The US are in the Gold Cup Quarterfinals as expected at the beginning of the tournament. The US and Mexico were expected to be in the final and our neighbors to the south have stormed into the quarterfinals with three convincing wins. The US, on the other hand, has struggled since leaving Cary a couple of weeks ago. there was the Spain friendly in Boston which was wasn't pretty for the home team. Then a 2-0 victory over Canada in Detroit, then the shocker, a 2-1 loss to Panama in Tampa. Going into last night, there were many possibilities for advancement and some possibilities for non-advancement. A Canada victory over Panama could force a 3 way tie if the US also won against Guadaloupe. Canada was up 1-0 but an extra time goal by Panama made the game a tie ensuring that the "Canal" folks would win the group. A US win and they would also advance. The US had plenty of chances but could only muster one goal in a 1-0 victory-thus advancing to play Jamaica on Saturday in Washington, DC. These games were in the brand new Livestrong Park where Sporting Kansas City plays. The 18,000 seat beautiful soccer stadium was filled to the brim with spectators. We'll see what happens this weekend and beyond....the winner of the Gold Cup advances to the eight team Confederations Cup in 2013 in Brazil which is a prelude to the 2014 World Cup in "Samba" land!
The Railhawks are sizzling; 9-1-1 for the year and lapping the field in the NASL thus far-"Back of the Net" Soccer Show will have coach Martin Rennie and a player on this Saturday (7-8 am on 99.9 the Fan).
The USYS Southern Regionals begin Friday in Murfreesboro, TN. CASL has teams in 9 of the 12 age brackets, all as NC State Cup winners. This blog will update everyone with scores after each time slot throughout the round robin part of the tournament. Scores, scorers, assisters, gks will be listed about 6 times per day....so keep informed. I will be talking live (and early) from TN on "Back of the Net" Saturday about Friday games and upcoming Saturday and Sunday games.
A personal note-this blogger is a proud papa as son, Barry, has been named the head men's soccer coach at NCAA DII Newberry College in Newberry, SC. Barry, 27, has been the assistant at NCAA DI Wofford College for the last three years and before that an assistant at DII Colorado School of the Mines and at DI Appalachian State. Barry played at NCAA DIII, Sewanee-The University of the South.
Stayed tuned for many scores from TN, Go Railhawks this weekend (at home), Go USA in the Gold Cup and also for the US Women getting ready to play in the FIFA Women's World Cup!
Charlie Slagle
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