***Official USMNT-WCQ Octagonal Thread***

242,085 Views | 3020 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by cruzdoggie
fig96
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to jeffk • 12:24p, 2/1/22
AG
Yeah, maybe it's unfair but I expect more when our roster is filled with guys who play for the best leagues in Europe.

For better or worse Gregg seems very locked into how we're going to play even when it's not working. Against Canada we had all the possession in the world but weren't breaking them down at all in the attacking third and Zardes was getting no service. Considering we were down a goal early something needed to change, but we had no subs until around the 70th minute.

I understand that we're going to have an underlying philosophy and I'm totally on board with that, but it gets to a point where I feel like we're all screaming "try something different". I realize CONCACAF is a different beast as well, but our gameplans always feel very reactive rather than us driving the way we want to play.
Reply Quote
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:37p, 2/1/22
AG
I recall that one game, I think it was first half of one of the earliest WCQs last fall, maybe the first match a 0-0 draw with El Salvador - when Greggg tried a 3-5-2 - with wingbacks. Slow Ream and slow Brooks as two of the three center backs maybe? - -- it was a disaster. ...I wonder if Greggg, ever since then, was like - we're a 4-3-3 team and we're going to get to Qatar as a 4-3-3 team no matter what concacaf opponents do to try to stop us. I wonder if a 4-4-2 diamond - get Pulisic or Reyna playing as more of central attacking midfielder than a winger - might create more chances to break down these bus parking lots we face. Actually, on Sunday on that narrow turf field in Hamilton, it might have been wise. Canada seems to base more as a 3-4-3 and they are very solid and compact on the back end. Working great for them obviously.
Reply Quote
jeffk
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to fig96 • 12:51p, 2/1/22
AG
Totally understandable to feel frustrated - I definitely do too.

Years of coaching have conditioned me to be optimistic and give other coaches the benefit of the doubt (to a certain point anyway).
Reply Quote
1
tysker
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to fig96 • 1:18p, 2/1/22
AG
fig96 said:
Considering we were down a goal early something needed to change, but we had no subs until around the 70th minute.
Of all the games, this one was screaming for a halftime sub or at least a 60 min sub. Trying to use all 5 subs in the last 20 mins rarely will make for cohesive play especially when trying to breakdown a bunkered defense that rely on quick counterattacks for offense
Reply Quote
6
akm91
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:46a, 2/2/22
AG
Surprised Berhalter didn't make subs to star the 2nd half like he did against Honduras (?) earlier in the cycle.
"And liberals, being liberals, will double down on failure." - dedgod
Reply Quote
B$Weigem
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to tysker • 11:01a, 2/2/22
AG
tysker said:
fig96 said:
Considering we were down a goal early something needed to change, but we had no subs until around the 70th minute.
Of all the games, this one was screaming for a halftime sub or at least a 60 min sub. Trying to use all 5 subs in the last 20 mins rarely will make for cohesive play especially when trying to breakdown a bunkered defense that rely on quick counterattacks for offense
THIS! Gregg always subs way too late... 75th minute.

Even though Pepi should've started vs Canada, he at least should've subbed him in near the 60th minute.
Reply Quote
jeffk
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:33p, 2/2/22
AG


El Salvadorian players may not play tonight in protest of their not getting promised pay from their federation.

EDIT - there's some sources saying they are going to play. I guess we'll see!
Reply Quote
1 edit
DeangeloVickers
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:34p, 2/2/22
AG
To be fair....I wouldnt want to play in Minnesota either
Reply Quote
2
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to DeangeloVickers • 3:54p, 2/2/22
AG
Doesn't El Salvador play Canada at home though ?
Reply Quote
oragator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to oh no • 8:27p, 2/2/22
It's on right now on universo.
Really need SLV to do is a solid and take some points here, we need Canada to have something to play for against CR.
Reply Quote
3
1 edit
aggiebird02
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:38p, 2/2/22
Did Mexico change their shield?
Reply Quote
1
Mathguy64
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:58p, 2/2/22
AG
I guess "play behind closed doors" doesn't mean quite the same thing in Mexico as it does everywhere else.
Reply Quote
4
aggiebird02
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiebird02 • 8:58p, 2/2/22
aggiephoenix02 said:
Did Mexico change their shield?
Yes, they did, it looks terrible, like a trashy tattoo. Their mexican fans will love it…
Reply Quote
2
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:58p, 2/2/22
AG
Do we want El Salv to win or draw and Mex to win?
Reply Quote
aggiebird02
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to oh no • 8:59p, 2/2/22
oh no said:
Do we want El Salv to win or draw and Mex to win?
No, we want Mexico to lose every game they play all the time forever…
Reply Quote
9
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiebird02 • 9:04p, 2/2/22
AG
I agree but to max Qatar chances, we need to separate from Panama, right?
Reply Quote
Ag-in-a-Box
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:04p, 2/2/22
AG
Watching the Panama game... Are the slanted ads on the touch line slanted away from the cameras?
Reply Quote
1
aggiebird02
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Ag-in-a-Box • 9:07p, 2/2/22
Ag-in-a-Box said:
Watching the Panama game... Are the slanted ads on the touch line slanted away from the cameras?
Yeah, they are…
Reply Quote
1
deadbq03
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to oh no • 9:11p, 2/2/22
AG
oh no said:
I agree but to max Qatar chances, we need to separate from Panama, right?
I kinda like the math of a draw… we have two teams close to us, let them share 2 points instead of giving either of them 3.
Reply Quote
2
deadbq03
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mathguy64 • 9:13p, 2/2/22
AG
Mathguy64 said:
I guess "play behind closed doors" doesn't mean quite the same thing in Mexico as it does everywhere else.
Wow I forgot that's what they were supposed to be doing. I thought this was a Covid crowd.
Reply Quote
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:21p, 2/2/22
AG
Canada doesn't look like that good of a squad. They've stuck to their tactical plans and been really opportunistic. Not great technically.
Reply Quote
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:25p, 2/2/22
AG
And there Canada scores one of the luckiest goals I've ever seen

On a counter of course

Weird deflection off the noggin of a dude laid out on the ground
Reply Quote
1
oragator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:25p, 2/2/22
Luckiest goal ever for Canada.
Ball literally bounced off a guy lying on the ground and in.

It's just their year I guess.
Reply Quote
2
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:25p, 2/2/22
AG
Time for me to switch to the Panama match
Reply Quote
1
Gordo14
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:36p, 2/2/22
This Mexico team is not good.
Reply Quote
1
carl spacklers hat
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiebird02 • 9:36p, 2/2/22
aggiephoenix02 said:
oh no said:
Do we want El Salv to win or draw and Mex to win?
No, we want Mexico to lose every game they play all the time forever…
This is the correct answer.
People think I'm an idiot or something, because all I do is cut lawns for a living.
Reply Quote
6
GoAgs92
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:37p, 2/2/22
AG
Viva Panama!

Reply Quote
1
Rudyjax
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to GoAgs92 • 9:37p, 2/2/22
AG
GoAgs92 said:
Viva Panama!



No. We want Panama to lose or tie.
Reply Quote
3
GoAgs92
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Gordo14 • 9:38p, 2/2/22
AG
Gordo14 said:
This Mexico team is not good.
Panama not lighting the world on fire either….make some awful passes
Reply Quote
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:49p, 2/2/22
AG
I switched back to El Salvador v hosers for a bit. El sal probably deserved a Pen earlier. Amazing how concacafy Canada is all of a sudden. A bunch of turds on turf. They are rough and get away with it.
Reply Quote
1
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:51p, 2/2/22
AG
And a 90+3 last second counter goal by Canada
Reply Quote
boogieman
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:52p, 2/2/22
AG
and Canada gets a 2nd in stoppage time.
Reply Quote
oragator
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:53p, 2/2/22
Another night where none of the other games are helping us.
I hate concacaf,
Reply Quote
oh no
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to oragator • 9:56p, 2/2/22
AG
Panama can still lose or draw.
Reply Quote
1
DeangeloVickers
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:08p, 2/2/22
AG
Wow...VAR to the rescue..for Panama

Mexico goal taken off the board still 0-0
Reply Quote
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.