~Soccer Thread~

[rolltidefan]

got to find someone who can put balls in nets.

otherwise, for the most part a very solid game. pulisic was off, but weah was great. robinson was very dangerous all night. mckinnie also was great. backline didn't have much to do, but when it was on them they were fine.

really starting to think we should just go with turner full time starter. i know steffen is good too, but turner really seems to have the best shot stopping ability of the group, and to me that's priority number 1, 2 and 3 for keepers. he's not the best with the ball at his feet, but he doesn't seem to be deficient either.

really need to find a striker, or 2/3 preferably. and 1 more reliable lb. we seem to have good/decent depth everywhere else to cover for guys out of form or injured.

canada is going to be tough, but they didn't look great yesterday either. still, tough ask to win in those conditions on sunday. draw would be acceptable, win fantastic, but a loss wouldn't be unbearable. win vs honduras next week and the canada game doesn't matter too much.

with the cr win over panama, we're looking fairly safe to auto-qualify. just don't collapse.

[ELA]

That was an absolutely pathetic effort

[utee94]

I watched it en espanol on Telemundo so at least it sounded exciting.

[Brutus Buckeye]

[ELA]

I watched it en espanol on Telemundo so at least it sounded exciting.

Same.  Not sure the Paramount+ move is working to sell American soccer

[betarhoalphadelta]

Same.  Not sure the Paramount+ move is working to sell American soccer

I feel like "selling American soccer" is similar to "selling Beyond Meat". There's a certain market that's receptive and will seek it out. The rest DGAF and won't.

[utee94]

People get behind the national teams when they do well in international events.  For example, support for the USWNT is quite strong, within the context of women's sports in general.

A deep run into the World Cup would do wonders for support here in the US, for the USMNT.  Americans love a winner.

As far as professional soccer, though, I just think the competition with the well established American leagues of the NFL, NBA, and MLB, are always going to overshadow soccer.  Just as soccer dominates in many other countries and doesn't leave much room for other sports.

[rolltidefan]

well, tonight is a big one. and for some dumbass reason we decided to play on literally the coldest night of any wcq anywhere this cycle, not just concacaf either.

[ELA]

well, tonight is a big one. and for some dumbass reason we decided to play on literally the coldest night of any wcq anywhere this cycle, not just concacaf either.

Can't think of a better way to make the Honduran players uncomfortable to be honest.  Granted if we need gamesmanship tonight, we have bigger problems

[rolltidefan]

Can't think of a better way to make the Honduran players uncomfortable to be honest.  Granted if we need gamesmanship tonight, we have bigger problems

cold and windy? sure. near zero temps with -25-30 wind chills? that's a little absurd.

[rolltidefan]

welp, good game. cold didn't seem to be much issue, though the opponent was less than stellar.

basically just need to beat panama at home next window and have cr not win out.

think we have a decent chance at getting at least a point in mexico. they aren't playing well at all right now. i guess something similar could be said about us though.

[Brutus Buckeye]

Chelsea plays Palmeiras out of Brazil in the FIFA Club World Cup Final. 

The winner moves on to the Fifa Club Solar System Cup, where they take on the Club WC champions from the other planets, moons and dwarf planets. 

[utee94]

I hear Pluto United has a pretty good side this year. 

[rolltidefan]

I hear Pluto United has a pretty good side this year.

psh, they're not even a major planetary league anymore.