US ladies Olympic Prep vs Mexico Sat 3:30 pm on TNT
Emma Hayes will have 2 more games to get the US ladies ready for the ever important Olympics with 2 games this week before they take off for Paris. They did announce that Catarina Macario is still nursing a sore knee and will be replaced by Alternate Lynn Williams. Too bad – would have been great to get Macario the experience. Either way the US ladies were shocked by Mexico the last time they played them – so this game should serve as a little payback time and give us a decent feel for how this new look US team under Hayes will perform against a decent team.
2024 U.S. Olympic women’s soccer roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea) Lynn Williams NY Gothem
FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
ALTERNATES (4): Jane Campbell (goalkeeper, Houston Dash), Hal Hershfelt (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Croix Bethune (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (forward, NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Euro Finals – England vs Spain – Sun 3 pm Fox
So the Euro’s and the Copa American Finals this Sunday wrap up the 1st half of a crazy summer of soccer. What a joy its been to watch these games. The Euro’s have been fantastic and with competitive games and two teams many predicted could reach the finals with Spain and England. I thought Germany also played great but ran into Spain too early in the Competition – I think if they had been on the other side of the bracket the two best teams were Spain and Germany. But give England credit – after looking like crap in the group stage they have come alive – albeit late in most of the games. It has made for exciting football however. I like Spain in this one 2-1 in normal time. Is it coming home England?
Copa America Finals Arg vs Colombia Sun 8 pm on Fox
So the two best teams have made it to the finals – Argentina cruised on their half of the bracket – save a scare vs Ecuador in the Quarters. Colombia however had to really battle against Uruguay playing a man down for the final 45 minutes to preserve their unbeaten streak at a world’s best 28 games. While Argentina and Messi are the prohibitive favorites headed down to the Finals in Miami – I am taking Colombia and their re-serected midfielder James – to find a way to beat the tourney’s best GK Martinez two times in route to a 2-1 win over Argentina. I will be rooting for the Messi and the blue and white – but I think the yellow clad Colombian’s are gonna find a way to win this one – maybe in Extra Time 2-1. Some great saves in this tourney – be sure to check the GK section below to see.
Copa America 3rd place Uruguay vs Canada Sat 8 pm on Fox
So the Canadians managed to make it to the Semi-Finals – while the US flamed out in the group stages. I would assume its all smiles for the US Coach Jesse Marsch who we probably should have hired last summer for the US as he managed to get his team thru. Now lets be honest they scored 3 goals to the US 4 and played 2 games up a man in a weaker group overall. But all that aside – with Uruguay down players like Nunez (red card) and others (brawl in the stands) Canada has a real chance to take 3rd place in this Copa America tourney – I will be rooting for Jesse and the Cannucks and Bakers! Go Canada.
US Needs to find the Right Coach
So I guess we’ll see if this Englishman we hired Matt Crocker is worth a crock or not. Obviously it was time for Berhalter to go zero wins against top 10 teams (Ever while head coach) will do that. And the flame out at Copa was too much to keep his job – no matter how much our players like him. I am not sure who the US gets – obviously Klopp is not coming – perhaps a Pochitino has an interesting sound to it or maybe Gareth Southgate if he wins and decides to leave England with his knighthood and take another gig. Honestly the more I see the more I think it might be Renard – the current French women’s coach (former coach of 2 men’s teams in the world cup) or some American coach like Steve Cherundolo. While I love Cherundolo – with only 3 years as a head coach and zero international coaching experience I am just not sure he or any other US coach is ready. Jesse Marsch – was probably our best shot for a US coach and he will take great pleasure trying to make sure his MLS laden Canada team outdoes the US in the World Cup.
Indy 11 home vs Loudon United Sat 7 pm @ the Mike
Indy Eleven starts a two-match homestand hosting Loudoun United FC Saturday at The Mike. This will be the eighth overall meeting between the sides, and the first of two this season. The Boys in Blue are coming off a 2-1 U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal win over MLS-side Atlanta United and tied Rhode Island, 3-3, in the last USL Championship action to remain in third in the Eastern Conference (9-5-3). Loudoun sits sixth at 7-6-4 after defeating Hartford, 3-0, its last time out. Indy Eleven made history Tuesday night, defeating Atlanta United, 2-1, to advance to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals for the first time since opening play in the tournament in 2014. The victory was also the first for the Boys in Blue over an MLS opponent in its fourth match-up. Indy is now 8-7-1 all-time in U.S. Open Cup action and picked up its second road victory in tournament history, with the first coming in this season’s Third Round at Chicago Fire II. The Boys in Blue have outscored opponents, 8-1, in this season’s edition. Indy’s leading goal scorer in U.S. Open Cup action, Augi Williams, opened the scoring in the 31st minute off an assist from Douglas Martinez, his second helper of the tournament. The tally was the third for Williams in the Cup, scoring in the third consecutive match, while the goal was the first Atlanta had given up after opening the tournament w/a pair of shutouts. Indy 11 advance to US Open Cup Semi’s Indy 11 Radio Call
Set your calendars now for next Sat night July 20 as former Indy 11 GK & Carmel FC GK coach Jordan Farr returns with his Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7 pm at the Mike.
Carmel High Girls Soccer Camp July 22-25
2-4:30 pm @ Murray Stadium Register Here contact fdixon@ccs.k1.in.us for more info
Huge Congrats to former Carmel FC & current Carmel High defender Rosie Martin (2nd row far left)– advancing to the ENCL Finals with her Indy 11 team this past weekend. Congrats Pork Chop!!
TV GAMES SCHEDULE
Sat, July 13
3:30 pm TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Mexico
7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Loudon United
8 pm FS 1 Copa 3rd Canada vs Uruguay
8:30 pm Apple TV Free Austin vs Seattle Sounders
8:30 pm Apple TV Free Chicago Fire vs NYCFC
8:30 pm Apple TV Free Dallas vs LA Galaxy
9:30 pm Apple TV Free Colorado vs NY Red Bulls
10:30 pm Apple TV Free LAFC vs Columbus
Sun, July 14
3 pm Fox Euro Finals Spain vs England
8 pm Fox Copa Finals Argentina vs Colombia
Tues, July 16
7:30 pm TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Costa Rica
Weds, July 17
10:30 pm FS1 LAFC vs Real Salt Lake
Fri, July 19
9 pm CBSSN Seattle Reign vs Utah Royals NWSL
Sat, July 20
7 pm ESPN+ TV 8 Indy 11 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (Jordan Farr in goal)
8 pm CBSSN KC Current vs Houston Dash NWSL
8 pm Para+ Racing Louisville vs Monterey Fermeni NWSL tourney
10 pm CBSSN San Diego Wave vs Bay FC NWSL
10:45 pm FS1 LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers
Sun, July 21
7 pm CBSSN Portland Thorns vs Tiajuana Ladies NWSL tourney
Wed, July 24
9 am Peacock Argentina Men vs Morocco Olympics
11 am Peacock Japan Men vs Paraguay Olympics
3 pm Peacock US Men Olympics vs France
Thurs, July 25
11 am Peacock Canada Women vs New Zealand Olympics
11 am Peacock Japan Women vs Spain Olympics
1 pm Peacock Germany WNT vs Australia Olympics
3 pm Peacock USWNT Olympics vs Zambia
3 pm Peacock France WNT vs Colombia Olympics
July 27 Sat
1 pm Peacock US Men vs New Zealand
July 28 Sun
3 pm Peacock USWNT vs Germany
July 30 Tues
3 pm Peacock US Men vs Guinee
July 31 Wed
1 pm Peacock USWNT vs Australia
COPA Final Sun 7 pm 3rd place Sat
Canada vs Uruguay: How to watch live, stream link, team news Argentina vs Colombia: Copa America Final Preview and FREE Watching Guide
Argentina vs Colombia: 2024 Copa America destiny unfolds in Miami Colombia Player Ratings vs Argentina vs Colombia: Supercomputer predicts winner of Copa America 2024 final
Uruguay players defend decision to enter crowd amid Copa America brawl
Copa América scrapped extra-time. Should other knockout tournaments? Uruguay brutally beats Brazil to reach Copa semis
Euro Final Sun 3 pm
Why Spain have been Euro 2024’s most entertaining team
Can England beat Spain – and how? Ask our chief football writer your Euro 2024 questions ahead of the final
Six-way tie? UEFA confirms baffling Golden Boot decision ahead of Euro 2024 final
Euro 2024 final key battles: Rodri v Foden and Bellingham
Euro 2024 final key battles: Yamal v Shaw
Euro 2024 final key battles: Cucurella v Saka
Euro 2024 awards: Best player, standout goal, favourite match and more
Young star: Here are best XI of Euro 2024 semifinals
Spain star insists no change needed for England in Euro 2024 final
Southgate has one more step on road to England redemption: the Euro 2024 final hMark Ogden
Southgate has one more step on road to England redemption: the Euro 2024 final13hMark Ogden
Spain’s genius outweighs lack of star power in dazzling Euro 2024 run3dGab Marcott
Euro 2024 talking points: Yamal impact, key goals, final predictions1dESPN
Spain vs England predicted lineups, team news for EURO 2024 final
EURO 2024 Best XI of tournament
Euro 2024 Final: Is it coming home?
England vs Spain LIVE: FA ‘want Southgate to stay’ regardless of final result as Three Lions boss faces media
How Gareth Southgate changed England fortunes and rebranded patriotism
Gareth Southgate admits Spain are favourites but believes England have key factor that could decide final
Sources: FA want Southgate to stay for ’26 WC
A Spain win at Euro 2024 could deliver a surprise new Ballon d’Or winner
📈 EURO 2024 Power Rankings: England rise ahead of final test
The Euros has lost its unique selling point – it is no longer a great tournament
US Ladies vs Mexico Sat 3:30 pm TNT
25 years later: How 1999 Women’s World Cup changed women’s soccer in the USA
USWNT star will miss Paris Olympics with injury
Cat Macario withdraws from USWNT Olympic roster with knee irritation, will be replaced by Lynn Williams
2024 USWNT Friendly: Scouting Mexico S& S By Brendan Joseph
USWNT Olympic roster profiles: Forwards
USWNT Olympic roster profiles: Midfielders
USWNT Olympic roster profiles: Defenders
USWNT Olympic roster profiles: Goalkeepers
Goalkeeping
Seven of the best saves at Euro 2024
The greatest ever save at the Euros? Mert Gunok pulls off ‘
Great Saves | UEFA EURO 2024 Group Stage
Reffing
The No Call Handball for Spain Game was right
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Euro 2024 final preview: Spain vs. England
- James Olley ESPNFC Sam Marsden
- Jul 12, 2024, 04:00 AM ET
BERLIN — After a long month of continental competition stretching from one end of Germany to the other, Euro 2024 is set to conclude Sunday in Berlin, where Spain will take on England at the Olympiastadion. The paths these two teams have taken to the German capital are starkly different. Spain have been the darlings of the tournament, the only heavyweights to consistently turn in eye-catching performances that convey a coherence and clearly defined identity. England, meanwhile, have largely looked like less than the sum of their parts, but their collection of stars have managed to dig deep and grind out the results required to reach a second consecutive European Championship final. Who will emerge victorious Sunday? How will the match unfold? ESPN asked the two writers who’ve followed these teams most closely throughout Euro 2024: James Olley and Sam Marsden.
Why could England win?
England produced their best performance of the tournament by some distance in the semifinals. There is a sense of momentum behind them right now and a surging belief that comes from pulling out results late on. Jude Bellingham‘s 95th-minute equaliser against Slovakia, the penalty shootout win over Switzerland and Ollie Watkins‘ 90th-minute winner against Netherlands have created a feeling England could somehow be destined to lift their first major trophy in 58 years.
EDITOR’S PICKS
There were signs against the Dutch that England’s individual attacking talents were starting to develop an understanding and some of the combinations between Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in particular were exciting. Jordan Pickford is having another tournament in which he takes his game to another level, while Marc Guéhi has been a major find at centre-back. Luke Shaw‘s likely return in time for his first start of the tournament will give better balance to the team given he is a natural left-footer as opposed to Kieran Trippier, who has been filling in at left-back or left wing-back. After all the chaos of the early rounds, manager Gareth Southgate has seemingly found a degree of stability in his probable lineup. — James Olley
Why could Spain win?
No one is arguing that Spain have been the best team at Euro 2024. They have won all six matches and have already beaten hosts Germany and pre-tournament favourites France in the knockout rounds. They have done so scoring the most goals (13), creating the most chances (96) and by playing front-foot, attacking football. A lot of the focus has been on the verticality added to a previously possession-heavy side by wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Thanks to them, they can now go direct and cause problems in transition, although they also still manage the ball so well. They press diligently, have a nice balance to the side, a clear idea of how they want to play and in Rodri they might have the Player of the Tournament.Ballon d’Or shouts are growing for the Manchester City midfielder, and the chances are if he’s on song, Spain will win. City’s FA Cup final defeat ended a run of 74 games unbeaten for his club, but Rodri has stepped straight back into winning habits with his country.Spain were considered outsiders before the tournament, but the quiet optimism that has radiated from the camp since they opened with a 3-0 win against Croatia has proven justified. They go into the final as favourites. — Sam Marsden
Who deserves the trophy more: Southgate or De la Fuente?
Southgate for a number of reasons. Firstly, Sunday could be culmination of eight years in charge during which he has redefined the culture around the England team and broken down a series of historical barriers. He has now won more tournament knockout games than every other England manager since 1966 combined. He has secured back-to-back Euros finals, and this weekend’s is England’s first major final outside of London.It is possible to pick holes in those achievements, not least this summer in that England have had a significantly easier route to the final than Spain and the football really was terrible earlier in the tournament. A more proactive manager might have secured victory in the last Euros final against Italy as Roberto Mancini gradually took the game away from England before winning on penalties.Southgate has his flaws but he has presided over an unprecedented period of deep tournament runs, doing so more recently amid a fierce backlash from many people with short memories. Some of the criticism has been valid but throwing beer cups in his direction and booing his name when read out before kickoff is not given both his track record and sincere desire to do his nation proud. And let’s not forget his journey as a player: missing a penalty in the Euro 1996 semifinal shootout against Germany is a moment that has long threatened to define him. What a transformation it would be if he could mark eight years and 102 games as manager with a historic trophy lift. — Olley
The word “deserves” is an awkward one. Neither appointment was especially exciting at the time, but both have done good jobs. It’s easy to argue that Southgate would be a fitting winner given his trajectory with England as a player and coach and what he has done in the past eight years, including enduring extreme criticism at times during this tournament. However, if we’re just talking about what we have seen in Germany, then Luis de la Fuente edges it.
Spain’s performances have been recognisable and consistent throughout. They have taken games to opponents and not sat back once while leading. It’s an extension of the work De la Fuente has done throughout the past decade at the Spanish Football Federation. He has previously won the U19 Euros, the U21 Euros, a silver medal at the Olympic Games and the UEFA Nations League last summer. Many of the players in the senior side now played under him at youth level — including Rodri, Dani Olmo, Marc Cucurella and Pedri, among others — and those longstanding relationships, coupled with his in-tournament experience, have helped Spain prosper in Germany. — Marsden
What weaknesses could each team exploit in their opponent?
Spain might be the first side England play that are willing to allow them space on the break. If England can play through the press when they win the ball, they could create chances, although they will need to be more willing to run in behind than they have been so far — Spain play with the highest defensive line at the tournament. Goalkeeper Unai Simón has also had a couple of shaky moments. His mistake led to a Croatia penalty in the opener — which was missed — and he almost gifted Germany a goal last week, although Kai Havertz could only loft the ball onto the roof of the net.
Spain will focus on their strengths more than England’s weaknesses. They will look to Rodri and Fabián Ruiz to run the game and rely on Williams and Yamal to win their battles against the England full-backs. — Marsden
England’s inability to keep possession has been a habitual tournament failing. Although Spain are more direct under De la Fuente, they remain excellent in that regard — with Rodri the absolute master of dictating play — and so the midfield battle will be vital.
If England can get a foothold in the game, their rich array of attacking talent could exploit a vulnerable-looking Spain defence, particularly at centre-back. It would be a major surprise if Harry Kane did not start the game — unless the blow to his right foot sustained against the Netherlands is more serious than first feared — but England’s firepower off the bench could also be telling. Both Watkins and Ivan Toney have contributed key moments in this tournament to date, the former spectacularly so in scoring the 90th-minute winner against Netherlands, taking advantage of a tiring defence. His confidence will be sky high. — Olley
McManaman: Spain deserve to be favourites for Euro 2024 final
Craig Burley and Steve McManaman react to Spain’s 2-1 win over France in the Euro 2024 semifinals.
England player to watch
Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger’s consistency and application is so unswerving that it is easy to take him for granted. Saka was a menace against Switzerland — scoring a brilliant equaliser in that quarterfinal — and particularly in the first half against the Netherlands. But his tactical intelligence is also particularly important to England when they adopt a hybrid system. England used a back five out of possession with Saka tucking in at right wing-back but then switched to a four-man defence with the ball as the 22-year-old pushed forward to operate as a more conventional winger. His ability one-on-one is not matched by many in the game, and he will fancy the matchup against Cucurella. — Olley
Spain player to watch
Dani Olmo. Obviously Rodri, Yamal and, to a lesser extent, Williams are the key men for Spain, but England will also need to be on top of Olmo. The RB Leipzig forward started the tournament on the bench, but Pedri’s injury handed him his chance against Germany, when he scored one and assisted on the winner. He then came into the side against France, scoring the winner himself. Prior to that, he was already having an impact as a substitute. He has a tournament-high five goal contributions — three goals and two assists — and is given freedom to roam between the lines in front of Rodri and Ruiz. — Marsden
Score prediction
Spain 2-1 England. The form lines suggest Spain deserve to start this game as favourites. England keep finding a way to win — and they might do so again — but this will be the toughest challenge they have faced by some distance at these Euros, and Spain have shown a consistently higher level throughout the tournament. — Olley
Spain 3-1 England. Both teams have responded to going behind in the knockout rounds — Spain against Georgia and France, England in all three matches — so it doesn’t seem like the first goal will provide a knockout blow on this occasion. It will be tight, but Spain have been the better side throughout and there’s no reason to imagine that will drastically change Sunday. The third goal will come on the break as England chase a late equaliser. — Marsden
2024 Copa América final: Argentina-Colombia predictions
- ESPN Jul 12, 2024, 07:30 AM
It’s here! After a grueling, entertaining and drama-filled month, Sunday night brings the final of the 2024 Copa America, as defending champions Argentina host Colombia in Miami. Which team will reign supreme? Will Argentina and Lionel Messi cruise to victory, or can Colombia shock them? (Game odds, per ESPNBET, point towards Argentina: they’re favored at -165 to Colombia’s +125.)
If Colombia are going to win, which players need to have a statement game? And what will Messi do at Hard Rock Stadium? ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, Lizzy Becherano and Tim Vickery offer their predictions and expectations for Sunday’s final.
1. Who will win, and why will it be Argentina?
Carlisle: I don’t think it will be Argentina winning on Sunday! Obviously, Colombia were pushed to their physical limits against Uruguay, but manager Nestor Lorenzo also maximized his substitutions in the match. James Rodríguez came off after 62 minutes. Richard Ríos was stretchered off after 61 minutes but was seen dancing afterward, proving that winning does wonders for a player’s recuperative powers.
Yes, Argentina are formidable, but as the saying goes, steel sharpens steel, and Colombia will gain immense confidence from their win over Uruguay. Argentina still look like they haven’t had to get out of third gear, though Ecuador provided a scare. I think Colombia just shade this one.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Euro 2024, Copa América Stock Watch: Who has impressed? Who struggled? 2d ESPN
- Will Copa América’s controversy over poor pitch conditions affect 2026 World Cup?
- Becherano: I actually think Colombia will be the first to overcome Argentina this tournament. La Albiceleste cruised through the group stage, really not getting tested until their quarterfinal clash against Ecuador. Lionel Scaloni’s side looked uncomfortable when facing an aggressive opponent, struggling to hold back an eager attack.
Argentina boast an extremely capable set of players, but the 2024 Copa America has yet to see a stellar, trademark performance by the group. Colombia, on the other hand, have seen each player rise to the occasion at different points of the tournament to stun the most difficult opponents. Rodriguez is channeling his form from the 2014 World Cup while Luis Díaz continues to triumph on the left. Should Lorenzo’s side capitalize on their momentum, Argentina will have a difficult time overcoming Colombia’s physicality and force.
Vickery: The worry from the Colombia point of view is how much they took out of themselves playing the semifinal for so long with 10 men, which applies more to Diaz than anyone else. This is clearly an important question given that they go to Miami with a day less to rest up, but if they can recharge their batteries, then I think Colombia are capable of doing it. The discipline of the central midfield trio will help close Argentina down, and the physicality of the strikers will cause problems, as will their strength from set pieces.
Time after time in knockout games, the Argentina defence has been known to collapse — it could have cost them in Qatar against France, Holland and Australia and here against Ecuador — and even Canada had two golden chances in the last five minutes. One day this will cost Argentina, and that day could be Sunday.
2. Which version of Messi will we see and what do you expect from him?
Carlisle: Messi’s usually razor-sharp finishing hasn’t been evident in this tournament, with his goal against Canada one of the great two-foot putts. But for Colombia, the scary part about that goal is that it can nudge Messi’s confidence just that little bit higher to get his shooting accuracy recalibrated.
The other part is that Messi has been getting into good spots from which to score. Yes, I realize this is the old adage of being concerned only if he isn’t getting chances, but you have to think that eventually if that trend continues those shots will begin to find the target. I expect that to come to pass. Then it will be up to Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas to do what he can to thwart a legend.
Becherano: Messi’s quality will continue to be evident on Sunday thanks to his unique understanding of the game, spatial awareness and ability to draw out defenders. Through the age and injuries, Messi has learned to adapt his style of play to fit the current state. The Argentine forward is capable of much more than we’ve seen this tournament, but Colombia should expect him to rise to the occasion.
Argentina’s ability to capitalize on emotions when searching for motivation cannot be taken lightly, and Messi is no different. With the criticism of recent performances and thoughts of his final Copa America, the No. 10 will be out in his newly adapted full force. He might not outrun defensive counterparts, but he needs only a minute to inspire the creation and buildup of what could be a deadly goal.
Vickery: We are watching the sunset of the god. What he does can still be brilliant, but he does less of it than he did in Qatar. Some were shocked that Scaloni left top scorer Lautaro Martínez out of the team for the semifinal, but it is easily explained, and it serves as a recognition from the coach that Messi is not far from the end at this level.
Someone has to do the hard running. Julián Álvarez can do that and also form an extra player in the midfield setup when Argentina aren’t in possession. It is very hard on Lautaro, but it is a consequence of Messi slowly losing the battle against time. It will be fascinating to see how Argentina seek to bring him into the game against the organised and physically imposing Colombians.
3. Which Colombia player needs to have a good game if they are to beat Argentina?
Carlisle: James Rodriguez is the clear candidate, especially given how deadly he has been from set pieces, though that won’t be enough for Argentina to stop him from the run of play. They’ll need to make sure they don’t concede set pieces in dangerous spots.
The defensive side of the ball will be just as critical. The centre-back tandem of Carlos Cuesta and Davinson Sánchez will need to be at their best to stop Messi and Julian Alvarez if Colombia are to come out on top.
Becherano: Naturally, all eyes will be on Rodriguez, and Lionel Scaloni should plan accordingly, but Camilo Vargas is set to face the biggest challenge on Sunday. Should he be able to retain a clean sheet while Argentina possess the ball, then Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Jhon Córdoba can confidently play without the burden of needing to score a desperate late equalizer.
Vickery: Obviously Rodriguez, for the way he serves as a supply line for Diaz, and, perhaps most of all, for the excellent delivery of his set pieces.
4. OK, predictions time! Give us the final score and how the game will go!
Carlisle: I’m going for 2-0 Colombia, following a similar script to the Uruguay game (minus the red card). A Rodriguez set piece will put the Cafeteros ahead, with Cordoba icing it late.
Becherano: I hate to be redundant, but 2-1 Colombia. Impossible to think that Argentina won’t be able to find the back of the net after their Copa America run, but Colombia will be overpowering.
Vickery: Always make your predictions after the event! But if pushed I’m going for Colombia 2-1, possibly with a late surge. One a header from a set piece, the other from Diaz on the break.
If U.S. Soccer has a plan, trying to hire Jurgen Klopp surely can’t be part of it
By Jeff Rueter Jul 12, 2024
If we’ve learned one thing following Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal as manager of the United States men’s national team, perhaps it’s this: when an esteemed coach states they need a year away from the endless grind of their job, they likely mean it. It’s understandable that Jurgen Klopp would rebuff the advances of U.S. Soccer when he isn’t even two months removed from emotionally departing Liverpool. Still, it was worth a shot in the federation’s eyes.The German is as ambitious a target as the federation could identify. He’s a serial winner at the highest level of club football, a culture-builder who is tactically flexible within a clear guiding ideology. He’s also unemployed, removing any buyout cost, and U.S. Soccer was seemingly willing to open its salary budget.Here’s the thing: if you take Klopp’s announcement that he was leaving Liverpool in January at face value, this wasn’t the case of a coach needing a new challenge. He made this call despite having a year left on his contract. He looked beleaguered, harried by the stresses of perennially keeping up with the constant churn of managing one of the world’s most prominent clubs.Even if Klopp had decided that dabbling in international management was enough reprieve after admitting he was “running out of energy,” this would have remedied U.S. Soccer’s ongoing headaches for exactly two years.
The Real Jurgen Klopp: An Athletic special series
I’m not sure the USMNT fanbase fully appreciates the considerable gap between risk and reward if Klopp had replaced Berhalter.The best-case scenario is obvious: an ambitious hiring that makes the federation look good, a truly great coach crafting a potent batch of Schwarzwaldian lemonade from the lemons he inherited, perhaps a run to the 2026 World Cup semifinals and some fond memories when he leaves to either return to club soccer or retire outright.The worst-case scenarios would turn ongoing headaches into diagnosable migraines. One would be that Klopp was right: that he’s out of gas and he wouldn’t have the wherewithal to master the nuances that distinguish international soccer from its club alternative. Another is that he simply wouldn’t be able to handle the crash-course adaptation to international football, that he could get more out of individuals but can’t pull it into a collective in time for the World Cup. A ‘Luis Enrique’s Spain’ scenario, if you will.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp turned down an approach from the USMNT (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
In either case, the result would be an underwhelming resolution — and a costly one. U.S. Soccer would return to the hiring desk on the back of the World Cup and feel financially strapped as they look for a longer-term alternative.So while Klopp looks very good photoshopped into a USMNT hat, the reality is that the gamble is far more expensive than an Adobe suite subscription.When a federation can’t land the best unemployed manager in the game, what does the ‘best’ hiring possible look like? It’s a question that Matt Crocker and U.S. Soccer will work to answer over the coming weeks in hopes of securing the right coach for the World Cup by September. Names will continue to churn through the rumor mill like an endless conveyor belt. A couple of my colleagues highlighted some of the buzziest options, Klopp among them.
Who should USMNT hire to replace Berhalter? Analysing Klopp, Pochettino, Vieira and others
Maybe rushing to meet Klopp’s asking price with some combination of salary, sponsor considerations and NFTs was an expensive stopgap that wouldn’t address the bigger issues at play.Is that a hiring driven by process, an approach Crocker emphasized upon reappointing Berhalter in 2023? Does that hiring respond to the issues that came during Berhalter’s brief second tenure and set the program up on better footing? Or was it an opulent scramble that could have been better planned and executed given Klopp’s months of notice?Does U.S. Soccer really know what it wants from its next men’s manager? Has it had adequate time to figure that out?“There has been progress made,” Crocker said on Wednesday in the wake of Berhalter’s firing, “but now is the time to turn that progress into winning.”Winning! That’s a great start. American sports fans are awfully fond of winning.Here’s the thing: if it was as easy as just wanting to win, the USMNT would be 22-time defending World Cup champions.Saying it’s time to win after six years of, uh, whatever they just did under Berhalter is a backhanded admittance of failure. If you set a modest budget to buy a handful of citrus trees, waited six years as they occasionally bore fruit in hopes of a bountiful harvest to come, then uprooted those trees to import an entire Brazilian grove’s worth of produce ahead of a big event… are you any better at growing citrus? And what was the point of nurturing that smaller plot in the first place?
Gregg Berhalter was dismissed on Wednesday (Eduardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
Crocker has sworn repeatedly that Berhalter’s second appointment was the result of arduous interviewing, research, and data-driven assessment. If that process is thrown out the window in lieu of a “spend big on famous club coaches” model, that admits a failure beyond just one hire. Trust the process, as they say — but please, keep updating the process along the way based on new information.To send a message of adjustment and ambition, there may be a temptation to skew the coaching search and prioritize candidates who aren’t from the United States. That may be an overreaction if a domestic option enters with a clear vision to get things back on track. At this point, all options have to be considered with clear eyes. Berhalter was hardly the first native son to coach the USMNT. The program has skewed domestically with all but one hire since the 1994 World Cup, when the team was led by Serbian coaching nomad Bora Milutinovic. The one exception, Jurgen Klinsmann, carries an asterisk as he’d set up roots in California years before being appointed in hopes of staying in the federation’s mind whenever Bob Bradley was dismissed. At many times, being coached by someone from the U.S. paid off. The program’s best runs in the modern era were overseen by Bruce Arena and Bradley. Both had intimate knowledge of the player pool at a time when scouting and talent identification wasn’t as effortlessly global. Both had clear ideas for how they wanted the team to get results, catering to their pools’ strengths while accounting for the weaknesses. Neither was scared to embrace stereotypical national ideas about ‘grit’ and playing direct soccer. Both used parts of that DNA to their advantage. Arena led the USMNT to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals and Bradley led the team to a runner-up finish at the 2009 Confederations Cup, beating the all-time Spanish juggernaut en route to the final. As Crocker figures out what’s ‘best’ for the next appointment, the ultimate hire may indeed be domestic. Steve Cherundolo and Pat Noonan are ex U.S. internationals who are thriving in MLS, while Jim Curtin is familiar with many players in the pool and offers a fresh perspective. If any of these or other alternatives are hired, they’ll feel increased pressure to overperform as the fanbase gets past the second Berhalter era. The ‘best’ hire may be international, too. Milutinovic helped turn a generation of USMNT players into program legends and brought a fresh perspective to set the team up for success on home soil. He brought ample experience coaching internationally, having led Mexico when it hosted the 1986 World Cup.
The USMNT, who will host the 2026 World Cup, exited the Copa America at the group stage (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
His CV is comparable to that of Herve Renard, another nomadic international manager who most recently led the France women’s national team. Renard isn’t a celebrity coach, even if he has a catalog-ready face, but he has standout accomplishments to his name: two Africa Cup of Nations titles (with Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015), leading Saudi Arabia to the World Cup shock win of the century against Argentina in 2022, and leading a turbulent French team to the quarterfinal of the 2023 Women’s World Cup mere months after taking the job. He checks a lot of boxes for a possible stopgap solution with a very high upside and a low floor.ever, getting the best version of him may require a year’s worth of patience on top of lavish wages — two resources U.S. Soccer can ill afford to waste. Again, risks and rewards.Ultimately, the necessity to get this hire right extends beyond the field. You don’t need to scroll far into our comments sections to find that morale among USMNT fans is at a nadir. Depending how you value the Gold Cup, the team won’t play another high-level meaningful match until a World Cup group-stage opener in 2026. This appointment is one of the few remaining chances to galvanize the fanbase and rebuild morale to get maximum support ahead of hosting the World Cup. Crocker and federation leadership didn’t tell Tim Weah to swing an arm at the back of a defender’s head. They are, however, accountable for re-hiring a coach who didn’t set his team up to compete at the Copa America. Whoever is ultimately hired, the federation needs to make its choice with full confidence that it’s the ‘best’ option for the next two years — and they better have a clear definition of ‘best’ to justify that pick. (Top photo: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
Gregg Berhalter’s firing and the high-stakes game soccer in the U.S. continues to play
By Paul Tenorio Jul 11, 2024
A little more than a year after bringing Gregg Berhalter back as men’s national-team manager, U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker sat on a video call with a small group of reporters on Wednesday evening to reflect on why that decision did not work out.When Crocker brought Berhalter back, he pointed to the coach’s “passion to develop the legacy of U.S. Soccer, not just about winning in the men’s national team, but about developing the game for the good of the game, the growth of the game in this country”.Nine days after the USMNT went out in the group stage of a Copa America played on U.S. soil, the reality of the business — that results matter more than anything else — had overridden discussion about long-term goals and the greater good.When asked why Berhalter was no longer the right voice to lead the program, Crocker had a simple answer: the federation had “clear benchmarks” for Copa America 2024 that the team did not hit.“There has been progress made,” Crocker said, “but now is the time to turn that progress into winning.”The U.S. is now fighting battles on multiple fronts. Those in charge must live up to the high expectations of a fanbase that, true or not, believes this player pool to be the best the country has produced; they must deal with the pressure not to waste the opportunity presented by a largely home World Cup in 2026, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico; and, in the shadow of this decision to fire Berhalter, they are wrestling with time.
Berhalter has been replaced after a dismal Copa America for the USMNT (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Twenty-one months will have passed between when the U.S. left the 2022 World Cup finals and when they take the field for friendlies in September. In that time, the USMNT won two continental trophies but took steps backwards in terms of results. If this cycle was about building on what was accomplished by getting to and then getting out of the group in Qatar, there should be real concerns about how much time has been spent with interim coaches or in coaching searches versus pushing things forward. Crocker said the hope is to have a new coach in place in time for those September games against Canada and New Zealand, though he has a “robust contingency plan” if that doesn’t happen.The U.S. can’t afford to wait much longer. Whoever Crocker hires will have 11 windows with the U.S. team, including the month-long CONCACAF Gold Cup next summer, before the World Cup kicks off.Crocker didn’t lay out a shortlist of candidates or hint too much at what exactly he’ll be looking for other than saying “We are looking for a serial winning coach.” The search will not be limited in its reach or by financial constraints. “I just want to get the best coach possible that can help the team win,” Crocker said. “Whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere.”Asked whether the search would be dictated by equal pay between the U.S. men’s national team job and new women’s national team coach Emma Hayes, who makes a reported $2million (£1.6m) a year, Crocker said he knows “it’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field.
“I’m also really conscious that we need to continue to drive for higher standards in equality but I don’t think that’s going to be a stumbling block in terms of our investment from our national teams. It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.”
After reappointing Berhalter only to fire him one year later, Crocker must get this next choice of coach correct.
Crocker, a Welshman hired from then Premier League club Southampton in April 2023, said he feels more confident now in his understanding of what is needed.
Who is Matt Crocker? From Southampton academy manager to US Soccer’s new sporting director
“I’m a lot clearer and a lot more confident in what I see,” Crocker said. “We’re in a better place to have much more of a targeted search, where I’ll be more inclined to go hard and go early with specific candidates that I feel meet the criteria that we’re looking for… because I’ve seen it firsthand.”
In conversations over the past few days, criticisms around this team from outside observers and sources connected to the group’s inner circle have centered on the idea that players are too comfortable in the USMNT environment.
Crocker started work with U.S. Soccer in April 2023 (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
That was reflected in some of the disciplinary issues in the team, they said, namely Sergiño Dest’s red card in Trinidad last November and Tim Weah’s first-half one against Panama in the second of the three group matches at Copa America, but also in what some believe is an environment where some American players are “untouchable”, no matter form or fitness.
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While the culture of the team was considered a strength in the last cycle, the new coach will be tasked with ensuring that it doesn’t become a weakness leading into that home World Cup.
In addition, though much of the fans’ blame for the team’s failures was put on Berhalter, his exit should now put more accountability and scrutiny on the player pool to live up to the hype. It’s an idea center-back Tim Ream hinted at after the Uruguay loss that meant elimination from this tournament.
“This is a fantastic group, as everyone knows, and one that is very close, but sometimes the intensity falls through the cracks,” Ream told broadcaster Univision. “We have to continue to put our heads down and continue to work, continue to be humble enough to know there are things we can continue to improve, every single day.
“If guys have that mindset, then they can continue to be on an upward trajectory. When we start to think that we are a finished product, then guys are going to stagnate and just stay at the level they are at.”
The stakes are as high as ever.
Crocker wasn’t wrong last summer when he discussed how success will be gauged in 2026 — not just by winning, but by transforming on-field success into capturing a wider audience and further developing the sport in this country.
USMNT had questions before its Copa America exit. Now those get even louder
(Top photo: Adam Hagy/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
USMNT, Canada and Mexico: What went right (and wrong) for 2026 World Cup hosts at Copa America
The Athletic Stafful 11, 2024
One semi-finalist, one team looking for a new coach after early elimination and one that scored just a single goal in an embarrassing group-stage exit.anada, the United States and Mexico — co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup — certainly had mixed fortunes at 2024 Copa America.But with less than two years to go and no qualifying tournament to navigate, the trio have a paucity of opportunities to test themselves at a high level ahead of the first 48-team World Cup.With that in mind, the 2024 Copa America was supposed to be a golden chance to size up the player pool and gauge each program’s readiness to compete in 2026.
Are Copa America’s $200 tickets and empty seats a missed opportunity ahead of the World Cup?
For Canada, things could hardly have gone better, as Jesse Marsch’s side made a surprising run to the semi-finals and could yet end up finishing third if they beat Uruguay on Saturday.For Mexico and the United States, however, failure to advance from their groups has left each team with more questions than answers — while the U.S. has already started another head coach search after firing Gregg Berhalter.Our experts on each team looked at what went right (or wrong) for each nation at the Copa America. What can be done to remedy their shortcomings ahead of the World Cup?
USMNT — Paul Tenorio
What when right/wrong in the group?
Things turned from right to wrong around the 18th minute of the USMNT’s second group game, when referee Ivan Barton pulled out a red card and sent Tim Weah to the locker room.
Weah’s red card against Panama (Eduardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. had picked up three points in their group opener against Bolivia in an imperfect but ‘did-the-job’ 2-0 win over Bolivia. They were firmly in control of the game in the opening stages against Panama. Even a few minutes after Weah’s ejection, the U.S. scored. But Panama equalized four minutes after that and found a winner in the 83rd minute, and the U.S. suddenly was left scrambling.A loss to Uruguay in the group finale eliminated the hosts and spotlighted the issues around a team that still struggles to score and still lacks a signature win against a top-tier opponent.
What can the team take away from the tournament?
The Copa was a massive disappointment for the U.S. It was supposed to serve as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in two years, both from a sporting standpoint and also in generating excitement around the country behind this U.S. team. Instead, the U.S. had their worst tournament performance on home soil and now will have to figure out how to course correct without many competitive games between now and 2026.
How did the coach do?
The Copa America was the end of the road for Berhalter, who had become a lightning rod for criticism around the U.S. team.Berhalter was criticized for his team playing too conservatively after Weah’s red card — which might be a bit unfair considering the circumstances — but also for being unable to push this U.S. team to another level since the 2022 World Cup (and since he took charge again last summer).Poor results against Trinidad and Tobago and Panama in CONCACAF competition, a last-gasp win over Jamaica in the Nations League, losses to Germany and Colombia in friendlies and the Copa group exit added up to the end of Berhalter’s tenure as coach.
The Copa America was the end of the road for Berhalter (Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
What happens next?
Over to you, U.S. Soccer.
Does the federation push for a big-name hire? Could they land on a coach like Patrick Vieira or Gareth Southgate? Will they opt for an American, such as LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo?The core of this U.S. team has been together essentially since qualifying started for the 2022 World Cup. A full reset isn’t necessary, but a new voice would need to find a way to push this team to grow and improve if they want to advance deep into the World Cup in two years.
Berhalter’s firing and the high-stakes game soccer in the U.S. continues to play
Strengths
Generally, it’s reckless to make wholesale judgements off a 270-minute sample, particularly given the nature of international soccer. That said, each program will be desperate to advance from their World Cup groups in two years — something that must be achieved in 270 minutes. So keep that lens in mind.Although the United States only scored three goals and none after half-time of the second game against Panama, they consistently created dangerous chances. Only three teams averaged a higher xG per shot than their 0.12 — suggesting a 12 per cent historical likelihood that a chance would be converted. The other seven teams in the top half of the xG per shot rankings all advanced to the quarter-finals.The left side was particularly potent in build-up thanks to Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic.
While Pulisic’s corner kick goal in the opener was the obvious evidence, the United States was very good at drawing fouls. Berhalter’s side had the second-most fouls suffered per game (16.0), trailing only Costa Rica in that department. That frequency helped create many moments that either ended an opponent’s chance to build an attack or helped the USMNT create their own opportunities.
Jeff Rueter
Weaknesses
Weah drawing a red card meant the team had little to show for its right flank’s efforts, with Joe Scally failing to come close to replicating Sergino Dest’s impact at right-back. Even as Pulisic shifted right for the finale, Reyna struggled to make an impact throughout the tournament whether in midfield or on the wing.
The United States had the field’s third-worst PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action made), evidence of a languid defensive press. That may be due to losing the midfield battle, as only three teams averaged fewer wins of possession in the middle third than the USMNT’s 15.7 per game. Every team that ranked below Berhalter’s side in these two categories also missed the knockouts.
Jeff Rueter
Mexico — Stuart James
What went right/wrong in the group?
Let’s start with a potential positive. Mexico only conceded one goal across three matches, which suggests their defence has improved — a point the coach Jaime Lozano made over and again in the wake of elimination.
However, the calibre of Mexico’s opponents makes it hard to get carried away. Jamaica, Venezuela and Ecuador are not comparable to Brazil or Uruguay, who put a combined seven goals past Mexico on the eve of the Copa America. Would Mexico really be any better defensively if they played Brazil and Uruguay now?
Jaime Lozano and Luis Romo leave the field after Mexico’s elimination (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
At the other end of the pitch, Mexico lacked creativity and penetration. They scored only once in 270 minutes – a terrific shot from outside the penalty area by the left-back Gerardo Arteaga in the opening match against Jamaica – and there was a mixture of disappointment and frustration tha Santiago Gimenez couldn’t reprise his prolific club form for Feyenoord in a Mexico shirt.Generally, the quality of the service to Gimenez was poor but the 23-year-old could, and should, have scored against Venezuela on a night when Orbelin Pineda also missed a penalty. That 1-0 defeat in Los Angeles was the result that really did the damage for Mexico, who were also not helped by the hamstring injury that their captain Edson Alvarez suffered early on against Jamaica. It was that sort of tournament.
The curious case of Santiago Gimenez: Wanted in Europe but struggling at Copa
What can the team take away from the tournament?
Mexico’s talent pool has shrunk. They were well-beaten by the USMNT in March, Uruguay thrashed them 4-0 two weeks before the Copa America started, and Lozano left out four of the country’s most experienced players – Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Jimenez, Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and Henry Martin. In other words, what did Mexican fans really expect?That said, Mexico were drawn in the easiest of the four groups. They avoided Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, and were up against the only CONMEBOL nation (Venezuela) never to make it to a World Cup. Against that backdrop, finishing in the top two and qualifying for the quarter-finals didn’t feel like it should be that big an ask. The fact it was underlines just how far Mexico have fallen.
How did the coach do?
Not well enough is the simple answer. But if you believe the pre-tournament messaging from the Mexico Football Federation (FMF), Lozano’s position is secure until the end of the 2026 World Cup finals come what may.“We are two years away from our World Cup,” Mexico sporting director Duilio Davino said. “We have our spot secured and we want to take advantage of this great opportunity to not think about the immediacy of the result and project our path to 2026.”It says everything that Lozano was asked repeatedly about his future during the Copa America, and that line of questioning will continue if, as expected, he remains in post. If the FMF did go back on their word now and make a change, they’d look rather silly. Equally, Lozano has a lot of work to do to convince the public that he’s the best man for the job – although there appears to be an acceptance that this is one of the weakest squads that Mexico have had for a long time. The question many people are asking is whether another coach would get more out of the same players.
What happens next?
In practical terms, Lozano has to submit a report to the FMF with his observations on the team’s performances at Copa America. That would make for interesting reading, albeit predictable in some respects: defensively sound; lack a goal threat.Either way, it’s hard to see how Mexico can press the reset button and start over — they’ve just tried to do that. What next — go back to the past? Chucky Lozano will be only 30 years old when the 2026 World Cup comes around but Jimenez will be 35. As for Ochoa, he turns 39 next week. Some may argue there’s a case to be made for Martin, at the age of 31, returning to the squad to compete with, or support, Gimenez, but that feels like a mess too. ‘We didn’t want you for the Copa America, Henry, but it turns out we’re not as good as we thought without you.’
The bottom line is that there’s nowhere near enough time before the World Cup for Mexico to address the underlying problems that have contributed to the national team’s demise. That work needed to start at least a decade ago.
Strengths
El Tri was adept at keeping the ball in its attacking third, even if they weren’t always able to turn build-up into end product. Their field tilt of 64.9 per cent trailed only Brazil in this tournament. Further, they were the only team of the seven most aggressive field-tilters that didn’t advance to the quarter-finals.Mexico was among the group stage’s best-performing sides in transition. There’s little to separate their balance between attacking directly and proactively pressing and that of Uruguay. The fact they had the third-stingiest PPDA rate in the field while the other five CONCACAF sides were among the field’s six least aggressive shows a difference in approach from regional rivals.
Jeff Rueter
Weaknesses
Stuart expertly looked into Santi Gimenez’s woes after the second match, but it can’t be overstated how helpless the attack was on the whole. Mexico led the 16-team field by averaging 19.3 shots per game (Argentina was second with 17.7), but their 1.7 per cent conversion rate was by far the worst of any team that wasn’t shut out in all three games. Their on-target rate of 31 per cent was below the tournament average of 34.6 per cent.
Given the importance of set pieces in international tournaments, it’s surprising that Mexico was so inept at drawing fouls. No team was fouled less often than El Tri, at 8.7 per game — only Bolivia and Jamaica (9.3 apiece) were also below 11 per contest. That’s far below the tournament average of 12.9, and it’s hard not to wonder what another quartet of dead-ball scenarios could have enabled.
How Copa America turned the tactical foul into an art form
Jeff Rueter
Canada — Josh Kloke
What went right/wrong in the group?
Canada grew up at Copa America. They bounced back and forth between aggressive and composed but were almost always mature. An emerging group relied less on the emotion that fueled them through the 2022 World Cup and instead showed heightened tactical awareness. And they defended in a way you wouldn’t expect from a group anchored by a pair of centre-backs with very little international experience: in their three games not against Argentina, Canada allowed just one goal total.
Locking things down the way they did and not letting South American sides bully them — all while adhering to the demands of a new international coach — has to be considered the highlight of Canada’s tournament.
Argentina beat Canada twice at Copa America (Steve Dinberg/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
It was at the other end of the pitch that the lowlights were glaringly obvious. Canada just flat-out didn’t score enough.And when you have one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers, the program’s all-time leading scorer and a pacy player with attacking instincts all at your disposal, Jesse Marsch has every right to be both frustrated and flabbergasted at how things unfolded close to the opposition goal.
What can the team take away from the tournament?
Most importantly, Canada should feel more confidence in international tournaments than they did after their failures at the 2022 World Cup. By managing ugly games and prioritizing results over aesthetics against stingy teams, Canada showed they understand the demands of tournaments.At the Copa America, Canada became the team their core have long wanted to be. The expectation — deserved or not — come 2026 is that they get out of their group. They’re in a better place to do that now.
But there are still lessons learned for Marsch. Just as with Qatar 2022, Canada’s finishing was poor. Jonathan David and Cyle Larin were more experienced than in the last World Cup, but they didn’t score nearly enough.
In five games, Canada had an xG of 6.5 but only found the net twice.
David scored against Peru — but goals were scarce for Canada (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Marsch’s other looming takeaway has to be the gap in quality between his secondary group of players. Marsch has his stars — and knows he’ll have to rely on them — but he barely rotated his team throughout the tournament. That’s largely because he either doesn’t know what he has beyond his first-choice XI or doesn’t have a lot of faith in some of his bench players.
The manager has to expand his player pool by scrawling the planet for available Canadians, including dual nationals, and also start playing and developing new faces. Canada’s best players simply tired late in the tournament. That can’t happen in the knockout round in two years.
How did the coach do?
Marsch passed his first test as the new Canada manager — having only been appointed to the job just over a month before the tournament opener — with flying colours. He got his players to buy into a system that was physically demanding and had this young-ish Canadian core turn in their most mature and composed performances, well, ever.
Let’s not forget that Canada doesn’t have much experience in this kind of international tournament. Canada isn’t supposed to get out of their group and win grinding, physical affairs that go to penalties, like the quarter-final against Venezuela.
Marsch did an impressive job having only just taken over (Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Marsch himself admitted that he told his staff going into Copa America that it could be a long month. Instead, Marsch’s high-energy style of play and attitude guided this team to new heights.
Marsch won’t just be in charge come 2026; he’s in line to capture the nation’s attention and win over even more hearts and minds than his predecessor did. And that’s saying something.
Canada had a free hit at Copa America – it has lessons to learn for the 2026 World Cup
What happens next?
Canada have to approach the next two years with the same appetite of a growing teenager at an all-you-can-eat buffet: more, more, more of everything.That means getting players more in tune with Marsch’s demands after their Copa America crash course. This won’t be on Marsch himself but is more moves for players into roles with playing time in top European leagues.And as with the other two teams mentioned here, Canada will need to book more friendlies against elite opposition to test their players. Earning a 0-0 draw against France in the build-up to Copa America? More of that whenever possible, please.
Strengths
Through the semi-final round, only two teams averaged higher expected goals per shot than Canada’s 0.13. They focused on attacking dangerously in transition and creating higher-yield chances rather than slinging hopeless crosses. This resulted in three ‘big’ chances per game — a statistic that conveniently saw the four highest-ranked teams each reach the semi-finals.
In general, Marsch set this team up to outright fly up the pitch. Canada ranked first with a direct speed of 1.94 meters advanced per second of possession. For comparison’s sake, John Herdman’s iteration at the 2022 World Cup slogged at a rate of 1.34 — in line with this tournament’s output by Ecuador (1.34) and the USMNT (1.26).
Jeff Rueter
Weaknesses
Canada could afford to take a few more attempts per game in hopes of bolstering their scoring chances. Their 9.8 shots per game were over two fewer than any other team that advanced to the knockout stages. It makes sense that they managed to score just twice in their first five games.
Perhaps surprisingly, given Marsch’s background with Red Bull clubs, Canada were one of the tournament’s least aggressive pressing teams. Canada allowed 12.2 passes per defensive action (PPDA) — one of just two teams to advance from the group stage with a double-digit rate. Additionally, Canada ranked 14th among the tournament’s 16 teams by forcing just two high turnovers per game. Jeff Rueter (Top photos: Getty Images)
USWNT’s Lindsey Horan defining her leadership style with challenging Olympics ahead
Jul 11, 2024
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International Football Association Board’s laws of the game say: “Each team must have a captain on the field of play who wears an identifying armband. The team captain has no special status or privileges but has a degree of responsibility for the behavior of the team.”
Lindsey Horan could have special status and privileges as captain of the U.S. women’s national team. It’s the most prominent public-facing role on a prominent team, a vote of confidence from the manager and a position of trust for teammates. Accordingly, it’s a position that engenders huge respect alongside the huge expectations that have followed the USWNT for decades. The captain is the leader on the field, in the locker room and in front of the press. The prestige can at times be completely overwhelmed by the scrutiny.
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For such a role, different players have adapted in different ways. The classic archetypes tend to be the loud leader or the silent leader; the one who speaks up to inspire, or the one who quietly sets the example.
“She’s somewhere in the middle,” said Tierna Davidson. “I feel like she’s louder with the people that she knows and more outgoing with people that she knows, but a little bit more reserved with people that she doesn’t, which is natural for pretty much everybody.
“So somewhere in the middle, maybe leaning a little bit more towards the introverted side.”
Horan is a veteran presence in a young USWNT Olympic roster (Getty Images)
Maybe that’s a little more of a fair reading of Horan than the overly serious picture she painted of herself when she spoke to The Athletic earlier this year, an interview in which she disapproved of wacky starting XI photos and said: “We need to get back to the football. The football is the most important thing.”
Davidson seemed to pin her more as the captain trying to be what everyone needs her to be.
Lindsey Horan just wants to talk soccer
Former head coach Vlatko Andonovski named Horan as captain alongside Alex Morgan in July 2023 ahead of the World Cup, officially stepping into a role that she’d already held informally after previous captain Becky Sauerbrunn missed the tournament with a foot injury. Going through the 2023 World Cup together, Horan said learning from Morgan was a crucial experience. Now, with Emma Hayes in charge and Morgan left off the Olympic roster, Horan is the sole captain.
It’s an interesting change in vibe after years of Morgan, Sauerbrunn, and before them Megan Rapinoe, in the armband. You cannot find a louder, more vibrant presence than Rapinoe, Morgan is no shrinking violet herself and Sauerbrunn has a reputation for calm, cerebral focus.
https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5Djx7R2SqEwqrOsgpWdth2?utm_source=generator
At media availability in New York previewing the team’s Olympic sendoff friendlies, Horan was swarmed by reporters on the top floor of Nike’s Fifth Avenue building. It is one of Horan’s many duties going into a tournament in which the team will seek the type of success that has eluded them for the past five years.
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“It hasn’t been long,” Horan said of her tenure as captain. “I think there are so many things that I’ve learned.
“I think I can continue to grow and and also just continue to have voices on this team and push more players to be leaders as well because we need everyone and those voices can’t just be mine.”
That balanced style, a kind of ambiversion amid so many different personalities and histories, doesn’t necessarily imply a milquetoast leadership. A common theme amongst her teammates has been how much work Horan puts into being captain.
“I think Lindsey has been very good at connecting with every single player, checking in on every player,” midfielder Rose Lavelle said in Minneapolis before the United States played South Korea. “Players that have been here, players that are new, and making them know that she is available to talk, ask questions too.
Horan and Lavelle have been teammates on the USWNT since 2017 (Getty Images)
“She’s just that person that you can rely on when maybe you need a little help or if there’s something you’re unsure about. I think she’s been great at just making herself available to everyone and making her a safe space for people to go to and talk to when stuff is tough — or when stuff’s good.”
In Gold Cup camp earlier this year, U.S. defender Emily Fox said that Horan had given her a one-on-one talk. “For me, she did that a lot — like the first game of the World Cup and I really needed that, just a one-on-one talk to prep you and tell you that you got this,” Fox said.
Along with individual check-ins, Horan, alongside Morgan, has had to navigate captaincy through a transitional period from interim head coach Twila Kilgore to the incumbent Hayes, who was officially appointed in November of 2023 but only arrived in person to take the reins in May 2024. While Hayes was technically in charge, everything had to be relayed through Kilgore and her staff. Horan provided backup on the field.
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“I think it’s always a really cool process because I think, as a professional soccer player, you have to know that change is always there. I think through my career, you always know that there’s going to be a next coach and that’s another opportunity to learn from someone else,” Horan said at open practice in May.
Horan doesn’t hide that she needs support. This is not a role in which you can go it alone and put on a brave face to the twenty-odd other players around you.
“I need the leaders in this group as well to help me out,” Horan said. “I think giving voices to them and making sure that they know that this is their team. I think some of those young ones, they make up a good chunk of their team and I think that’s important for them to know that I will need them and we are one. It’s not just me at the end of the day.”
There are a few players who are designated to act as captain if Horan is off the field; Naomi Girma, obviously, and Lavelle and Dunn have worn the armband as well.
“I think she does a good job of feeling what the vibe of the group is and really making sure that we hear what we need to hear going into a game,” said center-back Girma, who wore the captain’s armband for the first time after Horan substituted off during the June friendly against South Korea in St. Paul.
“Whether it’s talking to someone or talking to the team right before we go out and just making sure that we’re all on the same page and knowing that we have each other’s backs.”
Girma has also worn the armband before (Getty Images)
Davidson said she has seen the growth in Horan as she takes on the responsibility of captainhood, and acknowledged just how much weight the role carries.
“I think she’s understood the importance of what that role means not just for herself as a player, but also as an ambassador for the sport, as an ambassador for the team,” said Davidson. “You know that this team has fantastic history and has done a lot of great things both on and off the field.
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“As a leader, I think you grow into it when you understand that you don’t have to be like somebody else, but you do have to lead. So kind of learning about herself, I think, is a lot of what she’s done and understanding how she wants to lead the team.”
Horan got a good dose of what it means to be under the microscope while she still had Morgan to sit next to her. The captain might get to give pump-up speeches and lift trophies, but she also has to face the media scrutiny after bad games or negative incidents.
A sober-faced Horan and Morgan sat together and read a prepared statement after teammate Korbin Albert’s anti-LGBTQ social media posts garnered widespread attention in March.Korbin Albert story continues: @LindseyHoran and @alexmorgan13 made impromptu statement at SheBelieves presser to announce there have been “internal discussions” about Korbin Albert’s social media and that “standards were not upheld within the team.”
— The Women’s Game (@WomensGameMIB) April 3, 2024
“We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld,” Horan said. “Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen.”
That day’s press availability was originally scheduled for Mal Swanson and Catarina Macario. Horan and Morgan went first, heading off the questions that would have been asked of their teammates while also emphasizing that the team was handling things internally.
Horan is now on her own as captain, unless Hayes appoints a co-captain. Horan carries by herself that nebulous “degree of responsibility”, assigned by IFAB decree.
No surprise, then, at a seeming sense of relief from Horan during the team’s Olympic media day, where Hayes sat firmly alongside her, press firmly in hand with a very teacher-like, “How are we?” Hayes’ charismatic on-camera style, refined by her growing ease with the American press corps, has given Horan some additional breathing room to say things as just Lindsey and not as team captain Lindsey Horan.
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“She gives a lot to us and she tries to take a little bit of that pressure off and takes it on herself,” Horan said. “I think it brings strength, calmness. I think when a coach takes that stress away from the team, it brings that strength and that collectivity to the group.”
Even with Hayes’ support, Horan’s leadership during the Olympics will be her biggest test to date, maintaining team cohesion under a new coach with a good mix of veteran and younger players, and without the co-captain she learned from at the beginning.
But as Davidson said, these are situations in which you don’t have to be a certain type of leader who came before you, you just have to lead. So far, it seems that she’s been able to find her footing with increasing confidence. France awaits.
(Top photo: David Berding/Getty Images; Design: Eamonn Dalton)
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