Ohio was ok. St. Paul was a no-no. That said, there should have been a contingency plan if there was extreme cold or snow. Bad weather levels the playing field. I remember during that USA/CR game in the blizzard, CR players lobbied for the game to continue. Both teams did actually. But then CR protested it after.
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Ohio was ok. St. Paul was a no-no. That said, there should have been a contingency plan if there was extreme cold or snow. Bad weather levels the playing field. I remember during that USA/CR game in the blizzard, CR players lobbied for the game to continue. Both teams did actually. But then CR protested it after.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I think Ohio is just turning into the US's home state. They easily outdraw the opposition for home games in Columbus or Cincy. So I get Ohio like SMF said. St. Paul, I have no idea what the thought process is here. I'd like to think that this wonder stadium in St. Paul has a heated field but who knows because this pitch isn't used in the winter. Playing on basically concrete grass is terrible. Plus, hard tackles and the impact on the pitch. This is just a reason why this soccer federation is a fraud.
1. They didn't want to play indoors and give up a weather advantage
2. Hamilton is one of the largest stadiums in Canada
I was in Hamilton once, what a dumpy city. I drove through some manufacturing section of the city which was enormous but dingy AF. Looked like a scene out of some post-apocalyptic movie.
I doubt St. Paul has a heated field. If people would just listen to me, I said at the time St. Paul is way too risky. I get that Ohio gets a lot of qualifiers but we win there and its a true home field advantage. And in the winter, about 10 degrees warmer than Minnesota.
I also dont like Orlando for Panama though I understand why they're doing it since they play at Mexico and CR that window. I would have still done Ohio and made Panama play in 40 degree weather.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I believe I briefly heard and I haven't bothered to follow up that the Canadian Gov't is putting a restriction on attendance because of covid. The number I think I heard was 13,000
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Yeah I'm not a fan of the Orlando venue, it just invites a large Panamanian contingent. But from what I've read, wonderboy Berhalter wants short travel.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Well, they beat Panama there last cycle and the USSF likes to do these repeat games. I hated Orlando then because I thought it would be a Panama home game but there were hardly any there. I guess Panama isnt a country with a large immigrant population in the US unlike other Central American countries. That said, I would take advantage of colder climate and play in a state you almost never lose in.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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No, in fact it isn't.
Tim Hortons Field seats 23,218. And the government is only allowing them half capacity.
Their decision was just as stupid as the American's decision.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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So listening to the United States of Soccer this afternoon, Jason Davies gave some possible insight into this. Vancouver wasn't selected by Canada because their coach wanted the shortest trip for his European players knowing they'd be traveling quite a bit over the 3 game window.
Also Stephen Eustaquio isn't playing their 1st match and might not be available for the 2nd. 9 points is absolutely realistic in Hamilton.
DeAndre Yedlin for us isn't over here, he apparently had some travel issues with weather coming out of Turkey. Not sure how true that is because Cyle Larin for Canada plays in Turkey and he is in the Canada camp.
OK, I dont know why I thought it was a large CFL stadium. Kinda senseless to play there instead of up the road in an MLS facility. My guess is they feel the turf is to their advantage. They dominated Mexico on it. Mexico didn't look like a B team compared to Canada. Didn't quite expect that.
It IS a CFL stadium. It's just not large.
Canada should have stuck with their original idea of playing in Vancouver. Then the US would have played their games in Portland and San Jose and no one would have paid the weather any mind at all.
He had his contract in Turkey mutually terminated.
I saw a story yesterday that Hull was interested.
I had pretty good seats in Columbus and wasn't very far from Yedlin warming up. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out who he was. Honestly, I thought he was a trainer or something because he looked a little too "pudgy" to be a player. I was shocked to learn it was Yedlin
Nah, I agree with them playing outdoors but I would have played in Toronto since its MLS quality.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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That's a serious downgrade. Hull is scrapping for survival in the Championship.
not USA related, but looks like Mason Mount has some time off in this window, as England doesn’t play, so Mason decided to go to a circus in Miami. Hopefully he finds a good spot to watch his buddy CP10 play a qualifier tonight.
What advantage does Canada get playing that game outside in sub-freezing temperatures? The conditions that they play in there will be completely different than what they are going to see in the their other two games. And it's not like they are practicing outside in this weather leading up to this game, because they've been Honduras the last couple days and they will be on their way home tomorrow and not practicing in any event. So unlike the US, which will have been in the cold weather for a full week by the time that game kicks off, Canada will have one practice, which will be a light, day before the game walk through kind of practice, to get acclimated to the weather.
It looks like him going to Miami is almost a done deal.
There is a story on ESPN about him being in Turkey. I didn't read the whole thing, but basically when Galatasary loses a game he can't go out and be seen in public, because of the worry that crazy fans will recognize him and act like idiots. He basically goes to practice in a limo with the windows covered and then goes back home to his apartment where he and his girlfriend eat takeout because they are afraid to go out to restaurants.
It really would be a hell of a way to live. I can see why someone would want out of there.
0-0 at the half. Started putting things together toward the end of the half. Need three points here at home versus El Salvador
A win but YUCK. Glad I decided not to go out to that. This team just has never looked right under Berhalter.
Other than if Jamaica could have held on and beat Mexico, if you just care about the US qualifying and you don't care which place they end up in tonight was probably just about as good as you could have hoped for.
Canada 19 +10
US 18 +8
Mexico 17 +5
Panama 14 +1
C Rica 12 0
Jamaica 7 -5
El Sal 6 -7
Hond 3 -12
Canada 19 +10
US 18 +8
Mexico 17 +5
Panama 14 +1
C Rica 12 0
Jamaica 7 -5
El Sal 6 -7
Hond 3 -12
Yeah Costa Rica stepping up and doing us a favor was a really nice thing to wake up to see.
if the USA hadn’t lost 1-0 to Panama, we’d be 10 points clear and sitting pretty comfortable. As it stands, that last window will still be a nail biter, especially if we drop points in this window. I’ll be watching the US vs Canada Sunday at 3, instead of the NFL. Maybe I’ll put the soccer on the iPad and place it on the ottoman that sits between my couch and the tv.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I read a little bit, mainly about the soccer culture there and they sound looney. I could see not going out because getting mobbed because you're a club superstar but just cause they lost, that's bordering on...no wait, the is full on loserdom.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Soccer is a game that needs chemistry and continuity with players. And there are many factors that contribute to this team having none. They are very young, the roster has been too fluid because of injuries, and you could probably blame the coach for his selections. Even if we were to have things wrapped up before the last 3 match window in March, I’d still want our strongest team fielded because they just need to keep playing together.
And for how good we think this group is, they are still nowhere near England (they have a golden generation too), France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Not only are they way more talented, but they play together so much more often.
getting out of group play in Qatar will be a success in my eyes. And in 4 years, it’s an expectation.
Squeaking by Central American teams isn’t sexy, but the US did we we thought they’d do by outshooting them 14-5 or whatever it was. Could have easily been a 3-0 game. Did Turner have to do anything? I watched the game from Riley’s Pour House in Carnegie with no sound as there was an acoustic guy performing.
and for as listless it seemed to some, this team was pretty fun to watch in the summer when they beat Mexico twice for two trophies.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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3 points in the back pocket is all that matters. 1st game back, I expect a little more sunday in Hamilton. Canada probably got in early this morning and it seems like from looking at the box score they were on the back foot atleast with possession. They may have a light session today but I doubt they have any intense training sessions over the next 2 days.
Plus no Phonsie or Eustaquio is key for the US to come out with 3 and then take 3 against Honduras.
Hoping for the last 3 we have a nice and healthy Reyna that has game minutes under him. What a nice problem to have for Berhalter...
A. Super solid options between the sticks with Steffen or Turner
B. Depth up front with CP, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson
If Pepi can really continue to develop it would be great.
Would love to see a little more depth in midfield though. When your backups are Roldan and Acosta...no bueno. Acosta can be solid but isn't consistent.
I actually do like Jordan Morris, I just wish he would have given Europe a serious chance instead of staying comfy in the U.S. a handful of years back.
I like our depth in the back too. Guys like Shaq Moore didn’t even get a call up.
these are good problems to have. I just want to see Pulisic, Reyna and Pepi get a string of games together.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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I thought the CB was going to be a problem but they are really solid at this position. Walker Zimmerman is a gem that came really out of nowhere. Miles Robinson, solid. Chris Richards, emerging/solid. John Brooks when he has his head out of his ass, very solid. Aaron Long if he is fully rehabbed from his achilles injury, very solid.
They try to play too much fancy soccer in my opinion. Need to be more direct, especially against these CONCACAF teams. Now, when they play Mexico and the Euro nations, I suppose it gives us an advantage that we didn’t have 20 years ago, but I personally miss the grit and toughness of the late 90s/early 2000s teams.
I think the plan was always to play Pepi in the more difficult game. Not sure you see many changes besides that. Robinson and McKenzie are out of season (well I think Belgium is) as is Aaronson so that's why you aren't seeing them.
Not to mention our #9 has been out of season too. So some players were going to be rusty. I don’t get that selection at all though. Guess it shows you what berhalter thinks of Sargeant. The roster was picked before he scored his two goals last week, but he’s in season.
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anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a
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Id like to see Pepi and Aaronson in Sunday to start. Aaronson over Weah only because he has tremendous endurance and pace, his motor never stops and that could really make life difficult for the Canadian back line. Then bring in Weah as a sub for whoever Berhalter chooses for fresh pace. Weah is coming off an injury and has had limited minutes with Lille the past week so I can’t see him getting the start in reality.
I’d make sure Miles is nice and loose in case Richards struggles though
I’d make sure Miles is nice and loose in case Richards struggles though
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