The Soccer Thread (IV)

Sven for North Korea? That can only end well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/13/sven-goran-eriksson-north-korea

 

I hope Charlie Davies recovers, etc., etc.

But as a supporter of the U.S. national team, I'm more than a little pissed at him. While on leave from his pro club to be with his national team, he broke curfew and rode with a driver who quite possibly was drunk.

Two days before a World Cup Qualifier (yes, a meaningless one . . .to the U.S.), he made a dumb mistake, and not only put his own career in jeopardy, but also greatly hinders the team's chances of performing well going forward.

As an individual who suffered a horrific accident, he has my sympathy, though not as much as the family of the young lady who died. But as a pivotal member of my country's national team who broke curfew during a national team camp so he could go out partying with his dork friends . . . let's just say I'm very disappointed. Ultimately, he put himself in a dangerous situation (or at the very least, one that involves insubordination), and is paying for his lack of good judgment.

Also: Sepp Blatter's idiocy has already been covered. I don't think relegation/promotion are necessary, as an American sports fan I have no problem with the playoffs as currently configured as far as home-and-away (though if they're going to decide seedings and matchups the way they do, they should probably just go to single table and take the top eight teams that way). MLS going to the so-called international schedule would be neat (hey, I'd love to see a game in the snow), but is also unnecessary and ultimately would be very foolish for reasons already stated.

The only thing I wish MLS would do is at least minimize its schedule during the World Cup and its qualifiers. The international schedule is easily available, and they can have days off for qualifiers and major tournaments. During the last World Cup, some MLS teams actually played more games during that month than they did in any other month that season. One coach joked that "We don't get to go to the World Cup, and we don't even get to watch it."

 

Forest is my favorite non-Premiership club, so I get a lot of Notts County news along with it. There are sitcoms that don't have comedy material of this quality.

 

North Korea's internal criticisms of their current coach are absurd. The man took your backwater shithole and got you to the World Cup. Be at least somewhat grateful that he knows how to put the country's very shallow pool of talent to good use.

 

Just got tickets for my first national team match, will apparently be freezing along with all the others who decide to go to RFK tonight.

 

It's a meaningless game, sure, but this second-half scoreline is still a bit eye-opening:

Italy 0-2 Cyprus.

 

Add Switzerland and Slovakia to the party. Greece and Slovenia into the playoffs, along with the cheating, diving bastards from Portugal. Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Ireland and France are the others. Quite the mix.

Final South American spot is settled tonight. Despite Trooper's feelings on Uruguay, I'd really like to see Argentina not make it. I'll happily settle for a draw and a six-goal Chile win.

And, of course, the final CONCACAF spot is handed out tonight. Who would have thought the playoff might be Honduras-Argentina?

Three of the African spots will come down to the final day in November. Interestingly, if Egypt beat Algeria by exactly two goals, they'll be level on points, goal difference and goals scored, and someone will have to figure out how to separate them.

 

RT @GrantWahl At RFK for US-CR. Davies update: Described as being "responsive" (handsqueezes), still serious but stable cond. Wore seatbelt, in back seat.

 

Goalless at halftime of Argentina-Uruguay. Four yellow cards. Chile and Ecuador also 0-0.

 

Just saw Pastor during pregame. I think. Sure looked like his club's scarf and him.

 

Well, damn.

Uruguay 0-1 Argentina.
Chile 1-0 Ecuador.

Argentina in the show, Uruguay in the playoffs. Argentina scored with about five minutes left, just after Uruguay had a men sent off.

 

So I can bag on MLS and he can't do anything about it!