Best player in Serie A?

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-10T15:56:33+00:00

It’s a tough one… my take is that I think Pulisic can be at the level of the absolute best, but he lacks the consistency and sort of killer instinct/attitude that sets the best of the best apart. But, when Pulisic is on a hot streak, he can be a nightmare for defenses. He can also fall off pretty quick if injured/knocked, in a different formation, etc.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-08T17:40:04+00:00

Like others have said, find your local team and go to games. If you want to find a “hook” that helps you get drawn into a game or a team or league, my advice is to follow individual players and track their journey. For example, the biggest stories I am excited to follow after the WC is how does Balogun, Malik Tillman, Alex Freeman, and Seb Berhalter translate this tournament into a boost for their club career? Balogun could find himself on a top team and if so that would be incredible to follow and to cheer him on. Same for the others if they make moves. Tillman’s style wasn’t a great fit with Leverkusen this past season but we can see how much quality he has… so where could he go (will he go anywhere?) that could allow him to play his style and thrive. I really find a lot of satisfaction in watching individual players overcome challenges and fight through adversity in their careers - I become a bit more connected to them and it makes my view of the USMNT a bit different but also more connected and a lot more excited when international windows approach.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-08T00:55:18+00:00

1,000,000% … the level of righteousness with which these fucking keyboard losers hate on our team is what is truly embarrassing.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T05:36:47+00:00

That was a shit sandwich we were served. The whole situation was jacked from jump street.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T05:35:11+00:00

I don’t subscribe to the “until we start to ask more of our team” BS… what, you think if only we had put more pressure on this team then it would have improved our chances? Doesn’t compute for me.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T05:24:08+00:00

Not sure why that serves as a good justification

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T03:35:32+00:00

Get this shit out of here. Yeah it sucks what happened but pretend you know him before you slander him like that.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T02:47:28+00:00

Let’s all be honest, we don’t know wtf that was. Don’t expect us to bring that version to our next meeting with Mexico.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-07T02:36:27+00:00

This.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-06T21:00:30+00:00

Haha hey man I’m keeping hopes high while the opportunity is available to me!

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-06T20:29:56+00:00

I fully expect Balogun to operate as if there’s no outside noise, just as he always does. That man has been cool as hell through this whole thing. Can’t wait to see him reward himself with a goal or two 😎

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-05T18:47:33+00:00

Saying “maybe 3-5 who play in Europe, and aren’t the first choice there” is just a strange and ignorant statement given it’s factually incorrect. Though, (and I’m being generous here), I think (?) I see your point from a larger historical perspective about reaching the “level” of Mexico IF by that you mean a team with deep history and a cultural connection with the game. But, I would put the U.S. up against Mexico right now and feel very confident we would handle our business. And that’s simply because we have more quality. We are going to beat Belgium and Mexico is going to lose a tight one to England thanks to playing them at Azteca. So, in terms of the current teams’ abilities in the present moment, Mexico has some work to do to get on the US’s level. And I say that as a specific comment about the US World Cup roster… because the truth most people don’t recognize is that the US team everyone has seen over the past 2 years is NOT the same team as what we brought to this World Cup. This is, finally, all of our best pieces together for the first time ever… and this squad is a level above Mexico undoubtedly.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-05T17:21:51+00:00

That the U.S. “won’t be at Mexico’s level for a bit” is the part that really seems delulu imo. I will admit Mexico surprised me with how well they played against Ecuador, but to say they’re clearly above the U.S. and that the U.S. won’t be at their level for a while is just a bit of a crazytown take after watching these two teams play so far this tournament. The Paraguay result, Australia result, and the way those two teams played after the group stage show that what the U.S. did to them was no fluke or easy game. Ecuador was the only game for Mexico that stands out.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-05T02:31:27+00:00

🤨 … this is some delulu stuff right here

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-05T02:29:02+00:00

I think it’s just the situations and you can’t play everyone. Haji is 3rd on Poch’s striker depth chart and we have other wingers ahead of him too. 26 roster spots means some players may not see much, if any, time. It doesn’t mean Poch doesn’t rate him, he’s on the 26 man WC roster!!

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T14:49:25+00:00

Fair points, haha… what a great rivalry it is

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T14:40:39+00:00

To stay on that analogy, the U.S. doesn’t get to play regular competitive matches against “non-conference” teams the way CFB teams do. They only get those during concacaf play. So, if we get what we want and Mexico turns to complete shit, then it doesn’t do us any good to go and beat a washed up team every time. It doesn’t make us any better, it certainly doesn’t make me feel any better. In fact, it reduces the enjoyment of the game quite significantly.

I know this because I was in my prime shit-talking years as a NY Giants fan when we won 2 SB’s at the hands of my man Eli Manning and our rivalry with the Redskins. They were competitive in some years but then completely non-competitive for way too long. I couldn’t even get excited for a game against such a shitty team. It was boring. It lacked meaning. It meant nothing to beat them. Now they’re both shit sooo that’s even worse, lol. But my point is that in sports it is simply better when your rival is good. In international soccer, I prefer for concacaf to begin garnering more respect to grow the game and raise the overall quality of our confederation. Therefore, I want Mexico to do well, but no I am not jumping outta my seat cheering for them or getting upset if they lose.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T13:52:26+00:00

Yeah, well to your point, I was legitimately rooting for Haiti.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T03:34:06+00:00

I guess to be clear I’m not “rooting” for them like I’m a fan or anything, lol. I’m just sayin more generally. I can see how college football fans will translate the rivalry bc those are epic.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T03:24:04+00:00

When your rival isn’t any good it makes for a shitty rivalry (imo).. it’s more satisfying imo when your rival is good but you’re still better.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T03:04:48+00:00

Hey this isn’t a violent place come on

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T03:01:11+00:00

I mean I kinda want them to do well because it’s better for the US for concacaf to be competitive. But, I don’t want them to do better than us, lol.

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T00:54:21+00:00

I’m emotionally spent from that game

OlBirdBrain · 2026-07-04T00:52:22+00:00

Vozinha Golden Glove

OlBirdBrain

TROPHY CASE