The US National teams are a combined 5-0-0 in Group Play in their respective tournaments and have outscored opponents by 28-0.
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019
- Thread starter Keith Putnam
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That said, despite the scoreline tonight I have a hard time seeing the USMNT beating Mexico. Maybe by the time that match actually happens, but not right now.
We could lose to Panama on Wednesday, or almost any team in the knockout rounds. We shouldn't, but capable of it. And yes, Mexico is a different case. I think the goal would be to get to even with them in 2 years.
After a slow start, the team looked really good Saturday night. I worry that some of that is that we became confident throwing numbers forward believing that T&T just couldn't mount a serious attack.* That's not something we are likely to get away with from here on out.
Still, it's what you want to see - a complete victory over one of the minnows. Doyle had a nice article about the importance of being ruthless against an opponent like this. Meanwhile, Mexico fiddled around before finally dispatching Martinique last night 3-2.
One question is whether Berhalter will rest the starters now that we've secured advancement out of the group. That's something we have typically done - for example, Sean Johnson started the last group stage game in the 2013 Gold Cup and held a clean sheet against Costa Rica. Still, our opponent this coming game is our only tough one of the group stage, so Berhalter may prefer to keep the starters together. Plus, we are likely to play Panama again in the semi-finals, so I don't think we want to play halfway and give them confidence.
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* - I mean - we had a CB with 2 goals, and one of those was from the run of play.
Still, it's what you want to see - a complete victory over one of the minnows. Doyle had a nice article about the importance of being ruthless against an opponent like this. Meanwhile, Mexico fiddled around before finally dispatching Martinique last night 3-2.
One question is whether Berhalter will rest the starters now that we've secured advancement out of the group. That's something we have typically done - for example, Sean Johnson started the last group stage game in the 2013 Gold Cup and held a clean sheet against Costa Rica. Still, our opponent this coming game is our only tough one of the group stage, so Berhalter may prefer to keep the starters together. Plus, we are likely to play Panama again in the semi-finals, so I don't think we want to play halfway and give them confidence.
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* - I mean - we had a CB with 2 goals, and one of those was from the run of play.
i only the first half, he was doing so well and then i see the clip of the second hatian goal and saw his mistake lead to the goal
damn
If you look beyond the two traditional powers, there have been a few surprises along the way this year. Costa Rica falling to Haiti - of course. Now CR and Mexico play in the quarterfinals.
Also, Honduras has been poor and did not advance out of the group stage, losing to Jamaica and Curacao. They have El Salvador next.
Also, Honduras has been poor and did not advance out of the group stage, losing to Jamaica and Curacao. They have El Salvador next.
Canada is emerging as a new power in the region. I don't think they can challenge USA or Mexico this cycle. But they are growing stronger and can't be ignored. They may have already knocked Costa Rica out of their 3 spot in the confederation's power rankings.
they can be but i feel their coach is what holds them back, they good at beating the minnows ( at least here, since i think they struggled a bit playing away in the nations league) but have not faced the likes of honduras costa rica panama. Haiti can be good test and should win this but well see.
Plus i think they have two more players committed to their NT that have not made their debut yet.
So what do you guys think? Should Berhalter rest the starters against Panama or stick with his Best XI?
Keep the momentum.
He’s got to work on the mentality of the team and anything less than a win is a step back. Remember, he took over a team that was afraid to walk across a puddle- he’s got to mold them into a group that doesn’t want to be coddled and can rise to the occasion.
MLS has probably had an even greater positive impact on Canada than USA.
And now Honduras pips El Salvador with 4 second half goals to send through a Curacao team that tied Jamaica at the death. That means the winner of Group D - either the USA or Panama - get Curacao in the next game, while the loser gets Jamaica.
Many have asked why the Gold Cup is even around anymore. That question makes sense to fans of the U.S. and Mexico, but it's a silly question to the rest of the region. This tournament means a lot to teams like Curacao, Bermuda, El Salvador, and even bigger fish like Honduras, Panama and Canada. The U.S. and Mexico have higher ambitions, but this tournament exists to serve the smaller countries. Like it or not, it's doing a good job this year.
This.
I kind of think it's akin to asking why even invite African, Asian, North American teams to the World Cup since they have no chance to win it. Of course we know we aren't going to win it all. But we might make it out of group, or even just win a game, or even just score a goal (see FWWC 2019 Thailand).
Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, we cynics have been duly high-roaded.
The Gold Cup should exist but be every 4 years, taking place in the middle of the Men's World Cup Cycle the way UEFA does it. This way in successive years we would have
ETA: Remember when the US won the GC in 2017 just before bombing out of WC qualifying? I had completely forgotten until someone mentioned we are defending champs during one of the games. It's very telling how useless the tournament is in the year qualifying happens. At least we will no longer have the added conflict of the Confederations Cup also in the same year, which meant Mexico basically used its C-team in the Gold Cup.
- Men's World Cup
- Women's World Cup
- Gold Cup
- Hexagon Men's WC Qualifying
ETA: Remember when the US won the GC in 2017 just before bombing out of WC qualifying? I had completely forgotten until someone mentioned we are defending champs during one of the games. It's very telling how useless the tournament is in the year qualifying happens. At least we will no longer have the added conflict of the Confederations Cup also in the same year, which meant Mexico basically used its C-team in the Gold Cup.
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Berhalter goes for rotation over going all out to win the group. SJ and Lewis among the starters. Omar Gonzalez with the armband.
Last time Omar Gonzalez played for the USMNT...yeah, that time.
If only USSF hadn’t screwed around for a year with a lame-duck interim manager, we wouldn’t be experimenting to see “what we’ve got” right now in a legit tournament.
