OT: Gold Cup Schedule Released (USMNT)
For those who follow, the Gold Cup Schedule and group assignments have been released. You can see the details here.
Specifics for the US:
Group
- USA
- Jamaica
- Nicaragua
- Prelim Winner (Curacao, St. Kitts & Nevis, French Guiana, or St. Maarten)
USA Group Matches
- USA v Jamaica; June 24, 8:30pm; Soldier Field (Chicago)
- USA v Prelim Winner; June 28, 8:30pm; City Park (St. Louis)
- USA v Nicaragua; July 2, 7:00pm; BOA Stadium (Charlotte)
Top 2 from each group advance to quarterfinals, which begin July 8. The final will be played July 16 at SoFi Stadium in LA.
Overall, the US has a very winnable group. If they win their group, then they would play the #2 team from group D (which would likely be either Guatemala or Cuba). The bracket is set up to enable a USA v Mexico final.
I'm looking forward to seeing the team play, and hopefully win. Biggest question in my mind...who's the coach???
Here's the overall schedule with groups:
And here's the detailed game schedule:
Weird to see Trinidad and Tobago in the prelims. They made the final six of World Cup qualifying three of the past five cycles--including keeping us out of the 2018 World Cup by beating us in the final game of qualification, when all we needed was a tie and we would have been in--and I definitely thought of them as one of the better team in CONCACAF...
Qatar?
This grouping and schedule sets up a fun Canada vs. Mexico semifinal.
Will Balogun be with them, do you know?
He will be eligible to play for Gold Cup and Nations League.
He will only play nations league. Most of the EURO players will be starting their preseason.
I've been hearing lots of good things about this Ted Lasso guy. Guess he's coaching some also-ran English professional soccer club or some such... Maybe the USMNT needs to kick the tires on that guy and see if he's interested?
If Jamaica could get all of their eligible players healthy, and commit to play, they have a decent squad.
The current scuttlebutt is that Jesse Marsch will be the next coach, but won't start until after the Gold Cup.
Not thrilled about him as the choice. Even less thrilled that he won't start until August. Dude is unemployed, why do we need to wait? Seems like it'd be useful for him to get his feet wet at this Gold Cup.
I am intrigued by Marsch given he's coached in the Bundesliga and Premier League. Obviously neither job went very well but having a guy who has coached in top leagues may help given the plethora of talent we will have on the USMNT squad.