World Soccer XXXI: Golden Generation?

[Jimjamesak]

On a different note, given the issues with officiating and some background logistical issues, I think we can put to bed any further thoughts of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL working together again. Mexico has had longstanding issues with CONMEBOL over officiating (going back to some questionable decisions when Mexican teams were playing in the Copa Libertadores) and the business side (TV rights being a big issue) but now I can’t imagine US Soccer is in any mood to deal with CONMEBOL again after these officiating issues and the organizational issues.

It’ll be interesting if the proposed club tournament between the two actually happens considering the CONCACAF reps are supposed to be an MLS club and a Liga MX club.

 

[Slap Shot]

Oh come on JJ - I think that guy's criticisms of their depth is off base. The team is ranked 11th in the world and you don't do that with backup-level talent. Also why couldn't the USMNST afford to pay a premium salary? The last time I looked the USSF had $108m in assets, and as far as attracting a coach if they could land Klinsman (with the good and the bad) why couldn't the land another marketable name?

 

[Jimjamesak]

Oh come on JJ - I think that guy's criticisms of their depth is off base. The team is ranked 11th in the world and you don't do that with backup-level talent. Also why couldn't the USMNST afford to pay a premium salary? The last time I looked the USSF had $108m in assets, and as far as attracting a coach if they could land Klinsman (with the good and the bad) why couldn't the land another marketable name?

The team is ranked 11th because they beat up on mid level CONCACAF teams to pump up the ranking. Elo ranking right now has the US at 31, tied with Panama and below Slovenia.

As for attracting a marketable name? They were able land Klinsmann because by the time he got hired everyone else had already figured out he was actually a pretty terrible coach (there’s a reason he didn’t last at Bayern). And yeah, US Soccer has money in reserve but spending likely a third of that on coach isn’t the best use of that money.

 

[Jimjamesak]

All I can do right now is just shake my head at all the bleating online and in the media. For all the problems that are readily apparent, I don’t see any real, obvious solutions.

Clean out US Soccer? We’ve already done that. There’s nobody there that was there 2, 3, 4 years ago (outside of Berhalter). Like maybe give people a chance to settle into the job.

New coach? Sure, it’s time to move on from Berhalter. But, like I said, the potential replacements aren’t much better and hiring a big name is financially unrealistic (and that’s not even getting into to the minefield of having to potentially match that salary for Emma Hayes or the fallout if they don’t).

Even hiring a big name isn’t going to fix the deficiencies in talent. Our defenders aren’t anywhere near the level to compete with top teams, our goaltending is flat out mediocre, and we still can’t find a forward who can consistently score. And the real problem is there really isn’t a player out there who got snubbed off the roster who could jump in and replace any of the problem areas. The players who were out there are really the best we have, and they failed. Some of that is on the coach, and there’s certainly some adjustments that can be made that could improve things, but there’s only so much.

The bright side is that the Olympics are coming up and maybe some players will emerge from it, though I’m not holding my breath.

 

[ticapnews]

On a different note, given the issues with officiating and some background logistical issues, I think we can put to bed any further thoughts of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL working together again. Mexico has had longstanding issues with CONMEBOL over officiating (going back to some questionable decisions when Mexican teams were playing in the Copa Libertadores) and the business side (TV rights being a big issue) but now I can’t imagine US Soccer is in any mood to deal with CONMEBOL again after these officiating issues and the organizational issues.

And then the revenue from the TV rights and ticket sales will be deposited into the coffers and all those officiating and organizational issues will seem inconsequential.

The dollars must flow.

 

[Jimjamesak]

And then the revenue from the TV rights and ticket sales will be deposited into the coffers and all those officiating and organizational issues will seem inconsequential.

The dollars must flow.

You’d be surprised at how sometimes grudges can be held onto in spite of the money. This tournament was the first one Mexico played in since 2016 and they haven’t played in the Copa Libertadores since then either. They’ll just find ways to make money but on their own terms.

 

[Jimjamesak]

CONMEBOL is screwing us.

Chart showing the ratio of cards issued to teams versus the number of fouls called on teams at the Copa America.

The five worst ratios? US, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, only Paraguay kept it from being a clean sweep for CONCACAF in the bottom six. US and Mexico both had the worst ratios of one card for every four fouls. Best ratio? Uruguay with one card for their 36 fouls.

Now, correlation does not equal causation, lies d* lies and statistics and all that but, it just adds to the air of "this seems very fishy."

 

[Slap Shot]

Chart showing the ratio of cards issued to teams versus the number of fouls called on teams at the Copa America.

The five worst ratios? US, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, only Paraguay kept it from being a clean sweep for CONCACAF in the bottom six. US and Mexico both had the worst ratios of one card for every four fouls. Best ratio? Uruguay with one card for their 36 fouls.

Now, correlation does not equal causation, lies d* lies and statistics and all that but, it just adds to the air of "this seems very fishy."

It would be interesting to see the same stats for these nations in competitive matches outside this competition.

 

[Jimjamesak]

It would be interesting to see the same stats for these nations in competitive matches outside this competition.

Quick research and math for Uruguay in World Cup Qualifying so far indicates 13 cards (all yellows) and 95 fouls committed for a ratio of one card per 7.31 fouls committed.

Best I can do right now for the USMNT is last year’s Gold Cup, 4 cards on 66 fouls committed for one card per 16.5 fouls committed.

I’ll try to get a full picture later when I’m not at work.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Quick research and math for Uruguay in World Cup Qualifying so far indicates 13 cards (all yellows) and 95 fouls committed for a ratio of one card per 7.31 fouls committed.

Best I can do right now for the USMNT is last year’s Gold Cup, 4 cards on 66 fouls committed for one card per 16.5 fouls committed.

I’ll try to get a full picture later when I’m not at work.

So quoting myself but here's some more data including the 2022 World Cup, 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying (closest thing to qualifying for Copa America), 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League (the CONCACAF qualifiers for Copa America), the 2021 Copa America (the last CONMEBOL tournament), and the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup (last CONCACAF tournament).

2022 World Cup

US: 9 fouls per card
Mexico: 7.29 fouls per card
Canada: 4.13 fouls per card
Costa Rica: 4 fouls per card
Argentina: 5.88 fouls per card
Brazil: 14 fouls per card
Ecuador: 16.67 fouls per card
Uruguay: 4.25 fouls per card

2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying (through six matches)
Argentina: 11 fouls per card
Brazil: 5.56 fouls per card
Ecuador: 7.7 fouls per card
Uruguay: 7.31 fouls per card
Peru: 6.2 fouls per card
Paraguay: 6.57 fouls per card
Colombia: 6.06 fouls per card
Venezuela: 6.92 fouls per card
Chile: 4.93 fouls per card
Bolivia: 5.06 fouls per card

2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League (including Copa America Playoffs)
US: 10.8 fouls per card
Mexico: 5.55 fouls per card
Canada: 11.5 fouls per card
Panama: 7.53 fouls per card
Costa Rica: 7.57 fouls per card
Jamaica: 6.21 fouls per card

2021 Copa America
Argentina: 5.44 fouls per card
Brazil: 7.08 fouls per card
Ecuador: 7.6 fouls per card
Uruguay: 16 fouls per card
Peru: 7.31 fouls per card
Paraguay: 7.8 fouls per card
Colombia: 6.15 fouls per card
Venezuela: 6.5 fouls per card
Chile: 5.91 fouls per card
Bolivia: 3.6 fouls per card

2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
US: 22 fouls per card
Mexico: 7 fouls per card
Canada: 4.42 fouls per card
Panama: 8.27 fouls per card
Costa Rica: 6.2 fouls per card
Jamaica: 5.5 fouls per card

 

[Jimjamesak]

Three things stick out:

The difference in Uruguay's numbers at the World Cup and their numbers in CONMEBOL is interesting.

The US was way outside of it's normal range in this Copa America versus other tournaments.

Bolivia being way outside of it's normal range in this Copa America is also interesting.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Uefa suspends Turkish player demiral for his wolf gesture

gonna miss quarters against Netherlands hahaha what a loser

 

[mookie1995]

What’s a wolf gesture?

 

[Kepler]

What’s a wolf gesture?

It's a fasc thing. Can't wait for Republicans to start doing it.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Whelp Spain up 1-0 early in second half

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

What a comeback in 88 min

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

It's a fasc thing. Can't wait for Republicans to start doing it.

Erdogan supposedly will be in Berlin Saturday for turkeys quarterfinal game. Turkish gov has accused Germany of ….i guess being racist ? Because they’re the host nation where this loser did it? The ambassadors are trading words and could get a little ugly this weekend in the second most populated Turk city

 

[joecct]

Just posted on X

England have never before won a penalty shootout under a Labour government (lost in 1998, 2004, 2006)
Conservatives: won 2, lost 3
Won in 1996, 2018; lost in 1990, 1996, 2021

(won 3 if count the Nations league)

 

[Kepler]

Erdogan supposedly will be in Berlin Saturday for turkeys quarterfinal game. Turkish gov has accused Germany of ….i guess being racist ? Because they’re the host nation where this loser did it? The ambassadors are trading words and could get a little ugly this weekend in the second most populated Turk city

Though, to be honest, German racism towards Turks is legendary.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Though, to be honest, German racism towards Turks is legendary.

I’m very very familiar with it