yo this Gold Cup has been nuts so far. I thought the group stages would be boring but i'm so glad I was wrong. these small nations who were supposed to be "minnows" came to play. Curacao getting their first goal, first win and first time making it out of the group stage all in spectacular fashion. Haiti going 3-0-0, beating Costa Rica and winning their group for the first time ever. Bermuda getting their first win in their first ever appearance. Martinique actually gave Mexico a decent match.

the Nations League has apparently been a rousing success despite all the consternation from most when it was first announced. quite a few of the coaches have given credit to the Nations League for giving their guys some more experience that they wouldn't have otherwise gotten before.

and for all the negative talk about VAR at the WWC there is no VAR at the Gold Cup and that has also been a problem. quite a few concerning calls (and non-calls). I have a feeling that it will be implemented by the next Gold Cup.

i should at least be keeping up with scores/recaps of the others. who do you think will be the top 4?

mexico seems to be fading again after a big first win. could just be that the opponents have been better but with this being a pattern for them the last few years i have concerns. i think they will be okay.

>mexico seems to be fading again after a big first win. could
>just be that the opponents have been better but with this
>being a pattern for them the last few years i have concerns. i
>think they will be okay.

Mexico has always imo had an issue of being the big fish in a small pond. when you're the top dog everyone is gunning for you. just so happens that everyone that's gunning for them is getting better and better all the time. they keep saying that Mexico sent their B team (I hate that term btw) but it shouldn't matter. Mexico is a favorite no matter who they put out there. also I think the rule change with teams not being able to change their lineup after the groups stages like they used to might affect everyone, not just Mexico.

>who do you think will be the top 4?

if USA wins tonight they'll get Curacao in the knockouts which they should win. Jamaica should be able to handle Panama but they couldn't finish off Curacao when they had the chance. Haiti v Canada should probably be the best game. both teams have gotten better and I think they're pretty evenly matched. i'd give the slight edge to Haiti. Mexico v Costa Rica might be the toughest game. Mexico should win, but it won't be a pushover. so i'm going USA, Jamaica, Mexico and Haiti.

they are missing a few big ones but they got plenty to win it and i wouldnt consider it a b team. if they dont win it all they cant use a b team excuse. hopefully they make a big statement with their next game.

Just when it looked like Canada was about to run away with it up 2-0 at the half, Haiti comes storming back with three unanswered goals. Wow!

https://youtu.be/ORgYNnY_sHQ

But I watched WWC all day

Ochoa with a big time save to win it.

a lot of "barely soccer" type fouls on both sides

either team could have won it

im wondering if that will be the best game of the cup.

Props to Curacao for aying as well as they did this tournament. The story is going to be that the U.S. didn't "put them away" but Curacao was actually going for it.

i havent really watched usa play but they did not look good and it didnt look like it was because curacao was playing great.

im thinking jamaica will have a decisive win over usa. did usa just play down to curacao?

US was just flat, and it wasn't because Curacao was doing anything amazing. I'm no big soccer follower but the talent level looks low -- Bradley still being one of the best midfield options even though he can't run with anybody is case in point.

not every match is going to be great, but the uninspired play and horrible touches (how many easy passes were ricocheted back to Curacao? how many shots were sent to row 32?) were concerning. although not surprising for a program that missed the WC last year.

Bradley is only there because of injuries

with Yedlin healthy, a healthy Tyler Adams probably plays in the midfield with McKinnie and Pulisic

and Bradley is only even keeping a roster spot warm until Chris Durkin (who looked real good in the U20) joins the senior team

but overall you are correct. this is kind of a lost generation.

not trying to say that they are world beaters or anything like that, but they definitely have a better squad that their reputation would suggest. they out shot the USA and that's not nothing.

not gonna say Haiti was robbed on that penalty, but I predict there will be VAR at the next Gold Cup.

https://youtu.be/SkNGtnDfrgM

in the Gold Cup games I've watched. hope the US has some kind of attacking talent in the pipeline...

he's got talent, but can't seem to be consistent. also a little injury prone.

but definitely nothing worth leaving Sargent off the team

totally dominated in the second. midfield play basically disappeared from the 50th minute on.