TripItUp
Footballguy
These are really fair points and one of the reasons why I haven't made a definitive conclusion regarding his future other than he is a borderline WCQ roster piece.
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⚽ OFFICIAL GOLD CUP THREAD: United States Beats Mexico. Again. ⚽ (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ChiefD
- Start date
mr. furley
Footballguy
Qatar????
El Floppo
Footballguy
Impressed with their mentality- going toe to toe with Mex. They dont seem to have the horses to keep up, but they look dangerous and organized.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Are you asking why they are in the Gold Cup?
The Gold Cup over the years has invited outside teams to play in the Gold Cup. Qatar has been playing in various tournaments all over the world to help prepare for the WC next year. They were scheduled to play in Copa America but had to pull out due to Covid.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I was thinking the same thing. no stand out player but are organized and playing with high energy and decent skill. They are out playing Mexico this half.
I like ELS more than what I have seen of either Jamaica or Costa Rica so far.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
ELS is taking it to Mexico.
That should have been two goals for them this half. One inch to the right and that deflects in off the post.
That should have been two goals for them this half. One inch to the right and that deflects in off the post.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Hugo Perez should be damn proud of this team. He is doing this with players like Alex Roldan and Josh Perez as starters.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
If this result holds, we meet them in the semi's if both teams win in the quarters I believe.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I thought the first game against ELS was a chance to grab some much needed points on the road but if a pretty loaded Mexican team is struggling with them, I need to rethink that stance.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
How is this team of misfits playing with so much confidence?
Tata has to be sweating. I think he knows he has to win the Gold Cup to remain coach but these group results have to have all the Mexican Federation honchos wondering what to do if they some how don't with, by far, the best collection of players at the tournament.
Tata has to be sweating. I think he knows he has to win the Gold Cup to remain coach but these group results have to have all the Mexican Federation honchos wondering what to do if they some how don't with, by far, the best collection of players at the tournament.
BeTheMatch
Footballguy
Just watching these last 20 minutes, I've decided I really hate Mexico
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
that was an enjoyable game.
I have to say, I think ELS created many more clear cut chances to score than Canada did today.
I have to say, I think ELS created many more clear cut chances to score than Canada did today.
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
They are part of Concacaf according to Americans asked to find them on a world map
-QG
encaitar
Footballguy
Little late to the party, but here are my thoughts....
We looked really good for the first 30 minutes. Thought we played aggressive, creative football and I was excited to see it. Then we absolutely bottled. The last 60 minutes we looked like a CONCACAF minnow that had somehow lucked into an early goal. We parked a bus against a team we "should be" better than. I didn't enjoy any of the last 60 minutes of the game.
Player thoughts....
Buchanan was the best player on the field. Canada has an absolute gem there. I'm not fully convinced that Davies is going to ultimately be their best player after watching Buchanan tonight. I do know they'd be a ridiculously scary team if Buchanan and Davies were their two wing backs and I'm not looking forward to facing them when they're 100% healthy.
Sands was easily our best player and it wasn't close. He is playing himself into a spot on the WCQ team. I think he might even be our best option as a backup 6 after watching the other options struggle today.
Speaking of... Busio was disappointing today. I get that he wasn't playing his "natural" position, but I didn't like what I saw. I think I need to see Williamson again because at this point he might be a better option to bring to WCQ than Busio.
Dike.... Man, he was a man among boys against Martinique. Now, he looked a little lost and was beaten too many times. There was a moment in the first though, where the defender tried to bully him out of the box and Dike gave him a quick stiff arm, sending the defender to the ground and giving himself a quick look. We clearly don't have anyone else like that. I think he was really hurt by the US being back in a parked bus for the last part of the game, because his skill set doesn't translate to bringing the ball forward. I'll wait until we play a more expected game, with us in more control of the game, before I take too much from Dike's game today.
Miles Robinson had a good game. He isn't likely to make the top 23, but I'm very comfortable with where he is right now. If he improves over the next 2-3 years I fully believe he'll be a part of the 2026 squad.
Everyone else was forgettable IMO. Nothing really terrible, other than Pines who shouldn't be playing at this level yet. Nothing stood out positively though. We're gonna need to be better in the knockout rounds.
We looked really good for the first 30 minutes. Thought we played aggressive, creative football and I was excited to see it. Then we absolutely bottled. The last 60 minutes we looked like a CONCACAF minnow that had somehow lucked into an early goal. We parked a bus against a team we "should be" better than. I didn't enjoy any of the last 60 minutes of the game.
Player thoughts....
Buchanan was the best player on the field. Canada has an absolute gem there. I'm not fully convinced that Davies is going to ultimately be their best player after watching Buchanan tonight. I do know they'd be a ridiculously scary team if Buchanan and Davies were their two wing backs and I'm not looking forward to facing them when they're 100% healthy.
Sands was easily our best player and it wasn't close. He is playing himself into a spot on the WCQ team. I think he might even be our best option as a backup 6 after watching the other options struggle today.
Speaking of... Busio was disappointing today. I get that he wasn't playing his "natural" position, but I didn't like what I saw. I think I need to see Williamson again because at this point he might be a better option to bring to WCQ than Busio.
Dike.... Man, he was a man among boys against Martinique. Now, he looked a little lost and was beaten too many times. There was a moment in the first though, where the defender tried to bully him out of the box and Dike gave him a quick stiff arm, sending the defender to the ground and giving himself a quick look. We clearly don't have anyone else like that. I think he was really hurt by the US being back in a parked bus for the last part of the game, because his skill set doesn't translate to bringing the ball forward. I'll wait until we play a more expected game, with us in more control of the game, before I take too much from Dike's game today.
Miles Robinson had a good game. He isn't likely to make the top 23, but I'm very comfortable with where he is right now. If he improves over the next 2-3 years I fully believe he'll be a part of the 2026 squad.
Everyone else was forgettable IMO. Nothing really terrible, other than Pines who shouldn't be playing at this level yet. Nothing stood out positively though. We're gonna need to be better in the knockout rounds.
Possum
Footballguy
man Canada is an annoying team - bunch of whiners diving all over the place. That Laryea dude has a super punchable face.
I can't understand why Berhalter waited so late to make changes - our midfield was nonexistent after the first 15 minutes or so.
Sands was good, Robinson and Vines looked pretty good, Turner was really solid, and Hoppe made a couple of nice drives forward with the ball in his 20 minutes (basically the only guy in a red and blue shirt that tried that all game).
I sure hope Zimmerman can go for the knockout games, Pines looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
I can't understand why Berhalter waited so late to make changes - our midfield was nonexistent after the first 15 minutes or so.
Sands was good, Robinson and Vines looked pretty good, Turner was really solid, and Hoppe made a couple of nice drives forward with the ball in his 20 minutes (basically the only guy in a red and blue shirt that tried that all game).
I sure hope Zimmerman can go for the knockout games, Pines looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
Possum
Footballguy
Flach would have been an outstanding addition to this roster, I think that kid will end up being pretty solid. Oh well...
don't want to see Acosta on the first team, the guy is just not good enough.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Has anyone seen a report on Zimmerman and what type of injury he took? We really need him to start in the quarter finals.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Does anyone have a preference on who we would rather play, Jamaica or Costa Rica? Not sure who to root for tomorrow.
gianmarco
Footballguy
Rather play CR. They've looked horrible. Jamaica will always be dangerous with their speed, IMO.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
So who are the biggest surprise teams of the group stage?
For me they are both in the same group.
ELS is punching way over its weight and Mexico, with by far the best squad, has not looked the part. If the US had our full team and looked like Mexico has on the whole, I would think GGG's head would be called for.
Going into the tournament, I thought Jamaica might be a bright spot but once they did not land any of their dual nats, they are what we all kind of expect out of them.
Even though we highlighted him in the USMNT team thread before the tournament started, I think Buchanan is the surprise player of the tournament so far. Sands is possibly right up there too.
For me they are both in the same group.
ELS is punching way over its weight and Mexico, with by far the best squad, has not looked the part. If the US had our full team and looked like Mexico has on the whole, I would think GGG's head would be called for.
Going into the tournament, I thought Jamaica might be a bright spot but once they did not land any of their dual nats, they are what we all kind of expect out of them.
Even though we highlighted him in the USMNT team thread before the tournament started, I think Buchanan is the surprise player of the tournament so far. Sands is possibly right up there too.
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El Floppo
Footballguy
Buchanon by far. Canada, without their stars, still look very capable- thats a small surprise to ke as well. And agree about EL S. Some of the unknowns like Suriname were a lot better than expected.
El Floppo
Footballguy
uhh.... Wtf
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I watched one of the Suriname games and they are going to be in the picture in the future.
During the game, the commentators mentioned that their government recently changed some sporting rules, which now allows them to start using their many Dutch dual nats. I think they already have 6 or 7 Dutch division 1 (Eredivisie) players on the Gold Cup squad and they expect that to increase significantly in the future.
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JaxBill
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
While I have not seen them play before the tournament I have been following them and their results have been fairly good, so I am not too surprised they are in the mix in their group right now.
They even won their entire group in the first round of Asian World Cup qualifying (they don't need to qualify but are playing to get the games in). In the 8 games they had a very good record of 7 wins and 1 draw. Most of the other teams in the group were on the weaker side but those type of results will usually indicate a decent team and one that can compete at the Gold Cup level.
Jaysus
Good times!
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
They are in a good spot to advance but they still have some work to do. They will advance with a draw or better against Honduras, who just lost one of their best players for the tournament with a foot fracture.
Honduras wants no worse than a draw against Qatar, so they will take the game seriously (if Honduras lose, they get Mexico instead of ELS in the quarters).
A Mexico Qatar quarterfinal will be fun because no matter who loses, we all win
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
If Panama leap frogs Qatar in the last game (which can happen if Qatar loses and Panama beats the weak team in the group by a handful of goals), then the 8 teams in the Gold Cup quarter finals will exactly match the 8 teams in the Ocho for World Cup Qualifying.
gianmarco
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
They’re basically a state of France. It would be like Texas having its own national team
JaxBill
Footballguy
encaitar
Footballguy
Agree with this. Given what I've seen from Canada so far in this tourney, they're the new "scary" team in CONCACAF. I would be ecstatic to get 4 points from them in qualifying.
El Salvador is punching above their weight, but man do they look good doing it. I thought they were the better team on the field yesterday against Mexico, despite their roster saying otherwise on paper. Give them and their coach credit, because they're another team I don't anticipate having to face in WCQ and up until this month I would've thought the ELS games to be guaranteed points for us.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This is a good read from Doyle which focuses on what we have learned in the first round about the team, as well as how unbalanced the team is from a roster stand point (something we keep harping on too).
He gives his starting lineup for the quarter finals and it looks fine reading from the back out until you get to the wings and you realize how screwed up things are.
Anyways, worth a read if you have a few minutes.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/what-we-learned-from-the-usmnt-gold-cup-group-stage-showing
He gives his starting lineup for the quarter finals and it looks fine reading from the back out until you get to the wings and you realize how screwed up things are.
Anyways, worth a read if you have a few minutes.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/what-we-learned-from-the-usmnt-gold-cup-group-stage-showing
ChiefD
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Still waiting. I can't find anything so far this morning. I don't even know what the injury was. He looked dazed coming off the field so I thought maybe a shot to the head but that is only a pure guess.
In related news, this could be important for a bunch of teams
========
Miami, FL (Monday, July 19, 2021) – Concacaf has announced that teams which advance to the Knockout Stage of the 2021 Gold Cup will have the opportunity to make medical changes to their 23 player roster. This is primarily due to the COVID-19 challenges that have impacted a number of the participating teams in the Group Stage.
Any proposed medical replacements will only be considered by the Concacaf Medical Committee in cases of serious injury or illness. Such replacements must be proposed to Concacaf for review at least 24 hours before the kick-off of the relevant team’s Quarterfinal match. Additionally, players proposed as medical replacements must come from the previously announced provisional rosters.
TripItUp
Footballguy
yeah, the lack of news is kinda weird...we're gonna need him to continue to advance.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
So we had guessed that Dike and Zardes were unlikely to compliment each other and that came true.
But from my eyes, it appeared evident that Zardes's soccer IQ is so much higher than Dike's. Zardes was at least trying to make runs, pull defenders, and put in his work defensively. Dike was basically a statue all game not knowing what to do unless the ball was passed directly to him.
Obviously Zardes is the finished product at his age and Dike's clay has barely started to melt enough to mold.
But from my eyes, it appeared evident that Zardes's soccer IQ is so much higher than Dike's. Zardes was at least trying to make runs, pull defenders, and put in his work defensively. Dike was basically a statue all game not knowing what to do unless the ball was passed directly to him.
Obviously Zardes is the finished product at his age and Dike's clay has barely started to melt enough to mold.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It would be awfully nice if Lewis "suddenly" came down with a bum hamstring and we had to bring in another winger....
TripItUp
Footballguy
Overall, we are accomplishing what we wanted to. We need to see which of these B teamers could hold up to international competition and I think it has become pretty obvious for certain players as previously noted.
Based on current form I'd expect us to win 1 or 2 more games prior to getting knocked out and I would consider that a success.
GGG hasn't been perfect but at least he took some risks and is likely to to get what he needed out of this tournament. I think GGG knows what he has now and can make better personnel decisions going forward.
Based on current form I'd expect us to win 1 or 2 more games prior to getting knocked out and I would consider that a success.
GGG hasn't been perfect but at least he took some risks and is likely to to get what he needed out of this tournament. I think GGG knows what he has now and can make better personnel decisions going forward.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
