LA Times reporting that U.S. and Mexico will play Sweden and possibly another Scandinavian team, probably at the HDC in LA. "The U.S. national soccer team will play Sweden on Jan. 24, most likely at the Home Depot Center in Carson and possibly as part of a doubleheader featuring Mexico and another Scandinavian team." http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/11/usa-and-mexico.html So would this team be drawn from the camp cupcake call-ups? Edit: Actually the article suggests it would be the camp cupcake group: "If U.S. Coach Bob Bradley follows precedent, he will call the American squad together in Carson for a two-week January camp leading up to the Sweden game."
What does camp cupcake mean? I'm sorry - I've been out of the loop. I know its obviously a USMNT camp, but why call it that?
no euros, mainly fringe players .... it's not the meat-and-potatoes (another food reference!) of the roster. it's the lower run of the player pool. Camp Cupcake.
and the title of the main thread is misleading. from what I read, the US is playing Sweden, not Mexico. Mexico might be part of a doubleheader and then play Sweden themselves. But I didn't see where it said the US was playing Mexico.
If the Hex starts in February, we will probably start a few more mainstream players than the usualy January camp. I can easily see it being a stronger than usual Camp Cupcake
I highly doubt it as the date is most likely not a FIFA date so the Euro based players clubs don't have to release them. I think it will be our best team from MLS, Scandinavian Leagues and FMF.
When you say no Euro-based players, that doesn't include Scandinavia, since those leagues have a similar calendar (which is why the January game is generally against a Scandinavian team). In reality, we should call this a B international, but USSF would never do that.
the hex will start end of february... i'd suspect camp cupcakle is all about keeping mls talent in shape, although i can see some guys going to some euro club to train... but the hex players will be largely euro based, with donovan being an exception.. we shall see who ends up where in january
Agree with the description of the attendees being mostly domestic, but I don't follow the logic why that leads us to "cupcake."
11 February 28 March 1 April 6 June 10 June 12 August 5 September 9 September 10 October 14 October yes, i was thinking of the march 28 date
The US's WCQ dates in June were moved up three days by Fifa -- 11 February 28 March 1 April 3 June 7 June 12 August 5 September 9 September 10 October 14 October http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/11/morning_kickaround_96.html ------- *The two U.S. World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June 6-10 will now be played between June 3 and 7, FIFA announced. The reason for the change was the USA's participation in the Confederations Cup, which takes place June 14-28 in South Africa. The final round of CONCACAF qualifying begins Feb. 11. The schedule and pairings for each of the 10 matchdays are expected to be finalized next month. ------- http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/11/midday_kickaround_7.html ------- *Update on a morning item: I am now hearing that the CONCACAF final-round draw for World Cup qualifying might end up taking place Nov. 23 -- the same weekend as the FIFA Confederations Cup draw and MLS Cup. -------
Interesting. I'm actually eagerly looking forward to seeing who we get paired up with in the Confederations Cup (even though so many have expressed what they believe to be our group) as well as who we play and when we play them in the next round of qualifying.
There was supposed to be a Gold Cup in 2009, but I just can't see it fitting in there. Maybe it's already been cancelled and I haven't been paying attention. I guess it could take place in July............ MLS players on the national team could be out months at a time. I don't know how MLS avoids it.
"Camp Cupcake" has been the Big Soccer nickname for this camp for many years. I'm not sure where it originates from. Kind of like the OTC, ABMOD, and GAM, BigSoccer develops it's own language. I always though it was because the camp mostly consisted of young 'uns from MLS who are trying to make an impact. The team always seems to play a "B" side from Scandinavia as well. Who knows........... It's always interesting to see who's on the roster for this camp. It gives guys a chance to impress Bob prior to the hex and Confederations Cup. This is the chance for Kenny Cooper, Robbie Rogers, and company to really show everybody that they belong. And not just in the game, but in the practices and locker-room as well.
Individual Eleven (then under another screen name, which he posted) gave it in 2006. The Cupcake referred to the quality of opposition - then Norway's and Japan's domestic squads and Guatemala - that followed the three week training period.
because our top players aren't going to be there. if you're playing a team with a bunch of second and third teamers, they'd be a cupcake. this is our cupcake team. most of concacaf is cupcakes ...
This thread somehow suggests the notion that we are playing Sweden and Mexico in a doubleheader. That would actually be amazing. What a grinder for the players. Yeah, Bob, work them boys into shape! Woooooo. That'd be kind of like a weekend U-12 youth tournament set-up...or Futbolito. Sweet!
interesting article on Mexico, and how they are struggling (or at least have yet to wrap up advancement) in the semi-final round of Concacaf WCQ: Mood in Mexico decidedly different toward El Tri [SIZE=-1]San Diego Union Tribune[/SIZE]