Copa America - How much?
Cue the outcry, if Messis gets 'rested'.
FYI - the GOAT has 10 goals in 10 MLS games. Suarez 11 goals in 14, as Inter Miami sit first in the Eastern Conference.
FYI - the GOAT has 10 goals in 10 MLS games. Suarez 11 goals in 14, as Inter Miami sit first in the Eastern Conference.
Seems likely that the Copa will be on beIN Sport in NZ?
According to this list of host broadcasters anyway:
https://copafootballupdates.com/broadcaster-tv-channels-list/
"Live in Australia & New Zealand : beIN sports (All 26 Matches live)"
According to this list of host broadcasters anyway:
https://copafootballupdates.com/broadcaster-tv-channels-list/
"Live in Australia & New Zealand : beIN sports (All 26 Matches live)"
It is going to be on TVNZ along with the Euros
They tried to charge the Canadian FA $900 Cdn (about $650 US) for tickets to give to the families and supporters for the opener in Atlanta against Argentina. Said it was “dynamic pricing due to demand”. At that point it was going to be cheaper to fly to France and the Netherlands for 10 days and go see our friendlies than it would be to go see the Copa.
In the end I paid $300Cdn, we’re scattered all over the upper deck but we’re here. I think the non-Messi group stage matches are around $100C for us. So that’s reasonable IMO. Anyway, I don’t want to think about what World Cup tickets are going to cost.
In the end I paid $300Cdn, we’re scattered all over the upper deck but we’re here. I think the non-Messi group stage matches are around $100C for us. So that’s reasonable IMO. Anyway, I don’t want to think about what World Cup tickets are going to cost.
I wonder if MLS teams bump up their ticket prices when hosting Messi's Inter Miami?
Any teams favoured outside of Brazil & Argentina?
AWs fans with half an eye on how Mexico go (pool with Ecuador, Venezuela & Jamaica), given we have a friendly against them in Pasadena in Sept. Also the possibility that the USA & Canada could be available for some friendlies next year, as they won't be busy with CONCACAF 2026 WC qualifying.
See that this edition's format is 16 teams (4 pools of 4 teams), with 10 usual CONMEBOL teams plus USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama & Jamaica from CONCACAF. That seems a pretty logical format, I imagine sizeable expat communities for all those countries in the States will see big crowds.
The Socceroos were invited to the 2020 Copa America, but Covid saw that they never got a chance to play. That's after Japan & Qatar were at the 2019 event.
No teams from outside the Americas this time.
https://sport.optus.com.au/news/copa-america-2024/os75656/socceroos-copa-america-why-it-never-happened
Any teams favoured outside of Brazil & Argentina?
AWs fans with half an eye on how Mexico go (pool with Ecuador, Venezuela & Jamaica), given we have a friendly against them in Pasadena in Sept. Also the possibility that the USA & Canada could be available for some friendlies next year, as they won't be busy with CONCACAF 2026 WC qualifying.
See that this edition's format is 16 teams (4 pools of 4 teams), with 10 usual CONMEBOL teams plus USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama & Jamaica from CONCACAF. That seems a pretty logical format, I imagine sizeable expat communities for all those countries in the States will see big crowds.
The Socceroos were invited to the 2020 Copa America, but Covid saw that they never got a chance to play. That's after Japan & Qatar were at the 2019 event.
No teams from outside the Americas this time.
https://sport.optus.com.au/news/copa-america-2024/os75656/socceroos-copa-america-why-it-never-happened
It is going to be on TVNZ along with the Euros
Vancouver upped their prices for Messi and Miami and even offered a special four-match package with the Miami match included. And then (not surprisingly to me given Miami's fixtures) Messi, Suarez and Busquets all skipped the trip.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
Vancouver upped their prices for Messi and Miami and even offered a special four-match package with the Miami match included. And then (not surprisingly to me given Miami's fixtures) Messi, Suarez and Busquets all skipped the trip.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
juneof86 how is John Herdman going at Toronto. See they are 7th in the East?
And his son Jay at Vancouver, he's rated good enough to become a MLS first teamer?
Cheers
And his son Jay at Vancouver, he's rated good enough to become a MLS first teamer?
Cheers
I don't think much of the pitch in Vancouver, but it is Field Turf and it was replaced in 2022, so it's quite new. The turf didn't help, but the fact was Miami had a mid-week match and Messi was trying to manage his minutes with the Copa America coming up quickly. Looking at their fixture list it seemed incredibly unlikely he would make that trip. The secondary market was crazy and you can't really help that, but Vancouver should have been smarter, but asking a premium themselves, they set an expectation and then disappointed a number of people. Whitecaps fans didn't really care I don't think. I know a couple of people who sold their Miami tickets to pay for the rest of their seasons seats. But the point of having Messi in the league is to get people excited about the league and in Vancouver all they managed was to aggravate a number of people who had the potential to be new fans.
Herdman doesn't have a very good team in Toronto IMO, but their keeper Sean Johnson had some big performances early and they started not bad and then they hit a good run of form. I thought the Herdman magic was working but it looks like it's all gone to pot. While I was flying to Atlanta they lost 4-1 at home to a Chicago side that was missing Shaqiri and is terrible. Herdman called it the worst effort in his 30 years of coaching. And tonight while I was out apparently they gave up two late goals, including on in the 90th to lose again at home. So on the whole, they're probably about where they should be, but the early-season optimism seems to be gone. They went into Montreal and embarrassed them 5-1 in a big match and since then have two draws out of five matches.
I don't know if Jay is going to be a significant MLS player. He's playing regularly in the reserves and is still young, but I'm not sure if that breakthrough is going to come. But there are a lot of unusual development paths in North American soccer, so you never know.
Herdman doesn't have a very good team in Toronto IMO, but their keeper Sean Johnson had some big performances early and they started not bad and then they hit a good run of form. I thought the Herdman magic was working but it looks like it's all gone to pot. While I was flying to Atlanta they lost 4-1 at home to a Chicago side that was missing Shaqiri and is terrible. Herdman called it the worst effort in his 30 years of coaching. And tonight while I was out apparently they gave up two late goals, including on in the 90th to lose again at home. So on the whole, they're probably about where they should be, but the early-season optimism seems to be gone. They went into Montreal and embarrassed them 5-1 in a big match and since then have two draws out of five matches.
I don't know if Jay is going to be a significant MLS player. He's playing regularly in the reserves and is still young, but I'm not sure if that breakthrough is going to come. But there are a lot of unusual development paths in North American soccer, so you never know.
Vancouver upped their prices for Messi and Miami and even offered a special four-match package with the Miami match included. And then (not surprisingly to me given Miami's fixtures) Messi, Suarez and Busquets all skipped the trip.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
Brazil seem off to me at the moment. A Brazilian I know said it's the worst team they've had since the late-80s, but I feel like there's enough talent there, but they are not playing very well. I'm not ruling them out, but Uruguay and Colombia seem much more likely to win the tournament than Brazil does at the moment.
The interesting thing there is that Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the U.S. are all on the same side of the bracket and are the likely quarter-finalists. And for me that's four of the top five teams in the tournament.
Argentina should have a pretty comfortable path to the final. Chile, Peru and Canada all have new managers this year and I think Chile are playing well since the change, but I don't see any of them challenging Argentina. In the other group, Mexico is also in a terrible run of form, but unlike Brazil I do think they lack talent and are the poorest Mexico team in generations. They will have massive support, but that can add to the pressure if things aren't going well. Ecuador should be safe to get through and Venezuela are playing well and could beat out Mexico for second. Jamaica also always plays Mexico well it seems, but their captain is injured and Leon Bailey is refusing to play for the national team. Which is too bad because they were finally showing a little team unity and spirit which has eluded them for years.
So I think Argentina will be in the final, but the other side should be very entertaining.
This 16-team format was used once before for the Copa Centennario, the 100th anniversary of the tournament held in 2016. That was in the US as well and this tournament sort of serves the same function as the old Confederations Cup, allowing the World Cup hosts a chance to have a major tournament to iron out any issues before the real thing.
One theory on Brazil is too many of them play in England! And with the way the tactics are manager driven and the nature of the competition there’s less flair or some such…Apparently up to quite recently they’d still draw on their domestic competition for a decent proportion of their starting team.
There's actually a bit of money now I understand in the Brazilian league, with a number of players returning from Europe. Hence their teams have dominated the Copa Libertadores in recent years.
And re Messi & Inter Miami. A flight Miami to Vancouver, would be 4-5 hours? Longest in the MLS comp? Not surprising he didn't turn up at his age with Copa Amereica approaching, as he tries to manage his body towards WC 2026.
And re Messi & Inter Miami. A flight Miami to Vancouver, would be 4-5 hours? Longest in the MLS comp? Not surprising he didn't turn up at his age with Copa Amereica approaching, as he tries to manage his body towards WC 2026.
So no method of watching in New Zealand?
It's interesting re Copa America, because many sites relating to it say TVNZ have the rights. What going on?
Argy squeak through on pens. Ecuador with the late 91st min equaliser in NT.
Stays 1-1 after ET.
Into pens and the GOAT is mortal his failed Panenka hitting the cross bar.
But Martinez in goal saves his blushes, making 2 big saves.
She's noisy in the highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jeFj0ixd5g
Stays 1-1 after ET.
Into pens and the GOAT is mortal his failed Panenka hitting the cross bar.
But Martinez in goal saves his blushes, making 2 big saves.
She's noisy in the highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jeFj0ixd5g
Canada edge out Venezuela on pens (4-3), and are into the semis.
1-1 at the end of NT/ET.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/06/south-america/copa-america/venezuela/canada/4275169/
They will play the world champs in their semi.
Venezuela a team on the rise?
Usually the easy bets of Sth America, and the country is almost a failed state, with millions of economic refugeees having fled the country.
But currently 4th in CONMEBOL 20226 WC qualifying, and their U23 team made the last 4 of CONMEBOL Olympics qualifying.
1-1 at the end of NT/ET.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/06/south-america/copa-america/venezuela/canada/4275169/
They will play the world champs in their semi.
Venezuela a team on the rise?
Usually the easy bets of Sth America, and the country is almost a failed state, with millions of economic refugeees having fled the country.
But currently 4th in CONMEBOL 20226 WC qualifying, and their U23 team made the last 4 of CONMEBOL Olympics qualifying.
Venezuela also lost the U20 World Cup final to England. They've got a nice generation of young talent.
They have a quick and combative midfield that is hard to play against. They have some quality in the final third and Rondon is their all-time record goal scorer and is still delivering. Their young right back Aramburu of Real Sociedad is very good, but I think there are questions in the centre of defence despite the back line looking good on paper. And Rondon is turning 35 this year. Can he maintain his level to get them through to the World Cup in two years? They apparently have some more young players waiting to break through, but from what I saw at Copa, they weren't the deepest team.
I think Chile is on the right track and will make a good push in qualifying and surely Brazil will come good at some point here... so I kind of fancy that Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile are probably fighting for the last two automatic spots, but I think Venezuela is already in a great position to at least be in the playoffs.
They have a quick and combative midfield that is hard to play against. They have some quality in the final third and Rondon is their all-time record goal scorer and is still delivering. Their young right back Aramburu of Real Sociedad is very good, but I think there are questions in the centre of defence despite the back line looking good on paper. And Rondon is turning 35 this year. Can he maintain his level to get them through to the World Cup in two years? They apparently have some more young players waiting to break through, but from what I saw at Copa, they weren't the deepest team.
I think Chile is on the right track and will make a good push in qualifying and surely Brazil will come good at some point here... so I kind of fancy that Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile are probably fighting for the last two automatic spots, but I think Venezuela is already in a great position to at least be in the playoffs.
Colombia wallop Panama 5-0 in Phoenix. So Canada the sole CONCACAF team in the semis.
Other quarter final 0-0 at HT between Uruguay & Brazil in Vegas.
Edit - despite going down to 10 men in the 2nd half, Uruguay keep Brazil from scoring and win the pen shootout to make the semis
Other quarter final 0-0 at HT between Uruguay & Brazil in Vegas.
Edit - despite going down to 10 men in the 2nd half, Uruguay keep Brazil from scoring and win the pen shootout to make the semis
Semi final 1.
Argentina lead Canada 1-0 in New Jersey.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/10/south-america/copa-america/argentina/canada/4275172/
Uruguay verus Colombia tomorrow.
Argentina lead Canada 1-0 in New Jersey.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/10/south-america/copa-america/argentina/canada/4275172/
Uruguay verus Colombia tomorrow.
Argentina win 2-0. GOAT with the 2nd goal.
Condolences Juneof86.
Still Canada did better than any other CONCACAF team
I actually give a full strength AWs a chance of upsetting either Mexico or USA in September, especially if they play more 2nd string/domestic based only sides.
Condolences Juneof86.
Still Canada did better than any other CONCACAF team
I actually give a full strength AWs a chance of upsetting either Mexico or USA in September, especially if they play more 2nd string/domestic based only sides.
Well Drake's 300k is up in smoke then.
Thanks coochiee.
As soon as Drake bet on us, we knew we were cooked. haha
It was always going to be a huge ask and we weren't anywhere near good enough on the day, but we also didn't embarrass ourselves. I think the performance at the Copa energized the country, which is really important ahead of 2026. I think the general public are getting more excited about this team and its potential again after a hard 18 months. And Marsch has only had seven weeks in charge and the early returns are very good, even if there is much to clean up.
We are also playing the US and Mexico in September, so it will be interesting to see how each of us fares.
As soon as Drake bet on us, we knew we were cooked. haha
It was always going to be a huge ask and we weren't anywhere near good enough on the day, but we also didn't embarrass ourselves. I think the performance at the Copa energized the country, which is really important ahead of 2026. I think the general public are getting more excited about this team and its potential again after a hard 18 months. And Marsch has only had seven weeks in charge and the early returns are very good, even if there is much to clean up.
We are also playing the US and Mexico in September, so it will be interesting to see how each of us fares.
Hopefully they roll out their B sides verus and we can sneak a win. You can face their first string!
75 mins and 10 man Colombia lead Uruguay 1-0 in Phoenix.
32 year old James Rodriguez with the assist. He got 2 assists & a pen in the 5-0 semi final win over Panama.
In response Uruguay have brought on their own veteran. 37 yr old Luis Suarez on at 67 mins to find the equaliser.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/07/south-america/copa-america/colombia/panama/4275171/
32 year old James Rodriguez with the assist. He got 2 assists & a pen in the 5-0 semi final win over Panama.
In response Uruguay have brought on their own veteran. 37 yr old Luis Suarez on at 67 mins to find the equaliser.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/07/south-america/copa-america/colombia/panama/4275171/
Finishes 1-0 Colombia. Their Argentinian coach (Lorenzo) outwits Uruguay's Argentinian coach (Bielsa)
Colombia into the final...........against Argentina.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5562810/2024/07/02/copa-america-argentine-managers/
Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia. All four nations won their groups at Copa America but they have got something else in common, too: all are led by Argentine coaches.
Colombia into the final...........against Argentina.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5562810/2024/07/02/copa-america-argentine-managers/
Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia. All four nations won their groups at Copa America but they have got something else in common, too: all are led by Argentine coaches.
Lionel Scaloni heads the list as the head coach of the Argentina national team. Uruguay has Marcelo Bielsa in charge, while Colombia and Venezuela are coached by Nestor Lorenzo and Fernando Batista, respectively.
And that’s just the start: seven of the 16 participating nations had an Argentine in the dugout.
Shame that not even beIN Sports picked up the rights in NZ.
I'm just getting around to watching some of the games online, while avoiding as much as possible seeing any results.
Should keep me busy for several days this weekend and next week post Euros.
Here's the info I just sent to an older Kiwi mate who's lived in South America and was frustrated he couldn't find the matches on beIN Sports etc.
_______________________________________________________
Here's where I've found to watch videos of the Copa America on You Tube.
I'm just getting around to watching some of the games online, while avoiding as much as possible seeing any results.
Should keep me busy for several days this weekend and next week post Euros.
Here's the info I just sent to an older Kiwi mate who's lived in South America and was frustrated he couldn't find the matches on beIN Sports etc.
_______________________________________________________
Here's where I've found to watch videos of the Copa America on You Tube.
FULL MATCHES: 16 matches
16 select matches in full.
16 select matches in full.
Check here first and look for highlights of the rest at the last link below:
The videos are in the correct order from oldest first:
Costa Rica v Paraguay is the last group game (third to last game)
Only one quarter-final is there: Argentina v Ecuador
And only one semi-final.: Argentina v Canada
SECOND SEMI-FINAL IN FULL:
The other semi-final is here on another website:
Click on "First Half" at top of screen for first half.
Then later click on "Second Half" for second half.
(wait in each case for the numbers to count down):
"Soccer Catch Full" is great for most major leagues and finals.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL OTHER MATCHES:
Where there are no full matches you'll have to watch 3 minute highlight videos on the Copa's official You Tube here.
Watch from the oldest ones at the bottom first (video number 30):
That is a great resource Big Pete. Looking forward to seeing a couple of matches I missed on my travels. And I get to see my TV appearance at Canada v Peru.
Related to the September FIFA window, it looks like the US won't have named a replacement by then (and their previous assistant that led them in Berhalter's first absence just took a club job) and Mexico was trying to make Jaime Lozano move into an assistant role under Javier Aguirre who managed Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and was with Mallorca in La Liga last season. Lozano said no, so I expect they'll just fire Lozano and hire Aguirre, but I haven't been following it too closely. Anyway, we both may be facing teams in September without a manager or with a manager making their debut.
Related to the September FIFA window, it looks like the US won't have named a replacement by then (and their previous assistant that led them in Berhalter's first absence just took a club job) and Mexico was trying to make Jaime Lozano move into an assistant role under Javier Aguirre who managed Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and was with Mallorca in La Liga last season. Lozano said no, so I expect they'll just fire Lozano and hire Aguirre, but I haven't been following it too closely. Anyway, we both may be facing teams in September without a manager or with a manager making their debut.
Got to feel for Canada, so close to upsetting Uruguay on technically home soil. Not sure if this would've been their first ever win over Uruguay but Canada went up 2-1 through David in the 80th minute before Suarez equalised in the 92nd minute.
Canada ended up losing 3-4 on penalties.
Canada ended up losing 3-4 on penalties.
After 20 mins in the Final, is 0-0 between Colombia and Argentina.
Saw a news item where the final is a big deal in Colombia. Only time they have won it was 2001, when they were the hosts
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/15/south-america/copa-america/argentina/colombia/4275176/
Saw a news item where the final is a big deal in Colombia. Only time they have won it was 2001, when they were the hosts
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/15/south-america/copa-america/argentina/colombia/4275176/
What a final. The crowd troubles at the beginning will overshadow anything on the pitch.
After watching this and most of the euro's, I feel way better about OFC pitches. There have been some absolute shockers from both European and American stadiums.
After watching this and most of the euro's, I feel way better about OFC pitches. There have been some absolute shockers from both European and American stadiums.
1-0 win to Argentina after extra time.
Messi injured and subbed off after 66mins
Also I believe this was di Maria's final match before retiring from international duty
Messi injured and subbed off after 66mins
Also I believe this was di Maria's final match before retiring from international duty
What a final. The crowd troubles at the beginning will overshadow anything on the pitch.
After watching this and most of the euro's, I feel way better about OFC pitches. There have been some absolute shockers from both European and American stadiums.
After watching this and most of the euro's, I feel way better about OFC pitches. There have been some absolute shockers from both European and American stadiums.
There will be plenty of work needed in the USA before the World Cup. Hopefully they will have time to sort out the grass plus there is an issue with the non FIFA compliant narrow pitches.
Good methodical win by Argentina and they did it without Messi. In fact I thought they played better after he left the field. Maybe someone needs to have a quiet word in his ear about retiring. He’s 37 and done it all. He has his legacy as the GOAT. Argentina need to build a team without him for the next WC.
Nice way to see off Di Maria. He’s one of my all time favorite players. No ego, not flashy, just gets on with being consistently a very good player.
Good methodical win by Argentina and they did it without Messi. In fact I thought they played better after he left the field. Maybe someone needs to have a quiet word in his ear about retiring. He’s 37 and done it all. He has his legacy as the GOAT. Argentina need to build a team without him for the next WC.
Nice way to see off Di Maria. He’s one of my all time favorite players. No ego, not flashy, just gets on with being consistently a very good player.
These issues are largely all Conmebol issues and have next to nothing to do with the U.S. The 2016 Copa Centenario in the U.S. had American involvement in the planning and organization and it was far from perfect, but it went off without any real issues. Conmebol cut them out of the process this time.
The venues are supposed to have the pitches in the stadiums and bedded in months before the tournament in 2026. I forget how far out, but it was a sticking point for some of the venues during the bid process because other teams use the stadiums and FIFA didn't want anyone else using them.
A lot of this has to fall on CONMEBOL who seemed convinced that their new pitches are superior because of a bunch of lab tests they ran on them, but anyone with eyes could see they were a disaster. Miami has a fine grass surface all year and they tore it up because of a concert and replaced it four days before the final. None of this nonsense will happen at the World Cup. Also, most of the stadiums were built to accommodate a full-sized pitch, but because a few weren't they decided to make all of the pitches at Copa the same size. Which is another decision I don't understand.
I am curious what happens with training facilities for 2026 because that was a massive issue that people don't often think about, but multiple players were injured in training (can't say if it was all down to the quality of the pitches) and in some places it was too hot to train at all. I hadn't heard about it until Bielsa mentioned it, but apparently Bolivia barely trained at all during the tournament.
Messi wasn't 100% fit before the match and I think when he is fit he still has that ability to change a match on his own, but I absolutely agree they were better once he went off.
Shocking scenes before the match, but lots of credit to the supporters after the fact. The Colombians must have been gutted and there was zero segregation and still there were no issues post-match as far as I heard. As much as Conmebol deserves the blame for so many of the issues at the tournament, security in America needs to improve drastically. Women screaming for their children, children crying, people on the ground struggling to breathe and you see security shoving and hitting people instead of trying to help the injured or prevent them from being trampled. The people who showed up without tickets and tried to force their way in deserve a large shame of the blame, but the response was poor from Conmebol and the security has been terrible all tournament and I hope that changes before the World Cup.
The Miami part of the bid package has maps detailing the entry points and perimeter fencing that will be erected around the stadium area for the 2026 World Cup. None of what has been planned for 2026 was done last night. Just greed and incompetence running wild.
The venues are supposed to have the pitches in the stadiums and bedded in months before the tournament in 2026. I forget how far out, but it was a sticking point for some of the venues during the bid process because other teams use the stadiums and FIFA didn't want anyone else using them.
A lot of this has to fall on CONMEBOL who seemed convinced that their new pitches are superior because of a bunch of lab tests they ran on them, but anyone with eyes could see they were a disaster. Miami has a fine grass surface all year and they tore it up because of a concert and replaced it four days before the final. None of this nonsense will happen at the World Cup. Also, most of the stadiums were built to accommodate a full-sized pitch, but because a few weren't they decided to make all of the pitches at Copa the same size. Which is another decision I don't understand.
I am curious what happens with training facilities for 2026 because that was a massive issue that people don't often think about, but multiple players were injured in training (can't say if it was all down to the quality of the pitches) and in some places it was too hot to train at all. I hadn't heard about it until Bielsa mentioned it, but apparently Bolivia barely trained at all during the tournament.
Messi wasn't 100% fit before the match and I think when he is fit he still has that ability to change a match on his own, but I absolutely agree they were better once he went off.
Shocking scenes before the match, but lots of credit to the supporters after the fact. The Colombians must have been gutted and there was zero segregation and still there were no issues post-match as far as I heard. As much as Conmebol deserves the blame for so many of the issues at the tournament, security in America needs to improve drastically. Women screaming for their children, children crying, people on the ground struggling to breathe and you see security shoving and hitting people instead of trying to help the injured or prevent them from being trampled. The people who showed up without tickets and tried to force their way in deserve a large shame of the blame, but the response was poor from Conmebol and the security has been terrible all tournament and I hope that changes before the World Cup.
The Miami part of the bid package has maps detailing the entry points and perimeter fencing that will be erected around the stadium area for the 2026 World Cup. None of what has been planned for 2026 was done last night. Just greed and incompetence running wild.
I had been thinking of going to the next WC but I think I will give it a miss. The USA and Mexico will be unbearably hot and humid during the tournament and the distances across the three countries is huge. Better to stay at home and watch on TV.
I'm sure they'll iron out the kinks for the world cup, but nevertheless I'd love the All Whites to be drawn in that Vancouver/Seattle hub of games.
FIFA is a highly organised super rich beast of a machine. Who wasn't impressed with last year's WWC. An eye opener for me going to some games, and seeing the multi lingual FIFA staff up close, plus all the pre game merch, tents etc.
Despite all the misgivings of the 2022 WC in Qatar (and putting the moral stuff aside), it seemed to be big success as a World Cup.
But having spent alot of time in South America the last few years (especially Peru), there is not alot they organise well there. Incompetent chaos is the common situation.
However crowd control can even get out of hand in countries that generally organise big games well. The 2020 Euro (held in 2021) between England and Italy at Wembley, the same deal when fans without tickets broke into the ground.
Despite all the misgivings of the 2022 WC in Qatar (and putting the moral stuff aside), it seemed to be big success as a World Cup.
But having spent alot of time in South America the last few years (especially Peru), there is not alot they organise well there. Incompetent chaos is the common situation.
However crowd control can even get out of hand in countries that generally organise big games well. The 2020 Euro (held in 2021) between England and Italy at Wembley, the same deal when fans without tickets broke into the ground.