US vs Jamaica - World Cup qualifying
- Thread starter shagcarpetjesus
- Start date
I fall into this trap every freaking time so I’ll share a tip for all of those who might be newish to WC qualifying. Tonight just further reinforced this little nugget of wisdom in my mind.
Road qualifiers in CONCACAF are always garbage. They are a complete **** show with very little resemblance to an actual soccer game. Do not get your hopes up expecting a free-flowing, entertaining match.
Road qualifiers in CONCACAF are always garbage. They are a complete **** show with very little resemblance to an actual soccer game. Do not get your hopes up expecting a free-flowing, entertaining match.
The goal on the road in WCQ is not to lose. Top priority. Getting at least a draw is akin to holding serve in tennis. You don’t want to go down a break to the other top teams. Get your draw and let someone else **** up.
It’s 14 degrees in Edmonton right now. The stadium is packed. How does the ball even retain its integrity at that temperature to be considered a soccer match?
Canada has also played Mexico twice now and in the US. I think they have a decent number of roadies in Central America still, but as far as their matches against the top 3 they are in a good position as far as the schedule goes.
I think the whole thing is so fascinating. Imagine Lebron or Durant having to go play in some tiny gym in Honduras or something in qualifying for the Olympics. There's no chance that's happening.
Except Estadio Olympico in Honduras is a pretty big, pretty modern stadium. Maybe a better comp would be T&T.
I agree but I also think that since Steffen is the clear choice moving forward.... I actually like Horvath better as a back up.
If it was an open competition I like Turner over Horvath. But as a back-up who might have to come on in an emergency I feel like Horvath is better suited for that role (see the Nation's League).
Gregg wants a keeper who can play with his feet and while Turner might stop shots slightly better - Steffen is clearly better with his feet.
He might be a little better but he’s still not good. Especially when he isn’t playing regularly. That’s where most of the rust builds on keepers that don’t play every week. It’s hard to be 100% mentally when you don’t play.
Oh I agree with you but Gregg's made the call and I don't think they will open the discussion back up unless Steffen seriously struggles. We got lucky that they didn't score the header and then that one at point blank range almost.
Yeah, they’ve also just looked like the best team in CONCACAF, which is not something I think you could ever say before.
Another thing we have MLS to thank for. Making Canada a viable top tier Concacaf side.
Agree that Canada looks like a serious contender - I just hope we're able to see it through and qualify. I know we are in a good spot and hopefully Dest comes back son as that will help...
I know we're in a pretty deent spot but the memory of the last qualifying cycle is still just haunting to me
I know we're in a pretty deent spot but the memory of the last qualifying cycle is still just haunting to me
The table now after 8 of 14 games is:
Canada - 16
USA - 15
Mexico - 14
Panama - 14
Costa Rica next with 9.
So there seems to be a pretty clear top four, although Panama still has to play at USA and Mexico. But recall the top 3 qualify straight out while #4 has to go in the inter-confederation playoff for a spot. Huge gap between spots 3 and 4 in terms of how you feel about them at the end.
USA still has home games left against Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador which really should be 9 (and at the very least 7) points.
Canada - 16
USA - 15
Mexico - 14
Panama - 14
Costa Rica next with 9.
So there seems to be a pretty clear top four, although Panama still has to play at USA and Mexico. But recall the top 3 qualify straight out while #4 has to go in the inter-confederation playoff for a spot. Huge gap between spots 3 and 4 in terms of how you feel about them at the end.
USA still has home games left against Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador which really should be 9 (and at the very least 7) points.
Go look at our lineup against T&T last cycle and look at our lineup from yesterday. It’s just a totally different animal this go around. Plus I’m a big believer in GB’s system. It’s a legit modern way of playing football. It worked in Columbus and it’s working for the USMNT as well.
You never want to be trying to qualify with a core of players that are aging out and that’s what we did last cycle. Not that there was much of a choice but this is truly a new generation this cycle and we will have them together for a long time and they are much more talented than the 2018 Qualifier pool.
Agreed... its just since I'm used to heart break with my rooting interests (Iowa State, Lions and Cubs) I guess I try not to count chickens before they hatch. I know it would be a historically bad collapse if we don't qualify IMO and this roster is certainly more than talented enough and Greggs system is more than qualified to get us there I won't probably take a deep breathe until we actually get that ticket punched for sure
