I like to frame CONCACAF into identifying who are 1) the GIANTS, 2) the KINGS, and 3) the current TOP DOGs. The "Giants" title goes to the CONCACAF country with the greatest overall performance in global football since the World Cup began a century ago. THAT title goes to Mexico with the USA closing in. Costa Rica would be 3rd and Canada 4th. The "Kings" title goes to who has been dominant over the past handful of World Cup cycles. THAT title goes to the USA with Mexico not too far behind and Canada a distant 3rd and Panama in 4th. The "Top Dogs" title goes to who's on top in the current World Cup cycle, and that is still the USA - however Canada is on the ascendancy and could become Top Dogs after the next NL and Gold Cup are completed. I expect Canada to challenge for the Top Dog title, but the USA and Mexico both have a good jump start by winning the 2023 NL and Gold Cup respectively. Let's see how the next year unfolds. I suspect heading into the 2026 World Cup, it will be as Herc suggests: USA - CANADA - MEXICO but with not a lot of light between them. Hopefully that bodes well for CONCACAF in the 2026 World Cup. BTW, Canada is above the USA in the ELO rankings, but surprisingly, Mexico is a little ahead of Canada. Frankly it all depends on the time frame of the analysis... If a 4th title was to be added on who is in the best form TODAY, clearly its Canada.
I think those are great definitions. I wish other people would go by them, but everyone has their own definition of Kings of CONCACAF, and that hurts the discourse. I know Herc's been bullish on Canada for the past three years or so, but it's nice to see some of these other guys come around now too.
@@Statsy10 Great that you agree. In my spare time I have conducted an very elaborate statistical analysis of CONCACAF using those definitions. I will throw it up on a website for people to view and comment, but unfortunately hard to link to it as UA-cam usually deletes posts with links. As far as US pundits go, Herc is the most objective.
The United States and Mexico are still the top two. Since 1990, we’ve had 9 world cups. Mexico have qualified for all 9, the United States have qualified for 8, Costa Rica have appeared in 6, any other team who’s represented Concacaf since is just the one appearance. In that same period, the Gold Cup has been held 17 times with the United States and Mexico combined for 16 of 17 titles while the United States have also won three straight Nations League titles. My thing is, Costa Rica regularly represent at the World Cup but don’t perform in Concacaf competitions like Gold Cup or Nations League. While we have Jamaica and Panama regularly making deep runs in Concacaf competitions but Jamaica only appeared in the World Cup once, Panama have also appeared in the World Cup once. Canada is clearly closing that gap but I think until they win the Gold Cup and/or Nations League regularly, we can then talk about them in that conversation of “Big Three of Concacaf.” Canada put themselves on the map in the 2021 Gold Cup and then having the best record in World Cup qualification. I think they’ve continued to grow post World Cup and I think are the best equipped team heading into the 2025 Gold Cup and Nations League. But they still have to be a trophy winning/contending team regularly as well as challenge the United States and Mexico. As an American, I’m really rooting for Canada to get building.
@@m.delgado1846yes but unfortunately the Concacaf Calendar ruined that for liga Mx last time they were gonna compete was in 2017 but it never happened and No Mexican team has played Libertadores since:(
Lmfao brother said usa 😭😭😭 love u herc but until poch actually does something with US, the hottest team rn is canada. Not talking trophies, accomplishments wtv, strictly speaking on who is the most threatening and compelling side. Also getting far in the copa america has more merit than those plastic gold cups and nations leagues.
Canada is the best right now. And remember we're talking about right now. Not about past glories not about potential talent in the future, but in terms of which team is performing at the best level right now and so it has to be Canada. Anyone who disagrees is either biased or blind.
Hercules, your reasoning to believe that this mediocre US nt that got grouped in C.A, lost to Canada and managed a draw with the #96 team in the world, and just cannot stop looking listless and uninspiring, is plain dumb!!
The x-factor is the fact that the majority of these games the USMNT have played are at home. I’d be curious to see how the US would fare in games and tournaments in other places. I think Canada and Mexico have learnt something from playing so many times away (although I will admit that when Mexico plays in the US it’s definitely not a traditional “away“ game). An example in regards to Canada is that the last two trips the US has made up North have both been losses to the CanMNT. Canada has in the last few been able to get a draw in Nashville (WCQ) and a win in KC (Friendly). I think we actually have three teams, with Panama right behind, that could all beat each other on any given day. That’s good for the region.
Speaking as a Canadian, we shouldn't brag at all until we've acquired some hardware. USMNT and El Tri are still the tops of CONCACAF, until they're unseated in a tournament.
The US is still the one to beat, and so is Mexico. Canada has had a nice run, but until it's sustained and the bench continues to step up and show they can rotate the starters I don't want to start planning any WC championships parades.
Right now Canada is the best. They were far superior to the US, went farther in Copa America, are very determined and play as a motivated team. Gomez conveniently ignores this and talks about their team prior to the Marsch hiring and not after. The US may perhaps be the best team in the future, but make no mistake, they aren’t very good right now. I expect they will be much better, but it will take some time. Mexico is also discombobulated right now. Canada 1 United States 2 Mexico 3 Will that change? Yes, very likely it will but to say Canada isn’t the best right now is simply not true.
Ill give you US with a slight edge over Canada unless we win upcoming Nation's League then its a dead even heat. Mexico is definitely behind us. We comfortably played without 5 starters (mostly midfielders/strikers) the other day and Mexico had to turn the game into a scrap fest just too squeeze out a draw.
I’ll add one thing. It really doesn’t matter who we perceive as being the best. What truly matters is all 3 of these teams being strong so they can push one another to be better. Add in Panama, Jamaica and Costa Rica to nip at everyone’s heals and it will serve all teams well. Canada is new to being one of the better teams. This is good for Mexico and the US.
Yes, canada are the BEAT!
😳🤔, To me to the best means who have the best international records and most international Medals 😳🤔
I like to frame CONCACAF into identifying who are 1) the GIANTS, 2) the KINGS, and 3) the current TOP DOGs. The "Giants" title goes to the CONCACAF country with the greatest overall performance in global football since the World Cup began a century ago. THAT title goes to Mexico with the USA closing in. Costa Rica would be 3rd and Canada 4th. The "Kings" title goes to who has been dominant over the past handful of World Cup cycles. THAT title goes to the USA with Mexico not too far behind and Canada a distant 3rd and Panama in 4th. The "Top Dogs" title goes to who's on top in the current World Cup cycle, and that is still the USA - however Canada is on the ascendancy and could become Top Dogs after the next NL and Gold Cup are completed.
I expect Canada to challenge for the Top Dog title, but the USA and Mexico both have a good jump start by winning the 2023 NL and Gold Cup respectively. Let's see how the next year unfolds. I suspect heading into the 2026 World Cup, it will be as Herc suggests: USA - CANADA - MEXICO but with not a lot of light between them. Hopefully that bodes well for CONCACAF in the 2026 World Cup. BTW, Canada is above the USA in the ELO rankings, but surprisingly, Mexico is a little ahead of Canada. Frankly it all depends on the time frame of the analysis... If a 4th title was to be added on who is in the best form TODAY, clearly its Canada.
I think those are great definitions. I wish other people would go by them, but everyone has their own definition of Kings of CONCACAF, and that hurts the discourse.
I know Herc's been bullish on Canada for the past three years or so, but it's nice to see some of these other guys come around now too.
@@Statsy10 Great that you agree. In my spare time I have conducted an very elaborate statistical analysis of CONCACAF using those definitions. I will throw it up on a website for people to view and comment, but unfortunately hard to link to it as UA-cam usually deletes posts with links. As far as US pundits go, Herc is the most objective.
So wait USA recent success includes bombing out of 2018 qualifying??
The United States and Mexico are still the top two. Since 1990, we’ve had 9 world cups. Mexico have qualified for all 9, the United States have qualified for 8, Costa Rica have appeared in 6, any other team who’s represented Concacaf since is just the one appearance. In that same period, the Gold Cup has been held 17 times with the United States and Mexico combined for 16 of 17 titles while the United States have also won three straight Nations League titles.
My thing is, Costa Rica regularly represent at the World Cup but don’t perform in Concacaf competitions like Gold Cup or Nations League. While we have Jamaica and Panama regularly making deep runs in Concacaf competitions but Jamaica only appeared in the World Cup once, Panama have also appeared in the World Cup once.
Canada is clearly closing that gap but I think until they win the Gold Cup and/or Nations League regularly, we can then talk about them in that conversation of “Big Three of Concacaf.”
Canada put themselves on the map in the 2021 Gold Cup and then having the best record in World Cup qualification. I think they’ve continued to grow post World Cup and I think are the best equipped team heading into the 2025 Gold Cup and Nations League. But they still have to be a trophy winning/contending team regularly as well as challenge the United States and Mexico.
As an American, I’m really rooting for Canada to get building.
Did you know Mexico tried to jump from CONCACAF to CONMEBOL
No, the fans want liga MX to go back to competing in South America cups like copa liberadores
@@m.delgado1846yes but unfortunately the Concacaf Calendar ruined that for liga Mx last time they were gonna compete was in 2017 but it never happened and No Mexican team has played Libertadores since:(
Lmfao brother said usa 😭😭😭 love u herc but until poch actually does something with US, the hottest team rn is canada. Not talking trophies, accomplishments wtv, strictly speaking on who is the most threatening and compelling side. Also getting far in the copa america has more merit than those plastic gold cups and nations leagues.
Canada is the best right now. And remember we're talking about right now. Not about past glories not about potential talent in the future, but in terms of which team is performing at the best level right now and so it has to be Canada. Anyone who disagrees is either biased or blind.
Hercules, your reasoning to believe that this mediocre US nt that got grouped in C.A, lost to Canada and managed a draw with the #96 team in the world, and just cannot stop looking listless and uninspiring, is plain dumb!!
"BEAT TEAM"
The x-factor is the fact that the majority of these games the USMNT have played are at home. I’d be curious to see how the US would fare in games and tournaments in other places. I think Canada and Mexico have learnt something from playing so many times away (although I will admit that when Mexico plays in the US it’s definitely not a traditional “away“ game).
An example in regards to Canada is that the last two trips the US has made up North have both been losses to the CanMNT. Canada has in the last few been able to get a draw in Nashville (WCQ) and a win in KC (Friendly).
I think we actually have three teams, with Panama right behind, that could all beat each other on any given day. That’s good for the region.
They are and if they can manage to get some silverware in Copa Oro or the Nations League that would be fantastic for them
Canada are the current Giants. Recognize.
Sorry
Speaking as a Canadian, we shouldn't brag at all until we've acquired some hardware. USMNT and El Tri are still the tops of CONCACAF, until they're unseated in a tournament.
It's too early still. As was already mentioned, Canada needs to win some hardware first. The way things are heading though, it won't be long.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Just cause they beat the U.S. one time in a friendly
The US is still the one to beat, and so is Mexico. Canada has had a nice run, but until it's sustained and the bench continues to step up and show they can rotate the starters I don't want to start planning any WC championships parades.
Right now Canada is the best. They were far superior to the US, went farther in Copa America, are very determined and play as a motivated team. Gomez conveniently ignores this and talks about their team prior to the Marsch hiring and not after. The US may perhaps be the best team in the future, but make no mistake, they aren’t very good right now. I expect they will be much better, but it will take some time. Mexico is also discombobulated right now.
Canada 1
United States 2
Mexico 3
Will that change? Yes, very likely it will but to say Canada isn’t the best right now is simply not true.
Ill give you US with a slight edge over Canada unless we win upcoming Nation's League then its a dead even heat. Mexico is definitely behind us. We comfortably played without 5 starters (mostly midfielders/strikers) the other day and Mexico had to turn the game into a scrap fest just too squeeze out a draw.
I’ll add one thing. It really doesn’t matter who we perceive as being the best. What truly matters is all 3 of these teams being strong so they can push one another to be better. Add in Panama, Jamaica and Costa Rica to nip at everyone’s heals and it will serve all teams well. Canada is new to being one of the better teams. This is good for Mexico and the US.