I don't care. I still want them in the Confed Cup. It sure as hell doesn't hurt to play those games.

Mulva;1748954 wrote:Netherlands in danger of missing out on the Euros next year, even with it expanded to 24 teams. Sitting 4th in their group now after losing both matches this week.

It's official. From WC semi's to failing to qualify for a 24 team Euros in 15 months.

Automatik;1756782 wrote:I don't care. I still want them in the Confed Cup. It sure as hell doesn't hurt to play those games.

It doesn't? How do Confederations Cup games help teams?
1997 - Brazil (1), Australia (2), Czech Republic (3), Uruguay (4)
2001 - France (1), Japan (2), Australia (3), Brazil (4)
2005 - Brazil (1), Argentina (2), Germany (3), Mexico (4)
2009 - Brazil (1), US (2), Spain (3), South Africa (4)
2013 - Brazil (1), Spain (2), Italy (3), Uruguay (4)

World Cup
1998 - France (1), Brazil (2), Croatia (3), Netherlands (4)
2002 - Brazil (1), Germany (2), Turkey (3), South Korea (4)
2006 - Italy (1), France (2), Germany (3), Portugal (4)
2010 - Spain (1), Netherlands (2), Germany (3), Uruguay(4)
2014 - Germany (1), Argentina (2), Netherlands (3), Brazil (4)

Of the past 5 Confederations Cups, one team that finished top 4 have finished top 4 in the following year's World Cup (Brazil happened to be 3 of those). No Confederations Cup winners have won the World Cup. No second place Confederations Cup finishers have won the World Cup. Only one time, 2009 Spain (third) to 2010 Spain (champs) actually show "improvement" by playing in the Confederations Cup, 2005 Germany and 2006 Germany both finished third. That means, three times a Confederations Cup winner has finished worse in the World Cup -- 2001 France, 2005 Brazil, and 2009 Brazil all won the Confederations Cup and didn't finish top 4 in the World Cup.

USMNT in the Confederations Cup to World Cup results:
1997: N/A 1998: 4th in Group F
2001: N/A 2002: 2nd in Group D, Knockout win, Quarterfinals loss
2005: N/A 2006: 4th in Group E
2009: 2nd 2010: 1st in Group C, Knockout loss
2013: N/A 2014: 2nd in Group G, Knockout loss

So, what can we draw from this all? Not much. It's not like the Confederations Cup "helps" anyone achieve a higher finish in the World Cup. Sure, competition is nice...but we can always get competition from teams depending on we schedule friendlies. I'm not concerned with missing the Confederations Cup, nor do I think it should hurt Klinsmann.

Sweet breakdown, totally unnecessary. I like watching the USMT play against solid competition abroad.

OSH;1757178 wrote: I'm not concerned with missing the Confederations Cup, nor do I think it should hurt Klinsmann.

Not concerned either that we're missing it, but I'm concerned with how we've looked this year besides Netherlands and Germany, which were friendlies.

I love watching the USMNT play in big tournaments. The Confed Cup is that. We ain't winning a damn WC, we could win the Confed Cup. I want that.

It is crazy how quickly the landscape can change in 1-2 years for international soccer. The dutch just came off a final 4 appearance in the WC, and they can't even qualify for the Euro Cup even with the extended format. Mexico was on the verge of not qualifying for the WC, until the US "B" squad saved the day by coming back in the last few minutes to defeat Panama, in Panama. I think the US will be fine, they are just in a little slump. Let's see how they do at the Copa America next year, before we get our panties in a bunch over Klinsmann.

Automatik;1757179 wrote:Sweet breakdown, totally unnecessary. I like watching the USMT play against solid competition abroad.

We still can and do...it's all about scheduling. I think that's something Klinsmann has brought too, good scheduling.

lhslep134;1757181 wrote:Not concerned either that we're missing it, but I'm concerned with how we've looked this year besides Netherlands and Germany, which were friendlies.

I'm semi-concerned. I still think Klinsmann uses friendlies like Germany and Spain do, see options and what players can do.

That said, scheduling a friendly 2-3 days from a major competition, and doing it 3 timezones away is absurd scheduling. But, it was also probably scheduled before the play-in game.

I have a feeling player selection isn't all Klinsmann. I have a feeling there is influence go select certain players, especially after the Landycakes backlash. Sometimes the politics and faces do have to win out. Unfortunately.

Laley23;1757206 wrote:I love watching the USMNT play in big tournaments. The Confed Cup is that. We ain't winning a damn WC, we could win the Confed Cup. I want that.

I don't think we'll win a Confederations Cup either. We aren't good enough. Heck, in 2009, our "saviors" were Ricardo Clark and Robbie Finley. That's embarrassing. At the same time, we probably could have won if Beasley wasn't on the field...and he still is. Ouch.

Also, I didn't go into the other 8 places from Confederations Cups, but I imagine many teams that finish there don't have much better finishes in the World Cup. So, one could say the rest and lesser mental taxing could be better for the team for World Cup preparations.

I dont think we will win a Confed Cup either, but it is a LOT more realistic than a WC. Only have to beat 1 Euro team and 1 Copa team (depending on host nation/WC holder). We were 1 half away from doing it in SA, when we had the lead on Brazil after beating Spain. Also, needed a miracle to advance, but...yeah lol.

OSH;1756780 wrote:Without a doubt, we aren't good enough. No composure on the ball. Poor choices on the ball. No attack, basically.

It's not looking THAT much better for the future either. We have a lot of holes in a lot of positions that aren't being filled by much young talent. It's a shame that a German second division player gives the USMNT hope. Jozy and Dempsey have been poor for the Yanks. For me, Fabian Johnson had his worst game for us than I've ever seen from him before.

No doubt that Jones could've and should've been subbed, but we only get 3. You can't sub Dempsey, Jozy, Jones, Johnson, Guzan, and Zardes (who, for me, just isn't there yet...especially technically and his tactical speed of play).

Overall, we just aren't good enough from first team TO youth levels to compete at the international level. That is visible throughout. The same thing the USMNT struggles with, my college guys struggle with. The club I work with has the same issues. It's just a system that needs an overhaul and it starts at home with the parents. Sucks...but we've got a lot of work to do yet.



I've had that notion since he's been with the national team for the last 3ish years. Good for club, not there for national team. He and Rimando need to go.

I feel like they keep trying to play soccer like everyone else and not play to our strengths. It seems more often than not, they take one too many touches or basically try and dribble the ball in the goal instead of just letting shots rip from the 18.

OSH;1757224 wrote:
That said, scheduling a friendly 2-3 days from a major competition, and doing it 3 timezones away is absurd scheduling. But, it was also probably scheduled before the play-in game.

Speaking of scheduling, I get the USMT is based in Southern California...but why are we playing Mexico in Los Angeles? Its not even a home game. My buddy went to the game he was definitely in the minority.

Glory Days;1757235 wrote:Speaking of scheduling, I get the USMT is based in Southern California...but why are we playing Mexico in Los Angeles? Its not even a home game. My buddy went to the game he was definitely in the minority.

It was a 1 game playoff. Mexico was actually the Home Team. The US was just the host. Could've just as easily been in Mexico City, so we were lucky.

Glory Days;1757234 wrote:I feel like they keep trying to play soccer like everyone else and not play to our strengths. It seems more often than not, they take one too many touches or basically try and dribble the ball in the goal instead of just letting shots rip from the 18.

I hear what you are saying, but...what are our "strengths?"

We work hard? We never quit running? We never give up? Goalkeeping?

I don't really know what our strengths would be. Especially if you put it in context of what other teams bring. We aren't technically strong. We aren't tactically smart. And it trickles down from the USMNT through professionally in the US, to college, to high school and club, and to youth soccer. At the same time, there's a trickle-up because we don't do our job at the youth level, to high school or club, to college or professionally. It's simply amazing the lack of technically proficient players and tactically aware players at all levels throughout the country.

To me, soccer is still a "fun" thing to do. It's not football, basketball, or baseball mentality of being the "best" at the sport. There's few "gym-rats" anymore, especially with the perverted nature that club soccer has become. We think that 2ish days of training a week and 1-4 games of soccer on the weekends will make us good enough. And...that's not the case. Look what Giovinco did the other day, flew from Rome and played for TFC all in one day, scored a dandy of a goal. Then there's teammate Jozy:

You guys always put more pressure on us than there needs to be. We understand that it's the start of a new cycle and it's a bit slow but it's going to get better. It naturally is going to improve as the games come and get tougher. When you think about it, you think maybe it doesn't get easier, but it does. Guys get more comfortable with each other, guys get comfortable in their role and somewhere along the way, there's going to be fresh blood that comes in and helps us.

Come on now! Put the pressure on yourself. That's what you get paid to do. How many games has Clint, Jozy, and Bradley played together? Throw in Jones, Howard (or Guzan), Beasley, and whoever else you want. You simply just need to get better and do better.

Compare that to Thierry Henry's retirement interview where he said this:

You should never feel satisfied. Aim higher, always.

Whether we lost or won, we had an identity. We had to play a certain way, we had to respect football.

Yes, I’m hard, demanding, especially when it’s about football. But always in the name of love and respect for the game.

For me, the pleasure lies in improving and being demanding with yourself. I cannot play a game to have fun. Either you play, or you don’t. Winning is only the end credits sequence of that particular film.

Crew locked up a playoff spot. Check out the Pipa chip a thing of beauty.

Crew playoff game this afternoon against Montreal Impact. Game should kickoff around 7pm ET on FS1.

Impact 2-1.

Think FC Dallas wins MLS cup

^ I I hope so I am a FCD season ticket holder and going to the MLS games has been a great time!! Got playoff tickets and would love to see them host the cup, possibly!

Good start up 1-0 in seattle

Steaming after last night! Home Sunday and a FCD 1-0 win will do it. Seattle is such a tough out!

I don't have a "favorite" right now to win MLS Cup. I watched all the playoff games this weekend.

If I were to say who has the toughest chance to win, Portland. I just don't think they have the firepower to get the job done.

But...man, this makes me want to move so much more now. I just cannot stand being 3+ hours away from MLS games with no real chance to watch live in stadium on a regular basis.

Crew vs RedBulls Kamara with a pair of beautiful headers and a missed pk. Game was crazy.

@ the FCD game holy shit...extra time we go

PK's it's so intense

At least you are going home happy fab. Hellofaseries