2015 Gold Cup

[DJnVa]

I hope I'm not missing a thread, I looked around a bit.
 
So, is anyone planning on attending any of these matches?
 
http://www.concacaf.com/tickets
 
I was looking today--the quarterfinals in Baltimore on July 18 should feature the US (assuming the finish 1st or 2nd in their group), Panama, and Costa Rica. Two games back to back, and you can find tickets for less than $50.
 
Might grab some tickets for my son and I.
 
 

 

[Titans Bastard]

I'm going to the Honduras/Panama, US/Haiti doubleheader at Gillette.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Group A
USA
Panama
Haiti
Honduras
 
Group B
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Jamaica
Canada
 
Group C
Mexico
Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago
Cuba
 
 
CONCACAF changed the qualification process for the Confederations Cup.  In the last, the first Gold Cup of a WC cycle was the sole qualifying event and the second GC (played in the same summer as the CC) was just for pride.  Starting with the upcoming CC, the winners of the 2013 and 2015 GCs will play a home-and-home to qualify.  The US won in 2013, so if the win again there will be no playoff.

 

[Bosoxen]

I think I may have to gather my coworkers to go to the games in Frisco on July 7th. I'm debating whether or not I should openly mock the yahoos that come dressed as Uncle Sam.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I think I may have to gather my coworkers to go to the games in Frisco on July 7th. I'm debating whether or not I should openly mock the yahoos that come dressed as Uncle Sam.

Of course you should. And then insult their knowledge of the game.

 

[dirtynine]

I'll be at Gillette. Not sure what the USMNT roster will look like, but with Haiti the opponent, looking forward to seeing a US prospect or two get some run.  The first game should actually be a pretty competitive match, which I will hopefully not lazily tailgate through most of. 

 

[Bosoxen]

Of course you should. And then insult their knowledge of the game.

 
That was implied, of course.

 

[Turrable]

I might try and get to the Baltimore games and the final in Philly. Even the third place game would be ideal for sustained day drinking.
 
edit- nevermind the 3rd place game isn't on the same day.
 
Also, you can get slightly discounted tickets through the American Outlaws, which I imagine is a fun way to watch the games https://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/goldcup2015

 

[DJnVa]

Grabbed tickets (and parking) today for the quarterfinal doubleheader in Baltimore on July 18.
 
If anyone wants to grab a beer or something, let me know.

 

[sodenj5]

I might try and get to the Baltimore games and the final in Philly. Even the third place game would be ideal for sustained day drinking.
 
edit- nevermind the 3rd place game isn't on the same day.
 
Also, you can get slightly discounted tickets through the American Outlaws, which I imagine is a fun way to watch the games https://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/goldcup2015

 
I bought AO tickets for that exact reason. Probably a blast to watch the game with them and hit the events before or after the game. I'll be in Gillette.

 

[dirtynine]

 
I bought AO tickets for that exact reason. Probably a blast to watch the game with them and hit the events before or after the game. I'll be in Gillette.

 
It's awesome - just be ready for a giant American flag to unfurl over your head a few times per game.  

 

[Hosey and Housie]

I might try and get to the Baltimore games and the final in Philly. Even the third place game would be ideal for sustained day drinking.
 
edit- nevermind the 3rd place game isn't on the same day.
 
Also, you can get slightly discounted tickets through the American Outlaws, which I imagine is a fun way to watch the games https://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/goldcup2015

 
 
If anybody is looking for tickets in the AO section at Foxboro, I have 2 tickets that I can't use (just looking for face value, send me a PM). The AO tailgate for the Spain game a few years ago is still talked about as one of, if not the best AO tailgate of all time!

 

[sodenj5]

 
It's awesome - just be ready for a giant American flag to unfurl over your head a few times per game.  

 
Sounds majestic.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Chicharito just broke his collarbone in a friendly with Honduras, have to assume he misses the Gold Cup.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Chicharito just broke his collarbone in a friendly with Honduras, have to assume he misses the Gold Cup.

 
This just a day or two after Hector Moreno was ruled out.  Not nearly the name that Chicharito is, but Moreno is important to El Tri.  He's been replaced by Oswaldo Alanís on the roster.
 
Moreno, Maza Rodríguez, and Diego Reyes made up Mexico's three CBs in the 5-3-2.  Instead of using Alanís or Yasser Corona as a replacement for Moreno in the 5-3-2, Piojo switched to a 4-4-2 in a friendly against Honduras yesterday.
 
With a group consisting of Cuba, Guatemala, and T&T, Piojo will have some time to figure out what he wants to do.

 

[Bosoxen]

I know I'll be in the minority on this but I think this might be a blessing in disguise. Chicharito just isn't a good fit for that team. He's a target man in an attack predicated on quick, short passes. He may score a lot of goals but he doesn't create jack shit. What that team desperately needs is guys who can create scoring opportunities. It would be one thing if he were over 6'0" and Layun could bomb down the wings and lob him crosses in the box all day but he's 5'9" and even gets dwarfed by Central American defenses. I know Peralta can be incredibly inconsistent but he's a much better passer than Chicharito.
 
My ideal attacking setup would be a 4-3-3 with Peralta up front, flanked by Dos Santos and Fabian (who is currently not on the roster, but might be the next man up). Those three could create some serious havoc for defenses. But Herrera seems to love his five at the back setups (frankly, I'm surprised he went 4-4-2 against Honduras), so who knows what the hell he'll do. I guess we'll find out in a week.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Bumping this thread for the start of the tournament with the US game tonight against Honduras (9:30pm). I haven't seen the US friendlies recently, what is the expected formation and lineup?

 

[Titans Bastard]

Bumping this thread for the start of the tournament with the US game tonight against Honduras (9:30pm). I haven't seen the US friendlies recently, what is the expected formation and lineup?

 
They've settled into a 4-1-3-2 formation.  A dedicated DM (Beckerman, most likely) protects the back line.  The line of three consists of two shuttlers flanking Michael Bradley in a free-roaming role.  Bradley works best when he has runners to pick out ahead of him, so he stays too deep to be termed a #10.  The fullbacks are required to provide width because shuttlers generally don't do all that much in that regard (think pinched-in guys like Bedoya, Diskerud, Zusi, Morales).  However, sometimes JK has played a north-south oriented player in one of the wide midfield roles (think Zardes, Yedlin).  In which case a marauding fullback isn't as necessary on that side.  Either way Johnson and Chandler are likely to start at LB and RB and both are good going forward.
 
Tactics will probably be aggressive in the group stage, but will be dialed back if/when we face the Ticos and/or Mexico in later rounds.
 
Here's a guess at a lineup tonight:
 

Altidore, Dempsey​

Diskerud, Bradley, Zardes​

Beckerman​

Johnson, Brooks, Gonzalez, Chandler​

Guzan​

 
Bedoya would probably start if he were fully fit, but he's not 100% yet.

 

[IdiotKicker]

Any thoughts as to Alvarado getting in the mix in the back over the course of the tournament in place of Gonzalez?

 

[Cellar-Door]

https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/618578779594584064
 
Alvarado over Gonzalez, Yedlin over Mix

 

[Titans Bastard]

100th cap for this guy:
 

 
Mikey has come a long way.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Haiti grabbed a late equalizer against Panama.

 

[Cellar-Door]

This officially ties Alvarado as well.

 

[Billy R Ford]

If you're willing to watch in Spanish Univision is streaming on their website:
 
http://deportesenvivo.univision.com/game/honduras-at-usa-on-20150707

 

[McBride11]

It is on FS1 which streamed the friendlies against Ned and Ger.

 

[teddykgb]

Lot of pressure on Beckerman as those shuttlers will be getting forward

 

[Hagios]

Is there a game thread? Are there many people even watching?

 

[Laser Show]

I'm gonna try to watch after the Sox but I may fall asleep

 

[McBride11]

I feel they anticipate Hon sitting way deep so need more speed / attack minded players in there to try and break them down.

 

[McBride11]

Of course Hon off some nifty passing and weak central D gets a great opp early.

 

[IdiotKicker]

Guzan sharp early.

 

[Hagios]

US playing long ball and Honduras dominating possession

 

[Cellar-Door]

There are definitely going to be cards. A bad challenge each way already.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

All Honduras early.

 

[Investor 11]

Another bad challenge

 

[McBride11]

Bradley is no Jordan Morris when it comes to dummies near the 18.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Man. Figueroa is a lucky man. Between that and the terrible challenge on Beckerman he should have a yellow by now.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Honduras is the dirtiest team in CONCACAF.
This ref is way over his head.

 

[IdiotKicker]

Defense looks tentative and communication not strong right now. But these are the guys you'd like to see develop as a unit during this cycle.

 

[McBride11]

Honduras is the dirtiest team in CONCACAF.
This ref is way over his head.

Just hoping for no injuries at this rate.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Defense looks tentative and communication not strong right now. But these are the guys you'd like to see develop as a unit during this cycle.

 
It's a young CB duo.  Alvarado and Brooks don't have too many reps together or with the team in general.  They've got talent, but they'll be a work in progress.
 
Deserved yellow for Brooks, despite what Friedel was saying.

 

[teddykgb]

I really don't think Dempsey or altidore are in our best XI in a year. But right now the U.S. Desperately needs one or both of them to come deep and offer passing options

 

[Titans Bastard]

I don't like the combo of Yedlin and Zardes in the midfield.  We need a more possession-oriented midfielder in one of the slots next to Bradley to balance the team.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don't like the combo of Yedlin and Zardes in the midfield.  We need a more possession-oriented midfielder in one of the slots next to Bradley to balance the team.

I think Zardes up top for Altidore and Mix out wide would be a better lineup.

 

[Hagios]

Yes!

 

[Cellar-Door]

That goal, such a definition of the two strikers.
Altidore hits it the only place he can't get a goal, Dempsey pounces.

 

[LuckyBen]

What a goal!!!

 

[McBride11]

I really don't think Dempsey or altidore are in our best XI in a year. But right now the U.S. Desperately needs one or both of them to come deep and offer passing options

Quick. Call out 2 other players!! Great corner play.

Ps - I agree and I would bet on Jozy being out.

 

[teddykgb]

Quick. Call out 2 other players!! Great corner play.

Ps - I agree and I would bet on Jozy being out.

No problem. Chandler moves as gracefully as a 50 year old with bad hips. He'll now be MoTM, you're welcome.

 

[Cellar-Door]

God I hate Jozy. Put through inside the 18 and he doesn't even get a shot off because he's too worried about bodying up his man to get the ball on net.