Unnamed Trialist

That was quarter finals. The US just lost to North Korea 1-0, first half goal. Other semi is Japan vs. Netherlands, the former knocked out Spain the holder.

Considering how close the rankings are and how important, it seems like the wrong time to play against a non Fifa rival if we do a second game. Find a lesser rival, play at home, ensure the Fifa points. And a much easier quarter final in Nations League.

Very odd taking a look at the full table a day after it started, resembling the MLS Supporters Shield table. I don't think this model is sustainable. There aren't enough quality teams and we're already seeing worse play, blowouts, weaker match ups. The schedule is totally unbalanced. A poor way to respond to the threat of a Superleague.

In any case it covers Marsch's projected salary until 2026. And does not go through CSB don't think. So that's money I'd say you have to use to increase friendlies, and especially get our u-20s and younger age groups more active, men and women.

Saw his goal. You can look at the images a thousand times and it does not seem he is offside in any way clear. He beat his man far post on a long cross in from the left, headed it nicely down and in. Good finish, even though it did not count. His coach Arrasate said in the press conference: "I did not see it, but it was by centimetres. It's what we expect from Cyle, with him threatening. We expect a bit of that. He played two matches with his national team but for us he will be an important player."

I had no idea they were playing today, odd really. He just subbed off m 63… winning 1-0. Was a whisker short of pushing one in first half, had a goal called back for a milimetric offside just a few minutes ago. Seems he's done well, he's very close to scoring for club and country.

We're playing a friendly vs. Spain on October 25, a Saturday, in Spain. The stadium is in Almendralejo, where Extremadura plays, a team Iain Hume once played for. The occasion is the centenary of the regional federation of Extremadura. https://rfef.es/es/noticias/la-campeona-del-mundo-jugara-en-extremadura-el-25-de-octubre-ante-canada

Here I was all ready to dispute this but I realize you are right, this is the breakdown, good work. I guess I had it figured a different way (2 million each appearance and prizes on top of that). So that is close to 9 million Canadian in prizes. A part goes to the players on whatever deal they have. We lost a million US, letting Suárez score late for Uruguay. Then there are our appearance fees for the friendlies. I don't know what they could have been, but usually they cover all your expenses, as you are a guest, and then you get a quantity on top. It was reported back in the day that Iran was to get 200,000 on top of expenses to play that friendly at BC Place. I imagine we also made something, in function of the gate potential of those Netherlands and France friendlies, but really do not know how much. I suppose their respective federations have reported the quantities in their financials, who knows where to look for those. We also would have made something from both of the September window matches.

I'd say from here in you have to be in knockout mode, the big teams rise to the occasion. It's a tough call because winning the Voyageurs Cup does make your season. And if you don't maybe that inspires a response. In any case, Whitecaps have never had that league winning roster, mentality or drive in MLS. Nor the budget. So we haven't seen it and they pretty well have to win us over, the fans are expectantly expecting whatever.

Could say more about York Utd phasing him out, because it's odd an assistant of value would take a break.

It was a very strong statement, and in fact the whole press conference was really good. He is maybe settling a bit, not so histrionic as he used to be. Also, it is true the team has more dominant moments this season than probably any time in our MLS history. It comes down to taking the chances facing us.

Has to be someone not in CPL, I'd say. And someone who is not in U-Sports, as they are both in season. Maybe take Olivieri or part of the youth team coaching staff (or does Andrew go anyways?) For me it would be perfectly legit to take someone from the women's programme, it is all about learning and integrating coaching models.

It's sad that the lowest common denominator is the basis for talking points about a player. He's ageing, and then his club has been suffering for a few years. And not getting too much better. So that is not going to help the individual show his upside. For Canada he usually plays a nice role, there are moments like the goal in Azteca that are truly amazing, he also has some skills that are enviable, he has some smooth movements with the ball, and can slip between lines, and is a thinking man's player, and that stuff can still really help the national team. He is also a leader, a veteran, and has captain qualities. Please accept that if I've been hard on him here, it is mostly because of a lot of BS that was said about him (he never had any serious offer from Europe despite that lie being repeated naively, he just leveraged it for a better TFC contract), and also because of the Caps-TFC rivalry (to be fair, last time I saw him, in the Voyageurs Cup final in 2022, Tiebert was in fact quite a bit better than him and he flopped, but of course he's a far better player than Tiebert). Like many here, I think his injury, and its longer-term effects, should be taken into account. We were surprised at that moment he was taking so long to get back. Now, there is a question of how hard he can train or work to improve himself, or at least take that step into the final years of his career. There are plenty of mids out there who have prolonged their careers by working very hard into their mid-30s, Modric being the most exemplary, there's Busquets in an even more physical spot, Kroos could have kept playing. I think if Osorio wanted to work like a demon to get even sharper physically he could do the same, unless there is some impediment. I personally believe he will be on our 2026 squad, depending on squad sizes, because TFC is likely to get better over the next 2 seasons and that will benefit him in Marsch's view.

Got tickets today for Barça hosting Bayern Munich on 23 October. In the Olympic Stadium, which is a poor venue, a factor that has hurt us. Of course hoping that Phonzie plays, but we'll see. That would put him at LB against Lamine Yamal, which would be rather beautiful to watch. Historically, Bayern is our worst rival, the only major European rival we have a clear losing record against. In fact, considering our historical record vs. Madrid is almost even, BM are Barça's worst rival ever anywhere. No team has a better record than Bayern vs. Barça. amongst those with more than a one-off somewhere. We can't figure them out. We have had more embarrassing losses vs others (losing the final 4-0 to Milan in 94 was worse than that nasty 2-8 in a Covid bubble), but Bayern has our number. I think, however, with Hansi Flick as coach, with former BM and Bundesliga players (Lewandowski, Olmo), we may find another level of motivation.

Well put, it is another level. Then the team is really being built to dethrone PSG, which is also a very ambitious environment and should give him Champions League football for next season. Watched his former Watford teammate Asprilla for Girona yesterday, was a sub, was very good, Girona lost badly but he showed a lot of potential and character.