warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 11, 2015 19:29:38 GMT -6
Jamaica scores a goal in stoppage time to win 1-0 and break Canadian hearts. The Reggae Boyz are now in great position to win the group, while Canada can only scratch their heads. This was supposed to be their breakout tournament. Instead, it looks like more of the same from our friends north of the border. I don't think they'll even qualify for the Hex without serious improvement.
El Salvador and Costa Rica play to a thrilling 1-1 draw. El Salvador equalized with a set piece in stoppage time. Costa Rica has been very disappointing so far. Nothing like last year's team.
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Post by beasleyisbeastly on Jul 12, 2015 11:00:18 GMT -6
Lol @ Canada.
I disagree that the Trini win was an upset. Guatemala is pretty bad. I think Trinidad may be getting back to their ways that got them to Germany. Still got a ways to go though. K Jones is their only recognizable player. I love to see the soca warriors (Only nation I'll cheer for besides anyone who happens to be playing mexico) succeed.
USA ... What a mess. I didn't get to see the Haiti game but the highlights were... Horrific. Though the crazy lineup changes do make me think JK has something up his sleeve. Watch out for some roster changes after panama. I think some players actually made the cut but are being saved for the knockout stage(Please Beasley for Chandler)
Oh and has anyone else noticed that beckerman NEVER goes forward? All he does is get the ball and stop all forward momentum to drop it all the way back. It's as if he's afraid to go forward. Good positioning on D but offense is literally backwards for beckerman
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 12, 2015 18:37:08 GMT -6
T&T beat Cuba 2-0 to clinch advancement from the group, as well as a spot in the 2016 Copa America Centenario. They will play Mexico on Wednesday for a chance to win the group. Even if they don't, that's not a 2nd place team anyone wants to play.
The US will play the third place team from either B or C in the quarterfinals. It will likely be either Guatemala or El Salvador. Still lots of games to be played.
Mexico and Guatemala just getting underway. Should be another easy win for El Tri.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 12, 2015 21:09:05 GMT -6
So Guatemala gets pounded by Trinidad & Tobago with 11 men, but draws Mexico with 10? Seems legit.
I won't be surprised if Miguel Herrera gets fired tomorrow. The FMF has shown a lack of patience in the past. They even fired a coach that never even coached a game in 2013.
This game certainly throws Group C into chaos. Mexico now has to beat Trinidad and Tobago to win the group, while a draw will do for the "Soca Warriors".
I don't think anyone saw this result coming. I certainly didn't.
Should T&T upset Mexico on Wednesday, Mexico would finish third in the group and have a 50-50 chance of playing the US in the quarterfinal or a 100% chance if a team from Group A also gets a third place spot. Unlikely, but interesting to think about. If Mexico can't even beat a 10-man Guatemala, an 11-man Trinidad and Tobago has a good shot at beating them.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 19:02:16 GMT -6
This Gold Cup of surprises continues as Haiti upsets Honduras 1-0. Very disappointing last two games for Honduras after what seemed like a promising start against the US. Haiti got an early goal and just cruised through the rest of the match. Honduras just lacked any energy and only threatened the goal a handful of times.
Honduras is the first team to be eliminated from the Gold Cup.
Another weird stat for this tournament is that the "visiting team" (the team on the right of the schedule) has yet to win a single match of the 13 that have been played so far. Hopefully the US will break that trend tonight.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 20:47:47 GMT -6
Another horrible start for the US. Down 1-0 at half after a Blas Perez goal.
To be fair, Panama should have been down to 10 men after an obvious DOGSO on a counter attack, but the referee didn't even call a foul, much less show a red card. Ridiculous decision. CONCACAF has a well-deserved reputation for having the worst officiating on the planet, and it's not hard to see why.
Still, the US has to respond in the second half. No idea why Alvarado and Chandler are playing and Gonzalez and Dempsey are on the bench. The logical argument would be that Jurgen is resting them for the quarterfinal game, but we haven't played anywhere near well enough in the first two games to warrant having such a casual attitude in this one. We need to develop cohesion now with our starting XI for the games that matter. Alvarado should not have even made the roster, much less start two games in the Gold Cup. He no better than many of the MLS center backs that were left home.
Chandler continues to be horrible almost every time he puts on the US shirt. How can he be so good for his club and so bad for his country?
They need to be completely different in the second half if we want to get anything from this game. Panama needs a win to survive. They're not gonna give us an inch in this game.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 20:50:38 GMT -6
Immediate subs at half by Klinsmann.
Dempsey on for Wondo.
Yedlin on for Morales.
Hope the speed and leadership pays off.
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 21:00:41 GMT -6
Goal Bradley! Tied at 1-1 in the 55th minute.
Assist by Bedoya.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 21:16:42 GMT -6
Johannsson on for Bedoya, who had a fantastic game, considering he's recovering from a knee injury.
Expect Zardes to drop back to LM, with Jo moving up top with Dempsey.
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 13, 2015 21:39:20 GMT -6
USA and Panama draw 1-1. If the US hadn't played so poorly in the first 45 minutes, we would have won this. The US was definitely better in the second half than the first, but still a disappointing effort overall.
Klinsmann will have plenty to think about for the knockout round.
Panama will need lots of help to make the quarterfinals with only 3 points.
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Post by beasleyisbeastly on Jul 14, 2015 3:52:06 GMT -6
USA should never be assigned refs from Mexico. Refs from top rival nations shouldn't even be considered. What a horrific no call. Concacaf officiating is just God awful.
If chandler isn't cut them JK is high on some kind of bath salts. Zardes touch was pretty bad. Morales continues to be terrible. so many questions regarding players. Morales is better than Davis!? Chandler is better than beasley!? Ventura is better than besler!? Come on
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 14, 2015 12:33:50 GMT -6
Klinsmann makes three changes to the roster.
Jozy Altidore, Greg Garza, and Alfredo Morales are sent home.
Alan Gordon replaces Altidore, Joe Corona replaces Morales, and DaMarcus Beasley officially comes out of international retirement to replace Garza.
All 3 are good choices in my opinion, and all 3 were integral parts of the 2013 team that won the last Gold Cup.
Gordon is a lethal poacher for the LA Galaxy, making a career out of scoring scrappy goals. He has a knack for scoring late in the game. Expect to see him used as a super-sub.
Corona is a decent player, and should occupy the same role Morales did, which is backup winger. He has plenty of experience.
And of course the veteran Beasley called up for probably one last ride with the national team. His leadership should be invaluable for a backline that has been very shaky. I wouldn't be surprised is Beasley starts at left back with Fabian Johnson sliding over to right back. Hopefully Chandler will start on the bench.
Brooks being unavailable for the next game complicates the center back situation. Gonzalez will definitely start, but the question is with whom? Alvarado getting another start is likely, but there's a possibility Brad Evans will get the start at center back. Very surprised Matt Besler was not called up to the squad. He seems to really be in Klinsmann's doghouse right now for some reason.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 14, 2015 21:13:39 GMT -6
Jamaica wins Group B with a 1-0 win over El Salvador. The Reggae Boyz looked decent in the 2015 Copa America, losing every game just 1-0 to much better opponents, and their great form continues through this tournament.
Canada continue to be a national sporting disgrace after finishing dead last in the group again with a riveting 0-0 draw to Costa Rica, who are still winless in 2015. 3 games, 0 wins, and 0 goals for Canada. Really, really poor showing for all the loyal home fans in Toronto. I can see a horrible performance like this setting Canadian soccer back 10 years. Why should fans have any reason to be optimistic about WC qualifying after such a disaster?
Haiti will play Jamaica in one quarterfinal in a Caribbean clash. The US is pretty much guaranteed to play to play Guatemala, unless they somehow fail to beat Cuba, in which case we would play El Salvador. We have no excuse no to make the final against those teams.
It's only fair that Mexico get the harder path to the final after having a joke of a group in the group stage compared to the US. They will have to beat some combination of Costa Rica, Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago. The first two have a history of giving Mexico fits (see last Gold Cup and WC qualifying) and T&T will be a huge test for El Tri tomorrow. I'll wait until tomorrow's games to make a full assessment of Mexico, but I would not be surprised at all if Mexico is not the team the US will play in the final.
Remember that Mexico needs to win to top the group, while a draw will do for T&T. All the pressure is on Mexico.
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 14, 2015 22:08:48 GMT -6
2015 Gold Cup Knockout Stage (updated 7/19)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 18 - Baltimore USA 6-0 Cuba Haiti 0-1 Jamaica
Sunday, July 19 - New York City Trinidad & Tobago (5) 1-1 (6) Panama Mexico 1-0 Costa Rica
Semifinals
Wednesday, July 22 - Atlanta USA vs. Jamaica Panama vs. Mexico
Third Place Match
Saturday, July 25 - Chester SF 1 loser vs. SF 2 loser
Final
Sunday, July 26 - Philadelphia SF 1 winner vs. SF 2 winner
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Post by beasleyisbeastly on Jul 15, 2015 14:22:05 GMT -6
BEASLEY IS BACK BABY! So happy to see beasley back. He will for sure start at left back. Fabian Johnson will most likely play on the right. Atleast he should.
The question here is HOW IS CHANDLER STILL ON THE ROSTER!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Altidore wasn't great but chandler was easily the WORST player on the field every game. Interesting to see Alan Gordon coming in to the team instead of Agudelo or Wood. Agudelo has really impressed me lately. He has creativity that i think the team needs but can also go completely unnoticed in some games.
Corona has never really made me go "wow I hope corona made the roster" but I don't really see him as a "oh crap corona is on the roster" player like morales or Castillo (remember castillo? lol)
USA side of the bracket looks pretty easy while the other side looks pretty stacked as CONCOCAF teams go. I expect an easy ride to the final.
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 15, 2015 19:33:12 GMT -6
The shocks keep on coming. Cuba upsets Guatemala 1-0 to make the quarterfinals despite having a -7 goal differential. There will be four Caribbean teams in the knockout round for the first time ever. Cuba will play the US in Baltimore on Saturday.
Mexico up 1-0 on T&T at the half. Not sure why T&T is going for the bunker-and-counter strategy. They are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with Mexico.
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 15, 2015 20:36:33 GMT -6
Absolutely insane game between Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago! T&T is up 3-2 late in the game, before Andres Guardado scores a golazo to make it 3-3 in the 88th minute. It appeared Mexico stole the win after a Trinidad own goal to make it 4-3 in the 91st minute. But Trinidad scores on a corner kick to make it 4-4 in the final minute. Trinidad will be disappointed not to win after leading for most of the second half, but they'll happily take first place in the group and a date with Panama on Saturday.
Mexico and Miguel Herrera will be under major pressure after failing to win as easy a group as they could have asked for. Even more concerning is that Giovanni dos Santos went off at half with an injury and did not return. Costa Rica awaits them on Saturday. Not exactly a team Mexico wanted to see again.
Both teams are obviously very dangerous offensively, but defensively they are very vulnerable. There is a very good chance the US will play one of these two teams in the final, should be make it that far.
If you're not paying attention to this Gold Cup, you're missing out big time! What a match!
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warrior16
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 18, 2015 19:08:11 GMT -6
US does what is expected of them and cruises to an easy 6-0 win over Cuba. Deuce with a hat trick. Other goals by Johannsson, Gonzales, and Zardes. The US was relentless in the first half, getting out to a 4-0 lead and just cruising the rest of the way. Will play the winner of Haiti and Jamaica in Atlanta in Wednesday's semifinal match.
Jamaica leads Haiti 1-0 at half despite being thoroughly outplayed for most of the half.
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warrior16
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Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
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Post by warrior16 on Jul 18, 2015 22:22:29 GMT -6
Jamaica scrapes past Haiti despite being outshout 27-11. Haiti could easily have been a threat to win this tournament if they had a half-decent finisher.
If Jamaica plays like they did today against the US, it will be another comfortable win. If they play like they're capable of, it will be a grind. I like the matchup.
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Post by pompey on Jul 19, 2015 14:26:46 GMT -6
Mexico - Costa Rica, one of the few games I'm actually excited about. Winner of this game ends up in the final against US?
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