USA - 2026 World Cup Champions

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by mfw13

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.

I agree with the last part.

But you can get a coach who is and still get bounced by Brazil/Argentina/Uruguay. If the WC was played now, I think all of them make the QF unless they are out on penalties or something.

I think the goal for the team should be to show they are the best CONCACAF team by far and play like they belong against the big teams.

[gomiamigo]

The variance in a single elimination tournament is super high. Look at March Madness, look at prior World Cups.

Nobody thinks Morocco, Turkey, South Korea were one of the 3-4 best teams in the world.

The USMNT has as good a chance if not better, at home, as any of those 3 teams to make a deep run to the QF or beyond.

Agree with Yiguiri, you can have a very good team with GGG or a better coach and still lose in the QFs to Argy or France by a 2-1 or 1-0 score. GGG coached fine last Cup, we just weren't as good as Holland, and we missed our chance to go up 1-0 on them.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

GGG coached fine last Cup, we just weren't as good as Holland, and we missed our chance to go up 1-0 on them.

The problem is that this was the type of Holland team that we SHOULD have been as good as....i.e. one of the weakest Holland sides in recent memory, and one without any real superstars.

And this is the level of team we are going to have to beat in WC2026 to take that next step from the R16 to the QF's.

Beating Mexico on a regular basis and dominating CONCACAF is great....but I've yet to see ANY evidence that Berhalter can beat good teams from other federations, which is what we're going to need to do at WC2026.

[YayNJ]

as good as with no superstars?

de Ligt, van Dijk both world class, US have nobody even close to their stratosphere.

Even their average players by their standards, Ake, Depay etc.. name comparable players on the US squad?

Holland are their own worst enemy, and have been for a very long time. Cliques and infighting plague them. You are right in saying you could have beat them, but it's not really due to their quality. More the fact you literally don't know what Holland is going to turn up each match.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

as good as with no superstars?

de Ligt, van Dijk both world class, US have nobody even close to their stratosphere.

Even their average players by their standards, Ake, Depay etc.. name comparable players on the US squad?

Holland are their own worst enemy, and have been for a very long time. Cliques and infighting plague them. You are right in saying you could have beat them, but it's not really due to their quality. More the fact you literally don't know what Holland is going to turn up each match.

De Ligt and Van Dijk are both overrated, IMHO.....VVD is a product of EPL media hype and the fact that Liverpool signed him for a huge fee. He's good, but not great. De Ligt is also good, but not great.

I was comparing the 2022 Dutch team to the great Dutch teams of the 90's/00's....they don't have anyone the level of Koeman, Gullitt, Rijkaard, Van Basten, Davids, Seedorf, Van Persie, Robben, Sneijder, etc.

[YayNJ]

van Dijk has been named a FIFPRO XI three times. Three time European team of the year, and three time Champions League XI - What's that got to do with EPL hype?

[DCUnited96]

Let's not forget '22 Holland may have advanced with a different refereeing situation. Argentina's shorts are still smoldering from the Weghorst goal.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

The variance in a single elimination tournament is super high. Look at March Madness, look at prior World Cups.

Nobody thinks Morocco, Turkey, South Korea were one of the 3-4 best teams in the world.

The USMNT has as good a chance if not better, at home, as any of those 3 teams to make a deep run to the QF or beyond.

Agree with Yiguiri, you can have a very good team with GGG or a better coach and still lose in the QFs to Argy or France by a 2-1 or 1-0 score. GGG coached fine last Cup, we just weren't as good as Holland, and we missed our chance to go up 1-0 on them.

It's also a lot about luck and bracket.

I think Morocco end up proving they were a top 10 team, but they made it through in games when they went to penalties or the other team missed many chances. Regardless, they looked like they belonged against Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

That's the main thing this team has to tackle. Prove that you can go head to head with any Top 10 team in the world. Copa America will be a great test for that, specially since there are other teams who can be considered Top 20 (Ecuador/Colombia).

[yiguiri2002]

Also, if any team got lucky last WC, it was Croatia. Lukaku having a highlight of missed goals and scoring in their only chance against Brazil.

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

It's also a lot about luck and bracket.
... Prove that you can go head to head with any Top 10 team in the world.

Yes, and this team has to be able to show that they can, but USMNT has demonstrated that plenty in the past: 2 WC draws v England [totally outplayed them last time], drew Italy WC champs down a man, beat the unbeatable Spainards in the Confederations Cup 2-0 who had 10/11 starters playing, went to AET with prime Belgium in WC KO, drew Portugal after leading the whole game, completely outplayed Germany in a WC QF where the ref gifted the game to the Germans after not calling Frings' handball on the goal-line when the US had outplayed them completely, etc.

Just because the youngest team at the last WC hasn't done it yet [advance in KO stage] doesn't mean they can't.

Even had they scored the early goal and beaten Holland, they weren't beating Argy and then the same ol' dim complainers would say Holland wasn't any good anyway.

It's a total no-win situation until they hoist the trophy some day in the future.

[mfw13]

USA 1-1 Brazil......went toe to toe with the Selecao and held our own....end-to-end match with both sides having numerous chances for a winner, and both keepers had outstanding matches.

Night and day performance as compared to the Colombia match.....Scally kept Vini Jr. under control, positioning was excellent, and just about everyone on the pitch for the USA had a strong match.

[mikee1186]

It’s a funny old game. Feels like a win. Strong performance. Scally really was excellent. Lots of positives going into copa.

[yiguiri2002]

I don't want to be a party pooper but am I the only one that thinks Brazil is a little overrated? They haven't looked great in the qualifiers and they barely beat Mexico.

Great result but I think Brazil might be slightly under Argentina and Uruguay

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I don't want to be a party pooper but am I the only one that thinks Brazil is a little overrated? They haven't looked great in the qualifiers and they barely beat Mexico.

Great result but I think Brazil might be slightly under Argentina and Uruguay

Brazil haven't been Brazil for a very long time, but they are still a machine.

[j0shuab]

Just an appreciation post for Tim Ream, such a calming presence in the back, especially with the ball at his feet. His time as an EPL starter is probably over, and this summer is likely his last run with the US, but it's a good reminder that some players bloom very late.

[Giroux]

Very solid performance last night. Beautiful goal by Pulisic

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Brazil haven't been Brazil for a very long time, but they are still a machine.

Disagree, Tite had them playing at a high level. They had a subpar game against Croatia and got unlucky.

This squad is "struggling" in the qualifiers, doesn't look the same.

[Giroux]

Wow Pulisic!!!!

[LittleJimmies]

Overall I think US played good, not great last night. Hard to gather much if anything from the game though since the US was clearly so much better than Bolivia. Just wished the finishing was much better. Pulisic's goal was awesome though, I didn't think he had that shot in him. Expect more of the same against Panama and then the tournament really starts for them against Uruguay. Next week is going to be a lot of fun.

[Chrominator]

What's the best option for streaming these games while at work?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Chrominator

What's the best option for streaming these games while at work?

Fox Sports app....

[wilsonsingles]

Originally Posted by j0shuab

Just an appreciation post for Tim Ream, such a calming presence in the back, especially with the ball at his feet. His time as an EPL starter is probably over, and this summer is likely his last run with the US, but it's a good reminder that some players bloom very late.

I like Tim, but every game he seems to have two horrendous misplays that lead to goals or near goals.

The U.S. also does not have the finishers to win the big pressure games unfortunately.

Otherwise I do believe the US could win their group and win at least one game after that.

[wilsonsingles]

The US is going to have a much tougher time against Panama.
Could easily be a draw if they don't play well.

[kingb22]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

Overall I think US played good, not great last night. Hard to gather much if anything from the game though since the US was clearly so much better than Bolivia. Just wished the finishing was much better. Pulisic's goal was awesome though, I didn't think he had that shot in him. Expect more of the same against Panama and then the tournament really starts for them against Uruguay. Next week is going to be a lot of fun.

I thought the US played great except for finishing and the play in the box. Understanding that Bolivia is a weak South American team, the domination was pretty comprehensive. Striker is still a concern - Pepi came on and had great movement but finishing was poor, while Balogun took one of his chances but his touches in the box were pretty loose.

[kingb22]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Brazil haven't been Brazil for a very long time, but they are still a machine.

I think if I had been in charge of Brazil I wouldn't have offered Carlo Ancelotti whatever he wanted before he renewed his contract to coach them. Brazil is such a difficult task to bring a system that can balance the team without throttling too much of the talent.