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Okay everyone, let’s settle this. like this post with a little blue heart if the Gold Cup (specifically this edition of it) is important to you. sad react this post with a crying emoji if you think it is unimportant. Since I can’t react to my own post, consider me down for a little blue heart.

Sat on this for almost a week… great opportunity at a big club!! Go smash it now Liam!!

Finally

Maybe I am in the minority but I can’t stress how strongly I disagree with this point of view. This is our continental championship. I get that it isn’t the Euros, but it is literally the second biggest tournament our senior national team plays in. And we haven’t even reached the latter qualification stages of the other one in decades. I know I am repeating myself, but if your only enjoyment of Canadian senior men’s soccer is essentially “World Cup of bust” then I don’t get it We are fans of Canadian soccer - not just of the World Cup. This isn’t some minor league cup competition that is a distraction. I enjoy it for its own sake - even when it occurs in WCQ years and is viewed by some as an annoying injury risk.

A great start to the season and Regensburg played a solid game. Nice to see the trades/additions to the team make a difference. Scott and the new back Breitkreuz are a powerful combination. The Fotmob, WhoScored and Sofascore evaluation of Scott's performance: 7.2, 7.3 and 6.9. Singh (new) was highly ranked.

Pic from todays game…sorry

Liam played the last 14 mins for FC Basel in a 3-3 preseason friendly vs Aarau FC. Good to get a run out with this new team and ets some vital preseason mins only been there 3 days… Had a few good dribbles and played a key pass that resulted in the pen for the 3rd goal…

My wife and I often discuss the "line" for the involvement of a parent of an elite athlete. It's an interesting discussion. How much involvement is the right amount? It is my view that (ideally), a parent provides unconditional love, support and encouragement. It should be about the fun and participation first, success and achievement second. That said, winning is fun and addictive and easy to celebrate. When you are able to support a child that has the internal motivation to be the best that they can be, this is a winning combination. Ideally, I will never give an interview about Scott. Only Scott will speak for Scott.

I'll take a non confrontational stab on a few points that I think helps our WCQ from participating in this Gold Cup. 1) The way we competed and were competitive in every match against all opposition, proved we were adequately prepared. Not that the players did not trust Herdman or his staff, but this tournament will only re-enforce that the players will trust the staff with preparation, tactics and in game adjustments for WCQ matches. 2) Many of our 23 spent a significant chunk of time together as a team in training. I'm a big believer in more time together the more you develop chemistry and unity, even if it is just from training. This GC they experienced both training together and playing games together. 3) When you take away our big guns, many of our 23 men for WCQ will have gained valuable international and big game experience. Yes I consider QF & a SF(in front of 50k+ opposition supporters) in a knockout tournament a "big game experience". This simply can't be taught, you have to live threw it and experience it. Many men learnt and experienced it. They can carry this experience forward the rest of their lives. 4) The chemistry or as our players are calling it "brotherhood" has only grown from this tournament. Look at some of the top countries in the World: Spain, France, Holland. You can have all the talent in the world but if the chemistry or unity is not 100% there, you will have difficulties. I guarantee our top players watching afar are only more fired up to crush it for our flag come September, simply after watching their teammates give it everything for the flag this GC. 5) We've learnt Crepeau is very capable in a CMNT uniform. Club vs country competition vs how you show in training are all different beasts. Crepeau has proven this tourny he is the clear #2, pushing for #1. Do we learn this without the GC? Or have the same level of confidence? I'm not sure, but the question has now been answered. I'm sure I am missing more and I will agree with you, this GC is by no means a game changer for WCQ. At the same time, both of us are essentially and somewhat debating alot of hypotheticals. The true answer will likely always remain opinion based anyways, so tbh there really is no right or wrong answer. It's more where your opinion lies. For me, I felt the tournament a positive for the CMNT, which only carries forward and helps us in WCQ, which is only a month away and will happen very very quickly.

You know what the best thing about this tournament is. We learned nothing. Nothing about ourselves. Nothing about our opponents. It went no where to building team chemistry. No where to building belief in ourselves for the Oct. No where to getting the fans behind team. Such a shame. We should have sent a group of CPLers.

In the first team picture! He's around the middle, top row, above the leftmost dude in the white shirt.

This is a very good question. Scott has been fortunate in his career so far. The German scout who recognized his talents is an incredible person who has helped to direct Scott through his climb from the 6th Bundesliga to the 2nd Bundesliga. My wife and I have met with the scout a number of times and we have a good relationship with him (and fortunately, my wife speaks German). Scott has always been treated fairly in his career and he's made a living playing soccer. When the scout was dealing with the trade from Klagenfurt to Regensburg, he brought in the assistance of a seasoned "agent" who he knew well and trusted. We did not meet the agent (but I have been able to learn about him and due to our trust and relationship with the scout, we are comfortable). The soccer "business systems/protocols" in Europe are well established and "values" are pretty well established. While I expect we will continue to be given some insight into this world, we are not of the view that we are competent to lead these kinds of discussions. Where we are competent (and we can add value and Scott wants our help) we will be happy to help. Otherwise, I expect we will remain a sounding board for Scott and we will continue to play the role of a "sober second thought" for Scott.

I saw the game today and I was really impressed by his performance more so than last week too. Outside of the goal he was rock solid defensively and was good in the air. His passing was excellent from what I saw he looked really comfortable on the ball and building from the back. Based on whoscored he made the most number of accurate passes, as well as the most passes of any player.

Junior hoilett: "we're here to fight .... Canada should be proud". We are junior, we are. ...I'm not crying, you're crying!

I'm just posting in here so everyone knows how important I think this tournament is.

Eustaquio on playing with kaye: "brotherhood, I run for him and he runs for me." I'm not crying, you're crying!

Shows the value of the CPL, where would this this kid be without the CPL? Riding the bench in Montréal?

If you had told me in January 2020, "There's going to be a global pandemic from that COVID 19 thing that's presently in Wuhan and the #CanMNT won't play for the next 14 months" I would have said, "I believe you". But if you had told me, "The #CanMNT will play a Gold Cup match in 2021 and will receive 6 yellow cards and Henry won't be one of them" I would have said, "You're a crazy person".

I know it was mentioned by someone in another thread but Patrick Mullins goal for TFC vs Nashville a few weeks ago has been rightfully awarded to Noble Okello for his 1st career MLS goal.

I noticed that he also unfollowed England on Instagram and Twitter. Fingers crossed!

Yeah, but we played fucking well. With guts. First gold cup in a LONG time that we are going out and I'm not incredibly disappointed.

There's actually a 3rd clip where they get in to a heated debate over Gareth Wheeler

Another here: "And now they're going to face a more serious team, Canada, harder working and with more options than Costa Rica, I believe this will be a serious game for the Mexican team". "Now Mexico will face a very different team than they've ve faced so far. In the second half against El Salvador, El Salvador recovered the ball from Mexico, they pressed Mexico, and that was a team without the physicality, and without the capacity to box in an opponent like Canada has. Perhaps El Salvador has more creativity than Canada, but today El Salvador doesn't have the tools Canada has, Canada is a team with speed and strength 1 v 1, Canada can corner Mexico, and they know how to create scoring opportunities, these are points that should be passing through the head of Tata Martino. We are going to see sensational duels, Gallardo v. Tajon Buchanan, this will be difficult for Mexico to navigate... ".

Ralph has now moved ahead of Dom Dwyer and Carlos Ruiz on the all-time TFC goal scoring list.

I am assuming they are both taking C- teams to eliminate the risk of injury. Sorry…

I don’t want to see Johnston as a rwb anymore, it just kills the attack down that side of the field and we have a lot of other options who can play on that side. As a right back in the back four that’s fine and at the right side of a back three that’s good too, but not as a rwb. As soon as Laryea came on in that spot we took the game over, and besides, we need Johnston’s solid defending in the back

You haven't watched us a lot right???

To chime in the Brampton thing is a bit of the Malcolm Gladwell “Outlier” syndrome. There is such a high population density of teams and soccer players all in small catchment area(for Canada). In Brampton/Mississauga when I coached there at the OYSL level there were 4-5 teams(Brampton East, BYSC, Miss Falcons, north Miss, Erin Mills even Clarkson and Malton) and every year pushing each other and I always say it’s about playing against the best week in and week out that’s how u really improve. There was no one team dominating. Also around this time the SAAC academies really took off Bryst Sigma and AnB I mean there was so much competition for talent that everyone benefited from it. And even TFC academy came around this time too(of the recent. Crop)Add in the regional programs and coaches Like Joey Lombardi and they really were doing all the right things (technical tactical mental and physical balances programs) Anyways I’m rambling on but just a bit of insight I think into this bubble of emerging talent sorry if I missed any clubs or academies my 2 Cents…

I have been watching a Canada religiously since 82 qualifying (which we didn’t make) and I can honestly say I have never been so proud of a team, it’s spirit and quality. Sure we qualified for 86, we won in 2000 and we had a good run in 2007, but this team showed both quality and spirit. They were simply a joy to watch. Can’t wait for the Oct. We have great depth and spirit which we will need. The 5 sub rule and the larger squad will help us tremendously. Herdman’s stock went up this tourney. He had our B team outperform a Mexican A- side and a US B side for good swaths of effectively home matches for those sides in front of raucous crowds (especially the semi final). I don’t know what he said at half but that and the tactical switch to put Tajon up top was masterclass. Miller has jumped enormously up the pecking order in the back line as he was a rock tonight and I thought most of the tourney (I know others disagree but I think people criticise him as he doesn’t look elegant on the ball but is quietly effective). Johnstone is just solid. The US, Costa Rica and Mexican matches were tests which he passed Vittoria is a solid leader at the back and probably fine for Concacaf Henry is Henry. Rash challenge and bonehead plays but can be physical specimen when needed against some of the larger strikers like Dike Laryea had a solid tourney on both sides of the ball and can definitely spell Davies and Buchanan when needed which will be the case either as sub in the second half or some matches where they need a rest. Buchanan. What can you say. Just takes it up another level everytime you see him. That goal today put millions on his value. With Davies and him on opposite wings and David and Larin up front, a lot of Concacaf is going to be worried. Euataquio has established himself as one of the first on the team sheet. A great all rounder. He’s one of the hearts of this team. Kaye has some elements (especially moving the ball forward) but some mental let ups too. Let’s see how he takes this into Colorado and peg him to start at altitude in Azteca in October for that reason. Even without fans, it will be difficult to run like we did today and we will need all those who have engines and fully utilise the 5 subs there to get a result. Piette is a good piece to have and didn’t really go up or down this tourney; same with Fraser but I doubt the latter sees the field unless Hutch and Arfield don’t commit. Osorio is great on the ball, makes great runs, has a lot of heart and will be a useful piece for this side in qualifying even with Hutch and Arfield. Larin was quietly effective and again didn’t go up or down in my mind. Let’s hope he recovers for qualifying. Shame about Akinola but hopefully he comes back in a year stronger and hungrier. Cav is a bull but limited as we know. Again, a useful piece and he will get minutes and the occasional start. Hoilett was immense. I thought he was passed it but he showed this tourney he still has a lot to offer with both his quality and passion. Will get a lot of minutes in qualifying either up front off David or Larin or on the wings subbing Davies or Buchanan. A great piece to have. Corbeanu has a lot of potential as we saw today. I hope he gets minutes with Wolves or on loan and grows some more. Could be a Buchanan level player in a year or two if he does but I don’t see him getting many minutes in qualifying as too many pieces currently ahead of him (although I would have said the same about Buchanan 6 months ago). I think we will get some of Jebbison, Dias, Flores, Ferdi to commit now but not sure anay of them currently step into this side at present as a starter or maybe even get a lot of minutes but all are great futures for us and if they continue to grow will likely be part of the core for 26 if not 22 (assuming we qualify). All in all an exciting time to be a Canadian fan. I think I can honestly say we have arrived. It’s only taken from the days of me being a high school student to the brink of retirement, but I will take it (and retirement is now looking much much sweeter!)

I’ve been waiting all day for @Olympique_de_Marseille to start this thread 😂 Also, if you told me we would play USA, Costa Rica and Mexico back to back to back I’d take it in a heartbeat. This is excellent prep for wcq.

I am a fan and really glad Theo is in the setup. He will make lots of contributions in the years to come. But I disagree with a couple of things. He hasn’t proven that he is a Premier a league talent yet. Not a criticism of him because he is absolutely on the right trajectory to get there. But he hasn’t proven it yet. Wolves may be loaning him out to continue his development into what we all hope he will be. And I don’t think he is getting pushed to the back burner. He is a young guy, eager to be on the team, and getting sub minutes in a position where we are pretty damn deep. When we have our full lineup, he is clearly going to be behind David, Larin, and Cav at forward and in some situations the experience of a guy like Tesho may be what is required (versus the energy and trickery of Theo). And we are deep on the wings as well, with Davies and Buchanan pretty much locking down the outside positions. It isn’t a knock on Theo that he didn’t blast into our starting lineup. It is a testament to the quality attacking depth we have. We are now a damn hard lineup to crack in the attacking group.

Legit man crush with Eustaquio after that 3 question post-game with Platt.

Best player out there today. Completely owning that midfield. Guy is everywhere.

You play football to win trophies. A grand total of 8 countries have won the World Cup, we probably are not going to be the 9th or 10th. Let's win this Cup. Winning breeds winning if nothing else.

I'm not sure if this has been posted anywhere else yet but Stephen Eustaquio is a top 10 finalist for the Most Valuable Player of the season in Liga Nos as voted per players and coaches. It's great to see that his excellent play was noticed by his teammates and opponents in Liga Nos. Interesting enough, no Benfica players made the final 10, however 7 of the 10 players are from either Porto or Sporting. Eustaquio from Pacos, along with a Portimonense player and a Braga player rounded up the top 10. It's great to see Eustaquio's name alongside some great players such as Palhinha, Sebastian Coates, Pedro Gonsalves, Sergio Oliveira, Pepe, Tecatito & Mehdi Taremi. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ6NTU2pW3O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Short off-top post, tangentially related to cmnt discussion: If any of you guys are like me, you spend a lot of time on wikipedia, checking out our roster, the stats of our players, the rosters and stats from other players and teams in concacaf, etc. My wife just doesn't get it. She usually gives me a puzzled look and says "soccer again"? But her newest quip is "so when is the exam going to be"?

Herdman clearly disappointed. A far cry from the McKenna "We have to stop the bleeding.". Nice to see that disappointment rather than just an appreciation to be there.

I'll say this:. Kamal Miller grew on me more each game.

You're all missing the most important aspect of this move..... Playing in Colorado for the rest of this year is going to get MAK primed for a start at the Azteca in October.

I'm actually amazed that people care about this issue so much one way or the other. I must be the weird one - I couldnt care less about Wheeler. He has no positive or negative impact on my enjoyment of the matches tbh.

Played the last twenty. Did a lot of defending tracked back really well and made a few blocks. Good to cut his teeth and make his debut. Good first win too. Great stadium. The FC Basel fans made the journey and sung outside the whole game!! Awesome!! Bring in the Canada game now!!

Ayo credits Herdman, D&D and Canada for his change of mind.

That “stupid, useless tournament” is our Confederation championship. It may not be the Euros but it will only gain in stature by teams taking it seriously and sending strong squads - like we are doing. As for us taking a strong team, we need to do it to ensure we are completely in sync for the WCQ. Playing in the GC isn’t going to detract from our WCQ campaign - it is a key piece of it. We need to get 2 wins from our first 3 games to be avoid being in a lot of trouble right away. Prep through GC games is the best way to do that with momentum.

Last night Mathieu Choinière scored his first MLS goal in CF Montréal’s 1-0 win over Miami. Nice to see him getting some playing time and doing well.