Football Friday: Going for Gold (Cup)

Plus, WTF TFC, updates from Huntsville Soccer and MUFC, and where to watch the U21 Euros

The CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off this weekend with the host United States taking on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

The four group, 16-team regional tournament featuring the best national teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean will run until Sunday, July 16 at which point it’s likely either Canada or Mexico will face the U.S. in the final.

The U.S. are the Giants of CONCACAF, but even a Canadian squad without a handful of top players and a Mexico team in flux (they recently fired their manager) should still be set to make a run to the final.

Those are also the only three nations to ever win the trophy, with Canada’s lone victory coming in the year 2000. The U.S. has won seven times and Mexico eight. With recent results in mind, it’s very likely the Stars and Stripes wins this edition – still, anything can happen and that’s why they play the matches.

Les Rouges start their journey and attempt at a second Gold Cup trophy against Guadaloupe on Tuesday, June 27 at BMO Field in Toronto – the only match being played outside of the U.S. As of this writing, tickets were still available to the Canada’s Gold Cup Opener.

Canada’s Richie Laryea battles with US midfielder Weston McKennie in the Nations League Final on June 18, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of www.CanadaSoccer.com

CANADA’S GOLD CUP ROSTER

Canada’s Group Play Schedule

Tuesday, June 27

Canada vs Guadeloupe, 7 p.m. , BMO Field in Toronto

Saturday, July 1

Canada vs. Guatemala, 9:30 p.m., Shell Energy Stadium in Houston

Tuesday, July 4

Canada vs. Cuba, 6:30 p.m., Shell Energy Stadium in Houston

All Gold Cup matches can be seen via OneSoccer, which is available as a linear channel on Telus’ Optik TV (Channel 980), on the fuboTV Canada streaming platform as well as online at OneSoccer.ca, and through the OneSoccer app.

WTF TFC

At the time of this writing I was still waiting for something, anything from MLSE or Toronto FC to show they understand the direness – or maybe it’s the absurdity – of their current situation.

After a 3-0 loss away on Wednesday to Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati, that once again exposed Bradley’s tactical and motivational flaws, the squad faces a short turnaround with a match at third place New England looming on Saturday.

Sure you can point fingers at certain players perhaps underperforming or blame the injuries, or talk about the international break and now the Gold Cup wreaking roster havoc, or whatever else to deflect from where the responsibility lies.

But the reality is that TFC Sporting Director and Head Coach Bob Bradley’s lack of tactical fluidity and reliance on bringing in “his” guys at the expense of young, up and coming Canadians (who are all doing well elsewhere) is the real problem.

See our previous column on the subject here: Time To Say Goodby e.

Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne and Rickie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio and Sean Johnson have not forgotten how to play football and how to win matches. And given the proper chance with the right tactics and formations, they could still go on a run and get TFC back into the playoffs.

The issue is Sporting Director and Head Coach Bob Bradley. It’s time to move on and hire (or promote from within) a new sporting director, who can then help hire a new coach. Or fire Bill Manning, since he is unwilling or unable to make the changes needed, and have his predecessor do the dirty work.

Bradley may still be able to do well in the right situation, with the right roster, and the right timeline. Unfortunately, for all involved, he has proven to be the wrong person for the job in Toronto.

The supporters, the season ticket membership, the TFC community at large, and the players deserve better that what has taken place.

It’s time to move on and move forward before it’s too late.

HUNTSVILLE SOCCER CLUB ROUND-UP

Much kudos need to be given to the Aimee Sinclair Fitness squad after their heroic and stunning performance in a 5-2 win over Dr. Marc – Algonquin Orthodontics.

Playing with only 10 men throughout the match, Aimee Sinclair Fitness showed what can happen when everyone is on the same page, working hard for the team, and never giving up.

It was a very well deserved win and I should know, because I got a first-hand view playing for the Dr. Marc team.

In the other league match, Canvas Brewing Co. edged Best Life by a score of 2-1. Best Life is winless, but have suffered three one-goal defeats and with a little more luck, their record could be much different.

In Week 5 of the Huntsville Women’s Soccer League, Kim O’Grady defeated Cottage Country Flowers 3-1 and The SportLab beat Muskoka Tea Company 5-2. Players of the Match for Week 5 were Emily Lamb, Lauren Vermeulen, Kate Franks and Sandra Bauer Heinz.

HUNTSVILLE STRIKERS ROUND-UP

On the Strikers rep development side of things, the U12 Girls dominated Orillia by a score of 6-0 with two goals each by Lochlann Menard and Callie Lettress, plus one each from Sophie Dumont and Nova Shaver. Islette Greib posted the clean sheet.

The U11 Girls had a rough road trip to North Bay, taking one on the chin with an 8-1 loss. Paulina Jusczak scored for Huntsville.

The U12 Boys lost 3-1 to North Bay with Jake Richter scoring for Huntsville.

The U10 Boys suffered a 7-2 loss at Sudbury. Blake Bourdon and David Lettress scored for Huntsville.

MUFC ROUND-UP

The Muskoka United FC U17 Boys advanced in the HDSL Cup with a 7-2 win over North Simcoe SC on Wednesday. MUFC received two goals from Johnny Fiorini, with Alfie Napper, Rowan Simpson, Knightley Weening, Noah Graham, and Zach Caplan adding the others.

The U17 Girls lost 3-1 to Vaughan with Jenna Jolliffe scoring Muskoka’s lone goal.

The MUFC U15 Girls kept up their winning ways with an 8-2 victory over South Simcoe United. Leah Maxwell and Maisy Moore each had hat tricks, while Chase MacKinnon added the other two for MUFC.

Unfortunately, the U13 Boys team, which plays in a U14 division, were edged out of the HDSL Cup with a 3-2 loss against the Wasaga Beach. Tyler Pink and Myles Wilson scored for Muskoka.

U21 European championships

The U21 Euros kicked off this week and it’s always a fun event filled with some excellent football.

Nations like Italia, England, France, Spain, Germany and others will feature players from the top four leagues in the world, some of whom have caps for their senior national sides already as well.

The best part for fans in Canada is you can watch all the action on UEFA.TV for free – just log in with an email or social media account.

ThANKs for reading! Don’t forget to subscribe, it’s free!

Show your support with a small contribution to keep us going and growing!

^{_{Follow, Like, Share, Subscribe!}}

Discover more from The Chris O Show

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.