Yeah, but I got to see Ronaldo in his prime in one of these matches.
USMNT Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
I guess it depends on your perspective of what "soccer becoming a big thing" actually means. 30 years ago, the US didn't have a real professional soccer league. A generation later, and you've got MLS averaging over 23.5k per game across 29 teams. Ratings for the Copa America have been very strong, the last world cup was very strong, and I'm sure the 2026 World Cup will blow away all prior record ratings. If people were expecting everyone to suddenly stop caring about other sports with soccer being king, they had completely unrealistic expectations. But it continues to grow year over year, generation over generation.
No doubt as did I with Ronaldo. They are fun but in the EURO/COPA/WC years some of the bigger stars aren’t always available. That was my only point as some years are a bit leaner.
I am not going to debate you, I like soccer, er football. I am also old enough to eat dirt. I hope the sport grows.
There was a professional soccer league in the United States back in the 1970s and 80s. Players like Johan Cruyff (sp?), Franz Beckinbauer and Pele played on teams in LA and NYC. I checked Wikipedia and found that the league at that time had 24 teams at its height with an average attendance from 1978 thru 1980 of 14,000 people. The championship games were on network television.
Now that league did die out in the late 1980s after operating for about twenty years, but when you look at the numbers you give and compare them to then you just do not see the growth you might think.
Fortunately I think the current league does have more Americans playing on each team than the old league had playing back in the day.
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Since someone brought up Cryuff, I’d see him play at RFK Stadium while he was with the Diplomats. Still a good player when I saw him, 1978-1980. We’d go up to the otherwise empty upper deck and pass around joints with impunity, good times.
Granted, I was just a kid at the time of the first version of the NASL, but were there any other pro leagues in the states at the time? I don't believe that the support structure for the NASL was nearly as deep as what are in the States right now.
Currently there are five men's pro soccer leagues in the US.
Level 1
MLS with 29 clubs
II
Level 2
USL Championship with 24 clubs
III
MLS Next Pro with 29 clubs
NISA with 9 clubs
USL League One with 12 clubs
On the women's side, the NWSL is in their eleventh season with 14 teams. The USL is supposed to be starting a second pro league starting in August with 8 teams.
I believe that all of the MLS & USL teams have fairly sizable academy programs set up. Hopefully their finances allow to catch talented kids without the financial means to pay for the typical pay for play clubs.
I don’t remember if these other leagues existed back in the 70s and 80s. I can tell you that the league was covered by national media and as I said they got publicity signing some international names and had games on a broadcast network and cable.
Still, that was 50 years ago and despite all that work I doubt you would find more than 1 person in a hundred could tell you the name of the current league champion or what team Messi plays for.
Without a doubt the game has had progress in setting up a more sustainable infrastructure since then. I understand they get similar ratings to hockey.
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I think you are overestimating the number of people that could name the current NHL, NBA, MLB, or even the NFL champs if it weren’t for Taylor Swift. I for one cannot name the NBA champs, and the only reason I know that Florida & Edmonton were in the finals was because there was a thread on this board. I do not know which team won.
Fox smashing more records for UEFA Euro 2024, Copa América
Fox's two summer soccer tournaments, UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa America, continue to set records each round, including the quarterfinals.
awfulannouncing.com
Sure seems like it's destined to fail.....ooops.
Very interesting article.
www.espn.com
State of the USMNT: Just how much needs to be fixed before 2026 World Cup?
Christian Pulisic & Co. endured a miserable time as Copa America hosts en route to an early exit. There's a lot of work needed before the World Cup arrives in 2026, so where should we begin?
www.espn.com
Gregg Berhalter out as USMNT head coach following Copa América group stage exit | Fox Sports
A week after elimination from the Copa América tournament, Gregg Berhalter will no longer be the head coach of the United States men's national team.
in my excitement I Accidentlly posted twice!
Tim Weah, American hero.
Tim Weah, American hero.
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Gregg Berhalter fired as U.S. men's soccer coach after Copa America first-round exit
Gregg Berhalter was fired as U.S. men’s soccer coach, nine days after his team’s first-round exit from the Copa America.
apnews.com
“Jürgen Klopp, Thierry Henry and Marcelo Bielsa are among those being speculated about as candidates to replace Berhalter, along with Jesse Marsch, Hugo Pérez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Steve Cherundolo, Jim Curtain, Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino.”
I think Dolo is most likely, however..
"The Independent understands that initial contact has been made with Klopp over the possibility of replacing the 50-year-old, as the United States gears up for the 2026 World Cup. The US will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico and will be looking to build on a Round of 16 exit in Qatar."
Still though, I find it hard to believe that if Germany comes knocking, Klopp wouldn't open the door.
www.independent.co.uk
"The Independent understands that initial contact has been made with Klopp over the possibility of replacing the 50-year-old, as the United States gears up for the 2026 World Cup. The US will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico and will be looking to build on a Round of 16 exit in Qatar."
Still though, I find it hard to believe that if Germany comes knocking, Klopp wouldn't open the door.
Jurgen Klopp responds to surprise approach by USA men’s national team
The United States moved on from manager Gregg Berhalter after a group stage exit from the Copa America and are searching for a new head coach
www.independent.co.uk
When Klopp left Liverpool, I just assumed he was positioning himself to eventually take the job for Germany. I think their current manager just signed through the world cup though. Klopp taking over the US team would be a dream come true, but I would be surprised if it actually happened.I think Dolo is most likely, however..
"The Independent understands that initial contact has been made with Klopp over the possibility of replacing the 50-year-old, as the United States gears up for the 2026 World Cup. The US will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico and will be looking to build on a Round of 16 exit in Qatar."
Still though, I find it hard to believe that if Germany comes knocking, Klopp wouldn't open the door.
Jurgen Klopp responds to surprise approach by USA men’s national team
The United States moved on from manager Gregg Berhalter after a group stage exit from the Copa America and are searching for a new head coach
Unlikely to happen but fun to think about! (even though some get very angry about that)
He also coached Pulisic in at his start and apparently likes him a lot.
I think Marsch and Cherundolo are likely, though, I would love someone from outside at this point.
Klopp left 15 million a year due to being worn down at a great club. There will be better jobs thrown at him and I’m sure some already were. Don’t fall for it.
Klopp left 15 million a year due to being worn down at a great club. There will be better jobs thrown at him and I’m sure some already were. Don’t fall for it.
Literally everyone said it is unlikely.
It will be funny/ironic when Cherundolo is announced and the meat heads are scratching their head as to how.
Top 3 candidates to replace Gregg Berhalter as US coach after firing
Gregg Berhalter is out as the U.S. Men's National Team head coach after the United States' early exit from the Copa America. Who might replace him?
www.usatoday.com
Jürgen Klopp turns away USMNT head coach inquiry, reports say
U.S. Soccer approached the beloved former Liverpool manager. Here's why Jurgen Klopp did not show interest in the USMNT head coaching search.
www.usatoday.com
Jürgen Klopp turns away USMNT head coach inquiry, reports say
U.S. Soccer approached the beloved former Liverpool manager. Here's why Jurgen Klopp did not show interest in the USMNT head coaching search.www.usatoday.com
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente 'contacted US Soccer about men's job'
Luis de la Fuente just led Spain to glory on Sunday but is reportedly interested in the vacant US men's national team job. De la Fuente, 63, shepherded Spain to a 2-1 win over England.
Rumor: Mauricio Pochettino agrees on deal to become next USMNT head coach
The streets are smoking with this news...is it true?
www.starsandstripesfc.com
We now have a respected coach. No excuses. I didn't think hiring Poch was a reality, but this is great news.Rumor: Mauricio Pochettino agrees on deal to become next USMNT head coach
The streets are smoking with this news...is it true?
This would generate a whole new level of intrigue for carrying the discussion forward with this bunch of travel team participants with malcontent parents.Rumor: Mauricio Pochettino agrees on deal to become next USMNT head coach
The streets are smoking with this news...is it true?
Bravo. Now maybe the problems with development and on field play can be identified once and for all.
Thanks @GreggK for the post.
Color me shocked as the good old boy network went outside their comfort zone, good on them. Good hire, the ceiling is up a quarter an inch. Basically get out of group stage at the WC and maybe win a game in the knockout round if they get lucky. He cannot fix the talent disparity between the US and top level sides, but maybe he can organize them as to have a punchers chance.
I'm not sure what excuses people are talking about honestly, the US isn't going to find the talent upgrades between now and 2026. He won't be the first foreign coach to knock our pay for play either. The US and CONCACAF are behind EURO and S. American sides when the A teams show up for tournaments.
It would be nice to have a coach with the cojones to say” hey mom, find your lane”
Well to be fair to GB, he did call out Gio and the Karen's went back 25 years to unearth crap on him and make a circus of it. The good news is maybe the Reyna's don't have dirt on Poch...or at least we hope not because who knows if Claudio and Poch crossed paths years ago. The other thing is MLS call ups for domestic friendlies when the Club teams are in session in Europe are still going to occur. I used to laugh at so called fans of the US team complaining about the rosters for some of the friendlies when the EURO leagues are in session. Uruguay has call ups from the MLS, but the US cannot....some of the most delusional fans are USMNT fans....honestly.
If anything I'm just happy the inbreeding from the US Soccer federation has stopped. This is a much bigger fish than I thought they would get for sure.
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Keep in mind that the format has changed. 8 teams that finish 3rd in their group will now advance...and winning a game in the knockout phase now means making the round of 16. I don't think we need to "get lucky" to be one of the top 16 teams if we're really a top 20ish squad playing on home soil.
As a Tottenham fan, I am pleased with the hire.
Still miss Poch with the Hotspur.
Still miss Poch with the Hotspur.
Sources: Pochettino agrees to take USMNT job
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the new United States coach with the responsibility of leading the team into the 2026 World Cup, a source has told ESPN.
www.espn.com
Hiring Pochettino would revitalize the USMNT. Is he the right fit for the job?
Hiring the ex-Chelsea boss would be a major statement of intent for the U.S. men's national team, but his potential appointment offers no guarantees.
www.espn.com
Canada 2-1 USA (Sep 7, 2024) Game Analysis - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the Canada vs. United States International Friendly game from September 7, 2024 on ESPN.
www.espn.com
Pochettino named USMNT coach through '26 WC
Mauricio Pochettino is the new manager of the United States men's national team, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday.
www.espn.com
USMNT's draw shows why Pochettino needs to hit the reset button
In many ways, the equalizer the U.S. conceded on Tuesday was a fitting bookend to what has been summer caught in limbo.
www.espn.com
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