We've discussed the Gold Cup in desultory fashion in the general USMNT thread, but it merits its own thread, kind of.
Some of the competition has actually been quite fun. But nobody does minnows the way CONCACAF does minnows.
Coming up tonight: Panama vs. Martinique, which is so lacking in stand-alone legitimacy that it can't play FIFA events. CONCACAF lets it play in CONCACAF events, I guess it's a kindness.
Some of Martinique's players play in the French and Swiss second and third tiers. Others play in Martinique.
Panama, of course, has passionate backers, here and elsewhere. Its players ply their trades in leagues on four continents. Respectable FIFA ranking of 57, coming off a 4th place Nations League finish.
Game is at beautiful Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and there is NO ONE there. No. One.
Some of the competition has actually been quite fun. But nobody does minnows the way CONCACAF does minnows.
Coming up tonight: Panama vs. Martinique, which is so lacking in stand-alone legitimacy that it can't play FIFA events. CONCACAF lets it play in CONCACAF events, I guess it's a kindness.
Some of Martinique's players play in the French and Swiss second and third tiers. Others play in Martinique.
Panama, of course, has passionate backers, here and elsewhere. Its players ply their trades in leagues on four continents. Respectable FIFA ranking of 57, coming off a 4th place Nations League finish.
Game is at beautiful Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and there is NO ONE there. No. One.