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USMNT - The Pochettino era


Well, Mexico deserved the win out of this match. They did everything better - possession, defense, attack.

Hopefully the USA takes a bit of lesson in how hard it really is to play well - and that can show through next year in the World Cup. The US won't have any more competitive matches until WC2026 as they are auto-qualified as host.
 

There just isn't enough quality in that team. The US have no depth right now. The World Cup XI basically has to be picked from about 15 players max and when a ton of those aren't available it is an issue.

Tim Ream we cannot be starting against anyone with any ability. He's well beyond too slow for these kinds of matches.
 
There just isn't enough quality in that team. The US have no depth right now. The World Cup XI basically has to be picked from about 15 players max and when a ton of those aren't available it is an issue.

Tim Ream we cannot be starting against anyone with any ability. He's well beyond too slow for these kinds of matches.
Maybe with Ream, but no one else is stepping up. McKenzie and Robinson can’t like their chances now. Who else? Vickers? Trusty? Ream is starting matches because he’s much better than those guys.

Other than CB there’s enough talent to fill a good 26 man squad. Most of these guys won’t be on it however.

And Mexico played well but geez…they can’t like their chances next summer if that’s the best they have.
 
There just isn't enough quality in that team. The US have no depth right now. The World Cup XI basically has to be picked from about 15 players max and when a ton of those aren't available it is an issue.

Tim Ream we cannot be starting against anyone with any ability. He's well beyond too slow for these kinds of matches.
Real played well. As did Richards. Problem was there were just too many above average MLS types out there. Freeman, Agymang, Berhalter, de la Torre…even Luna tonight. Just not at the level needed for next summer.
 
Real played well. As did Richards. Problem was there were just too many above average MLS types out there. Freeman, Agymang, Berhalter, de la Torre…even Luna tonight. Just not at the level needed for next summer.
Part of the reason they end up so deep all the time is Ream just cannot move and cover any amount of space against opposition like this. It is imperative that someone else partners Richards.
 

Maybe with Ream, but no one else is stepping up. McKenzie and Robinson can’t like their chances now. Who else? Vickers? Trusty? Ream is starting matches because he’s much better than those guys.

Other than CB there’s enough talent to fill a good 26 man squad. Most of these guys won’t be on it however.

And Mexico played well but geez…they can’t like their chances next summer if that’s the best they have.
What starting Ream prevents you from doing is bad enough to risk the mistakes some of those other guys might make.
 
Real played well. As did Richards. Problem was there were just too many above average MLS types out there. Freeman, Agymang, Berhalter, de la Torre…even Luna tonight. Just not at the level needed for next summer.
The sooner Don Garber gets pushed out, the better for US Soccer, so we can get over this absolute myth of MLS being a developmental league. 58% of the players in MLS are from other countries, and probably 80% or more of the designated players. Not only does that mean fewer spots for American players, but the ones that do get there are often only counted on to do a job. That’s not a great way to build depth in your talent pool.
 
Part of the reason they end up so deep all the time is Ream just cannot move and cover any amount of space against opposition like this. It is imperative that someone else partners Richards.

They played a tight 442, anyone who's watched Everton under Dyche and Allardyce understood the strategy. They weren't going to play any differently with Robinson or McKenzie in the lineup. And the US were fine until someone decided to remove themselves from the shape (Adams).

And honestly, I'm listening and reading some of the post-match commentary, I don't think we were really beaten that badly? If anything, we had two very good chances to score, I'm not sure that Mexico really created a ton other than some weak outside shots and bad angle crosses. The US didn't create anything really than those two chances, but to me that's more down to the attacking talent.
 
The sooner Don Garber gets pushed out, the better for US Soccer, so we can get over this absolute myth of MLS being a developmental league. 58% of the players in MLS are from other countries, and probably 80% or more of the designated players. Not only does that mean fewer spots for American players, but the ones that do get there are often only counted on to do a job. That’s not a great way to build depth in your talent pool.

I live in Orlando, I looked at their squad for the last match and was almost appalled.

Having said that, a few of the MLS academies have done a great job of developing talent, just not for the league.
 
They played a tight 442, anyone who's watched Everton under Dyche and Allardyce understood the strategy. They weren't going to play any differently with Robinson or McKenzie in the lineup. And the US were fine until someone decided to remove themselves from the shape (Adams).

And honestly, I'm listening and reading some of the post-match commentary, I don't think we were really beaten that badly? If anything, we had two very good chances to score, I'm not sure that Mexico really created a ton other than some weak outside shots and bad angle crosses. The US didn't create anything really than those two chances, but to me that's more down to the attacking talent.
It’s about projecting out though. If Mexico, who really aren’t that good, can stop that side from getting up the pitch at all what are Germany or Spain or whoever it may be going to do?

Most of that side would, god willing, not be playing in a game like that. Ream seems to be the one who played last night with a real chance who also doesn’t look up to it.
 

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