Source: Alexi Lalas State of the Union — LIVE U.S. vs Portugal Reaction, FIFA World Cup field is set, Italy SHOCKED
Duration: 1h 13m
USMNT World Cup readiness
These are the type of teams that we as the U.S. have to learn to start beating, whether it's a tune-up or whether it's in a game that matters like the World Cup, and we're still not there. And, frankly, I don't think we're close.
Italy's World Cup failure
If you had asked me or said to me that Italy... 32 years from now... is not only not going to qualify, but it's going to be the third World Cup in a row that they don't qualify, I would have laughed in your face.
USMNT training camp
I wish this U.S. team went old school and just said everybody to Mission Viejo and we're bunkering down. Club be damned. If we really care about this World Cup, sorry MLS, sorry La Liga, sorry EPL.
Mauricio Pochettino's management
If he's now just figuring out that we are not elite, then that's a problem. Being said, I could have told him that, and you're not going to pay him $6 million to figure that out now 70 days before the World Cup.
USMNT tactical experimentation
It's a sign to me of borderline panic. What's working is not working, and I need to figure something out because clearly things aren't happening.
USMNT locker room dynamics
If you're Balogun, for example, and this comes out, you're going, so wait, we're not playing with a striker? And I've been busting my ass all alone up there. And now it's like, ah, we're going to accommodate Christian Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic's form
He has to get that joy back in his game. I don't see him smile anymore. There's not this joy, this Jogo Benito, if you will, to go Brazilian. And he just seems to be trapped in a place right now that is not good.
USMNT status in world soccer
The U.S. feels to me like a plucky mid-major that wants to become a blue blood. They seem stuck on this level, and they can't really get over that hump to become one of the proverbial.
Italy's decline
For all their reputation for Catanaccio, Italy produced some of the most brilliant attacking players I ever seen... where have those players gone?
USMNT defensive errors
It should never happen that from a corner kick, somebody could get the ball, hit it to the top of the box, and have somebody not hit it first time and hit it in the upper 90... That's inexcusable at this level.
