I appreciated Sam's rundown of the club issues all our guys are facing. It's wild how much turmoil it is right before the World Cup, exactly when we wanted all our guys to be settled, in form, and playing real minutes for their clubs.
Sam, the fanbase's attitude towards Jesus isn't a mystery. The fans don't respect Gregg. They hated the fact that Gregg brought in Jesus to play striker when he wasn't playing as a striker for his club team. More evidence of Gregg's bafoonery. Then Jesus seemed to confirm their feelings by missing a ton of chances. That's it. That's all it is.
Exactly this. The attitude is a reflection of people hating GGG's insistence on hammering square pegs into round holes. Jesus is a solid player being asked to play a role he's not suited for on the USMNT.
I take your guys points and it def tracks. Minus the Grenada game he's a below avg goal scorer. My issue is that he's not clinical enuff on the international stage. Full stop.
I fully agree with your criticism of the USMNT players and their current form, in particular. But one of my greatest frustrations is that Gregg's selections for the team, despite whatever he says, seem to completely ignore player form. He has his guys, and that is that. When I see two terrible performances in a row (and a bunch of mediocre ones before that) I can't even tell whether it's poor form or a poor system. I feel like we have learned SO LITTLE from this entire pool of pre-world cup games.
I feel your pain, Sam. I'm becoming more and more apathetic towards the USMNT's involvement in the WC. Maybe I'm lowering the bar in my mind now to avoid a deep sense of disappointment once it's all said and done. Honestly, I'm just looking forward to GGG being sacked after the US fails to get out of the group stage. Let this waste of a WC cycle be over 😭
That was my favorite part about the kits. Nike was "paying homage" to other sports like football and hockey. WTF? The world cup is literally a global celebration of SOCCER! In no way do we need to bring throwball, baseball, or hockey into this.
I understand that no one played well, but the "system" does no one a favor. The "system" does not have a plan B. The "system" does not have the backline to be executed. The "system" is above the team. I think the blame is 70 30. 70% coaching staff and 30%. players. We need a plan that complements the players. If we still lose then that's when I'll start looking at the players differently.
Berhalter simply does not put the players in situations to succeed. Like others have said, he tries hammering square pegs into round holes. It’s insanity.
I feel like the reason that Jesus is so maligned is that he’s a poster boy for Gregg’s “system” and he’s largely failed. I like Ferreira, but if he can only score against Granada, we need to start asking questions about him. Between frustrations with Gregg, and frustrations with his lack of production, Ferreira gets a bad rep
@@PersianImm0rtal One of the best strikers in Europe? What are you smoking, he's not even considered a good player, by not being good I mean he's just an average player, but yes, compared to the US he's world class.
But where is Berhalter’s rallying halftime speech, where he motivates US players who are going through hard times at their clubs? He’s no Pep Guardiola!
I feel your pain, Sam. Here's a transcript of me talking with my son after the recent game. Son: Dad, what are we having for dinner? Me: (to himself) ... damned Berhalter ... Son: Dad, what are we having for dinner? Me: Huh? What? Son: I said what are we having for dinner? Me: Nothing. Son: Nothing?! Me: What's the point in eating? Son: But I'm hungry. Me: Me too, son. Hungry for a creative midfield, for a manager who can get the best out of this team, for ... (looks wistfully out the window) Son: So what are we having? Me: .... McDonalds.
So I understands Sam's comments about the issues at the club level for most of our players. So then the US calls them in and Greg plays them out of position and ask them to do things they aren't capable, This along with the refusal to make tactical changes during the game makes for an inept under performing team. Thereby further hurting our players pool emotional stability. Please don't give US Soccer Federation or Greg a pass.
Put my hand up, as well. I was a big believer in Hoppe. It'll take a pretty dramatic turnaround in his career for him to be a good, solid striker in a Top 5 league
Sam you’re hilarious, you talked about Ferreira like he was the next Ronaldo, using your own words about Hoppe, let’s slow down buddy. Ferreira is not a 9 that’s the big reason why people are not happy. He’s not putting away big chances. It’s that simple man lol. It has nothing to do with his off the field personality.
It’s actually kinda weird that your looking at off the field excuses instead of how he performs. I will say tho gregg isn’t doing him any favors playing him as a 9 when he’s clearly not one. I will also note that I believe he should be on the team just not as a 9.
SAM oh Sam I am right there with ya. I felt exactly like you did. We all need to join in solidarity a moment of (only a moment though) depression. Then pick ourselves up and jump back on board the USMNT train.
The US has always overperformed in the WC, and we the fans always felt that they would. This time around? I am not feeling it man, and I'm not feeling that the fans are feeling it. Alot of that is coming from the body language of the players and the so-called team management from greg b.
We didn't overperform in '98, '06, or '18. So it was just '94, '00, '10, & '14. So about half the time. They reverted to the mean. It remains to be seen this time. We've had a lot of crappy friendlies this cycle, then were much better when it counted in down the stretch of official comps. I think he simplifies things at that point, after using less important matches to tinker.
Love your and Sam's videos, Jake. Question. Knowing as much as you do about tactics and strategy and the strengths and weaknesses of our talent pool right now, what do you think should our team look formation-wise, and how we should play versus different types of teams? Do you think the 4-3-3 that GGG prefers is what we should be playing? I don't really know enough about soccer strategy/tactics, but it seems to me that we have a few very talented players who would be effective as 10's, but GGG doesn't seem to like 10's and it's a position that seems to have sort of become out of favor lately...
To be honest the 10 has kind of gone away across the entire world in soccer. Coaches have found much more success using their high press to create attacking advantages without relying on one player. Our team could work in multiple different formations and tactics - I think what’s missing is we don’t play in a way that is simple or easy to understand. Usually that’s fine for clubs but national teams don’t have time to develop that skillset. Players have muscle memories and do things without thinking that require them to stop and think in Gregg’s system. Again I’m not saying it’s bad it’s just a lot for a national team. Our squad could use a 433. 4231, 442 or mostly any other formation to be successful, but they just need to be comfortable in their role. I don’t think that’s happening right now.
Great conversation from two guys I enjoy listening to. I for one don't think unreasonable fan expectations are driving anything at all, other than maybe a bit of delusional thinking with respect to Pulisic's deserved place at Chelsea. I think the players did their part to set fan expectations with their excellent performances all over Europe for some of the best teams in the world. Although most of those guys are not in the same form now as they were one year ago, the national team should have developed a clear identity with some built-in tactical flexibility over the past four years, and they haven't. They appear to be taking huge steps backward at the worst possible time, and that's on the coach
I’ll never understand Sam. Even though he says Berhalter is a bad manager, he defends Berhalter in a big way by blaming the players, but loves Ferreira at striker when he’s a 10 that can’t strike a ball into the net to save his life.
Good lawd... When are you guys going to figure out that kids as young as Pepi and Reyna aren't going to be able to hang with men at the international level, especially when they keep dealing with repeat injuries manifested from some kind of lack of strength and condition prep in the case of Reyna? Remember Michael Owen? Dembele? Their kinesiology isn't adjusted to their sport as well as R7 or Messi's. Once that hamstring goes, it takes a total re-shuffle of everything about the way that player plays and trains. How was it that you saw something you didn't expect?
I agree about players being overrated by the fanbase. Long, Roldan, Arriola, Morris are extremely overrated by the fanbase. Acosta, Zim and Jesus to a lesser extent too. Now about Jesus he was a part of the u23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics. He didn't perform well and missed many chances (something he would go on to continue to do with the senior team)
Overrated 1's by base are who get dragged thru coals, in part due to league association, even though some have performed well for the nat'l team subjectively or objectively: Zim was 1 of top players in metrics in qualifying & pre 2nd injury Morris was our #1 producer for years adjusted for comp & minutes? You overrate players simply for the circumstance of being in Europe. Have glossed over what they said about how lackluster they've been, to adjust current expectations accordingly. Have jumped gun on future.
If people think that it's just a coincidence that so many players on the USMNT are struggling a head of the World Cup your crazy. I saw this coming months ago because so many people don't want to see the US do well in the World Cup. Go back 2 yrs ago and many of our guys were having career years.
@Channel Name that’s fine his criminal brother should be held accountable for the clear conflict of interest in being USSFs CFO while hiring his brother as the coach with a subpar resume.
@Channel Name his record against WC opponents is 1-3-3 with 3 goals all against Morocco in 1 game our only win. He got smoked in Panama, smoked in Costa Rica, almost lost in Honduras, and registered 1 point against Canada in WCQ, however he has had the most talent of any US manager in history and completely squandered multiple opportunities, we’re now finished with WC prep and you can’t tell me what the system actually is or any evidence that it works.
@Channel Name when your captain runs off the field and doesn’t even acknowledge the coach due to frustration that’s telling, the guys a fucking nerd who was never qualified for this job, you can’t sit here and tell me he would’ve got the job if his brother wasn’t the CFO he never finished higher than 4th in MLS and finished as low as 17th with a club that won MLS cup the year after he left 😂 he got fired from a Swedish second division team for not being able to score, guess what against decent oppression (not third world Concacaf) we can’t score.
@Channel Name honestly I would’ve agreed before this camp but just getting in a manager whose willing to simplify our way of play and even focus in on counter attacking I think would give us a better chance of advancing, Japan put on tape exactly how to disrupt Gregg’s “system” Wales and Iran will now have 50+ days to lock in on it hell Saudi Arabia is a low block team they played a high line against us because they knew the US couldn’t create due to system limitations.
@Channel Name it was unacceptable for US soccer to move forward with Gregg after the first half of WCQ if we’re being honest but the fact that we have to sacrifice 4 years of our pools potential to “give gregg a fair shot” is horse shit and someone needs held accountable
I will give you both some hope. The last two games are like NFL preseason games. The purpose was for final roster selections and also not to give video for WC opponents to prepare. The players that already locked on the WC roster didn't want to risk getting hurt. Chris Armas and Stu Holden both got hurt in meaningless qualifiers. Neither Japan or Saudia can prepare US for any of the three trams they will face in WC so game planning wouldn't be very productive. Same goes for playing in CONCACAF during qualifying. Some hope ...
There’s just to many examples of the entire team looking bad to blame the players any longer. If 1-2 look bad it’s on them when the entire team struggles to get shots on goal against teams like Saudi Arabia. It’s on the staff and maybe 15% on the players.
Thanks for really putting Sam's feet to the fire on this, Jake. I knew there was something fishy with him the moment I saw such a handsome and likeable guy was a USMNT supporter. He needs to step down from RU-vid and let us *real* fans each keep something from his too-good-to-be-true background. USA! USA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Been saying for a while now that while yes, Tripple G could be doing better with some squad selection and tactics, that a lot of this falls on to the players. Gregg can't go out there and kick the ball for them and it's on the players when they cant do things like string together simple passes. Yes, perhaps the tactics are not helping them, but most these players should be good enough to be able to easily play at a much higher level then what they show with the US. I also think a lot of US fans over rate our player pool, thinking that they are so good that Gregg should have them playing like Man City or something. Fans thing Chris Richards should be one of our starting CBs even though he is a bench player for Crystal Palace and only has 3 US caps. Our only player who is excelling at club right now is Musah, and he is injured. Then, Gregg has had to do all of this after the US missing the World Cup, dropping 99% of the previous player pool, trying to change our culture and play style, being hired 1 1/2 years late into the cycle, having to deal with Covid and now mass injuries. For this whole cycle, it hasn't been players like Lletget and Sam Vines who have always been injured. It's been a constant injury cycle between players like Weah, Pulisic, Dest, Adams, Weston, Gio, etc.
Naw ISWT they be shilling. ESP Davies, he quoted as saying John Brooks wasn’t a loss to NT and Pefok was trash. He be flip flops g too much. Not like these 2 upstanding gents
I still wouldn't give up on Hoppe. He's only 21, and anywhere he's given a chance to play, he's scored goals--even more than Christian did in any given Bundesliga season with fewer matches on a much worse team. Plus the club season is young, and he wasn't in the Middlesbrough academy squad (after scoring 3 goals in 2 games), so he may be moving up to play with the big boys!
We could just as well have crushed these teams and still get wrecked at the WC. I'm glad we got shellacked. Fan expectations are astronomical, our players are over hyped, and the players might be believing the hype at some level. E.g. calling a kid the Brentford Messi while the 7 time Ballon d'Or is still playing, Captain America, "Game changer" Gio Reyna who's always injured. They are talents for sure but we got a ways to go. One thing we found out... another way our press can be beat. Now we know and can correct. Humble pie let's our guys screw their heads on and get in gear. In my view we play worst when we are favorites. So it changes nothing. Berhalter can't play for them and they are pro's who are SO talented, they need to be able to adjust. I just hope the fans mellow out the expectations and hype and it lights a fire under our players asses.
Why Gragg Loves Pulisic Only Why Not to Other Players,Every Time Gragg Is Promoting And Advertisements About Pulisic Only,Gio Reyna And Pepe Is Hundred Times Faster And Better than Pulisic.
So is it fair to a group of players making their living playing for the best leagues in the world to be lead by a coach who’s biggest accomplishment was finishing 4th in the mls? Are the expectations or baseline so Low for Gregg that the hot take or More insightful take is to put it on the players. Pulisic was in worse form last fall and winter at Chelsea and still lead this squad in goals and assists in qualifying and looked very sharp in June. And he wasn’t playing regularly for Chelsea. And in constrast jesus looked great and couldn’t make a breakaway until the Grenada game. Aaron long and Zimmerman have been atrocious even at their clubs and the sloppy form continues with the usmnt and this combined with Greg’s inconsistencies with his ideal game plan and the players that fit that create the biggest factor for disfunction on this squad and not even close. Adams and Aaronson have played terribly for usmnt compared to Leeds. Why? Bc both players belong in a 4231. Aaronson is far far better cam than a winger and Adams truly shines when he had a parallel outlet and skilled same line duel pivot to allow him to take out the other teams central attacking player and dish the ball to when he gets a ball from our CBs bc he can’t receive a ball turn under pressure. He just can’t. Pulsic would be free to Roam more with Aaronson central and be more unpredictable with his movement and the same with gio. If gregg is to all of sudden revert back to building from the back he should lose his job, knowing that he has John brooks and Tim team ready to be called up yet he chooses long and Zim. Do you realize how deflating it is as a winger to see your CBs flounder with a ball like it’s a slippery bar of soap. Or even worse just misplace un pressured passes. All the while knowing, you know the coach isn’t using the right system or tactics and if there isn’t results you( pulisc and Weston, but let’s be real people mean pulsic) then all the blame is on your shoulders. Can we play and execute better? Yes. Sure. But it starts with picking the right people not your favorite people, and setting a formation that will highlight your best players strengths.
You have your favorites. I take it you were fine when he started his former club keeper Steffen all those times over the superior performing Turner while he was in MLS. Just like you endorse starting the worse-performing Brooks & Ream over Zimmerman & MRob. You reek of a new fan, otherwise you'd know we always have a sub-sect of domestic players who are major assets. Or it could be you have 0 understanding of what you're watching, so have to defer on superficial, circumstantial club association.
@@dwreck1971 Yeah... doesn't really seem that way. Seems like a bit of a maturity problem. It's ok... I immediately moved on. This isn't a soccer podcast I can take seriously.
Come on bruh that's not what he said. He said symbols have been co-opted and they have. For instance "Don't tread on me" was connected to US soccer up until 6ish years ago. You figure it out.
@@OfficialWooz I don't have an issue with the Don't Tread On Me flag. If it's consistently flown next to confederate flags and used as a symbol of white supremacist groups then yeah I do.
