soccer soccer soccer

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I end up watching mostly MLS soccer at this point, and every time I end up watching EPL or Bundesliga I'm struck by how clean the game is. Then I watch CONCACAF qualifiers and get horrified at the goonery they're letting slide. Panama should be playing with 9 at most right now.

[UMFan83]

I really don't understand what Panama was thinking tonight with their strategy. I thought they would go into a shell all night and play for a tie. Granted I haven't watched a ton of the game but the announcers keep talking about how open they are playing. Were they cocky thinking they'd come in here and win?

[wolf stansson]

A Panamanian journalist was on extra time radio talking about how confident they were and said they had the best camp a Panama team has ever had, which I thought was weird considering they're playing a superior team on the road. I think they were up for it and then Pulisic just took their souls.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Hell yeah.

[UMFan83]

So without knowing how CR/Honduras goes, a point vs TT will virtually clinch at least the playoff and require 2 wins from Honduras to deny the US a top 3 finish right?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So without knowing how CR/Honduras goes, a point vs TT will virtually clinch at least the playoff and require 2 wins from Honduras to deny the US a top 3 finish right?

 

Yes, and Honduras is @CR and v. Mexico too.

[bukie]

Nice 3-0 victory to kick off the U17 World Cup for the USMNT.

[soccer10k]

So without knowing how CR/Honduras goes, a point vs TT will virtually clinch at least the playoff and require 2 wins from Honduras to deny the US a top 3 finish right?

 

Yes, and Honduras is @CR and v. Mexico too.

 

Assuming Costa Rica gives half a crap tomorrow, if they get a draw, we'll finish 3rd barring some really weird horsefeathers happening.

 

Basically if we tie, Panama would have to beat Costa Rica by at least 7 goals or Honduras would have to beat both Mexico and CR unless they beat one of them by 12 goals.

 

So just get a draw and we don't have to worry about the 4th place playoff.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Costa Rica scored in the 95th minute (!) to tie Honduras, so Honduras and Panama are on 10 points with the US at 12. CR and Mexico both now have nothing to play for so might not be able to count on them for much, but thankfully T&T is 1-3 at home and we've already beaten them 2-0. I'd sure take one of those 8th minute goals like yesterday though.

[UMFan83]

So Honduras drew. That means baring a monumental change in GD, the likes of which have rarely been seen in the history of professional soccer, the US will clinch if they can get any result on Tuesday. If they were to lose, the only way to be completely out of it is if Honduras and Panama both win road matches.

 

I don't think they will lose but if you think about it we could be in the exact opposite scenario as 4 years ago needing an already clinched Mexico side to get a point to send the US through

 

Edit: TT basically made the same post 3 mins before me

[bukie]

Well, at least the USMNT won't play Ghana yet again in the 2018 World Cup. Egypt advances over Ghana in CAF qualifying, making the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

[wolf stansson]

Well, at least the USMNT won't play Ghana yet again in the 2018 World Cup.

U-17's playing them as we speak. 0-0 in the 70th.

[bukie]

Well, at least the USMNT won't play Ghana yet again in the 2018 World Cup.

U-17's playing them as we speak. 0-0 in the 70th.

At least they're getting better at beating Ghana.

[bukie]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[wolf stansson]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

Wish we could call Kyle Beckerman & Alan Gordon in real quick.

[wolf stansson]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/917399734809251840[/tweet]

[UMFan83]

I don't imagine we blow this, but it is a little unnerving that the 2 teams that have to win to eliminate the US (in the event of a loss - which is unlikely) are both playing at home against teams that have nothing to play for.

 

You would think Mexico would help the US return the favor for 4 years ago and play for a point today but I don't think they give 2 shits about helping us.

[bukie]

I don't imagine we blow this, but it is a little unnerving that the 2 teams that have to win to eliminate the US (in the event of a loss - which is unlikely) are both playing at home against teams that have nothing to play for.

 

You would think Mexico would help the US return the favor for 4 years ago and play for a point today but I don't think they give 2 horsefeathers about helping us.

Two rebuttals:

 

1. Both Mexico and Costa Rica can improve their FIFA ranking to get into a better selection pot in the WC draw, which is better than nothing.

 

2. If the USMNT can't at least draw T&T, they deserve nothing.

[UMFan83]

I don't imagine we blow this, but it is a little unnerving that the 2 teams that have to win to eliminate the US (in the event of a loss - which is unlikely) are both playing at home against teams that have nothing to play for.

 

You would think Mexico would help the US return the favor for 4 years ago and play for a point today but I don't think they give 2 horsefeathers about helping us.

Two rebuttals:

 

1. Both Mexico and Costa Rica can improve their FIFA ranking to get into a better selection pot in the WC draw, which is better than nothing.

 

2. If the USMNT can't at least draw T&T, they deserve nothing.

 

I forgot about the fact that all teams are seeded now. I would never expect Mexico or CR to flat out tank a game but I don't see them putting max effort in facing squads that are desperate for points. Plus if they were really playing for better seeding, a draw doesn't help them all that much, they want to win, so they might be more aggressive on the attack and concede goals. Mexico's B team should hypothetically be better than Honduras though.

 

Either way, I feel confident but you know how my mind works, always looking at the extreme possibilities that aren't likely to matter.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Ecuador with a 1st minute goal against Argentina.

 

EDIT: And it's already 2-1 Argentina.

[bukie]

Nice clear, Omar.

[soccer10k]

horsefeathers this team.

[wolf stansson]

This current scenario is perfect karma for San Zusi.

 

That said, get another midfielder in to help Bradley and get some Deuce magic in there. horsefeathers this tired nonsense.

[UMFan83]

Looks like we have to sweat out the other results. F this team. Don't deserve the berth but still hope CR and Mexico can keep their leads

[wolf stansson]

An MLS team needs to sign Alvin Jones.

[bukie]

The first goal was unlucky, and the second was a fantastic strike, but everyone is terrible so far, particularly Howard and the CBs.