Given that the groups are now set, I figure it is time to finally start the World Cup topic.
The way the USMNT has been playing, I fear we struggle to get out of group play.
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I am weirdly optimistic for the czechs.
We look like garbage. Much prefer Burhalter’s style to this guy. It damn near looked like we quit at halftime vs Portugal. A complete waste of my evening.
“Lets be clever and play in front of our goal for 35 minutes”
I’ve seen some stinkers from the USMNT over the years but that second half was the most uninspired 45 minutes I have ever seen in friendly play. I didn’t even think Portugal was revving the motor
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There are gonna be a lotta uninspiring games with this expanded version…
Gee whiz, I can’t wait to see Ghana vs Panama or Cape Verde vs Spain 
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And asked to pay a crazy amount of money if you can even get tickets to see them play.
Do three teams advance now under the new format? If 3, then the US may still be at risk of not advancing.
I am not familiar with Cabo Verde, seems like a church league team from Cabo San Lucas.
Iraqi fans in transit to Monterrey, Mexico for a qualifying match against Bolivia got attacked by a MAGA maniac at the Dallas airport a couple of days ago.
I wonder how many foreign fans will travel here to watch the matches.
Many countries which have qualified are on the president’s no visa list.
Then there is the general global disdain for US tourism these days as well.
Unfortunately, the current political climate will take some of the shine off this otherwise global mega sporting event.
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Best I can do is offer you Germany vs Curaçao (a Caribbean island) at NRG for one $1,500 nosebleed seat.
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You really can’t help yourself and pollute a new thread. Whatever dude.
Regarding the USMNT I am worried about Pochettino. I never liked the hire especially after being dismissed from his previous jobs. If there was a time for Jurgen to come back it would be yesterday. Jurgen was appointed at the wrong time, Funny how history works.
Full disclosure I was with USSOCCER for about six years. I had the amazing chance to be part of teams that really “left it” on the field. The talent was not even close to what it is today but the “heart factor” was 100 times more of what we have now. Tactically I did see some good phases last night but missing basic reads and empty spaces is a major worry. Being naive is one thing. Having a clear shape when you defend and attack is something else. Good teams adjust on the fly and change their shape. We are far, far away from being able to do it effectively. I still do not see a “spine” from this team.
Regarding other teams you clearly understand why they are “effective” They are balanced which is the most difficult thing to achieve in soccer or any team sport.
We have a clear four to five favorites. I obviously have two teams.
A quick note on FIFA for the ones that follow the game.
infantino with major business partners committed a coup by kicking out Michel Platini a few years ago from becoming FIFA President. At the time infantino was assistant to Platini as UEFA President. Platini one of the best of all time was a “players/people” President. By creating a complete lie (Platini was 100% exonerated in court and won damages) infantino took power. This year and with this upcoming World Cup we see what happens with infantino as FIFA’s President.
Ticket prices have never been so high and are blocking the very same people that make soccer the biggest and number one Worldwide sport. What these prices are doing are doing the exact opposite of what we need here. We need low income families to be able to buy tickets. The regional players pool is massive and I am not writing about the pay to pay clubs. This is a massive mistake, maybe the biggest mistake ever to reach an audience that is paramount to reaching the ultimate trophy. Don’t be surprised if ticket prices all of sudden fall the same day of the game.
Link that confirms he was a MAGA maniac please