International Soccer Thread...

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Thought we might get some help from Jamaica, but oh well. Maybe Costa Rica can come through at home.

[OldHeidelberg]

They said in the broadcast last night that 10 points in their last 6(now 7 in 5) would qualify them, I think that is a guess rather than math. They should have scored more like 3 goals last night and El Salvador never really threatened but closer than it should have been. I think if they win the next 2 and Panama loses its next 2 they can qualify this window but not too likely.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

They said in the broadcast last night that 10 points in their last 6(now 7 in 5) would qualify them, I think that is a guess rather than math. They should have scored more like 3 goals last night and El Salvador never really threatened but closer than it should have been. I think if they win the next 2 and Panama loses its next 2 they can qualify this window but not too likely.

 

I heard that too. Sounds right.

 

I'm getting greedy. In theory, Canada should be the easiest road game in terms of venue and pitch quality. It doesn't have the intensity of Azteca or the just awful field conditions of a lot of CONCACAF. Obviously Canada is talented, but you'd have to feel really good about things with a road win.

 

I just don't feel great about that last window. @Mexico is always very, very difficult, and Panama and Costa Rica will both likely be playing for their World Cup lives. Need a little cushion there.

[OldHeidelberg]

 

I heard that too. Sounds right.

 

I'm getting greedy. In theory, Canada should be the easiest road game in terms of venue and pitch quality. It doesn't have the intensity of Azteca or the just awful field conditions of a lot of CONCACAF. Obviously Canada is talented, but you'd have to feel really good about things with a road win.

 

I just don't feel great about that last window. @Mexico is always very, very difficult, and Panama and Costa Rica will both likely be playing for their World Cup lives. Need a little cushion there.

 

Canada is ranked 40th in the world(US#11), has yet to lose in this round, has now won 5 straight, and is already done with Mexico. I really know nothing about their team or how they matchup, really this is about the time every 4 years when I am just getting familiar with the US team again, but it seems like they are playing over their heads a bit and already got their big win over Mexico last window. All of that makes me think they are ripe to get taken down on Sunday.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I'll be watching on Telemundo this afternoon. The TV situation for road games in qualifying never fails to amaze me, especially for all the growth in US soccer culture and fan interest over the last 20 years.

[OldHeidelberg]

I'll be watching on Telemundo this afternoon. The TV situation for road games in qualifying never fails to amaze me, especially for all the growth in US soccer culture and fan interest over the last 20 years.

 

Looks like it is on Paramount so I can watch it, I knew I had that for more than Star Trek. Overlaps with the AFC game but I will sort of watch both. I am not sure where US soccer interest is, when I lived in South Florida it was always a big deal, an Irish Bar I frequented was often packed on Sunday mornings. Back in Wisconsin I was surprised how much interest there was the last time the US was in the World Cup, a lot of people like me who just get interested once every 4 years. I would probably have some interest in MLS if Milwaukee had a team but knowing it is still pretty much a minor league probably keeps even dedicated US fans following the Premier League instead.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I'll be watching on Telemundo this afternoon. The TV situation for road games in qualifying never fails to amaze me, especially for all the growth in US soccer culture and fan interest over the last 20 years.

 

Looks like it is on Paramount so I can watch it, I knew I had that for more than Star Trek. Overlaps with the AFC game but I will sort of watch both. I am not sure where US soccer interest is, when I lived in South Florida it was always a big deal, an Irish Bar I frequented was often packed on Sunday mornings. Back in Wisconsin I was surprised how much interest there was the last time the US was in the World Cup, a lot of people like me who just get interested once every 4 years. I would probably have some interest in MLS if Milwaukee had a team but knowing it is still pretty much a minor league probably keeps even dedicated US fans following the Premier League instead.

 

Yeah, and I wonder if there's a streaming/broadcast rights shift that prevents the networks from televising over the air? I suppose there may just also be a bigger audience on Paramount than CBS Sports Network, especially since Paramount also has Champion League games if I'm remembering right?

 

The streaming economy is a challenge in itself (I know ESPN+ is close to replacing ESPN3, and it seems like a way to encourage an extra subscription fee), so navigating international rights adds a further wrinkle---just figured @Canada would be less complex from a broadcasting perspective than, say, @Honduras.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Canada has been by far the best team in CONCACAF this cycle. Hard not to like them.

 

Honduras at home on Wednesday pretty much a must win for the US. Waiting on other results, but you don't want to be on 18 or 19 pts with @Mexico and @Costa Rico looming.

 

CONCACAF getting drawn against Oceania for the playoff is a break. Should the US finish fourth, they'd still be significant favorites to qualify, but this team is just way too talented to finish fourth in CONCACAF. I am pretty down on Berhalter and have been all cycle. Too late to change course now, but he'll need to have this team ready for a real four-game grind.

[OldHeidelberg]

Yes, disappointing, we keep waiting for our sleeping giant team to wake up for decades and freaking Canada passes us. I was hoping to clinch quickly so we could throw that Panama game in the next window to screw over Costa Rica.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

It's going to be 5 degrees at kickoff in Saint Paul on Wednesday. I don't get why you want to play in cold weather. I know Honduras is not going to be used to it, but, like, you're the more talented team! By a longshot. Why you choose to play in Saint Paul in February is beyond me from a competition standpoint. It just introduces more of a fluke factor, and the US has not looked happy playing in 30 degree weather the last two matches.

[OldHeidelberg]

[sarcasm]It always works for the Packers[/sarcasm]

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Well, it worked out.

 

US looking pretty good. They get Panama at home. 4 pts in 3 games should do it. Costa Rica might scare me more than Panama at this point. We'll see.

[Sixtofan]

Just beating Panama would guarantee them a top 4 finish and most likely top 3 as I don’t think Costa Rica will pick up 3 wins.

[Joseph Zarr]

It's hard to take an Organization seriously when they schedule a soccer game in February in Minnesota...outdoors. I can guarantee you nobody wanted to play in that weather. Getting smashed with a soccer ball any temperature below 40 degrees F is utterly awful. It hurts like hell. Your skin stings for minutes afterward. Kicking the ball hurts. It all just sucks. This isn't the Packers in Lambeau. This is soccer players. Yes, the US won the game and had an obvious potential advantage playing a tropical team but, man...not a fan of the location choice at all - for all the players involved. Anyhow, I agree with the sentiment above: the US was supposed to take a Big Step. I haven't seen it at all under Berhalter - a coach I personally find uninspiring and not that creative. I am happy for Canada. They have the best Striker in CONCACAF by a good stretch in my eyes. They play great counterattacking ball. The US Team and the style of play Berhalter currently implements doesn't excite me all that much.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

It's hard to take an Organization seriously when they schedule a soccer game in February in Minnesota...outdoors. I can guarantee you nobody wanted to play in that weather. Getting smashed with a soccer ball any temperature below 40 degrees F is utterly awful. It hurts like hell. Your skin stings for minutes afterward. Kicking the ball hurts. It all just sucks. This isn't the Packers in Lambeau. This is soccer players. Yes, the US won the game and had an obvious potential advantage playing a tropical team but, man...not a fan of the location choice at all - for all the players involved. Anyhow, I agree with the sentiment above: the US was supposed to take a Big Step. I haven't seen it at all under Berhalter - a coach I personally find uninspiring and not that creative. I am happy for Canada. They have the best Striker in CONCACAF by a good stretch in my eyes. They play great counterattacking ball. The US Team and the style of play Berhalter currently implements doesn't excite me all that much.

 

 

Yup. 100. And Canada probably has the best player in CONCACAF in Davies.

 

And I worry that all the set piece goals last night will keep the players timid in run-of-play situations, which I see as a big, big problem.

 

I'll give Berhalter credit for sitting Pulisic. That's a pretty gutsy move, and it did seem like Christian responded.

 

Bottom line for me re: weather is we're at a point as a national team where we should be aiming to be as good as the European and South American nations. Or, at least, to be able to compete at that level. Playing weird psych out games against the worst team in the region does not further that goal. Look, lesser teams from less economically advanced nations are always going to mess with the US. That's life. But if you want to be a world class soccer team, you really should want to develop great, young soccer talent and then let them play soccer in the best conditions possible. Win on talent. Stop messing around.

 

If you can't win on talent and with that budget, you've got way bigger problems than where you play the game.

[OldHeidelberg]

Just beating Panama would guarantee them a top 4 finish and most likely top 3 as I don’t think Costa Rica will pick up 3 wins.

 

Well, looking at the schedule for that last window that Panama game is a must win. US has the toughest schedule of the 5 teams still alive and any hope of backing in depends on Canada staying red hot and they may coast a bit now. One thing 2018 taught me is they will get no help at the end if they need it.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Tomorrow is a massive day in soccer. Tons of qualifiers. World Cup draw April 1.

I actually like the US' chances at the Azteca tomorrow. We'll see.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Tomorrow is a massive day in soccer. Tons of qualifiers. World Cup draw April 1.

I actually like the US' chances at the Azteca tomorrow. We'll see.

You Do?!? I absolutely do not. LOL. Not only are they historically awful playing at Azteca but they are also fairly injured at present. 

I hope you're right. I truly do.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

11 hours ago, Julio Muchacho said:

You Do?!? I absolutely do not. LOL. Not only are they historically awful playing at Azteca but they are also fairly injured at present. 

I hope you're right. I truly do.

Yeah, I think Mexico is just as much of a mess, honestly. 

I have zero faith in Berhalter, but Pulisic seems ready for a big game.

Usually, I'll fade US Soccer every chance I get, so, you know...could be I'm just reaching.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Yeah, I think Mexico is just as much of a mess, honestly. 

I have zero faith in Berhalter, but Pulisic seems ready for a big game.

Usually, I'll fade US Soccer every chance I get, so, you know...could be I'm just reaching.

Amen on your Berhalter sentiments. A very uninspired HC, sadly. I wasn't very excited about the hire to begin with but was willing to give it a chance. Sadly, he's met the low expectations I originally had.

The US really really needs some innovation in its USMNT and, for whatever reason, they've failed to commit to that. They have more athleticism than they've every had and yet I see the same issues in their style of play I was seeing back in the 1990's early 2000's. Better team, yes. Great goalkeeping: still a yes. BUT, they are so wildly inconsistent and still don't seem to have an identity which I find utterly baffling. 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Uninspiring is such a perfect word for Triple G. Couldn't agree more on your analysis, Julio.

I love Marsch. Hope it's his job someday.

 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Draw, okay.

But man. That game was right there. Cue the defiant, gloating Triple G presser while we shake our heads at the unwillingness to press and really showcase the most talented generation of players in US history.

 

 

[Jimbo]

They had the chances.  I saw too many bad giveaways in the defensive end.  Finish that one chance in the second half and the ticket is all but punched.  Still, I say a draw is a "win".  Too bad CAN couldn't win.  If my math is right, a Sunday win over Panama pretty much clinches it on GD?

 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

3 hours ago, Jimbo said:

They had the chances.  I saw too many bad giveaways in the defensive end.  Finish that one chance in the second half and the ticket is all but punched.  Still, I say a draw is a "win".  Too bad CAN couldn't win.  If my math is right, a Sunday win over Panama pretty much clinches it on GD?

 

Yup. Need to get clear of Panama and CR. 

Getting to 25 points almost guarantees that. Win and in on Sunday, unless Costa Rica wins by more and then beats the US by like 4 goals.

[OldHeidelberg]

A draw tomorrow would clinch at least a play in with New Zealand but a loss would be devastating. No pressure...