Olympic Qualifying U24 Tournament - Guadalajara Mexico - March 18 to 30 2021

[Shway]

2 minutes ago, RS said:

They've had several players not on the roster with them in Mexico the whole time.

Yea we knew that, Corbeanu, Farsi, and Abzi. 
But a CB is out, and now we only have 2 CB's in the camp, and have added two wingback/midfielders.

[Gian-Luca]

2 hours ago, narduch said:

Scout our next opponents at 3:30 pm ET.

 

Thanks, I assumed Honduras & Haiti were after us. Not sure why they are doing a 3:30pm game when they could be doing an 8pm game, or is the club team that is using the stadium playing tonight as well?

[Shway]

5 minutes ago, RS said:

Better hope neither Cornelius nor Montgomery get injured or suspended.

With high intensity games, quick turnover, the heat & altitude. 
Let's pray the Gods favour us. 

[El Hombre]

3 minutes ago, Gian-Luca said:

Yeah, I think that's right. He becomes the third CB, though it does leave us thinner in the middle of the park as a result. A lot of wing/flanks depth for a 20 man roster though

I also for some reason thought Godinho had experience at CB but couldn't find anything to back that up.

[Kadenge]

1 minute ago, El Hombre said:

I also for some reason thought Godinho had experience at CB but couldn't find anything to back that up.

I was just going to post this as well!

[Kadenge]

3 minutes ago, Shway said:

With high intensity games, quick turnover, the heat & altitude. 
Let's pray the Gods favour us. 

Nyet..the Gods are never with us

[Atlantic]

2 minutes ago, El Hombre said:

I also for some reason thought Godinho had experience at CB but couldn't find anything to back that up.

Transfermarkt says he's played there but have no clue how long ago that might've been. 

[Shway]

God no. Godinho at CB.....

I rather put Norman Jr, or Metcalfe.....or ZBG and start Farsi. 

[Gian-Luca]

11 hours ago, CanadaFan123 said:

Care to elaborate? Cornelius seemed the weakest CB in January so not surprised he’s with the u23s.. seems they used January as a tryout of sorts.

As for people saying it will be a “miracle”. This isn’t Canada gold cup 2000. We have a team of young experienced pros that are arguably better than past MNT teams (2013, 2015 gold cup). It will be unexpected but far from a miracle. This team on paper is better than our past 3 squads that made the semis. 

I think the main reason why I feel it will be somewhat miraculous isn't so much the talent issue (although we aren't among the top two talented rosters so thus aren't favourites) but the team's almost-complete lack of prep (worse than usual because of the pandemic) & the fact that we're out of season whereas I think most of our opponents will be in-season. Having all the players get together shortly after many of them are meeting each for the first time while many of them are out of season. Twardek's loss from the roster (one of the few in-season guys) probably increases this aspect. On the other hand, there should be some chemistry from having four Montreal & four Vancouver players on the team, and one thing that our total lack of prep games ensures is that team's can't properly scout us so there is an opportunity to literally surprise our first game opponents. And I think our group isn't as tough, nor do I think the US & Mexico look unassailable after having seen both play, so I am still optimistic at the same time.

I will say this just add this - I hope Bassong really shines and makes it nearly impossible for any attacker to get past him. This way he can rightfully say to his opponents "Don't Mess with the Zohran"

[CanadaFan123]

I feel like ZBG and Bassong also have experience at CB. 

[Shway]

Just now, CanadaFan123 said:

I feel like ZBG and Bassong also have experience at CB. 

ZBG played CB with Lyon B iirc. 

[Nate3322]

1 minute ago, CanadaFan123 said:

I feel like ZBG and Bassong also have experience at CB. 

Montréal when they signed Bassong said he could play as a CB

[JamesF]

could we see ZBG as a cm???

[Shway]

1 minute ago, JamesF said:

could we see ZBG as a cm???

I predict highly unlikely.

[Shway]

look who's part of the coaching staff....

 

[El Diego]

I think this means Norman is the third CB, and that his ability to play CB was likely the reason he was called up in the first place.

Not sure about off the pitch, but on the pitch Cornelius will have to babysit the squad if we are to have any chance (much like he did in the Toulon tournament).

[Alex]

Who on here is the Olivieri “fan” lol that rant was golden 

[Shway]

Just now, Alex said:

Who on here is the Olivieri “fan” lol that rant was golden 

That's exactly who I posted it for lol....I'm trying to remember...I think it was @Ansem? (sorry if it wasn't you)

[dyslexic nam]

5 minutes ago, Shway said:

That's exactly who I posted it for lol....I'm trying to remember...I think it was @Ansem? (sorry if it wasn't you)

It seems a bit more Special K’s style...

[Dominic94]

6 minutes ago, Shway said:

That's exactly who I posted it for lol....I'm trying to remember...I think it was @Ansem? (sorry if it wasn't you)

Nope ahaha it was @Footyeh

 

What a rise for Mo Farsi, forget about the rise of Skywalker let’s talk about  the  Rise of Farsi.

guy was a Semi Pro player a year ago.

[Floortom]

These are unfortunate changes. Not huge fan of either TMG or Twardek when I have seen them play but they both had important roles on this team. Twardek being pretty much the only match fit player at a decent level and TMG providing depth at CB. 

[SpecialK]

44 minutes ago, Shway said:

look who's part of the coaching staff....

 

The Peter Griffin of Soccer ! Why !!! Just why ?!? This would never happen in a real football nation ! I’m sorry but it true

Edited March 19, 2021 by SpecialK

[RS]

1 hour ago, Shway said:

Yea we knew that, Corbeanu, Farsi, and Abzi. 
But a CB is out, and now we only have 2 CB's in the camp, and have added two wingback/midfielders.

Right, but depth issues at CB have nothing to do with the CSA’s financial situation. 

If Vitoria and Kennedy were available for the senior team, both sides would be in a much better position.

[CanadaFan123]

3 minutes ago, RS said:

Right, but depth issues at CB have nothing to do with the CSA’s financial situation. 

If Vitoria and Kennedy were available for the senior team, both sides would be in a much better position.

What about Romeo? Odd that he wasn’t called. 
 

Im hoping that Zator is called to the MNT but bracing myself for a Didic recall.

[Bdog]

50 minutes ago, Shway said:

look who's part of the coaching staff....

 

Looks like coach Randy has still been driving cheeseburgers into that dirty old cheeseburger locker