Okay, now that we have a general idea about who will make it (Assuming there are no big upsets in the Central American Cup) I see the Groups breaking down this way: Mexico Canada Martinique Guatemala This group plays in California and Texas USA Costa Rica Cuba El Salvador This Group plays in the North East, Midwest. Honduras Panama Trinidad & Tobago Haiti This Group plays in New York, DC and Miami.
My roster would be: GK Guzan S. Johnson Hamid D Castillo Morrow Gonzalez Besler Hines Okugo Beitashour Lichaj M Corona Diskerud Gyau Kitchen Shea Beasley Edu Gatt F Agudelo Boyd Bruin Sapong -----------------Boyd --Shea--------Corona----Gatt -----------Kitchen-Edu Castillo-Besler-Gonzalez-Lichaj ------------Guzan
I don't buy it. The Gold Cup is a big deal to a team like Jamaica and they know they have plenty of fans in the U.S. who would turn out for them. And isn't there money to be earned in the tournament? Money their program could definitely use...
Perhaps. But the Gold Cup is a bigger deal in 2011 or 2015. And those same fans would likely rather attend Hex matches (the one in the US and probably some of the 5 that JAM will host in 2013) than the 3 (plus perhaps 3 more) matches the team would have played had they qualified for the 2013GC. There's also money (and probably relatively a lot more of it) to be earned by qualifying for the WC. Not at all sure how appearing (or not) in the Gold Cup during a Hex year is beneficial (or not) to a team like Jamaica, if their true target is World Cup qualification this cycle. I wouldn't discount the idea of Jamaica not being all that concerned with the 2012 Caribbean Cup and the 2013 Gold Cup. (But in the long run, I can't see how not qualifying for the 2013 GC will be viewed as a good thing for the Jamaican NT program. Unless of course they somehow get to Brazil in 2014, then I don't think anyone will care that they didn't participate in the 2013GC.)
Sorry, I don't buy it. Jamaica fielded just about the best roster they could made of MLS and Scandinavian-based talent. (essentially their version of a camp cupcake roster) If you compare their roster to the other teams in the Caribbean Cup, they fielded what should have been the strongest team. They were "going for it." There was no team in the Caribbean Cup that could field attacking players like Darren Mattocks, Omar Cummings, and Ryan Johnson. Hell, if those players were USMNT-eligible we may have taken a look at them. And let's not kid ourselves. Missing the Gold Cup could be a big problem for them on a couple of levels. 1) They're trying to recruit a bunch of England-based players to their cause. This can't help in the recruiting process. 2) Their plan was to undoubtedly use the Gold Cup to blend in these new players for the Hex. The Hex is obviously very important to them. However these new players need games at a good level to blend in with the existing team. These are players who have no clue what CONCACAF football is like. 3)I know people think that this Gold Cup is "meaningless." But it's not. It's a great opportunity to test fringe and young players in a competition that actually matters. It gives nations a chance to identify players that can help them going forward. Jamaica now isn't going to have that same chance. Yes, they can now schedule some friendlies. But it's not the same. You don't know how a young player is going to respond to pressure until you actually test them in a pressure-packed situation. 3) Missing the Gold Cup can be devastating to a CONCACAF nation's FIFA ranking. While many of us think those are meaningless, they do have all sorts of seeding ramifications in future events. The overall premise that if they qualify for the 2014 World Cup, nobody will care that they missed the 2013 Gold Cup...................is absolutely right. However, not qualifying for the 2013 Gold Cup hurts their chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. It certainly doesn't help.
Fair enough. And I'm not sure I buy it or not. And it does seem pretty speculative to say that JAM tried to tank the Caribbean Cup so as to not be involved with the Gold Cup in a Hex year. Sure, their roster "says" they were "going for it." But did anyone here actually watch the Caribbean Cup matches? How did the team actually play? Sure, it could be a problem. But it could also not be much of a problem at all. (Again, pending their results within the relatively independent process of fighting through the Hex schedule -- and possible Nov playoff matches.) (We certainly can't analyze both the hypothetical of JAM participating and the reality of JAM not participating in the 2013 Gold Cup.) So "a bunch of England-based players" would be recruited to "the cause" of playing in both a "relatively meaningless" Gold Cup in July and "the cause" of playing in the Hex to qualify for the WC? Or would the same bunch of players actually be better (or equally) recruited by just the lure of the Hex competition (and the WC carrot) on its own? The Hex will be 60% finished by the time the GC rolls around. JAM has a Hex match in Feb, two in March and three in June -- so the July placement of the Gold Cup doesn't much help them for those key matches earlier in the calendar year. (And honestly, it could be possible that JAM could be "all but eliminated" after their first 6 Hex games.) This is a very good point. But there's also the (lesser) point that those "fringe and young players" could (hypothetically) be better tested (even in "meaningless" games -- should JAM be "out of it" -- toward the end of their Hex schedule). The level of competition (b-squads likely among at least the Hex participants) available at the 2013 Gold Cup will not be nearly has helpful as the level of competition within the Hex itself. But yes, overall, I agree with the "lost opportunity" that the 3-6 GC games would have presented to JAM. But I think that "lost opportunity" pales in comparison to, and is rather independent from, the real challenge and opportunity that is available to them within the Hex (and potentially the Nov playoff). Agreed. And those ramifications would/could likely be overcome by JAM finding success in the Hex. (But if JAM misses the WC, then yes, missing the GC will be earlier salt in that same wound that will come back to slightly haunt and affect them as well.) Agreed, for the most part. But if/since getting to the WC is the true target, I don't honestly see how playing the Gold Cup in July is a "better help" than not being in that competition but arranging from some friendly matches -- possibly against opponents who are ranked higher than some/most of the GC-qualified teams. It will be interesting to see if all of HON, CRC and PAN qualify for the 2013 Gold Cup. (The assumption is they all should relatively easily do so, correct?) For the Hex-qualified teams in 2013, I'm not convinced there's a (significant) benefit to also playing an additional 3-6 "competitive games" (likely with lesser rosters in the GC) in July -- when the real focus has to be on those 10 Hex matches and the target of the World Cup.
jamaica needs depth for the hex, and a gold cup willl help their coach select their bench personally, i don't have then in the top 3, but if they plya new zealand, i give them a good enough chance bleeping up now doesn't put them in a good position though
Yes, it "would have helped" for the final 40% of the Hex. In 2013, the Gold Cup will be of no help for the first 6/10ths of the Hex. (Regardless if said nation is playing in the GC or not.) It will be interesting to see what Jamaica is able to get on their friendly calendar in 2013. (And admittedly there are not a lot of available dates, what with the Hex, and other competitions for other nations, taking a lot of the FIFA dates in 2013.) imo, JAM is not going to finish ahead of or behind PAN, CRC, HON (or even the US and MEX) within the Hex because of who does and who does not participate (and with what rosters) in the Gold Cup in July. The Hex and the Gold Cup are two relatively (or incredibly, imo) non-linked processes/competitions in 2013. (I'm not certain anyone could pinpoint true benefits or hindrances for those nations playing in the 2013 Gold Cup -- if the target is to finish in the top3 or top4 of the Hex.)
It will be very interesting to see, of those who are selected to the Gold Cup squad, how many of these players also get minutes in the Hex games (either the first six prior to July or the last four after July) in 2013. Will the 2013 Gold Cup be a help to JK as he seeks depth for his roster, should it need bolstering and tweaking for the WCQ matches in the fall? Does anyone have the Gold Cup and Hex minutes played overlap among US players in 2009 (or 2005, or earlier)? i.e. -- players who saw some minutes in Hex matches, how many minutes did they play in those GCs of the same year? and players who saw some minutes in Gold Cup matches, how many minutes did they play in those Hex matches of the same year?
Jamiaca went scoreless against Martinique, French Guyana and mfing Cuba. I don't see how that is possible.
we have no idea how new jamaicans will get blooded, it seems newbies will get throuwn right in, which isn't all that comforting i'm not betting on them at all isay 6th is more likely than any other finish
we have no idea how new jamaicans will get blooded, it seems newbies will get throuwn right in, which isn't all that comforting i'm not betting on them at all isay 6th is more likely than any other finish
My new Group prediction if Cuba drops out: Mexico Canada Martinique Guatemala This group plays in California and Texas USA Costa Rica T&T El Salvador This Group plays in the North East, Midwest. Honduras Panama Dominican Republic Haiti This Group plays in New York, DC and Miami.
What do you mean if Cuba drops out? Have they given indication that they would do so, and if so why? Because players defect?
I just read a rumor in another thread they may drop out. Defections would be the main reason I imagine.
I'm looking forward to the GC I want to see the core of the U23 team get a chance to play together again. I also would like for EDU to play CB, he needs the reps. Also I would like to see if JAB is serious about us. And if Aron J. comes our way to see him play up close to the rest of the young ones. I would like to see a starting 11 of.... BOYD SHEA--JOHANNSSON--GATT MORALES--MIX LICHAJ--JAB--EDU--HENLEY
I like this roster, except for Beasely inclusion. I would switch him out for O'brien. And Beckerman will probably make this squad.
Ives takes a stab at the roster. http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12...-what-two-summer-rosters-could-look-like.html If we do go with almost completely different squads I would want Guzan to sit out of the WCQ and have him start the GC. Rimando can be a good #2 for WCQ.
U-20 Qualifying? As in you don't think his club would release him? Or do you think he wouldn't commit to the USA since it would cap-tie him? His club would have to release him for the Gold Cup as it's an official FIFA date I think.
The U-20 World Cup in the summer (assuming qualification). His club won't release him for qualifying, but I also think they aren't going to want him to play the entire summer.
Brooks wants to play in the U20 World Cup. He has said its a top goal and very important to him He won't play in both the GC and the U20 WC. If the US U20 team qualifies for the WC, the best U20 guys will be there (Brooks, Packwood, Joya, Gil, and even Henley if he decides to play for the US)