you have it backwards. IF there was any prejudice it would work in our favor. The USA is basically through to the WC; it is CR that the Mexicans might worry about. Having said that, the Mexican FIFA refs have generally been very good. I would rather a Mexican ref than one from Antigua who does not know what he is doing.
Again, Chiquidracula is one of the best refs in the region - I'm actuallypleased he's assigned... (Of course, now that I've said that, he'll likely have a howler of a match...)
I see both sides of the argument. CR is less likely than the US to not qualify so one would argue that Dracula wouldn't favor the Ticos. But there is something about cheap yellows carrying over and suspending our players for the Mexico game that one could be somewhat justified in worrying about. And as far as FIFA picking high integrity referees, does no one remember this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lu_Jun
Of course, you can go back to the @ Hondo match. Quesada from CR was the ref (he is a bad ref to begin with). Our next opponent was to be CR. We also had Moreno @ Jam right before the Panama match in June. I think Zusi picked up a 2nd yellow late in that match.
Yeah I would be more worried about soft yellow than I would be and it being outright one sided. In face that ideal result for Mexico is a US win in which 2 or 3 of our key players sitting on a yellow get a 2nd just in time for the Mexico match. While I don't see anyway in Concacaf of getting around using US, Mex, CR and other hex refs given the nature of the big fish little fish setup that is Concacaf. I do think they should consider the timing of the scheduling and you should not ref the team your team will face next as it is possible via Red and/or Yellows to influence the next match.
On a 2nd note while I know that getting 1 point out of this is great for getting to Brazil and even 0 wont really affect our chances. I would really like to see us win this to show we are more than just trying to get to Brazil but are moving towards being a force at the World Cup. One that could win a knock out game or 2. It would also help to grow the confidence that will be needed to pull that off.
I looked at my prefered lineup and asked myself who would play Mexico if all yellow carriers got a second at CR. Actually, the depth we now have means the second team would be quite strong. Jones and Williams could play instead of Cam and Bradley. EJ could play for Altidore. Edu or Brooks could play for Besler. Edu was a key in stopping mexico at Azteca last time based on Mexican critics, not BS posters. Parkhurst can play cb as well. Johannsson should be available to sub for Dempsey or Altidore. Donovan will be there. The time has arrived to be big and laugh at cards.
Aron just scored again. I'm usually reluctant to bring new players into big games, but I'm on the Bacon bandwagon
I think it would be absolutely wild if we picked uo three or four yellows in CR and then came back to beat el tricicleta in Columbus. That noise you would hear would be mexico city exploding into a blackhole of despair, and there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth. It would be apocalyptic.
Even though the US is at 19th right now because of the win streak and how strong play is replacing weak play if they win out in CONCACAF the US FIFA ranking will be 1120 +/- 10 (Trust me I'm a bit of a numbers guy). That has a shot to be in the top 7 and to earn a seed. The US should take these games one at a time not worry about yellow cards or Mexico and look to win the next four.
Time to bring in the Bacon around the 65th-70th minute to cause some havoc around the CR penalty area. I could see him popping up in the right spot to get his first USMNT goal to kill the game (or tie it up).
If the USMNT wins out and is in the top 7, expect FIFA to come up with a formula that uses the result from the 2006 WC (where they finished 25th) to, ahem, conveniently drop them out of the top 7. Top 7 ranking does in no way assure a seed.
Since he is deeply Christian (evangelical), and since there is an association of vampires with demonic forces in such culture, he prefers to be called "Chiquimarco" instead. Surprisingly, Alfredo Pöge and his IFFHS had him rated below Archundia (who seemed to hate Canada) as the second best ref in the region.
Yeah, it actually helps Mexico if the US whupped Costa Rica. Right now CR, Mex, Honduras and Panama, in that order, are fighting for 2.5 slots. Only if all of them come in ahead of Mexico do they miss the WC outright, and only if 2 of the 3 of them do does it force Mexico into the playoff. A loss by any of them, helps Mexico at this point. Especially if Mexico beats Honduras in their home game on the same day. Truth be told, as bad as they've played up to this point, Mexico still probably has a 90% chance to qualify (there are only 5 teams still meaningfully competing for the 3.5 berths, and Mexico's got more points than 2 of them), and if they win the next one it probably puts them all but mathematically in regardless.
Seeds are not earned, they are given. Fulfilling the criteria alone is not enough to guarantee a seed. I've said this before but there are a number of people who earnestly believe that fulfilling the last known criteria is enough. The Exco will meet, choose their seeds, and then announce their latest seeding justification criteria.
I know you're a fan of Williams but I dont think Klinsy rates him high number one (didn't even make the bench for Bosnia). Secondly, Williams has been getting mop up duty for Reading in the Championship. Three, a Williams/Jones central midfield is extremely defensive. I get that we're away at Costa but I'd rather go with Diskerud (Bradley's backup at the CAM role) and Jones. Furthermore, this US team is much different then other US teams in the past...12 game win streak, playing fantastic soccer, tremendous confidence...I dont see us coming out with two defensive midfielders in the center. Also, I think Cameron if anyone, is Jones' backup. I think Klinsy also rates Klejstan higher then Williams as seen in Bosnia. With that said, Williams is still very young and has had some good matches (albeit a looong time ago) in the BL.
Noy only are they ahead of two of them, they have HOME games left vs both of them. Could they mess it up? Sure but they still seem pretty good bets to make the top four and if you look at the talent, to hold their spot in the top three.
I don't know why, but I get the feeling that trotting out a 4-4-2 isn't such a bad idea for CRC. Johannsson — Altidore Donovan — Jones — Bradley — Dempsey Johnson — Besler — Gonzalez — Evans Howard Or a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 Altidore Fabian — Donovan — Dempsey Jones — Bradley Beasley — Besler — Gonzalez — Evans Altidore Donovan Fabian — Jones — Bradley — Dempsey Beasley — Besler — Gonzalez — Evans Howard
I never knew I was a fan of Williams. Actually I put him there so I would be using players we know Klinsmann will call up.
Here's my 23: Howard, Guzan, Rimando Evans, Parkhurst, Cameron, Brooks, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley, Castillo Jones, Bradley, Diskerud, Kljestan, Corona, Beckerman, Fabian Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan, Johannsson, Eddie