All Whites v Mexico | Pasadena |Sun 8th Sept | 1:00pm | FIFA+

Nice friendly KO time on a Sunday. A reminder that the 2026 WC is going to suit us well. Book in your month of leave now, 2 years in advance!

Imagine AWs squad will be named late next week, or early the following week.
USA is the 2nd game on the tour in Cincinnati. Almost a quad tourney, with the Americans playing Canada first, and then the Mexico get the Canadians in their 2nd game - who after Dronegate are obviously running scared of all things NZ football.

Going to ignore the weakened squad that was picked for Vanuatu, and look at the last near full strength squad named back in March for that tourney in Egypt.

This was the 24 man squad initially named for the March games (Egypt & Tunisia).

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Oli Sail

Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Dane Ingham, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Clayton Lewis, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Elijah Just, Max Mata, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

Wood, Bell & Payne pulled out with injury. Alex Rufer the sole replacement bought in, so it became an actual 22 man squad.

Guess at a 24 man squad for the Mexico & USA games.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Nik Tzanev/Kees Sims/Henry Gray

Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Dalton Wilkins, James McGarry, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Bill Tuiloma, Finn Surman

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Matt Dibley-Dias, Alex Rufer, Ben Old, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Max Mata, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

So changes from initially named March squad -
Ins - 3rd GK, Wilkins, McGarry, Tuiloma, Dibley-Dias, Rufer 
Outs - Sail, Ingham, LK-H, Tommy Smith, Lewis, Just
Still unavailable - Thomas
ALM players Bazeley decides to leave with their clubs in pre season - Sail, LKH, Sutton etc
Uncertainty cloud - Surman, Boxall & Tuiloma with MLS games maybe being played through the window. Same Crocs and MD-D in League One, fighting for their club spots, and L1 playing through the window. No worries re Bindon
Outside bets - Liam Gillion & Jesse Randall

Can see where is 2 similar players who ain't likely to be in the run on 11, Bazeley will choose a Northern Hemisphere based player, over one in ALM pre season.

So I'm guessing the likes of Tuiloma, McGarry will make it, ahead of ALM players like Smith & Sutton. Same with Sail who looks to be in a battle to save his future at the Glory with the Birighitti rumours. What's the point of Sail going to the US for GK training drills. Might as well take a youngster like Sims or Gray.

But Paulsen, Payne, Rufer & Kosta could well be starters (especially the first 2 guys) so can see Bazeley wanting them to tour. Mata the most like for like Wood back up, and the Woodsman has missed a number of AWs games in the last year.

Eli Just I drop him, because he's going to Austrian pub football!
But he likely stays in, and one of MD-D, Rufer or Mata drops out.

Mexico's last game a 0-0 draw verus Ecuador at the Copa America. They failed to get out of their Group.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/01/south-america/copa-america/mexico/ecuador/4275155/

Edit - just realised I've included 5 CBs (Bindon was more a RB selection in March), so take out Pijnaker or Tuiloma. But any of the 3 MLS CBs maybe unavailable for these 2 AWs games, as that comp gets to the pointy end. Also Pijnaker is playing well in the LOI, he gives that left footed CB option, and here's hoping a move to a higher league is not far off.

Absolutely no way MDD appears, he isn't going to fly away to another continent in the crucial early months of his first senior football season and miss games (League 1 doesn't stop for the international break), especially for friendlies for a country he is not committed to. We may see him sometime in 2025 as he surely has to be making himself available sometime next year in order to be considered for the World Cup, he is not currently playing at a high enough level that he becomes a must pick. 

Calm down. Usually about half the League One games scheduled in a FIFA window are postponed as the various club lose players to international teams. I presume the clubs talk to the EFL and negotiate whether to play or not.

Sure MDD is not a must have selection for the AWs, but he was picked last year, and everyone is curious to see how he'd go at international level. The WC is only 2 years away, he will have been told he can't leave it too long before committing, plenty of competition in that midfield. A little USA mini tour getting a feel for the WC hype there in 2 years may (or may not) appeal.

I somehow see him less likely to travel all the way downunder for the low profile OFC qualifiers, which after this Sept window take us out to June next year - only 12 months before the WC.

imanixsupporter

Absolutely no way MDD appears, he isn't going to fly away to another continent in the crucial early months of his first senior football season and miss games (League 1 doesn't stop for the international break), especially for friendlies for a country he is not committed to. We may see him sometime in 2025 as he surely has to be making himself available sometime next year in order to be considered for the World Cup, he is not currently playing at a high enough level that he becomes a must pick. 

Conversely, I think that's the exact situation he'd appear for us. Especially considering that as far as NZ friendlies go, these are extremely high-profile

Well, I guess we will see when the squad is named.

It isn't that I think he shouldn't be selected, but even if he is keen to go he will have both Fulham and Northampton Town in his ear telling him now isn't the time, and Bazeley isn't the sort of guy to say you need to commit now or never. 

11am according to Piney.

The All Whites squad for next month's matches against Mexico (Sept 8 NZT) and the USA (Sept 11 NZT) will be named at 11am today.@newstalkzbsport

— Jason Pine (@pineynz) August 22, 2024

If so that’s surprisingly early for a change

Hutcho137

The All Whites squad to play Mexico and the U.S.A in September has been confirmed 🇳🇿🇺🇸🇲🇽

Read more at https://t.co/On07sAoY3b

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) August 22, 2024

a 21-person squad with 17 players based internationally, and five playing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Interesting maths? Could be a double count of AP (Eng & NZ), but also Singh shouldn't count as unattached FC is neither International or NZ. 

GK
Max Crocombe (9/0) Burton Albion, England
Alex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
 
DEF
Tyler Bindon (10/0) Reading, England
Michael Boxall (49/0) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (25/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (37/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (19/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of Ireland
Tommy Smith (55/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Finn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Dalton Wilkins (3/0) Sønderjyske Fodbold, Denmark

MID
Joe Bell (18/1) Viking FK, Norway
Matthew Garbett (22/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Ben Old (8/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Alex Rufer (13/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (14/1), Unattached
Marko Stamenić (21/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)

FW
Kosta Barbarouses (60 caps/7 goals) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Elijah Just (26/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)
Ben Waine (16/5) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (74/34) Nottingham Forest, England 

something like

Crocombe
payne-binden-boxall-cacache
bell/rufer-stamenic
Singh-Garbett-Old
wood

Surely that is ideal, on paper that is probably one of, if not, the strongest all whites lineup of all time based on where they are all playing.

No one injured or otherwise unavailable, which makes the squad on paper the strongest it could be. Of course that may change with 2 or more club games for most, (except ALM guys) before the Mexico match.

5 CBs named with Wilkins to cover both flanks.

Edit - I guess Ryan Thomas is one guy unavailable.

Pijnaker keeps getting selected. De Jong can’t buy a cap. Roux’s crime or vice versa must be known to journalists considering no one asks about it. 

I guess the news is the big 3 in the midfield selected at the same time. 

Anyone else I missed out?

I'm guessing the need for 5 CBs is that either Boxall or Surman may be wanted by their MLS clubs through the window.

coochiee

No one injured or otherwise unavailable, which makes the squad on paper the strongest it could be. Of course that may change with 2 or more club games for most, (except ALM guys) before the Mexico match.

5 CBs named with Wilkins to cover both flanks.

Edit - I guess Ryan Thomas is one guy unavailable.

 Have to assume Callum McCowatt is injured, otherwise that would be a big surprise 

Ah yes McCowatt of course. Be good to get an update on the situation with Dibley-Dias.

Otherwise it's a settled, experienced looking AWs squad that may not change much before the 2026 WC. Up to the youngsters at the Nix, AFC and elsewhere to say pick me.

I reckon the AWs are a chance of a result in either game. Both Mexico & USA will be focusing more on the 2nd game they each have in this window - Canada. So you suspect won't be their first choice elevens against NZ.

Mexico for some reason, are playing Canada (Texas) only 2 days after playing us (California). So even more reason for them to heavily rotate between the games.

We play USA (Ohio) 3 days after Mexico.

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/144502?newsfeedId=1275622

Head coach Darren Bazeley has highlighted the importance of these two games ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – OFC Qualifiers starting in the next FIFA match window:

“Playing two games against two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosts, in one of the host countries, is the perfect motivation for our players ahead of starting our own journey to qualify for the tournament this October. 

“These are both two top sides but we need to be testing ourselves at this level so we are prepared for what we could face should we qualify for the World Cup. 

“For the Mexico game we are likely going to be facing a huge and passionate Mexican crowd, and for the USA game they could potentially have a new head coach in place, so these games will present new and interesting challenges for us which we will embrace as a team.

“We have seen a lot of high-profile transfers for our players over the last few months, so it will be great to assemble as a squad and witness how our players are developing ahead of some significant games for the team.”

Exactly my lineup but probably just flip flop Garbett and Old. Will be interesting to see who starts out of Rufer and Bell

Nommag

something like

Crocombe
payne-binden-boxall-cacache
bell/rufer-stamenic
Singh-Garbett-Old
wood

Surely that is ideal, on paper that is probably one of, if not, the strongest all whites lineup of all time based on where they are all playing.

5 center backs, Obviously Bazeley is looking at an attacking formation and spending as much time in the opposition half that he can get. Brilliant move.
8 Defenders, 6 midfielders, 4 forwards. Very attacking minded.

Strong as hell. Love it. You just know Baze is going to find a way to start Pijnaker though

Looks like MLS is observing this FIFA window, and on a break 1st to 15th Sept.
Certainly at the moment Minnesota & Portland ain't playing over that period according to Soccerway.

I'd be inclined to pick Pijnaker over Smith if was to be only 4 CBs. Nando apparently playing well (yes it's only the LOI), whilst Tommy is in pre season, and I have strong reservations he will be mobile enough in 2026.

Does Baze have the balls to drop the captain's best mate/man, when it's finally needed.

mrsmiis

Strong as hell. Love it. You just know Baze is going to find a way to start Pijnaker though

Only one I wouldn't have included...   

Screenshot_2024-08-24-07-20-55-16_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 205.46 KB

i'd have Hughes in that squad, they'd need a backup CB

It is interesting that Smith and Pijnaker have been picked but Tuiloma hasn't, especially given the games are in the USA. At least one of them won't be playing much, so why not reintegrate Bill and see how he is doing?

Apart from CB, the squad at this point is pretty unarguable. McCowatt would have been in instead of Just were it not for him being injured. Maybe Roux should probably be in there as a RB option, still no explanation for that. Piney doesn't include him in his "available but not selected" group...

10 years ago being an A-League regular had you in any All Whites squad. Now, the likes of Rojas, Mata, Howieson, Elliot, De Vries, Rogerson, Champness, Randall, Sutton, Ingham, LKH, Hughes, OVH & Conchie are going to need to have really standout seasons to get back in the All Whites. 

Fortunately for all of them, the 2026 World Cup squad will have 5 more places than this squad. 

Its a bit sad that even though Singh debuted 7 years ago he's only managed 14 caps and 1 goal (which came in one of his very first matches against India, in India). 

Looking at that stat, you'd think he's a fringe player, not one of our best. 

He needs to shine in these two games.

imanixsupporter

It is interesting that Smith and Pijnaker have been picked but Tuiloma hasn't, especially given the games are in the USA. At least one of them won't be playing much, so why not reintegrate Bill and see how he is doing?

Apart from CB, the squad at this point is pretty unarguable. McCowatt would have been in instead of Just were it not for him being injured. Maybe Roux should probably be in there as a RB option, still no explanation for that. Piney doesn't include him in his "available but not selected" group...

10 years ago being an A-League regular had you in any All Whites squad. Now, the likes of Rojas, Mata, Howieson, Elliot, De Vries, Rogerson, Champness, Randall, Sutton, Ingham, LKH, Hughes, OVH & Conchie are going to need to have really standout seasons to get back in the All Whites. 

Fortunately for all of them, the 2026 World Cup squad will have 5 more places than this squad. 

Tend to agree with the pick Tuiloma, ahead of either Smith or Pijnaker comment.
Maybe Bill T is actually fit, and in okay nick. Just being kept on the bench by some quality CB starters at Charlotte. What's the harm in having him in the AWs stateside, when yeah neither Nando or Tommy are likely to play much.

I'll be interested to see how Smith goes in the ALM, with AFC. He will be coming in off a proper pre season, not a cold like his MAC move from the UK. He has to be playing well to be in the mix for 2026, not just there because he's an older head (have Boxall for that role), who is great mates with the captain.

This would’ve been an ideal opportunity to bring Kyle Adams back into the fold. He’s captain on Louisville City who are top of the USL.

Playing at a higher level than Pijnaker and in much better form than Smith.

Friar Tuck

This would’ve been an ideal opportunity to bring Kyle Adams back into the fold. He’s captain on Louisville City who are top of the USL.

Playing at a higher level than Pijnaker and in much better form than Smith.

That would be logical. Just surprised we didn’t see Greive and baby Garbett considering they’re playing in the LoI too.

And now Woud clearly isn’t considered good enough to be an ALM number one, but he started for the AWs how many times of late? 

Anyway, I’ll just be happy if we never push Bindon out to RB again. Surely we’ve got a sack full of potential FBs playing professionally who can do that job?? Pijnaker playing may cost us a goal, it may not. But not having a FB that can attack down the right flank really limits our playing style and potential.

Though against Mexico it’s probably moot any how. I can’t recall us ever troubling them and they’ve put us to the sword time and again! 

2-1 at the confeds cup, lewis assist to wood? And I recall we either drew with them or only lost by one against them a couple years after that as well. Nice memory you got 

It was in fact the year before, but in any case, our two most recent results against them in 2016 and 2017 were 2-1 losses. I wouldn't call that not troubling them 

imanixsupporter

2-1 at the confeds cup, lewis assist to wood? And I recall we either drew with them or only lost by one against them a couple years after that as well. Nice memory you got 

Yeh mate. Too many 5-0s in knockout games. 
You’re not wrong- I have literally no memory of us ever doing well against Mexico! Guna go google some highlights to put that smile on the dial…though I’m suspicious that they might have eased off the gas compared to us being a threat.

Hmmm.
Well yes and no.
That is some crazy through the looking glass stuff.
Our best game against them was when we had 35% possession.
The goal an absolute beauty for us assisted by Wynne and tucked away by Rojas.
Shots on were equal 3-3.

IMG_1628.jpeg 622.93 KB

Check out the substitutes and the list of unused subs! 

2016 was in some ways a closer game. It was a competitive fixture. They were complacent and we scored a good one first. And Ryan Thomas nearly leveled it late on. 
Our team sheet is much stronger. 

But it wasn’t really a close contest. 

Shots on target? 11-4
Possession again 65-35. 

The score was closer, but the domination was the same. Especially because we consider these our high points. 

Baze on Piney's show, says MDD "Really keen to stay involved and can't wait to come back in" but this window was a bad time given he has just made an important move etc etc.

And yeah, those Mexico games and those squads are something to look back on. Really underlines how much better the players we have at our disposal are now overall, there is no excuse for us to not try and be competitive with sides like Mexico and the USA, so I really do hope we see some good contests. And if we don't, I don't want to see comments being like, we are just little old NZ we had no chance what else did you expect. We really need to be seeing something much better than Hudsonball. 

It’s weird. You blink and look at them again and think about where people were playing. MLS, Championship, ALM, PL, Eredivisie…
Then you think Singh or Thomas?
Garbett or McG?
Do we have a better back up striker than Rory? 
Kosta is younger, as are Boxy and Woodsy. 
Marco or Oldy? 
Themi was a fairly reliable character. Is an inexperienced Stamenic better than him? Winston Reid or Bindon? 

Hudson or Bazeley?? 

You’d think we are better now, but there’s just a few questions…

imanixsupporter

And yeah, those Mexico games and those squads are something to look back on. Really underlines how much better the players we have at our disposal are now overall, there is no excuse for us to not try and be competitive with sides like Mexico and the USA, so I really do hope we see some good contests. And if we don't, I don't want to see comments being like, we are just little old NZ we had no chance what else did you expect. We really need to be seeing something much better than Hudsonball. 

All I remember of that Confeds game in 2017 was yes Lewis's peach of a pass, and the frustrated Mexicans not at all liking our physical approach. There was an all in melee at one point. This after our limp display in game 1 verus hosts Russia.

The highlights, also show a young Dane Ingham completely out of his depth back then. Both Mexican goals from down his flank. Of course not his fault Hudson chucked him in the deep end so young.

Forgot that Thomas hit the woodwork late on. He sadly hasn't played for the AWs in nearly 5 years now, but man you couldn't fault his commitment and quality in 2017. He was an absolute machine against Peru a few months later at the ROF.  

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

Whether we can get a result this time will depend alot on how strong the lineups are that either the Mexicans (18th in FIFA's rankings) or US (17th) run out with. They both have Canada as their likely target game this window.

We drew with the US in that mirror tour of 2016 (played them & Mexico stateside), but the Americans from memory played a virtual 3rd string side of solely MLS guys. Monty Patterson with a scrappy goal.

Dare USMNT to try that again. We yes have a much better squad this time.

And highlights from those 2 games Stateside in 2016. Great atmosphere in the Mexico match we lost 2-1 in Nashville. I think I heard the Mexican commentator get Themi's surname pretty correct. Rojas's only AWs goal against a non OFC team, after a nice cross from a young Deklan Wynne.

Alot of guys from 8 years ago still playing. Boxall, Wynne, Rojas, Lewis, Dyer, Barba, Wood. Ridenton & Patterson in the amateur ranks. Wonder where 27 yr old Henry Cameron is these days. Basically him and Liam Graham (also on this tour) never really played much after doing their ACLs at different times for the national team.
 
Wonder if the Mexicans or Americans will have many survivors. Doubtful

Mexico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crPEThNIB1I
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/09/world/friendlies/new-zealand/mexico/2331721/

USA a 1-1 draw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oobBKah08nE
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/12/world/friendlies/united-states-of-america/new-zealand/2344650/

martinb

Friar Tuck

This would’ve been an ideal opportunity to bring Kyle Adams back into the fold. He’s captain on Louisville City who are top of the USL.

Playing at a higher level than Pijnaker and in much better form than Smith.

That would be logical. Just surprised we didn’t see Greive and baby Garbett considering they’re playing in the LoI too.

And now Woud clearly isn’t considered good enough to be an ALM number one, but he started for the AWs how many times of late? 

Anyway, I’ll just be happy if we never push Bindon out to RB again. Surely we’ve got a sack full of potential FBs playing professionally who can do that job?? Pijnaker playing may cost us a goal, it may not. But not having a FB that can attack down the right flank really limits our playing style and potential.

Though against Mexico it’s probably moot any how. I can’t recall us ever troubling them and they’ve put us to the sword time and again! 

if he starts either game, he'll be good for a goal due to a mistake. Can't think of the last time he played for the AWs without fudgeing up.

Just listened to Riccardo Ball's SENZ interview with Baze as well. Nothing much of note, other than Ball asking about lessons from the Olympics and Darren talking about dealing with highs and lows in tournaments, how they struggled in game 2 after coming off that first win and how they need to do better in such moments in future, which was good to hear. 

Disappointing that the journos don't ask about the likes of Roux or players like Kyle Adams as Friar Tuck mentioned. At least Piney asked Baze about MDD. I might have to start tweeting at the likes of Piney, Ball, Voerman etc and nag them to ask such questions next time a squad is named. If Thomas stays fit until the next window and starts getting minutes at Zwolle, then it's probably worth asking about him again too. I recall Bazeley was asked about him about a year ago and it sounded like Thomas hadn't closed the door on playing for NZ again at that time. 

With the likes of Kyle Adams or maybe others like Ollie Whyte, them getting into the All Whites could help them get a move to a better level and kick on, sort of like how Hudson plucked Marinovic out of semi-pro German football obscurity and he went on to do well in the MLS for a while and then obviously the Nix. Pijnaker has been given enough of that sort of chance, we need to share the love around. 

Also looks like Ball & SENZ have a new football podcast "Studs Up" to check out. 

The NZ football media are way to cosy and matey with NZ football to ask any sensitive and important questions 

May as well not exist

Friar Tuck

This would’ve been an ideal opportunity to bring Kyle Adams back into the fold. He’s captain on Louisville City who are top of the USL.

Playing at a higher level than Pijnaker and in much better form than Smith.

USL higher than LOI? If you look at the league ratings the LOI isn't too bad.