Poch getting serious:
U20 win groups by “narrowly” beating South Africa and France on GD:
Following South Africa’s victory and France’s 6-0 win over New Caledonia, three teams finished with 6 points in Group E. The U.S. claimed the top spot thanks to a commanding +10 goal differential, narrowly beating South Africa (+5) in second place and France (+4) in third.
Fun fact: overall GD was not the tiebreaker used. US had a +2 GD, SA had 0 GD and France had -2 GD among the matches played against each other.
One plan for success:
But, like Sagnol correctly pointed out – it’s a process. Every year, Spain’s FA starts with the 14-to-15-year-old age group, selects the best 55 players from that generation and then begins to mold them. Tactics, discipline, unity, responsibility.
When I spoke to the then youth coordinator at the Spanish FA, Ginés Melendéz he told me: “From the minute the lads arrive aged 15, right up until they are 20 or 21, we work with them in exactly the same way, with the same training drills, until they become automatic. The boys arrive with plenty of talent but we have to give them order. That’s the two things which defines our football: order and talent.”
So, where are the 55 best 15 year-old players in the USA? (Besides “in Europe at Club Team’s academies.”) And what is this molding process, and will it work on American players as well as Spanish ones?
At this point, you would think the USMNT U20s could get through the quarterfinals of the U20 WC just by chance. Nope, it’s now 7 losses and a draw because of the loss to Serbia in penalties 8 losses there to 8 different countries since the 1989 trip that resulted in a 4th-place finish, with QF losses now in each of the last 5 U20 WCs.
And, it’s kind of a challenge now to lose a 9th QF to a 9th different country.
This guy really tells us what he is (and all of us are already) thinking:
Yeah. He was clearly a rental.
Good match on Saturday.
Now, on to the sound of ultimate suffering, per Poch:
He’s probably not wrong.
That’s an interesting start!
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I don’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen the USMNT have a half where they played this well. Definitely years.
Poached from Tutul Rahman.
This starting squad contains:
5 Current MLS players,
4 Former MLS players,
1 MLS Academy product that went to NASL before Europe,
1 guy who wears Chicago Bulls jerseys to team meetings
Hope Berhalter didn’t get injured. We need him here on Saturday
Um, OK.
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The USMNT have 2 WC tuneups scheduled for March in ATL: Belgium and Portugal.
Looks like I’m going to Belgium.
Every year ATLUTD makes season ticket holders buy one more game than is included in their home schedule. Usually that means they assign that ticket to something like Leagues Cup or US Open Cup. I was pleasantly surprised to hear they partnered with the USMNT to make that the extra game.
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Freeman getting the call-up to The Show:
McKennie not retiring anytime soon.
@ArthurItas : you going to the USA-POR match on 3/31 (or the Belgium one)?
Looks like the grass has been installed, and apparently even newer grass will be installed before WC.
Going to Belgium
Meanwhile, here are ESPN reporters and others’ power rankings:
And here are less-than-expert-USA-honks opining about the USMNT (not on the list
above):
How far does the U.S. have to go for 2026 to be considered a successful World Cup?
Wynalda: Semifinals. Yes, it’s realistic. Worst-case scenario, third-place finish. I know what the 12th man will do for you, and these guys are good. Folarin Balogun just scored two goals against Paris Saint-Germain. I think we’re in a good spot.
Sure, that is realistic. Look, the USMNT now is better than any past team, ever. They are STILL not keeping up with other teams.
Should make it to round of 32, which would require at least a win and a tie, I think. Some mathematical work required to estimate a qualifying 3rd place. 4 points should do it. Best possible third place is 6 points, a three-way tie for first in a Group. Worst possible 3rd place is 1 point, two losses and a draw between third/fourth teams. But each Group is independent from the others. Could have 12 6-pointers, or 12 1-pointers. Simulations might be the best way to go.