RojitoTO

He still has his portrait shot with the CMNT up on his instagram. I think that means something. I'm not saying he's gonna choose Canada, but I think we're still in contention.

No shame in it, especially on the road. That first goal we scored against Croatia was a great example of how we could execute on a quick break.

Team hasn't been together for a long time as they pathetically missed the last window, it was a very long flight, the time change makes things quite difficult, our best midfielder is out, first game for our new coach, we were up against a top team that doesn't get the respect they deserve, we're visitors in front of a 37 000 home crowd, many of our players are not in form at the moment. These are all of the ingredients for a certain type of recipe...With all that being said were decisions made keeping the above in mind? I don't think so. The writing was on the wall and I am critical that it seems it wasn't read. The scenario itself didn't lend itself to the most optimistic outcome unless an approach was taken that considered all of the above. I'm gonna lend understanding on this one, but it should have been an objective coming into this one to salvage morale.

You seem to be contradicting yourself. You say that you don't think we should be preparing for 2026 now and then acknowledge that there's only a few players that are at the level needed to integrate into the team now anyways. Wouldn't that be a reason to start integrating players now because we have too few players that are at that level? By identifying players who are near that level or have the potential to reach the level it would make sense to integrate them now so as as to expedite their trajectory to reach the level of the SMNT so we increase the pool of players beyond "a few" that can play for the team. You then identify Kone. He wasn't at "the level", but was playing well and was called because it was believed he could reach it and he gradually upped his game as he was given more caps and game time. He's an example of a player who was introduced and weaned in. We don't have the luxury of having players that are uncapped who play at an exceptionally high level. It's not like the Argentine players came out of nowhere. Scaloni stubbornly left many of these players out for as long as he did and finally called them. Romero was Serie A defender of the year and the public was clamouring for him to get a cap and Scaloni refused to call him up. Emi Martinez was starting for Arsenal and playing exceptionally well and Scaloni still refused to call him. Enzo came on the scene real late with his superb performances for Benfica and became a European hot prospect right before the World Cup and he earned his inclusion with his club play. Their right back situation was not figured out and they gave Molina a crack and it worked out. We're not in the same boat. We have to develop players and introduce them to the SMNT to get them at the level we need them to because we don't have enough players doing it on their own at club level. That's just the reality right now. The most relatable player to this would be Molina. The right back situation was a cause for concern for Argentina. They didn't have a player who was at "the level needed to integrate" to the team. They tried Montiel, Foyth, and Casco and finally tried Molina and it worked out. It wasn't like he was a shoe in and playing at an exceptionally high level at Udinese. He was very good, but his inclusion wasn't a given. They gave him a try and integrated him into the team. This is what we have to do. The sooner the better. It can't be done in one fell swoop at every position that needs to be addressed, but we gotta start at least one at a time.

Usually a players performances in first division football is what garners attention from scouts and leads to more opportunities in the top flight. But, sometimes, irrespective of club performance, international performances supersede club play and generate buzz and attention and greater opportunities. Canada is being watched more than we have ever before. Scouts will tune into our games and if they see that we highly rate a youngster by giving them meaningful playing time then that can accelerate their club progression. I think some of these youngsters recognize this. I think we gotta give more young guys a real, meaningful chance instead of just ever so slowly weaning them in. It doesn't just let them know that they're in the fold and have a legitimate chance to break into the first team, but it puts scouts and clubs on notice and it will help advance their club careers. That is something that can successfully attract some of these dual nationals.

Agreed. Very few youth do get called up, but being with such a big club is great for his resume. Training with the first team increases the likelihood of him playing first division football. We need more guys playing in the top leagues.

I still think we got a shot. What's the supply and demand for each program that he is eligible for? I think he's highest on our depth chart than the others. He realistically can get a sincere and authentic first team call from us whereas it would be a cynical call from the others. All he has to do is acknowldege Tomori's situation and that's a big reason why not to go with Italy. There's also more competition in the US squad than ours. We are in best position to give him a true committed spot where he'll have more security knowing he'll participate in the major tournaments.

I don't think Italy is a shoe in. The Italians have much less commitment to players who play outside of Serie A kind of like how England prefers players in the Premiership. A player would really have to play at a high level in a foreign league to supplant domestic players that are playing at an equal or even slightly inferior level. Tomori is the prime example of this. If Luca wants to stay in England then this could be something he takes into consideration. I think the US would be in pole position if they show interest in him. The next international window is gonna be huge to determine how things pan out.

I don't think the communication factor is as problematic as one may make it out to be. I don't see how an interpreter would not be deemed as an ample solution. Did you see Herve Renard's halftime speech to the Saudi players when they beat Argentina? He sure as hell got his message across through an interpreter. That was one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history and I'm sure Saudi's regard that as being one of the best halftime speeches of all time and it was in a different language. In fact, I think many people, not just Saudi's, would consider that one of the best and most memorable halftime speeches in sport, not just at a World Cup. So, the language barrier can be overcome and that would help us broaden our list of candidates who can help us address and remedy our needs. Identifying a pressing void that needs to be addressed could help guide us in appointing a certain type of manager. One position or area that we are seriously lacking in, as mentioned, is the creative midfielder department. Countries thoughtfully identify and rigourously develop players who have the talent and/or potential to occupy the role of trequartista/media atacante/enganche. WE DO NOT HAVE THIS OR DO THIS. We need to start NOW and we need to learn how to do this, in my opinion. Some may argue that we neglect the role for now and use formations and tactics that play to our current strengths, but we would just be delaying the inevitable need to address the gap. If there's a country that is obsessed with the #10 it's, you guessed it, the Argies. Historically, the enganche was almost always on the game sheet, but modern football has altered its demand. Nonetheless, they still quintessentially produce this type of player down the assembly line. But, whether it's an Argentinian or not we need a coach and staff who knows how to identify, develop and cultivate this type of player so we can include it on our team and instill it in our program.

Where can the CSA look and get the highest quality coach for the best value? I think many would answer Argentina. It's one of the top footballing nations in the world. It produces some of the best players in the world because they have elite player development. They are football mad and so they have an abundance of quality players and coaches. We have the demand for a coach and they have the supply and the demand to seek better financial opportunities. The state of their economy grants the opportunity to recruit greater quality at a better price. There's a reason why so many South American countries hire Argentine coaches. The proof is in the pudding. It would make some sense considering our participation in the upcoming Copa America as an Argentina coach would have a very good grasp on the opponents and how to compete against them. This can be leveraged and it can increase the likelihood of building progress and momentum moving forward from the tournament. This is a country where coaches have such a passion for the game that the prospect of coaching at a Copa America and World Cup would attract candidates without the same degree of financial incentive needed to hire the same quality coaches elsewhere.

Source?

He can switch to us because he played before turning 21 and it wasn't in a final confederated tournament like a World Cup, Nation's League or European Championship. I think we've got a shot with this kid.

Hasn't he played a game for Romania?

Take a shot in the dark and give Giovanni Van Bronckhorst a call. He says he wants to coach in Europe but you never know. Maybe the project would be attractive to him.

Is this a serious question?