N.Ireland declines to play US, Canada & Mexico

[Captain Canuck]

Thought you guys might be interested in this story out of Belfast. Indicates a 4-team tournament of friendlies being set up, with US, Mexico & Canada and a fourth nation to be named later (as Northern Ireland has declined in favour of touring the West Indies). Don't know how reliable the story is but (assuming the link works) here you go:

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/sport/story.jsp?story=457370

[Davids26]

Nike US Cup revived?

[Father Ted]

Northern Ireland did not score a single goal in Euro Championship qualifying. They've gone downhill a big way since the days of Jennings, McIlroy and Whiteside.
I guess they wanted to play some easier teams in the hope they actually score a goal.

[voros]

The nerve of them!

We invite them to one of our tournaments and they decline?

Shameful. We would never do such a thing.

[nyrmetros]

Originally posted by Davids26
Nike US Cup revived?

I hope so!!!!!
And come back to Giants Stadium !!!

[RobtheAggie]

That would have made a really interesting tournament. I thought that when Mexico sent what was essentially Tigres as their National Team and were stomped by the US, the US decided to not invite Mexico to play in the Nike Cup. I wonder if that has changed? I do remember there were some very harsh words thrown at the Mexican Federation after that.

[TopDogg]

It was announced yesterday that Canada will play Republic of Ireland in Dublin on November 18, 3 days after playing the Czechs in Prague.

[nyrmetros]

The Canucks got a busy schedule for themselves ehh?

[Various Styles]

Originally posted by RobtheAggie

That would have made a really interesting tournament. I thought that when Mexico sent what was essentially Tigres as their National Team and were stomped by the US, the US decided to not invite Mexico to play in the Nike Cup.

Wrong Animal mate. It was Pumas UNAM aka Tri-pumas :)

I wonder if that has changed?

Mexico is now sponsered by Nike and AEG :)

I do remember there were some very harsh words thrown at the Mexican Federation after that.

They compensated by playing a friendly against the U.S..

[MetroTard]

"There are a lot of Irish people throughout the States who would have enjoyed the games."

What? I can't think of any Irish fans I know that would turn out to see the North play. It's a good thing they said no, because if we want to make any money on this, it's not going to be with an attendance killer like Northern Ireland.

[Sachin]

Originally posted by TopDogg
It was announced yesterday that Canada will play Republic of Ireland in Dublin on November 18, 3 days after playing the Czechs in Prague.

How is it that Canada gets all these friendlies in Europe against decent to good competition while we're hoping for a run out against Panama?

Sachin

[worldsoccer-Jeff]

Is it just me, or am I the only one a little disappointed in the fact that Northern Ireland was the best the USSF could do? Who's next on the list? What's the Faroes Island doing next year?

I see no reason to invite a team like Northern Ireland unless they had been turn down by a lot of other nations.

[Ictar]

Originally posted by Sachin
How is it that Canada gets all these friendlies in Europe against decent to good competition while we're hoping for a run out against Panama?

Sachin

Their federation must know what's up, because I can't see Canada turning down an invite to the second most prestigious tournament we can participate in. ;)

[TopDogg]

Originally posted by Ictar
Their federation must know what's up, because I can't see Canada turning down an invite to the second most prestigious tournament we can participate in. ;)
The CSA turned down an invite to the 2001 Copa America.

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by TopDogg
The CSA turned down an invite to the 2001 Copa America.

Well, not quite the same thing. They originally accepted the invitation, called the squad together & were about to go to Colombia when the tourney was postponed. All of the players were sent back to their European club teams. Then the tournament was re-scheduled for the original dates & the CSA felt forced to withdraw since they didn't think they could get their players back from their Euro clubs at the last minute with such short notice.