USA - Panama Match Thread

[Alsacs]

The draw for the 2010 World Cup was a bit odd. Pot 1 was the "Top 7" and host according to FIFA rankings. Pot 2 was CONCACAF and Asia, 3 was CONEMBOL and Africa, 4 was Europe. I'm not sure what the draw process is this time. The Group of Death could be something like France, USA, Ivory Coast, Belgium. Fingers crossed it's something similar to 2010 Group.

Asia gets 4.5, CONEMBOL gets 4.5 the 5th place winner of both will play a home/home. CONCACAF gets 3.5 and Oceania gets .5 the 4th place CONCACAF team will play New Zealand. Africa gets 5 and UEFA gets 13.
The protected seeds will be IMO 1. Brazil(home country) 2. Spain 3. Germany 4. Argentina 5. Italy, 6. Netherlands 7. England and then the 8th IMO will come from Mexico, France, Russia, Portugal.

If 4 CONCACAF teams qualify this time instead of 3 and Mexico/USA don't get a protected seed they would likely be paired with Asia bowl again unless Asia get 5 teams in the World Cup Thus, root for the 4th CONCACAF team to beat New Zealand. Its likely unless CONCACAF beats New Zealand and Asia beats CONEMBOL the jars will be
Jar 1- the 8 projected
Jar 2- the UEFA teams(8)
Jar 3- CONCACAF-New Zealand(4)-Asia(4)
Jar4- Aftica(5) CONEMBOL(3)

Also, Poppy what did you hear about Mexico and not getting to use Azteca their next WC qualifer?

Finally on yesterday's game the biggest breakthrough for me was Geoff Cameron. Cameron removing Beckerman from the equation makes him our MVP. I didn't like the stupid yellow card he got and he had great touches in the 2nd half and played good in that spot. If we never see Beckerman on the pitch in a WCQ or tournament I will be happy.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Yup, I think this puppy's getting added to my arsenal. Great stuff, Pete!

You are now the official referee of the Off Topic Board. Good luck, and give them hell!

 

[PoppyHart]

Asia gets 4.5, CONEMBOL gets 4.5 the 5th place winner of both will play a home/home. CONCACAF gets 3.5 and Oceania gets .5 the 4th place CONCACAF team will play New Zealand. Africa gets 5 and UEFA gets 13.
The protected seeds will be IMO 1. Brazil(home country) 2. Spain 3. Germany 4. Argentina 5. Italy, 6. Netherlands 7. England and then the 8th IMO will come from Mexico, France, Russia, Portugal.

If 4 CONCACAF teams qualify this time instead of 3 and Mexico/USA don't get a protected seed they would likely be paired with Asia bowl again unless Asia get 5 teams in the World Cup Thus, root for the 4th CONCACAF team to beat New Zealand. Its likely unless CONCACAF beats New Zealand and Asia beats CONEMBOL the jars will be
Jar 1- the 8 projected
Jar 2- the UEFA teams(8)
Jar 3- CONCACAF-New Zealand(4)-Asia(4)
Jar4- Aftica(5) CONEMBOL(3)

Also, Poppy what did you hear about Mexico and not getting to use Azteca their next WC qualifer?

Finally on yesterday's game the biggest breakthrough for me was Geoff Cameron. Cameron removing Beckerman from the equation makes him our MVP. I didn't like the stupid yellow card he got and he had great touches in the 2nd half and played good in that spot. If we never see Beckerman on the pitch in a WCQ or tournament I will be happy.

It's a longshot, but the announcers on the Mexico-CRC game were saying that there's precedent for FIFA moving qualifying sites if they can't ensure player safety.

 

[cusefan88]

Asia gets 4.5, CONEMBOL gets 4.5 the 5th place winner of both will play a home/home. CONCACAF gets 3.5 and Oceania gets .5 the 4th place CONCACAF team will play New Zealand. Africa gets 5 and UEFA gets 13.
The protected seeds will be IMO 1. Brazil(home country) 2. Spain 3. Germany 4. Argentina 5. Italy, 6. Netherlands 7. England and then the 8th IMO will come from Mexico, France, Russia, Portugal.

If 4 CONCACAF teams qualify this time instead of 3 and Mexico/USA don't get a protected seed they would likely be paired with Asia bowl again unless Asia get 5 teams in the World Cup Thus, root for the 4th CONCACAF team to beat New Zealand. Its likely unless CONCACAF beats New Zealand and Asia beats CONEMBOL the jars will be
Jar 1- the 8 projected
Jar 2- the UEFA teams(8)
Jar 3- CONCACAF-New Zealand(4)-Asia(4)
Jar4- Aftica(5) CONEMBOL(3)

Also, Poppy what did you hear about Mexico and not getting to use Azteca their next WC qualifer?

Finally on yesterday's game the biggest breakthrough for me was Geoff Cameron. Cameron removing Beckerman from the equation makes him our MVP. I didn't like the stupid yellow card he got and he had great touches in the 2nd half and played good in that spot. If we never see Beckerman on the pitch in a WCQ or tournament I will be happy.

You won't see Beckerman again. I think JK wants Cameron to be playing at CB for Stoke City. But right now Jones, Bradley, Cameron, Edu, Williams are all ahead of Beckerman as CM.

For me the offense is much better when Fabian Johnson is playing in midfield. I like Zusi but Donovan will replace him when he comes back. And Jozy Altidore showed the skill that all of us who follow his club career have seen this year. He's really really good. Rumors are Lazio and Schalke like him. Sign me up for Schalke.

 

[PeteCalvin]

It's a longshot, but the announcers on the Mexico-CRC game were saying that there's precedent for FIFA moving qualifying sites if they can't ensure player safety.

What are the safety concerns? Were there threats made against Mexican players if they should fail to qualify, or is it simply the same drug war concerns?

 

[tee1222]

What are the safety concerns? Were there threats made against Mexican players if they should fail to qualify, or is it simply the same drug war concerns?

I think it was when Costa Rican player got hit in the head with bottle when he was about to corner kick. Riot police were then sent in and used their shields to protect him during corner kick. Pretty ugly stuff.

 

[SUfaninAZ]

Mexico fans are the worst by far... Remember them chanting "Osama" over and over again awhile back.

 

[cusefan88]

I think it was when Costa Rican player got hit in the head with bottle when he was about to corner kick. Riot police were then sent in and used their shields to protect him during corner kick. Pretty ugly stuff.

What ticked me off even more was that the Mexican players kept pushing Ruiz over to the corner to take it like he was time wasting. YOUR FANS WERE THROWING S*IT AT HIM. My god the Mex players should have admonished their fans. They were time wasting on their own squad.

 

[Alsacs]

The scary thing was I watched parts of the first half when the ESPN Mexican Commentator made Ochoa's ordinary save sound like he was Mexican's best player thus far, and was surprised how empty Azteca was. The place probably only had 60k their which is freaking impressive as hell, but they could have 100k in there like they did 4 years when Bill Simmons wrote his ESPN article about going there. Mexico is lucky they beat Jamaica in Kingston or they would have some real problems. They have played 6 matches 3 at home all draws and 3 on the road 1 win 2 draws. They still have to play at the two toughest teams @USA, and @Costa Rica. They will need to beat Panama and Honduras at home. Which I think they will finish top 3 with USA, and Costa Rica, but playing New Zealand is a considerable break for CONCACAF from last time when Costa Rica got beat by Uruguay. Playing Oceania is the easiest followed by Asia, then South America.

Next Tuesday Costa Rica hosts Panama and the USA hosts Honduras. If the USA and Costa Rica both win I think both are statistic locks to finish top 4. Mexico would be fighting with Panama, Honduras for 3rd and luckily for Mexico both of them are at home the second time. USA will likely lose @Costa Rica because of the revenge factor and we always struggle in San Juan beating Honduras is huge for qualification. Our last 4 games @Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, @Panama. I think we could possibly clinch at home against Mexico if we win our next 3 games.

 

[Orangezoo]

You won't see Beckerman again. I think JK wants Cameron to be playing at CB for Stoke City. But right now Jones, Bradley, Cameron, Edu, Williams are all ahead of Beckerman as CM.

For me the offense is much better when Fabian Johnson is playing in midfield. I like Zusi but Donovan will replace him when he comes back. And Jozy Altidore showed the skill that all of us who follow his club career have seen this year. He's really really good. Rumors are Lazio and Schalke like him. Sign me up for Schalke.

Schalke for Jozy would be great. The way he is playing - his first touch and finishing is dare I say it.. clinical. That would fit really well in the Bundesliga. A top form Jozy playing together with Dempsey is a really good attacking combination.

 

[PoppyHart]

wow- thats hardcore right there and costly indeed but with so many great matches I would say a sound investment for any football nut. Ive been working on a collection of signed jerseys. I have only a few so far ( courtesy of having my old soccer coach being a cousin of Steve Cherundolo's) with Cherundolo's, Altidore's and Johnson. Was going to hit up the Germany friendly and hopefully snag a couple more but work got in the way..

I have an Altidore jersey from Hull City. There's no sponsor logo, due to some licensing issues at the time, but it has the official BPL patches. Maybe it will be a collector's item. :noidea:

 

[PoppyHart]

 

[Orangezoo]

Nice - I am sure it will be worth something at some point . I actually just got the Jozy team usa a week ago - getting it framed right now as I am redoing my basement with a dry bar etc so getting frames that work with the coloring etc.

 

[Orangezoo]

If Schalke get Jozy I def will get that Jersey as Schalke is the team I primarily follow in the Bundesliga.

 

[PeteCalvin]

I think it was when Costa Rican player got hit in the head with bottle when he was about to corner kick. Riot police were then sent in and used their shields to protect him during corner kick. Pretty ugly stuff.

I don't normally throw glass bottles at futbol players, but when I do...I prefer Dos Equis.

 

[Orangezoo]

I don't normally throw glass bottles at futbol players, but when I do...I prefer Dos Equis.

I prefer to stick with oranges as the weapon of choice with Gtown fans the target of choice..

 

[PeteCalvin]

All I want to know is which of you collect game worn JLH lingerie?

 

[Orangezoo]

All I want to know is which of you collect game worn JLH lingerie?

Not I - but she has a collection of game worn I have bought for her -

 

[LPOrange]

Mexico fans are the worst by far... Remember them chanting "Osama" over and over again awhile back.

There's a nice vid on youtube about the American fans at Azteca when we last played them. They had to be surrounded by gendarmerie in riot gear for protection and they were placed in a corner of the stadium. You could see the projectiles (cups filled with mystery body fluids mostly) arcing over and hitting the Yanquitos. Several Americans needed medical treatment with gashed heads. Even the bus ride to and from the stadium required police escort.

 

[SUfaninAZ]

There's a nice vid on youtube about the American fans at Azteca when we last played them. They had to be surrounded by gendarmerie in riot gear for protection and they were placed in a corner of the stadium. You could see the projectiles (cups filled with mystery body fluids mostly) arcing over and hitting the Yanquitos. Several Americans needed medical treatment with gashed heads. Even the bus ride to and from the stadium required police escort.

My friend lives across the street from Azteca(Strength coach for Cruz Azul)and said about 5 helocopters were flying around stadium for that game.

 

[PeteCalvin]

There's a nice vid on youtube about the American fans at Azteca when we last played them. They had to be surrounded by gendarmerie in riot gear for protection and they were placed in a corner of the stadium. You could see the projectiles (cups filled with mystery body fluids mostly) arcing over and hitting the Yanquitos. Several Americans needed medical treatment with gashed heads. Even the bus ride to and from the stadium required police escort.

There is no place for that BS in international sports. None. I blame the Mexican futbol federation or whoever it is that runs their national team. They should get on the mic's at the games and stop that crap. Actually, FIFA should penalize teams for that type of fan behavior. Hopefully they will pull the games out of Azteca as a punishment.

 

[ROCcuse]

There is no place for that BS in international sports. None. I blame the Mexican futbol federation or whoever it is that runs their national team. They should get on the mic's at the games and stop that crap. Actually, FIFA should penalize teams for that type of fan behavior. Hopefully they will pull the games out of Azteca as a punishment.

Agreed. UEFA doesn't (see Lazio) / wouldn't put up with that crap. would force the game to be played behind closed doors if necessary.

 

[cuseattle]

So, are there no Sundays in September when the Seahawks and Mariners are both at home?

Attendance for last night's Mariners-Astros 3-2 thriller (Hisashi Iwakuma got the win) - 12,811

We are in a ten year rebuilding program, so please forgive our attendance .