Copa America 2024 back in the USA!!

[Ted Lange 16083]

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

Just now, Macklemore said:

Huge embarrassment for Mexico to get grouped. Hope we don’t join them holding our heads in shame tomorrow night.

[tokamak 6391]

CONCACAF looking rough so far

[WBT 20561]

1 minute ago, Macklemore said:

Huge embarrassment for Mexico to get grouped. Hope we don’t join them holding our heads in shame tomorrow night.

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

Just now, tokamak said:

CONCACAF looking rough so far

We are who we thought we were?

[Captain Ron 12866]

The ref goes to the monitor and comes back with the announcement;

 

 

[Napoleon 8660]

11 minutes ago, WBT said:

que lastima

Triste, no?

[BrickHorn 18216]

They didn’t play well, but I enjoyed Mexico’s Overlook Hotel Room 237 carpet pattern kits today.

Edited July 1 by BrickHorn

[Longboard Horn 40290]

11 hours ago, InkaUtexas said:

I think Mexico kills ecuador. Hope I am wrong.

But the Jamaica/Venezuela game could be fun.

You were wrong 

 

[Longboard Horn 40290]

I've said this before and I'll say it again: over the last decade when it comes to international teams no one has collapsed worse than Mexico.

[Braff Zacklin 13552]

2 hours ago, Longboard Horn said:

You were wrong 

There might be one of these for the USMNT later today, but at least we got to have some fun yesterday.

[Wiler77 1566]

2 hours ago, Longboard Horn said:

I've said this before and I'll say it again: over the last decade when it comes to international teams no one has collapsed worse than Mexico.

I don't follow this as closely as many of you, but I'm really curious as to the reason why. It's a country of 120M+, and soccer is without question the most popular sport. They've never been a consistent threat at a global level, but they've always been "pretty good". They are straight up garbage now.

Why the downfall? Why have they never been better than "pretty good".

https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2024-06-27/mexico-copa-america-loss-venezuela-new-low

 

Some interesting points in this article from a few days ago, but nothing into the why. They are struggling at all levels, from u17 and up. Nothing into why the talent pool is dried up.

[Longboard Horn 40290]

2 minutes ago, Wiler77 said:

I don't follow this as closely as many of you, but I'm really curious as to the reason why. It's a country of 120M+, and soccer is without question the most popular sport. They've never been a consistent threat at a global level, but they've always been "pretty good". They are straight up garbage now.

Why the downfall? Why have they never been better than "pretty good".

https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2024-06-27/mexico-copa-america-loss-venezuela-new-low

 

Some interesting points in this article from a few days ago, but nothing into the why. They are struggling at all levels, from u17 and up. Nothing into why the talent pool is dried up.

A lot of their team is "older" and they don't develop the young talent or give them a chance for the international team like they used to back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Also, over the last few years I've noticed that a lot of younger talent from Mexico applies for US citizenship so they have a chance to showcase what they do on a big boy stage.  

[Captain Ron 12866]

1 hour ago, Wiler77 said:

I don't follow this as closely as many of you, but I'm really curious as to the reason why. It's a country of 120M+, and soccer is without question the most popular sport. They've never been a consistent threat at a global level, but they've always been "pretty good". They are straight up garbage now.

Why the downfall? Why have they never been better than "pretty good".

https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2024-06-27/mexico-copa-america-loss-venezuela-new-low

 

Some interesting points in this article from a few days ago, but nothing into the why. They are struggling at all levels, from u17 and up. Nothing into why the talent pool is dried up.

 

 

Stop me if you've heard this one before: Their federation has prioritized the finances of their domestic league over player development.

I haven't looked directly at this within the confines of the mexican league, but what I've read, heard:

older big names players getting caps over younger up and coming players

Big club players getting priority over smaller clubs

Players being persuaded to NOT go to Europe and stay in Mexico to play

 

In the end there is a generation of players that just have dropped off from what they were.

[Wiler77 1566]

2 hours ago, Captain Ron said:

 

 

Stop me if you've heard this one before: Their federation has prioritized the finances of their domestic league over player development.

I haven't looked directly at this within the confines of the mexican league, but what I've read, heard:

older big names players getting caps over younger up and coming players

Big club players getting priority over smaller clubs

Players being persuaded to NOT go to Europe and stay in Mexico to play

 

In the end there is a generation of players that just have dropped off from what they were.

OK that makes sense for why they've dropped precipitously in the past decade.  USMNT would struggle even more if they encouraged all their talent to stay in the MLS.  We've even prioritized MLS players over others in recent memory with predictable results..  Historically did Mexico have a lot of players go to Europe?

I'm still curious why they've never been more than a top 10-15 soccer nation on a global stage.  They have 2 WC qtr finals in their history, and that's it.  No Copa titles.  Maybe it comes down to genetics.  The average male height in Mexico is on the low end in the Americas, which puts it on the very low end among the rest of the truly competitive soccer nations.

Or are you saying the problems you outlined above has been Mexico's problem for 50 years?

[Captain Ron 12866]

35 minutes ago, Wiler77 said:

OK that makes sense for why they've dropped precipitously in the past decade.  USMNT would struggle even more if they encouraged all their talent to stay in the MLS.  We've even prioritized MLS players over others in recent memory with predictable results..  Historically did Mexico have a lot of players go to Europe?

I'm still curious why they've never been more than a top 10-15 soccer nation on a global stage.  They have 2 WC qtr finals in their history, and that's it.  No Copa titles.  Maybe it comes down to genetics.  The average male height in Mexico is on the low end in the Americas, which puts it on the very low end among the rest of the truly competitive soccer nations.

Or are you saying the problems you outlined above has been Mexico's problem for 50 years?

So on the issues I outlined

Europe -

Mexico used to get a good number before. But it has dropped off. I count 7 in the Big 5 of Europe:

https://us.soccerway.com/players/players_abroad/mexico/

Same look up for the USA - 27

On their development- this has been the biggest issue. You need to identify and develop your youth. Mexico missed a generation and is paying a price right now. The big clubs want their players featured and for some reason (likely corruption/kickbacks) they get them on the national team. This caused a generation of younger players to level off.

I would ID their issue as systematic within the last 10 or so years.

Historical/ranking

I would say this top 10-15 puts them in the 2nd tier of the World. Which isn't bad. You have basically a top 5 and then a drop and then your next 10 or so, which are good teams. But being in that group guarantees nothing. 

And it has nothing to do with genetics. Being tall isn't a requirement for soccer. It helps, but can be overcome. The current GOAT of soccer, Messi: 5'7"

[Ted Lange 16083]

GOODNIGHT MEXICO (fan)

 

 

[WBT 20561]

At least Fox's ratings are going to tank now with Mexico and the US out.

 

[InkaUtexas 25857]

1 hour ago, WBT said:

At least Fox's ratings are going to tank now with Mexico and the US out.

 

And with that there will be an increase on US Soccer to get its shit together. I hope.

[Captain Ron 12866]

1 hour ago, WBT said:

At least Fox's ratings are going to tank now with Mexico and the US out.

 

 

I'm sure it was the whole Sunday/Monday thing - but I don't understand why we were on FS1 when Mexico was on Fox proper.

[InkaUtexas 25857]

5 minutes ago, Captain Ron said:

 

I'm sure it was the whole Sunday/Monday thing - but I don't understand why we were on FS1 when Mexico was on Fox proper.

I dont know their monday line up, but pretty better than this game.

[Hagbard Celine 10849]

reminder that brazil and colombia square off in an hour and brazil fans are scared shitless they are facing a beating from a side they have traditionally pwned

we thought our games were rockfights, the snipers will be out in force tonight

[Captain Ron 12866]

Holy shit. 7’ and CR is already up 2-0!!!! 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8817]

Absolutely filthy free kick

[Captain Ron 12866]

Colombia has advanced.

Brazil advances with any result. They will also advance with a loss so long as Costa Rica does not make up 6 goals of GD. 

Costa Rica needs to win and for Brazil to lose and make up 6 goals of GD. 

 

Brazil just scored on a beauty of a free kick about 30 yards out. 1-0. 

[Captain Ron 12866]

Colombia scores, but iwas called offsides. I am curious how this check plays out.

[Captain Ron 12866]

A player was clearly offsides, but he wasn't the player who scored (Sanchez). I can't tell Sanchez for sure - to me that's off, then again this could go to the strange line machine.

[Captain Ron 12866]

Jesus Dellacamera! He wasn't "pointing at the keeper"!!!! He had his arm up signalling OFFSIDES!!! 

[InkaUtexas 25857]

Been a fun game. Want Colombia to win.

[Captain Ron 12866]

Yeah, rooting for Colombia.

 

I gotta say that looks like a foul/penalty to me.

[Jerry Callo 8695]

How does VAR determine anything with those shitty camera angles 

 

[Jerry Callo 8695]

Great save

[Captain Ron 12866]

Christ Alisson! What was that!?!?!?

They didn't make him pay on that boner, but they did score not long after.

[Jerry Callo 8695]

Nice shot

[InkaUtexas 25857]

VAMOS COLOMBIA!!!!!

 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8817]

US would get creamed by any of these teams so don’t feel too bad about bowing out early

[WBT 20561]

Fun game.  Best of the tournament so far?

[Captain Ron 12866]

4 minutes ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

US would get creamed by any of these teams so don’t feel too bad about bowing out early

We would have drawn Colombia and they skull fucked us last time up.

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

I love that Brazil stays true to their uniforms. You can always tell it’s Brazil. 

 

[Captain Ron 12866]

This is from the same place. He scored the last one. Let’s see what he does here.

[InkaUtexas 25857]

I hope this game goes to Extra Time.

Edited July 3 by InkaUtexas
Trying to type on two threads.

[MNLonghornFUKM 8817]

I love that Brazil stays true to their uniforms. You can always tell it’s Brazil. 
 

lol blitzkrieg game ftw

[Derka 6145]

viva colombia 

 

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

5 minutes ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

lol blitzkrieg game ftw

Yup, picked that GIF for that reason.

 

[Derka 6145]

holy shit how did colombia not finish that.

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

Wow, such a great chance for Colombia. Put it over the crossbar

[InkaUtexas 25857]

No idea. That was for the taking.

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

I’ve been trying to figure out why all these other games are so much more enjoyable than our games.

It can’t just be that we are emotionally invested in Team U.S.A. 

And that being the case our games just eat us up inside.

[Captain Ron 12866]

They aren't going to advance, but Costa Rica might hold on for their win in Austin. They just saved a goal line attempt by Paraguay in a 2-1 game.

[Captain Ron 12866]

3 minutes ago, PittsburghTiger said:

I’ve been trying to figure out why all these other games are so much more enjoyable than our games.

It can’t just be that we are emotionally invested in Team U.S.A. 

And that being the case our games just eat us up inside.

I think the biggest part is our emotional investment. And us losing 2 games - one of which was a disaster - SUUUUUUUUUUUCKS.

But the real thing, at least to me, is the fact that in a lot of the games that are not the US you get to watch two well coached, well disciplined teams. A lot of the stuff we bitch the US doesn't have? Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, etc have it in spades. Watching 2 great teams is fun. And the US games already lack 1 great team.