The stage is set and we are almost there. The first ever Winter World Cup is just around the corner so in true fashion, it is time for some of our writers to give their thoughts ahead of the showpiece event in Qatar.
As an added bonus we have teamed up with our compatriots at Prost Amerika for an insight from the other side of the World.
World Cup Winner
Jared Miller: I’m torn between Brazil and Argentina. I believe Brazil have the strongest squad depth (other than full-backs), but it’s difficult to look past the Lionel Messi factor, especially as the final could be his 1000th game.
James Sadler: I think the winner will be Argentina, they were undefeated in South American qualifying alongside Brazil, the first time a team has ever gone undefeated, haven’t lost in all competitions in three years and possess the greatest player of all time in Lionel Messi.
Will Knight: Brazil is a team that nobody can write off this year. Their line-up is filled with star
players, many of whom are some real heavy hitters in big football leagues.
English and Welsh hopes
JM: England: I really like Southgate as a person, and he’s done very well so far, but I think this could be one tournament too far for him. I think we might be relying on quality moments from individuals, though that’s not to say I don’t think we’ll go far. Wales: They’ve turned up at the last two Euros, and they seem to play better than their squad looks on paper. I think they get through the group, but will struggle past that.
JS: I think England will win the group thanks to multiple low scoring wins, beat in my opinion Senegal in the Ro16 but crash out to France in the quarters. I think Wales will struggle to make it out of the group, they don’t have the same quality as USA or England, and Iran aren’t to be underestimated either.
WK: Although I would love to see England win, personally I don’t see them making it out of the semi-finals. The choice of squad can be seen to be a bit conservative, while the defence may prove to be England’s achilles heel.
I see Wales having a tough fight with the USA to make it out the group stages but I do see the States beating the squad. But, if they’re at their very best, they could follow England into the round of 16.
CONCACAF chances
Dan Gaichas: USA: Good World Cup would be getting out of the group stage. Need to get results against Wales and Iran if not against England. Looking forward to all three USA matches to see what progress has been made by this squad and what progress will need to be made for 2026.
Canada: Scoring goals will be an achievement (which they didn’t do in 1986). Advancing out of group stage here will be a massive achievement given they have Belgium and Croatia in their group. Player to watch on Canada is Alphonso Davies, but watch out for Cyle Larin as well.
Mexico: It’s all about getting to the quarterfinals which they have never done outside their own country. They should get out the group if they get the results against Saudi Arabia and Poland. However, they were so unremarkable during qualifying and show no signs of suddenly being at this time.
I’ll add a snippet about Costa Rica: In a usual World Cup cycle, they are the third best team in CONCACAF, but Canada excelled and the Ticos had to go through a playoff against New Zealand. This team is nowhere near the team that were penalties away from the semi finals in Brazil. I do not expect much from them–especially against Spain, Germany, and Japan.
Top Scorer
JM: My money’s on Harry Kane (literally), but Messi and Neymar should be good shouts too.
JS: My top scorer is Kylian Mbappe, I think France will go quite far and with a couple of easy group stage matches on paper against Tunisia and Australia, I can see Mbappe getting on the scoresheet.
Dark Horses
JS: My dark horses are Denmark, they were brilliant in qualifying and were only extra time away from making it to the Euros final and should be making it through their group comfortably, they’ve even beaten France the last two times they’ve met.
JM: Denmark. The Danish have some quality players on paper, getting to the Euros semi-final without Eriksen, their main man. I really like the look of their squad again. I might fancy Uruguay too.
WK: When looking at the teams, a dark horse that stands out for me is Croatia. Their performance in 2018, reaching the final against France, is one that stands out to me following a victory over England but I have not heard them mentioned when discussing possible winners this year.
Game to watch
JS: The group game I’m looking forward to most is Spain vs Germany, it’s a new era for both giants of international football and a game where young players on both sides could shine.
JM: It’s got to be England vs. Wales. The atmosphere in the country will be incredible, and it’ll certainly be a close game given the rivalry.
WK: The game I am most looking forward to is the final. This may be cliché, but anyone who watches the World Cup is eager to learn who will play for glory.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”15″ heading=”Internationals” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>
David at Wembley Stadium for the Wrexham v Bromley FA Trophy Final in May 2022
Prost International and its sister site Prost Amerika are delighted to report that we have obtained accreditation to cover this winter’s World Cup finals as an international media outlet.
Journalist David Collins will be reporting from Qatar with Group B his primary focus. England, Wales the USA and Iran meet there.
However he will also report on Canada and Mexico as the two North American sides seek to replicate CONCACAF’s impressive showing eight years ago.
Cardiff-based writer David has covered club games involving Cardiff City, Newport County, Swansea City and Wrexham for Prost in recent years as Wales Correspondent as well as reporting on the fortunes of Robert Page’s international XI and Gemma Grainger’s Women’s team.
David told us:
“I’m thrilled that FIFA have confirmed my place as an accredited media representative in Qatar.
“I have enjoyed some terrific times reporting for Prost, covering international fixtures, club encounters across Wales & the West Country and even a Wembley cup final. It’s an amazing site to write for.
“Qatar will be a wholly different experience though.
“Aside from the football, I’m especially looking forward to participating in a worldwide sporting event from a media perspective. It will be a terrific insight into the world of the mass media.
“It is fabulous recognition and I am truly grateful not only to my colleagues on Prost International but to all those past and present in the USA and Canada on Prost Amerika who helped build the site to this defining moment.”
Prost Amerika began in 2006 at Seattle’s Qwest Field (now Lumen Field) with just a pen and a notepad when Seattle Sounders were in the USL
Prost founder and owner Steve Clare said:
“I am delighted firstly for David. His twin passions are for Welsh football and for journalism. This is a day he has long dreamt of, but never thought he would see.
“Moreso, I want to thank all those who have travelled with us from our humble beginnings in the USL in Seattle, through becoming a Cascadian site to nationwide MLS coverage. We have had some magnificent writers and photographers.
“This moment is a tribute to each and every one of them.
“I also want to thank our university partners in England and Wales for helping grow Prost International at such an incredible rate.”
David will primarily be reporting on Group B but he will cover the tournament as a whole as the eyes of the world focus on Qatar.
As an experienced and respected figure in the Welsh media, he has contributed to a number of websites, hard copy publications and digital platforms. His media appearances include TV and radio work, including BBC Wales, alongside a lively social media presence @DavidCollins29a.
Aside from his work with Prost, he is the author of several books on Welsh football and other aspects of social and cultural life.
Prost is known for its commitment to inclusivity. That comittment takes many forms.
Recently David began CymraegProst, a Welsh language twitter account, and he will be populating that account with updates from Qatar to accompany his live tweets and articles in English as the World Cup drama unfolds.
In addition, Prost will be offering to share its content with any Welsh language outlet to ensure Welsh speakers benefit as much as is possible from his presence there.
Prost Soccer is grateful to the Football Association of Wales for supporting our representation in Qatar. They have been a model football association in terms of welcoming and assisting smaller media to promote their club and national sides.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”317″ heading=”Wales” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1064″ heading=”World Cup 2022″ heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
In his second column on Prost International, Kartik Krishnaiyer celebrates American Independence Day by ssessing the chances of the US Mens National Team (USMNT) in the upcoming World Cup.
Broadcaster and author Kartik Krishnaiyer becomes PINT’s second guest columnist
USA fans watch a World Cup qualifier in Nashville
Photo: Kassel Leventhal/Prost Amerika
July 4th is US Independence Day. It is the day in 1776 that thirteen largely insignificant British colonies declared their independence from the mother country. In fact, Britain had 27 total colonies in North America and the Carribean at the time, so less than half left the Empire at that moment. But it stands as the day Americans commemorate as the birth of their country.
With this in mind, for England to be drawn into FIFA World Cup Group B with Wales and the United States has to be a bit of a nightmare scenario.
Facing a former colony and a constituent nation of the United Kingdom is rife with all sorts of intrigue. But even more, from a football standpoint, it will prove difficult. Wales is very good and battle-tested, something we have months to ponder over, while the US is a radically changed side from past editions.
Before we get to breaking down the US, it’s worth remembering that England’s track record when matched up with Wales or the US in a major tournament isn’t great.
Wales won its Euro 2016 group that included England (despite losing to England in heartbreaking fashion in the group), and advanced the semifinals of the tournament – while England was embarrassingly put out by Iceland.
The last time the US and England were grouped together in a World Cup, the USA had an experienced side that played pragmatically and England under Fabio Capello were trying some new things after missing Euro 2008.
What resulted was one of the worst matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a disjointed affair marred by Rob Green’s howler and England’s inability to stay on the front foot after an early goal. The USA won the group on goal difference, but neither side really left a mark on the tournament.
In 2022, both sides look very different.
The United States is currently managed by Gregg Berhalter, a former Crystal Palace defender, who is quite frankly a hard-core ideologue when it comes to tactics and style.
Unlike past US teams, which were pragmatic, shifted formations based on opponent and often played defensively, Berhalter prefers an attacking style of football and a positionally-based 4-3-3.
For years, a debate has raged in the USA as to whether the US needed a “distinct style of play,” like Spain or the Netherlands or should just play to its strengths which are desire and fitness.
In Berhalter and his boss, Men’s National Team General Manager Earnie Stewart, the US has implemented a very Dutch style of play, fulfilling the wishes of many who felt the US would never reach an elite level by being a defensive-oriented side.
This has created some difficulty as integrating players into a distinct style at international level, who play in a different manner for their clubs has not been as smooth as perhaps hoped.
Under Berhalter, the goals are often stylistic. His view is if the US plays the right way with strong positional discipline, tactical rigidity and dominance in possession of the ball, results will follow.
His model is very clearly the Ajax school of football and therefore, it’s no surprise he prefers the 4-3-3 formation. Thus far results have been uneven under Berhalter, but it can be argued like in club football, implementing a system takes time though you could argue a national team, with limited training time is not the place for such rigidity. But there is no question that the US tactical discipline and positional play has consistently improved since Berhalter took over in late 2018.
Christian Pulisic in action for the USA
Kassel Leventhal / Prost Amerika
This is in direct contrast to England, where Gareth Southgate has continued to be very pragmatic, and seems to constantly experiment with new formations and ideas.
Southgate is criticized for his perceived conservative approach – but the truth is very few swashbuckling sides, that lack defensive solidity have actually won major tournaments in recent years.
The US will attack, almost constantly in matches. This is in direct contrast to past US teams. For example in a 2016 Copa America semifinal loss vs Argentina, the US didn’t take a shot.
Now, the US is in a different paradigm, but one which is wholly dependent on tactical nous and increasingly vulnerable to being beaten on the counter-attack, which against Wales in particular could be a dangerous way to setup.
The key figures for the US, generally play for top club sides and all are under the age of 25 – Christian Pulisic of Chelsea, Weston McKennie of Juventus, Sergiño Dest of Barcelona, Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig, Gio Reyna of Dortmund, Tim Weah of Lille, and English-raised Yunas Musah of Valencia.
Brenden Aaronson who has been transferred to Leeds United this summer is an increasingly influential figure as is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. Robinson grew up in England but opted to play for the US.
However, the USA’s most consistent player at the club level the last few years, John Brooks of Wolfsburg is nowhere to be found in Berhalter’s plans of late. Brooks has been omitted from the past three squads for whatever reason, leaving Berhalter scrambling to find a consistent central defensive pairing.
The other trouble spot as it is today for so many national sides is the number 9.
The US has cycled through five centre-forwards in qualifying and Concacaf Nations League, none of which have made a real impression. The favorite to start for a while was Ricardo Pepi of Augsburg but of late Berhalter has been looking for any player who might stick.
It’s also worth noting that despite Berhalter’s desire for a tactically sound side, US teams today look more disorganized than heading into every World Cup since 1998.
Some of this might have to do with the relative youth of the side, but probably more critical is the need to master another tactical setup in limited national team training sessions. It’s often said, national team managers keep tactics simple for a reason, but Berhalter has an opposite view. It should be noted that Berhalter will have time to drill the squad tactically during the weeks leading into the World Cup.
One last point may be completely unknow to English audiences given their long standing and storied rivalries with Scotland, Germany and Argentina. A rivalry with England exists in the minds of American soccer fans.
Given the interconnected nature of the English and Welsh football cultures in addition to other political factors that fuel rivalry, England’s chief rival in this group is obviously Wales.
Brenden Aaronson celebrates his goal against Canada
Photo: Kassel Levanthal / Prost Amerika
But the United States also views England as a rival, perhaps out of envy, a big brother complex which the states doesn’t share with the likes of France, Germany or Spain. It’s also worth noting at this point that the Premier League is more popular among television viewers in the US, than either of two major US domestic leagues, MLS or USL are. This fuels a greater interest in England and as a result a greater envy.
Group B has the prospect of being super-competitive and marked with different styles of football as well as some real rivalries. It should be fun.
And I haven’t even mentioned Iran!
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”94″ heading=”Columns” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”7250″ heading=”Kartik Krishnaiyer” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
The qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup are almost in the history books now as several more nations from across the globe sealed their places in November’s tournament in Qatar.
There was plenty at stake across all continents so it is time to dive straight in and see how the action unfolded on what is possibly international football’s greatest week, time after time.
AFC
Group A on the final stages in Asia had little left to be decided with Iran and South Korea having already booked their spot in the previous set of fixtures.
Instead it was all about the battle for third place and the play-off that comes with it. Iraq gave themselves a lifeline with a 1-0 victory over direct rivals the United Arab Emirates to leave the visitor’s hopes hanging in the balance.
However Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side recovered to claim a huge 1-0 victory over South Korea in the final game while Iraq could only draw with Syria to seal their fate.
In Group B, Japan ensured they would be back for a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance after defeating Australia 2-0 in Sydney. This also meant that Saudi Arabia qualified without having to kick a ball.
The Saudis rubbed salt into the Aussie wounds by winning 1-0 in Jeddah in the final group game.
Australia will now have to settle for the play-offs. They will face the UAE in a single game shootout in Doha on June 7th with the winner facing Peru for a chance to reach the finals.
CAF
Africa had probably the most exciting games on paper with a host of big nations set to do battle. This also shows how the continent will benefit when the tournament expands in 2026. So many talented African footballers will miss out once more in Qatar.
Which brings us to Egypt and Mohamed Salah. The repeat of the AFCON final with Senegal was as tight as you might have expected with the Pharaohs winning 1-0 in Cairo before the African champions responded with a 1-0 victory of their own in Dakar.
Salah went on to miss in the penalty shootout with Sadio Mane once more scoring the winning kick to ensure it was double delight for the Lions of Teranga.
There was further late drama between Algeria and Cameroon. Once again both games finished 1-0 to either side therefore extra-time would be required. Ahmed Touba thought he had won it for Algeria only for Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi to score a crucial away goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to send Cameroon through.
There were shocking scenes in Abuja as supporters stormed the pitch following Ghana’s away goal victory over bitter rivals Nigeria. Thomas Partey grabbed the all-important goal before William Troost-Ekong equalised with a penalty. But it was not to be for the Nigerians, who fail to qualify for the first time since 2006.
Morocco were the only side to really cut loose over the past week as they swept past DR Congo 5-2 on aggregate. It was honours even in Kinshasa for the first leg before the Atlas Lions stormed to victory in Casablanca, with Achraf Hakimi among the goalscorers.
Tunisia made it a North African double as they held their nerve to edge past Mali and deny Les Aiges a debut appearance. Moussa Sissako’s own goal was all that could separate the two sides over 180 minutes.
CONCACAF
CONCACAF is the only federation yet to conclude at the time of writing but Canada rubber stamped a first appearance since 1986 with a 4-0 victory over Jamaica in Toronto to spark joyous scenes.
Mexico and the USA look set the join Les Rouges barring some incredibly unlikely results on the final day.
Costa Rica look likely to take the play-off spot and they will face New Zealand as Los Ticos look to qualify for a third straight tournament.
CONMEBOL
Ecuador will be back at the World Cup despite only taking one point from their final two games. La Tri have enjoyed a good campaign and can now look forward to returning to the world stage for the first time since 2014.
They will be joined by Uruguay after Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s goal clinched a 1-0 victory over Peru to ensure a positive end to a difficult campaign.
This meant that the Peruvians were in control of fifth place going into the final game but Colombia and Chile were ready and waiting to take advantage of any slip ups.
Unfortunately for Chile it was the end of an era as they fell 2-0 at home to Uruguay while Colombia defeated Venezuela 1-0 to do their part.
It would be Peru’s day however as goals from Gianluca Lapadula and Yoshimar Yotun sealed a play-off spot against either the UAE or Australia in June.
OFC
New Zealand will once more represent Oceania in the playoffs after coming through a mini tournament in Qatar.
Vanuatu and the Cook Islands had to cancel games due to Covid which meant Tahiti and the Soloman Islands progressed to the semi-finals.
New Zealand coasted through their group and were joined in the final four by Papua New Guinea.
A Liberato Cacace goal saw the All Whites edge past Tahiti in the semi-final while the Soloman Islands saw off Papua New Guinea by three goals to two.
There would be no fairytale in the final however as Chris Wood helped Danny Hay’s side to a 5-0 victory and set up a likely play-off with Costa Rica in June.
UEFA
A brace from Gareth Bale inspired Wales to a 2-1 victory over Austria to leave Robert Page’s side just one game away from a first World Cup appearance since 1958.
They will host the winners of the Scotland and Ukraine match which will have to be rearranged for a later date.
Elsewhere Poland made the most of receiving a bye straight through to the final by defeating Sweden in Warsaw to make it back to back qualifications.
Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski scored to see off the Swedes, who edged out the Czech Republic in extra-time in Solna.
Arguably the biggest shock of the window saw North Macedonia stun European champions Italy 1-0 in Palermo to ensure the Italians missed a second consecutive World Cup.
The four times winner will have gone 20 years without a knockout match by the time the next tournament rolls around in 2026.
The reward for North Macedonia was a trip to Porto after Portugal defeated Turkey 3-1 in the semi-final.
The fairytale run would not have the ultimate conclusion however as Bruno Fernandes grabbed a brace to send the hosts through and ensure Cristiano Ronaldo will have the chance to play in a fifth World Cup.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”15″ heading=”Internationals” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
In what was a catch-up window due to previous postponements because of the pandemic, several teams made the most of the winter action and took major steps towards participation in November’s World Cup.
None were more successful than Iran and South Korea, who became the 14th and 15th nations to qualify for the showcase event.
In CONCACAF, it was Canada who had the most successful window, claiming nine points to leave them on the brink of just a second-ever World Cup appearance.
Meanwhile in South America, it was more of a case of eliminations as what was a ten-team league is now ultimately down to five with Brazil and Argentina already having qualified and Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela all now out of contention.
Let us begin in Asia as we take a look back on another thrilling week of action.
AFC
It was in Tehran that Iran confirmed their qualification for a third consecutive World Cup. Porto forward Mehdi Taremi scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Iraq to seal another finals appearance for Team Melli.
South Korea picked up a 1-0 win over Lebanon to leave themselves nicely poised before the second game of the window.
The UAE kept the South Korean’s honest with a 2-0 win at home to Syria to keep their own faint hopes alive.
Those hopes would be dashed just five days later however as South Korea booked their finals place with a 2-0 win over Syria in Dubai and maintains their record of appearing at every World Cup since 1986. Iran’s 1-0 triumph over the UAE rendered the result immaterial anyway as the Emirates could now no longer qualify automatically.
The Syrians are the only team in the group officially eliminated and responded by sacking coach Valeriu Tita. Iraq did similar, dismissing Serbian manager Zeljko Petrovic. They still hold faint hopes of a play-off despite failing to win a game so far. They must beat the UAE in their next game in March to stand any chance.
Over in Group B, there is a little bit more tension with none of the sides earning automatic qualification thus far. Matchday seven saw the top three all claim home victories over the lesser lights in the group with Australia thrashing Vietnam 4-0, Japan seeing off China 2-0 and leaders Saudi Arabia earning a narrow 1-0 win over Oman.
Matchday eight proved to be much more decisive, however. Takumi Minamino was on the scoresheet as Japan closed to the gap to within a point of the Saudis with a 2-0 home win.
This left the door open for Australia to join the Japanese and leave a one-point gap between all three sides. Graham Arnold’s men will be kicking themselves however for conceding a late equaliser to Oman in Muscat that saw two precious points dropped.
Australia will now need to beat Japan at home next up and most likely do the same in Saudi Arabia if they are to qualify without the need for a play-off. They do have that option to fall back on though as Oman are now eliminated.
Vietnam also picked up their first win of the campaign as they secured a 3-1 victory over China 3-1 in Hanoi.
CONCACAF
Canada are now just one win away from a first World Cup appearance since 1986 following three victories in a brilliant week.
‘Les Rouges’ began the window by defeating winless Honduras thanks to a goal from star striker Jonathan David. The traditional big two of the USA and Mexico kept up the pressure with wins over El Salvador and Jamaica respectively.
Bryan Ruiz grabbed the winner as Costa Rica aimed to move closer to a play-off spot by defeating Panama.
It would be in matchday 10 where John Herdman’s Canadian side would take the biggest strides. An early Cyle Larin goal sent them on their way to a vital 2-0 victory over the USA to leave the nation ecstatic and leave fans of the USMNT enraged.
Panama got back on track by edging out Jamaica while El Salvador piled the misery on Honduras with a 2-0 win.
Costa Rica held Mexico to a crucial goalless draw in an empty Azteca Stadium to claim what could be a huge point.
In the final matchday of the break, Canada’s match in San Salvador almost did not go ahead due to the El Salvador players threatening to strike over unpaid bonuses. The strike was averted and David claimed another goal to make it a memorable week for the Canadians.
It was also memorable for slightly different reasons in Minnesota as the USA claimed a 3-0 victory over Honduras in freezing conditions. Two Honduran players had to be treated for hypothermia while fans saw their beers freeze in the stadium. Perhaps more thinking is required for the federation next time when determining where to stage the games.
Raul Jimenez scored a penalty as Mexico beat Panama while Joel Campbell scored the only goal in Costa Rica’s victory in Jamaica. ‘Los Ticos’ are now just a point behind Panama following an excellent window as they chase a play-off match with the best team from Oceania.
For Canada, victory over the Costa Ricans in March will bring about the moment they have been waiting 36 years for. The USA and Mexico look poised to join them while it appears to be a straight shootout between Panama and Costa Rica.
CONMEBOL
Onto South America, where nobody has yet joined Brazil and Argentina but there were some eliminations taken care of.
Ecuador were probably the biggest victors of the window, guaranteeing themselves at least a play-off spot against the play-off winners from Asia thanks to two draws.
A bad-tempered clash with Brazil ended in a 1-1 draw while fellow confirmed finalists Argentina claimed a 2-1 triumph in Chile.
Edison Flores grabbed a vital late winner as Peru claimed a massive 1-0 win in Colombia to go fourth. Uruguay would keep the pressure on with a 1-0 win in Paraguay.
Salomon Rondon notched a hat-trick as Venezuela prolonged Bolivia’s wait for a first away victory since 1994 in the qualifiers.
It was all to play for then going into the second match of the window but this is where some dreams were sadly ended.
Philippe Coutinho scored a cracking goal as Brazil thrashed Paraguay 4-0 to end their hopes while Chile won 3-2 in Bolivia to leave Bolivia waiting another four years for an appearance on the biggest stage.
Luis Suarez became the top goalscorer in CONMEBOL qualifying history in Uruguay’s 4-1 win over Venezuela to ensure another elimination for the visitors. The hosts meanwhile stole a march on Peru and climbed into the automatic places following the Peruvian’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
The draw did at least deny Ecuador automatic qualification for now.
Lautaro Martinez scored the winner for Argentina which put a huge dent to Colombia’s chances of a third consecutive World Cup appearance.
It is all set up for a dramatic two matchdays in March as we find out who will join the traditional giants. Ecuador only need a win in Paraguay in their next game to ensure they join them. There are sure to be more twists and turns to come.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”15″ heading=”Internationals” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
West Bromwich Albion supporters could not have asked for a better start to 2022 as USMNT striker Daryl Dike joined the club on a four-year contract.
Dike’s arrival represents a coup for Baggies manager Valérien Ismaël, who was determined on reuniting with the 22-year-old following their time together at Barnsley last season.
Having only scored six goals in their previous 10 games, West Brom have lacked a clinical edge to their finishing in recent times, falling behind fellow promotion contenders in the process.
There are big hopes that Dike is the answer to their goalscoring woes, especially as he found the net on nine occasions in just 19 league appearances for the Tykes last term.
Once again, an absence of a natural striker was clear in the Baggies’ 1-1 draw against Cardiff City, a game which Dike attended and was presented to spectators.
However, not too many English football fans will have seen much of the former Orlando City man, with all but one of Barnsley’s matches played behind closed doors last season.
Therefore, to find out more about Dike and what he will bring to The Hawthorns, we spoke to Prost Amerika editor Daniel Gaichas.
Like many, Dike’s goalscoring record alone was enough to convince Dan that the Baggies have pulled off a smart transfer.
“Dike should be a good addition for West Brom. He is a player who can score goals and has done so already at this level. He only played 19 league matches for Barnsley, but netted nine goals in that time and helped them to the play-offs in the Championship.”
Dan’s description of the player will also fill the Albion faithful with confidence, even more so when their aforementioned struggles are considered.
“From what I have seen of him [Dike], he is a bonafide goal scorer in the making. He is a true number nine like Valérien Ismaël said. Defenders will find him a challenge to handle.”
Ismaël himself was lauded for guiding the unfancied Tykes to the play-off semi-finals and earned his move to The Hawthorns off the back of that.
Both Ismaël and Dike’s former side now sit at the wrong end of the Championship table, illustrating how significant their respective impacts were. Dan acknowledged that the latter’s goals should help the Baggies achieve their targets, as they did last season for Barnsley.
“Before he [Dike] came to Barnsley, when was the last time anyone was talking about the Tykes? If he can help Barnsley punch above their weight, he can surely help West Brom return to the Premier League.”
On returning to the States, Dike experienced a mixed 2021 campaign. Though, he did recover from injuries to enjoy a prolific end to the season which will encourage those of an Albion persuasion.
“Dike scored twice in his second match before international duty but then suffered a shoulder injury. Towards the end of the season he found his form and eventually took penalty duties from Nani at Orlando and helped them to the MLS play-offs. He finished the season with 10 goals in 18 league games.”
The beginning of 2022 marks the start of another World Cup year, albeit this year’s edition will be played in the United Kingdom’s winter months, something that has never been seen before.
After embarrassingly missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the USMNT booked their place in Qatar under manager Gregg Berhalter.
While Dike may harbour aspirations of adding to his eight current international appearances, Dan admitted he will also need to continue his impressive goalscoring form to beat other high-profile names to a place in the squad and make the cut for the World Cup.
“Right now, Dike is a little beind other forward options with Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi scoring for the USA in recent World Cup qualifiers. RB Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson and Lille’s Timothy Weah are also above him in the pecking order right now.
“His last cap was at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. There are others who are in-form at the present time for Berhalter’s squad. If he can capture the form he had at Barnsley with a bigger club like West Brom, then he may have a chance [of making the USA squad].”
When pushed for a player to liken Dike to, Dan opted to go with a name that long-time Premier League supporters will recognise very well.
“I’ll go old-school and say he’s like Brian McBride in the way he challenges defenders and has made such an impact in England, McBride did that at Fulham.”
If Dike can gain a similar status among Baggies fans to the one that McBride developed throughout his time at Craven Cottage, Ismaël will have completed an extremely astute acquisition.
However, he needs Dike to start firing them in, and quickly. Starting with a trip to Loftus Road to face Queens Park Rangers in just under two weeks time.
We thank Daniel Gaichas for his contribution to this piece and you can follow him on Twitter @StatManDan.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”2820″ heading=”West Bromwich Albion” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”18″ heading=”USA” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
West Bromwich Albion have announced the arrival of Orlando City striker Daryl Dike on a four-year deal, reuniting the forward with boss Valérien Ismaël following their time together at Barnsley.
Dike’s arrival for an undisclosed fee is a much-needed one for the Baggies with Ismaël’s side having struggled for goals in recent matches despite, more often than not, being the dominant force.
The USMNT forward netted nine goals in 19 league matches after arriving at Oakwell in January 2020, firing the Tykes to a play-off finish in the process.
Dike was reported to be creating interest from a number of Serie A sides meaning his signature is somewhat of a coup for the Baggies.
He arrives at The Hawthorns after scoring in each of his final five appearances for Orlando and bagged eight goals in his last 10 matches for the MLS side.
It previously appeared that an agreement would see Dike arrive at The Hawthorns on an initial loan with a permanent deal to be triggered upon promotion. However, the eventual transfer not only represents a vital boost to Ismaël’s promotion bid following Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County but also long-term security to their valuable asset.
A summer transfer outlay of £0 and an absence of communication from the club’s hierarchy had seen supporters openly criticise controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai’s running of the club.
Although, those fans will now be inclined to praise the work of Lai with The Athletic reporting that an initial fee of £7 million has been paid.
Ismaël hailed Lai and fellow senior figures following the announcement, signalling that their December training ground meeting was a productive one.
“There’s a lot of teamwork that has gone into this deal and I would personally like to thank Mr Lai, Ken (Xu Ke), Ron Gourlay and Ian Pearce for making it happen so quickly. They have all worked very hard on the transfer.
“I’m delighted we have completed the transfer of Dike, he was always our first target and priority.”
With the MLS campaign finishing four weeks ago, Ismaël also suggested he will put the 22-year-old through rigorous training across the next couple of weeks in order to raise fitness levels.
“For sure, he needs time and the schedule for him is to work hard in the next two weeks, so he is ready to play a part against QPR. That is our target and now, with my staff, we will work to have a very, very good build up – using every day – to ensure he is in top shape by that game.”
The West Midlands outfit currently sit four points off the automatic promotion places and the expectation is that Dike’s goals will be crucial in a potentially instant return to the Premier League.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”2820″ heading=”West Bromwich Albion” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609 ” heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
Former US international Landon Donovan is to join the Imps as a Strategic Advisor as part of a major restructuring involving minority owners of the baseball franchise San Diego Padres.
As a player. Donovan won six MLS Cups, two with San Jose Earthquakes before winning a further four with a Los Angeles Galaxy side that included the likes of David Beckham and Robbie Keane.
He made 157 appearances for his country scoring 57 goals, a record he now shares with Clint Dempsey. The creative midfielder had two brief loan spells with Everton in 2010 and 2012.
“We are not there to Americanise Lincoln City FC”
-Harvey Jabara
Donovan is currently the Vice-President of Soccer Operations/ Manager for USL Championship side San Diego Loyal, a club situated in one of the USA’s most fervent soccer markets yet to have a MLS side.
He moved from LA to front the attempt to bring MLS to San Diego and although that fell through, he liked the city enough to stay and become part of the new USL start up.
Donovan once told Prost Amerika in an interview that his boyhood ambition was not to be a player but an owner.
“I liked being able to impact all the different part of a team, an organisation and a club,” he told Prost Amerika in his San Diego office.”
He has been ‘living that dream’ for a couple of years now in his adopted home city, but that is within a system with minimal opportunities for promotion, as MLS is a closed league that you have to buy your way into, like most US sports.
PROST AMERIKA INTERVIEWS LANDON DONOVAN IN 2017
Lincoln City however are a club on the way up although they narrowly failed to win promotion this year, losing a play-off at Wembley to Blackpool by 2-1.
They finished fifth in the League One table on 77 points and then beat Sunderland in the play off semi final. Despite taking a dream lead within seconds at Wembley through an own goal, they succumbed to a resurgent Blackpool side.
In only their second consecutive year in League One, it was a very promising season nonetheless. They made the semi final of the EFL Trophy and the third round of the FA Cup where they fell to (then) English Champions Liverpool.
They even spent most of the season in the automatic promotion slots and were actually top after 28 games following a 2-1 win at Wigan, only to suffer a poor run of five wins from their last 18 matches.
Hull City and Peterborough were automatically promoted and third place Blackpool eventfully joined them.
Still it was a vast improvement on the Imps’ 16th place in the previous curtailed year, and City will start the 2021/22 season as highly fancied to push for promotion again. This is all the more remarkable given they were a non-league side from 2011-2017 and have won two promotions in recent times.
The move comes as part of a restructuring of the Lincolnshire club that will see a heavy US influence.
“I’ve taken a number of either initiatives or things that Lincoln City do and already started to implement here in San Diego”
– Landon Donovan
Phoenix, Arizona resident Harvey Jabara is the Managing Member of Olive Management LLC, a family office investment firm, and minority member of the consortium which owns the Major League Baseball team San Diego Padres.
He will be joined by his wife Missy and two sons Jaxon and Jensen in HJ-LCFC Holdings LLC.
Harvey explains that one of the reasons why they were putting investment into Lincoln City was that it is a club on the upswing as opposed to a club in distress or one that just goes along with the real estate.
“The very definition of our search parameters.
“We were not in search of a distressed club in need of rescue. We’re not here to Americanise Lincoln City’s way of pursuing business,” said Jabara noting that the search had taken six months and they had wanted an EFL club only.
“There was something unique in Lincoln City’s due diligence materials. We were hoping to find a club that was on the ascent.
“Some people come into these endeavors looking for a distressed club and try and find a turnaround project,” he added.
“We’ve looked at some that had those characteristics, but there is something about a success that was on the uprise that was more intriguing to us. Of course it is a financial investment and when you make a financial investment, you are always going to talk about return on investment.
“For us and our family, as much if not more of our return on investment comes from the thrill of being involved. The goal of moving up the pyramid and into the Championship. That to us is where you get the true return and the true satisfaction of the investment.
“Nobody wants to lose money, but we’re really not thinking of it from a financial return.
“This is all about achieving success on the field and hoping to continue to grow an organisation. So there’s no question that the attraction here was the trajectory and trying to help continue that trajectory.”
During a conference call with local media, he stressed the point several times that they were not looking for a real estate investment with a football club and noted that Landon Donovan and club chairman Clive Nates had the initial contact.
Lincoln fans came to Wembley but saw their team narrowly miss out on promotion
Photo: Steve Clare/Prost International
Donovan was characteristically modest about his involvement:
“They don’t need any help from someone like me. I have fallen in love with the club during this process. I just started following the club and I’ve watched 13 of the last 14 games.
“If they need help with anything I’m happy to try and help. I’m more of a fan and happy I was able to help in a small way get this (deal) over the line.”
It’s a bit of divine intervention when Clive (Nates) and I first spoke, he was waxing about how much he loved Everton and how he has the same love for Lincoln now.
I look forward to get over and meet everyone in person and see more of the city.
“I’m just looking forward to have the opportunity to go and be a fan and sit at the stadium and watch a match and get to know another part of the world and enjoy it,” said Donovan.
“So that is certainly refreshing.”
Lincoln have won promotion in three of the last five years. Donovan did not shirk the thorny question about whether he thought he could bring stories of its highs and lows of promotion and relegation over to a reductant USA.
“I realise all the nuance involved. I’ve always said as a fan, promotion and relegation is incredible and also heartbreaking.
“As people have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the making the sport grow in this country, it’s a bit of a daunting idea. So, I believe we will get there. I don’t know how long it will take, but I think from purely a fan’s perspective, it would make the sport grow pretty rapidly.”
Donovan does not believe his role with Lincoln City will adversely affect his current roles with San Diego Loyal.
“It’s not difficult [to balance]. [The Lincoln City role] is enjoyment for me,” said Donovan.
“I enjoy what I do at San Diego, but it’s a lot of work. I’m just learning a lot. I’ve taken a number of either initiatives or things that Lincoln City do and already started to implement here in San Diego and I’m just trying to use this as a learning experience.
“So, there’s not a lot that I ‘have to’ do and I just really value the opportunity to learn from people who are clearly doing it at a very high level.”
The Jabara family are to join the existing group of shareholders in Lincoln City Holdings which owns 75% of Lincoln City Football Club. Their investment is ‘high six figures’ and will total 9% of the club.
At this current stage, Harvey Jabara will not be joining the board of directors but retains a right to do so at a later date.
Donovan himself will work with the Board, current Chief Executive Liam Scully and Director of Football Jez George to grow the club’s branding and outreach in North America among other things.
Chairman Nates said in a club press release:
“We are delighted to welcome Harvey, Landon and the Jabara family to LincolnCity Football Club. We are continually on the lookout for like-minded people to join our current group of investors to assist with the ongoing development of the Club financially, and also importantly, contribute their knowledge and acumen”
“We have been talking to Harvey and Landon for some time now, but right from the initial meetings, it was clear to see we were aligned in our vision and values for the Club.
“Landon has for some time been assisting his close family friend Harvey on finding the right club to partner. It is great for all that we can also benefit from Landon and his vast experience.
“I am sure all Imps fans will join me in welcoming Harvey, Missy, Jaxon, Jensen, and Landon to Lincoln City Football Club.”
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns] [column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=””timeline”” /][/column] [column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”3055″ heading=”League One” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column] [/columns]
]]>Ryan Giggs will not manage Wales this international break and has passed on his duties to former Welsh captain Robert Page and his backroom staff.
Page is currently Giggs’ assistant but has experience when it comes to management with spells at Port Vale, Northampton and Wales’ U21 side. Having managed Wales’ youth system in previous years, Page will have had a hand in some of the current first-team players’ development such as Tyler Roberts, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts.
With some uncapped players at his disposal, Page will be looking forward to seeing some of Wales’ new-found talents with Josh Sheehan getting called up for the first time.
Sheehan’s Newport County teammate Tom King has previously been called up to the Welsh squad but remains uncapped. Another player familiar to the squad is Brennan Johnson who will be very disappointed if he doesn’t win his first cap this week after some great performances for League One’s Lincoln City, who have had a storming start to the season.
Unfortunately, for Wales, Aaron Ramsey’s unavailable for the national team after picking up a knock in Juventus’ Champions League match last week. This means that the midfielder will have only played three of Wales’ last eighteen matches.
Wales have not found the creative spark they seek when Ramsey isn’t on the field but the match against the USA will be a great opportunity to see what Brennan Johnson can bring to the squad. Dylan Levitt is another creative midfielder with bags of potential but not playing consistently for Charlton could hinder his development.
The only player that has shown real creativity in Ramsey’s absence is Jonathan Williams. The attacking midfielder came off the bench against Bulgaria back in October to score his first-ever goal for Wales.
Similar to Ramsey, Williams also has injury problems of his own on a regular basis but has had a clean bill of health for quite a while which has seen him get regular first-team action for Charlton. Welsh fans love Williams and want to see him play as much as possible because he gives 110% everytime he puts on a Welsh jersey.
Wales will be looking to end this international break as winners of their Nations League group and gain promotion to League A with Europe’s elite footballing countries. In their way are the Republic of Ireland, who are always a challenge and Finland, a team that have won every game since their loss to Wales in the opening matchday of this year’s Nations League tournament.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”15″ heading=”Internationals” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
This will be Gregg Berhalter’s side’s first game since February when they beat Costa Rica 1-0 in Carson, California at the LA Galaxy Stadium.
USA 1 : 0 Costa Rica – Gallery
Wales have been in action much more recently with two clean sheets kept away from home. They drew 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and beat Bulgaria 1-0 in Sofia.
The match will take place on November 12th.
Stalemate, but embers of hope for Ireland as Wales visit Dublin
Depleted Wales leave it late to return top
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES PRESS RELEASE
Ryan Giggs’ squad will take on the Americans on Thursday 12 November, ahead of their final two UEFA Nations League Group B4 fixtures against Republic of Ireland on Sunday 15 November and Finland on Wednesday 18 November at Cardiff City Stadium.
This will be only the second meeting between the nations and the first on Welsh soil. The previous encounter took place in 2003 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose under Mark Hughes’ tenure, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
In June, the FIFA Council approved for this year’s October and November international windows to be extended to allow all UEFA nations to play three games to cover for the postponement of fixtures in March owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wales’ remaining 2020 fixtures are as follows:
Wales v USA – Thursday 12 November (19:45 KO)
Wales v Republic of Ireland – Sunday 15 November (17:00 KO)
Wales v Finland – Wednesday 18 November (19:45 KO)
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns][column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”317″ heading=”Wales” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”18″ heading=”USA” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column] [/columns]