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WCAD 3-17: Copa América MD1 Recap
73 Plays1 year ago
A buoyant Austin and Amit get together to break down a slow-burning MD1 of the Copa América. The guys discuss why they're impressed with Venezuela, why Uruguay-Panama was so fun, and continue to try and figure out what's wrong with Brazil. Plus, the USMNT hits the bell curve result and Jamaica need to clone Michail Antonio.
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Transcript
Copa America Match Day 1 Breakdown
00:00:01
Speaker
If you notice a little extra pep in the step of your your favorite World Cup after Dark Coast today, because we're coming on to today's show where we're going to break down match day one of the Copa America with some good news on both ends. On Amit's end, his new beloved Dark Horse is Austria, top the group in the Euro. More on that on a show to come. But Amit, I'm sure that's got you in a good mood today. Oh, of course. What a thrilling game we saw earlier. Yeah, it's good. As I said, more on that on a show to come in the future.
Bolivia's Emergence in Soccer Discussion
00:00:31
Speaker
but I've got to pepper my step because I went on Sirius XMFC today and admit they asked me the Bolivia question. All the years of preparation, four years of college, five years of living in South America. It's five years tomorrow in Argentina for me. All that time, I just wanted one Bolivia question on the radio show. And they gave me the Bolivia question. And I think I knocked it out of the park. So big day for me, big day for me.
00:00:57
Speaker
Well, if they had had listened to more World Cup after dark, they might have known. But um we're spreading the word about Bolivia and other countries that you haven't heard about on this here podcast. That's why you listen. We love it. I mean, I hope to help people know about Bolivia, like big tin producer Bolivia as a country. Like, I feel like Bolivia is not an unknown country. They're bad at soccer. That's yes. Unknown soccer country. People, people know about Bolivia. I mean, I would hope so. Some of the, some of the countries we cover an African world of qualifying, maybe they don't know about, but we have decressed way too far and way too long.
Strategic Focus on Tournament Coverage
00:01:31
Speaker
We're here today to talk about match day one from the Gulf of America. We'll have Euro coverage.
00:01:36
Speaker
when that group stage wraps up. I think it works well as a show organizationally to not go mixing tournaments. Too many themes. You and I, this isn't our our real job, so it's not like we can do a daily show. I think if we could do a daily show, we could we could mix tournaments. But it's hard, so match day by match day. I think we found a good little rhythm here, so so let's stick with it. Yeah, we get to see every team once and then talk about our big takeaways, which is about as good organizationally as you can do. And yeah, mixing would be tough. I mean, if you want that, you know, much discourse, go get it somewhere else. Sure.
Unique Perspectives on Soccer Events
00:02:12
Speaker
All right. Good. Good. I love it. You've just gone after the little listeners that we have. You just go find, go somewhere else, he says. No, we wanted to stay here. We want to listen to our show.
00:02:23
Speaker
but way If you want the good takes, that's why you're here. That's what we do. World Cup after dark, subheading good takes only. That's what we're here for. All right. I mean, Copa America match day one, check the vibes, check the priors.
Copa America Atmosphere and Field Quality
00:02:37
Speaker
What are are our big takeaways here? Are we changing opinions on anybody? Have we we changed our thoughts? Do we have any any big overarching themes? Are we going to do field discourse? Do you want to do field discourse? Do you want me to put you on a clock so you can get field discourse out of the way? No, I mean, I think the larger discourse is about the fields and the crowds. And I don't think we're the the best equipped to to talk about them. we would I wouldn't add anything. I think it's certainly as a soccer fan and with the Euros going on, I think it's very relevant to the, you know,
00:03:12
Speaker
the position of Conball, of CONCACAF, of Soccer in America. The fields certainly matter, but I will only comment on them as they relate to the the game quality. And certainly the fields are a little bit worse than they are in Germany, but they're not unplayable and everyone's playing on the same field. I don't think they're horrible. I mean, what do you want me to say? like it's also relevant to point out here like relax in two years is gonna be fine for the world cup like yeah they're gonna put a lot more work into it to be completely blunt about it the field is is not gonna be like grass papered over on turf like it is here so it'll be fine the crowds have been good i mean i've been
00:03:50
Speaker
pleasantly surprised by the crowds pretty much all around. um I was a bit worried for for some of these games. I made a couple of USA Bolivia, Jerry World jokes. That was a decent sized crowd for that game. and And while there haven't been any sellouts beside the the Argentina match to open it, I think the crowds have been good. They've been lively that Columbia crowd last night in Houston, and that was fun. The Columbia crowd was exceptional. The atmosphere was great. I think, you know, hat tip to Henry Bushnell, friend of the podcast, was on the podcast. um the ah Who said the overall attendance at the Copa America average, not overall, average is higher per game by a couple hundred or a thousand, like 51 to 50,000 for the Copa versus the Euro. But that's certainly the way that it works with the big stadiums that
00:04:39
Speaker
is you're seeing here at the Copa America. And I think it'd be greater to, not greater, it'd be more fun to see like really great atmospheres in small stadiums, but that's not big soccer tournament culture in the United States. That's MLS culture. And so like, yeah, is it the most full? No. Are the tickets a little too expensive? I think so. And that's a larger discussion for some other time, but overall, The atmospheres have been good, and we're seeing fans. And we know in America, and for people traveling, there are lots and lots of fans here. yes This is the answer. You're playing a tournament that serves two continents that stretches all the way from the north all the way to the south. In Europe, you're playing a tournament that stretches just a much smaller area. So all that's to say, atmospheres have been pretty good. and
00:05:33
Speaker
you know, credit to the countries and their fans that have have made it that way. And I think it'll just get better as we get to the knockout stages and bigger, bigger games. Sure. And final point on that, the US as a country is exceptionally positioned for that because it is a melting pot of culture. Like all of that stuff is is abundantly true. And so you don't need a ton of people to travel from Columbia to get a great Columbia crowd in Houston, Texas, because there's a big, great Columbia crowd waiting to happen in Houston, Texas. All right. Let's get into the games a bit.
Argentina vs. Canada Match Analysis
00:06:03
Speaker
Lightning ground style. Starting group A.
00:06:06
Speaker
tournament opener. Argentina 2-0 winners over Canada. The field was a story here. Argentina were not super happy with it. They were also late coming out of halftime. This was a completely acceptable performance from the world champions, the Copo America champions. They probably didn't convince you they're going to win the tournament with this, but they didn't convince you that anything was wrong. This is the type of game that you kind of come to expect from Argentina at this point. Yeah, agreed. They played well. They should have scored more. I think we saw some poor finishing from Argentina. From Lionel Messi, we saw poor finishing. Yeah, which is rare. That doesn't happen. But you know not even Lionel Messi can finish all of his chances and over-perform his XG all the time. That's not how that works.
00:06:50
Speaker
Um, Argentina did well here. Canada and I thought were were better than I expected. I think Canada, I think they, they troubled Argentina in that they played this weird, like Jesse Marr style where all 10 players were super condensed, but they weren't super condensed 10 yards from goal. Like we'll get to the Costa Rica game. Costa Rica's low block was Chuck everybody in the box and and see what happens. Canada's block was like set up 30, 35 yards in goal. And so there was room to run into, but Argentina weren't super successful breaking it down. Yeah, it's a good mid block. And they you know you'd expect Canada to have trouble.
00:07:29
Speaker
chasing players behind them, but Argentina weren't ruthless at that. And I think for Canada in the second half, after this was 1-0, Canada created a decent amount of attacking chances, put pressure on Argentina. I saw someone say, you know, this looked like Jesse Marsh's Leeds games, where his teams create a lot, the game gets a little open, there's chances both ways, and you hope his team finishes more of them than the other team. Listen, when it's Canada versus Argentina, it ends up 2-0 Argentina and I don't should deserve to win this game I'm not saying it didn't do but Canada I thought exerted their influence and their game state onto this more than Argentina um would have hoped or what a neutral would have expected and that's credit to Jesse Marsh soccer being effective from the get-go I think both of us were
00:08:19
Speaker
interested to see how cohesive this would look for them um in a short amount of time. um I was impressed, but at the same time, yeah, Argentina were still enough. They they still have the quality and They're going to finish more chances the more they go. they they they kind of i can't Neither of us, I feel, i can shake the feeling they're on cruise control until perhaps the last two games or even the last game of the tournament, which maybe will bite them then. But until then, like I'm not sure the other two teams in this group are going to push them the way Canada did, at least stylistically.
00:08:56
Speaker
Yeah, I think they're going to, they're going to see low blocks probably against Chile and Peru. And that's a different question. I think with Canada, what I saw in the Argentina game gives me confidence that I think Canada can play a role in this tournament and there are two games going forward are going to be a lot easier. And that is, is what I'm excited to see for Canada. This was always a kind of a, I have a hit and see what happens. My worry with Canada is I don't know they have anybody that's going to finish these goals. Like contagion Buchanan. Kyle Laird, can that level of striker get it done at this level of game? That's going to be my interest with with watching Canada going forward. Yeah, you hope that's what Jonathan David is for. But yeah the other two are ah good players that graduated from MLS and then never really made the next level leap because they're not that good of finishers or just final third players.
00:09:48
Speaker
So it's interesting to me we're about to talk about Chile Peru I think heading into this group we had both kind of seen it as well probably come down to Canada vs Chile and how do you pick that game and I think we both We're leaning Chile because of what we had seen the new manager bounce from Eureka. And let's talk about Chile-Peru. I'm more inclined after the first game to to say this. I think Canada is a little better. And we knew Canada had more talent, but I've been more impressed with them. Chile-Peru was a total snooze fest. Yeah, it was it was a tough watch. And I think there were a couple of things that factored into it. One, these teams are just not very good.
00:10:28
Speaker
like The number one thing that made Chile, Peru, not a very good game is that the two teams are not particularly good. The second thing is that the first group stage match at a major tournament very rarely is a point, a bad result. And I think you saw a bit of that here. Nobody was willing to put it all on the line to try and go get three points when one point generally sets you up okay in this group. And I think you saw that here. Chile, I think are the better these two sides, but they weren't better enough to really exert themselves here.
00:11:00
Speaker
Peru never really had the intention of doing anything other than just kind of mocking this up and getting out with their point. And to their credit, they did that. So the interesting thing, Amit, as we look for, I don't think we need to spend any more time on on what was Chile, Peru as a game. Oh, you've got, you've got a thought. Give it to me. and I mean, not interesting, but this was super physical. Lots of fouls. It was slow, man. It was so slow. It was mucked up, bad pace of play. And Chile, I think they had a really good chance in the first half that fell to Alexis Sanchez. didn't score it, and honestly, not much else. So I'll give the credit to Peru. They wanted that point. They got their point. And I think, yes, the answer is Chile could not take control of a game that a better team should have, but they didn't go too hard for it.
00:11:47
Speaker
to Moving forward, programming note, quick schedule, quick turnaround. As you listen to this podcast, Peru are probably going to have started their match against Canada. Argentina will already be in route to their match against Chile. That's what happens when you get two guys who can't be full-time podcasters. like We just got to put out the podcast. and We can put out the podcast. so We're going to preview this match that is probably already happening as you're watching it. That's fine. Peru and Canada is a massive match now because there's opportunities for both of these teams. Canada have played their hardest match in this group. Peru have a point in their back pocket. Another point probably wouldn't be enough because they still have to play Argentina. So this is kind of Peru's moment to maybe go for it. And this is Canada's moment to have a much easier task, right? This is an interesting match, at least on paper. And I think stylistically, Canada probably won't be content to just settle for a muck fest like Peru might want.
00:12:38
Speaker
No, Canada has to go for this. This is their easier game out of the two remaining. They're on zero points. They probably need four, but you'd rather get three against the worst team. I think Jesse Marsh is a smart manager and Canada's not going to like put this to the final match day pressures on them. Um, I mean, yeah, like you said, you know, if you're listening, you'll probably have seen or be watching this game, probably have seen it. I would expect Canada to to really attack them. In the game where Peru wins, it means that Canada committed too much forward, puffed and puffed, didn't get it done, and Peru finally you know hit some goals on the counter. I don't think Peru has enough quality to do that. um And while Canada, maybe we have questions about their finishing, I think they can brute force this by sheer volume. And I think that's Jesse Marsh's design is not to like you know slow roll the chances
Canada's Strategy Against Peru
00:13:29
Speaker
and try to go for 1XG. I think he wants to create as many as possible.
00:13:33
Speaker
um Let's see. Let's see. I think that's how we both think it's going to go. I think this should be Canada 2-0, Canada 3-1, that kind of game. But Peru could certainly muck and hang. And if it's 0-0 late, I expect it to be very, very fun. um Or even if they get a goal. Let's let's see. what Canada can do when they need to get the three and certainly they it was easier I think with no pressure against Argentina. yeah this is a heart This is a harder task mentally when you know you have to to go score.
00:14:06
Speaker
Yeah, I completely agree with you and it's kind of a 180 for Canada as far as the pressure is concerned. and The pressure is now on them here. Chile, Argentina, we kind of know we're getting here, right? ah Chile are going to sit back. Argentina are going to try to break them down. Alexis Sanchez might try to do something on the counter. Maybe Chile look to to to jump Argentina at some point, but Chile can't go at Argentina for long stretches of this game. They simply don't have the talent. This is going to be a lot of Argentina and particularly probably Lionel Messi looking to pick apart a pretty stagnant line behind them. I think Argentina are pretty good at doing that. They have a lot of practice at doing that. This feels like a comfortable, if not massive, Argentina win.
00:14:47
Speaker
Yeah, it's hard to see it any other way, right? and That's just Chile, like you said, they can't go at Argentina. They get up the field. It's going to be slick passes, going to be space. and I know Canada played high, but they they they, you know, they, you know, attack the ball in the midfield, in that mid field. They were numbers. They were numbers to get up the field. Chile will not defend with numbers up the field. They'll defend with two or three in a very stout shape. Yeah, I mean, how how long can you hold out for? 30 minutes. I'll be surprised. 60 minutes. Oh, OK. Now you've really frustrated them. 80 minutes. Well, now you're just asking for Lionel Messi to do something mean in the last 10, right? Like, like how how does this go? I think that's the best case scenario you get that far. Yeah, I see two, three Argentina. Let's see. I mean, again, Argentina also don't look entirely motivated to play their sharpest. but
00:15:43
Speaker
enough effort. Yeah, they don't need to. They should be comfortable. All right. Let's move on to group B a bit. This is a group that we are very excited for going into the competition. And after one match day, I think you and I are as excited, if not more excited Ecuador won Venezuela too. This was the moment we always talk about in a major tournament where you feel like the major tournament really gets going. This was the match here and her Valencia just like um Okay. Karate kick in the opposing box. Like I know you didn't mean to, but you also just can't put your studs in a dude's chest and not get anywhere near the ball. Like that's in this day and age, like that's going to be a red card, right? Yes. Really foolish. Silly. Uh, I don't know what to say. Like that's really poor from enter Valencia. I'm disappointed in him for Ecuador. There's not a lot to add. And, um, for Venezuela, a team that I really liked and had said had a chance to get out of this group.
00:16:38
Speaker
um this is massive they've received two massive blows of fortune good good fortune pieces here number one is the enter Valencia ah red card and number two as we'll talk about in the next game is the injury to Edson Alvarez who is Mexico's best or second best player um in this game
00:17:01
Speaker
Ecuador still scored with 10 men to take a 1-0 lead. That was a sign of, you know, Venezuela are not that good. But at the same time, this response was why Venezuela is a team we like and why this is a really good cycle and product for them
Venezuela's Tactical Brilliance
00:17:18
Speaker
um compared to the last however many years, whatever iteration of this team you want to pick, why we have the most hope in their team. It wasn't pretty in the first half. They looked like they didn't know how to deal with Ecuador, even with 10. They didn't have ideas. They couldn't get their guys dangerous positions. They were just launching cross into the box and the second half. They just figured it out. They move to tell the around. They got some more playmakers on.
00:17:42
Speaker
They took better crosses. They realized, okay, set pieces were really going to go all all in on. They used Rondon to hold the ball up like they had a second striker to play off of him. It was all just very smart, solid things. They weren't trying to shoot for the moon. They know they They're not the most quality team, but against 10, just work your way into chances and grind them down and take Ecuador's legs away. I was really happy for Venezuela. Obviously, ah like I want them to do well because I think they are a surprise team. Look, they got a big stroke of fortune, but credit to them for taking it. That's my that's my take on it.
00:18:22
Speaker
And I think a bit like this was a really big result for Venezuela. This was everything was set up for this to go poorly. They got the opportunity against 10 men. At first, they didn't take advantage of it. Not only did they not take advantage of it, but they went a goal down. And then I think they made smart changes. And how smart were the changes? The two guys who came off the bench at halftime, John, their Cadiz and Eduardo Bessio. Those are the two guys who scored the goals for Venezuela as a manager. That's the type of impact you like to get. I thought Cadiz matched up really well with Rondon. Look, Rondon at this level is a good solid holdup player, but having somebody who can run off him is is good. That's what Venezuela had here.
00:19:06
Speaker
This was all set up to be, ah, Venezuela had their chance. We believed it. We shouldn't have believed it. And then they came back from the dead, and they got a massive three points. And I think they're favored to get out of this group now. Yeah, and that goes to the Edson Alvarez point. Like, I was really intrigued to see Venezuela, Mexico. Now, I think the pressure is on Venezuela with three points in hand to be better than Mexico. I mean, we'll see, talent-wise. I still think you can make the league MX based players and the Mexico players are maybe better than Venezuela, but we we'll find out. um This was everything we've wanted from Venezuela and yeah, big big fortune, but like I like the way you talked about the changes. You know you can't always get Cadeez in there playing two strikers, but this was the right environment to do it there there. Venezuela is solid. Well, I know you know they're not going to win anything here and nor should they expect to given the bracket, but
00:20:04
Speaker
Let's move the goalposts to where they should be. Let's win this group. Let's get out of this group. Heading into this, I think, outside of maybe this podcast, most people were writing them off as third. So let's see how that if they can hold it up in two more games. This is great. Yeah. And like look, if Venezuela win this group, you don't have to face Argentina in the semifinal. And a Copo America semifinal for Venezuela not on home soil would be an absolutely, absolutely massive result for them. So like let's see what they can do here. Yeah, just hearing that sentence, I'm like, oh, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Wait, no, one game at a time. I've been trying to keep all the dark horses in the stable. He says, like, come on, boys. Just a little bit more. Just a little bit more. Exactly. Mexico admit one-nil winners over Jamaica. You know what would make make Jamaica really good? If Mikel Antonio could hold up the ball,
00:20:52
Speaker
from Michael Antonio. If they had two of him, oh man, watch out. I made that point to front of the show, John Arnold, and he said, or if you know, Leon Bailey had showed up and he was the guy running off, Michael Antonio. Jamaica do a lot of stuff well. They can trouble teams, but it still just feels like they missed like that one last piece. That was the case here against Mexico. Antonio scored, but then it got chopped off for offside. They did a lot here. They were pretty solid. They did good things. And then Mexico came out and scored and won. And now Jamaica is at a pretty tough spot. And Mexico are without Eds and Alvarez. That's a huge loss for them. They don't have their captain. This already young experimental team loses a huge veteran in presence. But this was the result that they needed. And the three points here were big for them.
00:21:40
Speaker
Yes.
Mexico's Determined Victory
00:21:41
Speaker
ah first start should be lot out you there no no First on Jamaica, I agree with you. Um, this was better for them. This is the side that is the fourth best team in CONCACAF when it was now, I think I'd put them in fifth behind Canada and Panama, but, um, that this was what, you know, a solid Jamaica team was. I agree. The ideas were good. Yeah. As you and John Arnold got at, they needed a player like Leon Bailey. They needed two. uh, difference makers in the attacking third. They had one and he did his best. This was a great mechanical Antonio game. They know how to play given their team. They defend. Well, they don't sit all the way back, right? They have athletes. So they come and, you know, get up to you, tight marking, make you run with them, uh, make you have to play around them. they They don't give you easy access to their box. Um,
00:22:32
Speaker
They're solid. And despite all of that, Mexico is better, even without Edson Alvarez. I think 1-0 is very fitting. Like, Mexico had trouble in this game. They really had trouble with Jamaica, really had to huff and puff for chances. um They missed Alvarez. The depth isn't great. There's not a lot of attacking difference makers, but they're still Mexico. They still just kept hammering away. um i i I don't want to be like, I was impressed by Mexico, but like the truth of where they are, like this game could have gone poorly for them. They could have stumbled to a 0-0 and Tanavras could have gotten hurt. The sky could have been falling. They've got three points and Ecuador doesn't have any, like, yeah can they convince themselves to finish ahead Ecuador, who's also going to miss valen enter Valencia with suspension? like
00:23:23
Speaker
All right. Job done. This is, this is the reality of Mexico now grind. Yeah. Not grime. Like, okay. They did really well here. I'm going to actually, yeah, I was impressed that they got this done. This could have been harder for them. So good job to Mexico. I think it should be said because like. team like Brazil, who we'll talk about in a little bit. Listen, when it's on fire, it's it's easy to not get the result that sounds easy. Sure. Right. Exactly. So looking forward in this group now, which is where I think the conversation gets really interesting.
00:24:00
Speaker
Next on match day tomorrow. Venezuela play Mexico. Sign me up. Good game. Jamaica play Ecuador. Sign me up. Loser goes home. Loser leaves town. There's only two teams going through here. There's no third place bailout in the Copa America. These are two very good games and will clarify the picture in this group and will most likely set up, could potentially set up, I should say. a double barrel match day three, which is interesting and could potentially set up a Mexico Ecuador elimination game in the last match day, which would be kind of fun. Yeah, it's going to be really good. um I think Ecuador should handle Jamaica even without Ana Valencia. You know, they played with 10 men when they when they had one.
00:24:42
Speaker
they were a little bit better than Venezuela all over the field, not like so much so, but their midfield, you know, Quesado, their defenders, um they have other attackers, they they're good. and And Jamaica, I thought, gave their best game. It's gonna be hard to do that twice. um I don't know, I don't see that going another way, but... jamaica good enough to to trouble them. Venezuela Mexico is really fun because as much as I just said in Mexico struggles out Alvarez had to huff and puff their front three front four are just.
00:25:14
Speaker
good players like Jimenez, Pineda, Quinones, Oriela, and Tuna. like They're going to put Venezuela under pressure. And we're going to see really is Venezuela what we think they are. And we never really saw Venezuela under pressure against Ecuador, because the game state didn't allow that. And the one moment Ecuador did put it under pressure, Venezuela cleared a ball right to to Sarmiento to to give Ecuador the one they'll lead. So what do Venezuela really do when they're put under pressure defensively? So they're going to have to answer that. and i I will see. But what what gives me hope is the other way. Solomon Rondon. Use him for holding up. Have him you know catch the Mexico center back sleeping. Jefferson Satel doe. Can they play through him? This is a big game for Jose Martinez, who has kind of taken a step back with the Union this season. In past years, he's been one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS. When Venezuela plays well, he's usually playing really well both ways. you know
00:26:14
Speaker
crucial tackle spreading the ball this is where when there's no Edson Alvarez can a player like Jose Martinez like swing this for Venezuela um again I've had the Venezuela sock as you said keep the dark horse in the stable time to run boys let's let's make it happen I'm i'm really excited for this game I want Venezuela to show me they're a better team um I'd be interested to know the odds. I can look at it up myself and come back to you. But um really big game, really big game. And yeah, the pressure will will be on um for for the loser in match day three.
00:26:46
Speaker
I can tell you that ah I may or may not have looked up those odds for personal purposes earlier in the day. Mexico fair fairly heavily favored. Like I don't know if there's just like a... Really? A plus 120 and Venezuela's at plus 270. Friends, friends of the podcast, Venezuela should not be plus 270 against a Mexico team with Edson Alvarez. Your bookmakers do not watch South American soccer. They do not. I don't know what models they're using. If you think of your player-based model and think of the players that jamaica or that Venezuela has, I know they're not great at defending, but they have attacking players and the Mexican defenders are not good.
00:27:27
Speaker
This game will not be one-sided watch. Now I've walked myself. I know. Yeah, you just, you just say your dark horses are going to come back to the stable pretty tired after this. So they're going to be okay. They'll be fine. They still got a chance in the last match day, but he's going to be a tough one for you. All right. A bit group C. Um, I don't feel like there's a whole lot to talk about in USA to Bolivia zero. You know, that bell curve that we always talk about with the U S men's national team. Put this result smack dab in the middle. This game was conditioned by the fact that Bolivia set up for one style of game, and the US just took that away from them within the first five minutes with Christian Pulisic scoring a really good goal. From that point, there was only really going to be one result, and that was the result we got. Could the USA have scored more goals? Sure. Should they have scored more goals? Maybe. Will they regret not scoring more goals? Potentially. But at the end of the day, like is it a major tournament, and you open it with a comfortable 2-0 win?
00:28:20
Speaker
I think you take it, right? If you're Greg Burghalter in the US men's national team. 100%, you take it. The goals change everything. And it's a lot easy. It can happen where you play this game and you don't get the goals. And it's much more frustrating. So yeah, not too much to add. I think Polosic was great all game. yeah um The US was sharp, attentive. they create In the second half, Bolivia's legs went. And the US s just walked into chance after chance in the box. And that's where, yeah, I'd like to have seen the third, fourth goal. Flo Balligan got the second goal at the end of the first half. He was otherwise ah left some to be desired. But that's what his job is. if If he can finish when the chance comes to him, forgives a lot. Again, the goals make everything okay. yeah um This was impressive from the United States in their urgency.
00:29:14
Speaker
There was no motivation issues in game one. And credit to Christian Polisic for out of the gate with a great goal. Set piece coach was really good here. um Yeah, I mean, let's see what the US has to keep doing. But like yeah, there's not too much to add. I think they changed the game state early. They did not let this get frustrating. Doesn't matter too much in the end. Yeah, this is not going to change your opinion about them. Whenever you thought about the USA coming into this tournament, you probably still think exactly the same. ah Bolivia playing, you're good players. You don't have very many of them. Don't not play them for whatever reason and think that you can just hang around in the game and let them go. I don't know what will it be. I mean, I know what bolivia we're doing here. I don't think it was the right way to do it, but we don't need to spend a lot more here. Uruguay three, Panama one. This game was fun. I mean, this score line does not give the full picture of this game.
00:30:07
Speaker
This was just and the Copa America, particularly when it's held in the U.S., gives you these like these late nights kind of weird energy like games. And this game was exactly that. I loved this game. I think this might have been my favorite game of match day one. This was Uruguay with a ton of chances. They scored early, but they never were able to consolidate it. Panama kind of hung around, had some. shit Look, Uruguay, the style that they play means that they are going to create a ton of chances, but they are also going to let you create a decent amount of chances yourself. And that was born out in this game. It was fun. I enjoyed it. I agree. I really had fun watching Uruguay's midfield again in real time in a major tournament. Just vacuum up the ball everywhere on the field. They'll win it 30 yards from your goal. They'll win it deep in their own half and they'll go.
00:31:01
Speaker
um This was a really great game for Darwin Nunez other than the finishing until he finally scored his fourth yeah big chance. He didn't score until he did. Yeah. But um they're ruthless. They're ruthless going forward. They need to score and kill games faster. That will always be their question. But, um, really impressive. And I think they're, they'll live with the number of chances they give up because they're built to play that way. And they have good individual one-on-one defenders. Um, Panama knew, like, like you said, Panama.
00:31:37
Speaker
were really good too. I know they this is just a tough group for them and they're not good enough that they're better than Uruguay or better than the USA, but yeah really good game plan. They knew where to run when they won the ball. They took the space as well. They, Carrasquilla in the second half in particular was really good at, let me beat my man with a dribble. Let me spray just the open field. Panama's interpretation of space and like not um lack of composure, their their composure, dealing with the Bielsa speed. Yeah, in the first half, they looked a little overwhelmed. But in the second half, they looked like a team that could have equalized. um So I was really impressed. This was super fun game. Yeah, and then the goals just came in a big barrage at the end of this match. They just came everywhere. Panama got one. and no do i but like This was just wild. The first goal also for Maxi Arujo. like
00:32:30
Speaker
have a hit man. The have a hit summer is, is, is, is, is going on right here. Great goal too. Yeah. Really great goal. This made, I don't feel super great about why would do i to win the cope America pick after having watched this. And like, look, I wasn't super surprised with what I saw, but that's a lot of chances to give up to Panama. If you're giving up that many chances to Panama, I'm a bit worried about what comes next, but sure. We'll stick with it going forward in this group a bit. I think USA Panama has some potential here. I liked what I saw from Panama in their game against Uruguay. This is it is the
USA's Tactical Test Against Panama
00:33:03
Speaker
last chance. Like if they don't beat the U.S., they're going to be going home with just ah a dead rubber against Bolivia. So I think Panama can can make a game of this and make some noise here.
00:33:12
Speaker
Yeah, I think for the first time, we'll see how this US defense has to hold up against a team that has ideas, can attack them. Listen, the talent won't be as good as Uruguay, but they they should put the US backline under pressure. The US midfield is good. It will be mostly one way, but it will not be USA Bolivia. sure um And the US will not walk into as many chances as Uruguay did because they're not that way either. So um good little game, good little game. I'm excited to see um how the US responds to the challenge because I don't think they're going to score a third minute goal again, fifth minute goal again, and get a great game state, but their favorite one to play in the rest of the way. um we We want to see the US have to you know break down a team, huff and puff a little bit. So we should see that.
00:33:58
Speaker
Yeah. ah What do I have, Bolivia? If Darwin Nunez brings his shooting boots, it's going to get ugly. It's probably going to get ugly regardless, but especially if Darwin Nunez has his shooting boots, right? Yeah, too many chances. Bolivia just are going to bleed them. and And look, they'll bunker. and i But Uruguay can shoot from distance. They also can cross to Nunez. also We're going, don't are the not the type of team that really care about a bunker to them. It's just, okay, great battering Ram. Like, yeah, that's going to be one way traffic. All right. Let's close out a bit here with group D Columbia to part of why one Columbia were impressive in the first half kind of ended up hanging on a bit here in the second half. Thomas Rodriguez, dude, still got it to assist.
00:34:43
Speaker
His crossing is amazing. like he he you know The career has kind of, quote unquote, passed him by. And then ah you've seen the resurgence of the Remontada, as you say. Yeah. so Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, a little bit. um but He's so good, man. It's the quality, right? The dead ball quality, the cross. and Look, I think Paraguay came out, you know, knew their assignment. We're going to defend well. And Columbia, we say like, yes, they're very good. They've got the talent, but striker wise and attacking wise, they're maybe not as elite as you'd hope. Yep. But this is why they're good. And the other way is that international football.
00:35:23
Speaker
they can beat you the plan B way, which is crossing the box, set pieces, great, great center backs, aerial threats. um that this is a good recipe for them. they Columbia, without creating too much an open play, absolutely dominated the whole thing. but i don't I mean, until Paraguay you know paraguy had some attack has two good attackers, two good for them. But I i think this is a good, repeatable formula for Columbia. This is how they approach big games. This is what makes them good. um They're a physically imposing team. And wait until Luis Diaz gets going.
00:36:03
Speaker
right And then as we've said, you know we're really looking to see John Duran come on as a sub. Let's see that too. I think they just fed off the energy too. Like this was really good for Columbia. I was pleased, not impressed, but pleased. Yeah, we we talked about the crowd a bit in the open, just the sea of yellow in Houston, just fun. And Colombian crowds are are great because there's just a different energy about it. And it's great. And like you said, the set pieces with Columbia, man, if you can be good at set pieces, you can have a lot of success in international football because so often the game comes down to things like that. And like you say,
00:36:40
Speaker
If their plan A of scoring from open play doesn't work, you give them a set piece 35 yards from goal, Thomas Rodriguez is putting that thing in the mixture, and they've got the big bodies to make something happen. So watch out. i'm Yeah, they this was good performance from Columbia. I saw a bit more from Paraguay. The fact that they scored a goal, that's good. They hadn't done that in a while in a game that mattered. um There's probably not a ton of hope in this group, particularly given what's coming up next. But this was OK. Could have been worse. yeah Again, it's one of those things where the format of this tournament makes it tough for these teams to get a grip. And I don't think Copa America should do what the Euros do and send third place teams through. But it just hurts those teams where you don't get the result early. You're facing a motivated team next. you're just no there's no There's less margins for you. like Does it matter how good or bad Paraguay are?
00:37:33
Speaker
Not unless they get a win. like So yeah, great. Good job with the goal. But you I mean that in like a sympathy towards the Paraguay's and the um Panama's of the world. that's like just front like I want them to get more. But in this format, if you're really good enough, you have to go get the points. And they didn't really ever look close to that despite an OK second half. And team three playing team four on the last match day really hurts as well because your best opportunity to pick up points might come when you're already out of the tournament. Speaking of picking up points a minute, Los Decos, Costa Rica, somehow survive a Brazilian onslaught for a nil, nil draw. um Sometimes this happens. It happens to just about everybody, but also admit this was a really bad time for this to happen
Brazil's Struggles Against Costa Rica
00:38:21
Speaker
for Brazil. So many questions coming into this tournament.
00:38:24
Speaker
This isn't the Brazil of old. Can we trust Brazil? I don't buy the attacking players. They can't really defend. The good news is they didn't have to defend in this game. Costa Rica created 0.03 XG in this match. But man, not a great time for Brazil to lay a finishing stinker and end up on a point because the pressure is now squarely on them. Yeah, this is hard to parse, but it's a full five alarm fire. yeah We've been saying that for a year now on this podcast. What's happening at Brazil.
00:38:57
Speaker
And you just, you just, another alarm just went off. yeah like These junky kind of nil, nil, the other team didn't do anything, but got a point out of it can come in kind of different ways. So like if Canada had done this to Argentina on the first match day, you can shrug it off because like, look, there's a thing that happens to good tea, even to good teams. It happens. But when it happens at this stage of your general queasiness about a team, it really gives you pause and concern because they just could not afford to have this happen in this moment. Like, you just have to put the ball in the back of the net when it counts at some point. Yeah, I think they're the number one um answer to why this is an issue is the striker position. Yep. Charleston out being out hurts.
00:39:46
Speaker
who's their next best option sixteen seventeen year old and Rick who they're just not going to give him full minutes yet I mean I we know the talents there but we also know it's not ready and then it's like okay well then you have the nation is Rodrigo Raffina okay they're all good wingers they can shoot but like It's not a reliable way to create chances. When a team bunkers and you can't like play them in transition and dribble around them, and there's eight guys standing in the box, you need someone to cross the ball to. yep And credit to Columbia, OK, they're good at set pieces.
00:40:24
Speaker
All right, Brazil, get your center backs up. Put Markinos in the box. I like like get create corner kicks. It's only what Arsenal do with Gabriel like and Saliba and France. It's what Colombia did. So like get good set pieces routines, OK? Take more shots from distance. I think Paqueta is fine. like I don't think he's the issue. I don't really rate Bruno Guimara as at the level of Casamiro. But like he wasn't the issue today. The issue was not putting the ball in the back of the net. I think they got a lot of shots from 20 yards from distance. And on a better day, they score one. But like that's the game plan. It's bad luck. And at the same time, they don't have plan B. But like welcome to Brazil right now. There is no plan A.
00:41:15
Speaker
like It's a tough time. and and And like you said, on a different day, they they find the goal and they're okay. On a different day, they come in much better. And this is a result that you can just kind of shrug off as a thing that that happens at major tournaments. But now I think the biggest thing for Brazil now Amit is looking forward because all right, this results in the bag. All right. You dropped two points. If you like what you saw from Costa Rica, you're going to get the exact same thing from Paraguay, but with the added danger of them being slightly more capable going forward and slightly more capable of hurting you from a dead ball situation with their big center back. So there is more danger against Paraguay also.
00:41:58
Speaker
Brazil might just put it together and smash Paraguay 4-0 and this is okay. It's a thing that happened. You might not feel great going forward, but whatever. But the pressure is squarely on Brazil against Paraguay. And if this match gets 50, 55, 60 minutes and it's still 0-0, all right, then it's time to really, really be worried. And also, if Paraguay find a way to score, which I don't think is the most insane thing in the world, Costa Rica were never scoring in this game. They were never going to score in this game. That was not their intention. Part of why I have the ability to hit out against Brazil once or twice and make them pay on their own and see. So goal is on ah on a set piece. Those type of guys can put the ball in the back of the net and really, really worry Brazil. It is a fascinating encounter. What's coming up here.
00:42:40
Speaker
Yeah, I think most of it is mental. But there is level there is a level, as you've described, for Paraguay to trouble them. And let's be honest, the weak spot is center defensive mid and fullbacks. The two fullbacks are just not at the level of the rest of this team. And you know we saw Gabriel Martinelli come on much too late. Again, another winger can play make things happen. They're playing a double pivot against the team that was had 10 guys in their box. like Yeah, like I'm not joking about the put a center back in the box thing Yeah, like you need a guy who can who can do you need attackers? They can come in different shapes and sizes um But but listen, I think this was game one. I think Brazil feel the urgency. So yeah, I imagine
00:43:27
Speaker
on luck and response from Brazil, we will see things flip here shortly. They're not as bad as 0-0 scoreline to Costa Rica indicates. Again, it's just this theme of everything is not right. There's definitely an alarm. And certainly the vibes are are a problem. So yeah how can they fix that belief? yeah This would be a good game to do it. They need to put the back of the ball in the back of the net. At the end of the day, that's what it's going to come down to. And they're going to have to find some way somebody's going to have to do that. Can Costa Rica do this again against Colombia a bit?
Costa Rica Faces Colombia's Challenges
00:44:00
Speaker
No. Yeah. No. This was 90 minutes of magic. Listen, we we Colombia can kid do the same game plan. I mean, Colombia are just physically very dominant in a way that Brazil used to be and are not currently.
00:44:19
Speaker
Yeah, it's just, I, Costa Rica got their point. It's a historic result for them credit to them. But like, this is just not a repeatable way of playing international football. Like you just can't simply be this toothless. Like I get defending and being, and being controlled at the back and in control of the game, etc but you can't just give up this many chances and think it's going to work more than once. So listen we can need to do something. Yeah, Paraguay defended Colombia well and it yeah did like you your commas Rodriguez is going to find space. Their other midfielders are going to find space. They. Yeah, it's hard to repeat it. If they hadn't done what they did against Brazil, maybe they could have done it. But the odds of it happening twice. We're just telling you is is lot low. Yeah. But we'll see. We'll see. We'll turn on the match and we'll see what happens. And and that's what's fun about these these major national tournaments. All right. a bit ah Peru and Canada are on the field here, so we're going to wrap up so that we can get to to watching those games. That's it from us on this edition of the World Cup After Dark. As always, if you like what we do, we encourage you to rate, review, subscribe, click all the buttons. You can click on all the platforms. You can click them.
00:45:26
Speaker
And if you would like to support us monetarily, you can find us at patreon dot.com slash WCAD. For $3 a month, you get access to exclusive patron only shows like our Euro Match Day 2 recap we just put out a few days ago, as well as other shows that we'll have throughout this competition and others as well. And you get access to the World Cup Qualifying Master Spreadsheet. It keeps you up to date on World Cup Qualifying across all the confederations. All right. We're done for now. We'll be back in a couple of days to recap the end of the Eurogroup stage. It's been quite fun. Amit, we'll chat soon and we'll speak to the listeners later.