The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Lebanese referees jailed for accepting "sexual favours" in Singapore in return for their cooperation. The fact that the women came from a known bookie is purely a coincidence.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/10832825

But this has absolutely nothing to do with Singapore being a hub for global match-fixing and illegal betting, and Lee Kwan Yoo will sue you into bankruptcy if you suggest otherwise.

http://www.beyondthepitch.net/podcasts/edition/index.cfm/beyond-the-pitch/2013/02/08/invisble-dog-the-fix/
http://www.beyondthepitch.net/podcasts/edition/index.cfm/beyond-the-pitch/2013/02/06/declan-hill/

 

Iran's win ensures the elimination of Qatar today. It's pretty safe to say that Qatar will become the first World Cup host in quite awhile to make its World Cup debut.

Speaking of Qatar ... Japan and Iraq played in Doha today. I saw on Grant Wahl's twitter that each half was halted for water breaks because of the heat.

 

That's been happening around the world for a little while now. I think FIFA allows for it if the temperature at kickoff is high enough.

 

Costa Rica 0, Mexico 0.

Is Mexico in danger of missing the World Cup? They seriously might go 1-1-8. They also still have to play at the United States and Costa Rica. The aura of Mexico being invincible at Azteca is gone.

 

CERO A CERO!

 

That run by Michael Bradley to set up the goal was beautiful. Just brilliant piece of creativity. You could make an argument that the best player in CONCACAF is Michael Bradley.

Great to see Jozy Altidore scoring like this. He has the potential to score a shit ton of goals in his career.

 

Altidore with the Roy Keane hat trick: two goals and one yellow card.

 

Eddie Johnson had the second goal. But Jozy Altidore was marvelous tonight.

USMNT sits atop the Hex with 10 points in five games and still three home games remaining. A win against Honduras next week really puts the USA in prime position not only to reach Brazil but finish atop the Hex.

 

Figuring out some other possibilities ... If Mexico loses at Columbus and Costa Rica, the MOST points Mexico could finish with is 14.