The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

I'm surprised Altidore didn't make the team, but let's be honest: if the US fails to qualify, it won't be because they had the wrong mediocre forward on the bench.

Altidore is not a starter, and lately he hasn't done a damn thing with the chances he's been given on the national team. He's having a terrific season at AZ, and if I were in charge he probably would've been on the roster, but that says more about the quality of the options available than it says about Altidore.

 

Yeah, the decision to leave off Altidore won't make or break them advancing. If there's a house cleaning, it won't be because of that decision.

 

As much as I like Jozy Altidore, his recent US performances have been frustrating. I've long criticized players like Wondo who dominate MLS (or club) but don't do shit for the national team.

Glad to see Graham Zusi is on the roster again. He deserves to start the next two games after his performance against Jamaica and recent MLS form.

Friday won't likely be easy. Antigua tied Jamaica at home and led into the second half at Guatemala. But if the US should manage at least a 2-0 win, they should be in great shape to qualify as long as there's a winner in Guatemala. If Guatemala-Jamaica ends in a tie ... wow. Tuesday will be a jailbreak in Kansas City.

 

the reason that I would have wanted Jozy is that we need to pile on the goals on Friday and a sub in form will do that. I guess older EJ will be playing the role of 2006 EJ for that.

 

Bolton have fired Owen Coyle, a very classy man who especially distinguished himself during the Patrice Muamba crisis last season. Ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, and Roy Keane, candidates for his successor.

 

Hard for any forward to score when the only reliable way to get the ball is tracking back to the halfway line and winning it themselves. This problem will only become more obvious now that Donovan and Shea are out of both qualifiers with injuries. Calling up replacements is for the weak, apparently.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2012/10/09/donovan-and-shea-off-u-s-roster/

That pretty much leaves Zusi and Kljestan as the only true wide midfielders, assuming Dempsey starts up top with Gomez. I really have to wonder why Klinsmann insisted on bringing in target forwards when that's playing to the one thing A&B does well -- a direct, physical game. As years of Concacaf qualifiers have shown, pumping crosses into a penalty area packed with defenders when you need a goal is a sure-fire recipe for indigestion.

 

I have a sinking feeling about making the hex now.

 

If we don't make the hex, it's not one step backwards. It's more like 3 steps backwards in terms of respect on the world stage.

 

With Antigua all but eliminated, will they play the same way? Will they bunker in and try for a 0-0 tie or 1-0 win?

 

It just sucks that another crucial game is on a cable system which I can't get.

 

Get DishNetwork. You'll thank me tomorrow.

 

Making it through the hex still looks like by far the most likely option to me. I'm not saying it's not sad and annoying that it's this close, but I'd wait until they actually miss out before worrying too much about doomsday scenarios.