The Official 2022 World Cup Discussion Thread

[YayNJ]

Why is Musah still on the pitch?

[Hollywood42]

Oh man what a bad first touch from Wright on that turnover. We needed to have that one

[Hollywood42]

But Wright gets the strange touch that ends up in the back of the net seconds later!

[YayNJ]

You really need a quick second, the Dutch are wobbled

[Hollywood42]

And given right back. Story of the game, US has put solid pressure on offensively pretty consistently most of the game, really. But then there's so many holes in the defense on the other end

[Giroux]

Another brutal breakdown...and Netherlands aren't wasting them like the US has.

[Ianhatcher]

De Jong showing how you properly defend a pass when a player drives to the touchline and cuts it back. US would do well to remember that. Like to see more of that though from the US in the future instead of just winging it in from the 18 and praying these guys can out jump 6'5" CBs like Van Dijk.

[Giroux]

Seems crazy to not have Reyna and/or Aaronson in the starting 11

[JWBlue]

They overcompensated for not scoring goals and were too aggressive which left themselves open in the back. We weren't playing Iran or Wales.

A lot of talent on this team, but too many holes.

Not sure this team really underachieved.

[Siberian13]

Don’t worry fellas. 2026 will be their year. It’s the golden age

They did what they were expected to do. Get out of the group stage in 2nd place and then lose to the Netherlands.

[psochaps]

I don’t blame the players, US has a nice talent pool.
Now let’s be honest and Fire the coach!

[The Accountant]

Should’ve taken Pepi onto the tourney…

[The Accountant]

Fun tourney though. Glad we had some entertainment for a few weeks

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by The Accountant

Should’ve taken Pepi onto the tourney…

Over Jordan Morris for sure but I don't think he would've made a difference.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Giroux

Seems crazy to not have Reyna and/or Aaronson in the starting 11

In place of whom?

The problem for the US is that they have a glut of attacking midfielders.

Starting Reyna means benching either Pulisic or Weah.

Starting Aaronson means benching either Pulisic, Weah, McKennie, or Musah.

No matter what you do, someone good is going to end up sitting.....

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by mfw13

In place of whom?

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Yup. Something like that. Get creative so you don't have to play Sargent/Ferreira/Haji

[reddragonthe]

Ok tournament. Fair result. You don't track back and you get punished. Tough to blame Gregg for that.

Though my years of experience here on an internet message board for people who enjoy collecting pictures of (mostly) men does allow me to really question some of the game/roster moves for the US coaching staff:

1. Reyna not playing
2. Haji Wright and Shaq Moore playing. (honorable mention to Jordan Morris playing, but we all knew that was coming)
3. Ream somehow being like the last guy on the roster and probably only there because Robinson was injured
4. Zero danger on set plays (other than a bit in the England game)

Of the starters today, I think 4-5 will start in 2026 (Jedi, Adams, Musah, Pulisic and maybe Turner) and I think Aaronson and Reyna join them. Weston, Dest, Weah still play roles. That's a nice core of a team that will have some good experience from this and some add'l motivation.

3.5 years. Long wait for a new memory to replace this one.

[reddragonthe]

Gregg would bring Gregg back for 2026. I think that's why I don't trust him to make that decision.

[kingb22]

The US will have the same dynamic that 7 of their best players play 5 positions. They really need to spend some time before 2026 figuring out how to get 6 onto the pitch.

Given 2026 is in NA, I'd love them to go and pay big $$ to find a great coach. Does Pep want a new challenge? ��

[DontToewsMeBro]

Now that both Canada and the USA are out my interest level in the World Cup has gone to about zero.

Just don't care anymore.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

Now that both Canada and the USA are out my interest level in the World Cup has gone to about zero.

Just don't care anymore.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us buddy.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Thanks for taking the time to tell us buddy.

No problem

I cared. Now I don't.

You're welcome.

[gomiamigo]

USMNT wins xG 1.89 - 1.85 but Holland wins 3-1 due to Adams and Dest falling asleep and Pulisic not quite getting a good enough shot in the 3rd minute.

Proud of the collective effort this WC and several players' individual effort, starting with the 2 assists and 1 goal by Pulisic. Adams, Musah, McKennie, Dest, Weah, Turner all played very well overall.

US clearly belonged on the pitch with a chance to go to the Qtrs, but Holland had too much quality and didn't miss their shots. So it goes. They get Argy next.

2026 here we come.

[Asian62150]

Proud of this team. 3.5 years is a ways off and lots can happen. Each of these guys will hopefully use this result as fuel to improve so they can get more time with their club teams and that'll help prepare them for 2026.

We definitely need a 9. Seems like we have a lot of good but not great players. The talent level between us and someone like Brasil and England is still staggering. Most of Brasil's bench would start for us.

The bigger issue is we need more homegrown talent. Most of the guys on the team are American citizens who grew up in other countries or have 1st generation immigrant parents who wanted their kids to play soccer over other sports. For a country as big and rich as ours, we need a bigger pool of talent which means more kids who chose soccer over football and basketball. But it's hard when those are the sports that are glorified most in the US.

Hopefully some kids watched, were inspired, and can help us in in 4-8 years.

It would be amazing to see the USMNT lift the World Cup in our lifetimes. It's hands down the best tournament (outside of the bribery and shady stuff).