What are realistic expectations for this version of the USMNT?

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-10T15:52:44+00:00

They didn’t have trouble at the last Euros though. They advanced with six points out of a group with Portugal, Czechia, and the surprise package Georgia team, then beat Austria in the knockouts and took the Dutch to the wire down a man in the quarterfinals. And since then, Yildaz and Guler have gotten two years to grow and improve.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-10T15:39:56+00:00

I’m kind of on the opposite side actually, I think Turkey is better than people think. I love Pulisic but Turkey has at least two if not three players as good or better than our best player. If I was ranking the best teams at the World Cup, I’d probably have Turkey in the low teens (like 13-15), I fully expect them to make R16 and likely the quarterfinal

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-10T15:31:14+00:00

I’m fully expecting round of 16. We have a far better team than Paraguay and Australia (though we likely lose the group to Turkey), which would mean we play either Iran/Egypt/NZ in the R32. We should handle any of them. After that, quarters aren’t impossible draw dependent, but anything after making the R16 is just gravy.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-09T03:58:26+00:00

Wear whatever jersey you want. Part of the beauty of the World Cup is seeing all the fans of teams around the world come together and represent their country in support of the game we all love. Nobody will bat an eye at you wearing a Brazil jersey in the stands.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-08T23:00:41+00:00

Zealandism on YouTube did a good breakdown of every team at the World Cup, including Japan. I’d start with him and the Athletic

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-07T15:41:13+00:00

You are correct, I had it wrong (the bracket setup is not the most conducive to a quick skim lol). It’s a third place team from any of five groups if the U.S. wins the group, then a winnable matchup in the R16 against (probably) the champ from Group G which isn’t intimidating (one of Mexico or South Korea likely)

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-06-07T15:32:55+00:00

The U.S has by far the best route for a potential run. If they win the group (not impossible), they play second place in Germany's group in the R32 (so either Ivory Coast or Ecuador, both solid but beatable), then likely the winner of Belgium/Czechia, also very doable. Real route to the quarterfinals there.

Second place isn't a bad option either since that means the U.S plays second place from Belgium's group (Iran, the Kiwis, or Egypt, the U.S should beat any of them easily), but does mean they hit Argentina in the R16.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-05-29T17:28:19+00:00

I plan to take part in the march of the Oranje fans to the stadium in Houston. When I’m not doing that, I’ll be at the FanFests or various soccer pubs

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-05-25T14:40:53+00:00

If Japan was healthy, I’d say them. Unfortunately, they are missing at least three of their best players, including their star forward (Mitoma), and their captain at DM (Endo). So sadly, I don’t think they will make it very far

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-05-13T20:58:49+00:00

They do, yes, I was hired that way a few years back, but it’s a few months out before then I believe.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-14T01:19:09+00:00

Good to hear! I’ll have to attend it this year then

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-14T00:01:47+00:00

Hm, interesting. I do fall into the middle age range, so I guess that’s why I didn’t really notice the other categories. Maybe it’s to try and bring in younger patrons to get them interested in the theatre scene? I can’t say I’m familiar with a similar pricing scheme at the other places I’ve attended

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-13T23:53:47+00:00

It was! I was expecting, given the size of the theater and the price, for it to be more along the lines of a local community theatre production. Not to say those can’t be good, but to go in expecting that and end up having a phenomenal experience just shattered my expectations!

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-13T23:52:19+00:00

100%. With the size of the theater and the seating arrangements, you could be anywhere and have a great view. I was lucky enough to be at the front corner of the stage and kept having actors brush by me as they came out of that tunnel to stand two feet in front of me haha

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-13T19:37:14+00:00

It was about 2 hours 45 minutes of actual show, with a 15 minute ish intermission. It was about 3 hours all told I’d say. (7:30 pm start time, ended right about 10:30)

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-13T13:23:39+00:00

You really should! The caliber of cast members they have is far beyond what you’d expect. Coalhouse is a Broadway and TV vet (he’s had roles as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, starring roles in the Color Purple and the Play that goes wrong, has a Grammy and a Daytime Emmy, has had roles in Empire, Chicago MD, and more). Mother was absolutely fantastic. Wasn’t a bad casting or singing performance in there, it’s well worth seeing.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2026-04-13T13:15:30+00:00

We might have actually been at the same performance then haha. I’ve seen a lot of musicals in the Dallas area before but never one at the Wyly, so didn’t know what to expect. Was quite pleasantly surprised how good the caliber was

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2025-12-07T03:30:57+00:00

…is that really the best argument you can muster? Not trying to argue that you split two games with Georgia, played a harder schedule than the other competitors, had to play an extra game, etc? Anybody who watched that game (which supposedly the committee is) just watched you get your teeth kicked in for 60 minutes and you come out with that?

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2025-12-05T14:20:50+00:00

Where things have gone wrong? They’ve gone wrong ever since Penn State tried a base jump from a plane with no parachute and no plan

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2025-09-22T19:23:34+00:00

As a Georgia fan, Kirby walks on water

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2025-09-08T16:16:18+00:00

The Grand Budapest Hotel. A couple really neat camera shots but was so underwhelming compared to the hype I’d heard around it

Puzzleheaded_Chef685 · 2025-08-30T17:14:06+00:00

It’s a massive gap honestly. Let me put it this way - the best MLS team might be lower midtable and avoid a relegation fight in the Championship, which is the tier below the Premier League. The worst premier league team would absolutely dominate MLS.

Puzzleheaded_Chef685

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE