USMNT/Soccer Thread

BlueRaider22

All-American
Sep 24, 2003
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I am a total newbie to the sport and it scratches that tactical, chess match itch that I like when I'm arm chairing a football game; since I never played soccer I assume that the best way to handle a team that relies on production out of counterattacking is to dominate midfield possession, because that's where your space necessary to kickstart a dangerous counterattack has to come from. You almost have to factor in your attack like floor balance in basketball; overpenetration becomes dangerous.

...if that's the best course to take against an Ecuador I'd think Jermaine Jones being disciplined in his positioning is critical and we'd be very well served to have Nagbe as a CAM in front of Bradley with Bedoya--or Graham Zusi though I don't think that's as likely unless they're in a 4-3-3.


Right on. Good sound tactics there.

Also, regardless of formations, etc, you have to have a general cardinal rule when playing a counter attacking team.......STOP THE BALL. Just like in basketball when you play a fast team, whenever there is an immediate TO, you must press hard with anyone near. Do whatever you can to disrupt and buy time for your team to regroup.....and they better get back in a hurry. Even just getting in someone's way for a half-second can mean the difference between their long ball being off or on-side, etc. Fouls are good options here, provided they aren't in a critical position on the field. In fact, being extremely physical in general is a good way to slow down teams.
 

BigBlueSean_rivals178247

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Oct 23, 2013
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Dont understand why England continues to not start guys like Rashford, Sturridge and Vardy.... So you are telling me the POTY in the BPL isnt good enough to start for your country? Look at what happened today... Insert Vardy and Sturridge....2 goals.
 

WILD20CATS

Redshirt
Feb 5, 2007
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Sterling is the most overrated englishmen since Joe Cole. All speed, no substance. His point blank miss today is not abnormal for him.

How Vardy hasnt started every game is baffling to me. Best player in England right now.
 

BlueRaider22

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I swear that if Jurgen starts messing with the formation and personnel following the tourney.....
 

BigBlueSean_rivals178247

All-Conference
Oct 23, 2013
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I think he will stick with the same formation and slowly start getting guys like Pulisic, Miazga, Nagbe, more minutes....I just don't know if guys like Jermaine Jones are gonna still be able to log the minutes 2 years from now
 

catlanta33

Heisman
Aug 27, 2013
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Other than Bedoya missing Wood for a likely goal, decent attack and defense has been solid. Gotta watch those midfield passes but they've recovered all the bad ones nicely.
 

BigBlueSean_rivals178247

All-Conference
Oct 23, 2013
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15-20 minutes......the first 15 to 20 Ecuador will throw the farm at us.....if we can hold them off....well get a 2nd halfway through and it'll be all she wrote...
 

BBdK

Heisman
Sep 21, 2003
159,783
74,127
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Hope so b/c dad gambol.

Dempsey is such a stud. Looks like the least-futbol dude out there, seems to get a few opps per match, always in position when that time comes, and cashes on the reg. I gather that his time is nearly up, but for now He's like an old, stiff, white, short, tatted up, hungover, buzz-haired, Robert Horry.
 
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BlueRaider22

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Sep 24, 2003
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Bradley infuriates me. He has 1 great game every 4-5 games. The rest of the time he's so-so. And when he makes a mistake they're not small. He just about gave Ecuador the goal at the end of the half.
 

mhroe1984

Heisman
Dec 16, 2007
14,060
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If we win and don't have Jermaine Jones or Bobby Wood against (likely) Argentina it's gonna be incredibly tough to beat them. It would be tough to win with those guys.
 

bluthruandthru

All-Conference
Feb 24, 2009
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Gettin'


 

catlanta33

Heisman
Aug 27, 2013
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***** call but I get it. Thought Jones got the card for the Valencia kick out.

We wouldn't beat Argentina if it was 13 on 11 but sucks we lose both Jones and Wood should the score hold.
 

BlueRaider22

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The announcer is calling for someone like Beckerman to sub in so that they can hunker down and defend. I'm almost more inclined to pull a General Patton and put in Nagbe to attack this early. "Attack all day. Attack all night. Attack tomorrow morning. And if we're not victorious let no one come back alive"
 

BlueRaider22

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I still don't like backing off the gas pedal. We've commanded the whole game because we've been balls to the wall the whole time. I'm worried about backing off.
 

mhroe1984

Heisman
Dec 16, 2007
14,060
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I hate what we're doing right now. It's gone totally defensive. When we do get possession we just boot it way up the field and give it right back to them.