General Soccer Discussion

Status
Not open for further replies.
#754      
Draw for the World Cup is this Friday at 11:00 AM CT and will air on FS1 here in the states.

Something worth noting with this year's World Cup is that the kickoff times for the matches won't be known until after the groups are determined in Friday's draw. With the venues being so close together, organizers will not only be able to optimize stadium allocation for spectators but also start the matches at times that will be better suited for the viewing audiences in the individual countries.

For those who are looking for something to do for fun in the meantime, here are some World Cup draw simulators:

https://stattosoftware.com/wc2022/

https://draw.inker.one/#/wc/gs
 
#756      
Can't really complain, could be a lot worse. Unfortunately, I have no expectations for this squad under Berhalter. If everyone is healthy, we have the talent to make a run...but I could just as easily see us go winless and finish 4th in our group.
 
#760      
I'm cautiously optimistic about the u.s. group. Though Rob stone did mention on broadcast that if Wales goes through it could be group of death based on fifa rankings.

Also should mention that u.s. England match will be on black Friday.
 
#761      
Can't really complain, could be a lot worse. Unfortunately, I have no expectations for this squad under Berhalter. If everyone is healthy, we have the talent to make a run...but I could just as easily see us go winless and finish 4th in our group.
What are your concerns? He won the Gold Cup and Nations League.

Decent draw for the US. First game will be key and ending with Iran gives them a chance to get 3 points to close out the group. Also not the worst possible round of 16 matches if they advance.
 
#762      
What are your concerns? He won the Gold Cup and Nations League.

Decent draw for the US. First game will be key and ending with Iran gives them a chance to get 3 points to close out the group. Also not the worst possible round of 16 matches if they advance.

Depends on where they finish in the group. Could be a situation similar to 2014 when u.s. faced Belgium. This time u.s. could have to face the Dutch in the round of 16.
 
#763      
Depends on where they finish in the group. Could be a situation similar to 2014 when u.s. faced Belgium. This time u.s. could have to face the Dutch in the round of 16.
The Dutch are not at the quality of that Belgium team. Questionable in goal. Very strong at the back. Decent midfield but I think the US can match up well in the center of the park. No real recognized striker as Memphis is more of a second striker or wide player. That Belgian side started an in form Orgi with Lukaku coming on supported by Mertens/Hazard/KdB
 
#765      
What are your concerns? He won the Gold Cup and Nations League.

Decent draw for the US. First game will be key and ending with Iran gives them a chance to get 3 points to close out the group. Also not the worst possible round of 16 matches if they advance.

Can't the past 3 USMNT coaches say the same? That is not much of a barometer of success. I just feel like every time I turn on US Soccer I see a bunch of talented players who aren't connected. We made it through qualifying, but it was rarely pretty. Rarely did I finish watching a game and think "dang we looked really good".

As for the group, the scary thing is we won't really be big favorites against anyone, unless Scotland makes it (we really really need to be rooting for Scotland). Here are the elo rankings.

England 5
USA 21
Iran 23
Wales 19/Ukraine 24/Scotland 35
 
#766      
Rarely did I finish watching a game and think "dang we looked really good".
How did you feel after the Panama match? They were missing their best player in Weston plus weah, dest, aaronson, and Turner. What result in the World Cup would make you happy? For me it is getting out of the group and getting ready for a semifinal run in 2026 when all these players are in their prime and the next group is pushing them for their places.
 
#768      
Scotland/Ukraine World Cup qualifier is today in Glasgow. Match will be played at 1:45 PM CT and will air on ESPN2. Winner will face Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.

U.S. plays a friendly match as part of a warm up to their World Cup run tonight in Cincinnati vs. Morocco. Match will air at 6:30 PM CT and will air on ESPN2.
 
#769      
Ukraine won 1:3 over Scotland and will play Wales in Cardiff on Sunday. That match will be played at 11:00 AM CT and will air on ESPN2.

I can't recall whether it was Ian Darke or the commentator he was working with but one of them made the comment that Ukraine played a 94 minute game. Scotland only played for about 20 minutes.
 
#773      
Wales wins 1:0.

2nd ever appearance appearance in the World Cup for Wales, with the other coming in 1956 when they made it to the quarterfinals.

So it will be the U.S. vs. Wales on November 21st.
 
#774      
So all that's left to decide is the fourth round winner in AFC and the inter-confederation playoffs.

UAE and Australia face in the AFC fourth round on Tuesday at 1:00 PM CT with the match airing on Paramount+.

The inter-confederation playoffs are next Monday and Tuesday.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.