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

AucklandPhoenix

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

They have to be, otherwise they don't get any access to players or coaches to write about. I know the Phoenix have threatened to cut off a football journo in the past when he used a source that the Phoenix hadn't ok'd.

Well if that's the case then the Nix are fools. They need as much exposure and coverage as they can get. Who do they think they are, the All Blacks? 

Not sure where to put this.. but apparently Bindon made himself available to NZ at u17 and u20 level but was turned down... he wasn't good enough according to the coach.

3rd time a charm I guess.

MetalLegNZ

Not sure where to put this.. but apparently Bindon made himself available to NZ at u17 and u20 level but was turned down... he wasn't good enough according to the coach.

3rd time a charm I guess.

Make me wonder who else we’re missing out on. Jacob Borgnis? I feel like there’s another young player at an MLS academy too.

MetalLegNZ

Not sure where to put this.. but apparently Bindon made himself available to NZ at u17 and u20 level but was turned down... he wasn't good enough according to the coach.

3rd time a charm I guess.

Yup. I heard Bindon was turned down at the final hurdle for last year's U20 World Cup squad, with Aaryan Raj, Finn Surman, Isaac Hughes, Finn Linder and LKH preferred ahead of him at CB (Everton O'Leary and Jackson Jarvie at RB). Had already verbally committed to NZ by then so was a gut-punch

A selection masterclass from U20s coach Darren Bazeley.

mrsmiis

MetalLegNZ

Not sure where to put this.. but apparently Bindon made himself available to NZ at u17 and u20 level but was turned down... he wasn't good enough according to the coach.

3rd time a charm I guess.

Yup. I heard Bindon was turned down at the final hurdle for last year's U20 World Cup squad, with Aaryan Raj, Finn Surman, Isaac Hughes, Finn Linder and LKH preferred ahead of him at CB (Everton O'Leary and Jackson Jarvie at RB). Had already verbally committed to NZ by then so was a gut-punch

Is that 100% certain?  Last year's U20 WC was in late May, early June - so encroaching into pre season stuff at Reading where Bindon was involved in trying to secure his first pro deal. It's the reason Dibley-Dias gave for bypassing that WC, wanting to be at Fulham for pre season.

Bindon had also been with the USA U19s into early 2023.

Anyway he's thankfully with us now, and after the tourney in Vanuatu cap tied.

I think it was more McCullock or however you say his name... and would tie in with just how inept he was with other player selections, including only watching Auckland sides when selecting a national team.

MetalLegNZ

I think it was more McCullock or however you say his name... and would tie in with just how inept he was with other player selections, including only watching Auckland sides when selecting a national team.

Bullock was the coach for that groups u17 rotation, but a final team was never selected for either the qualifiers (2021) or the World Cup because of Covid. Bazeley was in charge of that group for the U20's

Bullock. And Bindon wouldn't have been able to go to an U17 WC with either USA or NZ, as that WC was Covid cancelled for his age cohort.

Though the Bindon family returned to NZ during Covid for a time, and Tyler played a bit for East Coast Bays. Sounds like his parents moved to the UK in 2022, as mum Jenny got a coaching gig with the London City Lionesses.

Mexico & USMNT squads not named as yet, but both countries will have new coaches in place for these September games.

Hugely experienced 65 yr old Javier Aguirre gets a 3rd stint coaching Mexico. Sounds like he's going to make alot of changes from the Copa America tourney. He's just come from 2 years at Mallorca, and previously coached Japan among other teams.
https://vivaligamx.com/posts/javier-aguirre-makes-key-decisions-ahead-of-first-mexico-squad-selection-01j5txsknyjy

Mauricio Pochettino not yet confirmed as the new US coach. US likely to be a more unchanged, settled squad. Like the AWS sounds like their GK will be either from League One or a squad EPL keeper - Matt Tuner now ranked no 3 at Woodsman's Forest. But overall they have better players than us. Again hopefully they rotate a few out after their first up Canada match.
https://sbisoccer.com/2024/08/projecting-the-usmnt-roster-for-the-september-friendlies-2

Obviously we don't play them, but here is the Canadian squad named for September that like us also plays the USA & Mexico.

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canmnt-roster-announced-for-september-friendlies-against-fifa-world-cup-26-co-hosts-usa-and-mexico/

For sure a big opportunity this ALM season for any of Bayliss, Rojas, OVH, Randall, Gillion, Toomey, Champness, Rogerson or Mata to go on a hot run of goals plus assists, and say pick me. Like Ben Old had a break out season with the Nix. Now he's gone from wider squad player to likely starter, and near certainty for 2026.

Some of the above could get picked for the OFC qualifiers in Oct & Nov anyway, when we can easily afford to bypass a few of the Euro based guys if they have a niggle. Definitely want a full strength squad though for the qualifying semi & final in March.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2024/8/28/the-all-whites-in-north-america-squad-yarns-amp-preview

........here’s a shadow squad of 21 alternates as picked in a different Niche Cache newsletter recently...

GK – Kees Sims, Nik Tzanev, Henry Gray
DEF – Bill Tuiloma, James McGarry, Sam Sutton, Kyle Adams, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Niko Kirwan, Nikko Boxall
MID – Matt Dibley-Dias, Ryan Thomas, Marco Rojas, Jay Herdman, Cam Howieson
FWD – Callum McCowatt, Max Mata, Alex Greive, Andre de Jong, Oskar van Hattum, Lachie Bayliss

Nothing wrong with that. That there’s a squad that would cruise through an Oceania Nations Cup. Every single one of them is a full professional and most of them have already been capped at senior level.  

However it’s still the attacking areas that are the funkiest... those positions contain the most scope for things to drastically change.

It’s going to take some sustained magnificence for a goalkeeper to come through and bust up the duopoly at the top, or for a midfielder to demand starts ahead of Bell/Stamenić/Garbett/Singh/Old/etc.

But up front? Other than Chris Wood and Sarpreet Singh, both of whom have had recurring injury niggles in the past, it’s not so certain. McCowatt and Just are pretty well established at this point but if someone from outside this squad went on a bender for a few months, scoring copious goals, including potentially in the A-League, then they could absolutely rustle their way into a top strength All Whites squad. Keep in mind this is only a 21-man group whereas a World Cup, for example, would require 23 players.

That’s now the challenge for all of those chaps. This team needs goals. That means there’s a ticket up for grabs for anyone who can provide them over the upcoming season. With this many options, surely at least someone will do so. It’s just a matter of which blokes rise above the crowd to claim their opportunity.

Mexico squad named.

I see they go into camp from this Sunday (sans European to start with I guess), so get a few more valuable days prep over the AWs. About 18 of the 26 named are playing in Mexico.

With lots of time in camp, and plenty of club connections (Chivas, Club America, Tigres, Pumas & Cruz Azul) expect them to have strong combinations. It might be a mostly Liga MX selection that plays us, and the later arriving European guys coming in for their 2nd game against Canada??

But AWs should also be pretty well drilled. The core of the team has been together since 2022 (the end of Covid), and played 10-15 tough games together in that time. But March is awhile ago, and Wood hasn't been in the team since November last year, so expect the first 20 mins especially to be a bit scratchy.

The big pro Mexican crowd also a factor. 90,000 will create a bit of noise if it's a full house. Not conceding early the bleeding obvious plan to negate some of that.

https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/41035408/aguirre-leaves-ochoa-jimenez-lozano-first-mexico-call-up

Highlighting Aguirre's first list are key figures like Feyenoord star striker Santiago Giménez, Club América goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, Almería defender César Montes, and up-and-coming Tigres winger Marcelo Flores.

West Ham midfielder Edson Álvarez, another prominent European-based name that is missing from Aguirre's squad, is currently regaining full fitness after recovering from an injury.

25 of the 26 players have earned previous call ups, leaving Spanish-born Athletic Club goalkeeper Álex Padilla as the sole member of the squad that will be representing Mexico for the first time at the senior level.

Preparation for September friendlies will begin with a camp that kicks off this Sunday.

Mexico's 26-man call-up for September

Goalkeepers: Luis Ángel Malagón (Club America), Raul Rangel (Chivas), Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Julián Araujo (Bournemouth), Alan Mozo (Chivas), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Almeria), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Víctor Guzmán (Monterrey), Jesús Angulo (Tigres), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)

Midfielders: Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Fidel Ambriz (Monterrey), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Sebastián Córdova (Tigres), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens)

Forwards: Diego Lainez (Tigres), Julián Quiñones (Al Qadsiah), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Marcelo Flores (Tigres), César Huerta (Pumas), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord), Henry Martín (Club America)

Some interesting changes from Aguirre. Alvarez is the biggest omission, but there are a couple of foreign-based veterans who weren’t called in. Raul Jimenez from Fulham and Hirving Lozano from PSV are both notable absences up front (though Gimenez, Quinones seem pretty established as two of the first-choice front three). Uriel Antuna split time with Huerta on the right wing at the Copa America (and started two of the three matches), but he also hasn’t been called into the squad. 

Jorge Sanchez and Gerardo Arteaga both played 90 minutes in each of the three Copa America matches for Mexico at fullback and they were both dropped completely. I did think Araujo looked pretty good with Bournemouth during the opening week of the EPL season playing right back, and he always seemed likely to take over for Sanchez at some point. Julio Gonzalez also started in goal for Mexico at the Copa. That was because Malagon was injured just before the tournament and with the retirement of Memo Ochoa none of the options had a lot of experience. Still, Gonzalez being dropped completely is also a surprise to me. 

There is always pressure in Mexico. Not just to win, but to win in a certain way. And given that they’re co-hosting the World Cup, I don’t expect there to be any grace period. If they’re not leading at half in Pasadena, they’ll hear it from the fans. It may be his first match, but I don’t think Aguirre can afford to hold too much in reserve. That being said, with half of the starting lineup from the Copa team (which admittedly did poorly) not selected, it’s going to be a different look under Aguirre and his best 11 is probably still a work in progress. 

Rogerson added to All Whites squad, just after we learn Old is injured and will miss his next ASSE game. Wonder if there is a link 

Hopefully it's not a reemergence of an ankle injury, like the one he suffered at the Phoenix and the one that caused him to miss the Olympics.

Bazely & Corica are mates. It's a short walk from NZF HQ to AFC training at Albany.

Baze would have been told who's looking good in AFC pre season, and did best on the little Aussie 3 game tour.

Someone in Waine's thread said that Rooney has confirmed he's injured. Sounding more likely Rogerson's been called into the squad in response to both Waine and Old's injuries. Guess we'll just have to wait for a confirmation.

Hmm. Mata would have to feel disappointed if he can't get in the squad as a backup number 9 with Waine out... 

So assuming the Benjamins are out, I'd like to see this team against Mexico:

Crocombe
Payne, Boxall, Bindon, Cacace
Rufer, Bell 
Stamenic
Garbett, Singh
Wood

Having Rufer and Bell sitting in front of our back 4 should hopefully allow Stamenic and Cacace in particular to bomb forward and support the front 3.

I do wonder how ready Payne will be. Injured his hammy in Vanuatu almost 2 months ago, and has only played some CL teams in Nix pre season since?? 

Wouldn't surprise to see Wilkins start at RB. But possibly a mistake not to pick a specialist backup RB.

I imagine Rogerson is there as cover for Old. If Waine is also out they will need Mata, as the squad is already a bit light on fowards. And if Wood got injured in the States, you'd have no strikers at all.

Rogerson is an interesting choice. Corica has obviously told Baze he's impressing in AFC pre season. Must be, to be picked ahead of Randall, OVH, Gillion and Bayliss - who were all at the Olympics and the first two also in Vanuatu.

Article from FOF about Rogerson being recalled, there’s no mention of it being due to injury and Waine and Old are still listed in the squad.

I’ve never been sure of how much behind the scenes information FOF have access to with NZ Football and Bazeley so we may still need to wait for an official confirmation.

Guess Bazeley just wants another forward and Rogerson has been preferred ahead of some notable others.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/08/31/auckland-fc-striker-logan-rogerson-earns-recall-to-all-whites-squad/

That article reports nothing that wasn't already public knowledge, so nothing can be read into that.

I think the fact Waine has signed for Mansfield Town with no apparent hiccups surely means his injury can't be very significant, it could even be that his "injury" was a convenient excuse to explain his absence while the deal was done. So I'm hopeful he still travels. Knowing Ben Old's history I'm far less hopeful about him, and Rogerson is much more a like for like for him than Waine. 

imanixsupporter

That article reports nothing that wasn't already public knowledge, so nothing can be read into that.

I think the fact Waine has signed for Mansfield Town with no apparent hiccups surely means his injury can't be very significant, it could even be that his "injury" was a convenient excuse to explain his absence while the deal was done. So I'm hopeful he still travels. Knowing Ben Old's history I'm far less hopeful about him, and Rogerson is much more a like for like for him than Waine. 

Unlike many others here, I don't have any connections with NZ Football and am not on X, Instagram, or even Facebook.

Things only become public knowledge to me through news articles, statements, signings, recruitments from the NZ Football and Phoenix website, or when they are posted to the forum. I did use to have one connection at the Phoenix but that was ages ago now.

When it was still Twitter, It was a lot easier for me to access information without an account. However that's obviously no longer the case and I can only  sometimes see the latest football news posted on X, such as today with Waine's move to Mansfield.

I agree though, with what's happened today and the injury history between the two, Waine is looking more likely to travel to the US than Old, but hopefully Old will be alright too.

Bindon unfortunately had to be subbed off not long past the 70 minute mark after suffering a head injury following a collision in Reading’s match earlier this morning.

With already the uncertainty around Old, this is not what we wanted to hear.

Sounds like Waineo will be travelling because I see Mansfield are postponing a game because they have three international players affected.

As someone mentioned above and considering the fact he was straight onto the bench for Mansfield this morning and had a cameo late in the game, it definitely now sounds like Rooney just said Waine was injured to explain why he was not involved in Argyle’s match against QPR and their second EFL cup match. He was behind the scenes getting that loan move sorted.

Wusty Wab

As someone mentioned above and considering the fact he was straight onto the bench for Mansfield this morning and had a cameo late in the game, it definitely now sounds like Rooney just said Waine was injured to explain why he was not involved in Argyle’s match against QPR and their second EFL cup match. He was behind the scenes getting that loan move sorted.

It's spelt Ruiny not Rooney. Will be unemployed before Christmas. Am glad that Waine is playing now.

Singh and Bindon out, but Ben Old not ruled out at this stage? Tuiloma in. 

Singh dropping out means we only have 1 player (Just) playing at a level below the A-League. 

imanixsupporter

Singh and Bindon out, but Ben Old not ruled out at this stage? Tuiloma in. 

Singh dropping out means we only have 1 player (Just) playing at a level below the A-League. 

where's that being reported?

Bugger, both big losses. Based on the Olympics you'd have to question Surman's readiness to be an AWs starter. Suspect it means is Pijnaker alongside Boxall.
But that's probably all okay now, with the contract magic of suddenly being an ALM rather than LOI footballer!!

Crocombe
Payne/Wilkins, Boxall, Pijnaker, Cacace
Rufer, Bell
Stamenic
Garbett, Old
Wood

Wonder if Baze approached Rojas to replace Singh? 
Fingers crossed Old is fit, as without him the other foward options will look pretty light. Barba, Just, Rogerson & Waine.

Wonder about Payne's readiness, given he basically hasn't played for 2 months, and he'll be doing alot of gut busting running at this level.

Bill Tuiloma has been added to the All Whites squad for the September window after Tyler Bindon (concussion) and Sarpreet Singh (minor injury) have had to withdraw. pic.twitter.com/msK7EM7DNU

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 3, 2024

Sobering stats. Really need a fit Old now.

Over the past five years, only 7/31 All Whites games have featured both Chris Wood and Sarpreet Singh 😢

With both in the lineup, the AWs average 1.14 goals per game (8 in 7)

With one/neither in the lineup, the AWs average 0.31 goals/game (4 in 13)

*excluding Oceania matches https://t.co/fAvdFDHlm5

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 3, 2024

I read Singh's injury as cryptic for "I've got a new gig" I have to prioritise for.

imanixsupporter

Singh and Bindon out, but Ben Old not ruled out at this stage? Tuiloma in. 

Singh dropping out means we only have 1 player (Just) playing at a level below the A-League. 

 A-League is better than the Portuguese second tier now?? I wouldn't be so sure.

Mexicans already in camp.

Now, let's get to work! 💪🏻🇲🇽#PorMéxicoTodo pic.twitter.com/Zr1wmmqW70

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) September 3, 2024

Boss 🫡 pic.twitter.com/PFGG3jzxDX

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) September 3, 2024

would be quite surprised to see Rufer and Bell in the same team.

I’m predicting the same back 5 with Payne.

Stamenic and Bell sitting in front.

Barberouses Old and Garbett infront with Woodsy up top.

coochiee

Bugger, both big losses. Based on the Olympics you'd have to question Surman's readiness to be an AWs starter. Suspect it means is Pijnaker alongside Boxall.
But that's probably all okay now, with the contract magic of suddenly being an ALM rather than LOI footballer!!

Crocombe
Payne/Wilkins, Boxall, Pijnaker, Cacace
Rufer, Bell
Stamenic
Garbett, Old
Wood

Wonder if Baze approached Rojas to replace Singh? 
Fingers crossed Old is fit, as without him the other foward options will look pretty light. Barba, Just, Rogerson & Waine.

Wonder about Payne's readiness, given he basically hasn't played for 2 months, and he'll be doing alot of gut busting running at this level.

Bill Tuiloma has been added to the All Whites squad for the September window after Tyler Bindon (concussion) and Sarpreet Singh (minor injury) have had to withdraw. pic.twitter.com/msK7EM7DNU

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 3, 2024

That concussion next to Bindon a real worry. He’s young to have that happen. As someone who got told by a doctor to stop heading the ball after a head knock.

One concussion is probably not the end of the world, especially given he walked unaided off the field, it can't have been that bad. Time to start worrying is when it happens two, three times. That's when you need to make changes to your life to ensure it doesn't happen again. 

Re Bindon according to Niche Cache, he took 2 heavy knocks/landings in the weekend's Reading game. The 2nd the worst, which obviously is when he came off.

First session in Los Angeles complete 🇳🇿🇺🇸

🇳🇿⚔️🇲🇽 | 08.09 1PM NZT / 07.09 6PM Local time
🇳🇿⚔️🇺🇸 | 11.09 11AM NZT / 10.09 7PM Local time

🎥 Watch the All Whites take on Mexico and the USA live on FIFA+ pic.twitter.com/pGdh6N2SFJ

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 4, 2024