CNL Play-In for Copa America: Canada vs Trinidad & Tobago - Saturday, March 23, 2024 - Frisco (greater Dallas), Texas

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

The thread for us to talk (or nervously obsess) about the Play-In (aka the repechaje) for the Copa America over the next 4 months.

It is only a single match that will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, (the home of FC Dallas).
This do or die match in Texas will be played on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
The seeding will work as follows:
"The two CNL Play-In pairings will be determined based on the Concacaf Men's Senior National Team Rankings published after November's FIFA Match Window, with the highest-ranked team facing the lowest-ranked team (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3)."
https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/dallas-metropolitan-area-to-host-a-decisive-week-of-concacaf-nations-league-matches-in-march-2024/

The CONCACAF Ranking Index (as of October 31st)
(1) Canada   1729
(2) Costa Rica   1676
(3) Honduras   1409
(4) Trinidad & Tobago   1326

Although the rankings above are not those that will be used, from what I can gather, no team will have moved enough during the month of November to switch places with any other team; they are all ranked too far away from one another.
The rankings of the 4 teams that have to play in this "Play-In" will hold.

The matchups will therefore be:
(1) Canada vs (4) Trinidad & Tobago
(2) Costa Rica vs (3) Honduras

Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago it is!

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

4 minutes ago, Treppy2 said:

this means Canada plays T&T in the last-chance qualifier.

1 minute ago, spinrack said:

Canada will now face Trinidad in the last-chance Copa qualifier.

Correct.

And the thread has already been made!

[youllneverwalkalone]

It's hard to get excited about this amazing good fortune after our most recent good fortune went to shit so quickly. I think there was a story in the US about a couple that burned through two multi-million dollar lottery wins. That could be us!

[RS]

How many pages is this [checks notes] four-month game thread going to hit? 500? 1000?

[scullion44]

How did Trinidad hold on for so long vs USA? The leagues most their players play in are shocking. I’m also surprised USA werent able to beat them with 10 men. I guess in the second leg USA didn’t really care but still.

[cornerkick]

Are there opportunities for Canada to get a friendly or two in before this game? 

[blueseeka]

5 minutes ago, cornerkick said:

Are there opportunities for Canada to get a friendly or two in before this game? 

Probably not but the women have a bunch of friendlies, so its all good.

 

If they are holding a Jan camp, i would expect a friendly or two but.....

Edited November 22, 2023 by blueseeka

[Stoppage Time]

6 minutes ago, cornerkick said:

Are there opportunities for Canada to get a friendly or two in before this game? 

Maybe Camp Poutine?

[Obinna]

11 minutes ago, scullion44 said:

How did Trinidad hold on for so long vs USA? The leagues most their players play in are shocking. I’m also surprised USA werent able to beat them with 10 men. I guess in the second leg USA didn’t really care but still.

The USA played far too slow in the first half and couldn't break down the Trini bunker. 

In the second half it didn't get much better but then Pepi got his foot on a cross and the ball went in, then the flood gates opened.

[Treppy2]

21 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

Correct.

And the thread has already been made!

Thanks for starting this thread after midnight, and thanks to all those who have already replied. it shows how passionate we all are. As @RS suggests, this is going to be a long thread!

[Obinna]

GK: Crepeau, St. Clair, Sirois

D: Johnston, Laryea, LDF, Miller, Cornelius, McGraw, Adekugbe

M: Eustaquio, Kone, Ahmed, Choniere, Paton, Loturi, Saliba

F: Buchanan, Davies, David, Larin, Millar, Nelson

Never too early for roster predictions, is it?

[Watchmen]

Just now, Obinna said:

GK: Crepeau, St. Clair, Sirois

The problem for Crepeau, St Clair, Sirois will be that they'll only be a month in to the season.

[scullion44]

1 minute ago, Obinna said:

GK: Crepeau, St. Clair, Sirois

😧 Johnston, Laryea, LDF, Miller, Cornelius, McGraw, Adekugbe

M: Eustaquio, Kone, Ahmed, Choniere, Paton, Loturi, Saliba

F: Buchanan, Davies, David, Larin, Millar, Nelson

Never too early for roster predictions, is it?

What’s happened to Kennedy? I’ve generally liked what I’ve seen from him when he’s played.

[Bertuzzi44]

Must have a new manager in place before this game. 

[Obinna]

8 minutes ago, scullion44 said:

What’s happened to Kennedy? I’ve generally liked what I’ve seen from him when he’s played.

Debated it and he could get in there, but I don't want 3 left footed CBs in this team. 

[SpursFlu]

This feels so far away I can't even wrap my head around it

[Watchmen]

Just now, cornerkick said:

Are there opportunities for Canada to get a friendly or two in before this game? 

There's usually Caribbean nations available to play in that window, and I'd imagine they probably won't cost a ton.  But man, if they'd only been able to organize themselves fast enough to accept that Saudi Arabia/South Korea combo back in September, they'd have had that extra window to prepare for this series and we might not be in this spot.

[Unnamed Trialist]

1 hour ago, RS said:

How many pages is this [checks notes] four-month game thread going to hit? 500? 1000?

Because we're sure to cap tie Luc de Fougerolles in Dallas, aim high.

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

1 hour ago, scullion44 said:

The leagues most their players play in are shocking.

Like, *checks notes* the Canadian Premier League! 

 

[patstew19]

Well shit, guess we’re all going to frisco

[king1010]

Can you imagine trinidad makes the copa? 

[Borjans Sweatpants]

7 hours ago, Stoppage Time said:

Maybe Camp Poutine?

 

[YorkRegionFan]

It is so tortuous to be a CMNT fan.  One step forward, two steps back.  Fingers crossed, that the CSA does better preparation for the T&T game.

[RJB]

47 minutes ago, king1010 said:

Can you imagine trinidad makes the copa? 

Every single day for the next four months. 

[InglewoodJack]

7 hours ago, Obinna said:

GK: Crepeau, St. Clair, Sirois

😧 Johnston, Laryea, LDF, Miller, Cornelius, McGraw, Adekugbe

M: Eustaquio, Kone, Ahmed, Choniere, Paton, Loturi, Saliba

F: Buchanan, Davies, David, Larin, Millar, Nelson

Never too early for roster predictions, is it?

You know, the sad thing is, 5 months out, it might be too early. Plenty of time for someone we aren’t thinking of to come in, plenty of time for a regular to completely lose form. Knight Lebel has 5 months to start getting regular minutes and Vitoria has 5 months to lose what little minutes he’s getting. Less wishful thinking and more lamenting the fact that we’ve got 5 months between competitive matches.