Ha
1990 was my big summer eurailing trip.
I was in hofbrauhaus (Munich) too, though I'd have to check the dates.

Thoughts on the USMNT after the last games before player selection:
1. They are going to play soccer even if they are not ready. They played Belgium and Portugal, two very good teams, without taking a step back. Most teams in their situation would play more defensively. Berhalter in the last WC did the same thing. I like it. Play like the team you want to be and maybe eventually you will get there,
2. Unfortunately, while they have a number of good players, they are all supporting players, except maybe McKennie. And Reyna, who has his own issues. To score against top competition you need moments of class, and the US has few of those moments. All the coach can do is to put players in positions to have such moments, and Poch is much better at that than Berhalter.
3. The goalie situation is settled. Freese played a perfect game against Portugal. Turner was a disaster against Belgium.
4. There is a right centerback and his name is Alex Freeman and he is good. Before Portugal I did not see what others said about him.
5. There is no left center back. It is a disaster. Trusty was at fault on the first goal against Portugal. Ream committed a penalty handball and was a disaster against Belgium. I would get creative and try to reposition a midfielder. It could not be any worse.
5. The starting lineup will be (I think and hope) playing a 3-3-2-2
G: Freese
LCB: ?
CCB:Richards
RCB: Freeman
Lwingback: A. Robinson
Rwingback: Weah or Dest (injured)
Dmid: Adams (injured)
Mid: Mckennie
Mid: Tillman
F: Pulisic
F: Balogun
6. I think the Portugal game with Richards and Freese was more representative of the team. The Belgium game they were in the wrong shape and had the wrong backline.
7. I thought they played well against Portugal and had many chances that they lacked the quality to finish. That should not be a problem against Paraguay or Australia. Turkiye will be a shootout with many goals.
8. I think the team is better than 22 but still has little chance of going far even on home soil. Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

sluggo said:

---

Thoughts on the USMNT after the last games before player selection:
1. They are going to play soccer even if they are not ready. They played Belgium and Portugal, two very good teams, without taking a step back. Most teams in their situation would play more defensively. Berhalter in the last WC did the same thing. I like it. Play like the team you want to be and maybe eventually you will get there,
2. Unfortunately, while they have a number of good players, they are all supporting players, except maybe McKennie. And Reyna, who has his own issues. To score against top competition you need moments of class, and the US has few of those moments. All the coach can do is to put players in positions to have such moments, and Poch is much better at that than Berhalter.
3. The goalie situation is settled. Freese played a perfect game against Portugal. Turner was a disaster against Belgium.
4. There is a right centerback and his name is Alex Freeman and he is good. Before Portugal I did not see what others said about him.
5. There is no left center back. It is a disaster. Trusty was at fault on the first goal against Portugal. Ream committed a penalty handball and was a disaster against Belgium. I would get creative and try to reposition a midfielder. It could not be any worse.
5. The starting lineup will be (I think and hope) playing a 3-3-2-2
G: Freese
LCB: ?
CCB:Richards
RCB: Freeman
Lwingback: A. Robinson
Rwingback: Weah or Dest (injured)
Dmid: Adams (injured)
Mid: Mckennie
Mid: Tillman
F: Pulisic
F: Balogun
6. I think the Portugal game with Richards and Freese was more representative of the team. The Belgium game they were in the wrong shape and had the wrong backline.
7. I thought they played well against Portugal and had many chances that they lacked the quality to finish. That should not be a problem against Paraguay or Australia. Turkiye will be a shootout with many goals.
8. I think the team is better than 22 but still has little chance of going far even on home soil. Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

Paraguay finished their round robin WC qual tied for 3rd place with Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, they're not going to be pushovers. This group is up for grabs, 4 evenly matched teams.

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

I don't see the men's team getting to the quarterfinals. That team has no juice.

Got to win the group to make a run, otherwise we would play group winners in the first round of the playoffs.

dajo9 said:

---

I don't see the men's team getting to the quarterfinals. That team has no juice.

---

Yeah, they've been pretty disappointing over this World Cup cycle. Maybe some of that is because they are hosting so don't have to worry about qualifying, but still . . . just generally unimpressive.

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

---

We now play an open, attacking style. Almost all winning teams play that style. It takes more skill. Previously we played defensively and countered. That can win some games but does not make you a serious contender in the tournament. It is progress to get similar results playing this better style.

Cal88 said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Thoughts on the USMNT after the last games before player selection:
1. They are going to play soccer even if they are not ready. They played Belgium and Portugal, two very good teams, without taking a step back. Most teams in their situation would play more defensively. Berhalter in the last WC did the same thing. I like it. Play like the team you want to be and maybe eventually you will get there,
2. Unfortunately, while they have a number of good players, they are all supporting players, except maybe McKennie. And Reyna, who has his own issues. To score against top competition you need moments of class, and the US has few of those moments. All the coach can do is to put players in positions to have such moments, and Poch is much better at that than Berhalter.
3. The goalie situation is settled. Freese played a perfect game against Portugal. Turner was a disaster against Belgium.
4. There is a right centerback and his name is Alex Freeman and he is good. Before Portugal I did not see what others said about him.
5. There is no left center back. It is a disaster. Trusty was at fault on the first goal against Portugal. Ream committed a penalty handball and was a disaster against Belgium. I would get creative and try to reposition a midfielder. It could not be any worse.
5. The starting lineup will be (I think and hope) playing a 3-3-2-2
G: Freese
LCB: ?
CCB:Richards
RCB: Freeman
Lwingback: A. Robinson
Rwingback: Weah or Dest (injured)
Dmid: Adams (injured)
Mid: Mckennie
Mid: Tillman
F: Pulisic
F: Balogun
6. I think the Portugal game with Richards and Freese was more representative of the team. The Belgium game they were in the wrong shape and had the wrong backline.
7. I thought they played well against Portugal and had many chances that they lacked the quality to finish. That should not be a problem against Paraguay or Australia. Turkiye will be a shootout with many goals.
8. I think the team is better than 22 but still has little chance of going far even on home soil. Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

Paraguay finished their round robin WC qual tied for 3rd place with Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, they're not going to be pushovers. This group is up for grabs, 4 evenly matched teams.

---

Without watching qualifying I don't think the teams are even. The US has lots of players at big clubs and their value on transfermarket is probably between 200 and 300 million. There is no way Paraguay or Australia has this quality. The US will have the ball against both teams. Against Turkiye it will be a race back and forth, it should be exciting.

sluggo said:

---

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

---

We now play an open, attacking style. Almost all winning teams play that style. It takes more skill. Previously we played defensively and countered. That can win some games but does not make you a serious contender in the tournament. It is progress to get similar results playing this better style.

---

Interesting perspective. Thx.

Cal88 said:

---

Got to win the group to make a run, otherwise we would play group winners in the first round of the playoffs.

---

From Wikipedia

USA is in group D.

1st in D plays:
3rd place among 3 groups.:
Group E (Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ecuador)
Group I (France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway)
Group K (Portugal, Congo, Uzbekistan, Columbia)

2nd in D plays:
2nd in G. (G = Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand)

It's also possible to advance as 3rd in D, and play 1st in either (same as above)
Group E
Group I
Group K

2nd place doesn't look too bad, Egypt on paper.

Iran is not going to make the trip from what I understand.

As of April 2, 2026, Iran has not been replaced and is still scheduled to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and earlier statements from the Iranian sports ministry suggesting a withdrawal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on March 31, 2026, that "Iran will be at the World Cup" and will play its matches in the United States as originally drawn.

Their group stage games are scheduled for Sofi, Sofi, Lumen Field (LA, LA, Seattle). Those would be anti-Trump and pro-Iran spots for political protests.

Iran has requested the games be moved to Mexico. FIFA says no.


It goes on to say that if Iran can't come, possible replacements could be:

Iraq (but they qualified on their own).
UAE (lost the Iran in the qualifier final).
Italy (a top ranked team)

What a mess!

If USA gets 2nd place, their initial knockout game would be in Arlington Texas.

Can you imagine? USA vs Iran in Texas?
Better there than in a blue state. The maga's would use it as an excuse to slam said blue state.

Length of tournament increased in order accommodate 1 additional round of expansion games.

Tournament - Duration (Days) - Number of Teams

2026 (North America) - 39 days - 48 teams
2022 (Qatar) - 29 days- 32 teams
2018 (Russia) - 32 days -32 teams
2014 (Brazil) - 32 days - 32 teams
1994 (USA) - 31 days - 24 teams

2026 FIFA World Cup Groups ranked from Strongest to Weakest per average Elo rating:

Group I - 1870
Group J - 1843
Group K - 1835
Group D - 1810
Group F - 1803
Group L - 1798
Group H - 1794
Group C - 1776
Group E - 1742
Group G - 1725
Group A - 1720
Group B - 1681


The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking is a system that uses the Elo rating method to rank men's national football teams based on match results. It adds or subtracts points based on the result, relative strength of opponents, and importance of the match (e.g., World Cup vs. friendlies). Adopted in 2018, it replaced previous methods to more accurately reflect team strength.

Among other factors, ELO takes into consideration point differential and importance of games (friendlies count less than tournaments, qualifying).

Premium on team depth, finalists will have to play 9 games, with many potential overtimes in the playoff rounds, and many hot weather venues.

The hot weather will also be an advantage for teams from tropical nations (see the Saudis taking down a very good Belgium team in WC 94)

Quote:

---

During the Saudi Arabia vs. Belgium match at the 1994 World Cup, held on June 29, 1994, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., the temperatures were extremely hot, with on-field conditions reportedly reaching around 100F (38C).

---

Cal88 said:

---

Premium on team depth, finalists will have to play 9 games, with many potential overtimes in the playoff rounds, and many hot weather venues.

---

The US best performance in the modern era was in 2002 when it was very hot. So that could be good. But we also had the advantage then of not just finishing the European like our opponents. But now are players in Europe so that second advantage is gone.

Cal88 said:

---

Premium on team depth, finalists will have to play 9 games, with many potential overtimes in the playoff rounds, and many hot weather venues.

The hot weather will also be an advantage for teams from tropical nations (see the Saudis taking down a very good Belgium team in WC 94)

Quote:

---

During the Saudi Arabia vs. Belgium match at the 1994 World Cup, held on June 29, 1994, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., the temperatures were extremely hot, with on-field conditions reportedly reaching around 100F (38C).

---

---

There were cooling breaks in the recent usmnt friendlies "in order to prepare". I'll have to research this change.


Lol! OF COURSE!!! Hahahaha
Read below my bolded part.

Yes, for the first time, FIFA has announced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in every 2026 World Cup match. These will occur midway through each half to protect players from high temperatures, allowing for hydration and tactical adjustments, regardless of whether the stadium is indoors or outdoors.

Key Details:
Timing: Approximately the 27th minute of the first half and 72nd minute of the second half, with the referee determining the exact moment.

Duration:
Each break lasts three minutes from the whistle.

Purpose:
Mandatory hydration for players and an opportunity for coaches to provide feedback.

Controversy:
The breaks are mandated for all matches, regardless of the actual weather or if a stadium has climate control, which has raised discussions about potential ad-driven motivations, according to this user post.

Current ELOs in US group:
Turkey 14
Paraguay 22
Australia 28
USA 41

https://www.eloratings.net/

Factor in the home advantage, and it's a pretty even field.

Cal88 said:

---

Current ELOs in US group:
Turkey 14
Paraguay 22
Australia 28
USA 41

https://www.eloratings.net/

Factor in the home advantage, and it's a pretty even field.

---

Odd, USA dropped from 14 to 16 following Tuesday's matches in this ranking.



https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men

USA 16
Turkey 22
Australia 27
Paraguay 40

Maybe sluggo can explain

To continue with my FIFA rankings
Pre tournament friendlies:
Portugal 5
Belgium 9
Germany 10
Senegal 14

Looming political matchup:
Iran 23


I love that we scheduled tough opponents. Better than Panama and Honduras again.

concordtom said:

---

Cal88 said:

---

Current ELOs in US group:
Turkey 14
Paraguay 22
Australia 28
USA 41

https://www.eloratings.net/

Factor in the home advantage, and it's a pretty even field.

---

Odd, USA dropped from 14 to 16 following Tuesday's matches in this ranking.



https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men

USA 16
Turkey 22
Australia 27
Paraguay 40

Maybe sluggo can explain

---

Um, the US lost and its ranking decreased?

Honestly, I don't pay attention to these rankings, so I don't know much. I think ELO is considered better than FIFA. USA at 41 is ridiculous, they are much better than that, as I said, I think between 15th and 20th. The end of the Berhalter era and beginning of the Poch era got a little ugly. I would rank teams based on value of players on Transfermarket. Maybe that exists somewhere.

My question was why the difference in the rankings.
One must study the methodology.

concordtom said:

---

My question was why the difference in the rankings.
One must study the methodology.

---

Oh, difference between ELO and FIFA. There must be a reason. I do not care enough to learn it.

sluggo said:

---

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

---

We now play an open, attacking style. Almost all winning teams play that style. It takes more skill. Previously we played defensively and countered. That can win some games but does not make you a serious contender in the tournament. It is progress to get similar results playing this better style.

---

It doesn't matter what style the U.S. team plays. Until they have a lot more talent that is able to play major roles on teams in the top European Leagues, they are irrelevant in the World Cup.

Here is a good summary of where the fight for positions stands. I hope Reyna makes it and Roldan gets cut. But I think the writer is on the mark as of today. 26 will make the team.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48359122/usmnt-2026-world-cup-big-board-6-march-international-losses-belgium-portugal-cemented-mauricio-pochettino-squad

Aunburdened said:

---

sluggo said:

---

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

---

We now play an open, attacking style. Almost all winning teams play that style. It takes more skill. Previously we played defensively and countered. That can win some games but does not make you a serious contender in the tournament. It is progress to get similar results playing this better style.

---

It doesn't matter what style the U.S. team plays. Until they have a lot more talent that is able to play major roles on teams in the top European Leagues, they are irrelevant in the World Cup.

---

I was thinking mantis style, or crane, but this being the USMNT, it's gotta be eagle claw style.

Aunburdened said:

---

sluggo said:

---

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Improving is a slog. I think the next generation of players is better and I hope the generation after is even better. It frustrates me that almost no one will see the progress, they will only see similar results.

---

I don't understand what you mean.
If we see only similar results, is that progress?

---

We now play an open, attacking style. Almost all winning teams play that style. It takes more skill. Previously we played defensively and countered. That can win some games but does not make you a serious contender in the tournament. It is progress to get similar results playing this better style.

---

It doesn't matter what style the U.S. team plays. Until they have a lot more talent that is able to play major roles on teams in the top European Leagues, they are irrelevant in the World Cup.

---

I don't agree. The US is not irrelevant. With a lucky bounce here or there they could beat anyone, which was not always the case. Almost all of the players play in Europe, and many have prominent roles. Today Balogun scored for Monaco. He is their leading scorer and they are a top 5 team in France, a good league. The US gets in lots of good positions, but they don't make the best of those positions. I think they need two things to improve so that they are favored more often. First, they need to get better one-on-one on the dribble and making defense collapsing passes. Second, they need to be a little less naive defensively. They are often in position defensively but don't make the right fine movement to prevent goals. I think the next generation will be better in these areas and before you know it, the US will be even more competitive. They have come a long way in the 36 years I have been watching. I don't think that should just be dismissed.

Watch this, also from yesterday:

Here is more for people who don't think we have players starring in Europe. Weston McKennie is by far the best midfielder we have had in the modern era and the way he plays I think he has one or two more WCs after this one.

I love McKennie’s run here. The goal is just icing on the cake pic.twitter.com/lB6tFIDrK5

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) April 6, 2026

Maybe we can schedule Genoa in the knockout rounds!
Great defensive marking.

One more attempt to try to convince people the USMNT is not that far off from being competitive with anyone. For a long time the team got the big things wrong. Bad touch, not athletic enough, little concept of team play, etc.. They got by on grit and toughness.

Now the team is more athletic than Belgium or Portugal (although less than Brazil or France of England). Most of the players now have touch that is good enough. The teamwork is mostly there. The problem is the little stuff. But that little stuff can have a big impact.

Let me show you the second goal against Portugal, which came off a corner kick. (I got these ideas from Greg Velasquez of the Scuffed Podcast, the only soccer podcast I listen to, it is great.). See the video below. In the last few years Arsenal has pioneered scoring off corner kicks by putting an overwhelming number of players in the box. Which Portugal does as well, so the US starts with everyone very close to the goal.

Portugal takes the corner to the top of the box to Joao Felix, a very skilled player. He takes a very slow first touch and then sends a beautiful shot in the corner. What went wrong? First, the closest US defender is Aidan Morris, who is too slow and should not be playing. He runs at the ball and realizes he is off line so he runs in front of the second defender, Sebastian Berhalter. Inexplicably, the third defender, Chris Richards, steps to the left so he is directly behind the first two. And the fourth defender, who may be Malik Tillman, for reasons only known to him, steps behind Richards. Thus there are four defenders all in a line and not protecting the goal (Velasquez called it a conga line). If any take a step to the left the shot is blocked. If Morris is anyone else who is not so slow the shot is blocked right as it is taken.

These little problems can be fixed, the next group of players will be more instinctive, and the improvement will continue through every future group.

(Watch the beginning of the video in slow motion.)

Eight Americans are in the six yard box when Bruno Fernandes takes this corner kick. pic.twitter.com/4HFgX3Zvv6

— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) April 1, 2026

Keep 'em coming, Sluggo.
All the way through.

After last week I went to one of my old haunts, American Soccer Now. Took a look at their ASN 100 list, infrequently updated as it is.

I'll have to check out your podcast.

Usually I hear of teams either man-marking or zone-marking off corners. It appears they did neither on this goal, which told me they were lost.

Instinctive last second movements to block a shot -> less telling to me. What was the defensive concept to start with? I couldn't tell.

With a bit of luck, and pressing the home field advantage, the USMNT can put together a run like S. Korea did when they hosted the WC. Maybe not all the way to the semis, but a couple of playoff rounds.

I think a reasonable objective might be the last 16, advance beyond the group stage and win one playoff game, anything beyond that would be fantastic. What are your expectations, Sluggo and other US soccer observers?

concordtom said:

---

Keep 'em coming, Sluggo.
All the way through.

After last week I went to one of my old haunts, American Soccer Now. Took a look at their ASN 100 list, infrequently updated as it is.

I'll have to check out your podcast.

Usually I hear of teams either man-marking or zone-marking off corners. It appears they did neither on this goal, which told me they were lost.

Instinctive last second movements to block a shot -> less telling to me. What was the defensive concept to start with? I couldn't tell.

---

It looks to me like they man-marked players inside the box with additional players who had no marks standing inside the 6 yard box. The idea is that they would have two defenders for every offensive player in the box. Players outside the box are unmarked. The theory is that by the time the ball got to players outside the box the defenders could adjust. I notice that this is a set play, Portugal's players dive towards the goal as if the ball is going there when they know it is not. Their man markers lose site of the ball, so they are slow to react. Aidan Morris should get to the ball but he is the slowest player on the team, and IMO, for that reason he should not be on the team. But to me the fault lies with Chris Richards who steps left when he should just stay in his spot.

Like in the NFL where DL now bat down balls systematically, in soccer the last 5 or 10 years defenders now systematically block shots. I know they always liked to block shots before, but there has to be technique to it now as it has gotten much more difficult to get shots off that don't hit defenders. I don't know how they train for that, but it is clear they do.

Chris Richards is an interesting player. He is from Alabama, which does not have a strong soccer culture, and his father was a basketball player. He moved to Dallas as a young teenager to become a pro. At 18 he went to Germany and did not get much playing time for a few years. Then he moved to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, which is my second favorite team in that league because they are uniquely named after a building. He is now their best central defender, starting every game, and he is the best US central defenders. He is a good athlete and has good soccer skills but I have noticed he lacks feel and makes mistakes regularly for that reason.