OT: Reminder U-20 World Cup - USA v Serbia 12:30am (FS1)
For all the MGoSoccer fans out there, the USA U-20 team takes on Serbia in the World Cup quarterfinals at 12:30 tonight on FS1.
These games have been really late/early in the morning since the tournament is in New Zealand, so i'll happily take a 12:30am kickoff on a Saturday night. Exciting to see the future of US soccer with this squad.
Back in it.
Step & strike, no fancy shit.
Fuck, Steffen had it.
Fuck, ball game.
Wow, Letting the keeper take a penalty.
Huge save.
This is some nerve-wracking shit.
Oh my Steffen!
STEFFEN!!
Fucking fancy shit.
Hit the damn ball.
Steffen deserved better. Nobody else did.
Need to work on those PK's. Too cute.
Out.
Portugal-esque.
The future is bright, this is a talented group
on the back line all night.
Some of those PKs were really ugly. The stutter step/stop+go technique clearly did not work.
But Steffen. Wow. He is a great goalkeeper that should be huge for the US for the long-term.
If there was a way to know the true odds, there is no way you're more likely to score with the stutter step bull schwa or trying the perfect placement and catching a post, as compared to picking any spot a yard and a half inside the frame with power, and if the keeper guesses right, oh well.
A couple of yards inside the upper right or left corner of the frame is almost always going to be open. And it's reasonably safe shot not to miss. Just line up and blast it there. If he stops it he stops it.
All of the US misses where just that . . . misses or weak slow shots. The Serbian goalie did not actually stop anything. We did it to ourselves. If you are going to lose on PK's, for god's sake make them actually beat you.
I know there is one hell of a lot of pressure on those guys, but as you said, just line up and blast it. The stutter step and stop + go routine only affects the rhythm of the PK attempt, not the goalkeeper.
I'm surprised we made it to PK's, because we were horrendous in ET.
CCV is going to be a mainstay on the senior team, clearly. He has great presence and a mind for where to be on defense. No strikers were apparent, but I saw some hope for midfielder and defense development. Steffen looks like a guy who will be competing for time on the senior team after the requisite hair loss and 30th birthday occur :)
Fortunately, those are areas of need. Love CCV (although he needs to work on PK's, sheeesh). He's like having an extra player on D. Steffen looks like he'll continue the American tradition of outstanding goalkeeping.
We haven't found our "Messi" creator-type yet, but most countries not named Argentina or Brazil can say the same thing.
Unrelated, but two crackers of goals by Jack Wilshere of all people for England against Slovenia in Euro qualifying - his first two goals internationally.
Tried to stay up and watch, but after a day of yard work, I made it through the first 30 minutes conked out. Maybe would've been able to make it if it was a goal fest.
I think if the US were a little bit healthier (more striking options and more options at DM), we'd have advanced easily. But so it goes in these kinds of tournaments. I'm sure Serbia was missing a player or two as well. Great group of players we have, and I think they're in good hands with Ramos and Jurgen. Wonder if we'll see any of these guys in 2018.
I'm a Wolves fan and watch lots of the English second tier and I'm excited to see Hyndman have a more expanded role this upcoming season (hopefully). I think with some added strength, he'll be a good one.