World Cup: USA versus England Open Thread

Submitted by M-Dog on November 25th, 2022 at 1:59 PM

USA versus England in group play.

I hope for a boring game and a point.

M-Dog

November 25th, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^

I just can't get into a USMNT World Cup game the day before Michigan - Ohio State.  What can I say?

Thanks, FIFA. 

God created FIFA so that even the NCAA has someone to be appalled by.  

michgoblue

November 25th, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^

Are used to feel the same way, but my older son got really into soccer about six or seven years ago and it got me into it as well. As you said, there are nuances in the game that, once you learn, make the game a lot more enjoyable. I will say, though, that what I like about soccer is more the culture and the pageantry, and that the games can still dragon be boring at times. In terms of pure excitement, it’s not close to the level of college football.

Ballislife

November 25th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^

Solid half from both squads. US seemed to pick it up in the last 10 minutes or so; really opened up England's defense. If the US can keep that kind of pressure up, they may be able to steal one away here. 

stephenrjking

November 25th, 2022 at 2:49 PM ^

Tense half. US has had some impressive chances but just hasn’t had the touch to convert, kind of a persistent problem with the team as it stands. But very passable as a performance against an England team talented to win it all.

They looked good in the first half against Wales, too. Not getting on the back foot is going to be important here. 

MadMatt

November 25th, 2022 at 2:50 PM ^

The U.S. coach is wearing a neat shirt. It says on the front "States United," which is a cool mashup of the country with a typical soccer team name. Minimalist, like a Keith Jackson play by play.

Good game, both teams are generating quality scoring chances. Not at all a typical 0-0 snooze fest with one team in a defensive shell.

M-Dog

November 25th, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^

I'm not used to seeing the USMNT look this incredibly solid in midfield.  They are controlling the ball and advancing it.  They are not getting their pockets picked continuously like the days of old.

Blue Vet

November 25th, 2022 at 3:12 PM ^

I'm still adjusting to feeling good when the ball's going to the right rather than to the left. 

Of course I have no trouble mentally switching sides in American football but for some reason my brain's figuring it out.

stephenrjking

November 25th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^

Also needed fresh legs out there with Grealish coming in, England was starting to attack that flank after their change and was getting somewhere with it.

Mckennie is already a regular at Juve (and has scored a couple of significant goals for them) and Adams is lighting it up at Leeds; wouldn’t be surprised to see Adams move up in the future. 

stephenrjking

November 25th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^

Draw is fine. Could have won, but easily could have lost - Kane had two terrific chances on either end of the game.

Team 100% belonged out there.

Must win next week, obviously. 

I'mTheStig

November 25th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^

Most entertaining 0 - 0 game one will ever see.

Good job boys!

I hope that shit 2nd half against Wales doesn't come back to haunt them?

How the hell did Wales lose to Iran?!

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

November 25th, 2022 at 4:00 PM ^

The end was a little scary but it felt like the US had an edge in scoring chances despite not having the majority of possession.

The tricky thing will be that Iran has the incentive to go into a total defensive shell and try to draw out a 0-0 game.

stephenrjking

November 25th, 2022 at 4:04 PM ^

BTW, can’t believe how invisible Sterling was. He was dominant at the Euro a year and a half ago, has had an uneven domestic time since… but even if Pulisic didn’t quite deliver the firepower we’d like, he showed way more than Chelsea teammate Sterling, and more than Mount as well.

Which is, surely, something he’s been targeting for some time.

England have an embarrassment of riches at winger. Maybe they’ll finally decide to make real use of Phil Foden?

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

November 25th, 2022 at 5:05 PM ^

TBH I think it would've made sense just to hyperaggressively charge forward on offense during the last, I dunno, five minutes or so and see if they can't pot one.  A loss hardly would've mattered in the standings - lose to England but beat Iran, and the only way you don't advance is if Wales somehow turns into cyborgs and hamblasts England beyond all reasonable soccer scores.  Tie England and....well, you still have to beat, not tie, Iran.  Whereas if you do beat England, you open up a pretty good likelihood of being first in the group and playing probably Ecuador instead of Netherlands.