stitchface

Auston Trusty to Arsenal and Bello to Arminia Bielefeld (lots of Americans in that relegation battle)

yea, the two home games are must win at this point. I don't think Costa Rica catches the US but hate to leave that to the last game. If the US beats Panama, its hard to see Panama catching the US though the last game against Canada is unlikely to matter for Canada. The Mexico-Panama game is in Mexico right? Wednesday is critical if the US wins and Panama loses, it becomes impossible for Panama to lose at US and catch US.

I'm starting to lose faith in Berhalter. I sure hope he's blowing smoke here. After starting Jesus Ferreira against El Salvador on Thursday, Berhalter turned to Gyasi Zardes -- whom he coached at the club level with the Columbus Crew -- at striker, but the move didn't pay off. Zardes didn't register any of the Americans' three shots on target and was replaced by Ricardo Pepi in the 69th minute. "That was an easy one," Berhalter said, when asked why Zardes started. "We knew what the game was going to look like. We knew it's a very narrow field, small field. We knew it was going to be a very physical game and we thought that Gyasi would give us that physicality. And from looking at his performance. I think he did that. Again, I don't think we got him enough service in the box to get him dangerous."

I don't know what's the deal this season however, an inappropriate number of bad calls have gone against the Illini this season. They're not even of the questionable variety, the Illini are getting called for fouls when they literally don't touch the opposing player, no calls when one of their players gets hit in the head multiple times - Nebraska and, of course, Edey on Kofi. I know this tends to even out hence, there should many favorable calls in the Illini' future. Trent was fouled while in mid-air for a driving shot, and inexplicably wasn't given free throws. there were a couple of those . . . and the phantom foul on Plummer. The referees were awful. Illinois's offense looked very stale though.

They didn’t just not score. The Illini got the rebound and tossed it all the way down the court for a dunk. Rough game. Kofi didn’t get a lot of help on the offensive side of the court. They need Curbelo to finally come back. Frazier looks gassed out there. this was the first game I watched. brutal. I agree on Frazier . . .

I guess I didn't see this at all yesterday. They played super hard, intense and made Canada completely hapless. they just have no ideas around the box but I didn't see a lack of urgency. I also didn't see any more urgency in the last 15 - I saw fatigue and desperation.

Entering today only Canada had more and it was 15. There's plenty of things to improve but playing bunkered teams on horrible fields with refs that require broken bones to give cards is gonna be a fairly low scoring environment as a baseline. naw, these are weak excuses. The US attack is poor. 63% possession and 0.94 xG. That's terrible.

yes, though if they win their two home games, they are really likely to finish top 3. If they can't beat Honduras and Panama at home . . . then we're screwed.

naw, these are weak excuses. The US attack is poor. I mean it's a pretty factual reality, only 19 of 37 games in the Octagonal featured a team scoring more than 1 goal, with Canada having 5, The US 4, and Mexico 4. The third games in windows have had a 2 goal team in 6 of 8 games while first and second matches are 13 of 29. There is a lot that the US can look inwards about, whether it's about individuals(availability w/ Reyna/Weah/Pulisic, form with the strikers and Pulisic) or structure(tactical choices slowing things down, not choosing Brooks, Adams' lack of passing range at the 6), but we should also be mindful of the environment that suppresses scoring. or is the lack of skill? I mean, these are not good teams. The lack of ideas and organization with the US is concerning - even when they break through, the fall apart in the last third and this isn't because of the refs or bunkering teams. Not playing together is certainly a factor. Why the hell is Zardes out there? He was awful. I also suspect that the left back is not very good (though he did score the only goal). They don't seem to be able to build up the left. Dest, McKennie, Adams, and Weah seem connect really well - is there a style difference from the European players to the MLS players? Certainly Gio would be a big help but you can't count on everyone being available. Once Dest and Adams went out, it looked like McKennie was trying to do it all himself. and what is going on with Pulisic? Out of form? Doesn't like cold? Teammates? I mean, we need more than a set play specialist from him. He got one ball on the left side of the box 1v1 with the right back and didn't even get a shot off - the US needs him to be better.

13 goals in 10 qualifying matches is awful. Not like it’s some issue just in this window. We can’t score with any consistency. Entering today only Canada had more and it was 15. There's plenty of things to improve but playing bunkered teams on horrible fields with refs that require broken bones to give cards is gonna be a fairly low scoring environment as a baseline. naw, these are weak excuses. The US attack is poor.

yes, see if CP can get involved with Dest . . . the front line has been terrible and the backline scares me. Dominant midfield but they need more from Pulisic. How many shots did they even record for all their dominance? Seems like every attack ends with a hopeful ball to the middle of the box. frustrating game.

gross

they better win sunday. I don't like being behind hockeyland

the US will qualify. Panama's schedule is so tough - they won't make up four points. That said, the US needs to be much better - great the way they dominated but they need to score. The whole left side of the attack was so disorganized.

in extra time, tied 1-1, Allison gives up a penalty and gets his second yellow, getting sent off again. Except VAR reverses this one also! New record for reversed reds? Ends 1-1

Conmebol chaos Brazil at Ecuador. Game doesn't matter to Brazil and Ecuador is near certain to qualify also. First, it's in Quito at 9350 feet elevation. 5 minutes in, Brazil scores sloppy goal. Minutes later, Ecuador keeper comes out and kicks Brazil player in the throat when he realizes ball is outside box still and he tries to clear. Not 30 seconds after the restart, Emerson Royal tries to clear ball and kicks Ecuador player in crotch from behind getting a deserved yellow - and it's his second, so its 10v10 after 20 minutes. Not to be outdone, Allison then comes out of box and clears ball with high boot that comes down on Ecuadorean player's head - he is sent off. Only VAR review saves him and it's reduced to a yellow (I think the correct call).

The other best case scenario is that if the US keeps winning then qualifying is not the primary concern, and having Mexico endanger themselves is 1) awesome and hilarious 2) maybe better for the US's chances at getting into Pot 1? Even if not, the disarray leading up to our trip to the Azteca bumping the win probability might be worth the marginal hurt to the FIFA ranking. no Guardado - what a piece of garbage that guy is.

after watching Barca try to play on a frozen pitch last weekend, I have to say I fall into the venues are a mistake camp. If you're the better team, play on a better pitch. At least Dest got to practice on ice.

on paper, that's a huge game. In reality, they're both going down. how did he manage to avoid scoring until today?

I’ve watched barely any premier league this year. Would he play? Would all the people who thought Steffen was better because of the club that signs his check do an immediate 180 if he’s starting? This transfer window is wild for Americans. I would imagine Steffen would still be better with his feet regardless of where Turner is playing. Big window coming up - supposed to be good and cold!

Sergino Dest sighting - on the pitch even. He came on as left forward (possibly due to injury). He did nothing to earn more time.

don't know much about him but he does seem to wear out his welcome everywhere he goes . . . looks like that time is coming fast at Chelsea

Alphonso Davies has myocarditis after COVID. Out for next window - that hurts for Canada.

you mean as rb or wb? Maybe he should just become a mid

Woodward out. And you say our posts don't have impact?