World Cup and European leagues

[Mr.Right]

Did anyone catch the line for Porto at Roma on Tuesday?

Must have been a boon for Porto to win and more so for Porto to advance after 1st leg 1-1 draw. I was disappointed with Roma's total lack of discipline and 2 vicious late tackles that were 2 Red Cards outright and wwere down to 9 men by the 50th minute. Fun game to watch anyway

[Mr.Right]

These 2 Bolivia forfeits for using an ineligible player has really brought everyone besides Bolivia and Venezuela into the Commebol table. It really is wide open for qualifying with Uruguay and Brazil the only 2 teams looking safe.

Side Note----If Klinsmann cannot get a point at Costa Rica tonight he might be finished as the US would be i a serious hole. Hopefully, not only does Klinsmann go but I agree with Herculez Gomez that the real change needed is to get rid of Sunil Gulati who has made a massive mess of the whole US development system and National teams.

[Domino1195]

These 2 Bolivia forfeits for using an ineligible player has really brought everyone besides Bolivia and Venezuela into the Commebol table. It really is wide open for qualifying with Uruguay and Brazil the only 2 teams looking safe.

Side Note----If Klinsmann cannot get a point at Costa Rica tonight he might be finished as the US would be i a serious hole. Hopefully, not only does Klinsmann go but I agree with Herculez Gomez that the real change needed is to get rid of Sunil Gulati who has made a massive mess of the whole US development system and National teams.

Gulati said he does not anticipate making a change during the Hex.  Agreed about Gulati -several articles about what Icleand has done with its national soccer program - a country 1/10th our size - shows how it can be done.

We've had academies how many years now - and how many academy players are on our national team?

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

These 2 Bolivia forfeits for using an ineligible player has really brought everyone besides Bolivia and Venezuela into the Commebol table. It really is wide open for qualifying with Uruguay and Brazil the only 2 teams looking safe.

Side Note----If Klinsmann cannot get a point at Costa Rica tonight he might be finished as the US would be i a serious hole. Hopefully, not only does Klinsmann go but I agree with Herculez Gomez that the real change needed is to get rid of Sunil Gulati who has made a massive mess of the whole US development system and National teams.

Gulati said he does not anticipate making a change during the Hex.  Agreed about Gulati -several articles about what Icleand has done with its national soccer program - a country 1/10th our size - shows how it can be done.

We've had academies how many years now - and how many academy players are on our national team?

Iceland is only 1/10th our size? Must have been a whole lot of babies made during their Euro run It's actually more like 1/1000th (just under 320M vs just over 320k)
To the game... 0-4... ouch. The good news is 2 of what should be the 3 hardest games are behind us... the bad news is the US doesn't inspire hope for the easier games.

[NJrexSoccer03]

These 2 Bolivia forfeits for using an ineligible player has really brought everyone besides Bolivia and Venezuela into the Commebol table. It really is wide open for qualifying with Uruguay and Brazil the only 2 teams looking safe.

Side Note----If Klinsmann cannot get a point at Costa Rica tonight he might be finished as the US would be i a serious hole. Hopefully, not only does Klinsmann go but I agree with Herculez Gomez that the real change needed is to get rid of Sunil Gulati who has made a massive mess of the whole US development system and National teams.

Although USA has lost both opening games they are not in a serious hole at all. The Top 3 Automatically qualify and 4th place gets a play in game against an Asian country like a Saudi Arabi. With 24 points left out there with 8 games to play they probably need 12 points(if that) to secure probably that 4th spot.

On the other side of your comment. I think Klinsmann will be done after tonight if the US Federation gets it right. Not only did his players look to give up on him it seemed as though he gave up on the team. Why is he taking Pulisic out with 20 minutes left in the game. Gooch is not a bad player but take Jermaine Jones out, take an outside back out and move Fabian Johnson back if you still want 4 in the back. Johnson could still get forward.

We need to find guys who can replace Jones and Bradley but I think you need to start with Jones first. Jones is never in the right position. He is always out of shape and leaving Bradley to defend for himself. Who is that player though? Gooch, Bedoya, Kleijsten?

I honestly think that would be better off playing a 3-5-2 but I will call it a 5-3-2 for the USA. I honestly thought Klinsmann was on the right track with the formation change we just couldn't handle it defensively which is why I think I'd rather call it a 5-3-2.

Not sure how this attempt below will come out once this gets posted but this is a better option(don't get to caught up with the 3 center backs(these guys could be anyone in my opinion as our backs aren't that great)

                     Howard
        Brooks, Chandler, Orozco
Yedlin                                     Fabian
              Bradley  Jones
                     Pulisic
         Wood               Altidore

[Domino1195]

It isn't a matter of formation or players - this is a systemic problem that US Soccer has avoided addressing since I first played in 1965. We have occassionally shown commitment to developing our national game, but we panic and revert to the Passport concept of building a team.  Klinsmann has set us back 50 years with his reliance on non US-raised players.  There is no chemistry, there is no identity and there is no passion to play for a country that you barely spent any time in as a developing player.  Hell - Gonzalez was born here and he has ZERO passion - way to bust your ass getting to the ball last night D-head.

Poor math on the Iceland population - actually makes a stronger case against what is passing as"development" in this country! Just as I ask all my son's teammates to watch the games over the next two weeks - so they can see HOW to win a college championship - and it won't be Barca pinging the ball around for 90 minutes (but I hope less criminal than UMASS Boston's approach) - I use Iceland's victory over England as THE way the US could play, as THE way we could establish a US identity - with, perhaps a bit more style and flair reflecting our strong Latin populations.  The work rate of our team last night was disgusting . . .

My poster boy for this point is Mobi Fehr.  Born to two non-US parent who were in NYC on work visas - moved to Japan when he was 6 - gets a spot on the US U-17 national team never having played a minute in the US.  Way to send a message to the millions of kids playing in the US.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/mobi-fehr

[Mr.Right]

I totally agree Domino...+1

[NJrexSoccer03]

It isn't a matter of formation or players - this is a systemic problem that US Soccer has avoided addressing since I first played in 1965. We have occassionally shown commitment to developing our national game, but we panic and revert to the Passport concept of building a team.  Klinsmann has set us back 50 years with his reliance on non US-raised players.  There is no chemistry, there is no identity and there is no passion to play for a country that you barely spent any time in as a developing player.  Hell - Gonzalez was born here and he has ZERO passion - way to bust your ass getting to the ball last night D-head.

Poor math on the Iceland population - actually makes a stronger case against what is passing as"development" in this country! Just as I ask all my son's teammates to watch the games over the next two weeks - so they can see HOW to win a college championship - and it won't be Barca pinging the ball around for 90 minutes (but I hope less criminal than UMASS Boston's approach) - I use Iceland's victory over England as THE way the US could play, as THE way we could establish a US identity - with, perhaps a bit more style and flair reflecting our strong Latin populations.  The work rate of our team last night was disgusting . . .

My poster boy for this point is Mobi Fehr.  Born to two non-US parent who were in NYC on work visas - moved to Japan when he was 6 - gets a spot on the US U-17 national team never having played a minute in the US.  Way to send a message to the millions of kids playing in the US.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/mobi-fehr

I don't disagree with your comments that we have to develop our youth and I think the systems are sort of in place in some areas they just don't have the backing like other countries because soccer doesn't really matter here. It's just like the MLS. Its not really that well supported. Yes attendance is up per the media but those statistics are inflated as they don't count who goes to games they count how many tickets were sold for games. I'm a season ticker holder for the Union and the turnout is really not that great.

But I ask the question about Mobi Fehr, should a kid not as good as him get the spot on the team? Doesn't that set the team back? He's got citizenship so shouldn't we applaud our USA federation for acknowledging who has talent and working towards the future of our senior team. Although Fehr isn't cap tied yet he can still go play for one of the other countries by bringing him to the youth team it works him towards the USMNT. Aren't we looking to put the best 11 US citizens on the field? Not the best 11 US Citizens who played in the country since they were a little kid? With your opinion does Pulisic fall into the category that should get a shot? He started his youth career overseas and then came to the states to play then left the states. Pulisic has US and Croatian Citizenship. Or are you being selective?

Also if you are giving Gonzalez hell for not sprinting towards the guy than you need to rewind the tape about 15 seconds and see who the real culprit was that caused this goal. Yes, could Gonzalez have closed out a little better. But he was slow to get to the ball because Brooks had yet to get back into a position to defend a cross and he was trying to split the difference(watch Gonzalez look over his shoulder as he is running back to defend). Could they have both done better with their respective assignments. Yes. But they still aren't the ones who are at fault.

The USMNT gave up on Klinsmann last night just like he gave up on them. I've never seen such a poor display by any USMNT in the hustle department. Yes we have had poor results but not any that I can remember where we gave up. It's time for Klinsmann to go!!

[Gray Fox]

I know little about soccer, but I've noticed Mexico changes coaches at the drop of a sombrero.
The new guy seems to have them playing with passion.

[Domino1195]

It isn't a matter of formation or players - this is a systemic problem that US Soccer has avoided addressing since I first played in 1965. We have occassionally shown commitment to developing our national game, but we panic and revert to the Passport concept of building a team.  Klinsmann has set us back 50 years with his reliance on non US-raised players.  There is no chemistry, there is no identity and there is no passion to play for a country that you barely spent any time in as a developing player.  Hell - Gonzalez was born here and he has ZERO passion - way to bust your ass getting to the ball last night D-head.

Poor math on the Iceland population - actually makes a stronger case against what is passing as"development" in this country! Just as I ask all my son's teammates to watch the games over the next two weeks - so they can see HOW to win a college championship - and it won't be Barca pinging the ball around for 90 minutes (but I hope less criminal than UMASS Boston's approach) - I use Iceland's victory over England as THE way the US could play, as THE way we could establish a US identity - with, perhaps a bit more style and flair reflecting our strong Latin populations.  The work rate of our team last night was disgusting . . .

My poster boy for this point is Mobi Fehr.  Born to two non-US parent who were in NYC on work visas - moved to Japan when he was 6 - gets a spot on the US U-17 national team never having played a minute in the US.  Way to send a message to the millions of kids playing in the US.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/mobi-fehr

I don't disagree with your comments that we have to develop our youth and I think the systems are sort of in place in some areas they just don't have the backing like other countries because soccer doesn't really matter here. It's just like the MLS. Its not really that well supported. Yes attendance is up per the media but those statistics are inflated as they don't count who goes to games they count how many tickets were sold for games. I'm a season ticker holder for the Union and the turnout is really not that great.

But I ask the question about Mobi Fehr, should a kid not as good as him get the spot on the team? Doesn't that set the team back? He's got citizenship so shouldn't we applaud our USA federation for acknowledging who has talent and working towards the future of our senior team. Although Fehr isn't cap tied yet he can still go play for one of the other countries by bringing him to the youth team it works him towards the USMNT. Aren't we looking to put the best 11 US citizens on the field? Not the best 11 US Citizens who played in the country since they were a little kid? With your opinion does Pulisic fall into the category that should get a shot? He started his youth career overseas and then came to the states to play then left the states. Pulisic has US and Croatian Citizenship. Or are you being selective?

Also if you are giving Gonzalez hell for not sprinting towards the guy than you need to rewind the tape about 15 seconds and see who the real culprit was that caused this goal. Yes, could Gonzalez have closed out a little better. But he was slow to get to the ball because Brooks had yet to get back into a position to defend a cross and he was trying to split the difference(watch Gonzalez look over his shoulder as he is running back to defend). Could they have both done better with their respective assignments. Yes. But they still aren't the ones who are at fault.

The USMNT gave up on Klinsmann last night just like he gave up on them. I've never seen such a poor display by any USMNT in the hustle department. Yes we have had poor results but not any that I can remember where we gave up. It's time for Klinsmann to go!!

Pulisic lived in England for one year before he was 10 years of age - all his formative playing was achieved in the US.

And I think you're missing the point about Fehr:  he isn't the exception - he is the RULE. That is how the US has built national teams since forever.  The US U-15, U-17 teams change direction with each coach - which seems to be about every two years.  A few years back - can't recall the coach - he was Colombian - the U-15 team was comprised of several Colombians - freshly emigrated - and several other nationalities - freshly emigrated.  Now this team is coached by a Dutchman.

The best 11 NEVER win - the best team does. The best chemistry does.  Only Argentina brings more players into national camp than the US - and for all their talent they still can't win major championships. Who wins? 2014 Germany with the majority of their players from their domestic league - and the bulk of them from Bayern. 2010 Spain - 8 guys from Barcelona, 5 guys from Real Madrid. 80+ games a year playing with the same guys, same system, same style.  2006 Italy - 5 guys from Milan, 5 from Juventus, 3 from Roma - entire team from Italy - playing their game:  Catenaccio - a national style.

US Soccer is a fish chasing a shiny lure.  They have postponed the hard work of establishing the definition: This is US Soccer - and have instead knee-jerked their way through decades of futility and fashion.

[firstplaceloser]

These 2 Bolivia forfeits for using an ineligible player has really brought everyone besides Bolivia and Venezuela into the Commebol table. It really is wide open for qualifying with Uruguay and Brazil the only 2 teams looking safe.

Side Note----If Klinsmann cannot get a point at Costa Rica tonight he might be finished as the US would be i a serious hole. Hopefully, not only does Klinsmann go but I agree with Herculez Gomez that the real change needed is to get rid of Sunil Gulati who has made a massive mess of the whole US development system and National teams.

Gulati said he does not anticipate making a change during the Hex.  Agreed about Gulati -several articles about what Icleand has done with its national soccer program - a country 1/10th our size - shows how it can be done.

We've had academies how many years now - and how many academy players are on our national team?

i want to bring this back up. it seriously angers me how bad the USMNT is. we have 8+ million people and we can't find 11 soccer players better than what he have found now. sorry but i refuse to believe that. we have the world greatest athletes in almost every sport and we still can't
produce good soccer players. come on.

[Mr.Right]

Klinsmann finally FIRED....Sunil hopefully next

[Brother Flounder]

Klinsmann finally FIRED....Sunil hopefully next

Good Point.  Who do you think the next coach will be?

[jknezek]

Klinsmann finally FIRED....Sunil hopefully next

I don't think Sunil Gulati is going anywhere. He holds a good amount of sway in FIFA and, now that CONCACAF is in a different state, there as well. He came through the whole Chuck Blazer fiasco without a smudge on him and both the senior teams have performed well enough with him helming the Federation that there just isn't much cause. Even Klinsmann, as little as I liked him, had the team performing to expectations on the biggest stage. So you can't fire him for failing at FIFA, you can't fire him for being in trouble with CONCACAF like most other Federations, and you can't fire him for his last coaching hires on both sides of the senior level.

There are things that aren't great. The early Olympic exit for the woman, the abject failure of the men's youth teams, the stumbles of the men's team in this qualifying cycle, and the ludicrous and highly corrupt decision to give Qatar the WC over the U.S., but none of that is enough to fire the U.S. Federation head. If the replacement men's coach falls flat, and the women fail on a big stage again, then I think Sunil could be in trouble.

But right now? I think he's very secure. The National Teams have never been, financially, in such good shape, and it is trickling down to MLS. Which isn't making money or prestige waves, but is highly sought after for expansion and fan bases. TV revenue is really the next frontier, but again, most of that is on Garber, not Gulati.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Klinsmann finally FIRED....Sunil hopefully next

I don't think Sunil Gulati is going anywhere. He holds a good amount of sway in FIFA and, now that CONCACAF is in a different state, there as well. He came through the whole Chuck Blazer fiasco without a smudge on him and both the senior teams have performed well enough with him helming the Federation that there just isn't much cause. Even Klinsmann, as little as I liked him, had the team performing to expectations on the biggest stage. So you can't fire him for failing at FIFA, you can't fire him for being in trouble with CONCACAF like most other Federations, and you can't fire him for his last coaching hires on both sides of the senior level.

There are things that aren't great. The early Olympic exit for the woman, the abject failure of the men's youth teams, the stumbles of the men's team in this qualifying cycle, and the ludicrous and highly corrupt decision to give Qatar the WC over the U.S., but none of that is enough to fire the U.S. Federation head. If the replacement men's coach falls flat, and the women fail on a big stage again, then I think Sunil could be in trouble.

But right now? I think he's very secure. The National Teams have never been, financially, in such good shape, and it is trickling down to MLS. Which isn't making money or prestige waves, but is highly sought after for expansion and fan bases. TV revenue is really the next frontier, but again, most of that is on Garber, not Gulati.

I believe jknezek is correct in his assessment, although I, too, wish Sunil would go.  If the USA or North America gets the 2026 WC, Sunil -- deserved or not -- will receive much of the political credit.