Gremio14

We still have a puncher’s chance. Beat Fordham and SJ, and we should make the first round....yes, that’s a very long shot.

As per the box score, appears to have been a very even and entertaining match. 23 shots taken. A shame the win did not impact A10 standings. It’s going to take a minor miracle to make the playoffs....and then we face a team away that’s beaten us 4-0 or 3-1....things appear quite grim....

And none of this resolves the dilemma that is SLU soccer. I was hoping the tie with Akron and defeat of Stanford bode well. The hope was obviously futile...

https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/75266/us-soccer-bashing-overlooks-the-rise-of-a-promis.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=readmore&utm_campaign=17922&hashid=W-d_mNzJX4IxX4QamkSsk51MWWQ I believe article sums up perfectly the current position of USA soccer. I also think Tilkowsky has it right when it comes to the MLS. Promotion with a fee. If unable to pay, no promotion. An abbreviated version of this already exists in the lower levels of England soccer. A team may win their respective division, but they do not achieve promotion unless they enjoy flood lights, sufficient seating, etc., whatever is required in the promotion parameters. In many instances, due to these stipulations, the second or third place team at a certain level goes up rather than the winner. Any the USA absolutely cannot support three first divisions.....no other nation in the world operates in this manner.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iVW09EEPYNk This, more than anything else, is the reason we sometimes lose to teams like T & T, and, when it counts, almost always come up short against teams such as Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany. No question our top level soccer players are very good, even excellent, athletes; the problem is our ELITE athletes are not playing the game past age 15. Hopefully this situation will improve as national interest in soccer continues to rise, while participation in football (especially at the youth level) and baseball falters. Would a "moved to Bayern academy at age 14" OBJ have helped our cause yesterday.... Coaching matters to a point but, as a famous coach once stated: "Give me Jimmy's and Joe's over X's and O's any day of the week..."

Ramos and Porter are two guys who: 1) Understand the game. 2) Have the complete respect of their players. 3) Are familiar with the maze that is USA soccer. The flow here is utterly different from Paraguay or Argentina (Tata,) That said, Tata is an intriguing character. The fact he has been successful in the MLS leads me to believe he might have a chance.

Tab Ramos, hopefully, will be named USMNT head coach shortly. I also really like Caleb Porter. I know a couple of kids still reeling from the 4-0 spanking his Akron team gave the Bills. One guy told me it felt like they had 16 guys on the field. The guy can coach.

Mike Sorber is the obvious #1 choice. He checks all the boxes. I can only assume he has made it crystal clear to the powers that be no interest is there on his part. Too ensconsed in the MLS.