Arena The Old Title Was Way Too Long: USMNT/MLS Discussion

That was not a penalty

 

few good chances here. team needs a lot of work though.

 

well this just changed a lot.

 

gak why is Toronto FC so bad this year? They were champs, dammit

 

Didn't get to watch, but I absolutely loved the Miazga highlight. The USA-Mexico rivalry needs villains, and now Miaza can absolutely be the villain that fans of El Tri can loathe. Not just the goading, but the gloating and the mocking. Reminded me a bit of Rafa Marquez, to be honest, and I still hate that guy.

A couple of things
1) They prioritized CONCACAF Champions League this year. which lead to two things:
1a) Fixture Congestion. With more matches to play, they had to have more games in short periods of time.
1b) Deflatement. Let's be honest. They should have won the title. They were the more talented side for the finals. And they lost. And then they had to turn around and try to play for a lesser title with less urgency and more games congested together.
1c) Voyager Cup. They had to prioritize this because it's the club's only path to Champions League. Which just adds to 1a and 1b.
2) Michael Bradley plateaued years ago and is no long a top-ten midfielder in MLS. He's the second-highest paid player in the league, but here are midfielders I would take ahead of him without batting an eye:
Diego Valeri
Nicolas Lodiero
Federico Higuain
Maxi Moralez
Ezequiel Barco
Osvaldo Alsonso
Mauro Diaz
Diego Chara
Wil Trapp
Alphonso Davies

And that list is just those who I wouldn't question taking over Bradley. In MLS, you can't miss on your DP spots. Atlanta is thriving because they have a fantastic manager, and they absolutely nailed their DPs. Seba is still fantastic and a game changer, literally able to win a playoff game on his own. But Bradley? That precious DP slot could be better used.

3) There were chinks in the armor showing late last year. After a torrid start, teams figured it out, and Columbus played Toronto masterfully in the playoffs. They were a single goal from advancing. Red Bulls nearly knocked them out, too.

 

I seriously can't get enough of this

 

USMNT squad reactions

Christian Pulisic


Tim Weah



Zak Steffen / Wil Trapp



Brad Guzan




Michael Bradley

 

Michael Bradley on the loss to T&T / missing out on the World Cup

"It doesn't really linger at all"

He's either completely tone deaf, a complete moron, or unable to understand that missing out on the world cup is the kind of thing that should linger and motivate you.



And again, I say, why is he back on the national team? And why haven't they hired a manager in the 366 days that have passed since the dreadful night in Trinidad?

 

Available and with a 100% winning record at international level...

 

I realize this isn't breaking news, but Colombia is significantly better at men's football than we are.

Also, Greg Berhalter will apparently be named the USMNT manager in November. Which is a good choice. I like him and his system. But it's not a hire that should have taken a year

 

You know, I'm beginning to suspect there are some deep structural problems afoot.

 

I noticed Inty ignored my post aswell

 

@Diggy I can't like or respond to that post, or US Soccer might take it as endorsement of the idea. can't risk it.

Also ...

Cautiously optimistic ...

 

I'm incredibly emotional about it. I'll get full thoughts up later, but to that point, heels, the owners who wouldn't be an upgrade over Precourt are

Art Model
Clay Bennet
Jeff Loria

 

I know this is a thread for pessimism, but last night the USA played Peru to a 1-1 draw, and despite their two best outfield and best goalkeeper not playing due to injury, they had arguably the best player on the pitch last night. Josh Sargent - holy hell, that kid can play. I've been following him as a youth player - he had a damn good U-20 World Cup last year, scoring four times (1 shy of the golden boot) and he looked to have grown further last night.

Weah, Sargent, Pulisic, and McKennie give the attack a nice base to build from, and are all incredibly young (and outside of Sargent, getting at least some playing time for some fairly large clubs). Steffen is a great anchor in goal for the defense.

Starting to get excited to see what this team will do in the Gold Cup next year under Berhalter.

 

this sounders/timbers second leg is completely insane.

 

Our (Atlanta United) Eastern Conference Semifinals second leg against NYCFC is at home this Sunday. We won in NYC last weekend, in Yankee Stadium (only the second time NYCFC has lost there all year long, apparently).

 

In current format, no team has lost the opening leg at home in the conference seems and won the series. Current format meaning w/away goals tiebreaker. So, I'd say Atlanta is a solid 90% likely to advance.

 

Well that was easy. Next we play the winner of NY Red Bulls and Columbus.

 

Well

That was not fun

 

In case you missed it, the U-20 USMNT win the CONCACAF championship last night, beating Mexico in the final with a Dos a Cero scoreline. Tab Ramos, dow the federation wouldn't even consider for the full USMNT job doing a great job getting results and developing players.

 

3-0 win over NY Red Bulls here at home. Next is the second leg in NY this Thursday.

 

I'm rooting for you