The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

Well, I guess that explains why Reyna saw so little action.

 

Not a shock when you read between the lines of how he has always been described. Little surprised the GGG would air the dirty laundry.

 

GGG thought speaking in front of a crowd he wouldn’t be quoted? Come on.

 

Reyna will be on the '26 squad or Berhalter will be managing them. The twain shall not meet.

 

Part of me thinks that this was a passive aggressive way for GGG to bow out of the coaching job.

 

My only complaint with Berhalter is if Gio Reyna was being as much of a butthead as he admits to being, he should have just sent him home himself. Don’t put it to a damned vote. Players, staff, social media interns, screw it. Be in charge.

Though I doubt the leaked quotes were accidental, if it was that big of a deal everyone was going to be leaking this (and given the depth of the sourcing, everyone was). Hell, I think it’s possible the quotes were pushed from Reyna’s side in hopes the federation would choose him.

I wouldn’t bring Berhalter back mostly because the initial performance doesn’t justify the inevitable declining returns. Whoever gets this job is going to have to deal with a guy who thinks he can fire the USMNT coach and that’s a problem no matter how many G’s he possesses.

 

First semifinal today and I’m seeing quite a few ESPN soccer folks announcing they were laid off.

 

Is it wrong to root for a Croatia-Morocco final?

 

“No,” said the guy who hedged his bets earlier.

 

Much like a MWC vs. Sun Belt national championship game. With sunsets.

 

Figures it’s a penalty that gets this rolling

 

One of those penalties you had to take, no?