Soccer Thread

[bencrix]

Jermaine Jones (who spent most of his career in the Bundesliga), Bobby Wood (just transferred to Hamberg) and Alejandro Bedoya (Ligue 1, etc.) where all suspended and would be available for the 3rd place game.

[bencrix]

Apparently the UK does as "well" as England.

Ha! Good point. Bale & Ramsey would be useful, though. Also, Johnny Evans, Ashley Williams, etc.

[Adam White]

Apparently the UK does as "well" as England.

Ha! Good point. Bale & Ramsey would be useful, though. Also, Johnny Evans, Ashley Williams, etc.

I think I'd rather see an all-Ireland team (like they do in rugby).

[river4340]

4-0 and the game wasn't really that close. I don't know if we have a single player who would start for Argentina.

[Adam White]

4-0 and the game wasn't really that close. I don't know if we have a single player who would start for Argentina.

Brad Guzan *might* be able to make the bench.

I can't stand Argentina, but they do have some good players.

Edit: they're supposedly the best team in the world (at least according to FIFA), but I will believe that when they actually win something worthwhile (like the 2018 World Cup).

[TimmyB]

A dose of realism is helpful when watching the USMNT.

Well put. The tournament was a success and there is still chance for more in the 3rd place game.

I agree we really missed the disqualified players, but I still think our midfield is at least a generation away from having a tactical chance against a team like today's Argentina.

Amen to that.  Across the board, we were playing two levels or more below Argentina's corresponding player.  Midfield, we might be talking light years difference.

[Adam White]

Well, Ireland just beat Italy in one of the better matches I've seen so far at the Euros. They'll be progressing to the next round as one of the better third place teams.

[Ajax]

Well, Ireland just beat Italy in one of the better matches I've seen so far at the Euros. They'll be progressing to the next round as one of the better third place teams.

Ireland will have their chance to avenge the Thierry Henry handball from a few years ago.  On French soil no less! I can't wait to see that match.

Congrats to Wales and Iceland for making it to the knockout stage.  They've been fun to watch. 

[Adam White]

Vardy to Arsenal on a four year/£20 million contract. Can't quite decide if this makes sense or not.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/arsenal-more-than-most-clubs-in-the-english-game-015712099.html

BBC is saying it hasn't happened, yet.  Vardy still  mulling it over.  Probably wants to see if LC can up his wages to the same level.

He's apparently staying in Leicester!

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/breaking-news-vardy-stay-leicester-091407410.html

[bencrix]

And Deeny is apparently rebuffing Leicester to stay at Watford! I don't know what is happening to the EPL, but I like it!

[RattlerGator]

Michael Bradley is the poster child for America's inferior soccer past (as is Landon Donovan; my goodness, I just don't want to hear a damn thing from him). Bradley is definitely serviceable against all but elite competition but the minute you hit Brazil, Argentina or Chile, etc. -- game over.

Luckily, we have much better athletes in the pipeline and I'm all for letting them play right damn now. Winning 3rd place at Copa America 2016 would be a huge accomplishment.

[bencrix]

Michael Bradley is the poster child for America's inferior soccer past

Maybe a bit harsh, but he was bad against Argentina and clearly can't cope w/ elite (e.g. top 10 sides).

I don't know all the details / motivations, but I think once he left Serie A for MLS - essentially during his prime, we should have been looking for his replacement. I'm all for the development of the MLS, but it is not a place that currently prepares players well for the USMNT.

I think Italy's coach Conte made a statement to that effect when leaving Pirlo, Giovinco, etc. out of their side. I think Jurgen feels that way too and has hinted as much, but must play politics w/ both MLS & US Soccer.

[TimmyB]

Michael Bradley is the poster child for America's inferior soccer past

Maybe a bit harsh, but he was bad against Argentina and clearly can't cope w/ elite (e.g. top 10 sides).

I don't know all the details / motivations, but I think once he left Serie A for MLS - essentially during his prime, we should have been looking for his replacement. I'm all for the development of the MLS, but it is not a place that currently prepares players well for the USMNT.

I think Italy's coach Conte made a statement to that effect when leaving Pirlo, Giovinco, etc. out of their side. I think Jurgen feels that way too and has hinted as much, but must play politics w/ both MLS & US Soccer.

I don't believe it's harsh at all.  The similarities between him and Michael Carrick are enough to make me hurl:  constant back passes, very little inventiveness, and an amazing ability to give away the ball cheaply.  Just like Carrick, I don't want to hear all the loyalty speeches about how much he's given; when it's time to move on, it's time.

[Adam White]

Michael Bradley is the poster child for America's inferior soccer past

Maybe a bit harsh, but he was bad against Argentina and clearly can't cope w/ elite (e.g. top 10 sides).

I don't know all the details / motivations, but I think once he left Serie A for MLS - essentially during his prime, we should have been looking for his replacement. I'm all for the development of the MLS, but it is not a place that currently prepares players well for the USMNT.

I think Italy's coach Conte made a statement to that effect when leaving Pirlo, Giovinco, etc. out of their side. I think Jurgen feels that way too and has hinted as much, but must play politics w/ both MLS & US Soccer.

I don't believe it's harsh at all.  The similarities between him and Michael Carrick are enough to make me hurl:  constant back passes, very little inventiveness, and an amazing ability to give away the ball cheaply.  Just like Carrick, I don't want to hear all the loyalty speeches about how much he's given; when it's time to move on, it's time.

Carrick was brilliant in his day, though.

[Bridges]

Michael Bradley is the poster child for America's inferior soccer past

Maybe a bit harsh, but he was bad against Argentina and clearly can't cope w/ elite (e.g. top 10 sides).

I don't know all the details / motivations, but I think once he left Serie A for MLS - essentially during his prime, we should have been looking for his replacement. I'm all for the development of the MLS, but it is not a place that currently prepares players well for the USMNT.

I think Italy's coach Conte made a statement to that effect when leaving Pirlo, Giovinco, etc. out of their side. I think Jurgen feels that way too and has hinted as much, but must play politics w/ both MLS & US Soccer.

Exactly.  Bradley's regression is tied straight with his return to MLS.  2014 Bradley was instrumental in US WC.  He was the building block, but then he returned to MLS.  It has become painfully obvious that even riding the bench in top leagues is lightyears better for development than starting in the MLS. 

Jurgen definitely feels that way.  He is Gulati's boy though so he has to be very careful about the technical direction he takes US Soccer, because USSF and MLS are almost the same organization. 

If Jurgen could say it, he would start with critiquing our pay-to-play system for youth players, and the lack of proper compensation for training facilites who do train the stars of tomorrow.  Just look at MLS blocking fees for Yedlin.