Cup without some excitement and controversy.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 3:18 pm
by azgreg
Catintheheat wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:57 pm Japan wins the table and their second knockout stage in history.
Is that right" Morocco is the first middle east country to make it out of pool play?

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 7:06 am
by SCCats
One hour!

Some of the articles out there are generally agreeing that we got a shot!!!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:09 am
by CardiacCats97
Is it me, or are the Dutch way bigger than us?

Loving how aggressive we’ve been so far. Couple good chances.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am
by CardiacCats97
Well fuck

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:19 am
by WildcatStunner
CardiacCats97 wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am Well fuck
This

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:46 am
by CardiacCats97
Brutal. They’ve had three good chances and scored on two of them.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:47 am
by WildcatStunner
Done

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:48 am
by CardiacCats97
WildcatStunner wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:47 amDone
Unfortunately it looks like it. The Dutch can just play keep away for 45 and move on. Oh well.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am
by AzCatFan2
Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am
by WildcatStunner
AzCatFan2 wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.
I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:20 am
by pc in NM
WildcatStunner wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am
AzCatFan2 wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.
I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.
Please forgive my ignorance, but…

… What is so hard for players at this level (the best in the whole country) to kick the ball at the damn goal??? At least force the goalie/defense block it!!! When one is in the box, and hits it over the goal…. ????

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:39 am
by CardiacCats97
We were so close to having some hope.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:50 am
by pc in NM
CardiacCats97 wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:39 am We were so close to having some hope.
Could be the team motto!

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:51 am
by AzCatFan2
pc in NM wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:20 am
WildcatStunner wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am
AzCatFan2 wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.
I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.
Please forgive my ignorance, but…

… What is so hard for players at this level (the best in the whole country) to kick the ball at the damn goal??? At least force the goalie/defense block it!!! When one is in the box, and hits it over the goal…. ????
One, goal isn't that big. Two, goalies are. Dutch coach is 6'8. Three, stack a bunch of defenders in the box, aka parking the bus, and it isn't easy scoring.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:00 am
by AzCatFan2
Clinical. That's how the press will call the Dutch's effort today. And it's true. We were more athletic, but lack a solid 9 player, and the Dutch have big, strong defenders. The Dutch knew that we'd generate more chances, but on the counter, they will get a couple good ones. Finish 2 of them, and they win. They finished 3.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:04 am
by CardiacCats97
Feels like we got our ass kicked in the middle of the field, but that’s just my layman’s take.

Re: Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:26 am
by Carcassdragger
Back to obscurity in the U.S. for the most boring sport ever invented.