Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 533585)

Some people who know well liked his performance against England and thought he was the best US player in the Iran match.

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan (Post 533581)

That game was just insane and they ALMOST did it. I was heartbroken for them more than if they'd been crushed or even just had a 1-0 win. So close.

Originally Posted by Did you just call me Coltrane? (Post 533587)

It's like I don't even exist.

Originally Posted by Did you just call me Coltrane? (Post 533589)

I don't see a rating for Reyna.

Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower (Post 533591)

My apologies. I should have said, “As previously noted by my esteemed colleagues Coltrane and Oliver, it is hard to find too much fault with a individual defender when the U.S. defense collectively held England scoreless. Unless you are Hank, who makes the brilliant point that it is theoretically possible that one defender was awful, but that the others were so good they were able to prop him up and maintain the shut out. Of course, Hank also admittedly knows little about the game and also thought the U.S. lost that game, so it is theoretically possible that his arguments are built on faulty premises.” Totally my bad.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 533586)

I think it's a fair question. A bad pass in the middle third that leads to a quick counterattack can be really bad. A bad pass when you're taking a risk on an attacking move in the final third is not the same thing at all.

England has really talented attacking players, including Saka and Sterling on the wings. Neither really did much in the game. You've got to credit Robinson and Dest, the US outside backs, for that, although they didn't do it alone. Berhalter gets props for a defensive plan that really limited the English attack, which is why you saw their centerbacks, Stones and Maguire, passing it back and forth between each other so much.

OTOH, while it was a huge game for us, England was hoping it was the second game of seven, and I think their coach figured that if he got through with a draw and clubbed Wales like a baby seal, they'd be first in the group and on their way.

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski (Post 533593)

Umm, I thought US lost v England? Cite please. All these years I assumed your criticisms about what Sebby “said” were factually supported. I guess I better go back and read all that?

Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower (Post 533595)

Oops. Looking back, I see that I did mis-read your post. I’d say I’m sorry but I would hate to contradict my signature line.

Originally Posted by Did you just call me Coltrane? (Post 533589)

I don't see a rating for Reyna.

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski (Post 533593)

Umm, I thought US lost v England? Cite please. All these years I assumed your criticisms about what Sebby “said” were factually supported. I guess I better go back and read all that?

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski (Post 533594)

Thank you. You repeatedly show why you were selected as the admin instead of that Flower, you provide content instead of snark. Question: In basketball there are turnover stats. I’m not sure that stat would mean anything in soccer, but is that a thing anywhere?

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski (Post 533596)

It’s conventional to address your post as “Con’f to Hank” when apologizing so the others won’t read the post and you can avoid the contradiction.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 533599)

There are many stats in soccer, and it's hard to know what to do with them. If you want to pick a fight on Twitter, take a strong position on xG and see what happens.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 533598)

England has never beaten the US in the World Cup. Every so often they try again, but they haven't done it yet. Hopefully they get another chance this month.

eta: Just a reminder that the US has gone farther in this World Cup than Colombia, Chile, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Germany or Italy.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 533599)

There are many stats in soccer, and it's hard to know what to do with them. If you want to pick a fight on Twitter, take a strong position on xG and see what happens.