That’d be epic as they are returning after 23 years without a game in a final round of CONCACAF WCQ… France ‘98… Also not being in a Gold Cup Final since 2000… I still don’t buy the ‘Canada will make the WC’ argument, they still have to prove a lot, specially visiting Central America and getting Ws
I haven't posted in a long time but I remembered I had an account here and since this is the only place talking about this tournament, here it goes. I am Portuguese and I have some sympathy for Canada, they have two Canadian-born Portuguese players. It's not that they are good, even Mexico in Europe would be at the level of Finland or North Macedonia. Actually out of 10 games against Hungary, Slovakia, Scotland or Turkey. Mexico would probably lose more than win. Canada would win 1, maybe 2 in a blue moon. The fact is even playing at their worst, deserving or not, either the USA or Mexico, or both, always get a ticket to the Gold Cup final. CONCACAF referees' behaviour is always on par with the disgrace that was FIFA 2002 WC. It's a mixture of amateurism and a mission to lead Mexico and the USA to the final. I don't know how football is in the Oceania Football Confederation, but surely CONCACAF is the worst of all other confederations. Why don't they just host a USA-Mexico tournament every year and put an end to this charade? How many hours would the game last and how many penalties outside the box would have been awarded to Mexico until the desired result was achieved?
In the case of the United States vs. Qatar game, the dubious penalty was granted to Qatar, so there goes your theory in smoke. And Mexico is equal to Finland or North Macedonia??? Oh, I was unaware that Finland and North Macedonia have placed 6th in the World Cup, twice, and 10th once (plus, 11 additional appearances placing between 11th and 16th) . Silly me, I must have missed it. What years was that? Oh wait, neither Finland nor North Macedonia (a country that has existed since 1991) have ever qualified for the World Cup. Not once. Never. And that's your comparison for a team that placed 6th best in the world, twice??? Current FIFA World Ranking: Mexico = 11th. Finland = 54th. North Macedonia = 62nd. Current ELO World Ranking: Mexico = 15th. Finland = 40th. North Macedonia = 67th. Come again, they're all equal??? LOL, here I am, an American defending Mexico, our biggest rivals... but Eurocentrism rubs me the wrong way (even though I am a dual national and I hold citizenship in the European Union - Italy - a team by the way much better than your Portugal). So, you haven't posted here in a long time. I'll tell you what: we haven't missed you.
yeah. Seeing as you are horrendously ignorant of the world game, maybe you should go back to not posting. CONCACAF has a long and solid record as the third strongest confederation and the strongest outside of UEFA and Conmebol. I could run throught the actual results (Mexico dumping Germany out, Holland needing a dive to get past Costa Rica which dumped England out of 2014 etc) but I have learned arrogant Europeans are a lot like Trumpers: they don’t really care about the facts. (and yes, I am also an American dual national with EU citizenship)
Seriously, we even have a direct comparison to work with: Mexico eliminated Russia in their own house in the Confed Cup... Finland, playing a much worse version of Russia, managed to lose to them in the Euro.
Fair point... In club tournaments (Concacaf League/CCL), they do have French-language Concacaf sign boards. I'd have to go back and watch the Robinhood games to see if they have the boards in Dutch as well...
great feat by the US for all the talk of B and C squad, I am sure we will see a number of these players on the A team come September. Acosta, Cannon, Lleget, are already members of the A squad, and surely Turner will be there as well, likely even as a starting keeper. I have to say that Mexico is seriously overrated. They struggled against Canada as well. ( I think Canada was actually the better team on the day) For them to not be able to avenge the Nations cup loss against a seriously weakened US side is very telling, as were their struggles against Canada, and even El Salvador and Trinidad. US is undisputed #1 of Concacaf, and I thought so after the Nations League.
I still think it is a "C" team and yes some of those players may get called up and play but if they don't the "A" team would still be the "A" team. So much talent we have now. So much Depth. As for Turner, yes he made a name for himself. Maybe he is going to be 3rd string now. I can't see him starting in September. Managers usually do not go with domestic guys who have not played any big games on the road in the region. They also don't usually go with 4th string Keepers who do not have any chemistry or cohesion with the "A" team. If there were a few friendlies maybe he would have a chance to start but this close to the Ocho I think he will not have much of a chance .
Mexico will be fine. The beat everybody in the Nations League and Gold Cup other than the US. Lost both matches to the US by the thinnest of margins. Both games on US soil. What Mexico needs.........................is Raul Jimenez. And he seems like he's back. Whether he's back to his previous form is TBD. The USMNT was in total disarray after losing that first Nations League game to Canada. Berhalter has almost completely turned over the roster to the young guys, and they're playing for him. [Some of that was forced on him. Morris and Long injuries.] That's the bigger story for the summer.........that the USMNT is back from the depths of two years ago.
Mexico can end up being fine but heading into the Octogonal with no confidence does not help team morale. Factor in a couple of home matches with empty stadiums due to chant bans and I think they are skating on thin ice. Maybe even a struggle like the 2014 cycle if they are not careful.
Ordinarily, I would agree, but the game in El Salvador that opens the Ocho may be in an empty stadium. That's a lot less frenzied an atmosphere than the usual game in Central America. I thought it was funny how the announcers talked about how Turner is threatening Steffen for the starting job and never mentioned (that I heard) the other man he has to beat, Horvath.
They'll be fine. Let's not forget that both the Nations League and Gold Cup finals were draws at the end of regulation. A draw on US soil in our next match (WCQer in November) is a better result for Mexico than the US. All it takes to reverse confidence is going out and knocking the stuffing out of Jamaica on Sept. 2nd. Jamaica. The most underperforming team in CONCACAF. Never seem to play up to their potential. Their start to WCQing is OK. At home to Jamaica. On the road in Costa Rica (who aren't playing well) and Panama (who aren't playing well).