Houston...yet another home match for El Tri. Whether its blood or the ref's card, we will see RED on Sunday!
whole region is basically them two plus occasional rises of teams like Costa Rica Did I read only Canada has stopped one of those two lifting the trophy since 2000? (EDIT, misread or recollection, has run since 1991 and that's the ONLY time those two haven't won it, 2000 Canada win) Seems Brazil played in three, eight teams outside the region have played in it and wtf about hosting this same time as world club cup, they'll be hosting the Euros next, a cricket World Cup (the proper one too) no doubt sometime in the future
Poch now under the spotlight by BBC, two donkey race and he came second. their WC 'progress' surely a better benchmark of where the two respective sides are at : WC records since Mexico unbanned (1994-) USA : QF x1 (2002), L16 x4, groups x2, DNQ x1 Mexico : L16 x7, groups x1 Mexico 7 last 16s in a row, USA surprisingly failing to qualify once in a region where USA, Mexico + other spots qualify is almost a given
America does have the Olympics next too of course . Canada are a decent team now but generally been very average or even poor. No surprise two countries like the US and Mexico dominate so much .
Watched this here in Mexico. As has been mentioned, lack of any other competition means this is a commonplace final. When it comes to the WC, both teams suffer as a result of playing in a poor confederation. Think the only time this century either has reached the QF stage is USA in 2002, I remember that team well (Incidentally beating Mexico in the R16). Mexico is football mad and has a huge population- real underachievers sadly. They always seem to draw Argentina or Brazil too. They'll enjoy this win though. Thought Jimenez' Jota tribute was nice, good goal too. I was surprised to see Mexico and US fans mingling in the stands. I had been led to believe that these games can be real flashpoints amongst fans and players, but it shows that they perhaps haven't reached the level of violence that can be seen in Europe.
With so many top USA players absent, what Coach Poch learned from this Gold Cup is surely limited. But even with the likes of Pulisic, McKennie, Musah, Weah, Reyna, and a few other current absentees on the roster, who thinks USA stands any serious WC chance next summer? It’s been a generation since the 1994 WC with Alexi Lalas’ USA squad losing on our home soil to Brazil quite late and narrowly in the Round of 16, on the 4th of July. Welcome to World Football, America! Predictions then of the sport making big gains in coming decades…well we do have MLS. (Sadly no longer with free over-the-air local team TV broadcasts). But unless something unimaginably disastrous happens to American football and basketball at the middle and high school grassroots levels, it’s hard to think we’ll see truly world-challenging success soon.
It’s reassuring that with some better options (Pulisic, Weah, Dest, Balogun) available in New Jersey today vs mighty Son and his South Korean mates, Coach Poch and The Boys limited the loss to only two. Keep up the progress, lads!!
USA finally put on a decent performance, in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Crew’s own, Max Arfsten, was active making good feeds…including to Club América’s Alejandro Zendejas for the first goal via a very nice hip-twisting one-timer. (I thought he messed up an earlier chance with a heavy touch, so he made up for that.) Monaco’s Folarin Balogun made it 2-0 in the 2nd half, assist from Pulisic. Japan’s keeper kept the score from growing to 3-0. México and South Korea are now finishing off the international break in a Nashville, Tennessee friendly. (A nifty header around 21’ give México the lead.)……… …..UPDATE: drama & excitement to the End. Didn’t look friendly. Catch the 2nd half highlights of this one!
Since I have MAX (I.e., HBO/MAX) I could listen in American. I was pleasantly surprised to learn during this int’l break that if you get Fox, FS1, FS2 via your internet or cable TV provider, but not “higher tier” channels like Fox Soccer Plus or Fox Deportes, that you nevertheless have access to the latter by providing your TV provider credentials via Fox Sports app! (ESPN does not do similarly for their more exotic channels; I can’t get ESPN Deportes this way using the ESPN app, e.g.) Several Euro-qualifying matches were on Fox Soccer Plus. I saw the final match, México-South Korea, on Fox Deportes…who for that match broadcast in Ame, er…English! A rarity I think.
USA is perhaps getting better gradually under Pochettino. 1-1 draw vs Ecuador then 2-1 victory over the Aussies for this October break. (On our pitches, them traveling long distances, but at least not horrid results.) Coventry City’s Haji Wright, with 8 goals (1 as a pen) in 9 Championship matches, bags both for USA tonight. Pulisic started but left 1st half after a yellow-card foul from behind. Looked like a tap on his Achilles. November brings the two *GUAY’s to America.
USA hosted Paraguay right on the Delaware River south of Philly. Mkay, I’m compelled to post, per the bad. But first the good. Gladbach’s Gio Reyna returns to the team after some absence and quickly scores a nice header. Great turn and feed from 24-yr-old Maximilian Arfsten, who I’ve noticed and noted before. Surely he can do better than Columbus Crew. Perhaps an Eredivisie contender should nab him. Then the winner of the Short Numerous Syllables award, Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, finally nets one for USA 2-1 up after a strong game. But the bad. Really the comical. The inimitable Ricardo Pepi, of Eindhoven notoriety, replaces Balogun at 75’ mark. With maybe 10 minutes left, he is left alone on a rush, receives a pass in glorious position. Known for his repeated inability to hit barns from close range, he doesn’t one-time it (a la Harry Hat Trick), he doesn’t even two-time it. He touches the ball twice before finally shooting as his 3rd touch. By then, too late! Keeper sprawls and stops it. It almost mattered, as USA came close to an own goal exactly at 90’ mark. I actually root for Pepi, but he deserves this mockery for all the wonderful chances he manages to screw up!! Uruguay on Tuesday, who are currently scoreless with Mexico early 2nd half.
Is Pochettino convincing the fans now, after some early poor performances? Beating Paraguay is a good result.
