US @ Panama - World Cup Qualifying
- Thread starter shagcarpetjesus
- Start date
410 Universo should have it … you can learn some spanish while you watch the match.
We are a crap team. Beating a Jamaica B Squad at home 2-0 does not mean we automatically get to make the WC. We played and coached like we thought we could just waltz down there and secure a tie. No urgency at all. Panama throughly deserved the win.
Berhalter's lineup insured this. It was not an external reason. I have to trust Gregg... he's done great things so far. WE beat Jamaica Wednesday, and we're back at the top of the octagonal.
I think Gregg is a great recruiter but is lacking in tactical ability and getting our team ready to play. This isn't the Gold Cup or Nations League, we need to enter every game with a mentality of getting 3 because we are obviously not good enough to just show up and get a result. We had 5 total shots today and 0 on goal, it was the lowest output since 2013 against an average Panama team. The can overcome but now its a must win at home against Costa Rica on Wednesday which will not come easy.
Yeah... I'm not going to defend the end result... But I do think depth matters and he continues to try to grow the youth depth. Have to think this is coaching for not only 2022 but also 2026. Game plan was one point today... That didn't work out.
But fact remains that strategy has gotten us a 14 game unbeaten streak before this, and the best win % of any coach with I've ten games... And that's despite significant injuries to key players and a suspension of a key player.
I think we beat cr by multiple goals. When we come to.play at home, we win these days.
The bolded seems like a dangerous plan for a team that screwed around and missed the last World Cup. Build depth in friendlies and the less meaningful cups, as was done this most recent Gold Cup. Don't screw around with WC Qualifiers....
I think two big differences this year that change that calculus last game:
1) it's octagonal, instead of a hex. 2 easier games on the back end, and a 4th potential spot.
2) USAs start this time is better, and lows them some Flexibility. Last hex, USA started out with two losses to Mexico (that was at home!) and Costa Rica and a -5 gd. The next three they tied, won, and tied, for a total of 5 points, and only a +1 gd.
This time, we are +4 gd and have 8 points at that same juncture. (actually had that a game earlier). This is a better spot to be tooling.
If we don't right the ship against Costa Rica, I'll be much more concerned.
