So you thought WC qualifying was tough...

[Robert]

... check out the Gold Cup field. Based on the competitive results achieved by the Canadian Men's National Soccer Team over the last couple of years, and without yet knowing the identity of 12th team, I'd have to say that on paper we appear to have the weakest side in the competition. Although, the last time this was said about them, they wound up winning the tournament, in 2000. Don't expect a repeat of that miracle to happen. Goaltending is a big question mark. Will Sutton have what it takes at this level? Can Lars answer the bell if he is called upon? Defensively, who will fill the boots of de Vos? The midfield has been suspect for eons, and the question will be if our up and coming youngsters have matured enough to make a difference. Up front we have DDR who has good games but is inconsistant, and Rad might be finished. He has been around for a while, and the times he decides to show up have bourne little. Forecast: Canada fails to qualify for the quater-finals and Kevan Pipe will have Andy Sharpe fire coach Frank Yallop, thus masterfully preserving his own job once again.

[beachesl]

Arena has publically complained about the horrible timing of the Gold Cup in the middle of the hex, so I expect that it will be at most a B+ team for the USA with a lot of prospects being given a second look, and most of the Euro guys being left for the club training camps. Can't see Mexico exhausting all their A-Team players after the Confederations Cup either. Even Canada, without the conflict of the hex, will only send a B+ team, as some of the leading players such as De Vos, Stalteri and DeGuzman have apparently told Frank that they are going to take a break this year to concentrate on their club challenges this July, and thus are maybe being left out of the Portugal friendly squad which Yallop sees as a preparation for the Gold Cup.

This is really an opportunity for teams such as South Africa and Jamaica to get their act together for the coming years.

[DJT]

quote:Originally posted by beachesl

This is really an opportunity for teams such as South Africa and Jamaica to get their act together for the coming years.

There are basically two groups of participants: those still involved in WCQ, including South Africa, and those looking to 2010, including Jamaica (and Canada). The Gold Cup needs to be played every four years to make teams focus on it as a goal in and of itself.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by beachesl

Arena has publically complained about the horrible timing of the Gold Cup in the middle of the hex,

Incredibly, the smart idea to hold the Gold Cup in the middle of the final phase of WCQ is not a first for Concacaf. They did it in 1993 when Canada was still involved in WCQ play at that time. I'll bet that none of us remember or cared how we did at that Gold Cup when it was played that year. Canada had played five WCQ games from april to June of that year then had to play in the Gold cup in early July, a time when there were still two critical WCQ games versus Australia left for Canada. From my recollection of that period, I do not think that I even knew what the Gold Cup was. How could anyone have cared given the importance of those upcomming games versus Australia. But I guess that Concacaf Gold Cup organizers still haven't clued in.

For the record,at that Gold cup, Canada earned draws in the first two games then lost to Mexico. Barely two weeks later they had to play Australia. Imagine the disappointment if a key player would have incurred an injury in the GC and would have been forced to miss that the matches versus Australia. Who knows, that may have even happened

[RJB]

If you ask me, they should hold the Gold Cup every four years, the year after the World Cup, so the next one being in 2007. This way, there is no WCQ going on, and teams are looking to stay sharp.

Also, you wouldn't compete with anything other than the World Youth Cup. But that being played every two years would be tough to avoid.

[bettermirror]

agreed. has to be every 4 years and no invites. year after world cup makes most sense.

[redhat]

Every four years is logical, but these games are crucial for teams that

are not going through. That includes Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, and us.

And for countries like Costa Rica and Guatemala, these are important games for

WC preparation. As well as for the invited teams.

So just because Bruce Arena and Mexico aren't sending their A-teams does not mean

they are just going to roll over and play dead in this "joke" tournament. Believe me,

the CONCACAF countries and their supporters are taking it seriously. And just because

European media has never taken CONCACAF tournaments (and teams) too seriously, it doesn't

mean the teams are crap. They found that out in WC2002, where all CONCACAF teams surprised.

The reality is that although the tournament scheduling has NEVER been favourable,

we are in CONCACAF and this is OUR regional tournament.

[way2goeh]

Everyone has the right to their opinion, but ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY? Every 4 years? I dont think I want to see Canada play a game a year. This tournament is the only way Canada plays. Since nobody wants to play in Canada, this is the only way for canadians to see them live, even if this means to drive to the states. To wait every 4 years to see them play 3 games at home is insane, but thats my opinion

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by way2goeh

Everyone has the right to their opinion, but ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY? Every 4 years? I dont think I want to see Canada play a game a year. This tournament is the only way Canada plays. Since nobody wants to play in Canada, this is the only way for canadians to see them live, even if this means to drive to the states. To wait every 4 years to see them play 3 games at home is insane, but thats my opinion

But that would be counterbalanced with some GCQ, some of which would probably be at home.

[FC Beast]

quote:Originally posted by way2goeh

Everyone has the right to their opinion, but ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY? Every 4 years? I dont think I want to see Canada play a game a year. This tournament is the only way Canada plays. Since nobody wants to play in Canada, this is the only way for canadians to see them live, even if this means to drive to the states. To wait every 4 years to see them play 3 games at home is insane, but thats my opinion

Right on.....If the Gold Cup went to every 4 years the Canadian

program might as well shut up shop right now. Playing meaningless

friendlies will only get you so far, you need proper competitions

for the experience.