USA - 2026 World Cup Champions

[reddragonthe]

Dest is the first choice in any major game until Scally or someone takes it. And it would be a big take. The team isn’t deep enough. Get him some better sports psychs. Because he’s going to get picked apart with words for the rest of his career… and fouled until he reacts. Pestered. Poked. Egged on.

But he’s the best option. Short “punishment” but back the camp after.

[YayNJ]

So what's next for Ricardo Pepi?

Another one of the ill-fated 'next gen US Superstars' that has largely struggled in Europe so far. It looks like both players agent and club will be happy to see him move on from PSV at the end of the season.

Would USMNT fans like to see him come back to the MLS? Not getting time in the Dutch League likely means he's going to have to drop down the ladder even further. Belgium? Turkish League?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

So what's next for Ricardo Pepi?

Another one of the ill-fated 'next gen US Superstars' that has largely struggled in Europe so far. It looks like both players agent and club will be happy to see him move on from PSV at the end of the season.

Would USMNT fans like to see him come back to the MLS? Not getting time in the Dutch League likely means he's going to have to drop down the ladder even further. Belgium? Turkish League?

He's done well for PSV.....just hasn't been able to get the playing time since he's stuck behind a club legend (Luuk De Jong) who's managed to stay healthy all season.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by mfw13

He's done well for PSV.....just hasn't been able to get the playing time since he's stuck behind a club legend (Luuk De Jong) who's managed to stay healthy all season.

PSV are allegedly bringing in Irish International Troy Parrott.

90% Chance Pepi isn't at PSV next year. He's started 2 games all season, and his agent wants him out ASAP.

[mikee1186]

9 goals off the bench is a decent return, but it is telling that he couldn’t break into the starting lineup at all, basically. Still just 21 but he HAS to find a bigger role somewhere.

[yiguiri2002]

Come on dude. He's scored 19 goals in 55 games in the Eredivisie and he just turned 21, you really think not a single team there would pick him up?

Nothing wrong with being a solid starter in a Top 10 league.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Come on dude. He's scored 19 goals in 55 games in the Eredivisie and he just turned 21, you really think not a single team there would pick him up?

Nothing wrong with being a solid starter in a Top 10 league.

Your grandma could score 19 goals in the Dutch league. Similar to Scotland, if you've got two feet and can tie your own shoelaces you will bang in 20+ a season without breaking a sweat.

The standard outside of the big clubs is comical.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Your grandma could score 19 goals in the Dutch league. Similar to Scotland, if you've got two feet and can tie your own shoelaces you will bang in 20+ a season without breaking a sweat.

The standard outside of the big clubs is comical.

You can say the same about the French league.

The thing is, after the Big 4, there's a big gap. Eredivisie is probably on the third tier (French and Portuguese being in the second) with the Belgian league and the Brasileirao.

If he can find a spot on any team that is fighting for even a Conference League spot and start, that's not bad at all. He was never gonna be a star, nothing wrong with being a really good player.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Your grandma could score 19 goals in the Dutch league. Similar to Scotland, if you've got two feet and can tie your own shoelaces you will bang in 20+ a season without breaking a sweat.

The standard outside of the big clubs is comical.

Yep....that's why there are only three guys in the Eredivisie who are as good as the proverbial grandma.....one of whom is the guy Pepi is stuck behind....

Scoring goals consistently in ANY league is not as easy as it seems....

Heck....you've only got three players in the EPL who have scored 20+ goals too.....La Liga and Serie A have one each.....

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Yep....that's why there are only three guys in the Eredivisie who are as good as my grandma.....one of whom is the guy Pepi is stuck behind....

.. drink another cup of joe and it might sink in why there's only three guys as good as your grandma

.. i'll spoil it - the standard is utterly awful and anyone half decent leaves as quick as they can.

Eredivisie makes de Jong look like prime Ronaldo in 2011-12, and Xavi Simons a reincarnation of Puskas.

[gomiamigo]

Nobody thought Pepi would be a star. People were happy he might turn into a US striker when we had none, now we have 5 candidates most of whom are better than him.

He's still young and in two years who knows, maybe he'll be better.

[Giroux]

They look terrible so far today

[mikee1186]

That was something!!

[Giroux]

https://x.com/PaulCarr/status/1799584889747980478

@PaulCarr
#USMNT hadn't given up five goals in any of its previous 240 games, since the 2009 Gold Cup final vs Mexico.

Before that, it hadn't happened since the 1990 World Cup vs Czechoslovakia.

[mfw13]

If he doesn't get ANY wins against Colombia/Uruguay/Brazil and fails to get to the Copa semis, then I think Berhalter should get sacked.

[YayNJ]

speaking of Uruguay, Marcelo Bielsa has truly unlocked Darwin Nunez

don't think I'll ever get over the Leeds Board sacking him for that fraud Jessie Marsch.

[mikee1186]

I’m afraid Darwin is gonna shred the US back line.

[anusinha]

Berhalter sucks

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by anusinha

Berhalter sucks

He really does. How can USA Soccer continue to ignore that this team played fantastic in Berhalter's absence last year and then immediately regressed upon his return? That performance was a fireable offense. Losing to a good team is one thing, but not being competitive at all is unacceptable.

[Jadaki]

Originally Posted by mikee1186

I’m afraid Darwin is gonna shred the US back line.

Nunez is one of the most bipolar players on the planet, he isn't reliable for anything.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by Jadaki

Nunez is one of the most bipolar players on the planet, he isn't reliable for anything.

Bielsa can get a tune out of him. Perhaps Klopp just wasn't the right guy.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

He really does. How can USA Soccer continue to ignore that this team played fantastic in Berhalter's absence last year and then immediately regressed upon his return? That performance was a fireable offense. Losing to a good team is one thing, but not being competitive at all is unacceptable.

It was a friendly.

Finishing second in their Copa America group behind Uruguay and then getting dumped out by Brazil or Colombia in the QF.....that would be a fireable offense.

Because Uruguay/Colombia are the level of team that the USA is going to need to beat on home soil at WC2026 if they are going to make it to the quarters or semis.

[yiguiri2002]

I don't think the US team is currently one of the Top 4 in the tourney, but if they lose only against one of the Big 3 (Argentina/Brazil/Uruguay), is that really reason to fire GGG?

[mikee1186]

Everybody wants to call for Gregg’s head all the time. As if there’s some significantly better option just out there waiting. I have generally been supportive of the way the team has played under him, even if it hasn’t resulted in Top 20 wins. This was a pretty bad looking result, but they can still get back on track and it doesn’t necessarily depend on beating Brazil or Uruguay.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I don't think the US team is currently one of the Top 4 in the tourney, but if they lose only against one of the Big 3 (Argentina/Brazil/Uruguay), is that really reason to fire GGG?

It depends on what your goal is for WC 2026.

If you are happy with another R16 exit, then you're probably fine with someone like Berhalter.

But if your goal is to reach the QF's and possibly even the semis if the draw is kind, then you need someone who can take the team to the next level.....and he's not it.