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⚽ OFFICIAL GOLD CUP THREAD: United States Beats Mexico. Again. ⚽ (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ChiefD
- Start date
gianmarco
Footballguy
It would be funny if this was a joke. But it's not. How does that happen without any other cards?
encaitar
Footballguy
Yeah, it's probably safe to serve glass bottles at Sunday's match after that punishment.
El Floppo
Footballguy
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
So when the referee stops the game for 3 minutes for the Mexican fan's bull#### homophobic chant does that get added to the stoppage time?
If so, that's a joke. Benefitted them tonight.
encaitar
Footballguy
Yeah... CONCACAF is gonna red card a couple of Mexican players before the big money game on Sunday.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Agitate
Confront
Occupy and Delay
Stir up ####
Talk ####
Annoy
It’s like the DENNIS system
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Concacaf, it is an acquired taste 
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Brian Sciaretta
@BrianSciaretta
The two semifinals in the #GoldCup21 played a combined 23 minutes of second half stoppage time
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Brian Sciaretta
@BrianSciaretta
The two semifinals in the #GoldCup21 played a combined 23 minutes of second half stoppage time
encaitar
Footballguy
This is why you need veterans on a team. Acosta doing his best to disorient the PK taker and Lletget realizing it and moving immediately to distract the ref from Kellyn's antics. Add in Turner telling the PK taker that he'd watched his last few attempts and mimic his walkup and it's ####housery at its finest.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
xG was Qatar 2.03 - 0.86 USA
Turner stole it for us. Been awhile since our GK won a big game.
Turner stole it for us. Been awhile since our GK won a big game.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Mexico just hasn't looked right all tournament. They're lacking in the final third and their transition defense hasn't been fantastic either. I want Hoppe running at them as much as possible.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
On paper they should be so much better than every one else, but an argument can be made that they have under performed in 3 of their 5 games (the draw against T&T, getting out played in second half of both ELS and Canada games).
We have some solid built in excuses of why the US is scraping by but Mexico does not.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
That had to count the PK attempt. I also think that Qatar took a high volume of low XG shots that nevertheless probably added a combined .4 or so to their total
I thought the US were the better team in the second half (and while I wouldn’t call the PK decision wrong, I do think it could have gone either way).
But in any case, Turner is part of the XI, and he’s on the team precisely because he is freakishly good at saving good scoring opportunities
I imagine if the US wins the final, we’ll be able to point to at least one huge save by Turner in that game too
TLEF316
Footballguy
Stoked to make the final. Obviously Mexico COULD catch their stride and thump us, but I think we'll be competitive (at least defensively). We've struggled to create all tournament, so I wouldn't be shocked to see us lose a 2-0 game.
But either way, its been a productive tournament. We've found some pieces, which is all you could ask for, given the situation.
While I've generally been a proponent of using Dike at the start to essentially body punch the defense until the late game, he's just not getting it done right now. This group can't fall behind, so I think you start Zardes and hope to capitalize on any early opportunities you get.
But either way, its been a productive tournament. We've found some pieces, which is all you could ask for, given the situation.
While I've generally been a proponent of using Dike at the start to essentially body punch the defense until the late game, he's just not getting it done right now. This group can't fall behind, so I think you start Zardes and hope to capitalize on any early opportunities you get.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
All true -- the PK was almost the entire xG for the 2nd half. IIRC they were at like 1.13 for the first half. And the US owned the later stages of the game -- really from the PK forward -- with control and dangerous play that didn't always lead to xG.
Having said... Turner made two big saves plus the OG he pushed around the post. And I do think him standing his ground on the PK messed the taker up. He was going Paneka again and it looked like when Turner didn't commit early it caused him problems. IMO he came up very big -- in a way I can't remember recently for the senior team.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Assuming that halftime Twitter post and this one are accurate I have a beef with that metric.
That would mean Qatar's expected goal differential WENT UP in the 2nd half? Unless it's solely from that missed PK then I'm not buying it.
ETA - nevermind, I see it's already being addressed.
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AAABatteries
Footballguy
Not only is Dike not delivering, he appears obviously injured. It makes zero sense to start him in the final, IMO.
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
GGG doesn't do an 'optimal' starting lineup, but here's what I would do while trying to stick with GGG's apparent desire to adjust as the game dictates.
I guess this would be a 3-5-2 set up to start, but I feel this roster lends itself to that for better or worse.
Turner's a no-brainer at GK.
On the back line, Cannon, Robinson and Moore centrally with Vines and Sands on the wings. Vines nearly gave away a goal with a bad diagonal last night, but I think he learned his lesson and has a lot of skill to offer and provide cover in their own third.
Centrally, I'd go with Lleget, Acosta and Williamson. Not sure which would be in the middle, just whichever one has the lowest change of getting overrun, probably Wililamson by default.
Up top, Gioacchini and Hoppe.
All things being equal, Zardes is the first sub, along with Roldan and a change in formation (I might have the outside players on their wrong sides, but I think you get the point):
Turner
Cannon/ Robinson/Moore
Roldan/Williamson/Acosta/Vines or Sands (whichever is playing better)
Gioacchini/Zardes/Hoppe
To me, the MFs in this setup can cover the back and our attack can still cause some trouble. If we're chasing a goal, Williamson and Vines/Sands can push up more while still having defensive cover behind them.
I guess this would be a 3-5-2 set up to start, but I feel this roster lends itself to that for better or worse.
Turner's a no-brainer at GK.
On the back line, Cannon, Robinson and Moore centrally with Vines and Sands on the wings. Vines nearly gave away a goal with a bad diagonal last night, but I think he learned his lesson and has a lot of skill to offer and provide cover in their own third.
Centrally, I'd go with Lleget, Acosta and Williamson. Not sure which would be in the middle, just whichever one has the lowest change of getting overrun, probably Wililamson by default.
Up top, Gioacchini and Hoppe.
All things being equal, Zardes is the first sub, along with Roldan and a change in formation (I might have the outside players on their wrong sides, but I think you get the point):
Turner
Cannon/ Robinson/Moore
Roldan/Williamson/Acosta/Vines or Sands (whichever is playing better)
Gioacchini/Zardes/Hoppe
To me, the MFs in this setup can cover the back and our attack can still cause some trouble. If we're chasing a goal, Williamson and Vines/Sands can push up more while still having defensive cover behind them.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I'm not sure I can get behind a back 3 with 2 of the 3 not being CBs. I like the OOTB thinking but I'd go with what we had last night with the adjustments up top.
Moe.
Footballguy
I really want to see Williamson against Mexico, but I don't think I can fault Berhalter if he wants to prioritize winning this thing over getting a look at some guys. Would also love to see Hoppe at 9 to start, but again understand why it's not likely to happen. I'm really pleased with Berhalter overall.
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
This is one of the nuances of the game I'm still not good at yet. I just looked at the roster and they're all listed as defenders so I plugged them in there. TBH, that wasn't where I was trying to think out of the box, just with the subs, which is kind of by necessity since Dike is not 100%. I still prefer bringing is Zardes off the bench but wouldn't want to pass on the chance to have him, Hoppe and another attacking player out there at the same time.
My only concerns about keeping last night's XI are Busio and Sands. I think MEX goes right at either or both of them and tries to bully/scare them into dangerous turnovers. Maybe the tactic last night was to be patient, but Busio didn't seem very interested in attacking through most of the first half and seemed to pass back when a Qatari player rushed at him, and Sands had that terrible giveaway that nearly cost them a goal; they both might be still a little too green to start in a high stakes game like this. On the other hand, I also won't be upset if they both start, for that very same reason. I'm definitely in the camp that sees this tournament more as a means to build depth over winning it all, so I'm actually very happy regardless of what happens next game and who GGG starts and subs.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
One thing I’ll point out - getting to the final is good for so many reasons beyond the obvious ones. GGG gets to see these guys for extra time and there’s more team cohesion built. Even if Williamson doesn’t get the game time I’m assuming he’s getting the practice reps. Same with everyone else. Even the best coaches in the world are second guessed and make mistakes. I’m happy with where we are with the USMNT, especially given the disaster of the previous regime.
El Floppo
Footballguy
No way I put Shaq and Cannon in the middle against Mexico.
Could make an argument to sacrifice Nips for one of them and let them play a wing role. Don't love it though, but we're stuck for wing play.
There's clearly something Williamson isn't doing that's keeping him off the field- at a guess it's to do with his defensive responsibilities, which isn't something I'd want to risk vs Mex. That said, the CMF was getting carved through vs Qatar, so something has to change.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Williamson may not be better than Busio (especially in the long run), but based on what we've seen I'm very comfortable that he's at least as good today. I don't think you give up anything if you start him, and you might come out ahead.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
Do we know how healthy Cannon is? He made an immediate impact last night. I want him starting if he can go 90'. Not a knock on Moore, but Cannon made a big impact quickly.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
It's the second match in a row, that GGG has purposefully changed the right side shape with fresh subs. What isn't clear to me is where to allocate the effectiveness in terms of player-skill, freshness, and tactical shape.
I know he'll start Llegget, but he has a tendency these days to slow the counter-attack, so if people want Williamson on for someone that would be the guy I'd choose to take off.
Ned
Footballguy
I doubt we see any big changes unless there's some fitness issues. 2 days rest is likely going to impact things a bit.
I know GGG won't do it, but it'd be fun to have Hoppe centrally along with Zardes in either a 2-striker setup or let Hoppe play the 10. Z causing issues with his runs leaving Hoppe some freedom to roam and create would be a lot of fun to watch.
I know GGG won't do it, but it'd be fun to have Hoppe centrally along with Zardes in either a 2-striker setup or let Hoppe play the 10. Z causing issues with his runs leaving Hoppe some freedom to roam and create would be a lot of fun to watch.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
As you watch more, you will see that the wider defenders have different skills sets/body type/mobility/ages than many of the central defenders.
There are some that can play both, although it is more typical that as a player ages he moves from out wide into the middle as a defender, than vice versa
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Turner giving his thoughts after the game. Kessler crashes the interview just to let everyone know how good Turner is
https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1421135524442607621?s=20
https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1421135524442607621?s=20
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
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El Floppo
Footballguy
He had Hoppe pushing centrally at some point vs Qatar, dropping back and into the middle to get on the ball more. I liked it. Deuce keeps coming back to me watching him play, and that's something Deuce did a lot of, especially as he got better- just trying to get on the ball more to help create attacks.
Those three seem like a very solid tier 1- not sure much separates them, tbh, other than a bit less depth for Canada...although they've shown some fantastic depth during the GC, so...
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I really think the three-game windows helps the US and Mexico some. Being able to rotate quality players and keep guys fresh using depth should matter -- even moreso when the inevitable injuries and suspensions mount up.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
GGG working the refs in his press conference today
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Steven Goff
@SoccerInsider
Ahead of Gold Cup final vs Mexico, USMNT's Gregg Berhalter is working the refs: "We want it to be a physical game, we want it to be a tough-contested game. They want the same thing. But we also want it to be fair. That’s the referee’s role, to manage it in a fair way."
"I’ve seen numerous times when players from Mexico are grabbing players’ necks and facial areas, and that has no place in the game. ...When I saw the [Mexico-Canada] semifinal, I didn’t think the referee did a good job of managing that at all. And they need to get ahead of that."
==============
Steven Goff
@SoccerInsider
Ahead of Gold Cup final vs Mexico, USMNT's Gregg Berhalter is working the refs: "We want it to be a physical game, we want it to be a tough-contested game. They want the same thing. But we also want it to be fair. That’s the referee’s role, to manage it in a fair way."
"I’ve seen numerous times when players from Mexico are grabbing players’ necks and facial areas, and that has no place in the game. ...When I saw the [Mexico-Canada] semifinal, I didn’t think the referee did a good job of managing that at all. And they need to get ahead of that."
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
and Tata with the perfect response
========
when asked about Gregg Berhalter’s comments about the referee needing to punish bad behavior like Mexico players choking people, Tata basically replied “and also behavior like Berhalter’s actions toward the 4th official vs. Qatar.”
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when asked about Gregg Berhalter’s comments about the referee needing to punish bad behavior like Mexico players choking people, Tata basically replied “and also behavior like Berhalter’s actions toward the 4th official vs. Qatar.”
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
McBokonon
Footballguy
Set this up this morning and followed my teams and the American players. This app is sweeeeeeeeeet. Thanks!
El Floppo
Footballguy
Didn't know did Santos lost his dad the day of the game. Sad business...and explains his emotions and brotherly love kisses from teammates that came his way afterwards.
Eta....dad was only 59- anybody know COD? Wondering if it was covid related.
Eta....dad was only 59- anybody know COD? Wondering if it was covid related.
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Moe.
Footballguy
Yes, he passed from complications related to covid. He was born in Brazil (known as Zizinho) but had a long career in Liga MX. I was reading about him earlier this morning.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
Don't think they even showered for that.
ChiefD
Footballguy
I'm predicting 87 minutes of stoppage time
