Why groups of three? I understand and I'm fine with it in the Concacrap Champiñones Leauge, groups of three separating the all mighty MLS teams to protect the mexican teams... but, why in the U-20 Qualifying? Don't tell me there's some type of mechanism to make sure; the super saiyan American team who trashed and dominated the super soccer power Haiti yesterday night, Don't play against the mexican national team for a world cup spot... that could jeopardize Mexico's aspiration to participate in Turkey 2013. Or could it be that Concacaf is trying to impose a new trend for future qualification mechanisms around the world?
Matches between minnow teams already pull almost no money. The three-team groups help to reduce unnecessary costs.
I think this tournament could only work in Mexico though. They actually support their team and attend even slightly the other games.. in America, US wish they could fill 30k for a U-20 Qualifier and the other games other then Mexico, k no se diga.
There are only 12 teams, what do you suggest? Three groups of 4? Then how to get to 8 teams, using best 3rd placed teams? They could of course make 16 teams start the tournament, but need I remind you that capping it at 12 we already have teams like P.R. Curacao and Haiti, you want more games between Curacao and Haiti? No sale ni para pagarle al arbitro con esas entradas, double headers I guess but who cares.... /p
I'm pretty shocked by how little coverage the competition is being given to be honest. Tv rights for UK were sold to a bookmakers' website and the maximum video size is 400px. Jamaica, a team who are in the competition have not sold tv rights and the JFF have published illegal streams on their twitter account for people to watch. CONCACAF TV are not showing the games.
Univision Deportes shows all of the non-USA U-20 games here in the US.. Univision Deportes is a garbage channel, while Fox Soccer Channel only passes the US U-20 games.. but I mean, Fox Soccer Channel is an ever worse channel. btw wheres that Ramil Sherif kid from Norwich?? Wasn't he suppose to be playing with the U-20 Jamaican NT?
$$$$ might have been the issue. I don't think the J.J.F. would've have spent the extra $$$ for one U.K. base player as far as I know. What happned with Hon. sub-20? Is Nicaragua that good?
If I was Ramil I'd be vexxed!!! Di ute spent a lot of time in Jamaica over his summer training in order to be guaranteed a call-up to the U-20 WCQ. When Jamaica qualify to the U-20 WC, maybe then he'll get the call, but sucks to be him right now. He put in the work. No they're not that good. I like their forward though, he showed some potential. Honduras U-20 teams always seem to choke. U-17 and U-23 is where Honduras talent usually come through.
Fox Sports Channel is showing all the US U-20 and Mexico U-20 games in the US, Univision Deportes Network is showing all, except the US U-20 Games.
They are looking good, I guess you never know what to expect from Cuba. Another team that really surprised me was Haiti! They didn't deserved to lost against the US U-20 team, they were dominant in the midfield, creating many chances, ultimately losing 2 -1... Same situation with yesterday's game, they played overall a good match against Costa Rica, hitting the posts on three occasions but losing 1-0, they didn't deserve to lose either on that game... But, this is futbol and only goals count. Anyone knows if the Haitians brought (like Curacao and Jamaica) players born in Europe, playing in lower division teams in Europe with Caribbean background? Or is their league improving?
What you don't know what to expect is performance from groups of 20 year olds. Ghana has been in the final twice in the last 10 years, Japan once. If we go to Semis, you start to get teams like Australia, Mali and Morocco... none of them amount ot much at Senior squad level, yet in the last 10 years they make semis (once) in the U20 WC. But to your point, they may be looking good, have honestly not watched anyone other than Mexico, but paper backs them up so far. /p
They brought two midfielders from New York Red Bulls Academy, another midfielder from Le Havre and a striker from Lorient. They would've had another player from Le Mans but he was discarded due to injury despite already training with the U-20 team. Jamaica didn't bring any European players.. they have only two players who play abroad on the squad right now, and they play in U.S. colleges. Maryland and St. Leo
Haiti was pretty good. Bad finishing for the most part but pretty technical and not that bad. Costa Rica is pretty good. USA is good. Which group is better?