I'll get my hopes up every season but once a loss like Tech occurs, I'm basically done until the next season. I'll still watch a game against a solid opponent if it is winnable in the second half if I have nothing else going on at the time. Otherwise, see you in 2023.
Brooks is probably the best ball-playing CB in the USMNT pool and everyone is freaking out after watching Long's comical attempts to play forward passes in Greggggg's build from the back through the middle system.
The first goal is just one play and McKennie is mostly at fault with the horrible touch but how does Long play that ball to McKennie's left foot when he is moving to his right. You have to put that ball on McKennie's right foot in that situation.
Japan's roster definitely plays at a higher level than Iran's. Iran has 2 players in Top 5 leagues while Japan has 12. Iran has 16 guys playing in Iran, Qatar or UAE while Japan only has 8 guys playing in Japan.
Trying to build out of the back through the middle against an aggressive press with Turner as GK, Zimmerman/Long as the CBs and Adams as a lone 6 is a recipe for disaster.
Turner's biggest weakness is distribution and Adams is at his best when he has another MF supporting him in progressing the ball (see Roca at Leeds). Long is just abysmal in playing the ball and Zimmerman is average at best. Just laughable "strategy" from Gerggg. Given how wedded he is to his brilliant "system," the only solution is to start a legitimate ball-playing CB next to Zimmerman (Ream and Brooks).
We are in big trouble. Greggg has completely fucked up the process to identify Miles Robinson's replacement by forcing his favorite into the process. I still think that Long is going to walk out there against Wales.
That said, Wales and Iran aren't great.
Dortmund probably doesn't want Reyna to play more than a half so that change is understandable. Who else is there with Weah and Puli out?
Cannon for Dest makes sense as well given that Dest was constantly leaving us exposed.
Sargent for Jesus and McKenzie for Long prove that Gregg is a sentient being.
Not sure why Scally isn't on for Vines though
1H thoughts
Turner - 1 excellent save and tried to bypass MF with distribution. Bad giveaway at end of half - 6
Dest - Got forward and played an outstanding cross to Jesus. Left Zimmerman exposed constantly because he doesn't defend at all - 5
Zimmerman - 1 awful pass but battled while basically playing RCB and RB - 6
Long - Predictably awful. Lost defending and incapable of playing a forward pass - 2
Vines - No idea what he provides. We have to play a LB so he got the nod - 3
Adams - Okay defensively but poor in possession. - 4
McKennie - Very disappointing. Erratic Juve form carrying over the NT - 4
DLT: Outclassed by the Japanese MF. Questionable whether he is good enough for this level - 3
Reyna: Always looks like he is working back into shape. Had a couple of nice dribbles but not impactful - 5
Aaronson: Quiet early but livened up as the half progressed. Won fouls and pressed - 6
Jesus: Another guy out of his depth at this level. Missed a sitter - 3
Berhalter: Moron who thinks MLS guys are the answers to problematic positions. Needs to choke on a pretzel - 1
Not sure what is up with the Leeds boys. Adams has been shocking and Aaronson hasn't touched the ball.
Need to bring on Scally for Vines and Sargent for Jesus and a warm body for Long at HT