USMNT 2022 World Cup Qualifying Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Interesting, I didn't know those carry over to intercontinental game.
I think that's a silly rule, personally. Or at least, the totals are too low. If someone racks up yellows in every game, OK, maybe then, but what's the big deal if you get a few yellows? Reds, OK, I get it, but who cares if you rack up a couple yellows. Shouldn't be suspended for that. Never liked that rule.
Pepi gets the start. Here's hoping he gets some decent setups/chances. He barely touched the ball against Mexico.
Early observations
- Costa Rica is playing a 5-man back line. That may help them defensively against the USA, but I don't see how it helps them win by 5 or more goals, which they need to do to be ahead of the USA in the CONCACAF standings
- Costa Rica started 7 guys that did not start against El Salvador. That's putting quite a premium on fresh legs.
- by comparison, the USA started 7 guys that did start against Panama
- the US is getting a lot of corners, but has only had one good shot on goal (the above video) from those corners
- Costa Rica is playing a 5-man back line. That may help them defensively against the USA, but I don't see how it helps them win by 5 or more goals, which they need to do to be ahead of the USA in the CONCACAF standings
- Costa Rica started 7 guys that did not start against El Salvador. That's putting quite a premium on fresh legs.
- by comparison, the USA started 7 guys that did start against Panama
- the US is getting a lot of corners, but has only had one good shot on goal (the above video) from those corners
ugh. USA dominates, but Costa Rica gets on the scoreboard first in the 50th minute on a header by Vargas off of a corner.
and some sloppy D on a set piece by Costa Rica results in another goal by Costa Rica in the 58th minute. smh
We qualified and that’s the most important aspect. But, I view what happened four years ago as an aberration. Our goal should remain the same and that is to qualify out of the group stage and get past the round of 16. Because of that, the context of this game is quite concerning to me as we think about instilling a confident and winning mentality in this young group. This was the time to finally get a win in Costa Rica on our way to building toward the WC, especially when CR are fielding a B or C team. Struggling to put the ball into the back of the net when away from home is a big concern for me. Berhalter’s has about eight months to figure out the attack.
The pots are set…
www.espn.com
World Cup pots confirmed for Friday's finals draw
The pots for Friday's World Cup finals draw can be confirmed after Mexico and the United States booked the final two automatic places on Wednesday.
www.espn.com
Best case for me would be one of these…
Qatar
USA
Poland
Ghana or Cameroon
Portugal
USA
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Worst case is something like…
Brazil
USA
Serbia or Senegal
Ecuador or Wales (need at least one Euro, so couldn’t be Senegal and Ecuador)
Qatar
USA
Poland
Ghana or Cameroon
Portugal
USA
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Worst case is something like…
Brazil
USA
Serbia or Senegal
Ecuador or Wales (need at least one Euro, so couldn’t be Senegal and Ecuador)
I’ll say this this one time and hereafter hold my peace. It’s a travesty that the WC is being played in Qatar.
And the most recent one was in Russia—which we decided to boycott.
USA starting lineup at 2022 FIFA World Cup? Breaking down the USMNT's starting 11 vs Netherlands | Sporting News
The U.S. men's national team looks for its second-ever spot in the World Cup quarterfinals as they take on a Netherlands side unbeaten in their last 18 matches under Louis van Gaal.
www.sportingnews.com
World Cup 2022 draw scenarios: Group of death, USMNT possibilities - Sports Illustrated
The field for soccer’s biggest stage in Qatar is (nearly) complete, and there are plenty of intriguing and frightening directions in which Friday’s draw could go.
www.si.com
Happy WC draw day.....no group of death, no group of death, no group of death.....stop, press your luck.
The problem is that when you are often the country that makes it the group of death, then it can be hard to avoid! That was the case before being upgraded to Pot 2 status. Being in Pot 2 means we avoid another Pot 2 team, so that can help, theoretically.Happy WC draw day.....no group of death, no group of death, no group of death.....stop, press your luck.
Here is a draw simulator that you can use…
I’m sure that I shouldn’t admit to how many times I’ve tried it in the past 48 hours.
World Cup 2022 Group Stage Draw Simulator
stattosoftware.com
I’m sure that I shouldn’t admit to how many times I’ve tried it in the past 48 hours.
We definitely are ending up with Qatar <12.5% of the time.
I still find it insane that for a World Cup, clubs will be releasing their players 7 days before the tournament begins.
Here is what I'm thinking...
In pot 1, we'd obviously like to see Qatar...if not, I want the "worst" team from Europe that we can get...in order, I'd put that as Portugal, Spain, England, Belgium, France. We don't want South America.
If aren't drawn with Qatar, the next best option is that Mexico goes with them, gets a non-Euro team from pot 3 (there would be a 60% change), and then they'd be locked into the UEFA winner in Pot 4.
If we are drawn with Qatar, I'd love to see Serbia or Poland from pot 3, and then not the Euro winner of Ecuador in pot 4. If we didn't get Serbia/Poland in pot 3, then give me Tunisia or Morocco.
In pot 1, we'd obviously like to see Qatar...if not, I want the "worst" team from Europe that we can get...in order, I'd put that as Portugal, Spain, England, Belgium, France. We don't want South America.
If aren't drawn with Qatar, the next best option is that Mexico goes with them, gets a non-Euro team from pot 3 (there would be a 60% change), and then they'd be locked into the UEFA winner in Pot 4.
If we are drawn with Qatar, I'd love to see Serbia or Poland from pot 3, and then not the Euro winner of Ecuador in pot 4. If we didn't get Serbia/Poland in pot 3, then give me Tunisia or Morocco.
And again, I want to applaud FIFA for selection such a fantastic host...
www.espn.com
Rainbow flag could be taken away at WC - chief
Rainbow flags could be taken off fans at the World Cup in Qatar, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press.
www.espn.com
Edit: Never mind.And again, I want to applaud FIFA for selection such a fantastic host...
Rainbow flag could be taken away at WC - chief
Rainbow flags could be taken off fans at the World Cup in Qatar, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press.
That's good you're sticking to your word, but I'll continue to complain about it....such a joke.
And again, I want to applaud FIFA for selection such a fantastic host...
Rainbow flag could be taken away at WC - chief
Rainbow flags could be taken off fans at the World Cup in Qatar, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press.
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