One of the Biggest International Team Snubs We've Ever Seen 🤯

Hello all 🙂

Today we continue our three-part series to give you a guide to the International Break. We’ve decided to call it…brace yourself…Your Guide to the International Break.

Genius, I know.

If you missed Monday’s issue, you can check it out here (after you finish this one, please don’t leave). In that issue we covered five club teams (and two honorable mentions) that desperately needed this break in play. Today, after hours of research, we’ve honed in on the three most intriguing international matchups, and we’ll tell you why each one is worth checking out if you have the time.

But wait, you thought that was it? Hell no. Then, we’re also going to tell you about the biggest snubs from the international rosters announced last week. There’ll be drama, suspense, romance (not really). Without further ado, here we go.

Three Upcoming International Fixtures You Need to Watch

Does anyone else remember this segment on SportsCenter? Well this is that, but better. This is the full fixture list for the International Break:

Daunting right? Well, we’ve fixed that for you. Here are the fixtures of this International Break that we’re most intrigued by.

USA vs. Germany: International Friendly

• Ok, I know what you’re thinking, I didn’t include this one isn’t just because I’m American. While I would like nothing more than my starboy Pulisic to drop a 10/10, my focus is mostly on Germany’s new manager Julian Nagelsmann. Let’s set the scene. After a frankly “un-German” run of form over the past few years the Mannschaft recently made a huge decision and sacked former coach Hansi Flick, the first time the manager of their national team has EVER been sacked. This news came at the perfect time for Nagelsmann, who had just been let go himself from everyone’s favorite overlords of the Bundelisga, Bayern Munich. One thing is clear: Germany are through messing around. With Nagelsmann’s attacking style of play, along with his certain need to come out guns blazing, don’t be surprised if Germany puts on an attacking clinic this match at the expense of the Americans. On the American side, the most interesting storyline comes from Greg Berhalter. US Soccer have kept their faith in Berhalter after many have called for a new man at the helm, and this would be a great match for him to repay that faith with a big statement win away from home. With new international Folarin Balogun in good form for his country and Gio Reyna’s relationship with Berhalter reportedly improving, this could be the Stars and Stripes’ big chance to prove themselves against European competition. Score prediction: 3-1, Germany takes it.

Kickoff: October 14, 2023 at 3pm EST (New York)

Japan vs. Canada: International Friendly

• When you look at the talent on display for both sides, it’s no wonder why this match looks absolutely mouthwatering. On the Japanese side, their attackers are definitely what immediately catches your eye. You know a side is full of offensive talent when a player like Takefusa Kubo is often forced to come off the bench. So much has already been said about Kaoru Mitoma, but he truly is one of my favorite players to watch in the Premier League right now. Not to mention Minamino, Endo, and Tomiyasu have all seen time for some of Europe’s top teams. While Canada certainly looks a bit outmatched on paper, they’re no slouches. Yes, they did go out of this last World Cup in the group stages but when you have a player like Alphonso Davies, good things tend to happen for your team. It’s also easy to forget players like Jonathan David and Junior Hoilett have Ligue 1 and Premier League experience, respectively. Score prediction: 2-0, Japan will dominate and probably believe they should have won by more. 

Kickoff: October 13, 2023 at 6:35am EST (New York)

Australia vs. New Zealand: International Friendly

• Australia vs. New Zealand is one of football’s most unique derbys. While the all-time record is incredibly lopsided in the Aussies’ favor (they’re 42-13 overall), recent form could possibly make this a closer game than anticipated. The equalizer in this matchup could be the fact that the Socceroos are coming off of a 1-0 against England, which could provide just the drop in morale the Kiwis need to pull a result out of this one. Score prediction: 1-1, Aussies score early but are pegged back by a resilient performance from their neighbors. 

Kickoff: October 17, 2023 2:45pm EST (New York)

Biggest International Break Snubs

Switching gears here, we’re now going to get into some players that we honestly can’t believe weren’t selected for this round of internationals.

Alejandro Grimaldo 

• Grimaldo is, simply put, an egregious snub from the Spanish national team. In his first seven Bundeliga matches for Bayer Leverkusen this season, he notched two goals and three assists. For an attacker this would be a decent output, but from a defender? Outstanding. It’s understandably tough competition in Spain’s left-back department right now. Jose Gaya is a quality player, as is Nacho (who is also Real Madrid captain). However, these are Euro 2024 qualifiers, during which the margins can be quite fine and sometimes teams need a player that can come on and potentially create some good chances. No other Spanish left back is as good at doing that as Grimaldo is right now, and leaving him at home is a big decision from Luis Enrique that could very well backfire. After team news broke, Grimaldo told German outlet Bild that he was “expecting the invitation” to join the national team this October.

James Ward-Prowse

• Another puzzling one here. Ward-Prowse has been one of the signings of the summer so far in Premier League play. Just like Grimaldo, he’s also tallied two goals and three assists, and has definitely been the catalyst to the Hammers’ promising start to the campaign. England manager Gareth Southgate has become known as a manager who stays loyal to his favorites (see Harry Maguire), so it was not the most surprising thing to see Ward-Prowse absent from the squad. After all, James Maddison only has a grand total of four caps for the Three Lions. However, under Southgate this England team has, at times, looked devoid of creativity. And leaving a player who has an eye for a pass, as well as a lethal free kick has left some England fans scratching their heads.

Sacha Boey

• Social media had a field day with this one. Boey has been on a great run of form with Galatasaraay and many thought this would be his moment to have finally earned a call-up from Didier Deschamps. However, the French boss clearly prefers Jonathan Clauss, Benjamin Pavard, and (at times) Jules Kounde at the moment. Many have called out Deschamps, stating that his selections speak to a common theme of international team managers being biased towards Europe’s top leagues. If France want to keep Boey as an option, they’ll need to lock him down sooner rather than later, as Boey is also eligible to represent Cameroon. The 22-year old fullback took to Instagram Stories to voice his frustration with not being picked.

Full Time. Thanks so much for reading today’s issue! You all have been killing it with the support lately and I want to say thank you, as it truly does mean the world. Also, quick shoutout to Eden Hazard who just announced his retirement yesterday. I hope he’s on a beach somewhere right now taking it easy after all those years of terrorizing the Prem. Finally, on your way out, take a look at some of the things we’ve been loving lately.

Take care, and enjoy today’s matches ❤️

More Good Stuff:

Harry Poole of BBC wrote a great piece on The Marshall Islands, the last country on earth without a football team.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66991995

YouTuber Zealand made a fantastic documentary on the New York Red Bulls and NYCFC rivalry. https://youtu.be/jrRLAWszsKk?si=5DzHZ3s10nwB6Ouy

Norwich released a beautifully wholesome ad for World Mental Health Day. https://v.redd.it/nb1wadip0etb1