Is this the GOLDEN GENERATION for the USMNT in the Copa America?🥇 | ESPN FC

[@calc1657]

No, this isn't a Golden Generation. This is just the new normal with respect to the talent level. A 'Golden Generation' wins big things or at least makes semifinals in multiple tournaments. Croatia had a recent Golden Generation, for example. They made Finals and Semifinals of major tournaments. (edit) I would just at that of course, different standards for Golden Generation can exist. For example, a golden generation of Brasil would need to make Finals of multiple World Cups.

[@thewanderingsamurai1150]

I’m not sure if it’s a new normal, I don’t know if the players coming up are as good as the ones we have right now

[@calc1657]

@@thewanderingsamurai1150 The U23 pool of players include Folarin Balogun, Joe Scally, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman Tanner Tessman, Ricardo Pepi, Gab Slonina, Sergino Dest, Jalen Neal, Cade Cowell, Kevin Paredes, and Gavin Beavers. We're in the new normal.

[@hankstorm3135]

u know these titles are engagement bait

[@thewanderingsamurai1150]

@@calc1657 pretty much all of them are considered in our “golden generation” though. I’m talking about the U-20s and so on

[@calc1657]

@@thewanderingsamurai1150 The U23 guys will be around for the next 10 years. It's tough to project anything with strictly U20s. Also, a major reason so many U23s are in the in senior team is because of the so-called 'Missing Generation', an historically weak generation of American players who youngest members are 27/28 years old. Future groups of U23s will have a much harder time breaking into the senior team. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @thewanderingsamurai1150 4 minutes ago @calc1657 pretty much all of them are considered in our “golden generation” though. I’m talking about the U-20s and so on

[@Ballin-97]

The media says 30 countries have a golden generation every 5 years

[@ygosoccer]

That can be true. Golden generation is not the best of all countries it is purely the best from that countries history. And this is the us most talented group of players in history

[@Ballin-97]

@@ygosoccer So why don’t they just call it the country’s best generation

[@Ballin-97]

@Ian-te3sq so why not just say best gen. It’s shorter, more specific, and more accurate

[@michaelbrandt567]

​@Ballin-97 golden has always been a soccer reference as best. Golden boot is an example

[@jamesbaurus5928]

For example, Costa Rica had a golden generation end recently, they weren't expected to win gold cups or make a WC quarterfinal, but they were held to the goal of making the WC knockouts during their reign. Whereas a French or German or Argentinian or Brazilian golden generation is expected finals at every major tournament bare minimum.

[@GunnerstahlY]

We need more Shaka and Ale on these more specific USMNT productions. 2 best of the 5 ESPNFC commentators/host.

[@Adriang.carballoliinc]

These three are the best imo 👍

[@KunSway]

Ale? Needles on a chalk board

[@CesarSanchezfool]

Unfortunately they don’t have a coach to match their talent. Similar to England

[@gobblu]

What talent? No top 50 players maybe 1 or 2 top 100

[@isaiahalderson5088]

@@gobbluso only like 5 team in the world are talented by the metric of no top 50 or 100 players. The us is not the best team in the world by any stretch of the imagination but the team is good enough for them to be competing with big teams. The coach doesn’t put the striker or the mid field in potential to win with his style of just cross cross cross.

[@georgebamete2650]

Nope, England has always played like that, whoever the manager..

[@bulletproofman323]

​@georgebamete2650 that's what I'm saying. They've claimed to have their golden generation every cycle ever with different managers, yet they still don't get anything done. 😂

[@Krsto777]

​@@isaiahalderson5088 Yeah, the people claiming that "we don't have the talent to expect results" or w/e are either a.) not familiar with what we were able to achieve with MUCH less talent in the past, or b.) GGG shills.

[@chrishenderson1262]

I think "Golden Generation" is really only a description that can be used for a country with an established and generally stable standing in world football. It suggests that this is the best there ever could be. The recent example with Belgium would be a good one. For a country like the US where the game is still growing and has a long way to go in comparison to other established sports that are popular in our country, I think we are more likely to see (and we should expect) general growth generation by generation. So calling today's group a "Golden Generation" wouldn't really fit in my opinion because we should be expected to have even more talent and depth 15 years from now. Comparatively, the game isn't going to get any more popular in a country like Belgium, so the players they have currently can be compared more apples-to-apples to prior or future generations.

[@Rvbeus]

It is in the sense that this is the best talent weve ever had. Most players weve ever had at the top level in Europe, but it about 5-10 years we will be better then we are now. Thats just how develoing talent works. A couple go to Europe then more and more.

[@travistarr9433]

Proper humbling incoming for USA.

[@CG68810]

I hope this isn't the Golden Generation because that would be sad. It's so strange, Americans want to be #1 in everything else, but soccer, let's be mediocre. That's our goal! That mindset is engrained from the organization to the majority of fans.

[@KenDaKingArrives]

I call it the Gold-plated generation because all our players are flops, even Pulisic, to a much lesser extent than everyone else, but leaving a not-yet-midtable Chelsea for Serie A and Milan is still a step down. McKennie if he moves to Aston Villa (read this carefully: it does not matter one bit that they're in UCL this year because they are not built to sustain that level, they are not one of the big 6) joins the list. Reyna, if he gets sold to some mid club, will complete the list. That's our sad reality.

[@CG68810]

@Ian-te3sq That makes zero sense. Tennis, Golf, Boxing, etc are lower than soccer and we have been #1 in all 3. What's impossible is to be #1 when you have a number #10 mentality.

[@a-walpatches6460]

The only sport the US are #1 in are the sports nobody else plays. That's not being the best, that's being the only ones that play them. Nobody else cares about your silly sports.

[@CG68810]

@Ian-te3sq Those are individual sports, dummy! The top-level players have individual coaches they hire! Team sports start at grass roots levels with leagues, etc. Once the best players proceed, they get into the national sports program, or a top-level club program like at Barca (La Masia). Educate yourself instead of embarrassing yourself or go back to sleep.

[@ishrendon6435]

@Ian-te3sq sorry soccer ain't growing here we ain't like it

[@NoonyJW]

A golden generation is when almost every position is filled by a world class player and that in turn gives them the ability to win World Cups and other major international trophies this ain’t it for the US 😂, fun fact that 5-1 body bag from Colombia was also the first time every starter for the U.S. was in a top 5 European league 😅

[@rodgermurphy5721]

Argentina 2022 champs had two players in MLS. How do you square that?

[@Chudsic]

@@rodgermurphy5721 i mean i love MLS but thats nonsense, none of the MLS players made any impact. Also I can only think of Almada who else

[@Rvbeus]

Defined by you and no one else? Sure things can't be judged relatively that takes to much brain power.

[@rodgermurphy5721]

@@Chudsic I like the MLS because it gets our young players to better teams in Europe

[@da_raven8857]

Golden Age? 😂😂😂 Do you forget the 2002 WORLD CUP team? We beat Mexico in the 2nd round! Donovan, Beasley, Pope? Cmon man!

[@dagosegovia843]

But did you get a trophy for it?

[@da_raven8857]

​@@dagosegovia843Yes, they came in the form of Mexican tears! 😂😂😂

[@OneOkRockSamurai]

Trash team

[@dagosegovia843]

@@da_raven8857 let me know when you win a confederations cup and a gold medal at the olimpics in soccer.

[@rodgermurphy5721]

@@da_raven8857 Great answer, haha

[@jaysonj9327]

Golden Generation? Um, let's see them actually win a significant game against a significant team outside of Concacaf. Let's see them consistently dominate Canada which at this point is either the best or the second best team within Concafaf. Until then, no, it's not a golden generation. It's an evolution beyond domestic college level players into a small handful of legitimately world class players. But with a coach not fit for a local beer league although that latter point is an entirely separate story.

[@bkbaughn]

THIS! Though I'd even push back on the "world class" tag a bit. I'm sure it can be defined differently with different people but I wouldn't really consider anyone on this team "world class". Pulisic is the only one knocking on that door atm imo.

[@Frostblaze207]

Canada is comfortably second best behind the us until they actually beat the US again, they’ve beaten the US twice in the last decade, the us beat them at the gold cup and nations league final. Canada had a nice WCQ win and nations league 2020 (I think) group stage win, but that’s not enough when they’re outliers and not the norm.

[@H-Vox]

The gold has a skid mark on it in the shape of three Gs

[@AndreInThe416]

You describe it as golden after they've accomplished something significant

[@vfmatta9118]

The biggest hole on the team is the manager. Without a better manager we will not progress to the level of the talent of our players on the field. We’re basically England light where the talent of our players is hindered by the manager playing terrorist tactics soccer. Look how Uruguay changed from the most recent World Cup which was disappointing to beating Brazil and Argentina (in arg) in back to back WC qualifiers with Bielsa. Night and day difference.

[@paullayer4152]

Not even a gilded generation but the FIRST generation of true elite footballers

[@MickeyThomas408]

If this squad can make the semis in this tournament, and win at least one knockout game in the upcoming WC then we can maybe call this generation golden

[@ezraezra2928]

USMNT and England's golden generations will disappoint a lot this year. England got capitulated against Denmark. It was a huge loss, despite being a draw result. USMNT got battered 1-5 by Colombia. Southgate and Berhalter must be sacked immediately 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JorgePerez-jg5cm]

Herculos making my point for me assist when talking about a goal keeper he has no clue fire him now.

[@capichon2011]

The Golden Generation...🤔Bruce Arena recently said that the 2002 USMNT would beat the current one ...

[@FreeTime-j3f]

Turner should playing be in Belgium/ Netherlands. Worst case is MLS.

[@kristophermartins6972]

Portugal would be better braga

[@beauknozbezt]

I’m so sick of hearing “golden generation” cause this team has done NOTHING to earn that label. This is an incredibley talented generation indeed, but outside of concacaf (which doesn’t matter let’s be completely honest) what has this team accomplished?? We did what was expected at the WC, but that’s it. Belgiums “golden generation” at least was making deep runs in the World Cup and Euro during their primes. Belgium is good comparison, their baseline is a squad that is always gonna have tons of players in the top 7/8 European leagues starting. But the golden generation came when their best players were all world class. USMNT doesn’t have even 1 guy you could call world class. MAYBE pulisic gets there but that is extremely doubtful to me. Let’s hold on the golden generation talks until they show us something worth the title.

[@ricky-zs5pn]

15 years ago

[@tonytellingitlikeitis5708]

To be a 'Golden' Generation, you actually have to win silverware. 2008-2012 Spain, 2021-2024 Argentina

[@ericjones7300]

The 2002 team made it to the WC quarterfinals and almost went through to the semis. What has this current "golden generation" team done, and which players on it are in any way "special"?

[@godusopp2752]

that logic makes no sense, thats luck of the draw and how good other teams are

[@ericjones7300]

@@godusopp2752 Sorry. Saying "Aw, that was just luck" ain't gonna work. And the other teams they played were Portugal, Poland, South Korea (host nation), Mexico, and Germany.

[@garettb8392]

I think people forget 2002 . If VAR existed the Germans would have had a penalty called against them and down a man as a goal scoring opportunity was taken away . The US out played the Germans and had them on their heels most of the game by the end of the game. The Germans were completely out of gas. If that game would’ve continued into overtime. I absolutely believe the US would’ve won that game. We were just significantly more fit in the Germans, and we were running ragged all over the field, those people who never saw them I’m sure many of the posters here are probably pretty young who never actually saw this team in person. Very lucky that I did. Don’t really understand how good that team really was..

[@emanuelenicolo6131]

@@ericjones7300 south korea cheated vs italy

[@JohnSmith-ys1wr]

golden generation lead by a pub team manager

[@steve13191]

this mean as much as golden generation of taiwanese basketball players or american badminton players.

[@CryptoCryoto]

No not a golden generation. Golden generation is players in key positions in world class teams making a difference in their teams. When you have players playing every week in Real Madrid Barcelona Man City Bayer Múnich then you can call them golden generation.

[@jamesbaurus5928]

No, a golden generation is only ever in reference to your own history. Ffs I mean Iceland had a golden generation when they beat England. They never had anything like it before and not since, but it was still miles above anything they had previously.

[@CryptoCryoto]

@@jamesbaurus5928 so you don’t need quality elite players just a being able to beat better teams? Seen that hundreds of times Greece in 2000, South Korea 2002 Iceland 2020,

[@louisrosales9888]

For me, a golden generation is a generation of outlier players. (An outlier is something that is "unusual" and far out of the expected range/norm). Secondly, a "golden generation" implies that things will get back to normal after the golden generation is gone. To determine whether it is an outlier generation, you have to have a good understanding of what our "average" or expected talent level should be. I think it would be hard to argue that our talent level is not improving, the question is how fast is it improving? are we improving linearly? How good would you expect our best players to be? That makes determining whether or not it is a golden generation or just within the expected range. We know that our top players "should" be better and more numerous than the last generation, but how much better and more numerous and I think they are, but don't think they are better by a large enough margin to be a "golden generation".

[@saylortusk8489]

Of course it is, except at the coaching position.

[@RickRoss440]

I think the next 2 world cup cycles will be our golden generation barring something catastrophic

[@samarthbagwe1736]

It won't matter against Uruguay Uruguay would put the burner on US

[@rodgermurphy5721]

We'll see

[@Frostblaze207]

Last two times that they played it was a draw, we’ll see if either team plays their starters.

[@rodgermurphy5721]

@@Frostblaze207 Depends on the result of the first two games. Both teams want to win the group

[@jamesbaurus5928]

​@@Frostblaze207yep. And before others comment, Uruguay put out strong sides in those games against the US. Columbia and Argentina are the only two teams I can see moping the floor with the USMNT

[@bkbaughn]

IDK if this is our "golden generation". IMO there is another step yet to take before it can be considered that... I feel you need a few more players who are on Pulisic's level. On paper we are more talented but we certainly aren't looked at any different on the world stage IMO... They win Copa America or at least make the final and we might could begin the idea of a "golden generation". Room to grow though certainly...

[@KenDaKingArrives]

This may be our most talented generation to date, but to reach the top of the mountain we'll still need much better than this. This is more like a Gold-plated generation...

[@jl8138]

The short answer is how could we ever know when our soccer federation cares more about securing cash for MLS owners than actually winning anything?

[@Manbearpig4456]

Who are the USMNT?

[@BYLC31]

No, they are all great players but the olden were 2000’s

[@raylouison7571]

1994 US were the real golden generation.

[@daconnoisseurrex1752]

This isn’t a golden generation until they win silverware (Copa America and World cup)

[@darrellsanbornjr2088]

WC will never happen

[@DjVat0L0c0]

It’s definitely the best team US has had in terms of talent but unfortunately we have a sorry excuse of a coach with no real ball knowledge or ability to take us to the next level so unfortunately we’re just wasting away til we get an actual coach who can help grow these players while they’re still young

[@1237barca]

Relative to the manager it is a platinum generation. Gregg wouldn’t get a sniff of an interview at any of this squads club teams.

[@wtfisthis1094]

This by far our best group but to say this generation is the golden generation is a stretch

[@a.rome3]

Ain't nobody scared of this team.

[@angeloamoojee2112]

how is USA in Copa America thought it was only south American teams

[@eamonreidy9534]

Conmebol and Concacaf are cooperating more

[@trentbateman]

$$$$$$$$$… each games ticket prices are like 5-10x what would be paid in South America.

[@cesarordaz139]

They lost 5-1 against Colombia😂😂😂 da fuc do you mean “Golden Generation”

[@RichardMartinez-l7f]

Maybe La liga? And Cut

[@revment]

Can't see USMNT without thinking about United States Mutant Ninja Turtles.

[@JuanSanchez-jc1zm]

No just a lot of hype with one or two talented players. If they fall short or win then we can assume the standard

[@tacticalmanagerbabymommaak5825]

Mexico has nothing 😂😂

[@sterlingwalker4374]

Yes, yes it is

[@OneOkRockSamurai]

The players are decent and should make a semi or quarter final easily here. However they will not because Gregg is a nepotism baby with no real coaching talent. So I would say we get knocked out in the round of 16

[@AbeGoingToYou]

Get Shaka some real cohosts

[@Sikthkid]

This has potential to be the Golden Generation but Jay and his kid brother Gregg have ruined it from truly happening.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Zip it and let it play out… no more hype please!

[@spooky97213]

huh you start tossing around golden age for the usmnt and i toss around sports commentators are in a golden age of saying literally anything to fill up a segment.

[@AdamRafeedie]

I can tell you nobody knows about the cops America in the states

[@dreddmann6532]

🧢

[@james.butler.]

Who cares? Labelling a group of players as a golden generation accomplishes absolutely nothing except building them up for failure.

[@BluntlyBean]

Wasted on a coach that is being CARRIED by it

[@cesar-dq2sg]

teams In South America even so called bad teams hold their on against world champions yet concacaf have hard time to beat teams to go to world cup were no one is scared of you and you know it

[@elil8598]

Lmao they gonna get grouped hard

[@fisterhr]

This USMNT lost 5-1 to Colombia and lost 3-1 to a struggling Germany last fall. This tells me that they ARE NOT as good as we think they are. We seem to be following Mexico's and England's footsteps in overhyping the national team. In our case, the USMNT, does have more talented players playing in Europe, but not all are starters and not all play in first division leagues. Also, American MLS players are still being called up knowing very well that Americans are not the best players in that already low level league. Also, we all know that Berhalter can't help the team punch above its weight. Don't forget that this is not a soccery country. It never has been, it isn't now, and it doesn't look like it will ever be one. The majority of America as a whole does not, I repeat DOES NOT, care for soccer. Their main focus is on American football, basketball and baseball and to some good extent in the northern states, hockey. USA may get out of the group but I think it will get knocked out by either Colombia or Brazil. Even if they make the semi finals by some sheer luck and finish 4th again, it won't be enough because that has happened twice already with teams that did not have as many good players as they have now. 3rd place miminum will be the only determining factor that this geneartion is better at a high level competition than previous ones.

[@marktheshark7588]

Which part of this arrogant and overrated USMNT is a golden generation.They are more like a copper or tin generation😂😂😂

[@nbballstarballislife]

I don't believe that it a golden generation. I would say that it's the start of the U.S putting focus and investment into the sport. There still needs to be changes from the top. We don't want nerds who are just good businessmen but have no idea about the sport

[@AA-ke5bd]

When espn accidentally discusses the consequences of rampant immigration without an effective system of integration better than other so-called news channels...

[@donjay5502]

There’s nothing golden in that group 😂

[@erickr.8390]

Nope they just lost 2-1 to Panama 🤣🤣

[@pierothol2022]

I hope not. This golden team is not enough to compete vs good South American teams.

[@bobhope707]

Sort of.

[@JorgePerez-jg5cm]

Having Shaka gives this some credibility however having herculos gomes he has no credibility who is he why is he a commentator he has the dumbest opinions on the game.

[@jshawney3355]

South Korea has a golden generation thats getting stronger every year. In 2 more world cups we'll have a sqaud good enough to make semifinals at world cup. 3 young players that have Sonny potential not including Lee Kang In who is in a league of his own. 2 young centerbacks who will hopefully develop into Kim Min Jae quality. 1 already plays in premier league Kim Ji-soo (Brentford) Yang Min Hyuk age 17 in K league. Kid can ball. Bae Jun Ho of Stoke City is getting hyped as a future star for Korea.

[@u.s.m.n.tconcacafchampions6326]

😂nobody asked and cares about South Korea g

[@odb233]

I guess you are young enough to not remember South Korea made it already to the semifinals in 2002. 😂

[@jshawney3355]

@odb233 I'm 43 and I remember. It was a fluke run based on luck and bad refereeing. Yes there was grit and dogged determination but talent and skill wise pales in comparison to what we have now and are getting in the near future. We have a lot of up and coming talent as well as established world class players.

[@nFWAYGo]

A group of better players , coach does not know how to use and only plays his stubborn mls tactics

[@shottatallman3459]

Golden generation??? 😂😂😂😂 Look let's see if they even make it to the knockout rounds with this "golden generation"

[@enriquedager3]

If this is the USA golden generation , lmfao . Yikes man

[@samnedumedja5323]

US golden generation, if you can call it that is the 2002 world cup team. That team lost to Germany in the quarter final with controversies. You can argue that they had a real chance to get to the semifinal. They had plyers like %oni Sane, Donovan, Demarcus Beasly, Claudio Reyna, Jeff Agoos, etc.

[@moistpeanut5986]

That is one sad “golden generation” lol

[@philippbehrend5559]

lol

[@Dylan-th4ul]

Golden generation, wrong coach