The Soccer Thread (IV)

M. Bradley worst match for the country. US midfield was dysfunctional, Ricardo Clark is a waste. I'd love to see them play Edu.

 

I would guess not, assuming the same system is used, and given that:

A. The U.S. will have exactly the same record from the previous two World Cups as it did in 2006 (last in a first-round group and the 2002 quarterfinal run).

B. The U.S. has been much lower in the December rankings in 08 and 07 (22nd and 19th) than it was in 04 and 03 (11th both times).

C. Mexico will have a slightly worse previous World Cup record, having been ranked 11th in 98 and only 15th in 06.

D. Mexico is also much lower in the rankings (they were seventh in all three rankings used for 06, 15th in 07 and 26th in 08 -- though I'd imagine they'll improve some in 09).

 

I thought the U.S. played decent enough and thought they'd get the draw. I think they played how they had planned. Not overly disappointed in this, but what I think killed was the 10 straight minutes of Mexican possession after the U.S. goal. Shit, take the ball away a couple of times and Mexico probably doesn't have a chance at that strike.

 

And T&T jumps out to a 1-0 lead on El Salvador.

 

Still 1-0 T&T. 77th minute. An El Salvador loss would all but make it a four-team race for the three automatic berths.

 

1-0 Soca Warriors. They and El Salvador need Costa Rica to at least find a way to tie Honduras to remain alive. A Honduras win tonight all but eliminates T&T and ES.

 

And we have a four-horse race on our hands with Honduras rolling CRC 4-0.

Costa Rica 4-2 (12) E
USA 3-2-1 (10) +3
Honduras 3-2-1 (10) +4
Mexico 3-3 (9) -1
El Salvador 1-3-2 (5) -2
T&T 1-3-2 (5) -4

 

A four-way race sets up nicely for the USA. If we sweep the September games, there's nothing to worry about.

 

Here's how I project the hexagonal:
USA - 19 pts
Honduras - 19 pts
Costa Rica - 18 pts
Mexico - 18 pts
El Salvador - 8 pts
T&T - 5 pts

 

Winning at T&T is vital. Cannot afford to drop that game, and even a tie could hurt.

 

I wish I was as confident as y'all. I don't like being in a must-win situation with Mexico breathing down our necks.

Costa Rica 6 4 0 2 9 9 12
Honduras 6 3 1 2 10 6 10
USA 6 3 1 2 11 8 10
Mexico 6 3 0 3 8 9 9
El Salvador 6 1 2 3 6 8 5
T&T 6 1 2 3 7 11 5

 

What is the point of playing two defensive midfielders if the U.S. gives up goals in three straight qualifiers from the top of the box.
Isn't that what those guys are supposed to be shutting down?
Edu can't get healthy fast enough. Jermaine Jones can't get American fast enough.