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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

If Australia are setting up in their super compact 541 block, then I want to see the USMNT overload like this:

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Live feed final xG: .98 🇺🇸 1.39 🇩🇪

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

xG at half: .45 🇺🇸 .26 🇵🇹

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Reposted by Bob Morocco

Ben Wright @benwright.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I've seen a few comments about Pochettino "abandoning" the back three against Belgium that I think point to a misunderstanding of what the shape actually is. It's never been a strict back three. It's a 3-2-5 in buildup, but always a 4-4-2 shape when defending in a low block.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

xG at half 1.17 🇺🇸 .56 🇧🇪

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Brian Dunseth said the team has been training in a “new” formation this week. Sounds like a back 4 on D (not new) but also maybe more of a back 4 in attack (kind of new).

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

My bonus rooting interest is that we get a good result so we can break the 3 ATB delusion that has infected the discourse.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Pochettino’s morphing 3/4 ATB system (which he’s used in nearly every match, nice to see others have almost caught on to it) fit the talent he had available to him when he started (aka no Dest). It no longer does. Its use should be situational and matchup dependent.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Wes has leveled-up his quick interchange play. He has long had an eye for it but too often he wasn’t reading teammates’ movement or he was imprecise with his passing. Now he’s locked in.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

7 - Balogun 6.5 - Pulisic 7 - Zendejas 6.5 - Arfsten 6 - Adams 6.5 - Roldan 6.5 - Freeman 6.5 - Ream 5.5 - Richards 5.5 - Blackmon 7 - Freese 6.5 - Dest 6.5 - Luna 6.5 - McGlynn 5.5 - Luca NR - Downs NR - Harriel Classic uninflated rating scale, 5 is neutral.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Final xG: 2.01 🇺🇸 1.08 🇯🇵

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Japan may have shifted into a 442 on D

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

If nobody in the press directly asks Poch if he is letting guys stay in Europe to prioritize their club seasons then what are we even doing here. They should also ask if he’s sending a message to players based on past performances too but I’ll take what I can get.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Club and Country minutes per year: Donovan (14.5 years) 37,888 Club + 12,872 USMNT = 3,500.7 minutes per year. Dempsey (15 years) 38,944 Club + 11,074 USMNT = 3334.5 minutes per year. Pulisic (10 years) 24,249 Club + 5,572 USMNT = 2,982.1 minutes per year.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Poch’s initial shape worked and then Turkey adjusted and the USMNT didn’t. Is it because our players are too dumb to figure out their own counters? I haven’t ruled it out.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

If FIFA is competently evil the 64 team 2030 WC will include a bunch of inter-confederation playoff games for the last 16-32 teams who qualify. FIFA then gets to sell the TV rights for those games.

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Reposted by Bob Morocco

Ben Wright @benwright.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Wilfried Nancy and the Columbus Crew are absolutely elite at building freedom and improvisation out of a well-drilled structure. It's spectacular to watch.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

The truth is that this generation of players are on the path to not mattering much to Americans and American soccer beyond erasing the stigma our players had in Euro boardrooms.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Pretty conservative lineup from Poch. Career these guys put up 1.52 G/90 in international play against competition that is, on average, a bit weaker than Panama.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

If 3/4 of our wide players are Ream, Scally, and Musah that is a pretty poor attacking group.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

If you are a member of the USMNT press corps you have a solemn duty to ask Gio Reyna if he is physically capable of sprinting.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

This is basically how valuable the stats USMNT players are posting in leagues FBref covers

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

This is how I would play Panama in March. First the lineup/defensive shape. I would also look at dropping into a 3 man CM with Gio at RCM in the low block to let Musah slide out and cover for Pulisic:

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Pepi chests one down, quite well, for an assist.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Tim Ream on @scuffed.bsky.social talking about the differences in Poch’s approach to buildup:

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Gio playing 8 out of possession and 8/10 in attack:

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

My least controversial opinion is that the Serie A goal ball bag should be made out of a more luxurious fabric

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Gio Reyna is about the worst example of “player who should have started in MLS to be on a better trajectory” possible. His only real problem is his injury. Without that he has 100+BL starts. It’s not like he could start games in MLS on a busted hamstring.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Cross posting from the Mauricio Pochettino Coaching Philosophy thread:

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Thomas Gaudin @astrotom.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

At this point, I have compiled a very detailed spreadsheet of individual match data for all active and a few select retired USMNT players. After the November window, here are the numbers. It is interesting to see how productive players are and compare it to the difficulty of their opponents! #USMNT

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

When them balls go in, whoa baby

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

USMNT in possession shape has been like something Nagelsmann would do.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Predictions for the home USMNT match against Jamaica in the NL: In possession:

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Thomas Gaudin @astrotom.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

One thing I’m watching for over the next few years for the USMNT is Christian Pulisic’s production compared to the historical production of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. At about the halfway mark of their caps, Puli is running ahead of Dempsey and with Donovan on goal contributions.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

USMNT predictions. Lineup Graphic:

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 17/10/2024

Just to cover all my bases the USMNT largely defended in a back 4 in Poch’s first window. Watch weakside defensive positioning (especially when deeper) and who steps to the ball wide in midfield and when.

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 06/02/2024

Pulisic is having a good season but he is not consistently creating enough danger. In 10/18 of his starts (where he makes it past halftime) he is hitting .2 or less xG+xA*. Leao is at 3/17. *According to FBref’s match logs

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Bob Morocco @bobmorocco.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

If T&T drop this is the base attacking shape I want. Serge and Brendo swapping. Gio playing free.

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