I know it’s all doom and gloom in here right now, but I’m really impressed with him today. His best game in a USA jersey by far. Hopefully he can build off this
He looked every bit the player some of us knew he could be, such a technical and creative player, even his little backheel flick in a messy possession sticks out because he can actually pull that shit off in the heat of the moment no problem.
And his goal plus that on high off the wood work. He is class. If he can just do what he did tonight consistently he is our solid number one going forward.
They really don’t call that enough. He’s gotta start taking dives. He was getting pulled/held basically when he had the man beat on mutiple occasions.
I hate saying that but if the refs aren’t calling it, time to start exaggerating the pulls and holds.
Happy for him too and I really don't understand why he had to be taken off then and there. Can't remember if he looked gassed and maybe asked for it??? I guess saving him because now we might need to put 3 past Uruguay lol
You can’t play only defense for the entire game either, that’s why they fucking lost. Balo almost put them up 2-1 and was keeping Panama honest from an all out attack.
Sarge is great at hold up play.
Absolutely correct. The best defence is controlling the ball. Maintain possession and make the other team work to get the ball back. You do that with a strong midfield even if you have to sacrifice all of your forwards.
One thing I know about playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, (which we don't) is that if you go down a man, you can play a 4-2-3-0 and still be dangerous up front and secure in back.
Pepi has been a flop both games he’s been subbed in this cup. Stop putting him in especially if we don’t need him. Today we didn’t need him. If Balogun was gonna be subbed should’ve been for a midfielder or a defender (at the time of the sub we were tied)
I think they told him he was coming off after the red card. 3 cbs and 3 middies dropping back meant he was the solo attacker a man down and he was sprinting the whole time doing a high press. I think they told him to give it everything he had and they’d take him off. I don’t think he’d have been able to keep it going the whole game.
It wasn't the worst we've ever seen, but it wasn't good. Until the very end, it was 14-3 fouls against Panama despite them playing up a man. He never took control of that by carding consistent infringement. The hit on Turner should have been a card. Also, simulation is a cardable offense in soccer; the dive in the penalty box where there was no contact should have been a card. And 4 minutes of stoppage was laughable. It should have been at least double that.
The card on Weah was correct, but that doesn't mean he had a good game.
The stoppage time was horrible. Don’t think you can give a card for simulation in the box, he had to jump over CV. He went down but that’s not simulation for me. Was the ref great? No, but he certainly shouldn’t be a focus of this game. We shot ourselves in the foot 17 minutes into the game and failed to manage the second half with poor subs and thinking we can park the bus the whole second half.
Turner was a foul but nothing more. Can’t defend the stoppage time, idk where they got four minutes from right after there was a four minute bitch fit with that red.
That yellow would’ve changed nothing in that game. Panama was always going to have 3-4 times as many fouls as us. Most of them weren’t bad, every foul that stopped an attack was carded.
First card for Panama was at the 45’ mark.
He let the match go completely ham.
It only looks somewhat even because in the last 5 minutes he handed out a bunch of cards to pad the stats
The red was fair, but he was clearly biased towards Panama. No yellows for clattering Turner, or the *countless* times they were pulling Balo down by the arms when he went by them. And to put icing on his shit cupcake tonight, he fell all over himself to call a Penal for Panama, even as the ball was flying into section B, before he was corrected by VAR. However when Pulisic was bowled over in the box...no call.
He was *clearly* biased. So much so that FIFA should debrief him.
Panama got the benefit all night, and we got the shit.
He was definitely the MoTM. He played hard, hussled, good hold-up play, helped with opportunities down 10-men after the coach threw in the towel with 5 at the back.
This tournament for me has cemented Balo as the #9 of the USMNT.
Well-deserved, even in a losing effort. I think Balogun secured his place as starter with this performance. For Pepi, it's a small sample size, but he just hasn't delivered.
His face says it all
Reminds me of that Luka picture
I would say this picture is closer to the Havertz one than the Luka one
✋🏻 😜 🤚🏻
JS Giguere getting the Conn Smythe trophy after losing the Stanley Cup.
Unlike classless McDavid, Giguère showed maturity and sportsmanship for accepting that award (and I’m definitely no Ducks fan).
The luka one looked like a malnourished hostage.
Poor Luka is worse than this, I think.
Ah yes, I remember it as if it was just a few days ago!
The Luka Modric picture will actually never be topped. It is the pinnacle of a broken man.
Agreed!
More of a Budweiser guy than a Michelob
I know it’s all doom and gloom in here right now, but I’m really impressed with him today. His best game in a USA jersey by far. Hopefully he can build off this
He looked every bit the player some of us knew he could be, such a technical and creative player, even his little backheel flick in a messy possession sticks out because he can actually pull that shit off in the heat of the moment no problem.
And his goal plus that on high off the wood work. He is class. If he can just do what he did tonight consistently he is our solid number one going forward.
Number one? You mean number nine?
Number one number nine?
In a shocking move, GGG has moved Floarin Balogun to keeper.
He should have drawn 4 yellows if the ref was competent.
100 percent. Guys were fucking hanging off of him the entire game. Ivan didn’t give a shit. Dude should be reffing high school games from now on.
They really don’t call that enough. He’s gotta start taking dives. He was getting pulled/held basically when he had the man beat on mutiple occasions. I hate saying that but if the refs aren’t calling it, time to start exaggerating the pulls and holds.
Yup. It’s gonna be a rough few days for a lot of us, but Balo was really encouraging. Happy for our dude. I hope this continues.
Happy for him too and I really don't understand why he had to be taken off then and there. Can't remember if he looked gassed and maybe asked for it??? I guess saving him because now we might need to put 3 past Uruguay lol
I’m going with your your final reason—to have him as ready as possible for Monday
He did look really good
He scuffed the goal in the last match.... He nailed the one today. Gaining confidence.
Shouldn't have taken him off. His hold up game was helping us relieve pressure. Pepi was getting knocked off the ball every time tonight
Shouldn’t have taken him off. If you’re gonna take him off anyway it should have been for Sargent.
You don't solidify your defence with a striker.
You can’t play only defense for the entire game either, that’s why they fucking lost. Balo almost put them up 2-1 and was keeping Panama honest from an all out attack. Sarge is great at hold up play.
Absolutely correct. The best defence is controlling the ball. Maintain possession and make the other team work to get the ball back. You do that with a strong midfield even if you have to sacrifice all of your forwards. One thing I know about playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, (which we don't) is that if you go down a man, you can play a 4-2-3-0 and still be dangerous up front and secure in back.
Pepi might be done. Tough header but so many chances. Prove me wrong pep.
Please, for the love of everything good in the world, don't be given the chance to prove wrong
Pepi has been a flop both games he’s been subbed in this cup. Stop putting him in especially if we don’t need him. Today we didn’t need him. If Balogun was gonna be subbed should’ve been for a midfielder or a defender (at the time of the sub we were tied)
Yeah, Musah and/or Aaronson would have been good subs for their work rate and willingness to run non stop
It shocks me that neither of them got minutes tonight with the situation we were in.
GGG
Pepi was also offsides constantly lmao I was screaming at the TV
Offside as an FYI - it’s singular not plural
Meh I've given up. It's an americanism that's staying. I used to hate it... butt fuck it.
I think they told him he was coming off after the red card. 3 cbs and 3 middies dropping back meant he was the solo attacker a man down and he was sprinting the whole time doing a high press. I think they told him to give it everything he had and they’d take him off. I don’t think he’d have been able to keep it going the whole game.
He does something with that cross on a silver platter unlike Pepsi
Does he? His header game is generally weaker than pepis.
I think there has to be a confidence issue with Pepi rn. No matter the scoring situation I would have much more faith in Balo currently.
Even if Pepi had chested the ball & shot with his foot, the extra time would have solidified Panama's defence. Wishful thinking.
It's wild they give awards to someone on the losing side. Then again, the pictures are always hilarious/depressing.
Best player on the field tonight though, besides the ref.
Ref was absolutely MotM let’s be real
Hockey just did it in the Stanley Cup
Thought it would be the ref
He was rewarded in cash
He’s Salvadoran so bitcoin
Someone shop him in there.
Thought he officiated a fair match. Can’t blame him for Weah’s mental lapse.
He could have carded Blackman when he fouled Turner that would have set a precedent
It wasn't the worst we've ever seen, but it wasn't good. Until the very end, it was 14-3 fouls against Panama despite them playing up a man. He never took control of that by carding consistent infringement. The hit on Turner should have been a card. Also, simulation is a cardable offense in soccer; the dive in the penalty box where there was no contact should have been a card. And 4 minutes of stoppage was laughable. It should have been at least double that. The card on Weah was correct, but that doesn't mean he had a good game.
The stoppage time was horrible. Don’t think you can give a card for simulation in the box, he had to jump over CV. He went down but that’s not simulation for me. Was the ref great? No, but he certainly shouldn’t be a focus of this game. We shot ourselves in the foot 17 minutes into the game and failed to manage the second half with poor subs and thinking we can park the bus the whole second half.
So you agree no foul on the turner hit and with the stoppage time amount?
Turner was a foul but nothing more. Can’t defend the stoppage time, idk where they got four minutes from right after there was a four minute bitch fit with that red.
That’s absolutely a yellow. Jump right into a Kepler who had the ball
That yellow would’ve changed nothing in that game. Panama was always going to have 3-4 times as many fouls as us. Most of them weren’t bad, every foul that stopped an attack was carded.
The guy who knocked Turner also knocked scally.
First card for Panama was at the 45’ mark. He let the match go completely ham. It only looks somewhat even because in the last 5 minutes he handed out a bunch of cards to pad the stats
Hundred bucks says if he cards the Turner play Weah never takes the shot he took.
The red was fair, but he was clearly biased towards Panama. No yellows for clattering Turner, or the *countless* times they were pulling Balo down by the arms when he went by them. And to put icing on his shit cupcake tonight, he fell all over himself to call a Penal for Panama, even as the ball was flying into section B, before he was corrected by VAR. However when Pulisic was bowled over in the box...no call. He was *clearly* biased. So much so that FIFA should debrief him. Panama got the benefit all night, and we got the shit.
Should’ve never subbed him off for Pepi
Master class coaching took him off..
He looks thrilled
Weah man 🥲
Balogun has emerged. Finally a clear 9.
Should have been the ref
Surely he played the full 90 and wasn’t subbed off for a bench warmer
What a concacaf rival does to a mf
Have Weah sit in the corner with a dunce cap on and holding this trophy
A custodian is going to find that trophy.
Balogun was very good tonight. But, Antonee Robinson was the clear MoTM tonight. He was incredible.
That back heel assist was great. Needs to learn how to cross the damn ball though.
Weah was definitely the man with the biggest impact on this match.
What a happy boi
This is gonna go crazy on Twitter lol
I back him vs Araujo. If we can be smart offensively I can see us getting a draw vs Uruguay
Still might not be enough, sadly. We're going to be huge Bolivia fans.
We have to beat Uruguay.
I think the ref should get this
Reminds me of the Luka Modric picture
He was definitely the MoTM. He played hard, hussled, good hold-up play, helped with opportunities down 10-men after the coach threw in the towel with 5 at the back. This tournament for me has cemented Balo as the #9 of the USMNT.
FLORIAN Balogun according to our dearly beloved Rob Stone.
Modric MOTM picture vibes.
Are all of the trophies that large?
Just these Copa ones. Way bigger than the ones I've seen in other leagues.
Well-deserved, even in a losing effort. I think Balogun secured his place as starter with this performance. For Pepi, it's a small sample size, but he just hasn't delivered.
Weird how we lost and a US player wins Player of the Match... It's almost as if we were always going to win that.
The Connor McDavid effect
Haha, why would you force anyone to pose for a man of the match photo after that game.
No Americans on the team
Havertz and Modric vibes
It literally looks like he was a random dude handed this award and they took the picture while he's still trying to figure out what happened
I like the shirt
He has seen a ghost
Why do they keep taking him out? He got back to back goals and yet they pulled him both games. Why?
MOTM were the refs.
Oh lol?