Jordan Posted 7 July 2013 Posted 7 July 2013 a.k.a. "More Summer Football" a.k.a. "The Other, Other, Other Continental Championship" a.k.a. "Hey, What Is Frédéric Piquionne Up To These Days?" The winner of this tournament plays the winner of the 2015 Gold Cup in a playoff to determine CONCACAF's 2017 Confederations Cup entrant (unless the same team wins both tournaments, in which case the point becomes moot). USA is playing mostly a B-team, but have mixed in a few former regulars that are looking to regain their spots in the squad (like Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, and Stuart Holden). Battle-weary Mexico, who have just played 3 WCQs and 3 Confederations Cup matches, are pretty much leaving out all of their regulars. Most of the other teams are playing what are closer to their full-strength squads. The first game is in the books, where this guy named Fabrice Reuperné just scored a rocket from outside the box in the 93rd minute to give Martinique a 1-0 win over Canada. Way to go, Canucks; you just lost to a team that isn't even its own country!
Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 Why is this tournament every 2 years? It should be every 4 years like the European Championship and Copa America.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 Subscribed to ESPN for the month just for this tournament Always promises goals and if there aren't many goals it's usually surprises, such as the first two matches!
Jordan Posted 8 July 2013 Author Posted 8 July 2013 Why is this tournament every 2 years? It should be every 4 years like the European Championship and Copa America. CONCACAF will say, ostensibly, that it's to give its smaller sides more experience, which will increase parity within the confederation. This may be true to some extent, but knowing CONCACAF, the real reason has to do with money. It's worth noting that this tournament is almost always held in the U.S., where nearly every team can count on a large expatriate following attending their matches in this tournament. Subscribed to ESPN for the month just for this tournament Always promises goals and if there aren't many goals it's usually surprises, such as the first two matches! Yes, not to mention a few fierce political rivalries that spill over on the field--as examples, we'll have USA vs Cuba and El Salvador vs Honduras.Mexico 1-2 Panama is certainly a noteworthy score but I didn't think it was as big of a shock as a lot of others are suggesting. These days, a Mexico B team is probably not the favorite (or at least not a clear-cut favorite) against a Panama A team. Panama beat the USA in the group stage in 2011 (before losing a narrow rematch in the semifinal) and also drew Mexico's A team in a recent World Cup qualifier.
Guest MattP Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 Why do Mexico play in this and the Copa America? The COMMEBOL federation invite two nations to play in it every tournmanent, Mexico are always one of them. The US have played in it before and Japan even took up the offer once.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 CONCACAF will say, ostensibly, that it's to give its smaller sides more experience, which will increase parity within the confederation. This may be true to some extent, but knowing CONCACAF, the real reason has to do with money. It's worth noting that this tournament is almost always held in the U.S., where nearly every team can count on a large expatriate following attending their matches in this tournament. Yes, not to mention a few fierce political rivalries that spill over on the field--as examples, we'll have USA vs Cuba and El Salvador vs Honduras. Mexico 1-2 Panama is certainly a noteworthy score but I didn't think it was as big of a shock as a lot of others are suggesting. These days, a Mexico B team is probably not the favorite (or at least not a clear-cut favorite) against a Panama A team. Panama beat the USA in the group stage in 2011 (before losing a narrow rematch in the semifinal) and also drew Mexico's A team in a recent World Cup qualifier. No agree, the Panama score not so much as a shock, especially compared with the Martinique score who, by the way, were full value for their win. Canada were on the ropes at times and full credit to them. Is a bit of a shame the Mexico B team is out there with the Confederations Cup just before but I guess it opens things up for the USA et al to get a look in. Tonight is probably considered the least glamorous of the three groups? Still intriguing, especially with the political issues surrounding El Salvador and Honduras as you mentioned. Really glad ESPN are giving this the full treatment this year. Two years ago I think Eurosport made a half-hearted effort and I had to rely on downloads.
Kitchandro Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 The COMMEBOL federation invite two nations to play in it every tournmanent, Mexico are always one of them. The US have played in it before and Japan even took up the offer once. ah ok
Manwell Pablo Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 Wouldn't mind watching some of this but Kick off times are ridiculous for those of us meaningful day time employment!
Jordan Posted 8 July 2013 Author Posted 8 July 2013 No agree, the Panama score not so much as a shock, especially compared with the Martinique Tonight is probably considered the least glamorous of the three groups? Still intriguing, especially with the political issues surrounding El Salvador and Honduras as you mentioned. Really glad ESPN are giving this the full treatment this year. Two years ago I think Eurosport made a half-hearted effort and I had to rely on downloads. I agree that nobody can have complaints about the Canada-Martinique score. The young Canadian team really did look shaky.Group B may not be so "glamorous" but any team in that group--even the relatively obscure Haiti squad--is capable of advancing. I'd have told you that was the closest group out of the three before this tournament started but we'll see about that now that Group A is wide open. Even though Honduras has had a few problems with injuries and discipline (Jerry Bengston was kicked off the squad last month), they must still be considered favorites. Look out for 20-year-old Andy Najar on the right wing for them. He's a tricky winger that's been a recent call-up to their squad, and just secured a $3m transfer to Anderlect after a bright start to his pro career at DC United. Their back line plays physically and are tough. That said, T&T and El Salvador are really going to go for it out there. This tournament is relatively more important for them than Honduras, who have had WC qualifying to worry about. Edit to add that it's funny that you get the tournament on ESPN, because it's not on ESPN here; it's on Fox Soccer Channel instead. TV rights for this are being managed by a Brazilian company called "Traffic Group" that always strikes me as being a little slimy.
AS78UK Posted 8 July 2013 Posted 8 July 2013 CONCACAF will say, ostensibly, that it's to give its smaller sides more experience, which will increase parity within the confederation. This may be true to some extent, but knowing CONCACAF, the real reason has to do with money. It's worth noting that this tournament is almost always held in the U.S., where nearly every team can count on a large expatriate following attending their matches in this tournament. Yes, not to mention a few fierce political rivalries that spill over on the field--as examples, we'll have USA vs Cuba and El Salvador vs Honduras. Mexico 1-2 Panama is certainly a noteworthy score but I didn't think it was as big of a shock as a lot of others are suggesting. These days, a Mexico B team is probably not the favorite (or at least not a clear-cut favorite) against a Panama A team. Panama beat the USA in the group stage in 2011 (before losing a narrow rematch in the semifinal) and also drew Mexico's A team in a recent World Cup qualifier. A mate of mind had his single biggest bet on Panama at 5/1 £400. Gutted he didn't tell me in advance! Crazy odds for Mexico B team.
Jordan Posted 8 July 2013 Author Posted 8 July 2013 A mate of mind had his single biggest bet on Panama at 5/1 £400. Gutted he didn't tell me in advance! Crazy odds for Mexico B team.
Jordan Posted 9 July 2013 Author Posted 9 July 2013 The Football Federation of Belize's president said, "I call on our national team to not only beat the United States, but to humiliate them." No pressure, then, for the Jaguars, ranked 130th in the world and playing in their first ever tounament outside Central America. Both games on the perfect Red Bull Arena grass last night were played at 1,000 mph. El Salvador and T&T played an entertaining 2-2 draw. Honduras got an expected 2-0 win but to be fair, that scoreline flatters them greatly. Haiti dominated the first 70 minutes of that game but were undone by atrocious finishing and questionable substitution choices by their manager.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 10 July 2013 Posted 10 July 2013 The Football Federation of Belize's president said, "I call on our national team to not only beat the United States, but to humiliate them." No pressure, then, for the Jaguars, ranked 130th in the world and playing in their first ever tounament outside Central America. Both games on the perfect Red Bull Arena grass last night were played at 1,000 mph. El Salvador and T&T played an entertaining 2-2 draw. Honduras got an expected 2-0 win but to be fair, that scoreline flatters them greatly. Haiti dominated the first 70 minutes of that game but were undone by atrocious finishing and questionable substitution choices by their manager. Did he also ask to go out and attempt to maim your players as well because one very nearly achieved that. Another big haul against Cuba will set you up nicely for the group decider. Can't see either Cuba or Belize getting one of the two best third-place spots either.
HEGGSY Posted 10 July 2013 Posted 10 July 2013 Comfortable 6-1 win for the US How the ref didn't send Lennan for that two footed challenge, I'll never know. Disgusting tackle.
Jordan Posted 10 July 2013 Author Posted 10 July 2013 There were a couple of ugly tackles in the 2nd half. Diskerud was lucky he was able to play, let alone walk, after Lennan flew in two-footed on him. I wouldn't have minded going to see USA vs Costa Rica as Hartford is a quite reasonable drive from NY, but I've got to be at work that day and the next morning. I'd also have to agree that Belize or Cuba have little chance to sneak into the top 3rd place spot, as both teams should lose their respective next games and have awful goal differences. It looks like finishing 3rd place in groups A and B will require 3 or 4 points.
Bridge Posted 10 July 2013 Posted 10 July 2013 Attended the Belize v U.S. match last night..bit strange to sit in different seats than my ST for the Timbers.It was very warm at KO..couldn"t imagine how hot it was for the first match.Your right about the two footed challenge on Mix Diskerud. Don"t know how it looked on TV but we were all glad to see him be able to finish the 90 minutes on 2 legs.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 10 July 2013 Posted 10 July 2013 Forgot to say, and watching it back... The USA strip is the sex. Superb.
Jordan Posted 10 July 2013 Author Posted 10 July 2013 This cup is awfulYou may have a point: Jorge Ramos of ESPN Deportes is reporting that Belizian player Ian Gaynair said he and a teammate were offered €10k to throw the game vs the USA. So, that's why they lost! P.S.: Yes, USA's kits are excellent--both the "Where's Waldo?" shirt and the USSF centenary shirt with the old school badge. The blue and white away shirt is crap, though.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 17 July 2013 Posted 17 July 2013 Any suspicions raised that Cuba needed to beat Belize 4-0 to go through and ended up beating Belize..... 4-0? Or did they just do brilliantly well...
Manwell Pablo Posted 17 July 2013 Posted 17 July 2013 Any suspicions raised that Cuba needed to beat Belize 4-0 to go through and ended up beating Belize..... 4-0? Or did they just do brilliantly well... Probably dodgey, matters little though they wont win it.
Jordan Posted 17 July 2013 Author Posted 17 July 2013 Any suspicions raised that Cuba needed to beat Belize 4-0 to go through and ended up beating Belize..... 4-0? Or did they just do brilliantly well... There was a Cuban forward offside on the build-up to the last goal, but only just. It's tempting to think that something shady is going on, but then again, Belize is a terrible team. Gaynair was also sent off for Belize late in the game, after which Cuba scored two goals.
Guest MattP Posted 17 July 2013 Posted 17 July 2013 There was a Cuban forward offside on the build-up to the last goal, but only just. It's tempting to think that something shady is going on, but then again, Belize is a terrible team. Gaynair was also sent off for Belize late in the game, after which Cuba scored two goals. Is he the queer verison of Neymar?
Manwell Pablo Posted 17 July 2013 Posted 17 July 2013 If I'm not mistaken there seems to be a couple of games on at a reasonable time this weekend??? as early as 8.30pm over here, Quarter finals as well? Is this right or do I have my times wrong.
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