ASN’s Brian Sciaretta affords up his takes on the USMNT’s Copa America draw, People overseas midweek together with Pepi persevering with his terrific type, MD-1 for MLS Cup together with a prediction.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
December 08, 2023
5:55 AM
SHARE THIS STORY
So with that, let’s simply begin on the prime
Copa America Draw
After a bunch of boring speeches, the draw for the 2024 Copa America was held final night time after the event’s venues had been introduced earlier within the week.
The USMNT was draw into Group C together with Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia.
Right here is the draw and the group’s schedule.
USMNT vs. Bolivia: June 23, 2024 – Arlington, Texas
USMNT vs. Panama – June 27, 2024 – Atlanta, Georgia
USMNT vs. Uruguay – July 1, 2024 – Kansas Metropolis, Missouri
Tackle the draw
This was an excellent draw for america. They face a recognized opponent in Panama and one of many weakest groups in South America earlier than internet hosting a robust Uruguay group in what must be a pro-American crowd.
There have been 4 seeded groups: The USA, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. The U.S. group obtained the very best draw. Contemplate that among the many two groups but to be determined, one could possibly be an underperforming however nonetheless gifted Canadian group. Argentina might in reality face Peru, Canada, and Chile. That could be a laborious draw for the reigning World Cup and Copa American champs. In the meantime, Brazil has Colombia and Paraguay together with a CONCACAF TBD.
The U.S. acquired the draw it wished, and the group must be a troublesome out taking part in at house. The secret is to get six factors forward of the group finale in opposition to Uruguay.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 8, 2023
Afterward, Gregg Berhalter spoke about being favored to advance.
“That’s the reality,” Berhalter stated. “And for us it’s about now going on the field and competing. We know that you can be favorites and not win the game. So, for us it’s about being focused, trying to get momentum with the fans and then trying to go as far as we can in this tournament.”
As for the preparations, Doug McIntyre confirmed stories final night time on Fox Sports activities that the USMNT is ready to play Brazil in a pre-Copa pleasant in addition to one other group relying on the draw (they don’t need to play a bunch stage opponent).
Berhalter additionally spoke about juggling the 2 rosters with the Olympics and he stated that he’s seeking to ship the strongest group doable to the Copa America.
People overseas
There have been numerous video games overseas this weekend and there have been some vital People overseas tales generated amongst them.
The large one was on Thursday the place PSV defeated Heerenveen 2-0 behind a Guus Til objective within the thirty third minute that was assisted by Malik Tillman and a Ricardo Pepi objective that was scored within the 78th minute.
The help from Tillman got here down the left facet and he was a pleasant cross to arrange Til. Tillman ended up taking part in 90 minutes. As all the time, the query with him is whether or not he’ll persuade PSV to train its possibility to purchase him on the mortgage from Bayern. That must be his finish objective as he is in a great place.
Jetzt ist es passiert! #PSV baute die letzten Minuten ordentlich Druck auf und belohnt sich mit dem Führungstreffer durch Guus Til. #psvhee pic.twitter.com/KPVFt2HgFa
— oranjefussball ???????? (@oranjefussball) December 7, 2023
Then Pepi’s objective was simply one other elegant end by a participant who’s in nice type.
#PSV belohnt sich für die inzwischen sichtbare Überlegenheit, der eingewechselte Pepi sorgt mit dem 2:0 gegen #Heerenveen für die Vorentscheidung. #psvhee pic.twitter.com/LjSsbVnAof
— oranjefussball ???????? (@oranjefussball) December 7, 2023
As for Pepi, I’m anticipating him to get some possibilities to start out very quickly. I believe that’s the reason he was taking part in with Jong earlier this week when he was given a full 90 minutes.
Different takeaways this week was that Matt Turner is wanting higher and higher after a horrible outing for Nottingham Forest in a 5-0 loss to Fulham. Forest’s Odysseas Vlachodimos had a nightmare of a efficiency. To be truthful, Forest’s protection was nonexistent they usually wouldn’t have gotten a consequence with Turner. However Vlachodimos was a part of the issue, not a part of the answer. In one other observe, it was an excellent 75 minute shift from Antonee Robinson who can also be in nice type.
Ooff pic.twitter.com/Sdi8lw9t3w
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) December 6, 2023
Cameron Carter-Vickers solely performed the primary half of Celtic’s 4-1 win over Hibs on Wednesday however Celtic supervisor Bendan Rodgers stated it was simply precautionary.
Brendan Rodgers on taking Cameron Carter-Vickers off at HT right this moment:
“Just a precaution. He felt his hamstring a little tight. He wanted to continue but there’s no point in risking him when we’ve got a centre-half on the bench.”
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) December 6, 2023
Jonny Cardoso performed what was doubtless his final match for Internacional in a 3-1 win over Botofogo. He got here into the sport within the 72nd minute to see out the win and he was given the armband. He’s linked with a transfer to Actual Betis in January.
MLS Cup MD-1
It’s the outdated Matchday minus one in Columbus because the Crew put together to host LAFC within the last and later right this moment, Don Garber will give his annual State of the League tackle. Between Apple, Messi, a proposed fourth DP spot, continued enlargement, a brand new event with South American groups, there’s going to be quite a bit to speak about.
There are numerous nice storylines for this recreation. Listed below are a few of my favorites:
Crew ahead Diego Rossi will get to tackle his former group in LAFC (the place he was then bought to Fenerbahce).
Can Giorgio Chiellini at 39 stick with the Crew’s assault that features Cucho Hernandez and Rossi? It doesn’t matter what, Chiellini has been an ideal acquisition for LAFC and an envoy for the league.
Is that this the finale for Chiellini and Carlos Vela who see their contracts finish after this yr? Charles Boehm had an excellent piece on this.
Each groups have two superb goalkeepers who’re in type: Crew’s Patrick Schulte and LAFC’s Maxime Crepeau. How will each fare?
How does the Crew cease Denis Bounaga who set information this season with targets?
Prediction: I believe the Crew will win this 2-1. Homefield benefit has been necessary in these playoffs and LAFC has not handled forwards but within the postseason within the method of Hernandez and Rossi. The Crew’s distinction makers are youthful, they usually have been taking part in effectively. Schulte must make some large saves for this to occur, and I believe he’ll.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25788148/2189695885.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "The group that does it will win the NFC West")
