World Cup 2018 Qualification

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:11 pm

brian wrote:Is this 48-team thing official? CONCACAF getting 6 spots is kind of ridiculous frankly.

Giving the playoff spot to 4th in CONCACAF is pushing it. So that is really close to 25% of the countries in the world making it to the WC finals. Insanity. OTOH, there are a hell of a lot more competitive countries. With African and asian countries improving, CONCACAF is miles ahead of where it was 10-15 years ago, Yugoslavia is now 4 competitive countries and Montenegro...

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:40 pm

That allotment isn't official yet, from what I read about it. Still, I think it's the FIFA proposal.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 pm

Its official. Passing congress is just rubber stamping

Post by **brian** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:31 am

degenerasian wrote:Its official. Passing congress is just rubber stamping

That's what everyone said about the AHCA.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:28 am

I generally don't like the expansion BUT if you are from Armenia, Israel, T&T, Jamaica,Honduras, Panama, and even Canada you NEED this to happen.
1.) More meaningful games for your country. That is good for the growth of the game.
2.) More meaningful games for your country. That is good for revenue for the federation (TV)

This also means that you would not have a game that results in Christiano or Ibra staying home from the biggest tournament.

The expansion also allows for a joint bid that does not ruin smaller federations qualifications. If Mex, US, Canada do a joint bid all 3 can take spots and still have a meaningful qualification. This will be important when the games go to Australia/New Zealand or a collection of smaller UEFA countries.

Side conversation---If the US gets the WC and automatic qualifications, will this be a step back in their preparation for the World Cup? Scheduling good games during International break is hard because of rules about miles flown between games (US could go to Europe but US Soccer likes $ from home dates). A friendly is just different than a match with stakes...especially in a concacafy away game.

Post by **brian** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:31 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:Side conversation---If the US gets the WC and automatic qualifications, will this be a step back in their preparation for the World Cup? Scheduling good games during International break is hard because of rules about miles flown between games (US could go to Europe but US Soccer likes $ from home dates). A friendly is just different than a match with stakes...especially in a concacafy away game.

I don't think so. Home field advantage and getting a bid to the Confederations Cup should even out not playing any competitive qualifiers. Since the rosters change so much over a four-year cycle getting to play in the Confed Cup a year before the World Cup is a big bonus.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:37 am

brian wrote:
wlu_lax6 wrote:Side conversation---If the US gets the WC and automatic qualifications, will this be a step back in their preparation for the World Cup? Scheduling good games during International break is hard because of rules about miles flown between games (US could go to Europe but US Soccer likes $ from home dates). A friendly is just different than a match with stakes...especially in a concacafy away game.
I don't think so. Home field advantage and getting a bid to the Confederations Cup should even out not playing any competitive qualifiers. Since the rosters change so much over a four-year cycle getting to play in the Confed Cup a year before the World Cup is a big bonus.

Will they have a confederations cup? The description of the last 2 in tournament was described as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. That was the big reason for the Confederations cup (but I get the money grab that comes with big name teams playing instead of bottom of the barrel qualifiers).

Post by **brian** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:41 am

I can't imagine why they wouldn't continue it. Like you said, it's essentially an easy way for FIFA to make some money, but my impression is that most of the federations like it because teams that play in the Confederations Cup who are playing in the World Cup get a bit of an advantage.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:01 am

How many points from the next two? Qualifier at Mexico is pretty much as big as games get in N. America. Need to find a way to celebrate.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:30 am

brian wrote:I can't imagine why they wouldn't continue it. Like you said, it's essentially an easy way for FIFA to make some money, but my impression is that most of the federations like it because teams that play in the Confederations Cup who are playing in the World Cup get a bit of an advantage.

Plus it gives some meaning to winning the Gold Cup. I think winning CONMEBOL and UEFA Cups are big enough on their own that it doesn't add much incentive. African Cup seems like a bigger prize, too.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:38 am

HaulCitgo wrote:How many points from the next two? Qualifier at Mexico is pretty much as big as games get in N. America. Need to find a way to celebrate.

3 minimum
4 ideal
6 Bruce Arena does any icky shuffle before spiking it in Jurgen's face

a draw is a huge result at Azteca

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:51 am

I'll be at the Dick.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:57 am

Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:03 pm

All home teams winning the June games (entirely plausible, they will all be favored) would put the US still in 4th place limbo, but now they would be 3 points clear of Honduras, 4 points clear of T&T and a point behind Panama with a home game in hand. And no more games against Mexico. That's perfectly fine. Just want to get that out there in advance of the deflating Azteca loss.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:07 pm

Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.

The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

Post by **brian** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:13 pm

mister d wrote:
Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.
The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

Good god, why would we play Costa Rica anywhere near New York City?

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:15 pm

Not even sure that is a mathematical possibility. Seems awful soon.

These guys just have to show something in Mexico. Something to be said for the slow march forward but its time that this team show the fans (and themselves) that they can compete for a world cup. Kinda impossible to do that if you cant even slay the dragon in your own backyard, even more so when they bitch you like a little brother.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 1:33 pm

HaulCitgo wrote:Not even sure that is a mathematical possibility. Seems awful soon.

These guys just have to show something in Mexico. Something to be said for the slow march forward but its time that this team show the fans (and themselves) that they can compete for a world cup. Kinda impossible to do that if you cant even slay the dragon in your own backyard, even more so when they bitch you like a little brother.

But, our back yard is their front yard!

elflaco · Post by **elflaco** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 4:06 pm

mister d wrote:
Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.
The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

soon as those tickets go on sale... Harrison not Newark.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 4:09 pm

Harrison to jersey-blooded jersey guys like us but I figured most people here wouldn't know where that was.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:09 pm

elflaco wrote:
mister d wrote:
Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.
The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

soon as those tickets go on sale... Harrison not Newark.

Who else is in? Let's get a group together. I was thinking it would be a moot point by then, but F it, even if they clinch, it's still worth going.

Post by **brian** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:28 pm

The Sybian wrote:
elflaco wrote:
mister d wrote:
Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.
The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

soon as those tickets go on sale... Harrison not Newark.
Who else is in? Let's get a group together. I was thinking it would be a moot point by then, but F it, even if they clinch, it's still worth going.

It's a hell of a party if you're at a game where they clinch qualification. Sabo, AB and I were at one of the Dos A Cero games where we clinched a spot.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 6:12 pm

That was fun.

No linear was there too I think but we didn't catch up.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 6:38 pm

Now that makes me want to party in Orlando for the Panama game. I do remember the on field party last clincher. Would definitely be worth a ticket.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:00 pm

brian wrote:
The Sybian wrote:
elflaco wrote:
mister d wrote:
Rex wrote:Winning the T&T game is the only thing that matters. A point or better at Mexico would be nice and would make the fall a bit less stressful, but I don't think it is important at all.
The Costa Rica game is supposed to be in Newark so I'm kinda/sorta hoping that lines up as a potential clincher.

soon as those tickets go on sale... Harrison not Newark.
Who else is in? Let's get a group together. I was thinking it would be a moot point by then, but F it, even if they clinch, it's still worth going.
It's a hell of a party if you're at a game where they clinch qualification. Sabo, AB and I were at one of the Dos A Cero games where we clinched a spot.

Only USMNT game I've ever gone to was a qualifier against T&T. Not sure, but I feel like the US must have already qualified, because I don't remember a sense of urgency. US won 1-0, and it was a Soca Party the entire game. Soca band played the entire game. After the game, they marched through the stadium, continuing the music, and a lot of fans from both sides sort of danced in line following them. It was awesome. A T&T fan insulted me in the parking lot, so my friends insisted he and his pals drink with us. Such cool, friendly people.

[I was wearing a Donovan jersey, and was 20 pounds heavier than I am now. The guy came over, rubbed my belly and said "Landon, not looking match fit."]

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:07 am

Carnival in Trinidad has to be on the bucket list.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:20 am

A_B wrote:That was fun.

No linear was there too I think but we didn't catch up.

Es verdad.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:54 am

I know a girl that is a caucasian Trinidadian. She speaks with a thick Caribbean accent and it trips me out every time.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:24 pm

1. This is either an optimal USMNT lineup given the current players available in the pool or something very close to it. It feels like that hasn't happened in forever. (Now watch it lose to Venezuela).

2. When was the last time that the diciest selection in a USA lineup was the keeper?

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:00 pm

That was the sort of half that will have me studying the Asian qualifying tables more closely.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:19 pm

Anytime the US wants to wake up, that would be terrific.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:11 pm

Finally - nice buildup and a goal for lead. Still shake in the back in this one.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:20 pm

I never wanted to kiss a teen more.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:21 pm

Oh my, Pulisic. And the pass from Jozy was perfect.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:27 pm

The funny thing about this game is we are playing the "Hey this isn't rocket science Jurgen, just play Pulisic and Nagbe" lineup. Not much else is different tonight.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:33 pm

Also, would you go with Guzan blind in Mexico after seeing this?

howard · Post by **howard** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:51 pm

Not elegant, took care of bidness

Post by **brian** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:58 pm

I have an "only in Las Vegas" betting story but only a second I'll spill later or tomorrow.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:05 pm

Reminder: We are El Tri fans for the next 90 minutes.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:07 pm

brian wrote:I have an "only in Las Vegas" betting story but only a second I'll spill later or tomorrow.

I hope it's "I placed a legal bet on this match".