2021 Gold Cup: CONCACAF AF
- Thread starter DJnVa
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CONCACAF and the AFC have also entered into a kind of mutual support/exchange program in advance of both federations hosting World Cups. And Qatar Air is sponsoring the Gold Cup, so…
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And it should be emphasized again that from the USMNT perspective, the death of the Confederations Cup and the birth of the friendly-date-stealing UEFA Nations League have been bad developments for our ability to schedule solid opponents. Our only competitive games are the Gold Cup and WCQ, and even finding solid friendly opponents is getting harder.
Everyone agrees that the biennial Gold Cup is tedious, so I'm down with spicing it up with invitees. Now, Qatar seems to be here for $pecific rea$on$, but they are in fact the reigning Asian champions so regardless of the impetus for their inclusion, it means the field is stronger than it would be with an additional CONCACAF minnow.
Obviously, we can conceivably spice things up with something greater than Qatar in the future as well.
Lastly....can we do a combined CONCACAF-CONMEBOL Nations League please?
This is a big spot for Hoppe. I was almost positive that we'd see Zardes for the usual "he's a veteran who won't wilt in a tough match" reasons, but I'm happy to be wrong.
I think that the Twitter Masses will be mostly pleased with this lineup. I am surprised that Arriola is starting because I didn't think he'd be fit enough.
I'll be looking for the midfield's ability to play defense. Busio needs to offer a bit more, especially because as one of two CBs Sands will have less freedom to step into the midfield.
I'll be looking for the midfield's ability to play defense. Busio needs to offer a bit more, especially because as one of two CBs Sands will have less freedom to step into the midfield.
Leon Bailey on the bench for Jamaica. If it's not for health-related reasons, I'm very confused.
Edit: he's not 100% fit. The young Yanks catch a break.
Edit: he's not 100% fit. The young Yanks catch a break.
Agree with all of this. I’ll add that I will be watching the US left side. Excited to see what Hoppe can do, curious to see how the US deals with Leon Bailey. Vines will have to be on his game. Bailey has been pretty poor by his standards, so hopefully that continues.
edit to say that it looks like Bailey isn’t starting. Phew!
Hoppe is a wild card. He does interesting stuff and looks like he could create something out there, but I worry that as a young attacker who is mostly a forward he'll derp out on his defensive responsibilities at time. Something to look out for.
As mentioned above, we've lucked out and Bailey isn't fit enough to start.
Second half kickoff will coincide with the end of primetime Olympics coverage? That's the only reason I can think of.
Well, the other game had to end....they're playing in same place. Other game started at 7:30 I think.
Canada's 2-0 win over Costa Rica is symbolic.
People always say "CONCACAF is getting better!" It's never true. For every team that is getting better (Canada), there is a team getting worse (Costa Rica). This isn't the Ticos of the 2014 World Cup any longer.
People always say "CONCACAF is getting better!" It's never true. For every team that is getting better (Canada), there is a team getting worse (Costa Rica). This isn't the Ticos of the 2014 World Cup any longer.
Hoppe plays USMNT games like he’s heavily caffeinated in a way I do not recall noticing for Schalke.
Ok, the last few minutes have been positive. Shaq had a chance there, but that would have been a worldie to get it on goal.
I'm not sure how good Hoppe is, but if he's scoring at all he's going to be a guy the fans love.
I don’t think I realized Acosta could be that effective playing in front of the back line. He’s covered a lot of ground.
The commentators have criticized his passing but I think he’s seen the right looks but had some bad luck in terms of people in the way
The commentators have criticized his passing but I think he’s seen the right looks but had some bad luck in terms of people in the way
If the US wins this, I’m contemplating pulling the trigger on tickets for the semis in Austin. It’s a 1.5 hour drive and my wife and I don’t have shit to do on Friday. So, let’s fucking go!!!
I'm as big a Busio fan as anybody, but I think he's playing too physically timid tonight. He seems to be bullied off of the ball a lot, which will never work in CONCACAF (though to be fair he did use some dark magic to draw a yellow, which is very CONCACAFy). Williamson at the half, please.
I largely agree about Busio's lack of physicality, but I think he's actually been much more aggressive tonight and has more positive defensive actions. The problem is that he needs to hit the weight room; it doesn't matter how determined he is, he's going to continue to get bodied off the ball by physical opponents.