A win for CONCACAF at the Club World Cup
Club America did the rest of the region a favor at the Club World Cup, advancing to the semifinal. They beat beat Jeonbuk 2-1 in Osaka to setup a game against Real Madrid on Thursday in Yokohama.
The CONCACAF team doesn’t always make the trip to the Club World Cup and turn right around for home after one game. This time last year, it was Club America losing to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarterfinals, but Cruz Azul advanced in 2014. They lost 4-0 to Real Madrid in the semis and then to Auckland City in the 3rd-place game. Even though it was a consolation game and went to penalties, it’s still CONCACAF losing to the AFC. The Club World Cup creates those direct comparisons, and they need to flatter CONCACAF.
Otherwise, it’s just more to add to the idea that CONCACAF is one of the weaker confederations. There’s certainly enough ways to play that down, but it requires paying the kind of attention that the Club World Cup doesn’t warrant. The rest of the field probably doesn’t know, and most certainly doesn’t care, that Club America has a league final series waiting for them back home. This is about repetition building into a reputation that CONCACAF teams will play more than once at the Club World Cup.
As for the game, 14,587 fans were on hand at Suita City Football Stadium to see Club America’s comeback against the AFC Champions League winners. Falling behind in the 23rd minute, Silvio Romero scored in the 58th and won the game in the 74th. Ventura Alvarado subbed on in the 70th minute.
“The players showed character, attitude, and heart in winning this game,” Club America coach Ricardo La Volpe said. “They put what happened last year behind them, and they’ve come here again and showed that Mexican football is very competitive.
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff has the news that the Galaxy will promote Curt Onalfo to head coach. SI.com’s Brian Straus explains the issues with getting an MLS team in Miami. Soccer America’s Paul Gardner wonders why MLS doesn’t award a team goal of the year. FC Yahoo’s Leander Schaerlaeckens on the message MLS is sending by moving away from aging stars. Goal.com’s Ives Galarcep profiles Sounders head scout Kurt Schmid, the son of the team’s former coach. SBI Soccer’s Franco Panizo on the MLS free agents.
The Guardian’s Dave Martinez updates the situation with the NY Cosmos.
AP’s Rob Harris reports on government pressure for England’s Football Association. In logo news, yes logo news, the Bundesliga has slightly tweaked theirs with Inside World Football explaining the changes. The NY Times’ Rory Smith explains the pressure on Pep Guardiola.
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