Crazy_Yank
06-27-2003, 12:59 PM
It looks like it should be a pretty good tournament. Mexico is sending pretty much their full team (minus Blanco). Same with Costa Rica. Even though the US is missing 6 starters we're still sending a pretty strong squad. McBride is back and with the emergence of Kyle Martino we've got a pretty good playmaker. He had an excellent match against Cameroon, providing what we were missing against Turkey and Brazil. His excellent touch, vision, and passing allowed us to create more quality chances and play with a team who whipped Brazil. Number 2 keeper Kasey Keller is back too, although I think Howard is better. Other than up top is appears Canada has most of their 1st choice players.
Here are the pairings
Group A (Mexico City): MEXICO, BRAZIL, HONDURAS
Group B (Miami): COLOMBIA, GUATEMALA, JAMAICA
Group C (Foxboro): USA, EL SALVADOR, MARTINIQUE
Group D (Foxboro): COSTA RICA, CANADA, CUBA
Group A: The only "group of death." I know it's Brazil's U23 team, but they still have Robinho and many other studs. Mexico being the home team will most likely advance, although it isn't a given due to the quality of Honduras and Brazil's U23 team. I predict Mexico and Brazil U23 will advance.
Group B: Colombia and Jamaica will advance. Guatemala has a few good players, but you're only as good as your supporting cast. Colombia has a very strong domestic league and some players in Europe's top leagues. They are always very dangerous. Jamaica has many players plying their trade in England and the US, in fact the majority of their starting lineup.
Group C: USA and Martinique will advance. The US is just a lot better than both of these teams. I doubt any of the members of either squad would make the US' two deep roster. Martinique did impress me during the last Gold Cup so we won't take them lightly. El Salvador has a decent keeper and a US junior team reject. That's about the only positive things I can say about them.
Group D: Costa Rica and Canada will advance. Cuba doesn't have the experience or depth to hang with either of these squads. They aren't even a professional team. It will be interesting to see how Canada stacks up against Costa Rica. It will be a very good test for a young Canadian squad.
semifinals: USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica
final: USA-Mexico
Champion USA (of course i'm a biased homer ;) )
"Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try" - Yoda
Here are the pairings
Group A (Mexico City): MEXICO, BRAZIL, HONDURAS
Group B (Miami): COLOMBIA, GUATEMALA, JAMAICA
Group C (Foxboro): USA, EL SALVADOR, MARTINIQUE
Group D (Foxboro): COSTA RICA, CANADA, CUBA
Group A: The only "group of death." I know it's Brazil's U23 team, but they still have Robinho and many other studs. Mexico being the home team will most likely advance, although it isn't a given due to the quality of Honduras and Brazil's U23 team. I predict Mexico and Brazil U23 will advance.
Group B: Colombia and Jamaica will advance. Guatemala has a few good players, but you're only as good as your supporting cast. Colombia has a very strong domestic league and some players in Europe's top leagues. They are always very dangerous. Jamaica has many players plying their trade in England and the US, in fact the majority of their starting lineup.
Group C: USA and Martinique will advance. The US is just a lot better than both of these teams. I doubt any of the members of either squad would make the US' two deep roster. Martinique did impress me during the last Gold Cup so we won't take them lightly. El Salvador has a decent keeper and a US junior team reject. That's about the only positive things I can say about them.
Group D: Costa Rica and Canada will advance. Cuba doesn't have the experience or depth to hang with either of these squads. They aren't even a professional team. It will be interesting to see how Canada stacks up against Costa Rica. It will be a very good test for a young Canadian squad.
semifinals: USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica
final: USA-Mexico
Champion USA (of course i'm a biased homer ;) )
"Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try" - Yoda