U.S. men’s soccer is Ron Obvious from the Monty Python skit. They’ve got this … enormous talent, this … really, huge talent, …
I expect Canada to lose to Mexico just so they get to play the USA!
Countdown to when Poch leaves. I’m thinking as soon as a nice opening presents itself in the EPL or La Liga.
In the first few minutes USA’s forwards were trying to get timed runs forward and PAN appeared to be flat-footed, but the ball never came, as the backs were content to pass the ball amongst themselves. I think they gave up that strategy after awhile.
Poch’s comments on not substituting players were a little weird
Sadly, I was watching the Spanish-language broadcast and didn’t understand what happened after the goal:
From The Guardian:
Perhaps helpfully, Pochettino has been exposed as a merely mortal coach. The halo is gone. The players in his care are the same as they were under Berhalter, more or less. They have the same shortcomings they’ve always had: A knack for starting crucial games shorn of the requisite energy, and a chronic difficulty picking apart low defensive blocks. There may yet be value in this realization.
Well, rational people understand that the USMNT is not a great team in the same tier as the top or even second-level Euro teams. And they understand that a few top players were out and the team is woefully shallow in the depth department.
The article then tries to equate this loss to other great teams who had lost matches leading up to their hosting WC’s. Again, USMNT is not a great team like those teams. Currently 16th in FIFA World Rankings, which might not be accurate, but it’s not THAT inaccurate. Sheesh, probably lower than 20th-ranked after this International Break.
I agree with all this, but still think it’s entirely reasonable to expect a home W against a minnow like Panama.
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Second home loss in a row.
To be fair, that goal came pretty effin’ late. Could have put them in at the 60’ or 75’ mark, I guess.
Also, ESPN wags complaining about the attendance.
The MEX-CAN match was more full. People buying tix didn’t HAVE to come for the USA match. I was looking for tix and there weren’t all that many tix available.
And yes, way too expensive, especially the resale markup.
More piling on from people who, I guess thought USMNT was very good.
No worries. Not like 2018, I mean. USMNT already qualifies.
O, Canada.
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Was unable to watch this largely meaningless game but did Canada deserve the W? Did they have another small crowd?
I didn’t get free from work in time to watch it, but I did hear several unhappy American commentators really concerned about what it means for the World Cup, given the USMNT performance and attendance.
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Crowds will be there the later game.
Oh, people will hold their noses and come to the USA to watch their team in a World Cup. We also have plenty of people of other descents who already live here.
Overcharge and the market will decide.
The 1994 attendance average record will be broken.
Just rewound. Damn, that’s a fairly empty stadium.
The question is whether Americans will come to World Cup matches to watch Team USA play.
At least the World Cup will have the advantage of not competing with the opening weekend of March madness.
Ah.
Matches will have to be hyped.
Oh, there were a few jackasses on the team doing a tRump dance back in November. That will turn some off.
I’m also noticing more fans in Mexican colored garb than American.
Also, thinking about it, a consolation soccer match competing with March madness, and a very large stadium…perfect recipe for a thin-seeming crowd.
At least, if my eyes don’t deceive me, it’s a nice 4K stream.
Canada deserved it IMO.
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Canada probably wanted it more for a lot of reasons
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I am now hearing reports that there were less than 5,000 fans in the stands at the start of the USA-Canada match? Will be interesting to see the attendance for the CONCACAF Gold Cup matches in the US in June. I expect the numbers will not be impressive.
Canada is playing Ukraine and Ivory Coast in early June in Toronto. Tempted to time my next Toronto trip to catch one of those matches.