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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
Feel great but bad that they wasted a whole year AFTER FAILING TO MAKE THE WORLD CUP.
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Any concern about his ties to MLS? Or do we just go in knowing the USMNT will always have a stupid tie to MLS.
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Well, if we take Arena, Bradley and Sampson... (Obviously Leaving out Klinsmann and I think that puts me back to Bora, and nothing before that matters)
Berhalter is a significantly different animal.
Disclaimer: Please note that different doesn't mean better. Please also note that I'm gonna point out a bunch of differences then I'll get to the things you might want to be concerned about. I honestly don't know if he will do better... I have my own concerns, but they are actually quite a bit different than the majority of the concerns I've heard.
I think the most important [its a] feature [not a bug] of Berhalter is that he represents, himself, part of the evolution of US soccer. The most striking difference between him and Arena/Bradley/Sampson (I'll call them "ABS" from now on, and allow me some generalities if you will on some ABS bashing, I may miss a detail or lump them together more than might be fair or 100% accurately) is that largely the back ground of ABS is that they were collegiate players, then collegiate coaches (Arena was UVA, Bradley Princeton and Sampson somewhere in Cali maybe) then some combination of that and MLS assistants and then involved in the National Team.
When it comes to these guys, I wonder if the system (that we are concerned to be loyal to) is MLS or the system is USA soccer or the system is the NCAA or a bit of all 3.
Berhalter on the other hand was an International player for 15 years in the Netherlands, Germany (and USMNT) before he came back to the galaxy and played in MLS, and subsequently became a coach. I don't think he's going to look at US MLS players and be, "Well, you know he did go to Indiana then the Red Bulls or whatever so he must be awesome" (I get that's not exactly what you're saying). But, I think his different background should give him a better insight into both player development and talent identification. (I have some completely other thoughts on talent development and USA soccer top to bottom but that's something out of his control and a topic for another day)
Here's what I think the good parts of what you get with Berhalter are:
1. No drama dude, and does and excellent job of focusing his guys. Crew had every reason to pack it up this year and made the playoffs.
2. Excellent communicator, every player will (eventually) understand his role and what's expected of them and if they don't execute that role, they'll be gone.
My concerns:
1. He has a definite system he likes, and I don't know how well its going to translate to National team play. Not that the system isn't good, it is, he gets a lot out of a limited payroll and rarely get run off the field and maximizes the team's chances. But that's with 15 core guys, not a larger player pool that sometimes has limited availability. If they can get there though it could be good, he's amazing at tweaking within the system to adjust to changing tactics.
2. He once called Damarcus Beasley old and washed up (OK, I made that up)
3. Are there the particular guys he needs to have his system work. Need to have striker that can finish (not necessarily create but knock down the chances they get), need to have a total football 10. Need badass centerbacks that can absorb a lot of pressure and push the attack back the other way and and wings that can play both ways and slash inside. I'd say you'll see Will Trapp around the USMNT quite a bit to be a secondary messenger.
I think he'll get the most out of the guys he has. I think if he doesn't win right away, not to panic, its going to take some time. Honestly the crew is usually a mess till June, then they are tough to beat. Ultimately my feeling is he's a good guy to align the guys we have for one cycle and put a nice run together and have them peaking at the end. Beyond that, I'm not super sure.
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The center backs are what worry me, because they’ve looked frighfully bad at times and we don’t have a lot of choices. We don’t have Kurt Zouma bodies back there, and I fear that’s what his system will need. I mean I love Geoff Cameron to death, but we’re still running him out there recently as a starting CB. That’s worrisome.
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One thing is for certain when it comes to Berhalter. He had not only the role of manager of CCSC, but he was also the sporting director of the team as well. Pretty much any transfer was put forth by him, and practically approved without any resistance. Aside from the Pedro Santos signing, Berhalter absolutely killed it when it came to transfers. He plucked Artur from the Brazilian League as a 20 year old. He snagged Milton Valenzuela from the Argentinian League as a 19 year old. I have no doubt that the US will continue to be able to attract talented dual National players under Berhalter’s direction.
Add to that, Berhalter loves setting up counter attacks by crossing teams to death. As soon as the opposing team adapts to the crossing game, the middle of the field is wide open (Pulisic and Weah should both FEAST). When they are crossing the ball in, Bobby Wood should have a field day finding the back of the net. He’s also been able to put together a backline (minus Mensah) that has largely put the Crew in a position to succeed against teams with much bigger payrolls.
Do I think this was the best hire available? I really don’t know. Do I think Berhalter is capable of putting together a roster worthy of not only qualifying for the WC, but making some noise once they get there? Absolutely. Some of the other names thrown out there to have some interest were Spain’s old manager who was responsible for their great 4-6 year run. While I’m sure he would have been a fine manager, I’m not sure he was the right man (with the right tactics) to put US Soccer in a position to succeed.
I truly hope Steffen finds some playing time in the FA Cup or similar competition once he settles in at Man City. Otherwise, I hope they loan him out somewhere in Europe to stay fresh and on top of his game. I have no doubt he’s the GK of the future of the USMNT. Bummed he left the Crew, but when Europe comes calling (especially a team as massive as Man City), you don’t turn it down. (The Crew got $9m for his tranfer.)
Add to that, Berhalter loves setting up counter attacks by crossing teams to death. As soon as the opposing team adapts to the crossing game, the middle of the field is wide open (Pulisic and Weah should both FEAST). When they are crossing the ball in, Bobby Wood should have a field day finding the back of the net. He’s also been able to put together a backline (minus Mensah) that has largely put the Crew in a position to succeed against teams with much bigger payrolls.
Do I think this was the best hire available? I really don’t know. Do I think Berhalter is capable of putting together a roster worthy of not only qualifying for the WC, but making some noise once they get there? Absolutely. Some of the other names thrown out there to have some interest were Spain’s old manager who was responsible for their great 4-6 year run. While I’m sure he would have been a fine manager, I’m not sure he was the right man (with the right tactics) to put US Soccer in a position to succeed.
I truly hope Steffen finds some playing time in the FA Cup or similar competition once he settles in at Man City. Otherwise, I hope they loan him out somewhere in Europe to stay fresh and on top of his game. I have no doubt he’s the GK of the future of the USMNT. Bummed he left the Crew, but when Europe comes calling (especially a team as massive as Man City), you don’t turn it down. (The Crew got $9m for his tranfer.)
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Miazga doesn't look like he's been missing too many croissants in Nantes to me. I'm still more worried about out side backs... and a striker. I imagine the new and well used Zardes will get a chance... I don't think Bobby Wood is the answer unless he wants to play right wing...
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Wood doesn’t have the pace to play wing. He’d have a nice role being the later “super sub” that Chris Wondolowski provided. A tall target man with heading ability as well as the ability to hit some decent shots.
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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
Pulisic to Chelsea (beginning next season). On the surface this seems like a great move. Will miss him on Dortmund, my favorite Bundesliga club.
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I think it’s a terrible move, hes likely going to languish on the bench and play in League Cup games. I hope I am wrong, but this seems like a move that isn’t going to net him playing time.
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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
Yeah, that’s why I only said “on the surface.” I still have tons of PTSD of American failures/players being iced out of the EPL.
But I don’t think you pay a top 10 historic transfer fee to not play the kid. Sounds like the coach has been eying him for a while. Hope it works out. He was definitely a perfect fit with Dortmund.
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