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!
Forward Jhonder Cádiz
On international duty with Venezuela through Copa América
Venezuela played a scoreless draw against Uruguay in the second match of the CONMEBOL qualifying window. Cádiz entered as a 79th-minute sub for La Vinotinto, replacing fellow MLS striker Josef Martínez. He couldn’t beat the keeper with either of his two shots (one on target) and drew one foul. With the draw, Venezuela sits in ninth in CONMEBOL. The top four teams qualify, and the fifth-place team has to play an inter-continental playoff for its shot at Qatar, so there’s tons of work to do a third of the way through the cycle.
There was no rest for Le Sele as the team immediately turned around to participate in Copa América, with Cádiz a slightly-surprising inclusion in the squad. However, a covid-ravaged Venezuela team played with a short bench in a 3-0 loss to Brazil, and Cádiz was not in the squad (you can draw your own conclusions there – though he reportedly tested negative before the game, but not soon enough to get the second test to confirm the initial positive was a false-positive test).
Up next: Venezuela v. Colombia in Copa America Group A • Goiânia, Brazil • 4:00 p.m. CDT Thursday (FS1)
Midfielder Aníbal Godoy
On international duty with Panama through the Concacaf qualifying window
Godoy was in the starting lineup and scored a straight banger (the eventual game-winner) in Panama’s 3-0 win over Dominican Republic in the final matchdate of Concacaf round one qualifying:
He would go on to tack on an assist, as well.
With that match win, Panama qualified for the second round of the competition, earning a two-legged match against Curaçao Saturday and Tuesday. He went the distance in both the 3-0 victory in Panama City and the 2-1 win in Curaçao, though he did not contribute statistically.
Those wins put Panama into the third round of qualifying (the round in which the United States will enter) in September.
Up next: Panama v. Qatar in Concacaf Gold Cup • July 13 in Houston
Defender Alistair Johnston
On international duty with Canada through the Concacaf qualifying window
Johnston played three different positions in three games for Canada over the past week.
In the first-round qualifying win against Suriname, he played right back in a 4-3-3 formation, and went the distance as the Canucks cruised 4-0 thanks to a Jonathan David hat trick.
Canada played a 3-4-3 and then a 3-5-2 against Haiti, winning the first (in Port-au-Prince) 1-0 with Johnston at right wingback, and the second (in Chicagoland) 3-0 with Johnston playing right wingback. He did not contribute to scoring in either match.
Up next: Canada v. Martinique in Concacaf Gold Cup • July 11 in Kansas City
Winger Randall Leal
On international duty with Costa Rica for the Nations League final round and a friendly against the US
Leal entered as a halftime sub – with his team trailing 2-0 – as Costa Rica finished a rough international break with a 4-0 loss to the United States. The Ticos were very much going through the motions and waiting for their coach, Ronald González to get fired (it took only a few hours after the game to happen).
Up next: Costa Rica v. [country yet to qualify] in Concacaf Gold Cup • July 12 in Orlando
Defender Walker Zimmerman
Called up to the US v. Costa Rica friendly only
As with his NSC teammate, Zimmerman entered as a halftime sub in the 4-0 United States victory over Costa Rica. He probably had a much more fun time in the process.
Up next: United States v. [country yet to qualify] in Concacaf Gold Cup • July 11 in Kansas City
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 drew New Mexico United 0-0 in Albuquerque. Both Nashville loanees started and went the distance.
Panicco did not face a shot (despite NMU boasting over 75%(!) of possession(!!)), and completed eight of 31 passes, all but one of them longballs.
Hinds completed 10/17 passes, five short attempts and 12 long ones playing as a LWB in a 5-3-2 and almost never crossing midfield in the attack (in case you were wondering about Austin’s gameplan on the road…). He won 3/10 duels, and made three tackles, two clearances, and two interceptions. He also committed one foul and was fouled once.
Up next: Austin Bold @ RGV Toros • Tonight, 7 p.m. CDT (ESPN+)
Austin Bold @ Birmingham Legion • Saturday, 6:30 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 1-1 draw at Orange County SC. He completed 88(!!) of 102(!!) passes playing right centerback in a 4-4-2. Only 19 of those attempts were long passes. He won 4/5 duels (2/3 aerial), and made four clearances and two interceptions. He took one shot off-target, and was fouled twice.
It was a two-match week for Loyal, which also defeated Los Angeles Galaxy II 2-1 back in San Diego. Maher once again went the distance as the RCB in a 4-4-2 and got an insane number of touches: he completed 72/80 passes, 17 of the attempts long. He won 1/4 duels (0/3 aerial), and made a tackle, an interception, and three clearances.
Up next: San Diego Loyal v. Phoenix Rising • Saturday, 9:30 p.m. CDT (ESPN+)
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