2017 Gold Cup: Our B team is better than your B team
- Thread starter AusTexSoxFan
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Probably for the same reason that Guyana and Suriname are in CONCACAF too.
I think it's probably because historically these nations are more Caribbean in culture than South American.
Honduras is through to the quarterfinals despite not scoring a goal in the tournament (other than the 3 awarded to them from the French Guiana DQ).
Bradley and Jozy are in for the knockout stage:
Tonight's game is apparently the first time the US has ever played Nicaragua.
Tonight's game is apparently the first time the US has ever played Nicaragua.
It looks like the full complement of six replacements will be Bradley, Altidore, Dempsey, Nagbe, Howard, and J. Gonzalez. There probably won't be word on who is leaving until after the game tonight.
Ouch. But so true. Shit penalties.
Some flashes, but uninspired in total.
But it's football and the US win, so not all bad.
Those were some serious ball-don't-lie penalties, too. The first one, the defender had his hand there to monitor position and Dwyer made a meal of it. The sort of flop I'd be livid about if it happened against my team. The second one, somehow, was worse - the hand was against the body, the ball went right into his body (where his hand happened to be). I'm not sure what they want out of the defender. Put the arm up, it's in an unnatural position. Keep the arm rigidly tucked into his torso? Penalty anyway!
And I'm operating on a third of a bottle of Black Label so I'll say this: Kelyn Rowe looked like a first-team player tonight. I want to see more of him. Bill Hamid earned a few points as well.
And I'm operating on a third of a bottle of Black Label so I'll say this: Kelyn Rowe looked like a first-team player tonight. I want to see more of him. Bill Hamid earned a few points as well.
I'm a little sad about the end of Rowe and Dwyer being on my screen (for now). Surprised by the continued presence of Lichaj, Miazga, Arriola, McCartyand Pontius. Appalled by that of Hedges and Zardes.
Looks like the US's QF is Weds 9pm in Philly. Tons of great seats still available, so I'm thinking about how I can figure out how to get home to nyc from philly at 11pm on a wednesday night...
Looks like the US's QF is Weds 9pm in Philly. Tons of great seats still available, so I'm thinking about how I can figure out how to get home to nyc from philly at 11pm on a wednesday night...
Our more established defenders are all in Europe and aren't on the 40 man roster so it's no surprise that none of the defenders were replaced.
I'm disappointed that Hedges didn't take his opportunity. He played below what he has shown in his club career and isn't young enough to afford that kind of performance. With many young CBs coming up behind him, it's a short window.
I don't understand the Rowe cut. He's been one of the best players in camp. Is there some personal reason for it?
I'm disappointed that Hedges didn't take his opportunity. He played below what he has shown in his club career and isn't young enough to afford that kind of performance. With many young CBs coming up behind him, it's a short window.
I don't understand the Rowe cut. He's been one of the best players in camp. Is there some personal reason for it?
Lichaj was a net positive against Martinique, Miazga is getting more time with Bruce, and Arriola has been frisky enough to keep around--I could definitely see the latter coming on as a pacey sub. Agree about the rest.
Lichaj can provide cover for both FB slots, which is great value for a WC roster...if he's playing well. It seems like he's peaking now - Lichaj was Nottingham's captain and fan-voted player of the season this year. I hope he keeps it up.
Really excited for the Zardes Show tonight, guys.
Nagbe is being used centrally for the time under Arena, IIRC.
Morrow and Lichaj should be more reliable 1v1 defenders than Villafaña and Zusi. Morrow won't be as good going forward as JV, though. I didn't expect Hedges to start this game, but hopefully he redeems himself after a shaky showing against Martinique.
I am very excited to see Nagbe in a central role, even if he doesn't usually play it for his club.
Despite misgivings on the selections (I've Hedges'd my bets), I think if we can't get by f'ing El Salvador with this lineup, it doesn't have much to do with a player here or there. Unless Hedges switches off on 5 through-balls again. Or Zardes continues putting his control touches into Row G. Or... whatever.
WINNING TIME
Despite misgivings on the selections (I've Hedges'd my bets), I think if we can't get by f'ing El Salvador with this lineup, it doesn't have much to do with a player here or there. Unless Hedges switches off on 5 through-balls again. Or Zardes continues putting his control touches into Row G. Or... whatever.
WINNING TIME
There is space for days in the middle of the field for us, assuming Zardes doesn't forget to collect the passes sent his way, or we don't pass it directly to them.
El Salvador seems to have been inspired by Honduras, going with the simple ES in place of a badge.
It feels like the US is finding the game now. The off the ball movement has gotten a little better and the passing is starting to click, at least more than the crapfest to start the game.
That said, this ref is taking absolutely no shit whatsoever. He could be German.
What's Altidore have on his cheek - it looks like he cut himself shaving, but I'm certain that's not it. My partner asked me to check with you guys because we can't figure it out.
OMAR DON"T SCARE!
edit: O-Gonz has definitely impressed me an increasing amount over the course of this cup. He's an only-slightly-poorer man's John Brooks, minus some of the footspeed and passing accuracy. Sure he has 43 caps already, but I think I'm willing to trust him at the big-boy level.
edit: O-Gonz has definitely impressed me an increasing amount over the course of this cup. He's an only-slightly-poorer man's John Brooks, minus some of the footspeed and passing accuracy. Sure he has 43 caps already, but I think I'm willing to trust him at the big-boy level.
Great team goal there.
Great turn by Dempsey and really good awareness for Lichaj to pivot to a horizontal run just long enough to stay onside.
Great turn by Dempsey and really good awareness for Lichaj to pivot to a horizontal run just long enough to stay onside.
BTW, no one above said it, so I will: none of our goalies except Howard succeed in charging that bad back-pass. He was like +0.8 xG on that play.
He was also getting dragged down by the
Defender.
Lichaj!!! Then he goes and completely redeems himself!
I'm going to start calling him Lichaj Jenkins, cause he just charges in there and fucks shit up, for everyone.
Hamid makes that save, too, but then gives up a soft goal and gets injured for two months.