Futbol Americas: Pulisic Sidelined For A Month

27:55Those are two of the three players that are very athletic. The third being Tim Rehm, who's going to be protected by the other two and his two holding mids. I would be very surprised if we have this conversation right before the World Cup and Miles Robinson and Chris Richards for Marisa Pochettino aren't two of the stronger candidates to be with Tim Rehm. So with that in mind, if you play Tim Rehm as one of a back three, you have two attacking wing backs. Where along that back three do you? It's a great question because we've seen that if he's not protected by two center backs, if he's on the left-hand side, he can get burned.

28:30And it's happened in the, I believe, game versus Japan when they played a three-back center back system where you saw that maybe Max Harveston was flying too much and leaving him isolated, and you can get caught. That's what Mariusz Pochettino is going to have to figure out, because I agree with you. The benefit of having a Tim Ream is that you're going to have passing lanes that he can hit. You're going to have that big switch with the beautiful left foot of his, but you're going to give up a hell of a lot physically. I wonder, especially if the U.S. goes, as they go deep in the competition, playing against a better opponent, how can they or will they switch that back for?

29:08For a lot of those reasons. You don't have the ball. You want to be better protected. And a back three sounds great, but it's a whole lot harder in practice than it is in theory. Yes. Because there's a lot more ground to cover, especially if you play with those two attacking wing backs. And if you have somebody who does not have the legs, does not have the physicality, like a Tim Ream, that can get exposed. So is this team able to, even if it's mid-tournament, switch from a back three to a flat back four, depending on who the opponent is? Yeah, and looking a little bit back, obviously we have our two resident goalkeepers with us on this show today.

29:53So, of course, we have to talk about the goalkeeping position. That takes us to our last lingering question with the U.S. men's national team. Shaq, I'll start with you. Was Pochettino fair with Matt Turner? Define fair. Possession is nine-tenths of the law. In California. You didn't get a single minute, Shaq. Freese is his preferred number one. And I think he's sure that. Martin in his last outing was the four against Switzerland. I think Freese grew into the position during the course of the Gold Cup. And now he's giving him minutes to kind of understand what he's in for. understand his position, understand the team that he'd be playing behind.

30:38I don't think there's any question at this point that Friess is Pochettino's preferred number one. I know it's about getting him those much-needed minutes.

30:52Turner was the number one for a very long time, until he wasn't. That's just the nature of the game. These two know more about the goal composition than than I ever will. But I asked Case last time we were on, I was like, Case, what's the difference stylistically between the two goalkeepers? Because I don't see much of a difference. So if there isn't much of a difference, then if you're the coach, you go for the player who's more confident. Clearly, Matt Freese right now is more confident. Matt Turner had a rough go at Arsenal, rough go at Nunham Forest, rough go with the U.S. men's national team.

31:27And right now, his confidence isn't where it needs to be for Mauricio Pochettino. And I think it's evident that he values Matt Fries because if you look at the last, I believe, 12 games, he started 11 of those games. He's not let the position go. And I agree with Shaq. If you're the U.S. Men's National Team Manager and you realize that you've got a small window to get your players ready, and some of those players might not have World Cup experience or international experience, you better get them that experience. So I think that's what he's doing with Matt Fries right now. Case, thoughts? Yeah, I think the one thing that I talked to Herc about the other day was I think Matt Turner has, at least from what I've seen from Freeze, has a better ability to come up with the big save.

32:11Now, 100 % correct that he'd gone through a couple years where he was barely playing club football. When he did start to play at Forest, it was riddled with mistakes. When he then had an opportunity in the summer, it was riddled with mistakes. And the conversation is what we kept hearing was, Matt Turner, you need to get games, get your confidence back, and let's see what happens. So he came back to Major League Soccer. Now, pretty much, unfortunately for Matt, no playoffs, so he's pretty much finished now. that he came back for games. He still didn't get an opportunity to play, which is okay because I'm not a big fan of just play this guy, play that guy.

33:04I have no problem with Friese playing and Turner. But that's one of those things. If you made this decision to come back to Major League Soccer because you were being told that if I got games, I'd get a chance with the national team, Then I would say, yes, that's a little unfair that you came back, you played games for New England, and then you still didn't get an opportunity. But we're still in this situation. I agree with Shaka as well that he's clearly, Pochettino is clearly pointing towards Matt Fries as his number one. But I still want to see that performance from Matt Fries where I go, dang, that was a good save.

33:53And the timing of that save, you know, it's like, yeah, I'm not seeing a lot of mistakes, which is great. I'm seeing him getting more and more comfortable with his communication, with kind of his presence. But I'm still waiting for that save that I go, okay, that's going to keep us in a game. Yeah, and we know that this one's very much up in the air. on the other side of the field, the number nine is still very much up for grabs. Between the goalkeeping position and the number nine, it seems like Bochettino has a little bit more of a clear idea when it comes to the goalkeeper, Herc. I think it's set.

34:29I'd be very surprised. Now, he's been very fair to Matt Turner because he told him he needs to play, found a place to play, and he made it back to the national team. He hasn't made it back to start in 11. He said the same thing to Paxton Aronson, and Paxton Aronson hasn't come back to the national team since he signed with the Colorado Rabbits. So in terms of Matt Turner, I think he's been very upfront with Matt Turner. And I think it's Matt Turner's now to fight for it. And you guys know how this is when you're the goalkeeper. It's not like the nine position. It's not like when you're in the midfield where you can get a game and you can find a goal.

35:01You're probably not going to find a game until somebody lets it go. And that's where Matt Turner finds himself today. Yeah, we'll have to see if Pochettino finds the answers to all of our lingering questions for the U.S. men's national team. Another opportunity, maybe for Matt Turner, mid-November against Paraguay, and then they'll have that match in Tampa against Uruguay. But for now, we say goodbye and thank you to our Casey Keller.

35:27Thanks, guys. Thanks, as always. Case, we do want to remind you that ESPN FC is available daily on ESPN+.

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36:29To Mexico we go. Stay comfortable. A lot of goals here. Mexico. Had a rough outing against Colombia. 16th minute. James Rodriguez crosses it in. And a strong header there for the 1-0, Herc. It's a great ball in, but what is Luis Angel Malagón, the goalkeeper, doing? Stay on your line, I guess. He just beats two defenders. It was a difficult one. Oh, the number one defender of Malagón. That opportunity from Orbelín Pineda is safe, Shaq. Yeah, it's comfortable safe in the end. on target but not clearly struck. 56th minute. Colombia said leaving absolutely zero doubts. Ruiz Diaz-Herk. He's okay. I wouldn't leave him in open space.

37:16Look, you're facing your own goal. There are six Mexican players facing their own goal. He gets it about three-fourths of the way and the finish is just wow. Look at this. Good touch in. Malagón can't do anything here. He goes down maybe a little early. I don't know what else you're going to do if you're the keeper there the beautiful goal. Take it to the 65th minute. Colombia said three nil Shaq. Why not? What a rocket. This is so sweetly struck. But if what's he doing clear in this like this? Come on Jack. Well under pressure again. No here I am defending everybody including defenders. Yeah.

37:50Under pressure. I sympathize someone. Someone has to check you defend the keeper. Goalkeeper gets Meg why are you coming out yeah those are bodies we're doing my leg on here like you could see Luis Montes or excuse me Cesar Montes the center back right here he's going to get beat for pace he knows it he's not strong he's not fast but look at the look he gives my leg on right here like what are you doing bro yeah that's definitely not what you want you don't want this kind of result leading into a world cup with a potential world cup rival because this was the largest margin of defeat in 78 games under head coach Javier Aguirre.

38:26That's four straight losses as well against Colombia. That's the longest in series history. And it's a six-game winless streak against Conmebol opponents. Now, last such win was in May 2024 against Bolivia. So we are going to take it to more action for Mexico. Was it as bad against Ecuador? Let's take a look. Second minute. A mistake here from the back. German Bertrami taking that one, Herc. Ecuador's trying out new players, young players. They're trying to play out of the back. Just unbelievably, just a rookie mistake there. Gives it away. Bertrami does very well and plots at home. Yeah, and stays onside for that one as well.

39:0612th minute. Mexico tried for the 2-0, Shaq. Iniones from a tight angle. Tries to go near post, oddly, but just pulls it. Yeah, rattles the net, but from the outside. Oh, Shaq. Yeah, check. Tell me what you think. Penalty kick. He left the ball behind him. Yeah, I'm. He left the ball. I'm not giving that. That's not the penalty. Yes, it is. Oh, no. No doubt. Well, guess what? That's how Ecuador levels it. Yeah. I don't know. She got to just flat see. 33rd minute. Eric Sanchez trying that one there, Herc. Yeah, Bertrami from this distance. He does a good movement here. gets goal side of his defender and just can't direct it down.

39:52Yeah, that's a tough one. It's a good save. It is a good save. 59th minute. There you go. Ander Valencia's got some wheels jacked, but slightest deflections here from the keeper. It is good. I think I does really well here. Does come, anticipates well. I guess that little bit of luck maybe he deserves. That is a good touch as well. That is a, there's no luck about that. Seems very chaotic though. 86 minutes. Santi Jimenez. Marcel Ruiz tried it that way. Yeah, Marcel Ruiz, desperate times, called for desperate measures. He leaves his secure position. Javier Aguirre after this one. Entrenamos, sí, el cambio de actitud.

40:31Seguramente obedece a que nos fuimos pronto en el marcador, que estás en casa con tu gente, con las modificaciones que hablábamos. Entonces, a mí me da la sensación de que hoy, in terms of attitude, a effort, I have no to represent my teammates. In other issues, in the defensive end, in the area of the top of your colleague, we have to be more determined to not, I don't know, I don't know if we should win, but we should lose. We're not going to send a message to anyone. We have to win, win, win, win. So, the successful people will keep being successful. They will keep working, saying things. It is normal.

41:22I've been in the previous 70s, I remember, there are programs in television that live from that. And it's a good profession, I'm not looking for a person to judge them. ni a la gente ni a los escépticos pero la mejor manera en todo caso no es defendiendo aquí o respetando su trabajo sino jugando mejor y ganando esa es la mejor medicina yo puedo inflar resultados trayendo rivales de poca envergadura o rivales a modo y yo desde el minuto uno dije que no sabía que tenía dos competencias oficiales con la gente de mi área pudimos ganar las dos afortunadamente We were able to meet the best in the area and we went to the end.

42:06From there, we were rivaled from the altitude. It's to say, Japan, Korea, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay. If it's true that they are not in the top 5, top 8 of the world, it's true that they are at a high level. Japan won Brazil 3-2. And we played against Japan. I'm glad in life because this of people, this of not winning, is making us strong, especially the players. I have a dilated experience and they are understanding what is coming in the World.

42:58We know important players like Raul Jimenez, Edson Alvarez weren't available for this window. I don't know what Raul Jimenez could have done against the 4-0 shellac and against Colombia or Edson Alvarez. Raul Jimenez is a very important player for the Mexican national team. Absolutely. But he's not Messi, Laminya Mao. He's not going to do something by himself. He needs the sum of his parts. So while they would have helped, the outcome would have been probably the same against Colombia. maybe he would have been sharper in front of the net as a Julian Quinones against Ecuador. Maybe that'll help.

43:35But when you look at, and you can look at the list, Huescas wasn't really a starter with the Mexican national team. Henry Martin, he's been injured for about a year and a half. Now, more, Hivel Tomora, that's what you're all doing. You thought it was better for him to play against you 20 players, against kids. Roberto Alvarado, I mean, who are we talking about here? We're really talking about Raul Jimenez. That's the one guy, if you were being honest. Eduardo's been a go-to, though. What's he done with the Mexican national team? There's nobody who changes the outcome or the complexion of this team, if we're being honest.

44:08This Mexican national team, if we look at who they are, their reality, they've played against Switzerland, they've played against Turkey, they've played against Japan, they've played against South Korea, they've played against Colombia, and they've played against Ecuador. Those are all World Cup teams. Teams that are in the World Cup right now. They beat one of them. And it was when Turkey put on their alternate lineup, and they did very well, I believe, in the second half against Turkey. They had a good game. They beat one of those teams. And we're not talking about the Argentinas of the world, the Frances of the world, the Englands of the world.

44:43We're not talking about the Spains of the world. We're talking about teams that are trying to get out of the group and trying to win one game, if not two. That's who you're talking about right now. So I don't think the absences would have changed much in Mexico's complexion and who they are. I think deep down, Javier Aguirre has an identity crisis of who he is and who these players are. He's a defensive coach at heart, and when he lets the reins go just a little and he gives this team some space, teams abuse it. And you saw Columbia do it. Chuck? um i i the the embarrassment against colombia um yeah those players coming in don't don't change that but you probably should have won against ecuador and but for a very bad decision in my opinion um you you walk away with a tie and and aren't able to boast of that win against a team that finished second in common ball qualifying so i i think there's um there's an opportunity.

45:44There's potential here for this Mexican team. I'm not sure how high that ceiling is, but this run of games on Javier Aguirre is not as bad as the scoreboard shoes. These are decent opponents that you've done a good job in at least matching on the night, exception against Colombia, of course. But what does it say about the attitude of this team? Because that's something that Javier Aguirre was talking about coming from that 4-0. Which was terrible. I mean, he threw his players under the bus. Right, saying that they were slacking off defensively. Well, no, just saying that he... The questioning their attitude, because that game had nothing to do with attitude.

46:24That was quality. And that was Colombia's second team. Listen, there's no shame in losing to Colombia. This is a team that oftentimes doesn't play to their ceiling. Was he questioning the attitude, though? Yes, yes. This is a team that oftentimes doesn't play to their ceiling, but when they do, they've strung together 29 unbeaten games, you know, and they're one of the hottest teams in the world, and they've got world-class players, they've got players that can hurt you. So there's no shame in losing. It's being naive in how you go about playing them. And I thought Javier Aguirre had more to do with that game than the player's attitude or lack thereof.

46:55That was being naive. Javier Aguirre, Rafa Marquez being naive and thinking you play toe-to-toe with a team that can just abuse you. And the goals they let in, by the way, set-piece goals, individual mistakes. You can question what you want if you think it's that, But there's an evident lack of quality when you compare some of these Colombian players to the Jorge Sanchez of the world. Right. To the, with all due respect, Luis Angel Malagons of the world. You can be a very good team, but you've got to be a stingier team. You've got to be a smarter team. And they weren't. So to me, that's what upsets me about this Mexican national team is I've seen them be good on their day.

47:36Se murieron de nada. Like, they literally just, they were there, but they didn't compete. Let's take it to the goalkeeping position now, because we talked a lot about Malagón in the highlights. That takes us to our next question. Shaq, I'll start with you. Is Malagón's starting spot now in doubt? Should be. I was, while I'm happy to defend them, sitting on three of the four goals, it was not a convincing performance. and when there's this kind of lack of understanding between goalkeeper and back four, when there are these spaces to be found, the goalkeeper has to bear some responsibility here.

48:19This was poor goalkeeping, quite simply. And then you follow that with Ranga's performance against Ecuador. Absolutely, there's every reason that Malaghan's position should be under some threat. This is not a dissimilar conversation to the one that we were just having with Friis and Turner. That whether you can be blamed for the goals or not, when your team concedes heavily, eventually you're going to find yourself under pressure. What if Turner and Friis had Tim Howard still in the picture? Because that's where Mexico finds himself right now with Memo Choa still very much in the picture. And I think the nostalgia of Memo Ochoa and the Memo Ochoa, who, let's be quite frank, comes out every four years.

49:06You hear very little of him in club football, but every four years in the World Cup, you're like, oh, Memo Ochoa with the hair and he's still making the saves. And he's blocking Robert Lewandowski penalty kicks and he's blocking a Neymar header. You know, that's that's his moment. it's not crazy to think and it's being thought and it's being discussed and you correct me if I'm wrong that with Malagón struggling and the uncertainty of what you've seen from Ranjel at the international level leaves you maybe wanting a Memo Ochoa. Is Malagón's starting spot in jeopardy? I knew this was going to happen.

49:39No, no, but tell me that's not a narrative. Tell me if I'm wrong. No, you're not wrong. So it's a narrative. I'm laughing because this is what I predicted. Oh, now you want Memo Ochoa? Exactly. Now you want it? But here's the thing with Luis Angel Malagón. He plays for what many is the biggest club in Mexico, and he's been very successful with that club, but you've not seen the same player at the international level. In fact, one of his very first games against Cameroon in San Diego, massive mistake gives up a goal. Let's go back just recently if you want to go just, hey, that was when he first started.

50:07Back in March at the Nations League, Thierry Henry was a trending topic in Mexico for criticizing Malagón against Canada and against Panama, The semifinal and final, saying this goal is a circus. And then if you say, well, he had a bad nation's league, let's go to the Gold Cup. Against opposition like the Dominican Republic, Suriname, against Honduras, and against the United States in the final, mistakes left and right, heavily questioned. And now, more mistakes against better opposition. So, yes, he should be questioned. And yes, his job should be in jeopardy because he's not proven to be the number one.

50:45Memo Joe is behind the glass right now. it says, break in case of emergency. Are we at this point with Mexico? By the sounds of it, he's had a great international window. I get Herc's point about Ochoa because it's absolutely true. He seems to come to life every four years and all of a sudden announce himself or re-announce himself to world football. I'll take your advice on Rangel as well. I thought it was a good performance against Ecuador and one that certainly you can build on. And you take it from there. I am just, while I take a point about Ochoa, how old now, 39? Yes, I think he's 40 now.

51:30He'll be 41 in the World Cup. I'm not convinced that a 41-year-old, given the expectation that Will Come, just by virtue of where this World Cup is, there will be an immense pressure and an immense expectation on Mexico next summer. I'm just not convinced that a 41-year-old is the answer to that. I don't know. My thought is, you know, who could really handle that pressure? Memo Choa. Yeah, yeah. Versus what we're seeing right now with Malagón, because it's not only at the national team level, we've seen that at the Club America level as well. I know I described him as a breaking case of emergency.

52:09Maybe that could apply to our next question as well. Our next player. Is Gil Mora the real winner of the window, Herc? No. Because he wasn't there? Well, not just because he wasn't there. You can make the case that Memo Cho is the winner of the window or Anet Sin Alvarez is the winner of the window because it shows how important he is. You're saying a defensive leader, your captain, etc., etc. Gil Mora should have been there. To me, he's a loser in this window. He should have been there. I don't want to see Gil Mora against the U20 Argentines. I want to see Gilmora against Colombia, against Ecuador, against opposition where he can test himself.

52:48Because if you feel like I feel that Gilmora has a spot on this Mexican national team, then you better start preparing for his first World Cup. You better start saying, hey, I want to see this kid, Tabamaxi, he has against good competition, better competition, not CONCACAF competition, with all due respect to the Honduras of the world or the U.S. men's national teams of the Gold Cup world. I want to see what he's made of here. This was a missed opportunity. I think he's a hell of a player, a hell of a player. And what he's doing at his age is remarkable. But you prove it here. This is where. And if you really think he's going to help you in the World Cup, he should be here in these games.

53:25So I can't call him a winner in this window. I think we're losers for not getting to see him in this window. Maybe we can clip that. We're the losers. We're not against Eric to Black. What do you think? I'm with Herc on this. Kind of given who the opponents were this window. No, I think there is value to playing against other under-20s and kind of just continuing to establish yourself and growing your presence and standing in the game. And you can bring that to a bigger stage. But given the opponents that Mexico had this window, given the level of opposition of Colombia and Ecuador, So it would have been, I think there's far greater value in terms of next summer's preparation for Gil Moura playing against those two teams than he would have gotten.

54:15As much as I'm a fan of playing against younger players and continue to establish yourself in that way, in terms of next summer, it would have been better for him to be here. Right, because we're not doubting his skills, right? We know that he is now capable of being on that World Cup roster, but mentally preparing such a young kid to and being used to. We're comparing him with the Mexican national team pool. That's why we think he's ready. We're not comparing him to the rest of the world, the Colombias of the world, the Ecuador's of the world, the Japan's of the world, the South Korea's of the world.

54:50We think he's ready because we look at this Mexican pool and we're like, well, yeah, I'd rather see Gilberto Mora than Charlie Rodriguez. Yeah, but this is... I'd rather see him than Norberlin Pineda. This is lo que hay argument. No, no, no, no, no. But you would rather see Gilmora. That's why you think he should be there. I want to see him there to see how he competes against these players, not because the lack of players that are in this pool. Yeah, yeah, I completely agree. So that is definitely up in the air. We'll see how Gilmora does in his next participations. I'm told he's not going to be in the next Youth World Cup, the U17.

55:2417, no. The U-17, so maybe that'll open an opportunity here for the Mexican national team and Javier Aguirre. Luster only here for La Quinta by Wyndham. Summer means travel, and for a lot of people, that includes their four-legged MVP. Mine is a yellow lad named Quinny. But finding a hotel that actually welcomes pets can feel like striking out. At La Quinta by Wyndham, pet-friendly stays are part of the game plan, so you don't have to leave your best travel companion behind. You can bring them along for every inning of the trip because the road is better when the whole team's together. And when you book at LaQuinta.com, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points on your qualified stays along the way.

56:05Tonight, LaQuinta, tomorrow you shine. Terms and conditions apply. Game day at my place is kind of a big deal. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor patio setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grilling accessories, Wayfair's got it all, and it shows up fast. I'm talking championship-level fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com now to get your outdoor space ready for the season. We're going to move on to talk more CONCACAF and what we saw in this window.

56:47El Salvador hosting Guatemala. 46-minute. Oscar Santis from outside the box, Herc. Yeah, Santis seems to be the guy that anytime Guatemala needs a big goal, can provide a good switch outside the left foot and a good touch and finish right there. Yeah, an important win there for Guatemala. Let's take it now to Panama against Suriname. 21st minute. Richonel Margaret for the 1-0 Shaq. And real questions as to how Panama get. Of course, so thin defensively. But in the end, really simple finish. Well executed. Yeah, it did look really simple. Let's take it to the 96th minute. This wasn't simple though.

57:37Trying to get this one in Herc. I mean, this is Panama playing at home and it's a 96 minute equalizer. though they were on top of Suriname all game more possession more shots but wow that was close so after these results here is how group a is looking like Suriname with those six points Panama tied Guatemala a little bit lagging behind five points and El Salvador in last place was three we're gonna keep it rolling with what we saw from CONCACAF Honduras facing Haiti takes us into the 18th minute with a long ball. Rigoberto Rivas putting it away, Shaq. Yeah, it's far too simple a goal to concede from a Haitian perspective.

58:23High defensive line. One ball over the top. Rivas clear through. Keep advancing. That's a really good finish. Under pressure. Yeah, tough finish there. Let's take it to the 26th minute. Anthony Lozano with this one, Herc. Oh, Choco Lozano. Again, it's route one football, good through ball. Kind of gets tangled up, finds his feet, then finds a corner. 40th minute for the 3-0, Shaq. Are you putting that on the keeper or the defender, Shaq? I'm putting that on the defender. What kind of question is that? I'm with you on this one, isn't it? Good save initially, but then, I mean, what's the defense doing?

59:04No help at all. I'm trying to trick Shaq. I don't like it. No, not at all. Quilly pit of man with the goalkeeper's union. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Alonso Martinez for the 1-0 Herc. Yeah, the New York City FC man. Good touch. Strong left foot. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy, the goalkeeper. Oh, boy. In that one, it's hard to hide that 26-minute. Junior Arteaga for the 1-1 Shaq. That's a really nice finish. Nice control. And then under pressure, almost falling over, able to dig that one out. Two minutes later, Costa Rica now leading, Herc. Yeah, I mean, first header, initial header in the box and across the face of the goal.

59:43El Fantasma Figueroa, the former Chilean international, now coach of Nicaragua, was all over his goalkeeper. Pretty much blamed the goalkeeper for them losing this game. That one right there, not so much. This one, Shaq. Oh! I mean, Christmas came early in Costa Rica. I mean, I really do not know what to make of this. Paul first touch and then decides to take a second. Under pressure, can't do much with the third. Oh, no. And then this in the 96th minute. I mean, that is just an awful decision to come from there. Yeah, Francisco Calvo. 4-1 for Costa Rica in Group C. Looks now like this. Honduras leading with eight points, followed by Costa Rica with six.

1:00:29Haiti with five and Nicaragua with that single point. Moving on to more of what we saw in this international window. Jamaica facing Bermuda. 24th minute. The 1-0. Golazo. Oh, wait. Yeah. Alto. Alto. I mean, aren't all own goals nice goals?

1:00:55For the 2-0 with Jamaica, Shaq. Bobby Reed just sliding in to finish. Once that first goal went in, the floodgates just opened. Bermuda would make a little bit of a fist of this to start, but eventually the pressure told. It's the same play over and over again. Down the wing play, ball across the face of goal. Goalkeeper just trying to gather his men. Nobody, just marking shadows. Well, there you go. Yeah, Nicholson for the 3-0 and Richards Shaq for the 4-0. Yeah, and just you thought running into a crowd. Somehow he was able to dig this effort out. Eyes in the bottom corner. A repeat of the scoreline in Bermuda.

1:01:40More from Group B. We know you were watching this one closely. We have to. Apologies, Sha. Curaçao hosting Trinidad and Tobago. 19th minute. Curaçao up 1-0 after that little gift, Sha. Their first shot on target. Poor defending. Both down the left-hand side. And then Cardinés at the far post makes a mess of the clearance. Castaner with the finish. Yeah, that was our 57th minute. Bored it with the finish, excuse me. Jack, the 1-1. Kevin Molino? All right. Molino came out at half-time and then Spicer coming on to the loose ball. Good finish. Needed more, though. Oh, boy. Yes, they did. A friendly reminder here to our Shaka, where Trinidad and Tobago are in their Group B standings in third place.

1:02:34Behind first place, Jamaica with nine points, followed by Curaçao with eight. You saw what that goal really meant for Curaçao every single minute in every single game. It counts. So when it comes to second place ranking here for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Curaçao, Costa Rica, Panama still looking to punch their ticket. to the 2026 World Cup and Shaq. Of course, we're going to take advantage of you being here with the question, calm or alarm with Trinidad and Tobago's qualifying chances. There's reason for alarm here. Now, we're still in this with a shout. And in all fairness, outside of 20, maybe 30 minutes against Jamaica, to start with, Trinidad and Tobago are a better team in all four of their games so far.

1:03:25We just do not have a finisher. We have a decent front three, but all three are wingers. We need a finisher. And you saw that again against Curacao in a game that we had to win. And Curacao, to their credit, just off the back of beating Jamaica in Curacao, came to this with an absolute high. We were unfortunate. A couple of golden opportunities missed from set pieces. We hit a post, as did Curacao. But we dominated. and come away feeling disappointed in a game that we had to win. Now, what it now means for Trinidad and Tobago, two games in November, both at home, both we have to win, the first against Jamaica, who traditionally we never really fare that well against.

1:04:18So it is a big ask for us from here on in. And you have to hope for us out somewhere along the lines. Falters. Yeah. I'm not betting on Jamaica. Because anytime you bet on Jamaica and what I think in the Caribbean is the greatest player pool that exists, they let you down. So it's a team that is absolutely 100 % beatable. But Shaq says they don't have a finisher. They don't have anybody put the ball in the back of the net. So you could assume you get three points from Bermuda because they'll have nothing to play for on the last final match day. But you need to get that win against Jamaica. And then you've got to hope somewhere along the lines, Curaçao, who I think is a testament to this region and the growth.

1:04:59One of the two teams, Curaçao, the Olympian Suriname, of how much this region has grown in the Caribbean. You've got to hope they falter along the way. Curaçao are a really interesting story. Given how small that country is, the job that Degas forgot has been able to do with them, bringing in a lot of Dutch-based players into the squad, and they've exceeded every expectation. But to point out, it's not a great Curaçao team. This is a team that, again, I think Toronto-Bago should have beaten twice. We drew with them both times. The big surprise came in them beating Jamaica, playing on that Asher turf.

1:05:35It absolutely does make a difference. Curaçao were two up, and then we're drawing with Bermuda 2-2. Bermuda has been the whipping boy of the group, the greatest respect to Bermuda. but Bermuda gave them a real scare. They were able to come through it and won that game 3-2 but it just shows their frailty and as I mentioned they had one shot on target against Toronto-Tobago yet come away with a draw now it's a big ask for us for me Jamaica are the best team in the group so now we have to go and turn the tables on a traditional rival that traditionally has gotten the best of us. But it can't be done because we are playing well if we could just find the finishes.

1:06:23The receipts are starting to come out, but the final receipt hasn't made its way yet to this CONCACAF group. Speaking of the CONCACAF group, Herc, what team are you most disappointed in after what you saw? Panama. Panama. If you look at what Thomas Christensen has done with this team since he took over, very unfortunate to make the last World Cup. It took a ridiculous miraculous second half run from Costa Rica where I believe they dropped points in one game instead of losing that game they drew they ran the table in the second half of World Cup qualifying to make it to a World Cup they're now in this generational shift and what you thought would be the strongest team out of the bunch would be Panama a team that's already played in two continental finals a Gold Cup final they lost against Mexico and a Nations final they lost against Mexico and a team that if you look against the traditional powers Mexico Canada the United States men's national team has fared pretty well and always competed against these teams they have the better of the united states men's national team as of late you would have thought in a world cup qualification process without the united states men's national team without mexico without the canadian men's national team that they would have ran the table and here they are one win four match days three goals scored with one of the highest paid coaches in in concaf at the moment in this world cup qualifying campaign and they don't necessarily control their own destiny they do in the sense that they have to win they got very fortunate in their last game that they put the ball in the back of the net in 96 minute or we're seriously having talks about them not qualifying to this next world cup guatemala right now has two home games they win both games one of those against panama they are in yeah surinam doesn't look like it's slowing down if i'm a panamanian national team fan i'm feeling queasy.

1:08:11I'm feeling uneasy. And if I'm Thomas Christensen, I'm asking myself what happened. Yeah, we'll see if they can turn it around here in the next match day. Number five here for World Cup qualifiers. We are so close here on November 13th. Bermuda versus Curaçao, Suriname, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago against Jamaica, Haiti, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua against Honduras.

1:08:37Take it to some good news for Canada and Bayern Munich. Fullback Alphonso Davies gave an injury update during the international window saying, quote, I'm running and training well. Just need to get a bit more muscle mass on my right leg. The 24-year-old is hoping to be back soon from that ACL tear he suffered on international duty last March. Looking forward to his return and to Der Klassiker this weekend where we send it over to our Alexis Nunes.

1:09:05Well, Chris, I know that you're cozy in studio with Herc and Xhaka, but I know they still don't beat my company here in Munich. I've got Thomas Hitzelsperger as well as La Voz de la Bundesliga in Derek Ray. And we're just now two nights away from the Classica. Bayern hosting Dortmund. We cannot wait for this one. And Derek, I think what a lot of CONCACAF, especially Canadian fans, were waiting for is to see Alphonso Davies back. We're not quite there yet, but there are some good signs, right? That's right Alexis the news is good with regard to Alphonso Davies he's going through his paces naturally after an ACL injury you're going to be judicious and that is the key word where Bayern are concerned.

1:09:44What I've been hearing is December is still the timeline so he'll continue to try to get himself ready but come December hopefully he's back. I must say though Bayern in his absence are faring pretty well with the 10 straight wins in all competitions. That's it, they are unbeaten for this season. So I'm sure they are missing Fonzie, but still at least they can afford to give him some time to fully be fit and get back in action, especially with the World Cup feeling like it's just around the corner. But somebody who has wasted no time hits is Lucho Diaz, the Colombian who has absolutely hit the ground running at Bayern.

1:10:17Why is that? Because I feel like some people, especially seeing how things ended at Liverpool, are a bit surprised that he's really taken to the Bundesliga like he always belonged here. And he's the biggest transfer of Bayern Munich. Usually when players at this quality with such a price tag come to a new club, there are high expectations. And it takes time to adapt. But Luis Diaz has not needed any time. Fortunately, he's joined a team under a manager who's doing extremely well. Vincent Kompany, he really demands a lot from his players. They've had a very good season last season. And now he's really well integrated.

1:10:49I think the biggest problem is Jamal Muziala coming back. But so far, Luis Diaz, whenever he's played, he's scored goals, gave assists. and there were the odd moments when he wasn't brilliant and yet Vincent Kompany stuck with him that's what you need as a new player give him time to adapt and as you said you know Luis Diaz he is a top signing and I think everybody's so happy to have him here yeah Derek what do you put it down to is it Vincent Kompany is it just that maybe the system at Liverpool wasn't working for his best interest what do you think it is I think the system at Bayern plays very much to his strengths and there were some doubts coming into the season about how Bayern were going to line up in those attacking positions.

1:11:26Now of course you have Harry Kane now taking on all manner of roles, not just a finisher but also a playmaker in the absence of Jamal Muziala. Luis Diaz is fascinating because he does so many things really well, sets up others, scores goals, seems to score in just about every game and of course part of the pressing responsibility for Bayern too. But I think environment is a big part of it and for me Vincent Kompany is the sort of coach who provides that environment for new players having come to a new country himself as a player and a coach Luis Diaz probably if you were to ask him might say I wish I'd come here to Munich two or three years ago oh well as my mom likes to say nothing before it's time but as the guys pointed out this Vincent company led Bayern is just absolutely flying they are unbeaten but Dortmund are also unbeaten too not quite as many wins as Bayern but the way Bayern are going hits for me it's just hard to see anything else but a Bayern win in this one especially at home but how do you see it going well I probably agree with you but I don't want to see a win on Saturday because we want a title race a Bayern win exactly would almost end the title race because I've had the privilege of watching Bayern every weekend in the Bundesliga and it's it's it's impressive the way they play the amount of goals they've scored so I don't know who can stop them but Dortmund they've come in with a really good form and I think Niko Kovac the way he was as a player really good mentality and And this is what the club has always been looking for, Borussia Dortmund.

1:12:53Finding this team, a good formation of players that really work as a team together. So I'm quite optimistic that they come here and at least get a point. What's the scoreline? Well, I just set a point. So it should be very high. How many goals? And who's scoring? I'd say four goals, two, two. Lucharia is on the score sheet? He must be. We've been talking about him, raving about how well he's done. I want him to do well because he's really enjoying his time. You can see that. I don't know. I don't think he's ever had a beer here, but, you know, the rest he'll enjoy. All right. Well, Derek's going to be hanging out with us again tomorrow, but we're not going to see hits until Saturday.

1:13:25So I had to squeeze out that prediction. But I know you guys like to have water on the set, but we're in Germany. And best believe we're going to have some Paulana. So in Spanish, you know, we say salud, but we are in Germany. We're in Munich. What do we say here? Prost. Prost. Zum Wohl. Prost, guys.

1:13:47Thank you so much. I mean, they're having a great time, clearly, and they will this weekend. The Dirk Klassiker by Munich versus Borussia Dortmund, Saturday, 12.30 p.m. Eastern. Coverage beginning at 11.30 a.m. ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes, and, of course, the ESPN app. We will be back here on Monday. I thought beers were just going to magically appear. Next time. We do. Oh, what a team. Is it one? Oh, boy. He is a soccer dad. Hey, you never know. We have the MLS regular season awards here coming up on Monday, and it's clear that the weekend is just around the corner. So thank you so much for hanging out with us on Football Americas.

1:14:34Shaq, Herc, boys, see you then.

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