Jhonder Cádiz photo courtesy Federación Venezolano de Fútbol
It’s international break time, which means Boys in Not Gold is loaded with guys seeing the pitch for their countries. Check out the latest updates (and learn how to watch their upcoming games) here!
UPDATE 4:50p.m.: Walker Zimmerman is a late cal for the US friendly against Costa Rica. I’ve added him here.
Forward Jhonder Cádiz
On international duty with Venezuela through the CONMEBOL qualifying window
Venezuela got smacked 3-1 by formerly-last-place Bolivia in the first game of the World Cup Qualifying window. Cádiz entered as a 79th-minute substitute, but Bolivia extended its lead from 2-1 to the final score just four minutes later. He did not get a shot off in his 12 minutes.
With the loss, Venezuela faces a must-win in today’s game against Uruguay, or the dream of participating in World Cup 2022 in Qatar (a trip to Qatar is exactly what every kid grows up dreaming about) begins to fade fast.
La Vinotinto‘s Copa América squad has not been announced yet, but if he’s selected to remain with his national team (and, uh, geopolitical and viral situations allow the tournament to go forward), that competition begins Sunday against replacement host Brazil.
Up next: Venezuela v. Uruguay in Caracas, Venezuela • 5:30 p.m. CDT TODAY (FuboTV)
Midfielder Aníbal Godoy
On international duty with Panama through the Concacaf qualifying window
Godoy did not make the squad as Panama did the expected anyway: blasting Anguilla off the pitch in a 13-0 breeze gave Los Canaleros pole position in Group D. A win or draw against the Dominican Republic this afternoon sees Panama take the crown and move on to a two-legged series against the Curaçao-Guatemala winner – they play tonight as well, while tied on points and goal differential in Group C – Saturday and next Tuesday.
Up next: Panama v. Dominican Republic in Panama City • 7:00 p.m. CDT TODAY (Paramount+)
Defender Alistair Johnston
On international duty with Canada through the Concacaf qualifying window
Johnston did not make the pitch off the bench as Canada struggled to defeat Aruba in a 7-0 nail-biter. With the scale of the win, Canada has retaken top spot in Group B, and a win or draw against Suriname this evening would see the Canucks through to a Saturday-Tuesday set against the Haiti-Nicaragua winner (in a tie, Haiti holds the GD tiebreaker).
Up next: Canada v. Suriname in Bridgeview, Ill. • 8:05 p.m. CDT Tuesday, June 8 (Paramount+)
Winger Randall Leal
On international duty with Costa Rica for the Nations League final round and a friendly against the US
Leal started both games as Costa Rica lost twice on penalties in the Nations League final round. He was at left wing in a 4-4-2, failing to get a single shot, and completing just 10/14 passes in the semifinal round against Mexico. He was subbed out in the 85th minute of the scoreless stalemate, which the Ticos would go on to lose 5-4.
In the third-place match against Honduras, he was utilized in the same position, but he at least got off one shot (a trademark Leal long bomb), which did not find the target. He completed 11/13 passes, and committed one foul. He was subbed out in the 58th this time, and once again Honduras lost in penalties, though they did manage a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Costa Rica closes the international window with a friendly against the United States tomorrow evening. Even with a bit of a generational turnover in talent (Leal is emblematic of the incoming new guard), you have to think anything other than looking extremely competitive – and possibly earning a win – could spell the end for manager Rónald González, whose awful teams I’ve had the displeasure of watching with some regularity since Nashville SC signed Leal.
Up next: Costa Rica @ United States in Salt Lake City, Utah • 6:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday (ESPN2/TUDN)
Defender Walker Zimmerman
Called up to the US v. Costa Rica friendly only
After Matt Miazga was excused from the United States camp to prepare for his wedding next week, Zimmerman received the replacement call for the Red, White, and Blue. After John Brooks, Mark McKenzie, and Tim Ream played the better part of 120 minutes Sunday evening (Brooks and McKenzie the whole thing, Ream 82 minutes), there’s a decent chance Zimmerman has the opportunity to contribute.
Up next: Costa Rica @ United States in Salt Lake City, Utah • 6:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday (ESPN2/TUDN)
Goalkeeper Defender Nick Hinds and goalkeeper Elliot Panicco
On season-long loans to Austin Bold FC in USL Championship. Nashville has right of recall if necessary.
Austin fell to El Paso Locomotive 1-0 Thursday evening. Both Boys in Not Gold started, with Panicco going the distance and Hinds subbed out in the 66th after a 57th-minute yellow card.
Panicco did not make a save – El Paso’s only attempt on-target was the goal, though he’s hardly to blame when a free runner is given great service directly at the back post. No help from his backline there. Seven of his 16 passes were longballs, and he completed 12 total balls. Despite the yellow card, Hinds had a fairly solid game: he was fouled three times (while the bookable offense was his only foul committed), he racked up three interceptions, won 3/6 duels, and completed 21/23 passes – plus two unsuccessful crosses – playing as a left back in a 4-3-3 formation.
It was a two-game week for Bold, which headed east to play Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sunday evening. Both players once again started, and this time they both played until the full-time whistle.
Panicco was once again tested just a single time, and this time he made the save. He did not play out of the back this time, with each of his 33 passes a long ball(!!! for consistency), completing 16 of them. Hinds completed just 7/16 passes, and it’s not like he was being asked to hoof upfield: 10 of them were short balls. He won 2/5 duels (0/1 aerial), committed two fouls while suffering one, and made a tackle, a clearance, and two interceptions.
Up next: Austin Bold FC @ New Mexico United • Saturday, 8:30 p.m. CDT (ESPN+)
Defender Jack Maher
Maher was loaned to San Diego Loyal for the season, though NSC has right to recall if necessary.
Maher started and went the distance in a 2-2 draw at Phoenix Rising.
Playing as a right CB in a 4-4-2 formation, he completed 37/42 passes, 32 of them short balls. He won 1/4 duels (1/3 aerial – weight-room time!), and made five clearances and an interception. He also committed one foul. Maher was not involved in either Phoenix goal, both of which came in second-half stoppage time (and the equalizer included a comically obvious foul committed by a Rising player to free up the shooter – so next time you get annoyed about the officiating in MLS, keep in mind it was a lot worse for NSC just a couple years ago).
Up next: San Diego Loyal @ Orange County SC • Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. CDT (ESPN+)
San Diego Loyal v. LA Galaxy II • Saturday, 9:30 p.m. CDT (ESPN+)
Winger David Accam
On year-long loan to Hammarby IF in Sweden
Hammarby will pause as the Allsvenskan is on an international break. Hammarby next plays July 4.
Defender Miguel Nazarit
On season-long loan to Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia
Santa Fe did not make the Apertura playoffs, the club is on break until the Clausura begins after international play in the Summer.
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