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 Gary Cooper

Sounds like Ronaldo is not in the starting lineup. Coach is pissed at his antics.

Coach says "antics". Coach really means "lack of production".


He's probably glad to finally have an excuse.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Sounds like Ronaldo is not in the starting lineup. Coach is pissed at his antics.

I'd like to see the game go to penalties and Portugal lose with Ronaldo still on the bench.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Razaele

I'd like to see the game go to penalties and Portugal lose with Ronaldo still on the bench.

There's no way that would happen. He'd get subbed in near the end of extra time for sure. He's still a superb penalty taker.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Sounds like Ronaldo is not in the starting lineup. Coach is pissed at his antics.

They should be. He has fallen off a cliff just comparing to 2018 WC.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by loochy

short run up or long run up, they should still strike it decisively and with pace. That weak crap just doesn't work at this level.

Neymar seems to do ok with not blasting it .

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Neymar seems to do ok with not blasting it .

Placement always trumps power. The problem is all the weak attempts have bad placement as well. You can get a hard, bad place kick through but not a soft, bad placed kick.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Neymar seems to do ok with not blasting it .

because he's good enough to do his studder step thing and read the goalie

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by loochy

There's no way that would happen. He'd get subbed in near the end of extra time for sure. He's still a superb penalty taker.

I agree. I just think he's a massive gunt and would love to see it end this way for him.

[Gary Cooper]

Originally Posted by penguinz

They should be. He has fallen off a cliff just comparing to 2018 WC.

Isn't he like 38? Most soccer players are pretty much done by early 30s. The fact he lasted this long shows how great he was.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Isn't he like 38? Most soccer players are pretty much done by early 30s. The fact he lasted this long shows how great he was.

If he would keep quiet and accept a lesser role, like a supersub kind of player, he'd have plenty of teams interested. But he still wants to be the talisman of a club and the pay that goes along with it. For example, Real Madrid desperately need a quality backup striker, but Ronaldo would NEVER allow himself to play behind Benzema and spend a lot of time on the bench, so they pass on him, just like every other team.

[bdj23]

Penaldo is seething on the inside

[loochy]

Alien Pepe got some hang time on that one




Speaking of Ronaldo being old....how old is Pepe? He has to be close to 40 by now too.

Edit: Yeah, he'll be 40 in February. Impressive longetivity

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by loochy

Alien Pepe got some hang time on that one




Speaking of Ronaldo being old....how old is Pepe? He has to be close to 40 by now too.

Edit: Yeah, he'll be 40 in February. Impressive longetivity

Reminded me of that hail mary to Hopkins AZ had against the Bills, surrounded by defenders and just skies to find the exact spot to put it home.

[Gary Cooper]

Looks like Morocco cockblocked a Spain/Portugal matchup. Not a fan of seeing Penaldo and Pepe in the semis and doubt Morocco can pull more rabbits out of their asses.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Looks like Morocco cockblocked a Spain/Portugal matchup. Not a fan of seeing Penaldo and Pepe in the semis and doubt Morocco can pull more rabbits out of their asses.

Cockblocked? Morocco is not some pushover squad. They’ve held their own against Spain, Belgium, Croatia and Canada. They aren’t pulling rabbits out of their hats. They’re a good team. They should be able to go toe to toe with Portugal too. Nothing shows that they can’t. Spain dominates possession against everyone.