CONCACAF Nations League 2022/2023 - General Thread - Group Stage

[VinceA]

Time to follow CRCFutbol's twitter to see him continue to lose his mind over Suarez and his inept tactics for Costa Rica.

[footballfreak]

So, who are we rooting for? Panama are more dangerous going forward, but I don’t want anything to do with Navas. Is he officially retired for CRC?

[VinceA]

3 minutes ago, footballfreak said:

So, who are we rooting for? Panama are more dangerous going forward, but I don’t want anything to do with Navas. Is he officially retired for CRC?

He's not yet but I don't think anyone is sure of his future. The next few months will probably tell us.

Realistically we want Costa Rica to advance because while they have talent their coach is ass and is actively undermining the talent on this team.

You have to be a fool to exile your best striking prospect since Wanchope in Manfred Ugalde because you set a 19-year old up to fail in a shitty system and then threw him under the bus to the media.

Edited March 29, 2023 by VinceA

[Neil R.]

If Panama advances to the semi-final, one of their forwards, Alberto Quintero, received his 2nd yellow of the group stage near the end of the first half. He hasn't scored in the group stage but has started 3 of their 4 matches and was subbed on in the one he didn't start.

[footballfreak]

.

Edited March 29, 2023 by footballfreak

[Gian-Luca]

Weird hearing Luke Wileman call games for the US:

 

[footballfreak]

Panama it is. Great finish.

Very reminiscent of the goal we conceded to them at BMO.

Edited March 29, 2023 by footballfreak

[maplebanana]

Fajardo scores in the 77', but gets straight red in the 88'. Looks like they'll be missing Fajardo and Quintero against us.

[Metro]

Happy it'll be Canada vs Panama. This generation's CR doesn't seem to be very gifted up front so the only way they can win is to grind the game down and low block you to death, so to speak. Panama is more willing to play a more ecopen game.

[Neil R.]

Nations League semi-finals are set.

Let's go boys.

[footballfreak]

23 minutes ago, Neil R. said:

Nations League semi-finals are set.

Let's go boys.

Safe to say we will be the early game.

Edit: I stand corrected. I wonder if that changes before June.

Edited March 29, 2023 by footballfreak

[top cheese]

Im confused as to why Herdman abandoned all his tactics in the world cup and is back making rational decisions in CONCACAF games again. 

[jonovision]

16 minutes ago, top cheese said:

Im confused as to why Herdman abandoned all his tactics in the world cup and is back making rational decisions in CONCACAF games again. 

What's done is done. Be happy that he's learned from it.

[74 Whitecap]

The other benefit of Panama winning is that is should help us pass Costa Rica in the rankings. I understand why they are ahead of us, but it still feels like BS.

[narduch]

4 hours ago, Metro said:

Happy it'll be Canada vs Panama. This generation's CR doesn't seem to be very gifted up front so the only way they can win is to grind the game down and low block you to death, so to speak. Panama is more willing to play a more ecopen game.

We also avoid Navas. Who skipped this window for some reason. But I assume would have shown up for the semis

[QBCS]

10 hours ago, Neil R. said:

Nations League semi-finals are set.

Let's go boys.

Games on same day?

[dyslexic nam]

Just now, QBCS said:

Games on same day?

Yeah.  2 SF games on the 15th and then the 3/4 and 1/2 games on the 18th.  

[johnyb]

14 hours ago, footballfreak said:

I think this concern is overblown to some extent. What CONCACAF wants is Mexico vs US period.  I don’t think they really care that much if it happens in the semi or the final. In some ways a semi meeting might be better for CONCACAF because it lets them double dip - they get the big US vs Mex game guaranteed, and then they also get to sell the final because it’s the final. It also guarantees at least some eyes on the third place game.

Thought of this after I posted and agree. Mex x USA in Semi's guarantees a sellout in the semi and guarantees one of them will be in the Final.

[pod818]

Panama is the preferred opponent over Costa Rica. They will still have nightmares of Alphonso Davies most memorable goal running the entire length of BMO in World Cup Qualifying

[footballfreak]

50 minutes ago, pod818 said:

Panama is the preferred opponent over Costa Rica. They will still have nightmares of Alphonso Davies most memorable goal running the entire length of BMO in World Cup Qualifying

It never gets old. I find something new every time. My current favourite is the young guy that gives up on soccer entirely in that moment and just starts cradling his phone like a baby blanket.

[Kent]

I hope there will be a good crowd in the stands for the Canada vs Panama semi final. It looks like they will sell tickets as a double header, which means most of the tickets will be bought up by USA and Mexico fans, so hopefully they show up early to watch our game as well. It would suck if it is like so many of our Gold Cup games where the first half the stadium is almost entirely empty and then fans start to file in during the 2nd half because they are coming for the following game.

Also with that in mind, anyone thinking of travelling, remember you may want to buy sooner rather than later, because this Canada vs Panama game will have the tickets selling like USA vs Mexico.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Very impressive of Panama to go to Argentina and all that intensity, the travel, playing competitive football, then walking into Costa Rica a couple days later and stealing a late win.

Also huge credit they kept Christiansen, they were unlucky and disappointed to not make Qatar, but have stuck with him and that gives them continuity. We're slight favourites but that's still a tough match 

[Alex]

I think Panama used 2 different rosters 

[Unnamed Trialist]

33 minutes ago, Alex said:

I think Panama used 2 different rosters 

Really, had no idea? If that is the case quite impressive in fact, since they played Argentina really tough. I didn't watch, but the highlight reel shows few chances from open play, Messi has at least 5 free kicks. First hits the crossbar, the fourth hits the post and the rebound is put in m. 78. He then nails one, the fifth, as the game was ending. The entire match was Argentina getting free kicks 25 metres from goal.

Then the go into Costa Rica and beat them late, holding on with 10 men.

BTW, the goal-scorer Fajardo was red carded, he was a second half sub for Waterman, so he's out for the semi final. I suspect they'll give us the ball and defend tenaciously.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Good catch from @Alex, Panama really did play with virtually a different team vs. Argentina to not let it affect their Costa Rica game.

Panama vs. Costa Rica, starters:

Mosquera

Andrade - Escobar - Cummings

Blackman - Carrasquilla - Martínez - Murillo

Dias  - Waterman - Quintero

Welch, Bárcenas, Fajardo, Davis and Córdoba sub on.

Against Argentina:

Only Córdoba, Quintero and Murillo started of the former line-up, and none of the subs vs. Argentina figured in the Costa Rica game.