The 2021 Gold Cup

[Knoxtnhorn 5971]

"Never"  ... beer.

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

I'm OK with the US not sending its A side to this tournament. Many of the fresh faces we saw in the Nations League are tired from a long season, and we'll need them rested and rejuvenated for three WCQ matches in nine days in a couple of months.

Plus, hack-a-thon tournaments like this are tailor-made for our MLS depth. Let the domestics take most of the bumps and bruises (fingers crossed, that's all), cap tie some promising talents like Busio, and coach 'em up to reach the semis. Anything more is gravy.

Hopefully, this hand-wringing will be for naught and those we want to see will be subbed in during the second 45.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Braff Zacklin
Used "hopefully" three times. Also, out of rep for a while. Apparently shot my wad during today's Euro and last night's Copa finals.

[ztejas 43411]

The back 4 we are running out makes the midfield look really good. Like, at least we have some known quantities with more than a handful of caps out there. So there's that...

[Knoxtnhorn 5971]

I almost feel like this lineup is a way for Beerholder to say, "See?" when the US wins 5-0.  I hate these types of games because I hate when we play obviously overmatched teams.  Especially given the assassination.

Note: yes I saw the T&T game a few years ago.

[ztejas 43411]

I also give Lletget props for piping Becky G. 

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

2 minutes ago, ztejas said:

I also give Lletget props for piping Becky G. 

Obligatory:

[Knoxtnhorn 5971]

Jesus.  We're hyping Lletget right now.

[Knoxtnhorn 5971]

I was just about to say something about Lletget's girlfriend.  @Braff Zacklin is all over it.

[ztejas 43411]

1 minute ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

Jesus.  We're hyping Lletget right now.

I'm just waiting for them to air the tell-all interview with USMNT superstar Kellyn Acosta.

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

Just now, Knoxtnhorn said:

I was just about to say something about Lletget's girlfriend.  @Braff Zacklin is all over it.

I wish. Don't think Lletget would be too happy about that, either, but I'm willing to take one for the team.

(In all honesty, @ztejas was first to mention Becky G.)

[ztejas 43411]

When the fuck is kickoff?

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

About 7 o'clock (8 o'clock for you CDT folks).

Edited July 12, 2021 by Braff Zacklin

[Zepol87 9185]

8:06 or something like that 

Edited July 12, 2021 by Zepol87

[ztejas 43411]

Just now, Braff Zacklin said:

About 7 o'clock.

Well... 8 for me... 

I hate when they advertise the time that coverage starts and not the kickoff time. 

[Knoxtnhorn 5971]

Going back to Olympic qualification,  I sure am glad shitty Atlanta FC, with 2 wins in 12 games, held on to two players that may have made a difference.

[ztejas 43411]

These kits are growing on me, ngl. 

[RamjetFDO 10575]

These kits are growing on me, ngl. 

These kits need to be banished to the 90s time warp from where they came.

[ztejas 43411]

Just now, RamjetFDO said:

2 minutes ago, ztejas said:

These kits are growing on me, ngl. 

These kits need to be banished to the 90s time warp from where they came.

The stripes on the socks are fucking stupid. But the shorts are solid. I think they'd be okay if they just wore all blue or white socks maybe. 

[ztejas 43411]

I actually can't beleive we're starting fucking Zardes with Hoppe and Dike on the bench. 

Oh wait... yes I can. 

[Hagbard Celine 10850]

what a day

[WBT 20561]

Solid euphemism game with the moment of silence for the Haitian president who "passed away"

[ztejas 43411]

Acosta...

[ztejas 43411]

What position is Shaq Moore playing? That's twice now he's our furthest player up the right side. 

[WBT 20561]

Guess #14 thought that wide open net would have been too easy and decided to cross

[Jive Turkey 12594]

Why do I have to see Zardes in the red white and blue in 2021?

[Fudbelty 2787]

Goooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllll

[Chips O'Toole 1322]

That was pretty neat. 

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

When it comes to beating the US in my lifetime, Haiti has no president.

Err, I meant precedent.

 

 

(Too soon?)

[Hagbard Celine 10850]

2 minutes ago, Jive Turkey said:

Why do I have to see Zardes in the red white and blue in 2021?

blame he rona

[ztejas 43411]

4 minutes ago, Jive Turkey said:

Why do I have to see Zardes in the red white and blue in 2021?

Because Hoppe might accidentally finish a chance or two and we aren't trying to run up the score on a team under such political duress as Haiti. 

(It was a nice assist though)

Edited July 12, 2021 by ztejas

[Hagbard Celine 10850]

after watching argentina/brazil and italy/england this is.......   different

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

So catch me up on the USMNT.  Is this the B squad?  Seems like a lot of young guys.  Isn't it a good idea to get them experience?

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Just now, Hagbard Celine said:

after watching argentina/brazil and italy/england this is.......   different

It is a lot fucking slower, that is for sure.

[ztejas 43411]

That ball by Shaq 

[RamjetFDO 10575]

Nipple tweaked something...

[ztejas 43411]

1 minute ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

So catch me up on the USMNT.  Is this the B squad?  Seems like a lot of young guys.  Isn't it a good idea to get them experience?

I'd say between the C+ and B- squad. A few 2nd stringers. Mostly 3 and 4 deeps. 

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

2 minutes ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

So catch me up on the USMNT.  Is this the B squad?  Seems like a lot of young guys.  Isn't it a good idea to get them experience?

Yes. Borderline C. Call it B-/C+.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Just now, ztejas said:

I'd say between the C+ and B- squad. A few 2nd stringers. Mostly 3 and 4 deeps. 

So basically, the USMNT doesn't give a shit about winning the Gold Cup, right?

[ztejas 43411]

So... is this Shaq guy actually a back? He seems more like a winger to me... 

Color guy wondering the same thing 😂

Edited July 12, 2021 by ztejas

[WBT 20561]

7 minutes ago, Hagbard Celine said:

blame he rona

Joe Corona?

[A-Tex Devil 2446]

I get it’s Haiti, but Shaq Moore looks good.  That first touch ahead of the goal to start that sequence was nice. 

[ztejas 43411]

Just now, A-Tex Devil said:

I get it’s Haiti, but Shaq Moore looks good.  That first touch ahead of the goal to start that sequence was nice. 

His cross game into the box is fantastic and has nothing to do with who we're playing. I mean, he'd have less space against a better defending team but be clearly has some nice touch on the ball from the right side. 

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

That's a pathetically soft foul call.

[ztejas 43411]

This back 4 or 3 or whatever we are playing is not good. Mexico would have a field day. 

@Braff Zacklin yeah that was awful. Fairly inconsequential though - it was their ball. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by ztejas

[ztejas 43411]

What the fuck was that? Offsides? When? Fucking CONCACAF. 

[Hagbard Celine 10850]

5 minutes ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

So basically, the USMNT doesn't give a shit about winning the Gold Cup, right?

it's fluid

[Trey3216 15343]

2 minutes ago, ztejas said:

What the fuck was that? Offsides? When? Fucking CONCACAF. 

A long long time ago, in a far away galaxy.  

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

C'mon, Demolition Man, make a play.

[RamjetFDO 10575]

What the fuck was that? Offsides? When? Fucking CONCACAF. 

3 matches ago.

They have to let the play develop to see who wins the match first before they call it.

It's a new CONCACRAP rule.

[ztejas 43411]

Looking at Shaq's club history. He's in the Spanish 2nd league right now but got 6 apps with Levante in La Liga. Not bad. Just 24. 

And he continues to be a problem down the right side. Sure it's Haiti but he's my MOTM so far. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by ztejas