World Cup 2022 - Qatar

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 2:41 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:48 pm Really? I just assumed those would reset and Costa Rica's tactic would be to try and bait the US into an early red by playing on or over the edge.

They can use the backups to do that, and then sub in the stars if it works.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:17 pm

Playing a B team is the route I'd push if I was CRC. Beating any team by 6 goals is insane, let alone a US team full of guys that know how to defend quite well. It's just not a realistic goal, so why take any chances.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:28 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:17 pm Playing a B team is the route I'd push if I was CRC. Beating any team by 6 goals is insane, let alone a US team full of guys that know how to defend quite well. It's just not a realistic goal, so why take any chances.

Right. It is bizarre how many commentators are skipping past that part. We qualified for all reasonable intents and purposes Sunday night. Even our C squad doesn't get beat 6-0 in Costa Rica.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:07 pm

I mean, you could make an argument (not a very compelling one) that we'd be better off just gumming up the game with a bunch of MLS pluggers. But as I was saying to crew the other night, the really nice thing about this version of the player pool... GGG can't even realistically throw a team like what he did down in that disaster of a Panama game. The roster, with just a couple of outliers, is just too damn talented.

For you Athletic guys, this is a very good synopsis and breakdown of CP's evolution. Gets into his comments from February about putting too much pressure on himself, which I've been very focused on this entire WCQ cycle. You could just see him pressing too much. He just looked like what we thought he was going to grow into on Sunday. Hopefully it's here to stay.

https://theathletic.com/3213216/2022/03 ... -him-most/

And can you guys even imagine what this squad is capable of when you have a midfield with Adams, Weston, Gio and CP running at people? Throw in Aaranson and his workrate and skill up top? An emerging De La Torre? I'm not gonna keep listing talent, but that's just a gnarly attacking crew.

Cripes, man, that team is gonna be SO GOOD for the 2026 cycle.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:14 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:15 pm
The Sybian wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 6:39 pm
tennbengal wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 6:36 pm So...on goal differential, we are basically qualified at the end of this win, right? Currently up 3-0 and a +9 over Costa Rica...we are not losing 10-0 down there.
Yup. Panama showing no fight. Crazy. They just gave up after the first goal.
To be fair to them, they showed lots of "fight" it just wasn't very well focused. They lost their fucking minds,to be more specific.

VERY FUCKING STUPID tonight.

I mean... thanks? But that was just ridiculously CONCACAF of them.

Sorry, last thing from me for a bit. I wanted to actually explain myself here:

Panama, needing a win and with a coach that (apparently, per statements) just doesn't have it him to bunker and counter. Well, it almost paid off early, as things were a little dicey in the back. But a more sensible and strategic approach against a US team that LOVES to turn you over and go all lightning fast counter/transition is to, you know, not give the ball up by taking a ton of chances all over the field. Especially after the first 10 minutes didn't produce a goal. LOTS of teams go out with a "high press, quick strike" strategy, that is then dialed way back 15 minutes into the half.

They literally played right into our hands, and even though it might not have felt like, once we got up 2-0, they were toast. It was just a really bad game plan, on the road, in a must-win game.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:16 pm

That kind of protecting is worth zero. How about destroying guys in challenges and 50/50s. Not quite McKennie yet.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:28 pm

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:19 pm

LOL, Algeria and Cameroon went to extra time. Algeria scored with 2 minutes left and starting rolling around on the ground for 5 minutes. Then Cameroon scored to win on away goals and Algeria had no time left to equalize because they had wasted it all.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:22 pm

It definitely reminded me of some other game

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:44 pm

The pots are set for the draw on Friday, only thing now is Canada can get into Pot 3 with a win over Panama tomorrow, otherwise it's Tunisia.

Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, England, Argentina, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Netherland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia, Uruguay, Mexico, United States
Pot 3: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Poland, Serbia, Senegal, Morocco, Canada or Tunisia
Pot 4: Canada or Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, and the three playoff teams.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:54 pm

Did they confirm the pots? I heard on a pod that either Mexico or US may be in pot 1, and for US to get it, they'd have to win and Mexico lose.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:55 pm

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:54 pm Did they confirm the pots? I heard on a pod that either Mexico or US may be in pot 1, and for US to get it, they'd have to win and Mexico lose.

Yes they are confirmed. In order for any of that to happen, Portugal had to lose to Macedonia, which they didn't.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:18 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:55 pm
govmentchedda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:54 pm Did they confirm the pots? I heard on a pod that either Mexico or US may be in pot 1, and for US to get it, they'd have to win and Mexico lose.
Yes they are confirmed. In order for any of that to happen, Portugal had to lose to Macedonia, which they didn't.

Thanks

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:21 pm

So, dream scenario is to pull the hosts and then Tunisia and... I dunno, New Zealand?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:24 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:21 pm So, dream scenario is to pull the hosts and then Tunisia and... I dunno, New Zealand?

Yeah your dream draw is Qatar, USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Your death draw is Brazil, USA, Poland, Wales

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:40 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:24 pm
Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:21 pm So, dream scenario is to pull the hosts and then Tunisia and... I dunno, New Zealand?
Yeah your dream draw is Qatar, USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Your death draw is Brazil, USA, Poland, Wales

Although, beating Wales in the WC would finally get Zumba and Tom to shut up about how bad CONCACAF is.

pruitt2 · Post by **pruitt2** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:39 am

The Senegal/Egypt game seemed to be occurring on laser pointer night at the stadium.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:20 am

The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:40 pm
degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:24 pm
Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:21 pm So, dream scenario is to pull the hosts and then Tunisia and... I dunno, New Zealand?
Yeah your dream draw is Qatar, USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Your death draw is Brazil, USA, Poland, Wales
Although, beating Wales in the WC would finally get Zumba and Tom to shut up about how bad CONCACAF is.

Yesterday Wales had a front three who play for Cardiff City, Swindon Town.... and Real Madrid.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:19 am

Baloney wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:20 am
The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:40 pm
degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:24 pm
Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:21 pm So, dream scenario is to pull the hosts and then Tunisia and... I dunno, New Zealand?
Yeah your dream draw is Qatar, USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Your death draw is Brazil, USA, Poland, Wales
Although, beating Wales in the WC would finally get Zumba and Tom to shut up about how bad CONCACAF is.
Yesterday Wales had a front three who play for Cardiff City, Swindon Town.... and Real Madrid.

in the long history between these two teams the US is 1-0-1 against Wales. Both friendlies (0-0 in November 2020 and 2-0 in 2003 (Wales went man down in the 48th).
fun to look at that 2003 squad (remember when DC United was good and produced talent)
Rimando, Agoos, Vanney, Convey (Brian Ching entered in 75th), Donovan, Eddie Lewis, Mulrooney, Stewart (Manny Lagos entered at 83), Kirovski (Eskandarian in the 89th), Charles Brown, Ryan Suarez (Petke in the 78th).

Donovan got a PK (tied to the 2nd yellow->red card) and Eddie Lewis scored just over 10 minutes later.

Wales had 2 players with the last name Jones and 2 players with the first name Gareth.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:40 am

Just saw the game is now listed as airing on CBSSports, so no need to watch in Spanish (for me).

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:49 pm

Rex u got a USA bar? Might end up eating sushi in castle berry hill. Feel like the party

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:40 pm

I’m definitely in for the night but if I were still a young drunk I’d hit Brewhouse in Little 5 Points tonight.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:44 pm

Surprised Pulisic is starting. I would have held him back, bring on as a sub if losing. Wanted to see Reyna start, but he might not be fully fit.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:03 pm

pruitt2 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:39 am The Senegal/Egypt game seemed to be occurring on laser pointer night at the stadium.

That stuff pisses me off a bit.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:25 pm

Same. There was a lot of his face un-lasered. #misdirectionhumor

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:25 pm

Really glad we took a point at Azteca.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:51 pm

Love the Panamanians flopping and diving and wasting time in a game to get them 5th place.

Fuck you, we're going to the World Cup.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:57 pm

degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:44 pm The pots are set for the draw on Friday, only thing now is Canada can get into Pot 3 with a win over Panama tomorrow, otherwise it's Tunisia.

Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, England, Argentina, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Netherland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia, Uruguay, Mexico, United States
Pot 3: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Poland, Serbia, Senegal, Morocco, Canada or Tunisia
Pot 4: Canada or Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, and the three playoff teams.

Will the draw be televised?

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:04 pm

FS1, Noon ET

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:05 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:57 pm
degenerasian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:44 pm The pots are set for the draw on Friday, only thing now is Canada can get into Pot 3 with a win over Panama tomorrow, otherwise it's Tunisia.

Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, England, Argentina, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Netherland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia, Uruguay, Mexico, United States
Pot 3: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Poland, Serbia, Senegal, Morocco, Canada or Tunisia
Pot 4: Canada or Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, and the three playoff teams.
Will the draw be televised?

Peacock? Univision. Not sure.

TSN in Canada.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:00 pm

Brontoburglar wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:04 pm FS1, Noon ET

Thx

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 6:41 am

sancarlos wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:00 pm
Brontoburglar wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:04 pm FS1, Noon ET
Thx

I hope they bring the same pomp and circumstance that US did in 94

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:00 am

Can the US draw Canada, or do they still avoid teams playing others in their Confederation?

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:32 am

The Sybian wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:00 am Can the US draw Canada, or do they still avoid teams playing others in their Confederation?

I think all but Euro teams are kept apart from their confederation.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:49 am

You know we're getting Ghana out of Pot 4.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:33 am

No "easy draws" but the ones with the Dutch and Germans will be No fun (unless one of those gets Qatar).

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:37 am

mister d wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 8:49 am You know we're getting Ghana out of Pot 4.

And Portugal.

pruitt2 · Post by **pruitt2** » Fri Apr 01, 2022 6:18 am

How many people around the world are praying for Qatar?

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Fri Apr 01, 2022 8:59 am

Yeah, but it's funny... I wouldn't want those guys in my group. They were a pretty gnarly opponent in the matches I watched at the Gold Cup. I'd put them squarely in the "playing Costa Rica... at home, during a WCQ" level of scary.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but that's definitely not a gimme by any stretch.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Fri Apr 01, 2022 9:19 am

This is, in case there was any doubt, my favorite soccer day by a factor of 10,000