Odunze with a nice save after Barbados get lose on the US right and are able to center to an open player.
Yep, and he had to do it because he eased up and let the Barbados player get to the ball first. He expected it to go out
Damn, that looks kind of serious for the Barbados player. First thing trainer did was check the player’s heartbeat
Its very hard to take much from a game like this against a team that likely isn't any better than the worst team in the U-17 DA.
Professional win. I thought Gray was terrific CD. Tall athletic, great ball skills. Everyone else had nice touch and ball movement. Athletically some will grow and others not, some will gain an extra gear others won't. Just not alot to point out with such a poor opponent. 6-1 win. Ref didn't know what persistent infringement was. Moving on...
Next up is Guatemala on Monday 5/6 at 6 eastern. With the win today the US clinches a place in the round of 16. If Guatemala and Canada tie or Canada wins their match later today, then the US will clinch the top spot in the group.
Wicky seems to be making progress toward the best 11. Freeman and Gray showed that they should be starters. And there looks to be promise of good central midfield play through some combination of players...
Didn’t watch, but what did you see in Freeman that makes you think he should start? I’ve heard he’s serious about success.
The US did what they were supposed to do in this game. This Barbados team did draw with Guatemala, so let's not pretend like they're total trash. What I will say is that the scoreline did flatter the US a little bit. Against good teams, most of those set piece goals don't happen (other than the Busio free kick, which was a thing of beauty). Its all setting up for the US to play either Costa Rica or Panama in the do-or-die quarterfinal...………………...as expected. They drew with each other. So six of one, half a dozen of the other. Canada will just end up playing the other one in their projected quarterfinal. So...…………….whatever. This whole "tournament' is basically a prelude to one game that matters. [I'm not discounting Guadeloupe. They're typically a total mystery. And we've seen at the Gold Cup itself that they're capable of beating the top CONCACAF nations on a given day.]
Yea was just looking that up as well. Assuming Guadeloupe isn’t anything special as you would expect it’s likely we play Costa Rica, Panama, or Honduras. If we beat them we advance to the U17 WC right? We need our best guys to rest this 3rd game.
If it weren't the second half of a blowout against Barbados, I'd say an all touch should be in the works (maybe if you're bored today @ShaftBrewer ). I think he is a similar player to Reyna, but more technical. Not quite as dominant on the dribble, but better at releasing the ball and involving teammates. I'm convinced he's better than Yow, De Vries, and even Busio when he's on the wing. Given that he's an '03, I put him up with the other top prospects on this team in Reyna, Kobe, and Pepi.
Not playing that Canada team again is good. They have too much talent on the wings for us to feel safe.
We can't face Canada or Mexico until after it matters...…………………… All of these games are basically just practice with the goal of peaking at the quarterfinal. After that, it really doesn't mean anything. There are only two of the so-called "big teams" that have positioned themselves poorly: Jamaica and Honduras. Both are sitting in 3rd place after 2 games. If they both win their last group games (against relative minnows), then those two will play each other in the round of 16. [Honduras finishes 2nd in their group; Jamaica 3rd.] So that's basically setting up as the interesting game of that round. One won't even make the do-or-die game. By the way, Mexico is watching those shenanigans with shady sideways glances. Pre-tournament it looked they might have a lesser team in the quarterfinal. Now its likely to be Honduras or Panama. Mexico v Honduras with the World Cup on the line would be fun. Anyway, we'll see.
Kobe is such a high level ball striker. From shooting to long balls, to a 15 yard pass. Basically everything he hits is weighted perfectly.
I meant Jamaica Of course my whole discussion became a waste of time. Honduras lost to El Salvador yesterday, so that opens up everything. I don't know if they lost to El Salvador on purpose, because it does provide them with an easier path to qualification.