US Soccer 2009

I don't think FIFA would reduce the amount of slots. The tweak those formulas constantly to get the configurations they want. Mexico and U.S. in the world cup is worth big money for TV broadcast rights. FIFA wants those teams in there.

There are no 'saviors' for U.S. Soccer, either in MLS or elsewhere. Kenny Cooper is probably the guy who most deserves a shot but he is not clearly head and shoulders ahead of any of the guys who are getting call-ups and may not fit Bradley's style very well.

It is pretty late for any youth players to come up and make an impact for 2010. One possible source of surprise players--FIFA just changed the rules regarding cap-tying a player to one nation. Friendlys no longer count, youth appearances no longer count. Players with dual nationality who haven't played in an official senior game with either team can choose either. There is a Castillo in Mexico who has dual citizenship and plays left back, a position of great need. There is a Jones in Germany who is a midfielder who could help.

However, a Mexico fan in Columbus, Ohio runs a high risk of ending up in pieces. Those fans don't even follow US soccer, they're just a bunch of methed-up skin heads looking for trouble. I back US soccer, but the crowds at Columbus are downright embarrassing.[/quote]

Crew Cat disagrees and so do I.

I think we aren't too many years away from the league being able to pay out more for players, so our own don\'t go overseas to sit and cheer. Hopefully the new markets over the next few years (Vancouver & Portland look like they'll do well)continue to have large crowds, which in turn entice sponsors and attention, and make the investors happy.

I think Arena's teams were pretty heavy w/ MLS players, but my recollection could be iffy. I did find an old article, though, with quotes that fit well into this topic:

http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/1999/sep22.htm

Just how bad is the situation in Mexico. What is the chances of them qualifying now. Somebody told me they now have about a 60% of making it.

This is a whole lot of not good for Mexican soccer!!!!

If Donovan pissed during the Mexican anthem he would have been suspended. This story is beyond silly.

If I were a top wrote:

You do realize that said incedent was in retaliation of Landon Donovan peeing in the middle of the field during the Mexican national anthem. Who looks like a bigger jack ass, some drunk fans or some cooter wearing the national team colors?

Completely fabricated.

He urinated on the pitch during a practice--not during the Mexican anthem. There is a huge difference in the gravity of those actions.

Get your facts straight next time.

crewfan wrote:

Just how bad is the situation in Mexico. What is the chances of them qualifying now. Somebody told me they now have about a 60% of making it.

This is a whole lot of not good for Mexican soccer!!!!

They have only played four games of a ten-game series and are two points from overtaking the last qualifying team. Of those four games, three have been played away. Of their six remaining games, four will be played in Mexico. As bad as they have been playing they should qualify easily. Putting a percentage on their chances does not make much sense.

SoccerFan wrote:

Completely fabricated.

He urinated on the pitch during a practice--not during the Mexican anthem. There is a huge difference in the gravity of those actions.

Get your facts straight next time.

I was on the sidelines at the time, you idiot! Think before you write next time.

Four of the six remaining Mexican games are at home where they have a huge home field advantage. Losing at El Salvador hurt but was less than a fatal blow. The hex is basically a four team face for three and a half slots. Current standings are as follows:

Team Pts Pace GP

CR 12 1 5

US 10 -1 5

ES 5 -5 4

HN 4 -2 4

MX 3 -3 4

TT 2 -6 4

Mexico and Honduras have only played one home game, with the top three teams already having played three. El Salvador is dangerous but is likely not to qualify. T&T are already done. The top three qualify, the fourth one is going to play a playoff with the fifth place team in South America, so even then they still have a good chance.

Because of the confederations cup the U.S. and Costa Rico have played fives games already while the other four teams have only played four (they play their fifth tonight).

If I were a top wrote:

SoccerFan wrote:

Completely fabricated.

He urinated on the pitch during a practice--not during the Mexican anthem. There is a huge difference in the gravity of those actions.

Get your facts straight next time.

I was on the sidelines at the time, you idiot! Think before you write next time.

No way I buy this. They're standing right next to little kids during the anthems. I don't believe for a second donavon took a piss with all of them right there. And how the hell were you on the sidelines at stadio azteca?

And has an update, el tri are up 1-0 against tnt and honduras is up 1-0 on el sal

PDubbs wrote:

No way I buy this. They're standing right next to little kids during the anthems. I don't believe for a second donavon took a piss with all of them right there. And how the hell were you on the sidelines at stadio azteca?

And has an update, el tri are up 1-0 against tnt and honduras is up 1-0 on el sal

It was not at Estadio Azteca. It was a 1999 qualifier for the the 2000 Syndney Games at Estadio Universitario.

SoccerFan wrote:

"Nobody wants to see the people of Mexico go through the agony of their team not making the World Cup."

I do, I do! I'm biased towards the US since I live here, but I like when new teams make it at the expense of established ones. Would love to see at least one of El Salvador / Honduras get in. In the same way I like how Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland are doing well in Europe and North Korea can ensure qualification with a win or draw next match.

If Mexico does not make it the whole nation will go into a depression.

If mexico shits the bed against T&T they are in major trouble. They scored right after the break, currently 2-1 el tri.

crewfan wrote:

If Mexico does not make it the whole nation will go into a depression.

Just like the rest of the world?

crewfan wrote:

If Mexico does not make it the whole nation will go into a depression.

Now there's a worldly crew fan.

Well halfway through the final round, CR, USA, and Honduras sit in the auto-spots and Mexico would be going into the playoff if it ended today. USA at Mexico will be big. Mexico has looked like utter dog crap on the road, but has won its two home games, though this Trinidad game wasn't all that convincing. The US, if it can get on the ball just a bit more, has a chance to get a result here. Would love to see them get at least a draw at the Azteca. The US has its ills, but hopefully between the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup the USA will have lots of time together to get their problems sorted out. Mexico could use a good finish in the Gold Cup to boost confidence and show they can win in not-Azteca. It'd be especially interesting if USA and Mexico met in the Gold Cup final again, a little preview to the World Cup qualifier, eh?

I think the USA has done enough that they would have to completely collapse not to qualify, and Costa Rica looks like qualifying just by how well they've been playing. Trinidad can score goals but not enough, sadly I think they're all but done. Perhaps they were done after game one, where they let a 2 goal lead vanish in stoppage time. It's all to play for with Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico now. Mexico will be looking for revenge on those two at home, while El Sal and Honduras could help put Mexico to bed if either of them could beat El Tri at Azteca, or even if they could both manage a draw. Keep in mind they both won big at their own Estadios, 2-1 for El Sal and 3-1 for Honduras, with both Mexican goals coming on late penalties. Actually this is what concerns me the most is that Mexico had three away matches and scored a whopping two goals, both on penalties. They need to fix that before August 12. Honduras is better than a lot of people think, but El Salvador, we'll see about. Good at times, shaky at others, and they keep preferring Miguel Montes in goal...the guy is just about the worst goalie I have ever seen. I suppose they also had a penalty in the Mexico game, though they did get a normal goal too, for what it's worth. I think if Mexico can't solve it's away woes, that they must settle for the playoff spot, with CR, Honduras, and the USA in some order filling in the top three. I can't see Mexico not placing fourth with El Salvador questionable and Trinidad looking lost throughout the competition. Whoever they meet in the playoff (currently Ecuador) will be tough as South America is stacked. Actually, Argentina could slip into the playoff spot too with another loss... Mexico v Argentina...great match-up! In 2006 this was a knockout round game that went into overtime...can you imagine if they had to play just to get in? Two soccer-mad countries trying to give the other their worst summer ever...man. I kinda hope that happens now.

U. S. will be sending a B-team to the Gold Cup. Between the three tough games in S.A. w/ the first team and a chance to train and see form from some of the guys at the Gold Cup I hope we will be in a bit better position by the time August comes around.

Getting a result in the Azteca is going to be tough, though. Mexico actually thoroughly outplayed Trinidad last night. The T&T goaltender stood on his head a few times, that could easily have been 4-1.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Getting a result in the Azteca is going to be tough, though.

Oh, definitely. I believe we've never won there? Looking at the fall, @ Mexico will probably be a draw or loss, but we get Trinidad at their place, and they can't buy a win anywhere. @Honduras will be tough but we could possibly win, we'll call that a draw, then we should beat El Salvador at home and if Mexico beat Costa Rica at home, perhaps we can too, or draw them. We should end up with about 18-20 points or so, which'll be good enough to get in.

You're right about Mex v Tri, I finally got to see highlights this morning. Mexico looked better than they have lately, we'll see if they build on it between now and August. That 3rd spot and the playoff spot ought to come down to who can pull off draws or an odd win on the road. There seriously is a major home-field advantage in CONCACAF right now so whoever breaks through once on the road will put themselves in great position.

Spain are by far the best team in the world with about 30 straight unbeaten games and won the Euro Cup, major trophy, Holland is the 2nd best team in the world and ripped Italy 3-0 a year ago. None of these teams were even mentioned.

The original author does not know that much about soccer.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

http://www.eloratings.net