What They're Saying: Dave Sarachan

“You don’t just make changes for change's sake. We did want to make [more than] three or four subs, but the game sort of evolved in a way that we felt the players on the field needed to be rewarded for a great effort.”

-- U.S. national team coach Dave Sarachan on why he used only four of the six available subs (and only one before the 77th minute) in the 1-0 win over Paraguay, leaving eight of the 23 players without a cap from the March gathering. (MLSSoccer.com)
2 comments about "What They're Saying: Dave Sarachan".
  1. Ginger Peeler, March 28, 2018 at 1:59 p.m.

    I thought one of the main purposes of this friendly was to see just what most of these players could do...how well they adapted to playing with their teammates and against the opposing team. We would see the special talents that led to their being chosen for this USMNT game. Instead, coach only used 4 subs...and those brought on late in the game. Was it really better to protect their egos by letting them stay in the game for a win than to experiment with a couple more guys and giving each sub coming off the bench enough time to give us a good idea of their individual skills and how well they used them? Oh, please, coach, say it isn’t so! We will never be a team of beautiful soccer if the win is more important than the actual playmaking.  It’s beginning soccer all over again, with the emphasis on winning over skill, anticipation...on soccer smarts! I’m very disappointed with our interim coach. 

  2. Wooden Ships replied, March 28, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.

    Ginger, you pretty well summed up my sentiments. Wasted opportunities aplenty with the USMNT.

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