What's The Hardest Remaining Hexagonal Game?

[EvanJ]

I think we agree that the hardest Hexagonal game was at Mexico and the second hardest Hexagonal game hasn't happened yet (meaning it wasn't at Trinidad and Tobago or home vs. Guatemala).

[Canadian_Supporter]

At Costa Rica will be a very difficult game.

[Gary V]

While I agree that at CR will be a tough game, I voted for home vs Mexico. I think there will be more pressure for a win from that game than in the CR game. It might serve to fire up the players to do their best, or could backfire on them as they choke.

[JBigjake]

I voted for Mex in Round 7 because we need to win our home games. However, road games against Guat in Round 8 & CR in Round 9 should see them desperate for 3 points against US prior to their head-to-head finale.

[uiriamu]

Mexico. I have a feeling we'll handle CR and Guat away. The Mexico game is a rivalry game; that baggage will make it the most difficult. Plus, BA might trot out the 2-7-1 formation he's been working on. :eek:

[Father Ted]

I think you have to look at the sequence of games when considering this question.

Here is the sequence:
6/4- Home vs. Costa Rica
6/8- At Panama
8/17- Home vs. Trinidad and Tobago
9/3- Home vs. Mexico
9/7- At Guatemala
10/8- At Costa Rica
10/12- Home vs. Panama

It is entirely possible that we could be already qualified by the time we go to Costa Rica. On the other hand, CR might be in a desperate situation and will be going gung ho.

Having said that, I think the home Mexico game will be more difficult.

[SoccerFreak]

Now that Costa Rica has Guimaraes back as their coach, they'll definitely be extremely dangerous. He seems to be the only guy who knows how to bring the absolute best out of that team.

[MarioKempes]

I voted for @Guatemala. I truly think they are the 3rd best team in CONCACAF right now. @Costa Rica will also be tough, obviously, but I think Costa Rica's stock has gone down a bit, while Guatemala's has gone up.

Don't be fooled by our 2-0 drubbing of Guatemala in Birmingham. We were very fit, highly motivated, and Guatemala was coming off a huge win. Things will be tougher down in Guatemala.

[Adam Zebrowski]

close call between at guatemala and hosting mexico...

I'm not a tico fan, and there's more wrong with them than a coach can fix...

there's a generational change going on there a they are caught in that transition and off to a bad start in the hex...

guatemala is far more defensively solid than costa rica, and winning there will be tough, let's see how mexico fairs there...

my choice is mexico, as the full attention of the usmnt will be committed towards that match....and mexico will want to show the easter match was not a mistake...

so, I suspect to see a very high quality match, with the usa getting the 2-1 win this time around!!

[ttrevett]

Four years ago, going to Saprissa would have been a very difficult game, but this time around, it really just doesn't scare me. They for some reason are not performing well. I'm not sure if it's their talent level or depth, but something is lacking. Results at home for CR for this qualification:

v Panama, win 2:1
v Mexico, loss 1:2
v Guatemala, win 5:0
v Canada, win 1:0
v Honduras, loss 2:5
v Cuba, tie 1:1

3-2-1

now for WC02

v Mexico, tie 0:0
v US, win 2:0
v Jamaica, win 2:1
v T&T, win 3:0
v Honduras, tie 2:2
v Barbados, win 3:0
v Guatemala, win 2:1
v US, win 2:1

6-1-0

I don't know what the difference is, but there has been a noticeable drop-off in results for the Ticos, I think we'll continue the poor run of form for them at home this cycle. Mexico v anyone is always a tough match. In Columbus, it's going to be payback for La Guera Fria (sp?) and coming off a dominant performance against us at home, so their confidence will be back. I would be satisfied with a draw, delighted with a win. I will be disappointed if we don't run the table against the rest of the teams either home or away, regardless of what Arena says about win at home, tie on the road. We're better than that today, and should expect that each time we take the pitch. Against Mexico, different story. I'm not saying I don't think we should come out all guns blazing in Columbus, but I just think it will be a tough tough game. Looking forward to it.

[Adam Zebrowski]

6 of the 7 remaining hex matches are paired together with 3-4 days of one another...

usa-costa rica followed by going to panama

usa-mexico paired with going to guatemala

at costa rica followed by hosting panama...

the 1st matches in these pairs are highlight type matches, and I think the follow-up matches could easily be letdown matches....

you have a bit emotional match and getting up for the next one is harder, particularly if you win the big one....

just ask mexico about panama....huge evidence of a letdown following beating usa

[mdfc]

I do think timing is a factor, but in terms of hardest fixture left to get a result, I say it's @Costa Rica. Of course it could be @anywhere, it just depends on which match the referee allows the other team to hit our keeper with a crow bar and play on...or reward dives with PKs.

Does anyone know, do the Mexicans get the same treatment we get in those Central American countries? ie. all-nighters in front of the hotel, projectiles from the stands, etc?

[barnburner13]

I have to say Mexico at home, if nothing other than the reason that there are way more expectations for that game


Noah

[Casper]

just ask mexico about panama....huge evidence of a letdown following beating usa

I think that match is evidence of what happens when you get a red card in a road WCQ rather than a letdown, although it's possible they had a letdown. I'd take a road draw at Panama at the moment, as long as it's paired with another home victory over Panama. I imagine Mexico is pretty comfortable with the road point as well.

[metro24freak]

Even though mexico just showed they kinda suck outside of azteca (panama 1-1) I think they'll still be tough just because they're so anxious to get us back for whatever it was. I think the mexican-american war really meant a lot to them, I'm still not sure how it's landon donovan's fault.

[SoccerFreak]

Even though mexico just showed they kinda suck outside of azteca (panama 1-1) I think they'll still be tough just because they're so anxious to get us back for whatever it was. I think the mexican-american war really meant a lot to them, I'm still not sure how it's landon donovan's fault.

I think the Mexico-Panama game was more Mexico not taking Panama seriously. Neither Fonseca nor Lozano played in that game, Lavolpe thought it was going to be an easy three points.

[Adam Zebrowski]

mexico-panama was more due to the HUGE win mexico got against USA, rather than mexico thinking it'd be a cakewalk ...

classic letdown scenario for mexico in that match...

happens all the time in many sports....

big intense rivalry match, win it, and the troops are still celebrating...

mix in panama needing a result off the injury time loss at saprissa, and it was a classic bettors mortal lock!!

[Through-Ball]

I voted for Mex in Round 7 because we need to win our home games. However, road games against Guat in Round 8 & CR in Round 9 should see them desperate for 3 points against US prior to their head-to-head finale.

Agreed. Home v. Mexico is also a game the US will want to win badly to bounce back from the Azteca game and Mexico will want to win badly because they want to punctuate their last performance. This could be close to a clinching game for either side as well.

I voted for @Guatemala. I truly think they are the 3rd best team in CONCACAF right now. @Costa Rica will also be tough, obviously, but I think Costa Rica's stock has gone down a bit, while Guatemala's has gone up.

Don't be fooled by our 2-0 drubbing of Guatemala in Birmingham. We were very fit, highly motivated, and Guatemala was coming off a huge win. Things will be tougher down in Guatemala.

I agree Guatemala are the 3rd best team in the Hex. I think Guatemala will really need a least a point from their home v. the US game and will play hard, but I think US players are confident of victory against Guatemala home or away. The Mexico game in the US will be very contentious. This remains the toughest game of the hex even though it's at home imho.

[metx]

While I agree that at CR will be a tough game, I voted for home vs Mexico. I think there will be more pressure for a win from that game than in the CR game. It might serve to fire up the players to do their best, or could backfire on them as they choke.

The Mexico-home game will be the easy one, the teame will be motivated and houngry for a win, and at the same time to demostrate who they are...I vote for Guatemala in Guatemala...

[gaucho]

I take "Hardest Remaining Game" to mean the toughest to get a win or a draw. Away matches are always doubly difficult, especially in Central America. To me it's either CR or Guatemala and I just think that Guatemala is the better team right now.

I'm surprised @ Guatemala is not getting more love.