USMNT: Soccer's Coming Home

67YAZ

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USSF has hired consulting firm Sportsology to advise them on a full re-org, which will then lead to a new hire for Sporting Director and MNT coach.

A Scuffed guy who works in the business referred me to this article on them, which I have to say is fascinating:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/4/14/22380676/nba-general-manager-mike-forde
We’re going to end up with Mourinho, aren’t we?

No, that is a really interesting article and it suggests that this is a good partner to help USSF reorganize.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Mourinho would be hilarious and great and I'm here for it
With the Juve point deduction, Roma currently stands at 5th, in a Europa League spot, and tied on points for 4th, which would get them Champions League. I can’t imagine he leaves for a national team if he has UCL next season, though who knows with the Special One.
 

Titans Bastard

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I think there's a good chance that the USSF budget will be too limited for some of the big names, like Mourinho, that get thrown about. Even if the USSF wanted to pursue a big name, the finances are an open question.

I also don't think that that necessarily means the pool will be limited to MLS managers. We need more information on Cone's mindset and especially Batson's mindset, but I'm not convinced that these executives will replace Stewart, McBride, and Berhalter with more USMNT alumni/insider types or that they will approach the hiring process with an insular mindset. Three of the four WC semifinalists were coached by relatively no-name managers.

I'm dying for an in-depth J.T. Batson piece. The CEO role in the USSF is the real power player role, but it's not as public-facing as the president.
 

candylandriots

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For those who are more plugged into USMNT goings-on than I am: assuming the money is there from the federation, and the desire is there from the Special One, do you want Mourinho? Or do we wait until there is only 2 years left until the WC - (I kid :)) ?

FTR-I think like @Arroyo Con Frijoles, I’m here for that too, but am willing to be talked out of it.
 

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One key difference from club to international management, which is not as readily understood as the limited practice time windows that you get with your players, are that you can't really choose your players. Your player pool is what it is. If you're Brazil or France, the coach can pick players for the exact style he wants to play and still have world-class players all over the field, but the vast majority of countries have a player pool determined and set in stone 20 years before you got there. As such, you have to make the actual talent in that pool feel like you have their back under all circumstances, will help them navigate their club careers, will show them how you'll put them in a position to be successful as a national team, and feel loyalty to you and the team much as you feel loyalty to them.

Jose Mourinho is many things, and I'm not a hater of his, but there is nothing about his career that makes me think he can make players believe he truly has their back and can trust him over the long term.
 

67YAZ

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I only mentioned Jose because Mike Forde, the Sportsology guy, worked for a while at Chelsea. But he seems to have slotted in between Mourinho's stints at Chelsea. So maybe we're more likely to get Rafa Benitez...

Anyway, the thought of Jose shackling Dest is enough to give me a headache.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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For those who are more plugged into USMNT goings-on than I am: assuming the money is there from the federation, and the desire is there from the Special One, do you want Mourinho? Or do we wait until there is only 2 years left until the WC - (I kid :)) ?

FTR-I think like @Arroyo Con Frijoles, I’m here for that too, but am willing to be talked out of it.
Jose would be a gold plated, diamond studded fit for how US teams used to play, but a weird fit for evolving how the team has been playing for the past four years. He'd be like a God Tier Bruce Arena, but I'm not so sure that's what fits our current pool's strengths and weaknesses. I also don't see a manager somewhat famous for not really training offensive patterns being the guy who helps the team take the next step in the final 3rd.
 

67YAZ

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From Jalen Neal’s mom. If you watched the post game, so many of the young guys headed over to the stands to hug loved ones and celebrate these first caps. Really touching.

 

Jed Zeppelin

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Long-rumored, now confirmed: USA will host 2024 Copa America, which will include 6 teams from CONCACAFto qualify based on '23-'24 Nations League results.

Great opportunity for the squad.

Link
 

Cellar-Door

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One key difference from club to international management, which is not as readily understood as the limited practice time windows that you get with your players, are that you can't really choose your players. Your player pool is what it is. If you're Brazil or France, the coach can pick players for the exact style he wants to play and still have world-class players all over the field, but the vast majority of countries have a player pool determined and set in stone 20 years before you got there. As such, you have to make the actual talent in that pool feel like you have their back under all circumstances, will help them navigate their club careers, will show them how you'll put them in a position to be successful as a national team, and feel loyalty to you and the team much as you feel loyalty to them.

Jose Mourinho is many things, and I'm not a hater of his, but there is nothing about his career that makes me think he can make players believe he truly has their back and can trust him over the long term.
It's an interesting question, because there are positives to the limited time as well though. Like Bielsa, brilliant national team manager because he does all his work all year, but isn't able to burn his players out like he does at the club level. Also excellent at elevating players by giving them specific roles to their strengths.
I don't really want Jose here, but I think he'd probably do well at the National level. He's an asshole, who wears out his welcome, but he's also just a good manager. Tactically savvy, good at adjustments, and I think he'd get a lot out of our player pool even if it might mean some fights and exiles.
 

Joe D Reid

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Long-rumored, now confirmed: USA will host 2024 Copa America, which will include 6 teams from CONCACAFto qualify based on '23-'24 Nations League results.

Great opportunity for the squad.

Link
Fuck. Yeah. This really helps give the next cycle some shape.
 

Titans Bastard

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Participating in a combined Copa América was the priority number one to give the USMNT some real games between now and the 2026 World Cup. We'll have the usual Gold Cups and Nations Leagues of course, and whatever trumped-up friendly tournaments we can cobble together, but this is such a boost.

Hosting another Copa América could also be a great way to build excitement and expectations for 2026. 2016 was a hit and this one will probably be bigger. The USMNT doesn't easily break into the consciousness of the general public outside of the World Cup and this is one way to do it.
 

InstaFace

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Long-rumored, now confirmed: USA will host 2024 Copa America, which will include 6 teams from CONCACAFto qualify based on '23-'24 Nations League results.

Great opportunity for the squad.

Link
Hell yes, brothers and sisters. The only competition we're likely to get that will actually help prepare us for 2026. It's been a good week of USMNT news, if a bit busy.

We should offer to finance a couple of stadiums in whatever country wins the rights to host AfCON 2025, in exchange for getting invited there, too. Decision on that hosting will be on Feb 10th, in two weeks. Then just push the Gold Cup to July-August and send a B-team there again, like in 2021.

Friendlies against quality teams have never been harder to come by than they are today, much less official competitions where everyone's actually trying. Today we got the big prize in terms of helping our 2026 prep, but there are still other prizes to chase, too. Like some annual home-and-home against Ghana, with some named trophy that we pass back and forth. Ghana is awesome, both the team and the country.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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Any ideas where in the us will host?
Initial reports I saw on Twitter is that they will be held at World Cup venues as a basic test run.

I went to the US-Ecuador knockout game and the Argentina-Bolivia games in Seattle. Both were awesome. The US game featured a Dempsey goal, which threatened to bring the building down.
 

rguilmar

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A little lost in the conversation about the Copa America announcement (and perhaps not pertinent to this thread) is that there will also be a mini club tournament between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL club teams. Four clubs, two from each region, I imagine the two finalists each from CONCACAF Champions League and Copa Libertadores. Maybe it’ll be in the same city ala the Spanish Supercopa which would be fine by me. It’s a pipe dream for CONCACAF teams to play in the Libertadores but this seems manageable and honestly fun.
 

candylandriots

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Long-rumored, now confirmed: USA will host 2024 Copa America, which will include 6 teams from CONCACAFto qualify based on '23-'24 Nations League results.

Great opportunity for the squad.

Link
This is the one single piece of news that makes me miss my old job. The company I worked for is one of the top sponsors of CONCACAF, and nobody else in the office gave a shit. Which meant I ended up with some pretty sweet tickets for me and my clients.

Glad this is coming back!
 

67YAZ

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This is Arriola’s 50th cap. Quite an accomplishment.

Surprised to see Walk back out there after coming off at the half last time. Hope he escapes unscathed.

Im a little annoyed that there wasn’t some mixing & matching youth & vets in the midfield across the 2 matches. Felt like the kids needed someone to be in charge against Serbia.
 
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Titans Bastard

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Unfortunate to see Long’s passing hasn’t improved
I think there is a reasonable chance that this is his final USMNT game. He has the three other WC guys + Miles + Richards ahead of him, probably McKenzie too now. It depends on how the two summer rosters shake out, but this could be it.
 

rguilmar

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Heck of a pass by Ferreira. Most of the US attack is coming down the left.


I think there is a reasonable chance that this is his final USMNT game. He has the three other WC guys + Miles + Richards ahead of him, probably McKenzie too now. It depends on how the two summer rosters shake out, but this could be it.
I could see him in the Gold Cup roster depending on other options. I would guess most of the Euro based guys will be out and it’ll be mostly an MLS based team.
 

67YAZ

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Tough for Ferreira to be the 9 and the best passer on the pitch. He can’t serve himself.

The pressing looks pretty good and the guys are working hard. But I think last match saw more individual quality on display. It might be the Colombian’s physicality is throwing us off, but I’d like to see more daring with the ball.
 

rguilmar

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Just some general thoughts on Camp Cupcake. For me, there were some successes despite the results (which are secondary at best in this type of camp).

I think having one new player emerge from this camp who could contribute to the A team alone makes this a success, and for me Alejandro Zendejas can possibly come off the bench for the full squad. He was invisible in the first half and great in the second against Serbia. Vazquez and Jones to a lesser degree also seem like they can be helpful in positions of need. Idk if the A squad will be involved in the March camp and how many can be called up, but I’d like to see all three players there.

Beyond that, there were some interesting young guys who were ok- Aaronson the Younger, Cade Cowell, Jalen Neal, Gaga, JoGo, Tolken, and to a lesser extent Aidan Morris. With experience and maturity any of these guys could contribute down the road. I really liked Neal. He had his mistakes that he will need to clean up, but there is a lot of promise. Cowell really popped off the screen mostly due to his athleticism. If/when he improves his technique he could be really good. Paxten probably is waking up today feeling like he was in a cage fight last night.

Probably time to start phasing out guys like Arriola and Long. Zim and Acosta will have a role going forward though I hope the next coach is open to exploring other options (more when it comes to Acosta than Zim).
 

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That's too bad for him, the fans seemed to like him. 22 days short of making it even one full year. But I guess better than Bob Bradley did at Swansea.

Marsch will have Big 5 offers, so I can't imagine he'd turn to international management at this point in his career.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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That's too bad for him, the fans seemed to like him. 22 days short of making it even one full year. But I guess better than Bob Bradley did at Swansea.

Marsch will have Big 5 offers, so I can't imagine he'd turn to international management at this point in his career.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Marsch. I agree that international management is a risky move. But I'm also not sure what kinds of prospects he'll have - there is definitely a bias against American managers in much of Europe and he has now had two straight jobs where he failed to last a full year.
 

Titans Bastard

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Jesse Marsch just got the sack. I wonder what Weston McKennie thinks.

Is Marsch now in the mix for USMNT manager?
I think he's definitely in the mix. But if we felt that Berhalter was often too tactically rigid for the international game, we should think long and hard if Marsch is the next guy we want to hire. I say this as someone who likes Marsch — I'm just a little hesitant to give him the job when he hasn't had a truly successful gig outside the confines of the Red Bull universe.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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I think he's definitely in the mix. But if we felt that Berhalter was often too tactically rigid for the international game, we should think long and hard if Marsch is the next guy we want to hire. I say this as someone who likes Marsch — I'm just a little hesitant to give him the job when he hasn't had a truly successful gig outside the confines of the Red Bull universe.
Nor at the top of said Red Bull universe, honestly.

I'm down on full Rangnick-inspired Gegenpressing right now. Besides maybe Rose at Leipzig I don't know that anybody is making it work at a truly high level currently, and I'm not sure how doctrinaire he is either. Klopp certainly was drifting away from it somewhat already with the Thiagofied version of his midfield and now has suffered a collapse.
 

Pesky Pole

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is Carlos Corberan our best hope as USMNT fans? His style would seemingly fit McKennie and Aaronson (not that I'll pretend I've watch West Brom games but from reading about him). Adams seems safe no matter who is the manager. I worry mostly about Aaronson who was already fading away from Marsch's team sheet.
 

67YAZ

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I think he's definitely in the mix. But if we felt that Berhalter was often too tactically rigid for the international game, we should think long and hard if Marsch is the next guy we want to hire. I say this as someone who likes Marsch — I'm just a little hesitant to give him the job when he hasn't had a truly successful gig outside the confines of the Red Bull universe.
I'm also skeptical of another manager without international experience, especially in a shortened cycle. I'm hoping we can get someone who hits the ground running, not a manager who has to learn how to roll back his preferred system to fit the talent pool.
 

Cellar-Door

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Marsch strikes me as a "1 system" guy. I don't like guys like that in an international role where a big part of success is fitting together your best players.
 

Titans Bastard

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The Athletic guys have pointed out that Gregg Berhalter's salary was $1.3m. While that's not necessarily a wage cap on our next hire, nobody expects the USMNT to significantly increase the budget for the next manager. Also, Vlatko makes $360k and I wonder if the USSF will want to avoid an especially massive wage cup between the two managers. This rules out a lot of Famous Guys whose names have been tossed around.

I do think there's a big a chance as ever that we'll hire a foreign manager, but that it will be someone that most of us haven't heard of or know little about.
 

InstaFace

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Klinsmann made like $3-4M, didn't he? It's been a bit since I looked at those 990s, but I'm sure if USSF wanted to pay someone something closer to that again, we could afford to - and could also give Vlatko a face-saving raise. IIRC we paid Jill Ellis like $600k (fake edit: looks like that included some $200k bonuses for winning the WWC).

If Vlatko has the WNT looking like more than the sum of its parts and able to get results against the top-5 this summer, he might deserve both another cycle's contract and a raise such as that anyway. Sarina Wiegman (ENG) made £ 400k ($480k) prior to her new contract last October, which included a raise. Most women's NT coaches' salaries are impervious to googling, however.
 

Stanley Steamer

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Yeah, I think he had to go. Sure, Leeds fans liked him as a nice guy, but the majority felt, increasingly, that he was out of his depth. The team tended to come out of the traps hot, but not be able to sustain it through the second half. He also favored a narrow formation, which when combined with slower players in defense, seemed to contribute to countless odd man rushes down the wings. Sure enough, it's down to the players and not the coach to put the ball in the net, but I don't think Leeds under Marsch was going to avoid the drop this year. Under different guidance, perhaps they stand a chance. Now who will that be?
 

Titans Bastard

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Klinsmann made like $3-4M, didn't he? It's been a bit since I looked at those 990s, but I'm sure if USSF wanted to pay someone something closer to that again, we could afford to - and could also give Vlatko a face-saving raise. IIRC we paid Jill Ellis like $600k (fake edit: looks like that included some $200k bonuses for winning the WWC).

If Vlatko has the WNT looking like more than the sum of its parts and able to get results against the top-5 this summer, he might deserve both another cycle's contract and a raise such as that anyway. Sarina Wiegman (ENG) made £ 400k ($480k) prior to her new contract last October, which included a raise. Most women's NT coaches' salaries are impervious to googling, however.
Yes, Klinsmann made money in that range, but since Klinsmann's contract(s) the USSF has (a) missed the World Cup and lost a ton of revenue and (b) been embroiled in a gajillion lawsuits. I have no idea if those numbers are entirely out of the question but I really wonder if the budget will be more like $2m/yr.

Recent signs point to Vlatko being a one-termer, but it's what happens at the WWC that counts so we'll see.
 

67YAZ

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Zendejas out 3-4 weeks. There's no room for setbacks if he's going to make the March camp/Nations League matches, and even if he's running again, it's a tough call to bring him in if he's not back in form yet.

 

Cellar-Door

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Yes, Klinsmann made money in that range, but since Klinsmann's contract(s) the USSF has (a) missed the World Cup and lost a ton of revenue and (b) been embroiled in a gajillion lawsuits. I have no idea if those numbers are entirely out of the question but I really wonder if the budget will be more like $2m/yr.

Recent signs point to Vlatko being a one-termer, but it's what happens at the WWC that counts so we'll see.
I believe Klinsmann was $3.3, though he also had 2 jobs being the technical director (until they gave the work to Berhalter while Jurgen just had a title), but yeah, they aren't shelling out $3M again is my guess, nevermind Mourinho money,
 

luckiestman

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I believe Klinsmann was $3.3, though he also had 2 jobs being the technical director (until they gave the work to Berhalter while Jurgen just had a title), but yeah, they aren't shelling out $3M again is my guess, nevermind Mourinho money,
I only watch the team and have no clue about their finances. It seams very odd to me that they don’t make a lot of money given that every game is televised to a large audience and there seems to be a ton of sponsors. Is there somewhere I can see the finances?