US Soccer

[Lineker]

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Gregg Berhalter was hired Sunday to coach the US men’s national team, making him the first person to manage USA and play for them at a World Cup.

Berhalter, who spent the past five seasons as coach of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, represents a generational change for an American team staggered by the failure to reach this year’s World Cup after seven straight appearances at the tournament.

Berhalter’s Columbus teams succeeded despite one of the league’s lowest payrolls. “They try to keep the ball. He’s got idea and a style of play that they stick to,” USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “That guidance will be important going forward.”

The 45-year-old was long viewed as the front-runner for a job that stayed open for nearly 14 months. He is the second youngest coach for the Americans in four decades; Steve Sampson was 38 when he took over in 1995.

“He is a coach that is learning at all times,” said USA general manager Earnie Stewart, who made the decision on Saturday. “Every single day he tries to develop himself so he can be a better leader for the team that he has. That is something that really stood out with Gregg and went a long way in the decision to offer him the job.”

Berhalter, a defender who made 44 appearances for the US from 1994-2006, started on the left of a three-man back line in the 2002 World Cup knockout stage matches against Mexico and Germany.

Berhalter started his coaching career at second-division Hammarby in Sweden. He was hired by Columbus in November 2013 and led the team to third, second, ninth and consecutive fifth-place finishes. The low-budget Crew lost to Portland in the 2015 MLS Cup final and to Toronto in the 2017 Eastern Conference final.

Stewart compiled a list of 33 candidates, narrowed it to 11 and interviewed two: Oscar Pareja, who left FC Dallas last month for Mexico’s Tijuana, and Berhalter.

“His willingness, work ethic and ideas about developing this player pool and influencing these players in and outside of camp and the thought process he has about that constantly seeking new things set him apart,” Stewart said. 

Berhalter’s first significant test will be at the Concacaf Gold Cup in June. He must decide how to integrate a younger group of players with veterans who may prove useful during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, such the 34-year-old Guzan, 31-year-old midfielder Michael Bradley and 28-year-old forward Jozy Altidore.

Concacaf has not said when qualifying for the 2022 World Cup will start.

[Szumi]

I still can't believe we apparently could've got Loptegui, and past up on him.

That said, Berhalter was always my pick of the bunch, after Tata. I think he plays good soccer, knows MLS, knows how brutal Concacaf is, but has European pedigree. Plus, I was always a huge fan of his growing up. Him and Eddie Pope eye two of my favorite USA players back in the day

[Lineker]

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US Soccer’s board of directors has voted to repeal a 2017 policy that required national team players to stand during the national anthem, a rule adopted after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in support of Colin Kaepernick.

The board made the decision during a conference call, US Soccer announced Wednesday.

Policy 604-1 states: “All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.” The board passed the rule on 9 February 2017.

A person with knowledge of the discussions regarding the policy said new president Cindy Parlow Cone first broached repealing the rule last week, calling for the special meeting of the board. The person asked to remain anonymous because the process was not made public. Three players were invited on the call to share their opinions.

“We have not done enough to listen – especially to our players – to understand and acknowledge the very real and meaningful experiences of Black and other minority communities in our country. We apologize to our players – especially our Black players – staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism,” US Soccer said in a statement Wednesday. “Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will.”

The US Soccer Athletes’ Council, which includes current national team players Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger, as well as former players like Landon Donovan, called on US Soccer to also apologize for the policy to foster a “positive relationship to exist going forward”.

“Then and only then do we feel a new chapter between the USSF and its athletes can begin. Additionally, we urge US Soccer to develop a plan with action items focused on anti-racism that will be shared publicly with its athletes, key stakeholders, and fans,” the council said in a statement earlier this week.

The US Women’s National Team Players Association also called for an apology from US Soccer and a plan to substantively address racial inequality.

“Until USSF does so, the mere existence of the policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee – that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country,” the players said in a statement.

Rapinoe took a knee during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016. She said she wanted to express solidarity with Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who silently took a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice.

Kaepernick and Rapinoe faced sharp criticism for the protest for years. But sentiment among the public has changed since George Floyd’s death last month and the subsequent protests.

Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.

[Lineker]

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Donald Trump says he will no longer watch the US national soccer teams after a 2017 policy requiring players to stand during the anthem was repealed.

On Saturday, the president responded on Twitter to criticism from Florida Republican Matt Gaetz about the new anthem policy. “I won’t be watching much anymore!” wrote Trump.

On Wednesday, US Soccer repealed a rule that requires all players to stand during the anthem. The policy was originally put in place after USWNT star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. US Soccer’s decision came in the wake of protests across the United States against police brutality and racism.

“We have not done enough to listen – especially to our players – to understand and acknowledge the very real and meaningful experiences of Black and other minority communities in our country. We apologize to our players – especially our Black players – staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism,” US Soccer said in a statement on Wednesday. “Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will.”

Trump’s statement came after he criticised the NFL for issuing an apology for not listening to its players’ concerns over racism in the United States. In the statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would now “encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest”.

Rapinoe took a knee during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016. She said she wanted to express solidarity with Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who silently took a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice.

[Lineker]

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The US men’s soccer team ended a pandemic-shortened year with a blowout that raised confidence heading into a busy 2021, which will include eight World Cup qualifiers jammed into an 11-week span

Chris Mueller had two goals and two assists in his international debut, Ayo Akinola got a goal in his first game and the United States overwhelmed El Salvador 6-0 in a friendly on Wednesday night.

Paul Arriola scored in his first start for club or country since tearing his achilles tendon in February. Brenden Aaronson, playing his second international game following his debut against Costa Rica in February, got his first goal and assist, and Sebastian Lletget scored his fourth goal in 17 international appearances and added an assist.

“The killer instinct is a great step for us” Arriola said. “This could be World Cup qualifying. and I think we need to just be able to execute and be ready and not take our foot off the pedal. I think it’s going to be a great year for us next year.”

The match was played before a limited crowd of about 2,500 in the Americans’ first match before fans since the pandemic began. The US, who are No 22 in the Fifa rankings, used a lineup mostly from eliminated Major League Soccer teams in a match played without top stars. Coming off a 6-2 win over Panama, the Americans scored a half-dozen goals in consecutive games for the first time since 2013 against Guatemala and Belize.

“That’s the type of football we want to play. And we showed that we can do it,” US coach Gregg Berhalter said. “Guys are pushing, people are saying if we have a top group, I want to be part of it.”

The US were unbeaten with three wins and one draw in 2020, the fewest games the team has played in a year since 1987.

During a break in training on Tuesday, the players watched a Champions League game that feature Barcelona defender Sergino Dest and a goal by Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.

“I think it’s an amazing thing right now that you can sit down and watch two of the biggest clubs in the world and see two American players,” said Mueller, a 24-year-old with Orlando who is three years removed from college soccer at Wisconsin. “You could see the strength in the group, a group that can potentially compete for a World Cup in 2022 and in 2026.”

Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen became the record ninth American in the Champions League this season, shutting out Marseille 3-0 on Wednesday. “I know all those guys are thinking, ‘That’s where I want to be,” Berhalter said.

 

[Szumi]

2021! That's next year. Next year's our year!

[Szumi]

We're doing a lot of new threads, so here's one for the USMNT (or USWMT of you want!) to go along with it. The men played in CONCACAF's version of the Nations League last night, needing an 89' winner from substitute Jordan Siebatcheu against Honduras. It was... Not a very good match. 

We play Mexico in the finals on Sunday after El Tri beat Costa Rica on penalties. Even without Jimenez and not looking great themselves, I could easily see Mexico destroying us 2 or 3-0. Greg Berhalter very much is not up to the level needed as a manager, unfortunately.

Anyone else watch last night?

[gunnar hendershow]

I did not watch. I can't figure out the men's team. The talent should be there. Berhalter is like an NCAA coach who recruits really well but can't coach for shit.

Fortunately after a dismal Gold Cup performance, which seems likely, they'll have to move on to a new manager for World Cup qualifying since qualification is not assured.

Edited June 4, 2021 by damshow

[Szumi]

That's not going to happen at all. Gold Cup is not being prioritized this year and will mostly be a MLS roster. 

[gunnar hendershow]

Ugh fair point I suppose they'll give him the mulligan then. They're yet again being a tad complacent that World Cup is a guarantee. They dragged their feet too long last time around and look what happened.

[Szumi]

Homophobic chants had the match suspended before extra time. Then in the 30 minutes of extra time, heck the final 15... crowd throwing projectiles multiple times at USA players, twice VAR gave penalties, a manager sent off, the second penalty saved, a pitch invader... America/Pulisic scored the first penalty then America's back up keeper saved the Mexican penalty to win the match. Holy goodness. After 10 minutes of stoppage time in the second half extra time, America beats Mexico!

Seriously, this was fucking peak CONCACAF!

[Malenko]

1 hour ago, Szumi - A Polack said:

Homophobic chants had the match suspended before extra time. Then in the 30 minutes of extra time, heck the final 15... crowd throwing projectiles multiple times at USA players, twice VAR gave penalties, a manager sent off, the second penalty saved, a pitch invader... America/Pulisic scored the first penalty then America's back up keeper saved the Mexican penalty to win the match. Holy goodness. After 10 minutes of stoppage time in the second half extra time, America beats Mexico!

Seriously, this was fucking peak CONCACAF!

Was this directed by Michael Bay?

[gunnar hendershow]

That went entirely too late for me but what a victory.

Side note. At some point Mexico needs to be forced to forfeit matches for the homophobic chants from their fans, it's basically something that happens every match. Their players have asked fans to stop and it hasn't worked, so time for the next step.

[Szumi]

You can watch this back on Paramount Plus, and I highly recommend you do so. I don't even know if it's soccer anymore. Just peak CONCACAF.

[Szumi]

I absolutely love Brendan Aaronson. Here's him torching some Costa Rican defenders and showing why he's the Medford Messi.

 

 

 

[Malenko]

Nice miss at the the end.

[Malenko]

On 07/06/2021 at 06:32, Szumi - A Polack said:

Homophobic chants had the match suspended before extra time. Then in the 30 minutes of extra time, heck the final 15... crowd throwing projectiles multiple times at USA players, twice VAR gave penalties, a manager sent off, the second penalty saved, a pitch invader... America/Pulisic scored the first penalty then America's back up keeper saved the Mexican penalty to win the match. Holy goodness. After 10 minutes of stoppage time in the second half extra time, America beats Mexico!

Seriously, this was fucking peak CONCACAF!

Couldn't sleep so decided to watch this. Crazy off the pitch stuff aside, this was actually a very exciting match!

[Szumi]

It's the summer of Dos A Cero! We may not have won 2-0 at all, but we are 2-0 against Mexico in Finals this summer!

Best thing is USA's C team just beat Mexico's A- team. You fucking love to see it!

[The Kraig]

On 11/12/2020 at 12:23, Szumi - A Polack said:

2021! That's next year. Next year's our year!

😲

[gunnar hendershow]

I cannot believe that team managed to win the Gold Cup. We picked a squad that seemed poised to fall early in the knockouts and yet.