CONCACAF Gold Cup

With the Gold Cup under way as a (semi-) important tournament, I'd like to have a place to discuss it without the normal "The U.S. sucks, they can't compete with top teams, and etcetera" that floats around other places on the net. While these could be true, they are rarely followed by logical reasoning.

Last night's game was mildly disappointing. I was happy to see Altidore get going, granted his goal should've been turned away by the goalie. He's strong and athletic, so I want to see him excel on the international level. My biggest disappointment centered around the crosses. I understand that you sometimes go near-post on corners, but Donovan wasn't even getting them to the box in the air. Other crosses were just off, long or short, and on the rare occasion they were somewhere in the right area no one seemed to go up and get it. Hopefully it gets better as they gel.


Thoughts on the Gold Cup moving forward?

the one thing in my life where i'm an unabashed homer as well as a bandwagon fan is USA soccer. as you can see from my avatar. Its a 2006 don't tread on me special jersey only made for one match that I rarely wear because its actually worth a lot of money. I've had guys break out cash on the spot for it.

that said a win is a win, especially coming off such a bad loss to spain. I'm happy the guys that are supposed to score goals, scored goals.

Originally Posted by tullytra

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With the Gold Cup under way as a (semi-) important tournament, I'd like to have a place to discuss it without the normal "The U.S. sucks, they can't compete with top teams, and etcetera" that floats around other places on the net. While these could be true, they are rarely followed by logical reasoning.

Last night's game was mildly disappointing. I was happy to see Altidore get going, granted his goal should've been turned away by the goalie. He's strong and athletic, so I want to see him excel on the international level. My biggest disappointment centered around the crosses. I understand that you sometimes go near-post on corners, but Donovan wasn't even getting them to the box in the air. Other crosses were just off, long or short, and on the rare occasion they were somewhere in the right area no one seemed to go up and get it. Hopefully it gets better as they gel.


Thoughts on the Gold Cup moving forward?

No matter how bad the US sucks at soccer, Canada will always suck worse. Always. I think if it came down to it, Canadians will cheer for their native/ancestral country before they cheer for Canada - I know I have a hell of a lot more confidence in KNVB than Canada. Not CONCACAF but still.

Originally Posted by jarude

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No matter how bad the US sucks at soccer, Canada will always suck worse. Always. I think if it came down to it, Canadians will cheer for their native/ancestral country before they cheer for Canada - I know I have a hell of a lot more confidence in KNVB than Canada. Not CONCACAF but still.

I think that holds true for the United States as well.

Didn't Canada win this thing a few years ago? Not that anybody cared.

Originally Posted by jarude

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No matter how bad the US sucks at soccer, Canada will always suck worse.
I don't necessarily think the U.S. sucks at soccer. I was just saying that's all you get from other message boards on the internet after the U.S. plays, so there isn't ever meaningful discussion of the actual game. What would qualify as a successful Gold Cup? Does it have to be a championship, or would a finals appearance with confidence gained in some players who'll step in for the next World Cup suffice? I lean toward the discovery of apt players with at least a finals appearance, so long as a finals loss isn't to a team other than Mexico. Mexico is honestly the only explainable loss possible. Also, is winning this the only way to get to the Confederations Cup?

Originally Posted by tullytra

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I don't necessarily think the U.S. sucks at soccer. I was just saying that's all you get from other message boards on the internet after the U.S. plays, so there isn't ever meaningful discussion of the actual game.

What would qualify as a successful Gold Cup? Does it have to be a championship, or would a finals appearance with confidence gained in some players who'll step in for the next World Cup suffice? I lean toward the discovery of apt players with at least a finals appearance, so long as a finals loss isn't to a team other than Mexico. Mexico is honestly the only explainable loss possible. Also, is winning this the only way to get to the Confederations Cup?

Yes (or we could win the World Cup or host the Confed Cup.)

As for this year's competition: With the squad that the US chose, anything less than a berth in the finals is a failure. Even with a less experienced squad, CONCACAF is such a weak region that Mexico is the only team we should not be beating with ease. I expect a Mexico-US final with a narrow US win after that heavy 5-0 defeat last time.

Originally Posted by Reynard369

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Yes (or we could win the World Cup or host the Confed Cup.)

As for this year's competition: With the squad that the US chose, anything less than a berth in the finals is a failure. Even with a less experienced squad, CONCACAF is such a weak region that Mexico is the only team we should not be beating with ease. I expect a Mexico-US final with a narrow US win after that heavy 5-0 defeat last time.

This. No excuse for a non MEX-USA final. Anyone else going to the semifinals in Houston on June 22?

I hate Mexican soccer, but I really like Little Pea. Should have gotten that kid some documentation from Uncle Sam.

Originally Posted by StephenHero

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I hate Mexican soccer, but I really like Little Pea. Should have gotten that kid some documentation from Uncle Sam.

Wouldn't even need him if we could have convinced Rossi to play for the US instead of Italy.

Mexico just lost a few players for doping. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/new...ayers-gold-cup Dos Santos and Hernandez are still there, so I'm happy about that. I don't want to see the only real competition for the U.S. at less than full strength, but at least their two best players IMO are available. I don't see how they blame bad meat for it. They couldn't have had anything but the best coming from the Stockyards in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Didn't get to watch the game against Panama, but really??! Gotta do better

Wut? Panama? We lost to a country named after a hat?!

Originally Posted by phreak

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Didn't get to watch the game against Panama, but really??!

It was a rough one to watch. The U.S. back line in the first half was ridiculous. The second half was quite a bit better on the attack. The crosses were clicking much better than the Canada match, and they had a bunch of chances in the final 25 or so minutes. Wondolowski missed a wide open net on a mini-cross, from Altidore I believe, from maybe 4 yards out. I'll never understand how he hit it so damn high from that close to goal. Panama deserved to win for how they played in the first half, but a draw wouldn't have been unwarranted with how the U.S. attacked.

Originally Posted by tullytra

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It was a rough one to watch. The U.S. back line in the first half was ridiculous. The second half was quite a bit better on the attack. The crosses were clicking much better than the Canada match, and they had a bunch of chances in the final 25 or so minutes. Wondolowski missed a wide open net on a mini-cross, from Altidore I believe, from maybe 4 yards out. I'll never understand how he hit it so damn high from that close to goal. Panama deserved to win for how they played in the first half, but a draw wouldn't have been unwarranted with how the U.S. attacked.

Good analysis on the game. They were asleep at the wheel 1st half.