Can CONCACAF 4 Beat CONMEBOL 5?

[ECUNCHATER]

So how good are the CONMEBOL teams that we may face, if we have to go to the playoff? Our B squad lost 1-0 to Columbia in Copa America 2007. They currently sit in 6th place. Is that still the same roster playing now? I saw Uruguay play on goltv in their first qualifier and I think they are about our level. The tickets were over priced for the game so no one could afford to go which resulted in a quiet crowd. That probably won't happen in a playoff. Ecuador is tied for 6th with Columbia, but is listed as 7th through 12 games. Landon Donovan went off on them in our 3-0 win in Tampa about a year or two ago. Was that their A squad that we could see? Argentina plays Columbia next and Ecuador plays Peru next, so they should move up. I don't follow CONMEBOL too close, so what team do you think will match up best vs CONCACAF 4?

[TrueCrew]

I wouldn't put too much stock in friendly results.

I know Ecuador went through a transition period after the WC. So I'd bet that squad is a pale imitation of the one they put out now.

Chile and Uruguay are both tough, I'd say of course CONCACAF CAN win, but CONMEBOL will be favored.

Remember, Paraguay pummeled us pretty good at Copa.

[Nermalthecat]

Remember, Paraguay pummeled us pretty good at Copa.

Wha??? I thought that was about as unjust a 3-1 result as I've ever seen. The US probably should have won that game on the balance of play.

BTW, it's not 100 percent impossible that CONMEBOL 5 ends up being Brazil or Argentina. Brazil still has away games at Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia (all very difficult) and host Paraguay, the group leader and Chile, which is third. Given Brazil's last three home games have been 0-0 draws, I don't think anything is a given at this point. Argentina's sitting in fourth place at the moment and lost its last game 6-1 at Bolivia.

[ECUNCHATER]

I wouldn't put too much stock in friendly results.

I know Ecuador went through a transition period after the WC. So I'd bet that squad is a pale imitation of the one they put out now.

Chile and Uruguay are both tough, I'd say of course CONCACAF CAN win, but CONMEBOL will be favored.

Remember, Paraguay pummeled us pretty good at Copa.

Paraguay is in first, so I don't think we have to worry about them with only 6 games left, or Brazil. In the end Argentina should move up in the standings starting with their next game. FIFA banned Peru from this World Cup for some reason. That means it will probably come down to CONCACAF vs Chile, Columbia, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, or Venezuela. Don't forget that CONCACAF will host the first leg.

[papermache16]

Wha??? I thought that was about as unjust a 3-1 result as I've ever seen. The US probably should have won that game on the balance of play.

This.

They actually had the run of play. They gave up a late minute free kick goal if I remember correctly. That was probably the best game they played there, sans the bad finishing.

There's 3-1's against Costa Rica, and then there's 3-1's against Paraguay. Of course, you think the worst loss would be against Paraguay, but that was clearly not the case.

[Nermalthecat]

This.

They actually had the run of play. They gave up a late minute free kick goal if I remember correctly. That was probably the best game they played there, sans the bad finishing.

That was after a horrific miscommunication gifted Paraguay the go-ahead goal in the second half.

[Nermalthecat]

There's 3-1's against Costa Rica, and then there's 3-1's against Paraguay.

Well, the 3-1 against Costa Rica was unjust, too, just to the Ticos. :)

[ECUNCHATER]

I just hope we don't have to worry about this issue and manage a top 3 finish.

[papermache16]

I just hope we don't have to worry about this issue and manage a top 3 finish.

Imagine being a Uruguay fan, who probably have to deal with this playoff business for three cycles in a row. :eek:

[ColombieUSA]

So how good are the CONMEBOL teams that we may face, if we have to go to the playoff? Our B squad lost 1-0 to Columbia in Copa America 2007. They currently sit in 6th place. Is that still the same roster playing now? I saw Uruguay play on goltv in their first qualifier and I think they are about our level. The tickets were over priced for the game so no one could afford to go which resulted in a quiet crowd. That probably won't happen in a playoff. Ecuador is tied for 6th with Columbia, but is listed as 7th through 12 games. Landon Donovan went off on them in our 3-0 win in Tampa about a year or two ago. Was that their A squad that we could see? Argentina plays Columbia next and Ecuador plays Peru next, so they should move up. I don't follow CONMEBOL too close, so what team do you think will match up best vs CONCACAF 4?

Colombia is a much different team with a different coach but is still disorganized. USA would have the best chance against them in my opinion. Uruguay is playing much better than the USA right now and Ecuador would be tough due to the altitude.

Having the first game in the USA could be a blessing but also a curse if there is a tie.

I wonder where the game would be? Maybe New England or Seattle?


All I know is that if you thought playing in Costa Rica was tough...

...Imagine playing in front of 40-60,000 fanatics in a hostile environment in South America for all of the marbles.

Let's just hope it does not come down to a playoff.

[Adam Zebrowski]

copa america was the USA B team...

wanna draw conclusions there...

mexico, historically has done very well versus conmebol sides, and if mexico gets to play at azteca, i'd make them a favorite to get to the finals...

costa rica, saprissa is a tough place, even for south ameircan sides, this might boil down to who has the 2nd match...

honduras, when they have suazo and are 100% healthy, they can be a tough out, match-ups will drive this...

as to usa, well, tell me who usa is playing..the usa A team can play with any 5th place team, but can usa beat them...

the hex should reveal this...but i wouldn't be in that position...

i think honduras eventually will, and they'd have a punchers chance

[I<3jorgecampos]

There is a decent chance that Ecuador or Colombia get the 5th spot and playing at 8500' or 9000 feet would be rather difficult to play in.

[Adam Zebrowski]

uruguay is 5th with 3 points over 6th...and a huge goal differential..

at least no altitude there...

[ty webb]

IMO, we lose in a playoff with a SA team.

So, if we don't get third, we are done.

[Clint Eastwood]

Can the CONCAF 4 beat CONMEBOL 5? Yes

Maybe you didn't see El Salvador's 3-1 win over Ecuador last week in a friendly.

[BS49]

Can the CONCAF 4 beat CONMEBOL 5? Yes

Maybe you didn't see El Salvador's 3-1 win over Ecuador last week in a friendly.

Again, a friendly. Too much put on friendlies here. Uruguay have Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez up front with a total of 50 goals scored together this last season. Ecuador has Antonia Valencia and Cristian Benitez. That is what could be facing the CONCACAF 4th place team. I believe Mexico has the best chance to knock off the 5th place CONMEBOL team as they actually beat Uruguay, Paraguay, and Ecuador in the last Copa America. I think the most accesible 5th place SA teams would be Chile, Venezuala, and Colombia.

[dabes2]

In the games in the USA, we have handled teams like Uruguay and Ecuador pretty well. But I don't like our chances if we have to play an away leg at altitude vs. Ecuador or Columbia. Mexico is probably better suited for that challenge.

[ty webb]

Can the CONCAF 4 beat CONMEBOL 5? Yes

Maybe you didn't see El Salvador's 3-1 win over Ecuador last week in a friendly.

To be fair, that was a friendly and Ecuador fielded a B/C team. I don't like any CONCACAF team's chances against Ecuador with a home and away.

[sportscribe]

Wha??? I thought that was about as unjust a 3-1 result as I've ever seen. The US probably should have won that game on the balance of play.



A game you lost 3-1, you should have won. Gotcha.

[Clint Eastwood]

To be fair, that was a friendly and Ecuador fielded a B/C team. I don't like any CONCACAF team's chances against Ecuador with a home and away.

The question is CAAAAAAAAAAN a CONCACAF 4 beat the CONMEBOL 5. And the answer is, of course they can. The top 4 CONCACAF teams are Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the US. All of those teams have quality players.

You'd favor the South American team, though.