2023 International Soccer (National Teams)

[MJWalker45]

https://www.goal.com/en/news/fifa-infantino-32-team-club-world-cup-2025/blt9587e4ba77275eac

Infantino is suggesting that FIFA will try to create an inter-confederation version of Nations League to set up more games between top teams across the globe. 

 

"Infantino went on to reveal that the 2023 Club World Cup will be staged in Morocco, while also announcing plans for a new Women’s Club World Cup and the launch of a FIFA World Series – which will allow top nations from across the globe to compete on a more regular basis. He added: “The importance of having matches between national teams of different continents more regularly, the idea of that, the principle, was agreed and elaborated on. [The plan] is to use the March windows in the even years, the World Cup years, the Euros years and the Copa America years, and organise friendly tournaments between four teams from four different confederations, so that way everyone can gain this experience of playing each other, under of course, the FIFA umbrella, so the FIFA World Series type of events.”

[Digby]

Continental Nations Leagues are just fine. I'm excited about this World Cup for having an intercontinental matchup as the final and it should always be that way. Infantino can never stop thinking about getting as much short-term profit as possible before he and his cronies die. That said, maybe we shouldn't have been so hasty to dump Confederations Cup.

[MJWalker45]

https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4839617/russia-considering-uefa-exitmoving-to-afc-sources

Russia threatens to leave UEFA for the AFC. Even though they're currently banned from international competition, I don't see how this helps them when they are allowed to start playing again. They would be the big kid on the block to start, but the level of international club competitions and national team competitions aren't likely to help them as much as they  would in UEFA. The money is going to drop off too, so it's not as good an idea as they think. 

[AnPheitseog]

9 hours ago, MJWalker45 said:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4839617/russia-considering-uefa-exitmoving-to-afc-sources

Russia threatens to leave UEFA for the AFC. Even though they're currently banned from international competition, I don't see how this helps them when they are allowed to start playing again. They would be the big kid on the block to start, but the level of international club competitions and national team competitions aren't likely to help them as much as they  would in UEFA. The money is going to drop off too, so it's not as good an idea as they think. 

It's one thing for a country like Australia, who faced no real competition in Oceania and jumped to the Afc because of that(and autobids to WC).

 

But to leave Uefa? Makes ZERO sense.

[Seadragon76]

On 12/29/2022 at 9:07 AM, MJWalker45 said:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4839617/russia-considering-uefa-exitmoving-to-afc-sources

Russia threatens to leave UEFA for the AFC. Even though they're currently banned from international competition, I don't see how this helps them when they are allowed to start playing again. They would be the big kid on the block to start, but the level of international club competitions and national team competitions aren't likely to help them as much as they  would in UEFA. The money is going to drop off too, so it's not as good an idea as they think. 

 

I wonder if this ties in more politically here.

 

Now, as for a boost... I doubt it. Neither the club teams or the national team has been able to play international competitions since the invasion began. The national team only has one win since the invasion began - to Kyrgyzstan.

 

Also, where the hell would they fit in?

[MJWalker45]

11 minutes ago, Seadragon76 said:

 

I wonder if this ties in more politically here.

 

Now, as for a boost... I doubt it. Neither the club teams or the national team has been able to play international competitions since the invasion began. The national team only has one win since the invasion began - to Kyrgyzstan.

 

Also, where the hell would they fit in?

They'd get plenty of games against the Stans, China and the like. It won't help them improve any. 

[Digby]

It’s entirely a political move. Wanna be in the club where everyone hates you or the club where everyone (has been bribed to be) your friend?

[FiddySicks]

Not sure what to make of this Berhalter domestic violence thing.

 

That headline just reads so absurd. Makes it seem like he married a soccer ball. 

[MJWalker45]

13 hours ago, FiddySicks said:

Not sure what to make of this Berhalter domestic violence thing.

 

That headline just reads so absurd. Makes it seem like he married a soccer ball. 

It's weird that it's coming out now when people have been trying to get rid of him from the beginning.  It's weird, since technically he's no longer employed as the manager. 

[Digby]

Totally not how I expected 2023 to open on the USMNT front. What a weird story. Holding onto a morose hope that Gio Reyna dug it up in a fit of Benzema-style rage...now that's a scandal worthy of a proper footballing nation.

 

EDIT: Omg I was kidding but I was right. https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4844539/claudio-reyna-told-us-soccer-about-past-gregg-berhalter-domestic-violence-incident-sources

 

Quote

Former United States men's national team captain Claudio Reyna sent multiple messages to U.S. Soccer executives during the World Cup threatening to reveal sensitive details about USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter's past, multiple sources told ESPN.

 

The messages began after his son, Gio Reyna, was informed he would have a limited role at the tournament.

 

U.S. Soccer did not receive any details about the claims until Dec. 11, when an executive was informed in a call with Claudio Reyna and his wife, Danielle, that Berhalter, 49, had a past domestic violence incident, sources told ESPN.

 

[FiddySicks]

2 hours ago, Digby said:

Totally not how I expected 2023 to open on the USMNT front. What a weird story. Holding onto a morose hope that Gio Reyna dug it up in a fit of Benzema-style rage...now that's a scandal worthy of a proper footballing nation.

 

EDIT: Omg I was kidding but I was right. https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4844539/claudio-reyna-told-us-soccer-about-past-gregg-berhalter-domestic-violence-incident-sources

 

 

No freakin way. Omg. 

[DG_ThenNowForever]

What a waste Gio Reyna ended up being after all.

[MJWalker45]

2 hours ago, Digby said:

Totally not how I expected 2023 to open on the USMNT front. What a weird story. Holding onto a morose hope that Gio Reyna dug it up in a fit of Benzema-style rage...now that's a scandal worthy of a proper footballing nation.

 

EDIT: Omg I was kidding but I was right. https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4844539/claudio-reyna-told-us-soccer-about-past-gregg-berhalter-domestic-violence-incident-sources

 

8 minutes ago, DG_ThenNowForever said:

What a waste Gio Reyna ended up being after all.

So are the Reyna's now helicopter parents? This is disappointing because if I was Gio's parents I would have told him to stop pouting about playing time, instead of going over his coach's head to talk some BS about him from 31 years ago. This won't help fix anything and probably separate Gio from the rest of the team. If I was Austin FC, I might have to cut ties with Claudio over this.  If he's willing to go after the national team coaches like this, what would he do to subordinates at the club? I didn't think the USA should copy Mexico, but apparently the Reyna's feel differently. 

Edited January 4, 2023 by MJWalker45
changed it to Reyna's, not just Claudio

[DG_ThenNowForever]

Such a shame. USMNT finally makes the World Cup, but an overeager parent casts a shadow over the whole thing.

 

If I'm Pulisic or Adams or anyone without their head up their ass, I'm pissed.

[Digby]

24 minutes ago, MJWalker45 said:

 

So are the Reyna's now helicopter parents? This is disappointing because if I was Gio's parents I would have told him to stop pouting about playing time, instead of going over his coach's head to talk some BS about him from 31 years ago. This won't help fix anything and probably separate Gio from the rest of the team. If I was Austin FC, I might have to cut ties with Claudio over this.  If he's willing to go after the national team coaches like this, what would he do to subordinates at the club? I didn't think the USA should copy Mexico, but apparently the Reyna's feel differently. 

 

I mean, this is legendary Psycho Soccer Parent stuff. The book has been rewritten. Suddenly explains Gio's attitude problems, which surprised me as well because I always thought Claudio was one of our dignified as well as talented players when he was one of our main guys. Maybe I missed something.

 

And their now-wives were ROOMMATES when they played together at UNC? Jeez. I always thought Claudio and Gregg were friends from back in the day, which is why I never gave credence to the theory of Gregg having some weird personal vendetta about Gio. Did they ever have a Harkes-vs-Wynalda level beef that I missed?? Or did the Reynas just go full mafioso all these years later? Feels short-sighted to put your kid and your own careers on the line and maybe commit criminal blackmail. 

[Digby]

The Athletic has statements from the Reynas, kind of non-apology apology situations here. This is wild. 

 

https://theathletic.com/4057428/2023/01/04/gregg-berhalter-danielle-claudio-reyna-us-soccer/ 

 

Or just the statements if you don't have a sub. Danielle, stop, you're not helping yourself! https://imgur.com/a/6v9IWhn

[MJWalker45]

8 minutes ago, Digby said:

Feels short-sighted to put your kid and your own careers on the line and maybe commit criminal blackmail. 

Agreed. Did the Reyna's think this would get USSF to just push Gregg out the door and it'd go away that they were involved? What happens if the next coach tells Gio to take a seat? 

 

6 minutes ago, Digby said:

The Athletic has statements from the Reynas, kind of non-apology apology situations here. This is wild. 

 

https://theathletic.com/4057428/2023/01/04/gregg-berhalter-danielle-claudio-reyna-us-soccer/ 

Danielle Reyna -“As part of that conversation, I told Earnie that I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age. Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question. Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed. It took a long time for me to forgive and accept Gregg afterward, but I worked hard to give him grace, and ultimately made both of them and their kids a huge part of my family’s life. I would have wanted and expected him to give the same grace to Gio. This is why the current situation is so very hurtful and hard.”

- "I don't like that my son had to sit on the bench because his coach was kicking people in the shins at his age! I said I have moved on ffrom this, but now I remember this and I'm telling everyone I know about it". " Is this the true definition of a Karen? 

[Needschat]

3 hours ago, MJWalker45 said:

Agreed. Did the Reyna's think this would get USSF to just push Gregg out the door and it'd go away that they were involved? What happens if the next coach tells Gio to take a seat? 

 

Danielle Reyna -“As part of that conversation, I told Earnie that I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age. Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question. Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed. It took a long time for me to forgive and accept Gregg afterward, but I worked hard to give him grace, and ultimately made both of them and their kids a huge part of my family’s life. I would have wanted and expected him to give the same grace to Gio. This is why the current situation is so very hurtful and hard.”

- "I don't like that my son had to sit on the bench because his coach was kicking people in the shins at his age! I said I have moved on ffrom this, but now I remember this and I'm telling everyone I know about it". " Is this the true definition of a Karen? 

 

I've been reading on social media how this has made it impossible for Berhalter to stay with the Men's Team. Has anyone thought of how this had damaged Gio? Holy Crap! I've seen helicopter parents in academia and in youth sports, but this is the topper! WOW! 

[MJWalker45]

48 minutes ago, Needschat said:

 

I've been reading on social media how this has made it impossible for Berhalter to stay with the Men's Team. Has anyone thought of how this had damaged Gio? Holy Crap! I've seen helicopter parents in academia and in youth sports, but this is the topper! WOW! 

It also freezes Claudio out of any significant leadership roles in USSF, or it should do so. Gio will probably be fine, but he's going to get soooo much crap from USMNT teammates. Every time he doesn't start someone's going to tweet him asking if dad has dirt on the new coaches too?

[Digby]

For Gio’s future, I think a lot depends on whether he’s well-liked by the core of the new team or whether he brought his entitled petulance into the locker room, as far as whether he’ll be supported and welcomed in there going forward. We’ve obviously seen grosser scandals overcome by sheer talent (and laying low), but also, Gio’s not a ballon d’or winner.

 

lest we forget that George Weah is also a USMNT dad and has caused exactly zero drama! And he’s a head of state!!