The Official 2022 FIFA World Cup Thread

[TripleThreat]

YOUNG AMERICANS
The USMNT was by far the youngest team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, garnering valuable experience going through the rigors of World Cup qualifying. Through 14 qualifiers, the USA Starting XI came in at an average of 23.82, almost two years younger than the next closest team, Ghana at 25.67. Together, the other 31 participating teams averaged a Starting XI age of 27.5 through qualifying, nearly four full years older than the U.S. Sources say this is one of the youngest, but most talented teams the U.S. has ever fielded. While they may not win the world cup this year, they may garner the experience needed to make a serious run on home soil in the year 2026 when the World Cup comes back to North America.

2022 USA World Cup Roster

FORWARDS
Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
Josh Sargent (Norwich City)
Timothy Weah (Lille)
Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)

MIDFIELDERS
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
Kellyn Acosta (LAFC)
Tyler Adams (Leeds United)
Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo)
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Yunus Musah (Valencia)
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

DEFENDERS
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan)
Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
Shaq Moore (Nashville SC)
Tim Ream (Fulham)
Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach)
DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami)
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

GOALKEEPERS
Ethan Horvath (Luton Town)
Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Matt Turner (Arsenal)

[loochy]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

9am CST

Meh, I'll still have to watch it on the phone because we'll have to leave for the game pretty early. Maybe I should plan on getting there super early and just sitting in the stadium and watching on the phone.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by tredadda

He seemed to finish the half from what I understand as I missed the first half due to meetings. If that’s the case I doubt it’s anything too serious.

Yeah, it looked like a direct blow from the knee type thing rather than a muscular type injury.

[ScareCrowe]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've always wondered if there's not a defensive strategy to 'force' an offsides call.

I mean, if the 'back' defender rushes forward as the ball is being played, could he not effectively wreck the play? And because of that, doesn't it take a TON of starch out of the possible run? Afterall, it would seem to make a hard crash from the forward all but impossible when you have to worry about the defender 'creating' an offsides.

Is there a "no, your defenseman was a dipshit and ran himself out of the play" exception to this rule?

It's the biggest struggle I've had with soccer rules. You can know enough about hockey for most of soccer to make sense, but an offsides being determined by a moving target has always been tough to wrap my head around.

It is a pretty common strategy for the back line to move up forcing players offside just before the pass is sent.

The exception is usually more of a "one of you defenders was too stupid to step up with his back line ruining the offside trap and giving the other team a breakaway"

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by loochy

Yeah, it looked like a direct blow from the knee type thing rather than a muscular type injury.

Sounds like it was an injury to the balls. So he should be ok.

But will be no handballs tonight

[KCUnited]

****ing program increment planning at work this week so only got to see the last 20 minutes or so. Was a dang exciting ending to the match.

Congrats USMNT, well done.

[Why Not?]

Proud of the guys for the effort! Let's see what they can do Saturday. House money. This really sets up nicely for North America's Cup in 4 years.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've always wondered if there's not a defensive strategy to 'force' an offsides call.

I mean, if the 'back' defender rushes forward as the ball is being played, could he not effectively wreck the play? And because of that, doesn't it take a TON of starch out of the possible run? Afterall, it would seem to make a hard crash from the forward all but impossible when you have to worry about the defender 'creating' an offsides.

Is there a "no, your defenseman was a dipshit and ran himself out of the play" exception to this rule?

It's the biggest struggle I've had with soccer rules. You can know enough about hockey for most of soccer to make sense, but an offsides being determined by a moving target has always been tough to wrap my head around.

Offsides trap is more of a strategic mentality than a situational gambit.

Teams with solid defense will shrink the field by keeping their defenders forward, so that counterattacks have to start nearer midfield due to offsides offences.

Or even in the defensive third, they will coordinate pushing forward to minimize the space the offense has to work with. Push up to the 18, or push up to the top of the arc, every time the ball recedes to between the arc and midline.

But if you 'try it' situationally, you not only have to leap forward right when the ball is struck, but you have to have the situational awareness to know you are in fact the 2nd to last defender.

Would really suck to give up a cheap goal because you tried to force the defender offsides all by yourself, only to find there was another player way out on the wings, possibly behind your back, that mooted your effort and give the opposition a free barrage on your goalie all by himself.

[|Zach|]

Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day, USSF says. He was back at the team hotel before the group arrived from the stadium. #usmnt

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) November 29, 2022

Bet he plays.

When I first saw the play I thought it was some weird groin thing.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day, USSF says. He was back at the team hotel before the group arrived from the stadium. #usmnt

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) November 29, 2022

Bet he plays.

When I first saw the play I thought it was some weird groin thing.

Does anyone know the recovery period for an injury like this?

[POND_OF_RED]

Every game from here on out is one of the biggest in our history. We were definitely the favorites with England to get out of the group so this result is still not enough for me. If we want to show we are at the next level I want to at least go blow for blow with the Netherlands on Saturday and make it an entertaining match. We HAVE to finish. There were some moments in the first half that we really let slip through our fingers and we can’t do that against the Netherlands. Chances will be few and far between and we have to finish.

So happy to see Pulisic get his moment at such a big time. Sad to see it immediately followed by an injury that has us worrying about his status. Pretty much sums up his career so far, though. Womble and some others may act like he’s played his way out of the starting lineup, but his injuries are what cost him his starting job at Chelsea. Tuchel didn’t ever trust his fitness and that’s a fair assessment, but when healthy he’s definitely able to show his ability to be a world class player. Teams don’t pay $73 million transfer fees for ordinary players. Hope he gets healthy soon. Would obviously be a huge blow to not have him out there against the Netherlands. Aaronson did a good job filling in at LW, though, I thought.

For what it’s worth. The winner of the game Saturday will play the winner of Group C winner and Group D 2nd place. That matchup will be decided tomorrow. If both games were to end in a tie it would be Poland vs Australia. Argentina (3rd) are better than Poland (26th) and Denmark (10) are better than Australia (38th) so both teams will be playing for the wins so tomorrows matchups should be fun. Mexico will also be trying to sneak back in with what will likely take a huge win vs Saudi Arabia. Lots of rooting interests for tomorrows matchups.

[Womble]

We still discussing the offside rule in here?

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

Does anyone know the recovery period for an injury like this?

It's a bone bruise. All about pain tolerance and management. He will play but if he gets any trauma to that area while playing he is going to be hurting a lot.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Womble

We still discussing the offside rule in here?

Aren't you british? You should know this game has laws and not rules.

[alanm]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Didn't he get kicked in the nuts? Give him a frozen bag of peas and he'll be good to go.

[Jewish Rabbi]

Need to send Bill to Qatar to suck him off right quick