What is “Concacafearse”? The football of clashes, fouls and long shots

Have you ever felt “Concacafed”? Did you experience the symptoms of a yellow card for a kick, or the confusion of seeing a player rolling around after a handshake? In North American soccer, the expression “Getting Concacafed” encapsulates a peculiar and sometimes chaotic reality.

This phrase, popularized by analysts and fans, describes the unexpected situations and the distinctive playing style of Concacaf, which combines the wealth of federations like the United States and Mexico with those of nations with fewer resources and professionalism. It is a melting pot where stars like Lionel Messi and Christian Pulisic coexist, creating a unique football experience. The term “Getting Concacafed” refers to the surprises, physical play, and particular conditions that characterize Concacaf matches. But, what does this mean in practice, on the field? We analyze the data to better understand the game in the Gold Cup, which starts this Saturday, and which involves the United States, Mexico and Canada, teams that also aspire to excel in the World Cup.

Physics and Absences

We begin with the aspect where Concacaf seems to differentiate itself the most: its apparent tolerance of violence. We will compare the Gold Cup with the Copa América, the European Championship, and the Premier League, using data from the latest editions of these tournaments. This will give us an idea of how Concacaf compares to the best regions of international football.

Although the Gold Cup averages more fouls per game than the other three tournaments, it also has the second-lowest average of yellow cards. This suggests that Concacaf referees allow more physical contact than in other tournaments, with fewer cautions.

Passes and Possession

The South American playing style shares more similarities with the North American style than with the European style. In the Gold Cup, teams average around 420 passes per game, with 82% accuracy, numbers similar to those of Leicester City in the Premier League. However, the key difference lies in dribbling. Copa América teams attempt more dribbles than in the Gold Cup.

Aggression and Transitions

In Concacaf, “aggression” is defined by the speed with which teams try to move the ball forward. This is measured by the distance of passes and the number of passes before a shot. Gold Cup matches are characterized by rapid transitions and frequent changes of possession, with a style of play reminiscent of Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.

Shots and Strategies

In the Gold Cup, there are many fouls and few passes, with few dribbles but many long and aggressive passes. In addition, a high number of shots is observed. In terms of analysis, the importance of avoiding shots from outside the area and unnecessary crosses is highlighted. In the Gold Cup, goalkeepers do not show the same disparity of talent as in other regions. Defensive pressure, or its absence, influences the conversion of shots. This generates more goals. The Concacaf style of play is significantly different from what is seen in the World Cup. The Gold Cup, then, might not be the best indicator of the performance of the United States, Mexico, and Canada teams in the World Cup.