Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:44 pm

I hope Pulisic is “ok” if you know what I mean.

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:54 pm

That’s a fucking second goal

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:05 pm

I’m at “Nines”, Robert levandowskis sports bar in Warsaw making a scene.

So much fun!

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:29 pm

US playing too much in own end in second half, similar to change between halves vs Wales…

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:35 pm

I would not have put in Acosta for McKennie. De Le Torre, or even Reyna would have been a better option.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:40 pm

These last 20 minutes will be nerve-wracking.

Can we please get a second goal?!

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:47 pm

Why is Shaq Moore in this game, let alone on the team? Joe Scally would have been a far better choice.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:04 pm

Yes!!! Knock out round. We won in spite of playing not to lose and head scratching decisions by Berhalter.

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:04 pm

Whew!

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:11 pm

Got it done! Only thing that matters. Survive and advance, and getting this group of kids into the knockout round is fantastic. Anything else now is gravy, and great experience for four years from now.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:13 pm

We play The Netherlands in the knockout round.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:20 pm

Someone won't be happy

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:01 pm

No way in any universe was that a penalty.

But going to a 5 back with 18 minutes left was very risky. Glad it worked out and we are moving on.

Ferreira must be asking what it takes to get some playing time. Can't understand Berhalter's love affair with Haji Wright.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:33 pm

I understand the strategy. Our back line is so good in the air and marking that it's going to take a perfect cross for us to give up a goal this way. 270 minutes plus stoppage time and we've given up 1 goal on a PK, that didn't come from a cross. We really can absorb pressure maybe better than any other country.

Still, when we aren't absorbing, we're pressing high, and winning the ball back quickly, and often in good attacking position. It does open us up more for a counter attack, and this is why Berhalter went with a back 5 in the 81st minute. He was betting Iran wouldn't be able to break us down and score if we parked the bus and forced Iran to play desperation crosses and long balls. Thankfully, the gamble paid off.

I hope we don't park the bus against the Netherlands. We have nothing to lose in this game. Let's go for it.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:42 pm

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 4:03 pm

AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:33 pm I understand the strategy. Our back line is so good in the air and marking that it's going to take a perfect cross for us to give up a goal this way. 270 minutes plus stoppage time and we've given up 1 goal on a PK, that didn't come from a cross. We really can absorb pressure maybe better than any other country.

Still, when we aren't absorbing, we're pressing high, and winning the ball back quickly, and often in good attacking position. It does open us up more for a counter attack, and this is why Berhalter went with a back 5 in the 81st minute. He was betting Iran wouldn't be able to break us down and score if we parked the bus and forced Iran to play desperation crosses and long balls. Thankfully, the gamble paid off.

I hope we don't park the bus against the Netherlands. We have nothing to lose in this game. Let's go for it.

Appreciate this breakdown since I’m still not intelligent enough about soccer to put what I’m seeing play out on the field into words.

Feels like we played three games not to lose. Now, as you said, would be a good time to play to win.

Frybry02 · Post by **Frybry02** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:40 pm

Be curious to see the 11 Berhalter rolls out Sunday if Pulisic and Sargent can’t go.

No way can Wright start. Does Ferreira finally get a chance? Weah as a false 9? If so does Reyna finally get a start?
Im curious to see how Musah recovers. He was gassed.

So many questions heading into Saturday

RichardCranium · Post by **RichardCranium** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 10:50 pm

azgreg wrote: ↑Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:55 am

Um...

I didn't know we were playing England in Baseball. When did that happen?

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:28 am

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:13 pm We play The Netherlands in the knockout round.

Take a look at these Ecuador/Netherlands stats. Anything jump out at you? (Check the number of Dutch shots in the game)

https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/633805

I didn’t watch this game, but apparently there are some Dutch midfield problems. Now it’s still the Dutch and they are certainly a much better team talent wise than us, but there does seem to be some issues/things we might be able to target.

Now I did see this Dutch team play in Warsaw a couple months ago (for nations league, I think) and they basically snuffed out Poland completely in a 2-0 win where they looked pretty good, particularly defensively. I’ve got no clue how we score on them; perhaps try to target the misfiring midfield with some turnovers and quick counters?

But a big congrats to the team for making the knockouts!!

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:50 am

Virgil van Dijk might be the best center back in the world. It's already tough for us to score so I see this as a huge problem.

I really want to see Reyna and Ferreira get some minutes.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:40 am

Pulisic is listed as day-to-day, and has said he'll be ready to go. The question is, if Pulisic can't go a full 90, do you start him and play him until he drops? Or do you keep him on the bench and bring him in as a super sub around the 60th minute, and let him go a full, final 30 hard?

I hope Sargeant can go as well. Wright just seems a little too tentative out there, and Sargeant has played well as the target man with his hold-up play, and has created some chances. If Sargeant can't go, we should put in Ferriera over Wright.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:56 am

Congrats to Australia for making the knockout round for only the second time in history.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 1:16 pm

Mexico has a chance. They are still 2 goals behind from qualifying. Still everything has to go right.

gouacats · Post by **gouacats** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:30 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 1:16 pm Mexico has a chance. They are still 2 goals behind from qualifying. Still everything has to go right.

That was an exciting finish!

RichardCranium · Post by **RichardCranium** » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:37 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:56 am Congrats to Australia for making the knockout round for only the second time in history.

Aussie!, Aussie!, Aussie!

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 12:01 pm

When playing the national anthem of Spain I noticed that not a single player was singing along, yet you can hear the fans. I know it is cultural but still seems strange.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:13 pm

Wow! Bonzai!

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:21 pm

Fun games this afternoon. All 4 teams have a legitimate shot at the knockout stage with 25 minutes to go in both matches.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:27 pm

Costa Rica is in with a win or a tie is Spain beats Japan.
Spain is in if they win or tie. If they lose and Costa Rica wins they are out.
Germany is in if they win and Spain wins.
Japan is in if they win or tie (and Germany wins or ties).

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:31 pm

Wow! This table is crazy. Morroco already won their group stage today.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:57 pm

Japan wins the table and their second knockout stage in history.

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:59 pm

Peace out Germans

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 2:40 pm

Japan in by millimeters. The whole of the ball must cross the whole of the line, and with the ball being round, there are cases where the bottom of the ball is out, but the whole ball isn't. Guess that's the case of what happened today to put Japan through, and knock Germany out. Because to me, it looked like the whole ball was out on Japan's second goal. But what's a World Cup without some excitement and controversy.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Dec 01, 2022 3:18 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:57 pm Japan wins the table and their second knockout stage in history.

Is that right" Morocco is the first middle east country to make it out of pool play?

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 7:06 am

One hour!

Some of the articles out there are generally agreeing that we got a shot!!!

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:09 am

Is it me, or are the Dutch way bigger than us?

Loving how aggressive we’ve been so far. Couple good chances.

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am

Well fuck

WildcatStunner · Post by **WildcatStunner** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:19 am

CardiacCats97 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am Well fuck

This

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:46 am

Brutal. They’ve had three good chances and scored on two of them.

WildcatStunner · Post by **WildcatStunner** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:47 am

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:48 am

WildcatStunner wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:47 amDone

Unfortunately it looks like it. The Dutch can just play keep away for 45 and move on. Oh well.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am

Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.

WildcatStunner · Post by **WildcatStunner** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am

AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:20 am

WildcatStunner wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am
AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.
I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.

Please forgive my ignorance, but…

… What is so hard for players at this level (the best in the whole country) to kick the ball at the damn goal??? At least force the goalie/defense block it!!! When one is in the box, and hits it over the goal…. ????

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:39 am

We were so close to having some hope.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:50 am

CardiacCats97 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:39 am We were so close to having some hope.

Could be the team motto!

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:51 am

pc in NM wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:20 am
WildcatStunner wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:54 am
AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:52 am Dutch have the perfect game plan today. Don't give the US space to be creative and force us to break them down as they play 9 guys behind the ball. Simply put, I don't think we can break them down.

Holland got fortunate putting two of their three good chances away. But finishing is the name of the game at this level.
I am by no means an expert when it comes to soccer, but it seems like that has always been the issue with US Soccer, difficulty finishing.
Please forgive my ignorance, but…

… What is so hard for players at this level (the best in the whole country) to kick the ball at the damn goal??? At least force the goalie/defense block it!!! When one is in the box, and hits it over the goal…. ????

One, goal isn't that big. Two, goalies are. Dutch coach is 6'8. Three, stack a bunch of defenders in the box, aka parking the bus, and it isn't easy scoring.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:00 am

Clinical. That's how the press will call the Dutch's effort today. And it's true. We were more athletic, but lack a solid 9 player, and the Dutch have big, strong defenders. The Dutch knew that we'd generate more chances, but on the counter, they will get a couple good ones. Finish 2 of them, and they win. They finished 3.

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:04 am

Feels like we got our ass kicked in the middle of the field, but that’s just my layman’s take.

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:26 am

Back to obscurity in the U.S. for the most boring sport ever invented.

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