https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...es-gold-cup-squad-loaded-with-youth-mls-stars None of our Euro players are going to play, we are playing a young B level squad from the MLS, and the competition is weak - other than Mexico and a couple of others. We really need a EURO equivalent, those teams are battle tested going into WC qualifying. DD
For the same reason that the concacaf nations league exist lol Concacaf does not care about anything other than milking as much money as they can from u.s./mex fans in the states
Not much you can do to raise the level of concacaf. Were a region of mostly small caribbean islands and small central american countries with little resources. I think at some point we might see some type of deal between concacaf and conmebol where a few concacaf teams become permanent participants in conmebol competitions. I imagine something similar with what mexico had with conmebol but including the usa and possibly costa rica/honduras. South America does not care about concacaf but they do like the extra viewership they used to get when mexico played copa america, libertadores, and sudamericana.
The point is the same as having the Euros or Copa. It’s a confederation tourney. Unfortunately, CONCACAF is extremely top heavy with the US, mexico, and typically Costa Rica. I agree with @Aware in that we might be heading towards some kind of agreement with COMNEBOL. They have to be looking at what’s happening right now. The Euros getting a ton of attention, even with the daytime games, vs barely a mention of the Copa even in prime time and on Fox. They have no qualification process so the tourney gets stale. If they find a way to combine the 2 regions into one big tournament, there will certainly be a lot more eyes and attention. Seems odd to think that Argentina and Brazil need the US and Mexico...but they do.
Its going to happen at some point. Conmebol has said that mexico has the door open to negotiate a return to south american competitions and i imagine they wouldn't mind adding the u.s. and mls to the mix. The problem will always be travel but who cares about that when there is money to be made. The copa america centenario that was held in the states drew almost 50k fans per match and they all paid in dollars. One cannot overstate how much conmebol gained from having mexico as a quasi member. You immediately gained a massive market in mexico and a very substantial one in the mexican american community. south americans living in the states also gained a ton since their games went from shitty ppvs/obscure channels to over the air on univision/telemundo or at worst fox sports espanol. As long as they are flexible and willing to compromise, i think you'll see some type of partnership. Unlikely it will be a full merger but something like shared tournaments (copa america) and permeant spots for clubs (libertadores/sudamericana).
Weird, it seemed that Team Canada had more young players and not just Alphonso, maybe I am just not in the loop enough.
Based on who they brought, mexico is the big favorites Missing one or two with injuries and the guys going to the olympics, but still near a full squad. Rogelio Funes Mori is the only new addition to the team. He used to get shitted on so much at river, but he's grown into a pretty good forward in mexico. I sorta remember usmnt fans being angry that more was not done to get him his papers and called up to the usmnt after he left the fc dallas set up.
I think a few withdrew. One guy they are trying to get in as fast as possible is Marcelo Flores from Arsenal. He's a mex-canadian dual citizen and has played for mexico in youth tournaments but they are pushing to commit to canada. Highly rated at Arsenal so he might draw the interest of England as well. It would be a colossal failure if somehow mexico lost him. Mexico already neglected to call Luka Romero when it seemed like he was willing so who knows canada might have a good shot at marcelo.