World Cup 2022

@BarryWhite mentioned Gabriel ‘Gaga’ Slonina as a possible GK, so having no clue who he was had to look him up. He was born and raised just outside of Chicago to Polish parents (Poland is trying to get him to switch) and came through the Chicago Fire Academy and is their current GK at….17 years old . He will turn 18 next month. Could he be a 3rd choice to get experience and keep him in the fold to Barry’s point?

Article with lots of quotes from Friedel, Keller, Meola mostly about Steffen, and a look at our GK situation in general. If you want to see something ghastly, click on Steffen’s gaffe versus Liverpool. Also there is an interview with Slonina (everyone calls him Gaga).

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/usmn...-brewing-with-qatar-2022-world-cup-on-horizon

 

I wasn't familiar with Slonina either. That's remarkable at 17 he's seeing that much 1st team action.

 

Just FYI, I believe Slonina was Chicago’s starting keeper for most of last season and he got called into the USMNT December camp.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with The Right Honourable Gentleman From The Republic Of South Texas…no McKennie, no knockout stage for US.

 

I’ll be keeping one eye on Group G to see how Mitro and the Serbians fare against Brazil, Switzerland and Cameroon. When you’ve got a guy like Mitro, you’re always in the match.

 

Sergino Dest had his second hamstring injury of the season in Barca’s weekend loss to Rayo Vallecano (their 3rd straight loss at home in a season, which has never happened, btw). Spanish media outlets say he’ll be out four to six weeks, which makes his availability for the USMNT’s June camp iffy. He should be healthy by the September prep friendlies for Qatar, so we’ll see.

 

Don, if we really want him and can’t beat out Southampton, Celtic, Crystal Palace, Wet Spam, Leicester City and Wolverhampton to sign him, that doesn’t bode well for our chances of staying up next season, does it? I mean, if you wanna run with the big dogs, you gotta use higher and/or more numerals on the checkbook, don’tcha?

 

https://www.si.com/.amp/soccer/2022/05/09/miles-robinson-injury-usmnt-world-cup-center-backs

This is heart wrenching news for Miles Robinson. Undoubtedly he was on his way to Qatar and springboard that to opportunities in Europe. Speedy recovery to Miles, I get pissed off when reading non contact injury on artificial turf.

 

Man, that does really suck. He was really consistent this past summer, and no doubt would have logged big minutes in Qatar. World class center backs don’t grow on trees, so it’ll be interesting to see who Berhalter picks in his spot. But this one hurts us badly. I know Atlanta United is drawing well in the new spaceship, but artificial turf and footy just don’t go together.

 

Zack Steffen out for the upcoming June friendlies for the USMNT.

https://www.si.com/soccer/mancheste...en-withdraws-from-usmnt-due-to-family-reasons

 

Scotland vs Ukraine happens tomorrow (June 1) with the winner facing Wales on Sunday. This little playoff will decide the final team in the group with USA, England, and Iran. A lot of eyes will be on this and most of them, presumably, will be pulling for the Ukrainians.

 

Even as someone who has Scottish heritage, watching Ukraine win was cool. The Ukrainian team was dominant before running out of gas around the 65th min. I think the US’s
Group gets much tougher if Ukraine can go into Cardiff and get another win.

 

I don't know if the Ukrainians can recover sufficiently to trouble Wales on Sunday, but the Scots had no chance. When your countrymen are dying from a superpower invading your homeland, a mere game becomes your war. Nothing they do would surprise me. They would give the French hell if they played right now. Sunday in Cardiff will be very interesting indeed.

 

Neco’s in for Wales, but anybody know why Harry W. isn’t starting?

 

Wales in for the first time since 1958.
Wow.

 

Harry subbed in for Bale.

What a game, not your normal 1-0. It was totally gripping with end to end action. Wales GK player of the match, brain cramp by the center forward to try and head Bale’s free kick (Ukrainian GK had it covered) all he could do was deflect it in.

Wales will feel confident against the US, but we should feel the same against them. Bale & Ramsay are still good, but past their prime. Bummed for Ukraine, but on a pure footballing basis', the US just got a break. Opening the WC against the Ukrainians would’ve been far more difficult then the Welsh on multiple levels.

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...e-japan-and-saudi-arabia-in-world-cup-warmups

Final 2 warmups, neither world beaters (of course neither are we), but similar to Wales & Iran.