World Cup and European leagues

[Little Giant 89]

Lose to TnT and out of the World Cup. 

At the risk of a massive over reaction in a moment of shock and despair.  This is clearly not working, blow it up! 

[madzillagd]

The effort was a disgrace. Scrap everyone 30 and over and start again.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Was bowling tonight so I couldn't watch any of the games but was keeping an eye on the scores. Even at halftime it looked like the US would back their way in with both Panama and Honduras behind.

Maybe we should have sent the USWNT. Still paid less yet they actually win. We've got a while until the 2019 Gold Cup... lots of time to get rid of everyone and start completely fresh. Also, change MLS to a proper pyramid like every other country.

[jknezek]

We aren't going to get a pyramid. These teams are sucking up massive franchise fees and all that goes away if there is rel/pro. That's just a simple fact.

The problem is the U.S. team has always punched above it's weight. They were scrappy and intense because the national team was the best way to get noticed, and getting noticed meant getting a contract in Europe. Now that MLS will splash out stupid money on American names to fill the stands, they don't have to get noticed that way to make a living. So they've gotten complacent as the "stars" have returned to be big fish in a small pond instead of trying to grow into bigger fish in a bigger pond.

I've got nothing against MLS. I enjoy watching it, I've been a Red Bulls fan since the inaugural year of MLS and the empty Giant Stadium Metrostars. MLS has been good for the game in the U.S., and the development academies will continue to improve American soccer. But we are stuck in a rut right now, where MLS is willing to overpay for American "stars" and it's not good for the National Team. As MLS continues to improve as a league, that won't be as big a deal. But somehow we need to convince our players that a fat contract in MLS that assures them starting time and easy competition won't help them grow as players.

It was one of the few things Klinsmann was still right about at the end.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

We aren't going to get a pyramid. These teams are sucking up massive franchise fees and all that goes away if there is rel/pro. That's just a simple fact.

The problem is the U.S. team has always punched above it's weight. They were scrappy and intense because the national team was the best way to get noticed, and getting noticed meant getting a contract in Europe. Now that MLS will splash out stupid money on American names to fill the stands, they don't have to get noticed that way to make a living. So they've gotten complacent as the "stars" have returned to be big fish in a small pond instead of trying to grow into bigger fish in a bigger pond.

I've got nothing against MLS. I enjoy watching it, I've been a Red Bulls fan since the inaugural year of MLS and the empty Giant Stadium Metrostars. MLS has been good for the game in the U.S., and the development academies will continue to improve American soccer. But we are stuck in a rut right now, where MLS is willing to overpay for American "stars" and it's not good for the National Team. As MLS continues to improve as a league, that won't be as big a deal. But somehow we need to convince our players that a fat contract in MLS that assures them starting time and easy competition won't help them grow as players.

It was one of the few things Klinsmann was still right about at the end.

Actually, Klinsmann was probably correct about a lot of things . . .  That being said, the team had stopped playing for him, so it was the right move to let him go.  I hope the changes start at the top.  Important election coming soon.

[jknezek]

We aren't going to get a pyramid. These teams are sucking up massive franchise fees and all that goes away if there is rel/pro. That's just a simple fact.

The problem is the U.S. team has always punched above it's weight. They were scrappy and intense because the national team was the best way to get noticed, and getting noticed meant getting a contract in Europe. Now that MLS will splash out stupid money on American names to fill the stands, they don't have to get noticed that way to make a living. So they've gotten complacent as the "stars" have returned to be big fish in a small pond instead of trying to grow into bigger fish in a bigger pond.

I've got nothing against MLS. I enjoy watching it, I've been a Red Bulls fan since the inaugural year of MLS and the empty Giant Stadium Metrostars. MLS has been good for the game in the U.S., and the development academies will continue to improve American soccer. But we are stuck in a rut right now, where MLS is willing to overpay for American "stars" and it's not good for the National Team. As MLS continues to improve as a league, that won't be as big a deal. But somehow we need to convince our players that a fat contract in MLS that assures them starting time and easy competition won't help them grow as players.

It was one of the few things Klinsmann was still right about at the end.

Actually, Klinsmann was probably correct about a lot of things . . .  That being said, the team had stopped playing for him, so it was the right move to let him go.  I hope the changes start at the top.  Important election coming soon.

100% agree. As for the election, I have a hard time caring. It's an unpaid position and that's a problem. Gulati seems to have served with integrity, which is rare in international soccer. Results have been OK. Hiring JK was exactly what he was supposed to do. Giving him an extension was probably a mistake. Pretty much no coach survives a second cycle at that level because teams tune out. The youth coaches have had some problems, but that seems better now.

I'm not sure a new face in that role will do much better. If it's simply time for Gulati to go, that's fine. But it's hard to imagine anyone can really shake up US Soccer from that role. With MLS pulling one way, youth pulling another, the men's and women's teams pulling different directions, the marketing arm moving a third, and the secondary leagues mostly barely scraping by, it's not so much about the person in that role making massive changes as it is the person in that role not being a corrupt fool since no one is paying them to put up with the hassle.

[deutschfan]

Speaking of new blood-- I am tired of recycled, out of shape coaches like Sigi Schmidt, Bruce Arena, Steve Sampson coming in and out of the USMNT.  Sigi hasn't turned the Galaxy around and Sampson has had unimpressive results at Cal Poly.  You watch the coaching at the Academy level and most of the time the staffs look disinterested conveying a too cool for school attitude.  I am going out of the box on this one.  My vote for the new coach of the USMNT is Justin Serpone.  You can love him or hate him but he gets every ounce out of the players he has and winning is his number 1 priority.  I would have Scott Wiercinski as his Assistant, another coach with real passion. 

[jknezek]

Speaking of new blood-- I am tired of recycled, out of shape coaches like Sigi Schmidt, Bruce Arena, Steve Sampson coming in and out of the USMNT.  Sigi hasn't turned the Galaxy around and Sampson has had unimpressive results at Cal Poly.  You watch the coaching at the Academy level and most of the time the staffs look disinterested conveying a too cool for school attitude.  I am going out of the box on this one.  My vote for the new coach of the USMNT is Justin Serpone.  You can love him or hate him but he gets every ounce out of the players he has and winning is his number 1 priority.  I would have Scott Wiercinski as his Assistant, another coach with real passion.

Hell will freeze over first. Nor do I want our National Team to play kick and run and bash. Great for college ball where players get limited practice over limited years, but useless for long term soccer skills.

At the moment I'm hoping for Gerardo Martino. His players are raving about him at Atlanta United. I don't want Tab Ramos or anyone in the U.S. Youth system right now. Honestly though, I really don't know where to go. Bradley was the obvious successor to Arena the first time, JK was the obvious choice after Bradley, Arena was really the only choice given the position we were in at the beginning of the hex. I don't think there really is any heir apparent right now, and with Gulati dithering over whether he is going to stay, or whether he can win the Feb election, I'm not sure he is the right guy to be picking the next staff.

[Mr.Right]

Speaking of new blood-- I am tired of recycled, out of shape coaches like Sigi Schmidt, Bruce Arena, Steve Sampson coming in and out of the USMNT.  Sigi hasn't turned the Galaxy around and Sampson has had unimpressive results at Cal Poly.  You watch the coaching at the Academy level and most of the time the staffs look disinterested conveying a too cool for school attitude.  I am going out of the box on this one.  My vote for the new coach of the USMNT is Justin Serpone.  You can love him or hate him but he gets every ounce out of the players he has and winning is his number 1 priority.  I would have Scott Wiercinski as his Assistant, another coach with real passion.

LOL...+k for the "sick of these out of shape coaches"..You could fit 4 basket-balls in Sigi's gut..That is embarrassing.

The funniest / craziest most stupid International Hire ever?


Steve Sampson hired by Costa Rica in the late 90's early 2000's. The guy has NO CLUE...His 1998 US squad were a bunch of bums that absolutely QUIT on him during the World Cup in France. Lalas, Wynalda, Freidel, Jones etc QUIT on him. He then somehow turned that MESS into a Costa Rica gig. They caught on quick as I think he was sacked after a couple months.

[Mr.Right]

Speaking of new blood-- I am tired of recycled, out of shape coaches like Sigi Schmidt, Bruce Arena, Steve Sampson coming in and out of the USMNT.  Sigi hasn't turned the Galaxy around and Sampson has had unimpressive results at Cal Poly.  You watch the coaching at the Academy level and most of the time the staffs look disinterested conveying a too cool for school attitude.  I am going out of the box on this one.  My vote for the new coach of the USMNT is Justin Serpone.  You can love him or hate him but he gets every ounce out of the players he has and winning is his number 1 priority.  I would have Scott Wiercinski as his Assistant, another coach with real passion.

Hell will freeze over first. Nor do I want our National Team to play kick and run and bash. Great for college ball where players get limited practice over limited years, but useless for long term soccer skills.

At the moment I'm hoping for Gerardo Martino. His players are raving about him at Atlanta United. I don't want Tab Ramos or anyone in the U.S. Youth system right now. Honestly though, I really don't know where to go. Bradley was the obvious successor to Arena the first time, JK was the obvious choice after Bradley, Arena was really the only choice given the position we were in at the beginning of the hex. I don't think there really is any heir apparent right now, and with Gulati dithering over whether he is going to stay, or whether he can win the Feb election, I'm not sure he is the right guy to be picking the next staff.

Yea Tab Ramos is not the answer....I would love to see them hire a Jorge Sampaoli type...get the new generation playing true futbol..Would be fantastic. I see 3 players on the current roster that will be around for 2022. Pulisic, Yedlin and Wood. The rest are HISTORY...Also, is it me or should Tim Howard saved BOTH of those goals. 4 years ago he would of had the athleticism to back his feet up and get to those balls. He looked slow and old last night. His teammates obviously did not help him but those were weak sauce

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Speaking of new blood-- I am tired of recycled, out of shape coaches like Sigi Schmidt, Bruce Arena, Steve Sampson coming in and out of the USMNT.  Sigi hasn't turned the Galaxy around and Sampson has had unimpressive results at Cal Poly.  You watch the coaching at the Academy level and most of the time the staffs look disinterested conveying a too cool for school attitude.  I am going out of the box on this one.  My vote for the new coach of the USMNT is Justin Serpone.  You can love him or hate him but he gets every ounce out of the players he has and winning is his number 1 priority.  I would have Scott Wiercinski as his Assistant, another coach with real passion.

Hell will freeze over first. Nor do I want our National Team to play kick and run and bash. Great for college ball where players get limited practice over limited years, but useless for long term soccer skills.

At the moment I'm hoping for Gerardo Martino. His players are raving about him at Atlanta United. I don't want Tab Ramos or anyone in the U.S. Youth system right now. Honestly though, I really don't know where to go. Bradley was the obvious successor to Arena the first time, JK was the obvious choice after Bradley, Arena was really the only choice given the position we were in at the beginning of the hex. I don't think there really is any heir apparent right now, and with Gulati dithering over whether he is going to stay, or whether he can win the Feb election, I'm not sure he is the right guy to be picking the next staff.

Yea Tab Ramos is not the answer....I would love to see them hire a Jorge Sampaoli type...get the new generation playing true futbol..Would be fantastic. I see 3 players on the current roster that will be around for 2022. Pulisic, Yedlin and Wood. The rest are HISTORY...Also, is it me or should Tim Howard saved BOTH of those goals. 4 years ago he would of had the athleticism to back his feet up and get to those balls. He looked slow and old last night. His teammates obviously did not help him but those were weak sauce

Agree 100% on Timmy.  First words out of my mouth on both of those goals were "what the hell are you doing Howard?"

[jknezek]

Timmy is the end of my generation. I played him at both the club and h.s. level, knocking his h.s. team out of NJ State Playoffs my senior year in a penalty shootout. No, he wasn't the goalie, he was an all-state midfielder and easily made his pk. We also beat his club team in the State Cup one year when he was in goal, about 3 years prior to the h.s. game when we were playing U15 and prior to his first selection to a youth national team I believe. Played with him several times in tryouts for NJ Olympic Development team. Suffice to say he made the team several times, I always got cut pretty early in the process! So I'm really partial to Tim Howard and some great childhood memories.

That being said, yeah, wasn't good last night, not having a great season with Colorado, and well more than two decades after my glory years ended, this should be it for him and the National Team.

[Little Giant 89]

To JK's point we need a new CEO to take over for Sunil to coordinate all of the disparate constituents.

At 75, he may not want to take on this massive new venture, but what if you could get David Stern interested in the role of President of U.S. Soccer.

In terms of a coach, that person needs to solely be the coach, not the coach and soccer director, the way they tried to work with Jurgen.  Those two jobs are too big for one person.  It seems to me though that you do need a Jurgen type.  You need someone from outside of U.S. Soccer who has a reputation that the players will respect, but who is not beholden to MLS or to NCAA or to the MNT coaches on down the line, or any of the various other domestic constituents.

What about David Wagner at Huddersfield?  Not enough success to earn the players' respect?

[jknezek]

Coaching a national team is a very different job than coaching a professional team. Your time is spent in evaluation, both of your players and opponents, not actually coaching. The players come in to a short camp, that primarily focuses on fitness and team building, and fast installation of a tactical plan. Outside of the Gold Cup and World Cup, you don't get extended time with the players.

A national team coach is primarily a motivator and evaluator. The job of a professional team coach is to manage a team, week in and week out, through a long season. Because someone can do one, does not mean they are suited to the other. Generally you need to be a successful professional coach to become a national team manager, but no one can deny that JK was a much better national team manager than professional coach. His schtick worked in small bursts, but wore out quickly over long exposure. And tactically he just wasn't strong. Again, a shortcoming that can be somewhat hidden as a national team coach, but not week in and out against common opponents.

I'm still unsure where to look for a new national team coach, but I'm not sure a successful professional coach is the best option. One of the reasons Martino keeps coming to mind is because he did do well with a national team and with club teams. I would want that combination more than just a successful pro coach.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Out of 27 possible combinations of results of the US, Honduras, Panama either win, draw, or lose... 22 combinations would have had the US finish 3rd, 4 would have had the US 4th, and just 1 would have the US in 5th

Interestingly the biggest populations have failed to qualify... India, China, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan account for 46% of the worlds population with close to 3.5 billion people yet we have Iceland with it's less than 350,000 people qualified.