The schedule comes out tonight. Venues won't be announced until later on, but obviously, we should be hoping that the Mexico game is scheduled in February. Let the discussion begin.
Schedule and venues aside (until they're released), this is a great hex. Every single team has a shot at qualification. And there are absolutely zero easy away points.
For the same reason that St. Vincent and the Grenadines aren't listed. that would be a great name for a reggae band: St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
There already is a St. Vincent (Annie Clark). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vincent_(musician) Maybe you can persuade her to name/rename her backing band The Grenadines.
This is the most solid Hex I can remember top to bottom, Qualifying won't be easy. http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-N...g-to-Know-the-US-MNT-Hexagonal-Opponents.aspx
I don't think so. Despite recent struggles, the only team in the group that's demonstrably better than us is Mexico. Beyond that, it shouldn't be that tough to hold serve at home and finish in the top three. Hell, even if we have to settle for the playoff, the team we play will probably be the weakest team we've faced.
Not a good plan. Doo-doo happens in a short series. Don't risk it. I do agree the US is the second-best team in the Hex and "should" qualify on the merits. And we should all celebrate immediately if they pick the Mexico-at-US date in the dark of winter.
That would mean: Feb. 6th: @ Honduras March 22nd: vs. Costa Rica March 26th: @ Mexico June 7th: @ Jamaica June 11th: vs. Panama June 18th: vs. Honduras Sept. 6th: @ Costa Rica Sept. 10th: vs. Mexico Oct. 11th: vs. Jamaica Oct. 15th: @ Panama
I was just reading from the first two lines--away Feb 6th and home March 22nd. I forgot there were two March dates. Full list above. It took me a second to make sense of the chart.
Clinching a WC berth on 9/10 against Mexico? We'll have fun celebrating it with the players as we storm the pitch!!
If Columbus gets a game, I'm guessing Panama. I put it better than 50/50 that Columbus is left out this cycle.
I have the complete opposite feeling. The ESPN guys have said Cbus should get the Mexico game. I've even heard people in the SKC organization (after the Guatemala game) say Cbus should get the Mexico game. And Klinsmann really gushed about our crowd. I think we'll get it.
We'll get a game, there is no doubt. Will we get Mexico on 9/10? Given the Jamaica game on 9/11 this year, I would wager that the odds are in our favor. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get the game. I'll be dissapointed, but not surprised. Time to hit up @ussoccer for #columbusgetsmexico.
June 11th and 18th are absolutely critical. Hardly any travel for us, and a lot of travel for those two teams. Ideally, we'd put those games in close proximity to each other like Philadelphia/NYC/DC/Foxboro so it's even less travel for the USMNT.
