World Cup 2018 Qualification

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:51 am

What was up with playing every corner short? Lack of height up front?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:35 am

mister d wrote:What was up with playing every corner short? Lack of height up front?

I think they were hoping for a marking issue. Must have been something they saw on tape because they played short and then hit the cross. Typically to a late run by Omar G. A write up I saw on Arena's management of the game asked the question, why go short and why risk the counterattack by pushing all 3 backs forward on the corner kicks. I don't find bringing the backs forward that weird as they are the tallest players and good in the air. However, who you rotate back is important as the Mexican goal was transition of this nature. You have Bradley covering the center back as the back line is sprinting back behind the play.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:54 am

sancarlos wrote:Couple of nice free kick goals by Leigh Griffiths of Scotland (Celtic) today in their draw against England.

This is the most understated way to talk about that game possible. :D

That game was nucking futs. Happened to tune in right after ENG scored their first goal and then stuck with it... Very glad I did.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:21 am

When MEX made a sub at around 30 minutes in, it reminded me of the sub they made back in the 2002 WC game. In both games, Arena put dangerous guys out wide, which fucks with El Tri's desire to do their own attacking down the wings. Pulisic and Arriola gave them something to worry about most of the night, and for the most part the back 3 was able to work with the midfield to contain their attack.

The guys bought in, which is really way more than half the battle, particularly playing in that venue.

I will say... Sure seemed like a pretty healthy contingency of US fans. That felt like the most away support we've had down there, but maybe that's just the way they did the sound?

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:26 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Agree Cameron was great and Ream played a really nice 2nd half.

I thought Yedlin played a really solid game. Seemed like he was getting isolated a bunch out on the wing, but he managed to hold things together.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am

Iran-Uzbekistan starting soon on youtube

An Iranian win will make them the second team after Brazil to qualify for Russia.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:18 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:
sancarlos wrote:Couple of nice free kick goals by Leigh Griffiths of Scotland (Celtic) today in their draw against England.
This is the most understated way to talk about that game possible. :D

That game was nucking futs. Happened to tune in right after ENG scored their first goal and then stuck with it... Very glad I did.

I just watched the highlights

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 3:27 pm

sancarlos wrote:
Nonlinear FC wrote:
sancarlos wrote:Couple of nice free kick goals by Leigh Griffiths of Scotland (Celtic) today in their draw against England.
This is the most understated way to talk about that game possible. :D

That game was nucking futs. Happened to tune in right after ENG scored their first goal and then stuck with it... Very glad I did.
I just watched the highlights

England go up 1-0 and have pretty much dominated the game up until the 75th minute or so. But the goal (finally) opens the game up and Scotland start to tip the field a bit. Still, nothing all that much comes of it.

FFWD to the 85th minute so, Scotland earn a free kick center right about 25 yards out. Their striker, who has worked his ass off all day with very little to show for it, absolutely laces it, up and over the wall, right into the back of the net. Fucking bedlam ensues.

FFWD to about the 90th, Scotland get another free kick from about the same distance, but more centrally located. Same dude steps up, only this time he curls it to the other side of the goal, around/over the wall... FUCKING BEDLAM! The stadium looked about to explode.

FFWD to the 93rd minute, 4 minutes of extra slated, England a free kick top of the box, dude smashes it, but keeper makes a good save. Rebound bounces top of the box, Scotland rather feebly/nervously sputter out a clearance. England gets the ball back, slides over to the left flank, dude picks his head up... Scotland do an absolute shite job of clearing out of the box and pressing their line. Kane sneaks behind on the back post as the cross is sailed in...

Right foot side of the foot valley smashes the back of the net.

FT 2-2.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:33 pm

I had never seen Blas Perez score a goal against someone other than the USA before.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:14 pm

Honduras corner taker is pelted with something from the crowd and gets a time wasting yellow for walking away from it. This is CONCACAF at its very best.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:51 am

The table after 6 GP:

MEX - 14
CRC - 11
USA - 8
PAN - 7
HON - 5
TNT - 3

Two more sets of games left. It's going to get very interesting at the 3/4 slot. As we've discussed, the next round for the US is extremely dicey. Hopefully Bruce has some answers for CRC, who absolutely leveled us in November. Never easy down at San Pedro Sula, and this Honduras squad seems to have somewhat righted the ship after we destroyed them a few months back. After getting worked over by El Tri, they scrapped an away point in Panama last night. HUGE result for them. Keeps them within a result of the 3rd slot, as opposed to 3 points out of the 4 slot.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:54 am

Nonlinear FC wrote:The table after 6 GP:

MEX - 14
CRC - 11
USA - 8
PAN - 7
HON - 5
TNT - 3

Two more sets of games left. It's going to get very interesting at the 3/4 slot. As we've discussed, the next round for the US is extremely dicey. Hopefully Bruce has some answers for CRC, who absolutely leveled us in November. Never easy down at San Pedro Sula, and this Honduras squad seems to have somewhat righted the ship after we destroyed them a few months back. After getting worked over by El Tri, they scrapped an away point in Panama last night. HUGE result for them. Keeps them within a result of the 3rd slot, as opposed to 3 points out of the 4 slot.

Four points in those games should do it. Even a win vs CRC and loss to Honduras should just about do it. Hard to see not getting at least four points from the last two games.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:08 am

Nonlinear FC wrote:The table after 6 GP:

MEX - 14
CRC - 11
USA - 8
PAN - 7
HON - 5
TNT - 3

Two more sets of games left. It's going to get very interesting at the 3/4 slot. As we've discussed, the next round for the US is extremely dicey. Hopefully Bruce has some answers for CRC, who absolutely leveled us in November. Never easy down at San Pedro Sula, and this Honduras squad seems to have somewhat righted the ship after we destroyed them a few months back. After getting worked over by El Tri, they scrapped an away point in Panama last night. HUGE result for them. Keeps them within a result of the 3rd slot, as opposed to 3 points out of the 4 slot.

All true, but it also looks like a win against Panama and some other result somewhere will be enough. At the very least it would be enough to avoid 5th.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:14 am

No excuse to not at least get win vs. PAN, draw vs. CRC and win at TNT. Those three results should do it. If they can't earn those three results arguably don't deserve to make World Cup anyway.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 11:38 am

Yeah, I agree with you guys... Getting 4 points this round was pretty big. We'd have to shit the bed the next round for there to be any drama in October. But when you look at this coming round... Just not a walk in the park. A team in CRC where we have always struggled and then down in Hon where they will be (assuming a win over TnT) playing for a spot in the top 3.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:08 pm

US call ins for this set of matches. Rimando still has the 3rd spot ahead of Hamid and Ethan H. Wondo and RunDMB make the squad too.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Tim Ream (Fulham), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).

Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Fabian Johnson (Moenchengladbach), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg).

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:26 pm

I don't think Wondo or Beasley are good enough at their current levels to play for the National Team. But hey, get them some experience in camp and maybe by 2022, they'll be prepared.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:31 pm

Wondo scored a goal from 3 feet out last night, so maybe his form is on the rise!

Post by **brian** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:32 pm

Being in camp doesn't mean they'll even make the final 20 or even step foot on the field. If ever there was a time you could make a justification for an older guy who knows what it's like to play a pressure-packed WCQ in Central America, now is the time.

(FWIW, I have a lot more faith in DMB (if we need him) than Wondo. That one I absolutely don't get.)

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:40 pm

brian wrote:Being in camp doesn't mean they'll even make the final 20 or even step foot on the field. If ever there was a time you could make a justification for an older guy who knows what it's like to play a pressure-packed WCQ in Central America, now is the time.

(FWIW, I have a lot more faith in DMB (if we need him) than Wondo. That one I absolutely don't get.)

I agree with you, just going for the joke to the obvious criticism. Beasley has held his own, and there is a lot to be said for adding a guy with his experience. I like seeing young guys getting called in to give them experience, but this is do or die time, so not the time to experiment. Maybe Wondo adds something to practice or in the locker room, sets the tone to work hard and be professional, maybe he has an ability to gel the group together that we don't hear about. Or maybe he has pictures of Sunil Gulati sucking Sep Blatter's cock in a hot tub filled with gold. Who knows. I want to see Klejstan back in the mix, I thought he had a special connection with Pulisic, but I'm overall happy with this squad.

Another point on Beasley, we are still hurting for outside backs, so I'm fine with Beasley in the mix, but we have so many young forwards now, I do feel Wondo is taking away their opportunity to develop.

Post by **brian** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:46 pm

The Sybian wrote:
brian wrote:Being in camp doesn't mean they'll even make the final 20 or even step foot on the field. If ever there was a time you could make a justification for an older guy who knows what it's like to play a pressure-packed WCQ in Central America, now is the time.

(FWIW, I have a lot more faith in DMB (if we need him) than Wondo. That one I absolutely don't get.)

I agree with you, just going for the joke to the obvious criticism. Beasley has held his own, and there is a lot to be said for adding a guy with his experience. I like seeing young guys getting called in to give them experience, but this is do or die time, so not the time to experiment. Maybe Wondo adds something to practice or in the locker room, sets the tone to work hard and be professional, maybe he has an ability to gel the group together that we don't hear about. Or maybe he has pictures of Sunil Gulati sucking Sep Blatter's cock in a hot tub filled with gold. Who knows. I want to see Klejstan back in the mix, I thought he had a special connection with Pulisic, but I'm overall happy with this squad.

Another point on Beasley, we are still hurting for outside backs, so I'm fine with Beasley in the mix, but we have so many young forwards now, I do feel Wondo is taking away their opportunity to develop.

Exactly what I was thinking, but you said it better than me.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:50 pm

Rex wrote:Wondo scored a goal from 3 feet out last night, so maybe his form is on the rise!

It was a clever run and nice chip
https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/match ... deo/132396

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:08 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote:
Rex wrote:Wondo scored a goal from 3 feet out last night, so maybe his form is on the rise!

It was a clever run and nice chip
https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/match ... deo/132396

The guy does have great instincts for scoring. I probably should like him more, seeing as he plays a similar style as I did; slow, not great ball skills, average shot, but manages to be in the right spot to put away the easy goals. If he hits the net against Belgium, does he go down as a US soccer legend? He got his first cap very late in his career (with his name misspelled on his jersey), and went on a goal scoring tear. You miss one sitter in injury time in the knockout round of the World Cup, and you are a sheep shagger.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:24 pm

What's going on with Brooks? Is he injured or just bad now?

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:29 pm

Injured, long-ish term. I forget what it is.

ETA: Torn thigh tendon

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:57 pm

mister d wrote:Injured, long-ish term. I forget what it is.

ETA: Torn thigh tendon

God that sounds horrible. I'll bet Wolfsburg is glad they spent all that money on him.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 7:29 am

Via WaPo Soccer Insider-your guide to TV/Internet for Qualifiers starting Thursday

THURSDAY

6:30 a.m.: Japan vs. Australia WatchESPN, ESPN3

7:30 a.m.: South Korea vs. Iran WatchESPN, ESPN3

9 a.m.: Uganda vs. Egypt beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

9 a.m.: Guinea vs. Libya beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Portugal vs. Faroe Islands FS1, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass

2:45 p.m.: Bulgaria vs. Sweden FS2, Univision Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Univision Now, Fox Soccer Match Pass, univisiondeportes.com

2:45 p.m.: France vs. Netherlands ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Belgium vs. Gibraltar Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass

2:45 p.m.: Cyprus vs. Bosnia WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Greece vs. Estonia WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Switzerland vs. Andorra WatchESPN, ESPN3

5 p.m.: Venezuela vs. Colombia beIN Sports Espanol, fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

6:30 p.m.: Chile vs. Paraguay beIN Sports, fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

7 p.m.: Uruguay vs. Argentina beIN Sports Espanol, fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

8:45 p.m.: Brazil vs. Ecuador beIN Sports, beIN Sports Espanol, fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

10:15 p.m.: Peru vs. Bolivia beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

FRIDAY

11:30 a.m.: Ghana vs. Congo beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

Noon: Nigeria vs. Cameroon beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

2:30 p.m.: Cape Verde vs. South Africa beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Czech Republic vs. Germany FS1, UniMas, Univision Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Univision Now, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV, univisiondeportes.com

2:45 p.m.: Denmark vs. Poland FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Malta vs. England ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Romania vs. Armenia WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Norway vs. Azerbaijan WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Slovakia vs. Slovenia ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: San Marino vs. Northern Ireland Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Lithuania vs. Scotland Fox Soccer Match Pass

4 p.m.: Tunisia vs. Congo beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

4:45 p.m.: Ukraine vs. Turkey WatchESPN, ESPN3

6:55 p.m.: United States vs. Costa Rica ESPN, Univision, Univision Deportes, WatchESPN, Univision Now, ESPN3, fuboTV, univisiondeportes.com

8 p.m.: Trinidad and Tobago vs. Honduras beIN Sports, Universo, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

9:30 p.m.: Mexico vs. Panama FS2, Univision, Univision Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, Univision Now, univisiondeportes.com, fuboTV

SATURDAY

9 a.m.: Zambia vs. Algeria beIN Sports, beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

Noon: Gabon vs. Ivory Coast beIN Sports, beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

Noon: Finland vs. Iceland ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Georgia vs. Ireland FS2, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

Noon: Albania vs. Liechtenstein WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Serbia vs. Moldova Fox Sports Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Spain vs. Italy FS2, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Wales vs. Austria ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Croatia vs. Kosovo Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Israel vs. Macedonia Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

4 p.m.: Senegal vs. Burkina Faso fuboTV, beIN Sports Connect

SUNDAY

Noon: Netherlands vs. Bulgaria ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Faroe Islands vs. Andorra WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Belarus vs. Sweden WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Estonia vs. Cyprus FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Hungary vs. Portugal FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: France vs. Luxembourg Fox Soccer Plus, UniMas, Univision Deportes, Univision Now, fuboTV, Fox Soccer Match Pass, univisiondeportes.com

2:45 p.m.: Greece vs. Belgium ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Latvia vs. Switzerland WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Gibraltar vs. Bosnia Fox Soccer Match Pass

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 8:47 am

Regarding Wondo, it's not just the Belgium miss. As noted, he scored a bunch of goals fairly early on, mostly against scrubs.

I've said this about him for 4 years - he is more than adequate against the Guatemala's of the world. It's when he needs to step up to the next level that he just doesn't consistently do... anything, really.

It's VERY difficult to justify a goal poacher unless they are prolific.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:20 am

CONMEBOL is the place to be - the Uruguay-Argentina game is quite huge.

Post by **brian** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:21 pm

So what's the split on USA/CRC fans on Friday? I'll say USA 60, CRC 40.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 10:56 am

Big game for the Dutch this afternoon

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 12:04 pm

Son Heung Min is not happy as South Korea missed a chance to qualify and have a trip to Uzbekistan on Tuesday
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/20 ... 00315.html

even worse, Japan qualified today.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:36 pm

Uganda beat Egypt, that's an upset. If they get a result in the return match on Tuesday in Alexandria they're nearly in!

Watching France-Holland, Holland look pretty useless. I'm not sure Janssen the #9 even touched the ball in that first half.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:20 pm

Don't think we'll be seeing the Dutch next year

Post by **brian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:26 pm

Baloney wrote:Don't think we'll be seeing the Dutch next year

They didn't do anything today, but France were class also. And yeah, even 9 points in their last 3 matches might not be enough to pull their asses out of the fire.

Post by **brian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:34 pm

Though as I say that Bulgaria might be bailing their asses out.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:37 pm

I think France wins WC2018. That team is stacked.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:35 pm

govmentchedda wrote:I think France wins WC2018. That team is stacked.

I think Brazil is back. New coach has them playing carefree.

Post by **brian** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:37 pm

Nah, it'll be a European team this time around, especially since it's in Russia. Gun to my head I'd put money on France right now myself. They look like they're going to be hard to beat. (Though Russia does have a way of thwarting French invasion plans.)

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 6:02 pm

Well that's just an excellent header by Arturo Vidal to put Paraguay ahead 1-0.