Pahdz said:aggiephoenix02 said:
Damn, those fans look cold. I guess they're used to that type of weather though…
No such thing as bad weather just bad gear
You didn't go to the '97 t.u. game. No gear would have made that weather not miserable.
***** USMNT vs Honduras WCQ Game Thread (2/2) *****
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You didn't go to the '97 t.u. game. No gear would have made that weather not miserable.
Ive been thinking about that game seeing some tweets about the coldest game people have ever been to.ChipFTAC01 said:Pahdz said:aggiephoenix02 said:
Damn, those fans look cold. I guess they're used to that type of weather though…
No such thing as bad weather just bad gear
You didn't go to the '97 t.u. game. No gear would have made that weather not miserable.
We gained fans in Minnesota.Out in Left Field said:
Apart from the two wins, not a good look for US soccer in this window. Loss to Canada and playing in absurd conditions vs Honduras. Wins are good, but I wouldn't say we've gained any fans
Are we trying to qualify for World Cup or make friends around the globe? Use home field advantage as an advantage. Toughen your team up.
The American public is so fickle. Once we start winning in the WC, we'll gain fans for a few weeks. Then in 26 when we make the finals, everyone will say they're the biggest USMNT team fan in the world.Out in Left Field said:
Apart from the two wins, not a good look for US soccer in this window. Loss to Canada and playing in absurd conditions vs Honduras. Wins are good, but I wouldn't say we've gained any fans
Luca de La Torre is my MOTM. Was all over the place. Driving the ball, winning it back in possession, and covering so much ground. Moving forward he needs to be in every WCQ group.
We won the 2 games we were supposed to and made good use of home field advantage. Every away game we play in CONCACAF is played in absurd conditions when you account for the state of some of the fields and venues we travel to and that's before you even get into the fan behavior at some of those places. We weren't going to make any "new" fans from playing in better conditions this window and certainly not if we had dropped points to the central american teams at home.Out in Left Field said:
Apart from the two wins, not a good look for US soccer in this window. Loss to Canada and playing in absurd conditions vs Honduras. Wins are good, but I wouldn't say we've gained any fans
Agree 100%Thunder18 said:We won the 2 games we were supposed to and made good use of home field advantage. Every away game we play in CONCACAF is played in absurd conditions when you account for the state of some of the fields and venues we travel to and that's before you even get into the fan behavior at some of those places. We weren't going to make any "new" fans from playing in better conditions this window and certainly not if we had dropped points to the central american teams at home.Out in Left Field said:
Apart from the two wins, not a good look for US soccer in this window. Loss to Canada and playing in absurd conditions vs Honduras. Wins are good, but I wouldn't say we've gained any fans
As bad as that pitch seemed to be last night its still better than what we run into down in Central America. 0 degree weather is no worse than a mid summer game at altitude in Mexico in one of the most polluted cities on Earth.
I would have liked to see us play a bit warmer sure, but its not like these guys were climbing Mt. Everest with no oxygen. Got 2 wins and moved on. Result vs. Canada sucks but that's a different conversation. We could host the game last night in Austin in front of an Aggie only crowd and we get the same number of points. They would have still parked the bus, still hacked us and the ref would still dumbly look on.
I had to watch the game on delay last night because of my kid's stuff, but here's my thoughts (sorry if y'all already covered all this in previous pages). Before I start though, let me acknowledge that Honduras isn't great. They're not really good either. However, they absolutely could have posed problems for us had we not played a mostly mistake-free defensive game.
1) Playing in Minnesota in February was dumb. USSF did it to supposedly limit travel and get a competitive advantage. It worked out because we got the win, but we dodged a bullet in the weather just being cold. Any precipitation would have made for a pretty bleak and potentially disastrous set-up in a must-win game. Hopefully the fed learned a good lesson and will stick to playing games in places where the weather and pitch conditions aren't a threat to our own ability to play good soccer. That said, the fans there in Minneapolis absolutely showed out and deserve another game in warmer months.
2) The wider pitch was a huge advantage that we sorely missed in Canada (which was a great tactical move on their part). We are a space team. We are a speed team. Compact us and hack us up and we have some trouble.
3) Benching Pulisic was the right call, but it wasn't some sort of punishment like the talking heads made it seem. His form hasn't been great and giving him a chance to conserve strength and watch his teammates carry some of the load was beneficial. Also, he's an outstanding sub. Being able to bring him in off the bench is a huge weapon, and that pattern of start, start, sub might be something we see again in the last window or even in WC group stage (knock on wood).
4) Refereeing was typical CONCACAF... although he did throw a card for dissent, so good for him!
5) Morris has a spot on this roster. He's not technically one of our best 2-3 wingers, but his speed and really his bulk give him something none of the other guys can offer. He won almost every loose ball on his quadrant of the field and was good in stretching out the opposing defense. Should have scored late.
6) Luca DLT was outstanding. Very positive with the ball, always looking to move with speed to attack and progress upfield, but also not one to dribble at defenders unnecessarily. Huge stock up night for him.
7) Weston McKennie is the most valuable person on this roster. There might be an argument that there are a couple guys in the pool that are more talented than he is, but he's the engine that will drive this team the next couple cycles.
8) Acosta's service was just miles better than anything we've gotten from anyone else this window. Hopefully someone else can do something similar, because he won't see the field very often if Adams is healthy.
9) We need Walker Zimmerman. Hard to believe he was a last-minute add in the fall because Tim Ream had to leave camp. He does all the little and big things outstanding CBs do. Makes his defensive partners look a ton better too.
10) Weah is so much fun to watch. I love him.
1) Playing in Minnesota in February was dumb. USSF did it to supposedly limit travel and get a competitive advantage. It worked out because we got the win, but we dodged a bullet in the weather just being cold. Any precipitation would have made for a pretty bleak and potentially disastrous set-up in a must-win game. Hopefully the fed learned a good lesson and will stick to playing games in places where the weather and pitch conditions aren't a threat to our own ability to play good soccer. That said, the fans there in Minneapolis absolutely showed out and deserve another game in warmer months.
2) The wider pitch was a huge advantage that we sorely missed in Canada (which was a great tactical move on their part). We are a space team. We are a speed team. Compact us and hack us up and we have some trouble.
3) Benching Pulisic was the right call, but it wasn't some sort of punishment like the talking heads made it seem. His form hasn't been great and giving him a chance to conserve strength and watch his teammates carry some of the load was beneficial. Also, he's an outstanding sub. Being able to bring him in off the bench is a huge weapon, and that pattern of start, start, sub might be something we see again in the last window or even in WC group stage (knock on wood).
4) Refereeing was typical CONCACAF... although he did throw a card for dissent, so good for him!
5) Morris has a spot on this roster. He's not technically one of our best 2-3 wingers, but his speed and really his bulk give him something none of the other guys can offer. He won almost every loose ball on his quadrant of the field and was good in stretching out the opposing defense. Should have scored late.
6) Luca DLT was outstanding. Very positive with the ball, always looking to move with speed to attack and progress upfield, but also not one to dribble at defenders unnecessarily. Huge stock up night for him.
7) Weston McKennie is the most valuable person on this roster. There might be an argument that there are a couple guys in the pool that are more talented than he is, but he's the engine that will drive this team the next couple cycles.
8) Acosta's service was just miles better than anything we've gotten from anyone else this window. Hopefully someone else can do something similar, because he won't see the field very often if Adams is healthy.
9) We need Walker Zimmerman. Hard to believe he was a last-minute add in the fall because Tim Ream had to leave camp. He does all the little and big things outstanding CBs do. Makes his defensive partners look a ton better too.
10) Weah is so much fun to watch. I love him.
Am I the only one that didn't mind the Minnesota location and thinks USSF just got unlucky with the temps? Playing in Frisco last night would probably have been just as ugly
They got lucky with the lack of precipitation, but you could argue that is a possibility anywhere... But the potential combo of freezing temps AND possible precip made it a bad choice, IMO.
The field was bad. Lumpy and slow. I think that was a bigger factor in the play than the temperature.
The field was bad. Lumpy and slow. I think that was a bigger factor in the play than the temperature.
I think if you look at seasonal averages in locations, USSF did not get that unlucky with the temps. There were many places that were much more likely to have better playing conditions.tysker said:
Am I the only one that didn't mind the Minnesota location and thinks USSF just got unlucky with the temps? Playing in Frisco last night would probably have been just as ugly
It worked out and we rolled them, but it is something that could have been avoided.
agree with 9 of 10 of your observations.
exception - Jordan Morris - not sure if he's got a spot in Qatar, IMO. He does have fast top end / straight line speed, but I don't know if he's quick or creative enough. Wingers that come to mind ahead of Morris - Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Hoppe, hell, even Arriola, Konrad de la Fuente or even Dest if Cannon or Shaq Moore is playing well enought at RB. We can't roster that many forwards and that's excluding Pepi + 1-2 other #9s.
exception - Jordan Morris - not sure if he's got a spot in Qatar, IMO. He does have fast top end / straight line speed, but I don't know if he's quick or creative enough. Wingers that come to mind ahead of Morris - Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Hoppe, hell, even Arriola, Konrad de la Fuente or even Dest if Cannon or Shaq Moore is playing well enought at RB. We can't roster that many forwards and that's excluding Pepi + 1-2 other #9s.
Yeah, maybe so. But I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the final roster.
(Fingers crossed - that'll be a fun thread for us to make in April.)
(Fingers crossed - that'll be a fun thread for us to make in April.)
Shot map from last night's match. Pretty interesting observation by Matt Doyle on how Berhalter's positional play system limits shots by teams that are not as good.
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I agree with this, except the Nipple part. I am not on the Morris train. Dude just screams MLS.
I said this a couple months back, but my big honky Zimm is about to get paid. He is not terribly talented passing or with the ball at his feet, but he is smart enough to make the safe pass to a creator and get back in position.
Hard to judge De La Torre last night. The H was so weak through the middle that he didn't face any real challenge. He did good though and it counts.
Weah is good. Needs better finishing.
The team still had trouble crossing the ball. I don't get it. They get deep in the corner and, rather than hit the big cross, they pull up and go backwards. I saw Weah do the early cross once, but that is about it. And, for once, I am not even pointing the bad cross finger at 5 Robinson. His crossing efforts are usually laughably bad, but Morris took up is runs to the deep corner and 5 Robinson was pinching middle more and actually hit a few crosses.
A win is a win. Let's seal this mutha up before somebody really gets hurt.
I said this a couple months back, but my big honky Zimm is about to get paid. He is not terribly talented passing or with the ball at his feet, but he is smart enough to make the safe pass to a creator and get back in position.
Hard to judge De La Torre last night. The H was so weak through the middle that he didn't face any real challenge. He did good though and it counts.
Weah is good. Needs better finishing.
The team still had trouble crossing the ball. I don't get it. They get deep in the corner and, rather than hit the big cross, they pull up and go backwards. I saw Weah do the early cross once, but that is about it. And, for once, I am not even pointing the bad cross finger at 5 Robinson. His crossing efforts are usually laughably bad, but Morris took up is runs to the deep corner and 5 Robinson was pinching middle more and actually hit a few crosses.
A win is a win. Let's seal this mutha up before somebody really gets hurt.
Not sure what Robinson was doing dribbling into traffic so much. Zero chance of success, unlike Weah. I thought he also attempted a few too many congested runs, but at least he can succeed on occasion.
DLT was awesome last night, and it was great to see CP find success. Looking forward to securing a spot in the coming games!
DLT was awesome last night, and it was great to see CP find success. Looking forward to securing a spot in the coming games!
I love Texas Aggie sports, but I love Texas A&M more.
Think Morris was drifting into spots where Robinson wants to be.Marvin said:
Not sure what Robinson was doing dribbling into traffic so much.
"And liberals, being liberals, will double down on failure." - dedgod
is it wrong to suggest that Weston McKennie is turning out to be a world class player and could reach heights near the top of the world? I love the fight, the dog in him, the work rate, the leadership, technical class, the tactical decision-making, the long-throw specialist duties, the prowess in the air despite his height, and he's just flat out producing for club and country.
Another thing that surprised me about Luca was despite being of slight build he held up against some bigger dudes last night and several times right in front of me straight up stonewalled a few dudes.
It's not a crazy notion
He's definitely playing very well. There are still some big parts of his game to improve, specifically in the passing, but he has made such large developments in other parts you dont want to nitpick.oh no said:
is it wrong to suggest that Weston McKennie is turning out to be a world class player and could reach heights near the top of the world? I love the fight, the dog in him, the work rate, the leadership, technical class, the tactical decision-making, the long-throw specialist duties, the prowess in the air despite his height, and he's just flat out producing for club and country.
Like anyone else, I wouldnt call anyone on the squad a lock, and especially not for future cycles. It would be a good thing for other players, younger, to continue to develop and push him for his starting spot. Or provide other options centrally, so that we can deploy squads based on the tactics we think the game requires. Or even just based on the health and availability of this team.
Lol. As long as he doesn't do dumb stuff and stays healthy, he's a lock.
I think Weston is a lock but also not really excited about his play all the time. He's everywhere which can be good and can be bad. Its like everyone else is playing super tactically, completely within the system, and then Weston and CP are allowed to roam free as they see fit.
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
My point was that players could rise up to supplant him, and that would be a good thing. LOLAye Davanita said:
Lol. As long as he doesn't do dumb stuff and stays healthy, he's a lock.
I wouldn't say that at all. Those are extra set-piece or corner service into the box. I don't think he had any on Wednesday, but I think all 3 or so of them on Sunday were service into the box and connected with someone. Obviously didn't score on those, but those are extra chances you otherwise have to create after a short throw.tysker said:
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
But when the defense knows its coming, they can easily prepare and markup. He's not throwing it to Zimmerman or himself, both of which are great in the air. And then Weston winds up 40 yards away from a potential counterattack which requires your DM to hedge backwards and remove themselves from the offenseoh no said:I wouldn't say that at all. Those are extra set-piece or corner service into the box. I don't think he had any on Wednesday, but I think all 3 or so of them on Sunday were service into the box and connected with someone. Obviously didn't score on those, but those are extra chances you otherwise have to create after a short throw.tysker said:
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
Which is not really any different than a corner or free kick set piece out wide, other than the person doing it. Every player on the pitch knows how to use their heads and of course the other team will mark up, but you're giving your team a chance to win it and make something happen.tysker said:But when the defense knows its coming, they can easily prepare and markup. He's not throwing it to Zimmerman or himself, both of which are great in the air. And then Weston winds up 40 yards away from a potential counterattack which requires your DM to hedge backwards and remove themselves from the offenseoh no said:I wouldn't say that at all. Those are extra set-piece or corner service into the box. I don't think he had any on Wednesday, but I think all 3 or so of them on Sunday were service into the box and connected with someone. Obviously didn't score on those, but those are extra chances you otherwise have to create after a short throw.tysker said:
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
But Weston doesnt take corners of free kicks out wide. Weston is one of our best target men and better tacklers. Why take him away from where the ball is going to be?oh no said:Which is not really any different than a corner or free kick set piece out wide, other than the person doing it. Every player on the pitch knows how to use their heads and of course the other team will mark up, but you're giving your team a chance to win it and make something happen.tysker said:But when the defense knows its coming, they can easily prepare and markup. He's not throwing it to Zimmerman or himself, both of which are great in the air. And then Weston winds up 40 yards away from a potential counterattack which requires your DM to hedge backwards and remove themselves from the offenseoh no said:I wouldn't say that at all. Those are extra set-piece or corner service into the box. I don't think he had any on Wednesday, but I think all 3 or so of them on Sunday were service into the box and connected with someone. Obviously didn't score on those, but those are extra chances you otherwise have to create after a short throw.tysker said:
And can we say that Weston's long throws too often are inconsequential to the point of being wasteful?
eta: its not really that big of a deal, its just as bad a CPs corners that dont get passed the first defender. Just one of those small things that feels like player mismanagement
I think the long throw deal on Sunday was due to the field being below standard width
ya that makes sense. I guess it was also the slow speed of play when using it. the whole Canada game felt like the team was going fast when should be going slow and vice versa
PatAg said:My point was that players could rise up to supplant him, and that would be a good thing. LOLAye Davanita said:
Lol. As long as he doesn't do dumb stuff and stays healthy, he's a lock.
Yes it would be. But McKennie would need 4-5 guys to surpass him before he's not on the squad.
I was talking about a lock for the starting lineup, but I guess I never really specified that.Aye Davanita said:PatAg said:My point was that players could rise up to supplant him, and that would be a good thing. LOLAye Davanita said:
Lol. As long as he doesn't do dumb stuff and stays healthy, he's a lock.
Yes it would be. But McKennie would need 4-5 guys to surpass him before he's not on the squad.
EIther way, McKennie has been playing great, I just hope he knows he still has that big hole in his game and keeps pushing himself. They're all still so young, a lot can happen
It's all good. Everyone should earn their spot every camp and every game.PatAg said:I was talking about a lock for the starting lineup, but I guess I never really specified that.Aye Davanita said:PatAg said:My point was that players could rise up to supplant him, and that would be a good thing. LOLAye Davanita said:
Lol. As long as he doesn't do dumb stuff and stays healthy, he's a lock.
Yes it would be. But McKennie would need 4-5 guys to surpass him before he's not on the squad.
EIther way, McKennie has been playing great, I just hope he knows he still has that big hole in his game and keeps pushing himself. They're all still so young, a lot can happen
Its not unlucky, it was an intentional move. There is no comparison between average winter temps in Minnesota vs Frisco, Austin, Miami, etc.tysker said:
Am I the only one that didn't mind the Minnesota location and thinks USSF just got unlucky with the temps? Playing in Frisco last night would probably have been just as ugly
There's no tactical advantage when your keeper needs a blanket and players are literally being treated for hypothermia, and as mentioned we got lucky with precipitation. Thinking that we'd perform significantly better than any opponent in those conditions is dumb.
Unlike some other teams in the region we can provide a good pitch, so let's do so.
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