Bruce Arena Era 2: Electric Boogaloo. USMNT Super Thread

[Rook]

Bradley sucks and always has. Watch the first 10 seconds of this game and he'll put it on display for you. Dempsey shows he's passing it back, Honduras jumps the midfield line early so he knows what they are doing and instead of playing it to the outside back he panics and kicks it to the stands over Pulisic's head. He sucks, he always has.

With 2 up front and Nagbe, Bradley pretty much had to run the entire midfield in hot as hell weather. Bradley was terrible but he was put in a position to not succeed. Now Nagbe has been tracking back but he's a traffic cone in the defensive end that to be honest I don't even know why he bothers to do it.

Gonzales does well at his clubs but he's been abjectly terrible for the national team.

Guzan wasn't a complete liability yesterday but BRAD GUZAN ARE WE REALLY DOING THIS???

Also I know that we have the tendency to sprout a raging hard-on for any U-21 who is the NEXT BIG THING, but really lets put the brakes on this Pulisic is already the greatest american to ever play footie talk. Yes he's a real good prospect, could even be a top 30 player in the world someday and I wouldn't mind him at Everton at all. Just keep the emphasis on someday. He's never been a marked man before and he's never played 60+ matches/year before. As you've seen in the past (Barkley) once a young player starts having some success, coaches, a lot of them who know what they are doing, will find any weakness in your game and exploit the hell out of it.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

With 2 up front and Nagbe, Bradley pretty much had to run the entire midfield in hot as hell weather. Bradley was terrible but he was put in a position to not succeed. Now Nagbe has been tracking back but he's a traffic cone in the defensive end that to be honest I don't even know why he bothers to do it.

Gonzales does well at his clubs but he's been abjectly terrible for the national team.

Guzan wasn't a complete liability yesterday but BRAD GUZAN ARE WE REALLY DOING THIS???

Also I know that we have the tendency to sprout a raging hard-on for any U-21 who is the NEXT BIG THING, but really lets put the brakes on this Pulisic is already the greatest american to ever play footie talk. Yes he's a real good prospect, could even be a top 30 player in the world someday and I wouldn't mind him at Everton at all. Just keep the emphasis on someday. He's never been a marked man before and he's never played 60+ matches/year before. As you've seen in the past (Barkley) once a young player starts having some success, coaches, a lot of them who know what they are doing, will find any weakness in your game and exploit the hell out of it.

I have no idea why Omar continues to get games. The last straw for me was when he loafed after that ball at Costa Rica in the second game of the Hex. He's consistently dreadful for us.

I thought Pulisic was sublime for us in the first half. Did a few things I've never seen from a US player before, ever. Yes, he's not there yet, but he realistically should be the best player we've ever had.

The Zusi experiment is just not working. He was torched the whole first half. It's imperative we have a fit Yedlin for the last two matches.

I have no idea how we escaped with a point in this one. Just good ol' Yank stick to it-iveness. There really is no other reason. At least we're back to having that with Bruce.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

We're horrible. Deserved nothing from that. Don't care.

Yeah, this unfortunately. An awful performance.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Glad I missed this one. Did Arena start Zusi at RB in a 4-man defense? Oh, that's not a smart move and even I can tell that. What's with Fabian? I could see a 5-man back line with Zusi and Fabian on the sides, with Cameron in the middle moving forward (Roberto would like this), but that's a terrible backline with Zusi outside.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Glad I missed this one. Did Arena start Zusi at RB in a 4-man defense? Oh, that's not a smart move and even I can tell that. What's with Fabian? I could see a 5-man back line with Zusi and Fabian on the sides, with Cameron in the middle moving forward (Roberto would like this), but that's a terrible backline with Zusi outside.

Same I missed it but would have been a wreck had I watched it. I find it hard to believe we don't have 4 defenders who can play well in situations like this. It's maddening.

 

[johnnydawg68]

We are poo.

Bobby Wood and Christian Pulisic are good at football. Wood would fit us well I think.

Thought the same thing watching the Costa Rica game. Bias aside, his game would suit Everton down to the ground.

 

[Yank]

they both were gash on the goal, what you said about Zusi is true but Omar could be easily cut the pass out but let it run for some reason then messed up his challenge in the box

I agree completely, I wasn't trying to give Omar a pass I was just puzzled/ frustrated by the lack of effort the positioning of Zusi. I mean that's elementary. I will say I think things like that fall on the players and not Bruce. People used to get on Klinsmann for when things like that happened but I think a coach at that level should be able to assume that guys know they have to fall inside and cover for the man covering for them.

 

[carolinablue232]

Glad I missed this one. Did Arena start Zusi at RB in a 4-man defense? Oh, that's not a smart move and even I can tell that. What's with Fabian? I could see a 5-man back line with Zusi and Fabian on the sides, with Cameron in the middle moving forward (Roberto would like this), but that's a terrible backline with Zusi outside.

Arena's comments were contradictory. He basically said, we knew Honduras was going to be a threat on the wings with their pace, and then he decides to start Zusi (slow), and Beasley (Old and Slow) as our outside backs. I know he promised Fabian he could play midfield, but FFS he had to start yesterday at outside back. Also, not starting Cam makes no sense. Easily our best defender with Brooks injured. If nothing else, start him in the midfield.

 

[carolinablue232]

I have no idea why Omar continues to get games. The last straw for me was when he loafed after that ball at Costa Rica in the second game of the Hex. He's consistently dreadful for us.

I thought Pulisic was sublime for us in the first half. Did a few things I've never seen from a US player before, ever. Yes, he's not there yet, but he realistically should be the best player we've ever had.

The Zusi experiment is just not working. He was torched the whole first half. It's imperative we have a fit Yedlin for the last two matches.

I have no idea how we escaped with a point in this one. Just good ol' Yank stick to it-iveness. There really is no other reason. At least we're back to having that with Bruce.

Pulisic tries soooo hard and tries to do a little too much when he's playing with the national team simply because he has to. He's already figured out that he's the best player out there at 18. Sometimes this leads to him dribbling into problems and making some poor decisions, but at this point I have no issue with that. His support sucks. He and Morris were the only ones that worked hard the entire match yesterday.

 

[Yank]

Pulisic tries soooo hard and tries to do a little too much when he's playing with the national team simply because he has to. He's already figured out that he's the best player out there at 18. Sometimes this leads to him dribbling into problems and making some poor decisions, but at this point I have no issue with that. His support sucks. He and Morris were the only ones that worked hard the entire match yesterday.

Pulisic created the only other two real chances yesterday in my opinion outside of the goal. He has to do that. He also needs to be played more centrally in international play I believe. Personally, I like that he tries too hard. He looked like the only one that actually gave a bleep outside of maybe Morris? yesterday.

With 2 up front and Nagbe, Bradley pretty much had to run the entire midfield in hot as hell weather. Bradley was terrible but he was put in a position to not succeed. Now Nagbe has been tracking back but he's a traffic cone in the defensive end that to be honest I don't even know why he bothers to do it.

This has been the excuse for Bradley for like 5-8 years now. First it was he's not an attacking midfielder, he's a ball winner. Then it was he has to do too much. Then it was it's hard to play him next to Jones, they lack attacking skill. Then it was you can't play him and Jones both as defensive midfielders because it gets too confusing with responsibilities. Now we are back too they are putting too much on him. This guy has had excuses made for him ever since Papa Bradley called him up, he's not good enough. He never was good enough to stay in Europe, and he's not good enough on the international level. I give him credit for his heart but that only gets you so far. The guy is nothing but a glorified cross country runner playing soccer. I'm done with him and I can't wait to never watch him again on the national team. I wish him luck in Toronto but I don't watch that crap, so once he's out of the USMNT I'm happy. We have a central midfielder who can't make easy decisions, what was that free kick restart he took in the first half where he had the Honduran forward ready to press the CB and he still plays it back in our own third. He's awful. Honestly, I don't know if Jones can still cover ground but he was 10x the player Bradley ever was and I'd rather give him a shot. From what I see on ESPNFC though, he never looks good in the MLS though lol.

 

[Rook]

Pulisic created the only other two real chances yesterday in my opinion outside of the goal. He has to do that. He also needs to be played more centrally in international play I believe. Personally, I like that he tries too hard. He looked like the only one that actually gave a bleep outside of maybe Morris? yesterday.



This has been the excuse for Bradley for like 5-8 years now. First it was he's not an attacking midfielder, he's a ball winner. Then it was he has to do too much. Then it was it's hard to play him next to Jones, they lack attacking skill. Then it was you can't play him and Jones both as defensive midfielders because it gets too confusing with responsibilities. Now we are back too they are putting too much on him. This guy has had excuses made for him ever since Papa Bradley called him up, he's not good enough. He never was good enough to stay in Europe, and he's not good enough on the international level. I give him credit for his heart but that only gets you so far. The guy is nothing but a glorified cross country runner playing soccer. I'm done with him and I can't wait to never watch him again on the national team. I wish him luck in Toronto but I don't watch that crap, so once he's out of the USMNT I'm happy. We have a central midfielder who can't make easy decisions, what was that free kick restart he took in the first half where he had the Honduran forward ready to press the CB and he still plays it back in our own third. He's awful. Honestly, I don't know if Jones can still cover ground but he was 10x the player Bradley ever was and I'd rather give him a shot. From what I see on ESPNFC though, he never looks good in the MLS though lol.

Arena was totally clueless against Hounduras. However more than manager the biggest problem is just a plain lack of talent. The USMNT of 8 years ago would have toyed with this current team. Now there are some good prospects, Pulisic, maybe Wood and Yedlin as well. Also a few solid pros (Cameron, Dempsey, Johnson?) However that's it and there is no depth either (watch that Honduras match again). Zusi/Beasley should not be starting at RB/LB for anyone in the hex. A semi-decent midfield distrubutor could start for the USMNT unchallenged for the next decade but we have nothing resembling that kind of player. Our best keeper is still Tim Howard! I mean really we can't produce a keeper anymore?


Bradley has regressed somewhat since he's moved to Toronto (still one of the better players in MLS) but he's sadly the best CM we got. Also he's going to be in that position for another 4-5 years because there isn't anyone out there that could challenge him at his position.

He's a good defender when he can get set and play a more cerebral game. So he does well against teams that play tiki-taka and Italian style of footie. He's also a good goal scorer for a DM. When he gets forward I think his passing in the attacking 1/3rd is decent.

His weaknesses are if you play prem style football and go right at him with pace, he trips over his own 2 feet. Also his passing in middle of the pitch is putrid.

Bradley needs to be partnered with someone like *ack* Joe Allen, i.e. someone who can settle things down and distribute a safe boring pass without turning it over. We don't even have anything resembling a poor man's Joe Allen on the USMNT.

I watched the match from about the 35th minute. And yes Bradley was terrible but so was everybody. We sent a bunch of guys forward (I like this!) but none of them worked together and just tried to play 1v1 or 1v2. Also every time they got dispossesed they all were caught upfield and Honduras had a free run of the midfield. Really the only player entire middle 1/3 of the pitch when Honduras had the ball was Bradley.

Also please no more Nagbe. Bradley-Jones is better than Bradley-Nagbe. Yes keep him on the USMNT because he has a skill set that no one has (dribbling) but for the love of god he should only be used when its like you have nothing to lose.

 

[carolinablue232]

Arena was totally clueless against Hounduras. However more than manager the biggest problem is just a plain lack of talent. The USMNT of 8 years ago would have toyed with this current team. Now there are some good prospects, Pulisic, maybe Wood and Yedlin as well. Also a few solid pros (Cameron, Dempsey, Johnson?) However that's it and there is no depth either (watch that Honduras match again). Zusi/Beasley should not be starting at RB/LB for anyone in the hex. A semi-decent midfield distrubutor could start for the USMNT unchallenged for the next decade but we have nothing resembling that kind of player. Our best keeper is still Tim Howard! I mean really we can't produce a keeper anymore?


Bradley has regressed somewhat since he's moved to Toronto (still one of the better players in MLS) but he's sadly the best CM we got. Also he's going to be in that position for another 4-5 years because there isn't anyone out there that could challenge him at his position.

He's a good defender when he can get set and play a more cerebral game. So he does well against teams that play tiki-taka and Italian style of footie. He's also a good goal scorer for a DM. When he gets forward I think his passing in the attacking 1/3rd is decent.

His weaknesses are if you play prem style football and go right at him with pace, he trips over his own 2 feet. Also his passing in middle of the pitch is putrid.

Bradley needs to be partnered with someone like *ack* Joe Allen, i.e. someone who can settle things down and distribute a safe boring pass without turning it over. We don't even have anything resembling a poor man's Joe Allen on the USMNT.

I watched the match from about the 35th minute. And yes Bradley was terrible but so was everybody. We sent a bunch of guys forward (I like this!) but none of them worked together and just tried to play 1v1 or 1v2. Also every time they got dispossesed they all were caught upfield and Honduras had a free run of the midfield. Really the only player entire middle 1/3 of the pitch when Honduras had the ball was Bradley.

Also please no more Nagbe. Bradley-Jones is better than Bradley-Nagbe. Yes keep him on the USMNT because he has a skill set that no one has (dribbling) but for the love of god he should only be used when its like you have nothing to lose.

You do realize it wasn't a Bradley-Nagbe midfield against Honduras right? Nagbe was out left. Seems you've completely discredited everything Acosta did or just forgot about him all together despite him being more impactful than Mikey was.

 

[Rook]

You do realize it wasn't a Bradley-Nagbe midfield against Honduras right? Nagbe was out left. Seems you've completely discredited everything Acosta did or just forgot about him all together despite him being more impactful than Mikey was.

I didn't see the starting lineup, but Nagbe for the most part pinched in w/ acosta going out wide.

 

[verreauxi]

Alexi Lalas:

“It’s dark days, indeed, but this is a time for leaders to step up,” he said. “And so to the supposed leaders, I will say this: Tim Howard. Tim, the Belgium game ended three years ago. We need you to save the ball now. Geoff Cameron. Clean it up, or let’s get someone who will.

“Clint Dempsey. Yeah, you’re a national team legend; now we need you to be a national team leader. Michael Bradley. The US does not need you to be zen, the US needs you to play better. Jozy Altidore. Is this really as good as it gets? Because it’s still not good enough.”

And, oh, by the way, to all the guys that I didn’t mention, it’s because you don’t even warrant a mention,” he added. “That includes you too, Wonder Boy.”

“So, what are you guys going to do?” Lalas said. “Are you going to continue to be a bunch of soft, underperforming, tattooed millionaires? You are a soccer generation that has been given everything; you are a soccer generation who’s on the verge of squandering everything.”

***
Thoughts?

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

So yeah, I heard Lalas went on the war path?