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.
