U S M N T

Did anyone actually watch the game? I did not, but I looked at the stats. The US had 63% possession, 556 passes with 86% passing accuracy both of which are very good. It was 1-0 US for the entire first half until stoppage time. We lacked opportunities in the attacking third or chose not to pull the trigger as we only had 7 shots (5 on target) out of the 63% possession and we gave up 23 shots (10 on target). So if anyone actually watched the game (and is logical and not a DA hater and an alarmist) I would like to hear what actually happened.

Also, what is the purpose of boys DA? Is it to produce an awesome national team or is it to prepare young men to play professionally? Because if it is the former then we are not there, but if it is the latter then it is doing a pretty good job as a lot of 16-21 year old guys are playing 1st team in Europe or are on their way there (like Gio Reyna who was just praised by Dortmund in an article 2 or 3 days ago).

I did watch parts of the game. No creativity, no sense of urgency, not impressive. We did have a great chance to equalize down 1-2, but couldn't put it in. That may have changed things, because it quickly went from a potential 2-2 to down 1-3 in minutes.

There is no way our best 11 players should be humiliated by the best 11 from Senegal - a nation of just 16 million people. Something ain't right...

I watched the entire game on FS1. It was horrible. Absolutely horrible. Senegal totally outplayed the US in every area but especially that right side and the middle. Some bright spots from #13 who at least never took a play off. Terrible performance overall.

This made me laugh, but American football was pretty much lacking innovation for a long time too. Not a basketball person so no idea there.

Generally agree that defenders were not the primary issue.  Tough to defend effectively while retreating at speed outnumbered 6 to 4.

The last goal was a defensive miscue, CB misjudged a long lofted ball and had to pull down the attacker for a straight red.  World class free kick for the goal, Brad Guzan would not have stopped.

I watched the game. We looked awful overall. Senegal dominated the attack part of the game. As one poster put it, DA has the thought everyone should play the same, there is only one correct curriculum, in hindsight there is only one result mostly, lose. Its fortunate for us the USA is a host team for the next WC.

Most of what others have states is 100% spot on. There were times we were lethargic, other times we couldn't string passes together. We didn't have Bradley(joke) so as you

- We were lethargic and uninspiring with our play;
- At times, it looked like we were allergic to stringing passes together;
- No Bradley(jk) so our midfield was so porous and ineffective;
- A non-existent midfield, allowed them to push more forward;
- No halftime adjustments by the coaching staff, think right side changes, hmmm;
- Lack of creativity, originality, I mean, this is the WC, bring it or go home;
- Not accounting for Senegal's speed and playing too high, leaving yourself vulnerable in the back. Errors they took advantage of every single time.


Where I disagree is in not putting any blame on the defensive back 4. In trying to remember the goals scored against the US, I don't recall one, not one that I could say, whao that was a phenomenal play, dribble, shot etc. Yes the 4th goal was a screamer into the back of the net, but again, caused by a fool-hardy play by the defender resulting in a free kick right outside the box and a sending off. Sometimes, seeing is believing, so check out this highlight that shows the breakdown of the back line. You see them not recovering, playing too high, etc.

The question at hand is, are the figure heads at US Soccer capable of finding the root cause of the issues ailing the USMNT eco-system, do they have a solution and finally, will they be able to implement it in time for the next WC at whatever age? Remember, these U17s will be about 24 years old when we HOST the 2026 WC

only watched the highlights of the japan and senegal game, but the effort on the 2nd goal by Balde (sub) from Senegal tells the story -- our defender is loligagging back vs working his tail back to help out. Instead he gets beat to the ball.
Goal 3 same defender, while it might not be his mark that scored, hes just standing watching and looks to be in a bad position.
Goal 4 -- maybe it was unplayable in the air, but you can't let that ball bounce. period end of story. Same defender was involved with first goal as well.

Did they clean it up against Japan, highlights seem to be all of japan missing shots from the top of the box?


Senegal game shows the importance of playing against different styles of play -- bang and send it forward seems to work pretty good for them so far
2 wins in the group and will advance.

It looks like if US can win, 4 points should be enough to get a wild card to advance to the knock out stage. Might be possible with 2 ties also, but either way a win probably guarantees their fate.

There were a few bright moments (i.e. nice save on the PK by our GK) but in general I thought it looked like the players spent the night out getting drunk and were all hungover. They were sluggish, unfocused and lacked any desire to win the game.

Still would be nice to see something positive regardless. Win a game, and advance to the knockout stage etc.
It seems we’ve lost the American grit and at least high work ethic. Will be interesting to follow busio and Bello over the next few years.

Spot on twitter post by Mike Woitalla‏ (Soccer America)

"U.S. Soccer implemented the Chicago rule to "align our soccer philosophy throughout our national teams." It worked! The U-17s played as dismally and uninspired as the full national team."

There was a time when ‘world class’. NBA players only came from the US. There was a time when ‘world class’ MLB players mostly came from the US. There was a time when US gymnasts were subpar....

Whatever the sport we need time to train and develop. I still think that simply taking 11 players and having a few training sessions before key games is not the way to build a team. We are still likely years away from truly being competitive at a world class level but I believe we have the ability to be just as competitive as anyone else.

Those players, Ginobili, Dirk, yao ming, olahuwon atetokunbo etc or insert baseball player, all came to the us to grow as world class because they came to a true NBA or baseball environment. This is why pulisic is thriving. He went to europe. MLS and us soccer should be doing so much better.

U17's loss to Senegal is not looking like it was so shocking seeing as the Netherlands lost to them as well. Frankly the Concacaf region did terrible. Mexico was 1-1-1, Haiti lost all 3 as did Canada. US was second best at least drawing Japan. Part of the failure has to be the weak region that we inhabit.

USMNT from the senior team on down seems to have some really good players but can't seem to get the best out of them. On the Pulisic thread it was mentioned that he has no one around him on the USA, but we have several guys starting in Europe on top division teams that play for USA. I don't think it is as much a lack of quality as it is poor tactical plan for the US. On the 17's there are guys that play in the MLS first teams like Bello and Busio who looked lost and slow and lacking energy playing for the US. Reyna did very little in the Netherlands game either. These guys have quality. They just don't show it when playing in the red white and blue.