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T&T’s Leston Paul: U.S. ‘learned their lesson’ on Tuesday night

Much ado was made about the pitch conditions heading into Tuesday night’s World Cup Qualifying finale that ended in the U.S. Men’s National Team missing the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Torrential rain flooded the pitch at Ato Boldon Stadium, causing a social media uproar as videos of American players being ferried across the moat surrounding the playing surface made their way around the internet. While Americans poked fun at the situation, the Soca Warriors were getting fired up at what they perceived as blatant signs of disrespect from their opponent.

“I think they were a bit overconfident and a bit disrespectful because they came in yesterday and rain fell on the pitch and they were giving each other piggybacks (over the water) and all kind of stuff,” Trinidad & Tobago assistant coach Stern John told USA Today Sports.

“Rain fell, it is not our fault,” John added. “They made a big scene out of it and it was international news all over the world. It was all over the media. Our families (told us about it). Most of our guys are on social media so they see it. They see the USA guys getting piggybacked to the field – it is embarrassing.”

John was supported by midfielder Leston Paul, who says the USMNT were overconfident and already looking ahead to a trip to Russia next summer.

“I think the (USA) was a little bit complacent,” he said, “because it is Trinidad and Tobago and we were already out. Football is a funny game. They learned their lesson today.”

Comments

  1. Whether we “learned our lesson” remains to be seen. Until I see resignations, firings, demotions or systematic changes we have learned absolutely nothing.

    Reply
    • This may be a bit political, but one of the problems with our society is lack of accountability. In many other countries when a CEO leads a company that breaks the law, ruins the economy, etc. they often end up in jail, or at least fired in disgrace. Here they get a golden parachute and talk about how things just happen and never admit responsibility for anything. People in power get away with all sorts of stuff without punishment. In fact, I have seen some of them get promoted. So, don’t expect any major changes to US Soccer.

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  2. The US was over confident and complacent. Yep, that pretty much explains it and it’s why they will be watching the World Cup on TV. The team leaders and coaches should never have let that happen.

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  3. The players (and there shouldve been a few) who stood on the side and shook there heads at that nonsense-should immediately be identified as the actual leaders regarding this past Cup cycle..

    Just a little more insight into true USMNT identity circa 2017..

    MB possess the nuts to square his men away or was he a part of the problem?

    Great teams/players use actions and words to get in the heads of their opponent to great effect..

    That maybe what was going on there

    Seems to have backfired on the team sitting in fourth place facing possible elimination from World Cup qualification..

    Good job Bruce

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  4. Bruce said in his press conference that they didn’t even train that day. Just jogged around for a while and left. Bruce made it seem like this was no big deal and they could roll out of bed and be sharp regardless. MUPPET!!

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  5. “they were giving each other piggybacks (over the water) and all kind of stuff”

    The laissez faire attitude and messing around didn’t end after that training session. Thus we are NOT going to Russia. Shameful. This group has been given so much (resources, undeserved accolades, sponsorships, starting roles, etc) that they did not earn. This would be the moment to do a DFB style overhaul but “the economist” doesn’t think we need major changes…HA!

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    • Where? Every field that we offered up for a World Cup qualifier was pristine… You can point to the Costa Rica snow debacle but that was it… US offers up quality fields.

      I can promise if T&T was hosting a major cricket test match that field would have been perfect.

      Reply

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