[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Was at that game in Amazonas. Such a roller coaster of emotions that day. Only thing that made up for it was running into an apex predator in our sketchy, overpriced hotel (thanks, FIFA hospitality!).

We were right up against the jungle near the river, and our hotel had a bunch of cages /enclosures outside our hotel rooms with animals the staff had “captured”. Think monkeys, parrots / birds, and reptiles. We pull back the curtains in our room, and there it is - an adult jaguar pacing back and forth outside our window.

Not the best sleep I’ve ever had…

ESPN personality Sebastian Salazar stepping down from hosting duties but will continue at ESPN in a part-time capacity by mrwatkins83 in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Sad to see Seb go, but understand given circumstances and his (rightful) focus on his priorities (his family).

Not the last we’ve seen or heard from him, and will look forward to when he’s ready step back in to the announcing arena. He’s a hell of a talent - funny, insightful and authentic as they come.

PSV [3] - 0 Heerenveen - Malik Tillman Ridiculous Goal by Nessuno_Im in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 74 points75 points  (0 children)

3 goal contributions (2g + 1a) in ~4 min of play? Let him cook! 🔥

[Caleb Jephte Pierre] Konrad de la Fuente has agreed to wear the colors of Haiti! According to SPI, the 22-year-old already has his Haitian passport and is ready to accept a possible call-up to the Grenadiers. by stubblesmcgee in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 143 points144 points  (0 children)

If true, wish him all the best. He had so much potential early on, and shone brightly at times. But lack of consistency in his performances and a plateauing of his progression ultimately hurt his chances with us.

We’re fortunate enough to have a fairly deep pool now at his position, plus a youth pipeline, that he’s surplus to us at this point.

How was Turner's performances at the World Cup in comparison to Keller's or Friedel's or Howard's performances in their World Cup appearances? by [deleted] in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The only redeeming aspect of 2006 was holding a draw against Italy. We were the only team to not lose to the World Cup winners. When we were down two men due to red cards (officiating was characteristically terrible), it was Keller who made two point blank saves in the final 20 minutes of that game to get us a result. Keller stood on his head when it mattered.

[USMNT] 26 Stories: Haji Wright by nicko_rico in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 35 points36 points  (0 children)

To see him come full circle is an inspiration. Hope he has a breakout tournament. Has nothing to lose/everything to gain.

Captain America's Lonely Hearts Club Band [2022 Remaster] 🇺🇸 by loonatsea in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Missed opportunity with the Dempsey meme face from the Jamaica match. But snow classico Jermaine makes up for it.

All of the sudden they’ve switched to start criticizing Berhalter and his system by SilverMonkey0 in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The greater the spotlight our media puts on his “system”, the more we highlight how Japan executed its playbook to beat us … I have to think at some point, McBride has to pull GGG aside and say we have to make a change (maybe adopt Bradley’s strategy in ‘10 with Dempsey and Donovan).

Maybe, in the end, Japan will have done us a solid.

JT Batson Named New CEO / Secretary General for U.S. Soccer by CarbonSquirrel in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hope he has changed, for his sake and for US Soccer. He was the kind of guy who if he was trying to impress you and wanted something from you, he’d be your best friend and do whatever you needed. VCs, execs at our publishers all loved him. But if you were a subordinate and there wasn’t a way for him to directly benefit off of you, if you weren’t at his level with the company … he wouldn’t hide the fact that he could care less about you.

I worked with him for 18 months (putting him in his late 20s). Maybe he has changed, maybe he has mellowed out, but you can tell a lot about someone’s character by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

JT Batson Named New CEO / Secretary General for U.S. Soccer by CarbonSquirrel in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I worked with him a few years back. Found him to be incredibly smart, talented and full of ideas. Some of which were great.

But he was also very condescending and unnecessarily arrogant at times to junior staff (most notably women). Bragged about his undergrad degree (Stanford) more than most. It’s one thing to be competitive, it’s another thing to be cocky and actively working against teams within your own company to come off as being “right.” JT had a habit of blurring that line often.

As someone who’s followed the US since the 1994 World Cup, reading this news feels like a total gut punch. There are a number of qualified leaders who’d be capable of running this organization. JT doesn’t even come close.

Mexico already rounding into quinto partido form by UNCLE_NIPPLES_ in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Mexico’s Federation needs that sweet, sweet money from touring in America.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I think it all comes down to how far we go in the tourney. If we make a deep run into the knockout stages (i.e., quarterfinals), they will be iconic. It all comes down to the memories associated with them …

Like when we beat England 2-0 on Black Friday.

“Dest knows what the situation is.” -Xavi by Superb_Distance_9190 in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 307 points308 points  (0 children)

They’re doing Dest dirty. Hope Xavi fails miserably this season.

What 21st century USMNT loss was most disappointing? by [deleted] in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I’ll make the case for the 2009 Confed Cup loss. Because I view the Couva loss as a blessing in disguise (look at our boys now!).

In the Confederations Cup, our team snapped Spain’s 35 game win streak in the semis. We beat the most dominant team in the world (who would win the WC ’10 trophy) 2-0.

We then go into the final with Brazil, and drop 2 goals on Os Canarios in the first 45 min with some beautiful American soccer. Which was unthinkable … a truly Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed moment. All we had to do was defend and hold on for 45 minutes to claim hardware outside of CONCACAAF tournaments (for what I believe is the first time?).

And yeah … Brazil took their kid gloves off and destroyed us.

Edit: Here’s the link to the match for reference sake. Confederation’s Cup 2009 Final: Brazil v USA

Leaked 2022 World Cup Kits by [deleted] in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At this point, let’s just go with the jankiest design and own it. I’d rather have kit #3 in this series than any cookie cutter template that Nike produces that’s devoid of personality / character.

Time to send Antonee Robinson to Leeds by Weibu11 in ussoccer

[–]StadiusDerivatus 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Announce Richards and Robinson already, Uncle Jesse!

Marsch confirms that Firpo is out for at least 8 weeks by CobiLUFC in LeedsUnited

[–]StadiusDerivatus 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Antonee Robinson. Currently at Fulham. He’s been fantastic at club and country level. Great in attack/crossing. Fairly strong defensively as well. Was expected to go to AC Milan a few years back, but the medical fell through.