The Soccer Thread
- Thread starter QWERTYLICIOUS
- Start date
I'd like to think that they can.
I think as a NT they can still get the best coach. Vlatko wasn't it. It appears that the vets pushed Ellis out and wanted Vlatko in, despite all his tactical mismanagement the leaders of this team seemed so like him for some reason (almost like when there were reports some Kings players vocally supported Luke staying).
We 100% need to refine the development system to match the elite club academies but the lure of a full ride to the best NCAA schools (and possibly NLI money???) is still going to steer our best athletes to soccer and basketball so our talent pool is still going to be elite - it will be a matter of selecting the best players out of that huge pool and maximizing their talent and abilities and playing a system geared towards their strengths - something Vlatko did not do.
I don't think they'll ever be "also rans" but with the tournament at 32 teams now, there might come a point where people see a semis appearance as a successful tournament vs. a failure. I still think (hope?) this result will be a fluke of sorts.
I think as a NT they can still get the best coach. Vlatko wasn't it. It appears that the vets pushed Ellis out and wanted Vlatko in, despite all his tactical mismanagement the leaders of this team seemed so like him for some reason (almost like when there were reports some Kings players vocally supported Luke staying).
We 100% need to refine the development system to match the elite club academies but the lure of a full ride to the best NCAA schools (and possibly NLI money???) is still going to steer our best athletes to soccer and basketball so our talent pool is still going to be elite - it will be a matter of selecting the best players out of that huge pool and maximizing their talent and abilities and playing a system geared towards their strengths - something Vlatko did not do.
I don't think they'll ever be "also rans" but with the tournament at 32 teams now, there might come a point where people see a semis appearance as a successful tournament vs. a failure. I still think (hope?) this result will be a fluke of sorts.
No complaints over here when it comes to developing the youth.
Sacramento Republic make U.S. soccer history inking Kimbrough, 13
Sacramento Republic make U.S. soccer history inking Kimbrough, 13
The crazy World Cup/Soccer/Sports fan in me totally just stayed up to watch the host nation (one of them) take down France in penalties!!! Unbelievable match to watch for 90 minutes + 30 minutes of extra time. What was even more unbelievable to watch was what happened after the second 15 ended. Some incredible saves to extend it all the way out to 10 rounds, and a 104th minute sub is the hero for the host nation (well, at least the host nation still standing).
Based on the England-Colombia vs. Spain-Sweden (the only matches I got to see each side play), I'd have given the edge to England. Also while I was wishing for Swe-Aus final, I was also hoping England would win. So jeez, nothing went right!
Very successful tournament for Women's soccer overall though. And looks like the USWNT housecleaning has begun with their GM stepping aside as well as the coach. The failure to move on from Vlatko after the Olympics merits a new GM, even if her departure is voluntary. I still think even though that's a bit lower profile of an event and they still medaled, that result was far less excusable.
Very successful tournament for Women's soccer overall though. And looks like the USWNT housecleaning has begun with their GM stepping aside as well as the coach. The failure to move on from Vlatko after the Olympics merits a new GM, even if her departure is voluntary. I still think even though that's a bit lower profile of an event and they still medaled, that result was far less excusable.
It really sucks cause US soccer fans and ex players had this same conversation after 2022 and after they failed to qualify for the Olympics. Now we are 2 years away from such an important summer and the same conversations are occurring. This team as constructed will not advance out of the first round in 2026.
According to your profile, you have been on this forum since 2005, and I assume a Kings fan since then (if not earlier) as well. If nothing else, you should already know that the head coach/manager, at any level of competition, makes that big of a difference.
If you don't, you might want to have a nice one-on-one conversation with Michael Burton Brown. He'll make sure you do...
If you don't, you might want to have a nice one-on-one conversation with Michael Burton Brown. He'll make sure you do...
Also, and kind of to your point (I think), it's not just the manager. We need to be able to attract world-class talent as well. The current team, as constructed, is just not that talented (especially when compared to other soccer nations out there). I think a world-class manager would go a long way in attracting world-class talent.
From my pov, both England and the USMNT are suffering from similar problems. Both nations have more than enough talents to tackle their respective tournaments. (Both honestly have enough to win their respective tournament if you ask me) But both are somehow talent-locking themselves with small-time managers who have not been able to maximize their squads.
Both countries had their fare share of leaning on foreign managers and neither had produce great results. That turned my attention to how both teams are being perceived by their own countries and how the media's scrutiny being a major issue for allowing the strange hierarchy within their FAs (more so for the USSF) and thus setting up unrealistic expectations for both teams (more so from the English media).
Long story short though, both countries need to stop hiring from within. They both need managers who wouldn't care less if Anthony Gordon is played ahead of Phil Foden, the Premier League footballer of the year. Someone who couldn't be bothered by what Gio Reyna's parents say about his tactics and how he should or should not play their sons.
Someone with the strategic know-how and just execute a game plan without worrying what the media will say, without hesitating or dodging questions about why you start or bench anyone.
Someone like Jurgen Klopp is perfect. World-class manager with top level experience and well-earned reputation in the football/soccer world to not get his decisions questioned every step of the way.
I think both countries should get someone like him if they fail to actually get him... haha
Both countries had their fare share of leaning on foreign managers and neither had produce great results. That turned my attention to how both teams are being perceived by their own countries and how the media's scrutiny being a major issue for allowing the strange hierarchy within their FAs (more so for the USSF) and thus setting up unrealistic expectations for both teams (more so from the English media).
Long story short though, both countries need to stop hiring from within. They both need managers who wouldn't care less if Anthony Gordon is played ahead of Phil Foden, the Premier League footballer of the year. Someone who couldn't be bothered by what Gio Reyna's parents say about his tactics and how he should or should not play their sons.
Someone with the strategic know-how and just execute a game plan without worrying what the media will say, without hesitating or dodging questions about why you start or bench anyone.
Someone like Jurgen Klopp is perfect. World-class manager with top level experience and well-earned reputation in the football/soccer world to not get his decisions questioned every step of the way.
I think both countries should get someone like him if they fail to actually get him... haha
It goes way deeper than the players or the managers. To really compete with the big boys, it starts at the very top of USA soccer. They run everything from our developmental squads all the way to who’s representing us in the World Cup. USA soccer is STILL a clueless organization who still doesn’t know how to develop our youngsters.
I would be allright never seeing the kings and 49ers ever winning a championship if it meant seeing the US win a World Cup. No trophy in the world means more than a World Cup.
I would be allright never seeing the kings and 49ers ever winning a championship if it meant seeing the US win a World Cup. No trophy in the world means more than a World Cup.
This is a tired argument. We’re a country of 330 million plus with the money and resources to develop top tier athletes. I’m not saying we should win the World Cup every 4 years or even ever for that matter but surely advancing past the group stage of Copa America when you’re the host country shouldn’t be too much to ask for.
it's only tired until it gets disproved. as far as I can see, putting your kids through soccer training from a young age and maintaining that training for years and years until adolescence is not seen in this country very much. It may just be a way for a family to get a child engaged in activities and build friendships. Also, if you want the best coaches from the sport, I don't think they reside here, you would have to go fetch them from other parts of the world where soccer is number one priority and instill fundamentals for many years to even begin heading into the right direction.
well.....ESPN just said that USAMNT cannot go after a high profile coach and pay him big money because if they did, because of the charter they signed with the USA women, we would have to spend the same amount on their coach also. Kinda hilarious that the women and their lawsuit will ultimately keep the men from ever hiring a high profile coach. Man, how demoralizing..............
I hope someone can come in here and tell me that I'm wrong and that ESPN is useless and putting forth bad info.
I hope someone can come in here and tell me that I'm wrong and that ESPN is useless and putting forth bad info.