CONCACAF SPOTLIGHT
2021 IS CERTAINLY THE SUMMER OF SOCCER! WHILE FANS IN EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA WILL BE ENJOYING THEIR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, SUPPORTERS IN NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN WILL ALSO HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO CHEER THEIR NATIONAL TEAMS ON IN THE CONCACAF GOLD CUP! SOCCER 360 MAGAZINE’S SEAN MASLIN HAS SOME OF THE KEY STORYLINES AS WE HEAD INTO THIS SUMMER’S GOLD CUP!
2021 CONCACAF GOLD C
THE RETURN OF THE U.S.-MEXICO RIVALRY Perhaps the biggest storyline entering into this year’s competition is the matter of the state of the United States and Mexico rivalry. After years of flat derby matches, it finally seems to be back after the USMNT’s wild 3-2 win over El Tri in the CONCACAF Nations League Final. That match saw multiple lead changes, Mexico manager Gerardo Martino sent off, a penalty kick goal in extra time, and a penalty kick save by USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. A potential Gold Cup match may be a little different (rosters will be more domesticbased with many of the European clubs asking that players stay at home for COVID/ preseason preparation purposes), but make no mistake about it: a potential match will be just as intense as their matchup back in June. The reason for this is simple: both sides have something to play for. For the United States and coach Gregg Berhalter, there is still plenty of roster building to do ahead of World Cup Qualification. While their starting XI for qualification seems to be largely set there still are questions along the back four. Defenders Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), Andres Perea (Orlando City SC), and George Bello (Atlanta United) are all
50
SOCCER360 JULY • AUGUST 2021
ABOVE: The United States Men's National Team celebrating their 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Championship LEFT: Gerardo Martino, head coach of the Mexico Men's National Team
AS FOR MEXICO, THE GOALS ARE SIMPLE: WIN OR MARTINO MAY BE AXED.
looking to breakthrough and earn a spot in the regular eighteen-man roster. Paul Arriola (D.C. United) is also looking to break back into the USMNT after having sustained a serious knee injury last year. Winning the Gold Cup is certainly at the top of Berhalter’s agenda (the USMNT haven’t won the tournament since 2017) but so too is finding the right pieces ahead of Qualification. As for Mexico, the goals are simple: Win or Martino may be axed. The Mexican Federation made their expectations clear that winning the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup were critical to their long-term goals. Martino’s side failed to deliver on the first opportunity and now face a situation where their manager’s job is on the line. If El Tri is to once again claim the Gold Cup, they have to find more attacking options. Martino has yet to really find young attacking players that can replace the likes of Chicharito Hernandez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), and Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton). Of the domestic-based players likely to be called up, Alexis Vega and Juan Macias Marin (both of Chivas de Guadalajara) seem to be the most likely to break out. The duo combined to score 21 goals
