Pre-match: 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage: USA vs Nicaragua (Saturday, July 15, 2017)

We've seen Pontius and Zusi playing on the right together before. It wasn't the sexiest thing I've ever seen.

 

Yikes! Costa Rica would roll us.

 

Sweet. Love me some San Zusi

 

Roldan and Morrow better at least get extended sub opps. Some people really don't want info so truth is revealed one way or another. All they care about is perception. Not Arena's motivation. He's just leaning somewhat conservative, as per usual.

The good part of the lineup, today, in a vacuum, is the (albeit limited) chances for Miazga and Hamid. I like that we'll see more from Rowe and Dwyer. Besler-Miazga should do a little better passing out of the back to help spark the attack and thwarting counters since they are fleeter of foot. And theoretically that's personnel who should better create.

We need to see more Zusi and Bedoya like we need holes in our heads.

 

looks like Panama wins the group and we are second.

Does anybody know who we would likely play in ko round first game if we are 2nd in group? the Concacaf site has TBC for ko games.

\Edit: the Univision guys are saying we should face Costa Rica if we finish second.

 

Hopefully this means Lichaj rolls with the starters

 

According to wikipedia, second place gets Costa Rica. First place gets Honduras or the third place team in Mexico's group. Either way, we are on Costa Rica's side of the bracket.

 

Not at all happy to see Zusi start over Lichaj. I just don't think Zusi is the better RB.

I sort of understand the Bedoya start, and predicted it at some point in the last 24 hours. But I'm still disappointed.

Not sure I get the Corona start. Or Pontius,

However, I'm glad to see the Miazga+Besler pairing. I think that could look pretty good.

Oh well, still rooting for some goals.

 

we'll be fine.

 

Bruce Arena.

Wish we were ruthless like Joachim Low. It'll be a while before we make much progress in the wc.

 

There may well be more goals in the last 15 minutes of Panama-Martinique. Martinique needs to improve its GD to advance if El Salvador loses. They just hit one off the bar.

 

Agreed, I'm hoping Bruce uses all 6 of his changes and brings in some serious help. If he does we can beat Costa Rica.

 

Panama came from behind to beat Nicaragua 2-1. And Costa Rica starts Urena, who is not even the best striker on the San Jose Earthquakes. Not to mention they drew Honduras, who hasn't scored yet.

 

Aaaaaand this is why I don't bet on sports.

 

I didn't even notice the exclusion of Lichaj. I was fuming about Morrow and Roldan.

Yeah, there's another guy, along with Hamid, and Miazga; who senselessly get 1 appearance before the ko stages, where you figure they won't play unless off the bench or their competition totally bombs but we still advance.

This is integration mismanagement by Bruce. You have 4 games, 3 not very hard, and 1 friendly; yet players who potentially have a future with the national team may get a lone look throughout that period and subsequently the tourney. He can and should do better.

Frankly, I think the vets have been worse than the prospects, when given the opportunity. So all the vets provide is theoretical protection against losing, not even real.

 

Bradley Dempsey Howard Gonzalez Nagbe and Altidore are being brought in

 

Man this team could use some Nagbe

 

That's football. Martinique actually out-shot them by 1. We out-shot them by 8. We were better against Martinique than Panama were. Difference is in being clinical in front of the net and goalkeeping blunders/fluke deflections. Not that Martinique didn't deserve a goal somewhere, as they did this game, but we were considerably more potent offensively outside finishing.

 

You're not wrong Walter, you're just watching the C team Gold Cup.

And I think Lichaj, Rowe and Dwyer have showed enough to be considered options to fill out the 23.

We're not gonna find out Gabriel Jesus has been playing for the Portland Timbersall this time.

 

Costa Rica Rica are ready to go home. Ruiz will want to get back to his club. Campbell already left. They will be fiddling around to get ready for quali's and get to Russia.

 

How do we know this? We'll need the help.

 

Ives and other reports are reporting it. I think Vanney acknowledged Altidore and Bradley were already with the team

 

We're on the Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras side of the bracket. Fun.

The other one is a Mexico solo, basically (Jamaica, Canada, and El Salvador or Martinique).

 

In case anyone here doesn't have FXX

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