​⚽ OFFICIAL GOLD CUP THREAD: United States Beats Mexico. Again. ⚽ (2 Viewers)

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

In addition to confirming the depth chart, this summer was awesome for the US getting back to it's blood and guts roots.  Seeing the younger guys play with that kind of passion was fantastic.

No matter how good you are there's times you need to grind out a result, and they did it all summer.

 

[Worm]

Kellyn Acosta won 12 more duels while we were sleeping.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Still basking in the afterglow despite only getting about 4 hours of restless sleep. Just to pile on the other comments/player ratings...

Overall, they were better than the sum of their parts especially in the semis and final.  If nothing else, it's a sign that they've bought into what GGG is selling and that GGG himself should get some credit for knowing what he has and how to use it; the flip side of that is a couple of key things outside of their effort/control that lined up and made their path to winning easier--MEX losing Chucky in their first game and Qatar running out of gas in the semis. Don't get me wrong: they earned every win and I couldn't be more proud of their grit, determination and fearlessness; I just think we need to pump the brakes just a tad.  The bottom line is we got exactly what we needed out of this tournament, which is finding those complementary pieces to beef up our WC squad.  MEX still grudgingly gets a tip of the cap, as they can still brag that they are able to field very competitive teams in the Olympics as well as the Gold Cup at the same time, while we can still only do one of those.  The good news is that if our academies and MLS continue to produce players capable of holding their own on the world stage, we'll be fielding 3 full squads in the next couple of cycles.

As far as individual player comments (in no particular order):

--Gyasi Zardes deserves better than he's gotten so far, especially after proving he's the anti-Jozy by playing through whatever he tweaked in his leg twice last night and absorbing a blow to the head late and shaking it off as well. He's one of the many poster children for what the USMNT should be about: hard work, brains and being in the right place at the right time. He does the dirty work that benefits his teammates (his ability to press gives him a nod over the Ginger Ninja) and doesn't need the ball at his feet to influence the game.

--Despite not scoring last night, I can't bag too much on Arriola.  The replay of his first miss showed it was a lot closer than I originally thought, missing by a precious few inches.  To me, it was a tough angle to begin with and didn't have much of a chance to go in anyway, but he still made it close nonetheless. He's also up there with Zardes to me as far as exemplifying how a USMNT player should play: all effort, all hustle and better than expectations.

--The back line as a group looked very disciplined and came up clutch time after time after time.  They made what we have been wringing our hands about as a weakness look like a strength.

--I'd like to see more of Williamson taking on opposing players.  It looks like there's a junior Swag in him trying to break out.

--Not much to add to the heap of praise already on Acosta. Quietly put the team under his wing and led by example with high quality play.

--Dike has an armload of homework to take away from this tournament, hopefully he cracks open the books and gets to work.

--There's something about Gioacchini's game that I can't quite put my finger on, but I feel like he has huge potential.  Hope he's getting a lot of minutes and opening doors to better opportunities.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Apparently Busio spilled the beans on a Cannon move to Nice last night.

Will be shocked if Acosta and Robinson aren't jetting off somewhere soon.

I was thinking about Acosta last night.  Almost any scout outside of a top 25ish team watches the Gold Cup and thinks Acosta could help their team.

But I wonder if his age will make a move difficult.  He just turned 26 and while that is not old we don't have a lot of history with players moving so late.  If memory serves, Cameron was of similar age when he finally moved but I can't recall too many others.

Salary should not be an issue I hope as he make around $700k now and that should not be a move blocker.  The transfer fee won't be big because of his age so we just need to hope that Colorado is willing to deal for something small.

 

[El Floppo]

MEX losing Chucky in their first game and Qatar running out of gas in the semis. Don't get me wrong: they earned every win and I couldn't be more proud of their grit, determination and fearlessness; I just think we need to pump the brakes just a tad. 

This was all good stuff. Yeah- Mex with Chucky and Raul...different and far more lethal than profligate Funes Mori. Also, Qatar and Mex missed a fair number of clear chances that both look to normally at least hit on target (maybe Turner saves, but didn't have to because they didn't hit it on frame)...lots of not normal bounces went the USs way to help them along. 

Not sure what brakes need tapping...none of us expected this team to win the GC. It was always about seeing what individual players would do, if there was fight and organization in them, and if GGGG handled tactics and in game moves well. Success on all fronts- more guys rose to the occasion and put themselves in the WCQ picture than shrank from it. That and the win are worthy of celebration.

He does the dirty work that benefits his teammates (his ability to press gives him a nod over the Ginger Ninja)

Zardes has always had the work rate and solid defensive capabilities, good sense of runs, and inconsistent touch. I was really happy to see his hold up play last night. I can't remember the last time I saw a US forward take a long ball from the back line, beat his defender showing to it, take it off his chest and hold it. Something every other team in the region seems capable of, except the US. He was routinely checking and winning balls, helping the US relieve pressure higher up the field. He had some misses, but he was flat out astonishing last night.

I'm not sure where this Sarge isn't good at pressing thing is coming from; it's one of his strengths. And in a way, his sense of shape and anticipation of play has him making those 2nd and third pressing runs- not even the 1st run attacking ball- as good as anybody I've seen.

Dike has an armload of homework to take away from this tournament, hopefully he cracks open the books and gets to work.

He's still young and naive professionally. This showed us and him (hopefully) he needs growth to get to this level

Arriola

He had some bad misses, but also put himself in those good spots more than anybody else. Heart, hustle and soccer savvy have been in his bag since his youth days. I think I'm one of his bigger, maybe only fans here, but given the competition out wide, I don't know that he has enough to be an important part of the squad outside of his veteran leadership..but that might be enough.

Acosta

Up until the second half of the Qatar game, I hated the US shape of the DCMs. Constantly easy space for the pass or other team winning the second ball- grossly incompetent. Acosta at the 6 helped a lot with that, and I think GGG must have worked with him and the other guys, because 2nd half Qatar and through Mexico it was a lot better. Adams, Swag, Musah changes all of that for the better. But at least the US seemed to have gotten it sorted, which helped drive these results imo.

 

[El Floppo]

I was thinking about Acosta last night.  Almost any scout outside of a top 25ish team watches the Gold Cup and thinks Acosta could help their team.

But I wonder if his age will make a move difficult.  He just turned 26 and while that is not old we don't have a lot of history with players moving so late.  If memory serves, Cameron was of similar age when he finally moved but I can't recall too many others.

Salary should not be an issue I hope as he make around $700k now and that should not be a move blocker.  The transfer fee won't be big because of his age so we just need to hope that Colorado is willing to deal for something small.

I see him in Scotland tbh...Portugal, Belgium. Not sure any of those leagues help him, but if it's what he wants and he can cash in a bit- great.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I know GGG has received his fair share of plaudits.  I don't know if the following is a plaudit or just an observation.

He some how won both finals using relatively the same system but having to employ extremely different level/types of technical skills on the field.    It should not have worked when you think about it.  Typically when you lower your technical skill on the field, you need to change your system to match.

 

[NewlyRetired]

. Not sure what brakes need tapping...none of us expected this team to win the GC. It was always about seeing what individual players would do, if there was fight and organization in them, and if GGGG handled tactics and in game moves well. Success on all fronts- more guys rose to the occasion and put themselves in the WCQ picture than shrank from it. That and the win are worthy of celebration.

I agree. 

I mean if we can't be happy about a rag tag group out working the opponents and getting a trophy against a our biggest rival with a much better roster in an extremely unfriendly stadium, why even be a fan?

I have not seen any one say we are going to win the WC.  The most confident of our group feel good about qualifying, which we should.  We just won 8 straight real games against our regions best teams this summer (2 in Nations League and 6 in Gold Cup).

I am sure there will be plenty of ups and down over the 14 game slog, but I for one feel better than I did before Nations League started.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Of the original 20 field players on the roster, 17 of them got a start.  And the two of the three that didn't start were Roldan and Gioacchini but both of whom were important subs.

This gives us an indication that GGG is very likely to get full use of his roster in these tight qualifying windows so scrutinizing ever roster selection will be fun

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Not sure what brakes need tapping...

I'm not sure where this Sarge isn't good at pressing thing is coming from; it's one of his strengths. And in a way, his sense of shape and anticipation of play has him making those 2nd and third pressing runs- not even the 1st run attacking ball- as good as anybody I've seen.

I guess my pump the brakes comment is directed more outside of this board and more at what I've been seeing on social media.  I guess it's more about my own growth in the game that I'm starting to more clearly figure out who the fair weather/casual fans are as opposed to those who more closely follow what's going on.

As for Sarge, when I last saw him in Olympic qualifying and Nations Cup matches, he seemed to arrive 3-4 steps after the ball had been passed away from the man he was trying to close down. Maybe that was more a testament to the quality of the opponent, but he just seemed to not arrive in time to menace anyone when pressing.  Aside from that, I love his technical skill, work rate and steady improvement, so I don't mean to close the door on him, just at the moment, Zardes seems to have that extra gear that Sargent doesn't quite have...yet.  Put Sarge's technical skill into Zardes' body or vice versa and we'd have a world class striker on our hands.

 

[El Floppo]

Of the original 20 field players on the roster, 17 of them got a start.  And the two of the three that didn't start were Roldan and Gioacchini but both of whom were important subs.

This gives us an indication that GGG is very likely to get full use of his roster in these tight qualifying windows so scrutinizing ever roster selection will be fun

Plus, guys like Vines and Lewis weren't trotted out time after time- thankfully put to bed for another day (or never).

Eta... Pine, not Vines.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Honduras, Nations League: 89th minute winner

Mexico, Nations League: 114th minute winner

Jamaica, Gold Cup: 83rd minute winner

Qatar, Gold Cup: 86th minute winner

Mexico, Gold Cup: 117th minute winner

That is insane over such a small sample size.

 

[El Floppo]

They're not perfect or finished products, but I liked what I saw from Vines and Bello at LB. Tecatito is insanely elite level good, and they held their own and did just enough against him (and vs Qatar before that). Robinson has the edge there (or Dest as required), but they seem like quality depth and for the future- maybe not so distant.

 

[El Floppo]

Honduras, Nations League: 89th minute winner

Mexico, Nations League: 114th minute winner

Jamaica, Gold Cup: 83rd minute winner

Qatar, Gold Cup: 86th minute winner

Mexico, Gold Cup: 117th minute winner

That is insane over such a small sample size.

GGG

Guile, guts, grit

 

[NewlyRetired]

Plus, guys like Vines and Lewis weren't trotted out time after time- thankfully put to bed for another day (or never).

Eta... Pine, not Vines.

This is a good transition to look at what GGG learned (hopefully).

*I think GGG was disgusted by Lewis's effort.  I would be shocked if he ever plays again in a real game.  I don't think Lewis even warmed up to come in as a sub after that first game.

*I hope GGG, after giving Yueill olenty of chances, realizes he does not have the makeup (athletically, mentally etc) for this level.  The gap in effort we saw between Acosta and Yueill was enormous

*I think most knew Pines was not ready but I guess as a coach you have to make sure and I think GGG learned Pines is WAY down the depth chart.  He even threw in Kessler late last night ahead of Pines.

Dike is the real big question for me in terms of what GGG now thinks of him.  I honestly have no idea but I will find out soon with the first qualifying roster which is probably less than a month away.

 

[El Floppo]

With all the deserved love to Robinson- while Sands was a bit patchy, I loved his calm ability to pass out of pressure. He was making some seriously high level reads with the pass.

And even though he stepped up and was serviceable, Dunno that he looked so comfy as a CB..but that's not his preferred position, right? He's a 6 by trade?

 

[TLEF316]

I actually thought sands really struggled for big portions of last night. I remember at least a handful of pretty sloppy giveaways

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So, this century:  The US has 6 Gold Cup wins and been in 9/12 finals, to Mexico's 5 wins and 7/12.  

 

[NewlyRetired]

They're not perfect or finished products, but I liked what I saw from Vines and Bello at LB. Tecatito is insanely elite level good, and they held their own and did just enough against him (and vs Qatar before that). Robinson has the edge there (or Dest as required), but they seem like quality depth and for the future- maybe not so distant.

Bello really got thrown in the deep end starting a final against a real quality player like Corona and he did not melt.   That match up scared me going into the game.

Vines is a lot more competent defensively than I expected.  I agree that neither seemed better, at the moment than Robinson or Dest on the left.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is something I never would have thought before the Gold Cup but Robinson has to be very close to grabbing that open spot next to Brooks.  IMO, Robinson was better for the US in the Gold Cup than McKenzie was in Nations League.

And since we know GGG values time in his system, I think that give Robinson a leg up on Richards.

Robinson came as advertised but I had no expectation that he would be so calm and clean on the ball.  He made a million passes during the Gold Cup and maybe only mi#### a couple.  He is already our most athletic CB and pairing him with a vet like Brooks might be excellent to watch.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

My 23 today (plus depth):

• Sargent, Pefok (Zardes, Hoppe, Gioachini, Dike)
  
• Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah (Clark, Arriola)
  
• McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Williamson (Busio, Roldan, LDLT)
  
• Adams, Acosta (Sands)
  
• Dest, Robinson (Vines, Bello)
  
• Cannon, Moore (Reynolds, Yedlin)
  
• Brooks, Robinson, Richards, Zimmerman (McKenzie)
  
• Steffan, Turner, Horvath
  

If I had to put money on someone pushing their way in for Qatar, it'd be Hoppe as a 3rd striker, Busio over Lletget, and then maybe Reynolds or McKenzie ahead of... someone.

And if there's an out-of-nowhere guy I'd go with Cade Cowell.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I actually thought sands really struggled for big portions of last night. I remember at least a handful of pretty sloppy giveaways

His best work came off the ball as the weak side defender.  He cut off about ten different plays last night that saw him use good timing and field vision to step over when needed.

At just 21, and his ability to play a few spots should see him involved in the run to 2026.

 

[NewlyRetired]

My 23 today (plus depth):

• Sargent, Pefok (Zardes, Hoppe, Gioachini, Dike)
  
• Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah (Clark, Arriola)
  
• McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Williamson (Busio, LDLT)
  
• Adams, Acosta (Sands)
  
• Dest, Robinson (Vines, Bello)
  
• Cannon, Moore (Reynolds, Yedlin)
  
• Brooks, Robinson, Richards, Zimmerman (McKenzie)
  
• Steffan, Turner, Horvath
  

If I had to put money on someone pushing their way in for Qatar, it'd be Hoppe as a 3rd striker, Busio over Lletget, and then maybe Reynolds or McKenzie ahead of... someone.

And if there's an out-of-nowhere guy I'd go with Cade Cowell.

Even though you did not put them on the same line, I have a strong feeling when GGG creates his depth charts, that Hoppe and Weah are going to be fighting for a single spot in the 23.  They both can play on the wing and in the middle.

 

[El Floppo]

Bello really got thrown in the deep end starting a final against a real quality player like Corona and he did not melt.   That match up scared me going into the game.

Vines is a lot more competent defensively than I expected.  I agree that neither seemed better, at the moment than Robinson or Dest on the left.

Psst...4 deep at LB- all young. Pinch me.

Dike is the real big question for me in terms of what GGG now thinks of him.  I honestly have no idea but I will find out soon with the first qualifying roster which is probably less than a month away.

I hope that stupid shoulder injury is the cause for his terrible form. We've all seen flashes of his upside, which if consistent would be a help to the US. But this downside doesn't warrant a roster space.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Psst...4 deep at LB- all young. Pinch me.

I hope that stupid shoulder injury is the cause for his terrible form. We've all seen flashes of his upside, which if consistent would be a help to the US. But this downside doesn't warrant a roster space.

I think we all knew coming in that his feet were poor.  But I honestly did not expect such a lack of movement.  He was a statue out there even before the shoulder injury.

 

[El Floppo]

I actually thought sands really struggled for big portions of last night. I remember at least a handful of pretty sloppy giveaways

Definitely sloppy. But I still liked what he was doing when he wasn't sloppy.

Tbh, I lost track of who was being sloppy because there were so many bad giveaways in the middle of the park.

 

[BassNBrew]

MEX still grudgingly gets a tip of the cap, as they can still brag that they are able to field very competitive teams in the Olympics as well as the Gold Cup at the same time, while we can still only do one of those. 

Ummm...nothing personal, but whoopy dang do.  While MEX is fielding a U23 team in the Olympics, we are fielding a U23 team in the CHAMPIONS league.  If our young Euros had been in Toyko they would have had to implement the mercy rule.  The games would have looked like Phelps v. me in the 100m butterfly.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Ummm...nothing personal, but whoopy dang do.  While MEX is fielding a U23 team in the Olympics, we are fielding a U23 team in the CHAMPIONS league.  If our young Euros had been in Toyko they would have had to implement the mercy rule.  The games would have looked like Phelps v. me in the 100m butterfly.

It's not so much that the Olympics are such a big deal but rather that where MEX had 2 teams strong enough to qualify AND make deep runs in international competition, we only had one. We're not there quite yet, but we will be the next time and moving forward, since it's been mainly our academies that are starting to produce world-challenging talent now, and hopefully world-beating talent soon.

 

[BassNBrew]

My 23 today (plus depth):

• Sargent, Pefok (Zardes, Hoppe, Gioachini, Dike)
  
• Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah (Clark, Arriola)
  
• McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Williamson (Busio, Roldan, LDLT)
  
• Adams, Acosta (Sands)
  
• Dest, Robinson (Vines, Bello)
  
• Cannon, Moore (Reynolds, Yedlin)
  
• Brooks, Robinson, Richards, Zimmerman (McKenzie)
  
• Steffan, Turner, Horvath
  

If I had to put money on someone pushing their way in for Qatar, it'd be Hoppe as a 3rd striker, Busio over Lletget, and then maybe Reynolds or McKenzie ahead of... someone.

And if there's an out-of-nowhere guy I'd go with Cade Cowell.

For qualifying I'd drop a CB for an additional forward.  I want my 23 to be guys who are going to  improve the team.  I'd rotate 3 of Brooks, Robinson, Richards, Zimmerman, Mckenzie each cycle.  

 

[NewlyRetired]

These takes always crack me up. 

https://twitter.com/watke_/status/1422197811685244935?s=20

 

[Sammy3469]

I'll just say that we better be glad Hector Moreno pulled up lame.  He was allowing them to bypass the press and midfield at will for the first half which simply stopped for the most part after the first 5 minutes of the second half.  And as @Charlie Steinernoted that ended up being Mexico's B+ team with the second string attack. 

For the life of me I don't understand why Mexico is so bad at defending set pieces.  If Tata gets fired it should be for that since you don't win any competition defending like that.  Much like the Nations Cup, that goal was coming.

Other useful things I learned (or GGG learned from the GC):

• I thought Hoppe was the best player on the field for us (and its been that way since he's been the starter).  He was making the smartest runs, has the requisite technical ability, and doesn't give a ####.  
  
• Acosta can be a functional 6 and is better than Yueill
  
• both Robinson and Sands can play CB though I really would only want Sands if we play 3 CBs
  
• I'll sign up for more Williamson any time.   
  
• If you are going to play a 4-3-3 bring actual wingers.  
  

 

[NewlyRetired]

It's not so much that the Olympics are such a big deal but rather that where MEX had 2 teams strong enough to qualify AND make deep runs in international competition, we only had one. We're not there quite yet, but we will be the next time and moving forward, since it's been mainly our academies that are starting to produce world-challenging talent now, and hopefully world-beating talent soon.

This is incorrect.

Our best 25ish best U23 players were not released for Olympic qualifying where as Mexico's were.

Pulisic, Adams, Weston, Dest, Weah, Reyna, Aaronson, Sargent, Richards, McKenzie, Robinson, Bello etc etc etc would have absolutely murdered other U23 Concacaf teams and would have been Gold Medal favorites.  There is no team in the Olympics with this amount of young quality.

 

[BassNBrew]

It's not so much that the Olympics are such a big deal but rather that where MEX had 2 teams strong enough to qualify AND make deep runs in international competition, we only had one. We're not there quite yet, but we will be the next time and moving forward, since it's been mainly our academies that are starting to produce world-challenging talent now, and hopefully world-beating talent soon.

We sent our 4th/5th stringers to Olympic qualifying.  Mexico doesn't have the talent to have clubs in Europe refusing to release their guys.  Not sure we'll be there next time if our youngsters keep going to Europe and finding roles there.  All that changes is that we go from 20 kids who don't get released to 100.

 

[BassNBrew]

This is incorrect.

Our best 25ish best U23 players were not released for Olympic qualifying where as Mexico's were.

Pulisic, Adams, Weston, Dest, Weah, Aaronson, Sargent, Richards, McKenzie would have absolutely murdered other U23 Concacaf teams and would have been Gold Medal favorites.  There is no team in the Olympics with this amount of young quality.

I would have given you a  but murdered is an understatement of the carnage those guys would have left behind.  

 

[encaitar]

These takes always crack me up. 

https://twitter.com/watke_/status/1422197811685244935?s=20

Best comment:

Snacks Bautista

@SnacksBautista

· 12h

In his past life Hoppe was the starting guard for Duke University

 

[Charlie Steiner]

This is incorrect.

Our best 25ish best U23 players were not released for Olympic qualifying where as Mexico's were.

Pulisic, Adams, Weston, Dest, Weah, Aaronson, Sargent, Richards, McKenzie would have absolutely murdered other U23 Concacaf teams and would have been Gold Medal favorites.  There is no team in the Olympics with this amount of young quality.

We sent our 4th/5th stringers to Olympic qualifying.  Mexico doesn't have the talent to have clubs in Europe refusing to release their guys.  Not sure we'll be there next time if our youngsters keep going to Europe and finding roles there.  All that changes is that we go from 20 kids who don't get released to 100.

Fair points, but neither changes the fact that we didn't qualify, so we can't claim anything, regardless of how obvious it is to us. This is like what we went through with Olympic basketball before they finally decided to start sending our pros to beat the rest of the world's pros. Yes, we have amazing talent we couldn't call on, but it doesn't change the fact that we didn't qualify.  I don't like MEX that much either, but I don't get why acknowledging they did something we didn't this time is so egregious.

 

[Worm]

These takes always crack me up. 

https://twitter.com/watke_/status/1422197811685244935?s=20

He has got the potential to be an elite #### talker, for sure.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Just found xG for the game, shows about what you'd expect...

• First 60 minutes:  Mexico 1.99 - .57 USA
  
• Second 60 minutes:  Mexico .40 - 1.38 USA
  
• Combined:  Mexico 2.39 - 1.95 USA
  

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Bill Connelly@ESPN_BillC

Motion to start Steffen anytime the US is favored (and can actually establish a real possession game) and Turner anytime the US is not (and just needs to make saves and hoof it downfield).

 

[encaitar]

Fair points, but neither changes the fact that we didn't qualify, so we can't claim anything, regardless of how obvious it is to us. This is like what we went through with Olympic basketball before they finally decided to start sending our pros to beat the rest of the world's pros. Yes, we have amazing talent we couldn't call on, but it doesn't change the fact that we didn't qualify.  I don't like MEX that much either, but I don't get why acknowledging they did something we didn't this time is so egregious.

Your previous comment said to tip the cap to Mexico because they had 2 teams strong enough to make deep runs in the Olympics and the Gold Cup, implying we didn't.  We beat Mexico in the Nation's League with what was almost a complete U23 team.  We just beat them in the Gold Cup with a completely different team, that is more than half an U23 team.

The team that played in Nation's League... Pulisic, Gio, Adams, McKennie, McKenzie, Dest, Robinson, Sarge, Aaronson, Richards... would've destroyed Olympic qualifying in CONCACAF, but they are all main stay players for their club teams and weren't released for it.  They also would likely now be destroying the Olympic competition if they'd been allowed to participate by their teams.  We absolutely can field two teams good enough to not just go deep in two separate competitions, but win those competitions.  We already proved that this summer.

 

[QuizGuy66]

is there a Confed Cup in Qatar this year or did all the qualifying date reshuffliny scuttle that?

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

is there a Confed Cup in Qatar this year or did all the qualifying date reshuffliny scuttle that?

-QG

FIFA ended all Confed Cups back in 2019.  Qatar will be doing this instead this year

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_FIFA_Arab_Cup

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is there any chance we could crack the FIFA top 10 this month with the 6 straight Gold Cup wins?

 

[BassNBrew]

Bill Connelly@ESPN_BillC

Motion to start Steffen anytime the US is favored (and can actually establish a real possession game) and Turner anytime the US is not (and just needs to make saves and hoof it downfield).

So basically Steffan starts all games until the WC round of 8 knock outs????

 

[encaitar]

Is there any chance we could crack the FIFA top 10 this month with the 6 straight Gold Cup wins?

Good chance we did.

Not official, but what is supposedly a live FIFA ranking.  We just pushed past Mexico to take the #9 spot.

 

[BassNBrew]

Fair points, but neither changes the fact that we didn't qualify, so we can't claim anything, regardless of how obvious it is to us. This is like what we went through with Olympic basketball before they finally decided to start sending our pros to beat the rest of the world's pros. Yes, we have amazing talent we couldn't call on, but it doesn't change the fact that we didn't qualify.  I don't like MEX that much either, but I don't get why acknowledging they did something we didn't this time is so egregious.

OK...Tip of the cap to El Tri for having such crappy U23 talent stuck that their home league that they get released to play in U23 qualifying.  Also tip of the cap for back to back tourney silver medals.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Good chance we did.

Not official, but what is supposedly a live FIFA ranking.  We just pushed past Mexico to take the #9 spot.

Wow, the points we got from just the win last night moved us 4 spots?  cool.

Interesting that Canada acquired more points for their win against CR than we did against Mexico.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I actually thought sands really struggled for big portions of last night. I remember at least a handful of pretty sloppy giveaways

His best work came off the ball as the weak side defender.  He cut off about ten different plays last night that saw him use good timing and field vision to step over when needed.

At just 21, and his ability to play a few spots should see him involved in the run to 2026.

I think he needs to get stronger, thicker, if he’s going to play center back. 

 

[encaitar]

Wow, the points we got from just the win last night moved us 4 spots?  cool.

Interesting that Canada acquired more points for their win against CR than we did against Mexico.

Yeah.  The formula is all based on where you are vs. where the team you beat is at.  Canada was much further down from CR than we were from Mexico.  

Canada moved up 11 spots this Gold Cup.  From 70 to 59.  Costa Rica also moved up 6 spots from 50 to 44, which is really a surprise to me.  I didn't think they had that great of a tourney.

Biggest takeaway though... If we can crush qualifying... There's a very good chance we'll be in pot 1 in the WC.  That'd be huge.

 

[The Z Machine]

Love that they went toe to toe w Mexico…didn’t play cynically. I would’ve been happy with a cynical but close loss…but they tried to take it them. Just wow.

All of the early fouls were a bit cynical.  It really took MEX out of their attacking rhythm and I think that was very intentional.  The small field helped that aspect as it didn't let the Mexican players have space to play without someone on top of them.  Plus the guys running their balls off also contributed to not giving up a goal. 

What was the xG for this match?