Ot - usmnt

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Umm, the posts from yesterday are gone, it seems



Well, could still qualify for 2022. No need to despair just yet.

Also, that Canadian team is very "street smart". Got away with quite a bit of fouls that a competent UEFA ref would not tolerate...

Hey Jim - yup i was going to respond to your post about their effort but is has been erased.
I think the refs clearly missed a pk - oh well - yesterday's news.

[BobC]

USMNT still has the inside track to qualify.

Panama still has to play in the US & play Mexico and Canada. I don't see them getting anything more than 4 points in the next 4 matches. Beat Panama & the US is likely in.

Meanwhile El Tri has a 2 match ban on fans at El Azteca. They are beatable. The Panama - Mexico match will be the one to watch Wednesday (after the US match of course).

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by BobC

USMNT still has the inside track to qualify.

Panama still has to play in the US & play Mexico and Canada. I don't see them getting anything more than 4 points in the next 4 matches. Beat Panama & the US is likely in.

Meanwhile El Tri has a 2 match ban on fans at El Azteca. They are beatable. The Panama - Mexico match will be the one to watch Wednesday (after the US match of course).

I would say Wednesday is a must win and of course Panama to get the Automatic qualification. It would be like Mex to lose to Panama ( of course that doesn't help them). Getting points away in Costa Rica is not a great proposition for the US historically.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

I would say Wednesday is a must win and of course Panama to get the Automatic qualification. It would be like Mex to lose to Panama ( of course that doesn't help them). Getting points away in Costa Rica is not a great proposition for the US historically.

definitely dont want it to come down to this game

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

I would say Wednesday is a must win and of course Panama to get the Automatic qualification. It would be like Mex to lose to Panama ( of course that doesn't help them). Getting points away in Costa Rica is not a great proposition for the US historically.

Agreed. Both remaining home matches are must win. I suspect the squad realizes that & that shakes them out of their complacency. I expect GB to have them high press early Wednesday night vs Honduras. Honduras will sit back & be physical/foul often to break the flow. Could be an ugly match unless the US gets an early goal. Looking for Pulisic to have a good match -- he is overdue.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by BobC

Agreed. Both remaining home matches are must win. I suspect the squad realizes that & that shakes them out of their complacency. I expect GB to have them high press early Wednesday night vs Honduras. Honduras will sit back & be physical/foul often to break the flow. Could be an ugly match unless the US gets an early goal. Looking for Pulisic to have a good match -- he is overdue.

Plus - what will the weather be like in Minnesota? UGH

[echappist]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Plus - what will the weather be like in Minnesota? UGH

Totally bonkers...

USSoccer really ain't thinking...

[BobC]

Yeah, I understand the concept but... not the greatest execution.

To me, find a stadium that US fans dominate (Columbus for example) that can be an echochamber -- let the kids feed off that energy. Doing this just to "ice" teams out is ultimately counterproductive.

The USMNT is still a bunch of kids. They NEED to feed off the crowd.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by BobC

Yeah, I understand the concept but... not the greatest execution.

To me, find a stadium that US fans dominate (Columbus for example) that can be an echochamber -- let the kids feed off that energy. Doing this just to "ice" teams out is ultimately counterproductive.

The USMNT is still a bunch of kids. They NEED to feed off the crowd.

Not to mention - sloppy games favor the worse team. Leave it at 1-0 or 0-0 for too long and you're one keeper slipping in the snow away from a draw or loss when you really need 3 points.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by BobC

Yeah, I understand the concept but... not the greatest execution.

To me, find a stadium that US fans dominate (Columbus for example) that can be an echochamber -- let the kids feed off that energy. Doing this just to "ice" teams out is ultimately counterproductive.

The USMNT is still a bunch of kids. They NEED to feed off the crowd.

exactly - feeding off the energy of a rowdy home fan base is much more effective than trying to use the weather (against an opponent - as it does cut both ways).

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Not to mention - sloppy games favor the worse team. Leave it at 1-0 or 0-0 for too long and you're one keeper slipping in the snow away from a draw or loss when you really need 3 points.

Originally Posted by BobC

Yeah, I understand the concept but... not the greatest execution.

To me, find a stadium that US fans dominate (Columbus for example) that can be an echochamber -- let the kids feed off that energy. Doing this just to "ice" teams out is ultimately counterproductive.

The USMNT is still a bunch of kids. They NEED to feed off the crowd.

You are both correct, of course.

Apparently it's not even sold out; not surprising, as it's effing freezing in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Hell, for once I live decently close to the venue, USSoccer pulls this sort of stunt. They could have at least held in in March (still cold, but not this cold).

[wc1934]

5 degrees with a wind chill factor of -12. Who decided on this venue? Accountability.

That said, we have the lead (and ugly kits).

[echappist]

Dammit, this is not on Espn+. Who the hell decided to split up the home broadcast rights? Annoying...

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Dammit, this is not on Espn+. Who the hell decided to split up the home broadcast rights? Annoying...

it's on FS1 in Boston

[echappist]

I know. Why can’t they sell the rights to just one broadcaster?

First WCQ i’m missing since before the 2018 quals.

No matter, two goals off set pieces! Both delivered by the MNT’s practitioner of Concacaf dark arts, Acosta. I’m pleasantly surprised.

Try playing bunker ball now, Honduras!