The Soccer Thread (Version 8)

On the flip side, my first draw was Uruguay, Cameroon and Bosnia.

 

Every time I run it, the USMNT gets put in the Group of Death.

 

I'm not. The US played a complete game of hard, honest soccer and went for the win when the only beneficiary was the team its fans most loathe. This was a victory for all those who think the US should be above all the shenanigans, cynicism and gamesmanship that are so widespread in the modern game. Play hard, play fair and play to win, even when it's not to your benefit -- that's the kind of American exceptionalism I can support.

And for those holding out hope the Kiwis can finish off Mexico, here's a fun fact: Since beating Bahrain in the playoff to get into the 2010 World Cup, New Zealand has only scored 2+ goals against non-Oceania opposition twice -- a 3-2 loss to Jamaica and a 2-2 draw with El Salvador.

 

Mexico will not have an easy time with the Kiwis.

Also what's the deal with clubs releasing their players for this one? There's no international break for the playoff games. Is it feasible not all hands will be on deck?

 

After about 10 tries, I got the USMNT a group I liked. Colombia, USA, Russia, Bosnia

 

I just tried it again and got Belgium, Chile, Ukraine. That seems about as doable as anything.

 

As it likely will be in the real draw as well, given that the USA is one of the strongest teams in its pool of teams. Doesn't help that England and Holland aren't seeded, of course (although Holland apparently will be if Uruguay somehow contrive to lose to Jordan).

And my first try produced Germany, Italy, US and Ecuador. As well as Brazil, South Korea, Ivory Coast and England, along with Belgium, Bosnia, Costa Rica and Algeria.

 

Phantom goal in Germany ...

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Oh, and Mexico has fired Victor Manuel Vucetich in favor of Club America's Miguel Herrera? The train wreck continues down there.

 

If it's qualifying for a FIFA tournament, I'd imagine international break rules apply. Not sure about the friendlies, though I imagine Klinsmann won't be experimenting too much when faced with the might of Scotland and Austria.

WC draw simulator: Attempt 1) Group D: Belgium, US, Ghana, England; Attempt 2) Group C: Colombia, US, Ghana, Bosnia; Attempt 3) Group B: Colombia, US, Nigeria, Portugal; Attempt 4) Group B: Spain, US, Cameroon, Ukraine.

Draws got better as they went along, even if none of them were very good. Barring some completely goofy results in the remaining playoff matches, it doesn't look like there will be any cupcakes at this World Cup. Maybe US chances get a boost if Mexico doesn't qualify, thus landing the three Concacaf teams in the same pot as the five African teams and deferring the inevitable exit to Ghana until the knockout round.

 

USMNT is eyeing a friendly vs. England before the WC. I think we should make that an unofficial SJ soccer road trip if it's played in the States.

 

Thought I read in the Guardian it would be in Miami and pretty close to the start of the World Cup. Part of England's acclimatization process so the pastier members of their party don't look like lobsters when they kick off in Brazil.