I agree. I would even say that ending up way near the top of group A is simply meeting expectations. The first good part is that we did meet the expectations. That has not always been the case. The second good part is that we look well positioned to move on to step two of beating more like-level teams. And perhaps more importantly, that we look poised to start doing it on a sustained basis. Now we just need to actually do step two as well as we did step one.
In addition, on paper, that last pot in League A doesn't present any threat to Canada staying up in League A.
True. I am a bit disappointed in the format of the Nations League where, unless you win your group in League A, you only get four games total.
The only Pot 3 team I can see giving us any real struggle is Martinique. They've bitten us on the arse before, though we're a much better team now than we were then. And agreed with the above, the Pot 1 team I'd like us to match up with is Honduras. Not only because they're the easiest, but it's a good chance to prove that we are now their peer. The other 3 we are a long way from being peers with. I think we could give the US a good battle too. They're still far better than we are, but underdogs often come out bigger when playing their larger more dominant neighbours.
Rumors out of Turkey that the Whitecaps and Besiktas have agreed on a $2 million transfer fee for Cyle Larin and that all that remains is for Larin to agree to the transfer. According to reports, the Vancouver Whitecaps are willing to buy Canadian international striker Cyle Larin from Besiktas for $2 million. Larin, still just 23, has had issues settling into Turkey since he forced a move there from Orlando City last year. Source: fotomac (TUR) #VWFC pic.twitter.com/2nLubZWmkc— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) March 28, 2019
Besiktas can be hard to break into.. He should have gone to Belgium or Denmark, IMHO. More opportunities for a good, young striker there.
I actually prefer our players to be in MLS (or Mexico) unless they can play in a league that's significantly better in Europe. I would rank Belgium as being on par and Denmark being a step down. For two reasons, the first being that it's good for national team cohesion to have as many players as possible facing each other on a regular basis, the second being that they will be more familiar with CONCACAF style football, which is the area in which we compete. The vast majority of the US team plays in MLS, and they're clearly in the top 2 in CONCACAF.
Not saying you are wrong, but, IMHO, Belgium and Denmark are better at training young players than MLS is and while the leagues might be on par or worse, there are teams that are better.
@Yoshou: good point, not one I had considered. But as Kingston eluded to, so long as they are seeing regular playing time.
Very true. I was just being critical of his choice of Besiktas, tbh. I haven't liked his move there since it was first "rumored". Besiktas likes "veterans" for their strikers and it was a pretty obvious Larin wasn't going to see a lot of playing time there.. Particularly when they brought in Vagner Love at the same time.
I think one of the reasons they went with fewer teams in Group A is that it will leave a window to arrange for friendlies with other nations outside of Concacaf. The only way the top will improve if they play UEFA or CONMEBOL nations.
This makes sense to me. I hope the CSA takes advantage of any opportunities and goes back to their old promise of playing something on every FIFA date. That would be ideal but I think there are plenty of teams in Africa and Asia that could provide useful opposition for us. But, yes, we will get better much faster playing difficult opponents than pounding CONCACAF minnows.
No. I meant as opponents during "extra" FIFA dates as we might find ourselves with if we don't make the League A knock out games.