pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 19/07/2026GK has been fantastic. It reinforces to me- a start goal keeper has been a very very big miss for the US for about 8 years now. We've not had this to help us get through tight defensive games. 070
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 19/07/2026I'm seeing all of these things saying US soccer wants to tear down the pay to play system. I'm like. "sure?" I'm all for it if they can figure out how but... about 5 billion. I don't see how they do it. Around it, over it, through it - I can see. 030
Reposted by @pragidealist.bsky.socialWilliam B. Fuckley @opinionhaver.bsky.social · 18/07/2026I applaud the French player’s work life balance. If they make you come in on a weekend you half-ass it, that’s right 211924289
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 18/07/2026France came out to play an easy friendly and England didn't get that memo 030
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 15/07/2026All tactics come around. Tiki tak, high press.. now back to direct. Would it be ironic if England gets back to the WC final bc direct play became a go to tactic? After England worked hard to move away from direct play and a whole development process to be more skilled? 020
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 15/07/2026My cynical brain says Tuchel and England are a good match. Winning over style. Don't care if the game is ugly or dirty- just win. It's a shame with the talent they have now- but its not off brand. Tuchel bringing direct play back is a little funny. 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 15/07/2026That's not dissimilar to Belgium attacked the US. Its a dangerous way to attack a team that likes to press and build out. 020
Reposted by @pragidealist.bsky.socialKevin Morris @socceralt.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Just to come back to the Pepi stuff — check the xG chart. This team played without Balogun for 30 minutes, and down a man, and still generated equivalent xG to their opponents (and scored a goal). The offense can still cook without Balo. 162
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Exactly.. That was a very very well done press trap. I saw adams setting them up. 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 02/07/2026That was really really good. Everyone will talk about Balo but the US set a pressing trap perfectly and that is what got the US the ball right in that transitional spot. Adams flick is underrated. That was really nice, Poch ball. 050
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Adams and the 3 backs pressuring to stop counters. With Dest and Arob wide - of course they'll move and interchange but that I think that's likely their roles 010
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 19/06/2026With pepi and Belo in the box and Wes and Till man in the halfspaces. (Wes's more of a 10 than an 8 for the US- he's not the 8/6 everyone likes to project him as). 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Pepi and Balo starting is interesting. I didn't expect that but it makes sense in retrospect. I dont think it will be the 3421 .. With Australia expected to play deep.. i would guess Pepi and Balogun starting its going to be a 3142 look. 220
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 15/06/2026So I just spoiled the WC. I asked claude - assume every team win according to their fifa rankings except the US. US wins all their games. What is their path to the WC? So now I've spoiled it for everyone. ;-D 010
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026It could be a scary challenge for the US. 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026I am encouraged not because Poch got the tactics right and out played a chess match. I am encouraged because with real training time, he's getting the absolute best out of this squad and they look elite. 040
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026The ball movement was faster, the decision making was faster, the runs and passes were well timed. It was a fantastic performance that the coach and his staff did a brilliant job orchestrating. 120
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026What we saw was not brilliant tactics of master chess player. It was an elite coach and coaching staff that got the very best out of the team. 220
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026But there is a difference in knowing a thing, communicating a thing and getting players to do a thing. The right drills, the right training. the right praise at the right moment and right correction. 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026Just for the record. Poch is not a tactical genius. He's not a tactical genius. He's a brilliant coach. i get tired of the tactical heroism. Tactics in the sport are not magic. Berhalter's tactics were actually pretty great. 1101
Reposted by @pragidealist.bsky.socialMichael Lewis @soccerwriter.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Balogun became the first USMNT player to score 2 goals in a game since Bert Patenaude accomplished the feat in the 1930 World Cup in a 3-0 win over Paraguay 616342
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 13/06/2026No I don't lol. Not until later rounds anyway. 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Bill Gates, George Lucas.. camera finding them is just telling the world the type of money you needed to go to one of the games. 050
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 13/06/2026USMNT look really realy good. Like well coached good. 020
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 06/09/2025BJ ran Berhalter's system man. He was a stand in. 010
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Anyone missing Berhalter yet? It's been rough since the WC. 170
Reposted by @pragidealist.bsky.socialDogDad @dogdad15.bsky.social · 23/03/2025USMNT was clearly better under Biden. #ETTD 0101
Reposted by @pragidealist.bsky.socialAndy @palmquac.bsky.social · 23/03/2025Finishing 4th out of 4 in a Nations League tournament on home soil is an impressive feat #usmnt 161
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 24/03/2025He's the opposite. He's a 10 who can play on the wing. He's a lock picking 10 for AC Milan alot. Part of his problem is he can also be a scoring one. What he can't do is assist to himself. US doesn't have enough scorers. When Weah is really on- they do well but Weah is very inconsistent player 010
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025I love the USMNT and want them to win. I can't also help but be a little ok with them losing to Panama and Canada in today's climate. Not fair to the players maybe but.. they'll be fine 0151
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025I think we can say with confidence now that Berhalter was a good manager. 1120
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025He started playing the game at 16.. there's just a limit. Its amazing he is as good as he is tbh 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025Well that's conceding and saying- its over. That's back ups for stars 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025Pulisic waving off Poch? lol. Well there's some drama coming 130
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025To add a 10, you add him on instead of Mcglynn. McGlyn is a deep passing and shootin expert- what you need against deeper blocks generallly 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025Pulisic is a 10 and played 90. In deep low blocks, throwing in more guys that like to dribble isn't likely to help a lot. Berhalter was blamed before for similar type of results and he started Gio... its not the personnel or the selections. 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025That's not to say the US program has not made progress. They definitely HAVE! They're just not as good as many want them to be. Even Brazil can struggle to break down 11 guys in tight blocks. They have more guys with special quality to break through consitently. US has to just keep going. 160
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 23/03/2025I haven't been as engaged with US Soccer mostly bc so little has changed (despite the coaching change). There are some tactical nuances & some different personnel selections but all they've done is demonstrate what many of us knew. Tactics, squad selection and coachig have not been the core problem 150
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025I think i’d have to see it. Yes CB’s can step forward to create 2v1’s. Basically numerical superiority but there’s a diminishing return when teams sit deep bc you’re just crunching space. If anything- they probably could have teased the pressure out more 000
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025That when they won 2-0, US had 11 shots and 4 on target vs when they lost they had 12 shots and 5 on target. The difference is when Panama won they 1 shot on target vs when they lost they had 3. I don’t think there were any tactical problems really. 010
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025You don't generally overload a back five- you spread them out. You might try to get numerical supeiority on the edges but its opportunistic. Similar to BG games- the tactics were fine. Players did't finish and Turner goofed up his positioning on the one dangerous shot. 100
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025LOL- Panama gets 1 shot on target. 120
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Every player is fitting into a role. You'd be taking off Wes to get one of those in. That's hard to do imo. Anyone else- just jams up space. Right now the is 8 shots with 3 on target with 67% possession. As usual- at some point- players need to finish. 020
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Panama determined not to lose. Winning- not that important. They have 35% possession and 0 shots on target after 81 mintues. 120
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Sublime passing though is how you break down these blocks imo. Dribblers dribble into numbers. If Panama press higher it actually opens up space to attack. 100
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025I like these subs. Particularly McGlynn. I've been wanting him for these games for awhile. 020
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025We haven't been though. As an example. Wes cut and got that cut back cross and was the one on a back door header. Pulisic has been everywhere. Now the back three and 2 6's are static but that's it 100
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025I don't care much for Scally overlapping to be honest. There is a point where numbers don't help. If you're pulling in your CB when they have 10 men in the box (I counted) -its not going to help. Its about often about where you create space over numbers. 110
pragidealist.bsky.social @pragidealist.bsky.social · 21/03/2025TBF- combos on the edges with Wes and back post crosses have been our best chances and those are attacking from the width. Its just really hard to score with 10 men in the box 010
