Euros and Copa America 2024 Soccer Thread

#103      
OrangeBlue98
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
I know he wasn't being serious but I did chuckle when Rob Stone mentioned Klopp or Pep as possible replacements for Berhalter.
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I know people will mention those names, whether serious and uninformed or joking like Rob Stone was.

International management really isn’t about those flashy names. When you look at the international landscape, there are very few big names like that. Lionel Scaloni was hired because of his upbringing in the Argentina youth coaching system and because he had a good relationship with Messi. However, he’s proven himself to be very good at putting the pieces together.

I know this will absolutely not be a sexy name, but I think the US needs to consider someone like Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer. He’s been successful in knockout events before, and he has had a knack for figuring out how to take what’s given to him and get the team to play more than the sum of its parts. Sure, the casual fans will go nuts. But that type of skill set is what we need in the US program. We’re at the point where most players are at clubs with defined identities. It’s hard to tell these players “no matter what, this is how we’re playing”.

The most overachieving team at the Euros-Switzerland-has been doing this all tournament.
 
#105      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Bracket for the knockout stage in Copa America:

Argentina/Ecuador
Venezuela/Canada
Uruguay/Brazil
Colombia/Panama

Tournament resumes Thursday night with Argentina/Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston.
 
#106      
OrangeBlue98
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Am I wrong in thinking that the Friday quarterfinal matchups in the Euros are going to be the more marquee ones?
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While the Friday Euro games have the marquee names, I’m actually more intrigued by the Saturday games. Switzerland has been the most impressive team relative to expectations, and Turkey isn’t far behind. A Turkey-Switzerland semi is a very real possibility, and I’d like to see that. Plus, it wouldn’t be a major tournament without the usual drama and teeth-gnashing from England.
 
#109      
OrangeBlue98
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Jesse Marsch says it was a lack of discipline that caused the early exit by the U.S. in Copa America.
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Been a hallmark of the team ever since Berhalter came back to be honest. Dest had that inexplicable meltdown at Trinidad and Tobago, then the Weah moment of madness.

I fully understand that these are professionals and they have a level of accountability that doesn't have to come from the coach. But when you see different players undertake actions like this, you have to start wondering if it's a more systemic issue. I've heard a number of people say that McKennie's comments about being "comfortable" underlies that the US team may not have had the level of accountability that a team should have from the coaching staff.

I'm not the biggest Jesse Marsch fan, and I'm pretty sure he found a chance to twist the knife in this particular case. But I also don't think he's off base with his comments. He probably could have waited until after Canada's tournament was done, but I also think he knew he had a platform and took advantage of it. He's more than a little arrogant, but he's also not dumb.
 
#110      
StarterG
Anybody see Dempsey's comments (if I remember, it was on the Panama pre-game) about the US style of play? Basically said that US needs to have a more agressive style and score more in order to engage the public. I agree that style would be a lot more fun to watch at least.
 
#111      
OrangeBlue98
StarterG said:
Anybody see Dempsey's comments (if I remember, it was on the Panama pre-game) about the US style of play? Basically said that US needs to have a more agressive style and score more in order to engage the public. I agree that style would be a lot more fun to watch at least.
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Didn't see them, but did hear about them. I'm certainly not equating talent levels, but Spain's an example of a team that has changed its playing style from a really boring, "stalling" type of play. I feel like the US could play in a similar manner given they have speed on the outside. But the US team has consistently been very conservative and slow playing under Berhalter.
 
#112      
OrangeBlue98
Amazing game just finished in Stuttgart. Spain defeats 2-1 after extra time. But Spain will have (by my count) 4-5 players out for yellow card accumulations suspensions.

Really a shame this game couldn't be the final or at least a semifinal. Entertaining and dramatic all the way around.
 
#113      
TentakilRex
Right on Spain, though I could give more background on Spain's old system. The system Spain used in their Golden Era was Tika-Taka which was the system that the best team (in Spain at the time and maybe of all time) Barcelona used and something like 8 of Spain's players either played for Barcelona or would even playing for Barcelona. It would like Team USA used the triangle offense. Also Spain's stalling is more a result of personnel, Barcelona's version was far more exciting due to having Lionel Messi while Spain did not have him.
 
#114      
OrangeBlue98
TentakilRex said:
Right on Spain, though I could give more background on Spain's old system. The system Spain used in their Golden Era was Tika-Taka which was the system that the best team (in Spain at the time and maybe of all time) Barcelona used and something like 8 of Spain's players either played for Barcelona or would even playing for Barcelona. It would like Team USA used the triangle offense. Also Spain's stalling is more a result of personnel, Barcelona's version was far more exciting due to having Lionel Messi while Spain did not have him.
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I get where you're coming from. I know "Tiki-Taka" was the hallmark of Pep's Barcelona of 2009-2011, which was likely the greatest club team of all time. The big issue is that if you don't have a generational talent like Messi, that style of play can be pretty tedious. Even when Spain won the 2010 World Cup, they weren't an overly enjoyable or entertaining team to watch. They just controlled games to death with their possession. and I say that being a fan of Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.

I always think of the old Ray Hudson quote - "Possession without penetration equals m*****tion." (I blocked out the word to protect the post). That was a lot of Spain's M.O. during much of 2010-2022.
 
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#116      
TentakilRex
Not completely sold on the lineup, but England should be a 3-4-2-1 team from now on.
 
#120      
IlliniUnited
Was having a discussion with someone about the poor performance of the USA at Copa America and how a small country like Uruguay could be so good. I came up with an interesting comparison to basketball. USA soccer is like China basketball. Lots of interest and investment over the last 20 years but very little individual or team accomplishments while Uruguay has produced at least 5 world class players in Forlan, Suarez, Cavani, Godin and Valverde. Nunez is getting close too. Aside from the stars they have solid role players that play on top teams, in top leagues or young guys with potential. They play with a lot of grit. Uruguay is roughly the same size as Chicago. I think a Team Chicago could finish in the top 5-10 at the Olympics. Definitely 10 years ago with a starting 5 of D Rose, D Wade, Maggette, Evan Turner and Anthony Davis. Currently you would have 2 stars in Brunson and Davis and came complement them with gritty players like Ayo and Beverly, pros from overseas like Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn, young players like TSJ, the Christies and role players like Max Struss.
 
#124      
OrangeBlue98
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
England-Spain in the Euro final on Sunday afternoon.

Colombia-Argentina in the Copa America final Sunday night. Considering the two fan bases, I would not be surprised if the match is a sellout with the resale market being through the roof.
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CONMEBOL knew what it was doing when it scheduled the final for Miami. Significant Colombian and Argentine diasporas in South Florida.

Messi vs James should be a lot of fun. I've joked about this with my son, but that Colombia shirt is like Superman's case for James Rodriguez. He puts that shirt on, and it's suddenly 2014 again for him.
 
#125      
Roundball Sage
It’s been a really enjoyable last few weeks.

The intensity of these games has been something to see. The players giving all they have. The fans flushed with energy and emotion. All at an elevated level than most matches in generic seasons in the various leagues.

The wild celebrations and wide grins. The gestures of frustration and disappointment. The concern on the faces of the team trailing when Extra Time nears the end. The red eyes and sadness of many of those on the Pitch and in the stands on the losing side when the match is over. The emptied look of players on the losing side and the look of complete joy on those who get to move on.

It’s amazing what athletes -- or anyone -- can accomplish when they care about something and really invest themselves into it.
 
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