Sorry soccer fans on vacation this week so not much time this week. The summer of soccer’s first stanza wraps up this weekend with the Copa Final matching Brazil and Neymar vs Argentina and Messi looking for his first ever international title, having reached the finals 3 times. Of course after a fabulous Euro Cup – nothing more than a spectacular final between surprising upstarts Italy (missed the 2018 World Cup just like the US) and England looking to “bring it home” for the first time since the 1966 World Cup. Honestly with the home field advantage and the refs calling EVERYTHING for them – how could England not make the finals Sunday at Wembley. Assessing the final – Italy has been the more impressive side with a surprisingly potent counter attack to go along with the Best Defense in the World. Those two experienced centerbacks combined with the great – Gigi Donaroma in between the pipes and the calm Mancini with his Armani suits – this Italy team looks the better side coming in. That being said – you know the 60K or however many they let into the stadium will be rooting hard for England. The chance to end over 50 years of frustration with a Euro title won at home would be great for the 3 Lions. (England). It will certainly be must watch soccer Sumday at 3 pm on ESPN (Coverage starts 2:30 pm). Don’t miss the anthems – Italy singing their anthem defines the soccer in Europe. I think like in every important game for England this Euro’s that the Ref will gift them a goal for sure. So Italy will have to score at least 2 goals to steal the win on foreign soil. I like Italy in a 2-1with a goal in extra time by the Juve man bringing the title back to Italy.
US Starts Gold Cup on Sunday Eve 8:30 vs Haiti FS 1
The US rolls out the B team with mostly MLS players for this edition of the Gold Cup which started this weekend. The US contigent still has a bunch of possible US World Cup players on the roster. I am excited to see Atlanta’s Miles Robinson along with Nashvilles’ Walker Zimmerman in the middle and Reggie Cannon on the right back spot. Yuelle will get a chance to see if he can solidify a backup spot at the #6 slot behind Adams. Up front should also be exciting as Orlando’s Dike will look to try to claim that #9 spot with some goals this summer. I will have much more on this next week – as the US should certainly advance to the knockout rounds. Huge game next Sunday with the US facing Canada on FS 1 at 5 pm. Of course Mexico has brought their A team – so look for them to definitely make the finals – against hopefully this US MLS team.
GAMES ON TV
EUROS + COPA America FINALS
(Euro’s all times ET; coverage starts about 30 minutes before kickoff; all games also stream on ESPN+, Copa on Fox, FS1, FS2
Saturday, July 10
COPA Final 8 pm (FS1)
Gold Cup – Mexico vs T&T(Hackshaw) 10 pm (FS1)
Sunday, July 11
EURO Final (London) – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+, Univision, TUDN)
Gold Cup Canada vs Martinique 6:30 pm (FS1)
Gold Cup USA vs Haiti 8:30 pm (FS1)
Monday, July 12
Gold Cup Jamaica vs Surinam 6:30 pm (FS1)
Gold Cup Costa Rica vs Guadeloupe 8:30 pm (FS1)
Wednesday, July 14
Gold Cup Mexico vs Curacoa 9:30 pm (FS1)
Thursday, July 15
Gold Cup Canada vs Haiti 6:30 pm (FS1)
Gold Cup USA vs Martinique 8:30 pm (FS1)
Sunday, July 18
Gold Cup USA vs Canada 5 pm (FS1)
Gold Cup Mexico vs SLV 10 pm (FS1)
The Ole BallCoach 