Official 2021 Gold Cup Thread

[Spurtacular]

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(Prelims Previously Completed)

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[Spurtacular]

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[Spurtacular]

:lol Mexico fans already mad.

https://i.imgur.com/eVS8v4O.png

[Spurtacular]

Brutal.

https://www.diez.hn/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=ZNXbs hkimd0GXmYRKXPjAM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYty_Lq_nyEaitv 3DEWB32yN6FB40xiOfUoExWL3M40tfzssyZqpeG_J0TFo7ZhRa DiHC9oxmioMlYVJD0A$3RbIiibgT65kY_CSDiCiUzvHvODrHAp bd6ry6YGl5GGOZrs-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePpcv-d9VVY

[Spurtacular]

Can't blame the ref for thinking the above play was a dive.
Mexico was committed to the dive early.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjOFih5V2g

[Spurtacular]

We kill their president and then their football dreams.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsGh2HBA__Y

[Spurtacular]

Five Hatian players tested positive for fake sniffles (COVID1984) and aren't allowed to play.
Cos fuck you more, peasant blackies. Clintons say hello.

[Spurtacular]

Not hating on Zardes, but I had thought and hoped USA had moved on from him.
Not liking seeing him in the starting XI.

[Spurtacular]

Starting XI looks like an experimental lineup like the US often does in easy Gold Cup games.
But still shows that the US has not arrived yet (world standards). Top flight teams don't do this sh** in major tournaments.

[Spurtacular]

Paul Arriola is garbage.
Greg Burkhalter is a garbage coach for even having him on the squad.
He's more garbage for starting him.

[Spurtacular]

1-0 in the sixtieth minute.
But USA deserve to lose for starting their B team in the opening game.
Also, for assassinating Haiti's president.

[Spurtacular]

:lol That ending to US-Haiti. Ref way in the box for a front row seat of two or three fouls by Hatian attackers on US defenders to keep the game alive, but no whistle. But it didn't matter. No score; game ended 1-0.

[Spurtacular]

El Salvador vs. Guatemala up next.
Not gonna lie, female ref looked hot at a glance; probably better than any sh** in the NBA.

[Spurtacular]

Total midget ball. Annoying that so many of these players are in MLS.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUy-mdCwidQ

[Phenomanul]

Can't blame the ref for thinking the above play was a dive.
Mexico was committed to the dive early.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjOFih5V2g

The real crime was the ref refusing to even evaluate the replay on the Video Replay System. T&T footballers have a dangerous precedent for hurting Mexican players and causing serious injuries. Lozano (arguably Mexico's best forward) will likely miss World Cup Qualifying because of those hacks. Several years ago, they ruined Cuauhtémoc Blanco's left knee on a vicious tackle straight to the joint. I also recall a serious injury on Claudio Reyna back in the day in a game against the USA.

[Spurtacular]

The real crime was the ref refusing to even evaluate the replay on the Video Replay System. T&T footballers have a dangerous precedent for hurting Mexican players and causing serious injuries. Lozano (arguably Mexico's best forward) will likely miss World Cup Qualifying because of those hacks. Several years ago, they ruined Cuauhtémoc Blanco's left knee on a vicious tackle straight to the joint. I also recall a serious injury on Claudio Reyna back in the day in a game against the USA.

I thought it was a full-on dive until I saw one or two angles that showed the shove to be somewhat substantial.
Nonetheless, this has to be a cautionary tale about diving head first towards an oncoming body. Yes, he could've probably stayed on his feet rather than put himself in danger.
This does suck of Mexico, losing one of their best players for who knows how long. That head whip lashed back like crazy and that eye looked nasty!

Can't ascribe a sinister motive to the T&T guy who nudged him. And re-watching it, the goalkeeper did what he did to keep his speed down and kept his legs in to try and avoid a collision. I think all and all just a freak thing that happened. I have no idea why the ref refused to look at VAR. It's not like he didn't see the guy's f*cked up face and have time to do so.

I don't recall the Claudio Reyna injury; but that dude was a very underappreciated player. To this day, 02 USA is their all-time best team.

[Spurtacular]

Suriname ranked 136 and looking every bit as good as Ecuador, tbh. :lol
They almost had the quick equalizer too.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH-dw5bkLZY

[Spurtacular]

Guadeloupe's defensive mishaps tragic even for minnows.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCrnU7vVNfs

[pgardn]

What a pitiful tournament...

[Spurtacular]

What a pitiful tournament...

Why?

[Spurtacular]

:lol 3:17 CIA faggots


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In5CD-3C0k4&ab_channel=FOXSoccer

[Spurtacular]

Grenada may have the best uniforms, tbh.

https://i.imgur.com/EmaVvi7.png

[Spurtacular]

Honduras population: Ten million
Grenada population: 123K

It'd be great to live in one of these small countries have those kinds of great odds of making the national team, tbh.
Given that discrpenancy, it doesn't say much for Honduras to not be up six goals or more.

[Spurtacular]

Living on the island and playing on the national team would be the life!

https://revitalization.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Grenada-25-998x700.jpeg

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[Spurtacular]

It looks like Grenada's soccer stadium is designed with cricket in mind.
But it's still really nice for an island with only 123K people.

https://mapio.net/images-p/1900456.jpg

[Spurtacular]

I guess it's hard to fill with that low of a population.

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https://www.nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/GRENADA-CricketStatium.jpg

[Spurtacular]

I wonder how this turned out. Dude should've sought punitive damages too, tbh.
It's arrogant of the airlines to lowball him.

https://time.com/2919495/british-airways-sued-for-sending-travelers-to-grenada-instead-of-granada/

[apalisoc_9]

Qatar will probably win this one. Too many terrible teams. Mexico is the only decent country

[Spurtacular]

Apparently a hurricane did some damage against Grenada's stadium at one point.

https://mapio.net/images-p/5239565.jpg

It's still nice when built though.

https://mapio.net/images-p/7233869.jpg

[Spurtacular]

Qatar will probably win this one. Too many terrible teams. Mexico is the only decent country

You're nothing if not committed (to your schtick). Except a faggot maybe, literally. :lol

[Spurtacular]

Good potential for tonight's games, tbh.

https://i.imgur.com/fC2RHua.png

[Spurtacular]

Guatemala too garbage to give Mexico a game.
Sadly, what I had figured.

[Spurtacular]

I ain't bitter towards T&T for their
role in US 2018 WC qualifying.
Not their fault we sucked.
Was hoping they had a game in them
after they got a result against Mexico.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbsUURYbdr4

[Spurtacular]

SMH. Guatemala has a lot of plumbers and bricklayers.
Just put them out of their misery.

[Spurtacular]

Guatemala has a 16.6 million population and these plumbers is the best that Guatemala can do?
Grenada puts forth real athletes with only 123K.
SMH those spear chucker genes just so superior to the bean eater genes.

[Darth_Pelican]

Dike is a beast.

[Spurtacular]

Dike is a beast.

Martinique sucks, so hard to tell.

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_EwAfUgKGg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6beqZA6zUs

[Spurtacular]

Hype at this point; but a good showing nonetheless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlnsorPJYpE

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-MyU29_EEg

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N7FHbOl-ag

[Spurtacular]

Dike injured?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah2mrzakrHQ

[Spurtacular]

Midgets though. Probably a ton of MLS players in this one.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAs-oQSwOBM

[Spurtacular]

Both red cards harsh, IMO.
Now take your CIA sponsored poison, Haitians.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEBQBeQ9r9Y

[Spurtacular]

:lol The white CIA guys and their families in the stands all decked out in the Qatar paraphernalia.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo1fWJkQADw&t=11s

[Spurtacular]

Suriname almost with a result for fun.
:lol That red card late an all-time weak card.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMI2kOBdSvs

[Spurtacular]

Dike is a beast.

The more I see Dike, the more I think he's gonna make USA a power.
It'll be good to see him along side Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Acosta in place of Sargent (Nations League Final front five).
Tyler Adams in place of Acosta.

[Spurtacular]

:lol Ref ordering the player on the bench to stand up before taking his card.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN_sSzxMTmk

[Spurtacular]

Game with bracket implications.
You hate to see the lone goal as the result of a hacked clearance.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9ALvhrp6lg

[Spurtacular]

:lol Qatar are "the reigning champions of Asia"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD7EQeiqHKw

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqq6puIjGSo

[GAustex]

As a team no one flops more than Mexico.
Di Maria is the single biggest flipper.

[Spurtacular]

Doesn't matter if they're "the reigning champions of Asia".
Qatar advancing to a semi is an embarrassment to CONCACAF.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wcWeEnKxVs

[Spurtacular]

Turned it off after the first half.
Five Honduras players out due to fake sniffles.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UtCL169x2A

[Spurtacular]

I thought US were going to bring in their best players for the knockout round. Guess not.

[GAustex]

Dike needs to get in the game

[GAustex]

Winning ugly better than losing

[GAustex]

/

[Spurtacular]

Campbell & Ruiz.
Costa Rica reliant on 2014 WC heroes.
Canada on the rise; they may beat Mexico.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rt70TJqER8

[Spurtacular]

Knockout match-up in four straight Gold Cups.
USA have won the last three since their 2015 shock loss.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbJ9V8Qh5o8

[Spurtacular]

USA vs. Jamaica history: USA national soccer team: record v Jamaica (11v11.com) (https://www.11v11.com/teams/usa/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Jamaica/)

[Spurtacular]

Dike beasted vs. minnows.
But he ain't ready for prime time.
I said it at the outset, Zardes should be starter in knockout rounds.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgr_g_N-5kQ

[Spurtacular]

Damn, how much money did Mexico pay that ref?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dRDqoFCQc0

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0O8EZ_8LgM

[Darth_Pelican]

Dike beasted vs. minnows.
But he ain't ready for prime time.
I said it at the outset, Zardes should be starter in knockout rounds.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgr_g_N-5kQ

He's definitely been a disappointment against better competition, but I'm glad he's getting the experience. That goes for plenty of these young players. You'll never get better if you don't play against guys better/more experienced than you.

[Spurtacular]

He's definitely been a disappointment against better competition, but I'm glad he's getting the experience. That goes for plenty of these young players. You'll never get better if you don't play against guys better/more experienced than you.

Dike needs better ball control. He's still very young.
I won't get started on Greg Burhalter.
Though Matthew Hoppe let into him last night as he was being taken out of the game.

[GAustex]

Both games compelling watch though Mex/Can was poorly refed
Sunday will be fun

[Spurtacular]

Both games compelling watch though Mex/Can was poorly refed
Sunday will be fun

I'm not just joking; I do think that ref got a payday from the Mexicans.
Both those PKs were after VAR. I think it was decided he would call those if there was any justification.
The second was especially egregious. He was looking for anything for a foul and any reason to claim it was in the box.

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3STGIdL9IA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwg9Ga78I2U

[GAustex]

Flopping Mexico and their whining coach.
Not sure US can put them down, but it would be nice if they did.

[Spurtacular]

Flopping Mexico and their whining coach.
Not sure US can put them down, but it would be nice if they did.

US back line has been much more impressive than in recent memory.
But Mexico getting deep with numbers and some comfort all the same.

US looks more potent on chances; but the chances are too limited.

[Spurtacular]

Paul Arriola has been loved by three US coaches in a row.
SMH. I'll never understand it. He's always f'ing up chances.

[Spurtacular]

US with way too many unforced turnovers.

[Spurtacular]

I wouldn't normally be a fan of taking out Lietget.
But he was limping off; so, there must be an issue there.

[Spurtacular]

"How does this stay out?"

One word: Arriola

Though, Zardes should've done better in the first place.

[Spurtacular]

A boot to the head probably should be red.
Can't blame the ref for not wanting to decide a championship that way though.

[Spurtacular]

He's definitely been a disappointment against better competition, but I'm glad he's getting the experience. That goes for plenty of these young players. You'll never get better if you don't play against guys better/more experienced than you.

Matthew Hoppe is the much more skilled attacker and with a definitive physical presence as well.
He has been just as much of revelation if not more.
Dike is a 9 and Hoppe more of an 11 though. So, they're not in direct competition.
Unless US decides to try Hoppe at 9 because Pulisic is pretty set in the 11 spot, tbh.

[Spurtacular]

(Substitute) Roldon making non-composed plays at both ends.

[Spurtacular]

(Substitute) Roldon making non-composed plays at both ends.

Good find there though by Roldan to set up Bussio, who took a terrible shot.

[Spurtacular]

Matthew Hoppe is the much more skilled attacker and with a definitive physical presence as well.
He has been just as much of revelation if not more.
Dike is a 9 and Hoppe more of an 11 though. So, they're not in direct competition.
Unless US decides to try Hoppe at 9 because Pulisic is pretty set in the 11 spot, tbh.

Obviously, 7 (RW) an option for Hoppe too though. So again, Dike and Hoppe can coexist on a line along with Pulisic. The wingers would drop deep as needed and Dike would stay up like a true 9 typically does.

[Spurtacular]

Pizarro could be the danger man for Mexico.
He's running better than Acosta at this point too.

[Spurtacular]

Speaking of Dike, now would be a great time to bring him in.
Burkhalter probably too busy shitting his pants to even think of it though.

[Spurtacular]

Players getting around Hoppe (who moved to the right wing) much easier than Arriola; so, I do understand that part of what Arriola brings. I just get tired of the guy shitting his pants in scoring opportunities.

[Spurtacular]

Hoppe looking tired. But he bailed Mexico out with that shot. He needs to use his frame and get into the box.

[Spurtacular]

This is the least chippy knockout game I can recall between US and Mexico.
Actual good sportsmanship.

[Spurtacular]

(Substitute) Roldon making non-composed plays at both ends.

Roldon with the unforced clearance for a corner kick.

[Spurtacular]

This is the least chippy knockout game I can recall between US and Mexico.
Actual good sportsmanship.

Knew something would happen right after I said it.
Mexican player heading Zardes on the clearance.
No pushing or fighting after the play though.
These players don't understand their birthright. :lol

[Spurtacular]

A second shot to the head against a US player for a yellow and not a red.
I guess FIFA dropped their zero tolerance policy on head contact.

[GAustex]

Whoop de do

[Spurtacular]

(Cramping) Hoppe should've been subbed off, twenty minutes ago.
Greg Burhalter probably scared of getting yelled at again. :lol

[Spurtacular]

And there's a goal on a set piece.
Mexico susceptible on set pieces.
Jamaica wasn't allowing anything on set pieces.

[Spurtacular]

Burkhalter still too busy shitting his pants to take out Hoppe.

[Spurtacular]

Damn, did US player just do a f*cking stupid hand ball in the box?

[Spurtacular]

Damn, did US player just do a f*cking stupid hand ball in the box?

They might have got away with one. But that would've been stupid. Mexico doesn't deserve shootouts.

[Darth_Pelican]

Easy Cup win with our B (almost C) Team

[GAustex]

Crappy dirty Mexican fans throwing bottles to the field.
Happens every time

[Spurtacular]

One of Burkhalter's assistants probably told Burkhalter to finally take out Hoppe.
Any sooner and the d-bag probably would've bit his head off.

[GAustex]

Gonna smack talk those putos at work tomorrow who won’t root USA

[Spurtacular]

Easy Cup win with our B (almost C) Team

Pundit tried to claim it's a C team; but I don't see US having anywhere near two elevens better than that.

It's definitely their B team.

[Spurtacular]

US have to be considered kings of CONCACAF after beating Mexico twice in major tournaments in six weeks.
Second time with their B team too.
But again, stock is limited until they're posting W's and dominating the run of play as well.

[Spurtacular]

Pundit tried to claim it's a C team; but I don't see US having anywhere near two elevens better than that.

It's definitely their B team.

Unless they're possibly counting old dawgs like Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore as main players.
But it seems they're not likely to be on the 2022 WC roster and will be done for after that.

[Spurtacular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPQ-ivKN3R4

[Spurtacular]

Matt Turner finished out the tournament on four 1-0 clean sheets.
He had five clean sheets in six matches and gave up one goal all tournament.
And the idiots give player of the tournament trophy to some loser Mexican. SMH.

[Spurtacular]

Great game by Miles. TBH, he looked better than John Brooks defensively too.
But both can start with two center backs.

[Spurtacular]

Yes, I put limited stock in this (and The Nations Cup); but it feels good.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u47ihTVK1v8

[Spurtacular]

I don't believe the lie that this is the US C Team; but it definitely wasn't their best.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE-AkUZGNbo