US Soccer/2019 Gold Cup/Road to Qatar 2022

[killerleft]

Univision had most of the Gold Cup on TV here in San Antonio. Instead of USMNT they are showing Mexico vs. Honduras during the same time slot. I hope you don't mind brushing up on your Spanish. I know some Portuguese so was able to pick out a few words, but mainly watched on low volume.

Two years of high school Spanish almost 50 years ago. Those brain cells are MIA. The announcers could make a spelling bee sound exciting, so I'll cope.

[mph]

There’s a lot more change in the US starting lineup than I expected. No Adams, Aaronson, or Pepi.

[Acymetric]

A little shaky so far...

[killerleft]

The Panamanians are thoroughly outplaying us. They should be up by one. Our passing is horrible.

[killerleft]

Turner with a very nice save to stop a Panamanian break.

[mph]

It’s a good thing Turner is doing some work. Other than Turner, there might not be another player on this team who would start it we played our best 11.

We need changes at the half. Adams would disrupt the Panamanians in the midfield and Aaronson would create more continuity on our attack. Dest could also create more danger going forward.

[killerleft]

ANY danger going forward would be much appreciated. Medio tiempo.

[Acymetric]

Well, time to see if the US can respond and avoid a loss here.

[mph]

The announcers’ talk of “coming out flat” and “not wanting it more” is misplaced. This wasn’t a lack of effort but a lack of continuity and bad passing. That falls primarily on Berhalter. Though not as egregious as Honduras, he once again got too cute with the lineup and we wasted 45 minutes with a team clearly unable to create chances.

[killerleft]

I wish I hadn't seen that. Panama didn't look too good, but we stunk the place up.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Well, time to see if the US can respond and avoid a loss here.

So from the following, I'm guessing the answer was "nope".

I wish I hadn't seen that. Panama didn't look too good, but we stunk the place up.

(I followed box score, and got less hopeful as the minutes piled up.)

[YmoBeThere]

Medio tiempo.

Looks like some of those synapses reconnected.


Glad I wasn't able to see it, would have been the topper to another not so great sports weekend, 1-4.

[CDu]

A costly loss for the US yesterday. Had they won, they'd be sitting 5 points up on 4th-place Costa Rica. A draw would have left them 3 points up on Costa Rica and Panama in 4th. Instead, they are one point up on 4th-place Canada.

Our guys host Costa Rica Wednesday, and a win feels pretty important. Doing so would leave us at least 3 points clear of 4th (if Canada wins or draws).

To be fair on the lineup choices, the 3 games in a week schedule makes things difficult. They would have had to sit those guys Wednesday if they had started them Sunday on the heels of a match earlier last week. In this compressed schedule, depth is crucial. And our depth (already tested by the absences of Reyna, Pulisic, McKennie, Dest, and Robinson due to injuries and Robinson due to COVID restrictions) didn't quite show up last night.

Hopefully we can get the win at home on Wednesday and get back to being a game clear of 4th place.

[mph]

US V Costa Rica is set to kick off in minutes. I like the lineup and Berhalter’s pregame description of how the US plan to play. Executing against a likely packed in Costa Rican defense will be another matter. Especially with one of the world’s top keepers waiting behind the back line.

Let’s go USA!

[Acymetric]

Thanks for the reminder, I would have completely missed it!

[Acymetric]

I'm slightly less thankful for the reminder than I was 5 minutes ago.

[mph]

Thanks for the reminder, I would have completely missed it!

I hope your still thanking me. That was a horrendous start.

[Acymetric]

I'm slightly less thankful for the reminder than I was 5 minutes ago.

I hope your still thanking me. That was a horrendous start.

It was touch and go, I'm feeling a little better about it now though.

[mph]

Dest! What a strike!!!

[Acymetric]

Dest! What a strike!!!

That's more like it!