#TBT Gold Cup in KC

With the Gold Cup returning to Kansas City this coming Monday when Haiti plays Honduras and the US plays Panama I thought this week's Throw Back Thursday I'd go back to the 2011 Gold Cup which was also in KC. The games came a week after the opener at Sporting Park when KC drew with the Chicago Fire. The opener on that day in 2011 saw Canada face Panama. Panama was in control of the group needing just a draw to clinch the top spot after they'd handed the United States their first group stage loss in the tournament's history 2-1 in Tampa. Canada at the time was fighting for a chance to get into the knock out phase needing a win or a draw and some help to qualify. Canada came out and was really the more dominate team throughout the game, but couldn't finish their chances. It wasn't until after the hour mark when Dwayne DeRosario was fouled in the box that Canada finally put the ball in the net. The first goal in the stadium's history went to the Canadian DeRosario. Canada attempted to hold on for the win as the stadium filled with US fans hoping for a win that would leave the door open for them to win the group. It looked like they would hold on for the win as the game entered stoppage time, but Luis Tejada tied the game as Milan Borjan couldn't hold onto the shot as it trickled into the net leading to a 1-1 draw and Panama winning the group.



In the night cap, the US national team faced off against Guadeloupe. Like the first game, one team completely dominated play. This time it was the United States controlling the game for the most part and creating a number of chances. Unlike Canada, the US capitalized on their early chances as Jozy Altidore scored in the 9th minute to make it 1-0 to the US. Unfortunately from there the finishing just didn't for the US. Clint Dempsey especially had a number of chances that he just couldn't put away. The US would hold on for the 1-0 win and advance as the second place team to play Jamaica, who they defeated before getting revenge on Panama before losing in the Gold Cup final to Mexico.

Auvray, Guadeloupe Bow Out

Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe bowed out of the Gold Cup tonight at LiveSTRONG Sporting Park, losing to the United States 1-0. While the US dominated the game, they were only able to find a single goal through Jozy Altidore. Much of the rest of the game saw Clint Dempsey miss numerous chances to extend the USA's lead. In the loss, Auvray went 90 minutes for the Gwada Boys. Depending on how things go, he could possibly be available now for KC when they take on San Jose on Friday. The US move on to take on Jamaica at RFK Stadium this weekend. Panama topped the group after a late equalizer by Luis Tejada gave Panama a 1-1 draw with Canada, and will take on El Salvador at RFK as well. New York Red Bulls midfielder, Dwayne De Rosario's name goes down in history as the first player to score a real goal at LSP.

Auvray Guadeloupe Fall to Canada

A second minute red card to midfielder Jean Luc Lambourde, put Guadeloupe behind the eight ball from the start against Canada in Gold Cup action today, but it took a 50th minute penalty by Dwayne De Rosario for Canada to capitalize on it and take all 3 points in their group play match. Auvray went the full game for Guadeloupe as captain, but Gaudeloupe find themselves on the verge of elimination heading into their final group game in Kansas City against the United States.

Speaking of the United States and the other group game, the US were stunned by Panama 2-1 after a flat first half from the United States (a pattern under Bob Bradley it seems). The result sets up an interesting final day in Kansas City at LiveSTRONG Sporting Park. With the US having the second game, they will know what result they need before they kick off. Even with the loss, the US can still win the group. To do so though, they'll need Canada to beat Panama in the first game. Should that happen, a win over Guadeloupe would possibly win the group for the US. If Canada and the US win it puts those two and Panama on 6 points. The first tie breaker is the most points in head to head match ups of the 3 teams, which each team would have 3. The second tie breaker is goal difference between the tied teams. The US is at +1 against those two teams. Currently Canada is -2 while Panama is +1. So any win by Canada by 1 or 2 goals will win the group for the US as long as they beat Guadeloupe. If Canada wins by 3 goals, I believe it would revert back to the first tie breaker to break the tie between the US and Canada, which the US wins. Either way, Tuesday should be a fun night.

Auvray and Guadeloupe Fall to Panama

Falling behind two goals and then seeing his side go down a man on a 37th minute red card wasn't the way that Sephane Auvray and Guadeloupe wanted to start their 2011 Gold Cup campaign. Panama jumped to an early lead from goals by Blas Perez and Luis Tejada, then saw Mickael Tacalfred sent off in the 37th minute. Things got worse for Guadeloupe in the second half as Panaman's Gabriel Gomez converted a penalty in the 56th. Guadeloupe staged a second half comeback though from a pair of goals by substitute Brice Jovial, but they were unable to find an equalizer.

The result, combined with the USA's win over Canada puts Guadeloupe in 3rd place in the group on goal difference (-1 to -2) over Canada. Guadeloupe's next match is on Saturday when they'll take on Canada in Tampa.

Auvray Will Not Miss Chicago Game

Stephane Auvray was set to miss Sporting KC's game this coming weekend in Chicago for the Guadeloupe national team. That now no longer happen, and it comes as very good news after Craig Rocastle limped off in the team's first game of the season against Chivas USA. The Guadeloupe national team's game against Racing Club de Lens has been called off. Depending on the severity of Rocastle's injury this could have been a very big blow to KC if Auvray had been out for the game in Chicago as well.

Kamara and Auvray Called Up

Already without Shavar Thomas for the second game of the season against Chicago, the team announced today that two more players would not be in Chicago for the game, instead joining their national teams for games that weekend. Kei Kamara will be playing in the most important match that weekend, as he's been recalled to the Sierra Leone national team for their qualifier on the 25th when they travel to play Niger. Kamara had been left off the team for their last qualifier, a 0-0 draw with South Africa after comments he made about the Sierra Leone FA. Under a new coach though, Kamara has been recalled and will look to help the Leone Stars get into a position where they can potentially qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

The other call up is for Stephane Auvray. Auvray will miss the game as he and the Guadeloupe national team will play a friendly against Racing Club de Lens. Since Guadeloupe is not a member of FIFA, most of their games are against club teams in France. They are a member of CONCACAF, which allows them to compete in the Gold Cup this summer. This will be used as a bit of a warm up for them as they head towards this summer.

The loss of those two are likely to hurt a little more than the loss of Thomas, but all three could potentially be felt in the second game of the season. While Teal Bunbury has been cleared to play, whether he'll start could be a question and KC's depth could be tested even more. Kamara's call up seems set to hurt the most. With the seemingly impending signing of Milos Stojcev, he can help plug the gap in the midfield. And for Thomas it's no guarantee that he'll be starting this weekend out in LA anyways. Congrats to these 3 though on their call ups to represent their national teams.

KC Gets the US for the Gold Cup

In a move that I think many people were expecting, but still pleasantly surprised by, the Gold Cup pairings were made today for this summer. The United States will be returning to KC for the first time in 10 years, and only the third time ever as part off Group C. KC will host the final game of the group stage at Livestrong Sporting Park (more on that later) when the US will take on Guadeloupe and Sporting KC midfielder Stephane Auvray on June 14th. The game will be the second game of a double header that will see Canada play Panama in the opener at 6pm. The US will open against Panama down in Tampa, Florida and then travel to Detroit for an interesting match up against Canada before arriving in KC. The match will see at least one Sporting KC player on the field in the form of Auvray, but Teal Bunbury could potentially find himself on the field as well for the game.

Mexico is in group A, which is likely the toughest group playing El Salvador, Cuba, and Costa Rica in Dallas, Charlotte, and Chicago respectively. Group B sees Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Grenada. A group that could potentially see 3 SKC Wizards in the group if Roger Espinoza, Shavar Thomas, and Craig Rocastle all get called up.

Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase four extra tickets for this game. It should be a great time, especially in the members stand where the American Outlaws and Sam's Army will be for the game. Already it seems that AO chapters from throughout the Midwest are making plans to head to KC to make a fantastic atmosphere in KC.

Thomas and Jamaica Lift Digicel Cup

It took penalty kicks, but Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican team defeated Stephane Auvray and his Guadeloupe team 1-1 (5-4) in the Digicel Cup final. Colorado Rapids forward, Omar Cummings gave Jamaica the lead in the first half, but shortly after Guadeloupe equalized through Ludovic Gotin. Jamaica had the better of play through most of the rest of the game, but some good defending and goalkeeping, along with the some poor decisions by Jamaica kept the score level. Guadeloupe also had some good chances going forward, but couldn't find the net either. In extra time, Jamaica continued to be the more impressive team but didn't create many chances, the best came in the first overtime period where a Rodolph Austin volley had to be parried wide by Guadeloupe's goalkeeper. In the PK shoot out you saw a virtual clinch on how to take PKs on the first 9 kicks, as all were well taken with the keepers never getting a hand on any of them. On the final PK of the first set of 5 though, Jean Luc Lamboude placed his kick wide of the post giving the title to the Reggae Boyz. Thomas lifted the trophy after being subbed out late in the second period of extra time in a tactical move for penalty kicks while Auvray went the entire 120 minutes for Guadeloupe.

Earlier in the day, Craig Rocastle and Grenada played Cuba in the 3rd place game. The game turned out to be quite a bit better than the team's previous encounter when the two played to a drab 0-0 draw that saw both team's qualify for the semifinals. A 12th minute goal from Roberto Balmaseda was all Cuba needed in the game. Rocastle started again for Grenada and went the full 90 for the Spice Boys.

Jamaica and Guadeloupe to Meet in Digicel Cup Finals

Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe will get a chance to get back at Jamaica for their loss in group play on Sunday in the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals after both teams won their semifinals tonight. In the early game of the day, Auvray actually was not in the lineup for Guadeloupe as they took on Cuba. Cuba grabbed the lead in the first half through Reysandri Cervantez. In the second half, Guadeloupe started to push the game more, equalizing in the 55th minute through Gregory Gendrey. In the 78th minute, Guadeloupe grabbed the winner through Jean Luc Lamboude on a free kick from about 35 yards out. Guadeloupe held on for the 2-1 win.

It took a little extra work for Shavar Thomas and Jamaica to get past Craig Rocastle and Grenada though as the team's were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes. A goal in the first period of extra time led to Jamaica pulling out the 2-1 win. Thomas captained the Jamaican squad who grabbed the lead in the 7th through Dane Richards off an assist from Ryan Johnson as Jamaica's MLS contingent continues to play well in the cup. In the 13th though, Grenada found the equalizer through Kitson Bain. Both sides pushed throughout the rest of the game with Jamaica being the more dominate side. After 90 minutes with the sides still level and went to extra time. Early in extra time Rodolph Austin found Troy Simmons with a cross, Simmons collected and then finished. Grenada pushed for the equalizer and were boosted by a Jamaican red card, but Jamaica advanced to the finals. Both Thomas and Rocastle went the full 120 minutes for their sides. Jamaica and Guadeloupe now meet in the final while Grenada will meet Cuba in the third place game earlier in the day.

Auvray and Guadeloupe Advance to Gold Cup

Next summer just got even more interesting for Sporting KC, as now it would appear that at least 3 players will be representing their national team this summer at the Gold Cup. Shavar Thomas (Jamaica) and Craig Rocastle (Grenada) have already qualified for the 2011 Gold Cup and tonight with their win over Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica's win over Guyana, Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe have also qualified for the Gold Cup. If that's not enough, Roger Espinoza and Honduras could possibly be in the tournament as well provided they finish in the top 5 in this January's UNCAF Nation's Cup. Add in the potential of Teal Bunbury playing for the US or a bit of a surprise call up for Omar Bravo, and KC could possibly be without half their starters for league play while the Gold Cup is going on. It certainly doesn't sound like a good way to open the new stadium with so many starters potentially missing time.

Guadeloupe needed the win tonight and pulled out a narrow 1-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda on a first half goal from Jean Luc Lamboude. They were able to hang on for the win as Auvray went the full 90 as captain for . They were then forced to sit and wait on the second result. Jamaica though took care of business early, scoring in the second minute and not turning back as they won 4-0. Shavar Thomas didn't play for the Reggae Boyz tonight as they rested a few players in the game.

The semifinals on Friday will see Auvray and Guadeloupe first take on Cuba and in the second game, Thomas and Jamaica will take on Rocastle and Grenada.

Thomas and Jamaica Top Auvray and Guadeloupe

Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican national team got the best of Stephane Auvray and the Gaudeloupe national team tonight in the second group game of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. With the win, Jamaica qualified for the semifinals and got their ticket to this summer's Gold Cup as well. Throughout the first half, Jamaica was the better side and could have been up at least one if not for some poor finishing by the Jamaican forwards. Guadeloupe came alive late in the half and had some half chances.

In the second half, Guadeloupe started as the more dominate side and had some good chances to grab the lead. The best two chances fell to their captain, and SKC midfielder, Stephane Auvray. The first after a ball was knocked away from Guadeloupe's forward, Auvray blasted a shot that was well saved by Jamaica's keeper. Shortly after a cross came into the box where Auvray laid out for a diving header at the six yard box. Auvray though couldn't direct the header on goal though and it went wide.

That miss proved costly as about 30 seconds later, Dane Richards played a cross in to the back post where Shaun Francis met it with his head and put it away to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead. Throughout the rest of the second half, both teams had chances, Jamaica missed some very good chances to double their lead but again poor finishing hurt their chances. Guadeloupe also had some chances but couldn't find a leveler. In second half stoppage time they had a free kick 30 yards out. The free kick was blasted into the wall and Jamaica was on the break. Guadeloupe looked to have the play covered a few times in their box, but poor defending led to the ball falling to Ryan Johnson who buried his shot past Guadeloupe's stranded goalkeeper and into the net for the 2-0 win.

Both Thomas and Auvray went 90 minutes for their team. Guadeloupe now needs to win their final game against Antigua and Barbuda and need Jamaica to beat Guyana to qualify for the semifinals and the Gold Cup. Tomorrow Craig Rocastle and Grenada need a draw against Cuba to qualify for the semifinals.

More International Work for SKC Wizards

Today there was more international work for SKC Wizards (this is likely going to be my compromise between Sporting KC and the KC Wizards) players today around the world. First, down in Martinique, Stephane Auvray and Shavar Thomas both captained their national teams as they kicked off their Digicel Caribbean Cup campaigns in Group I. Auvray and Guadeloupe opened the day against Guyana. Based on reports, Guadeloupe dominated the game, but in the end poor finishing doomed the French territory to a draw after they squandered chances. Loic Loval scored for Guadeloupe in the 70th minute, but they gave up the equalizer 4 minutes from time and Auvray and Guadeloupe now sit in second place in the group.

They currently sit behind Thomas and Jamaica, as the Reggae Boyz took out Antigua and Barbuda today 3-1. The Jamaicans jumped out to a 3-0 half time lead through Luton Shelton's brace and a goal from Dane Richards. An early goal in the second half by Antigua was not enough as the Jamaicans are looking defender their crown. Thomas and Jamaica will meet Auvray and Guadeloupe on Monday in the second group play game.

Finally, India continues to prepare for this January's Asian Cup as they played Hatta Club, another UAE club side. India finally broke out of a long slump and picked up a 3-1 win over the club side. Wizards forward, Sunil Chhetri, though did not feature again for the Indian team as they finally picked up a win after some embarrassing loses.

Three SKC Players in this Weekend's Digicel Cup

Three Sporting Kansas City players will be playing this coming weekend for their respective national teams in the Digicel Caribbean Cup as they attempt to qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. Two of the three are not surprising, as Stephane Auvray and Shavar Thomas were called up for Guadeloupe and Jamaica respectively. Guadeloupe and Jamaica are in the same group and open up on Saturday. Guadeloupe will play Guyana while Jamaica plays Antigua and Barbuda. The other call up is a bit of a surprise but was hinted at in interviews and in the podcast, and that's Craig Rocastle. Rocastle has accepted a call up to the Grenada national team who is also in the final group stage of the tournament. Rocastle had the ability to join a few different national teams, but chose to represent the Spice Boys. Grenada is in the opposite group and will open against hosts Martinique on Firday. They then play Trinidad on Sunday before finishing the group stage against Cuba a week from tomorrow.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. Guadeloupe and Jamaica are the favorites in their group to make the tournament. Grenada's group is a bit tougher, but they could certainly make it through to the Gold Cup.

Auvray Sits as Guadeloupe Wins Group

With Guadeloupe already through to the next phase of the Digicel Caribbean Cup, their game today against Grenada was little more than a friendly. With that in mind, Wizards midfielder, Stephane Auvray did not play as Guadeloupe defeated the group's host 3-0 today. Guadeloupe grabbed the lead in the 15th minute and held the lead through half time. They then grabbed goals in the 69th and 79th minute to clinch the top spot in the group. The two teams both head to Martinique for the final group phase on November 26th.

Auvray, Guadeloupe Advance in Digicel Cup

Stephane Auvray and the Guadeloupe national team secured passage to the final phase of the Digicel Caribbean Cup today as they defeated Puerto Rico 3-2 today. The win assured Guadeloupe of a top 2 finish in their group. Guadeloupe started off quickly, scoring in the first minute after working the kick off down the wing. They doubled the lead in the 10th minute. Unfortunately for Guadeloupe, they again found themselves down a man as the scorer of the second goal, Ludovic Gotin was sent off for kicking out at a player. Guadeloupe though continued to control the game, and in the second half scored their third via the counter. Auvray led the counter, a 3 on 1 break, and finished the chance for his second international goal for Auvray and the third of the game. After that Puerto Rico worked their way back into the game, scoring 2 goals, but it was not enough as Guadleoupe is now set to advance to the final group stage of the tournament.

Auvray Goes 90 for Guadeloupe

Wizards midfielder, Stephane Auvray will not be playing tomorrow for the Wizards. He's currently in Grenada with the Guadeloupe national team at the Digicel Caribbean Cup attempting to qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. Today was their first game as they took on St. Kitts and Nevis. Auvray went the full 90 minutes, as captain for Les Gwada Boys. He assisted on Guadeloupe's first goal playing a ball across the box that was finished by Gregory Gendrey. Guadeloupe went down a man shortly after, but were able to hold out until the 83rd minute when they allowed the equalizer from the penalty spot. Shortly after the goal, the two teams were level 10 v 10 as St. Kitts' goalkeeper was sent off for handling the ball outside the box. Jean Luc Lambourde put the direct free kick past St. Kitts' stand in goalkeeper as they'd already used all 3 subs and Guadeloupe held on for the win and the 3 points.

Auvray Out for Season Finale

Wizards midfielder, Stephane Auvray will miss the Wizards final game of the season this Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes. Auvray will be leaving to join the Guadeloupe national team as they begin their quest to qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. To do so they have to be one of the top 4 teams in this years Digicel Caribbean Cup. The second stage of group qualifying occurs this weekend for Guadeloupe in Grenada. Guadeloupe is in Group E and will begin group play on Friday when they take on St. Kitts and Nevis. Sunday they will take on Puerto Rico and they will close out group play on Tuesday against hosts, Grenada. The top two teams from their group will qualify for the 8 team Digicel Caribbean Cup which takes place in November and December in Martinique. Guadeloupe, which is not a member of FIFA due to being an overseas region of France, is a member of CONCACAF and is looking to qualify for it's 3rd straight Gold Cup.