Seleccion Nacional de Guatemala (r)

[churchill2000]

Well during the past weekend, all Concacaf teams played, all the games were overshadowed by the US-Mexico match.

However there is one match that certainly caught my and many peoples' attention.

Guatemala beating down Trinidad and Tobago, 5-1.

Two goals from Carlos Ruiz, and two goals from Dwight Pezzarossi, not to mention a goal and asisst from skipper Guillermo Ramirez.

Is Guatemala the real deal?

At first many thought that Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago would be battling it out for 3rd place, and 4th place (who plays another match against Asian team for final WC spot). However it would appear as though Guatemala maybe the team looking to get 3rd place.

Withh sufficient forwards, and a good midfield, Guatemala maybe looking to finally go the World Cup.

[Autogolazo]

Very few people--I hardly know of anyone--thought T&T would be any good. So that's no surprise.

I'm suprised that Costa Rica (despite their last-gasp comeback against Panama) is playing so poorly.

I'd say Guatemala are, for me, the odds-on favorite for the 3rd automatic qualifying spot behind Mexico and the US.

CR may need to get ready for the trip to Bahrain or Kuwait or wherever.

[Brownswan]

CR may need to get ready for the trip to Bahrain or Kuwait or wherever.


Perhaps we should wait till Thursday morning to speculate about who should prepare to face the no. 5 out of Asia?

[MoRado]

CR may need to get ready for the trip to Bahrain or Kuwait or wherever.

CR always svcks in the first games, its like a natioal tradition CR will qualify to the WC along with MEX ad US as expected
4th spot race will be only between PAN and GUA, T&T has no chances....
I know, if T&T wins, i'll be eatig my words.....hopefully it ain't happening

[Toronto Papi]

I think Guatemala will grab third spot this year...

The national team has something that no other team has (except maybe Panama.). The NT has spent an ample amount of quality time together as a team unit, since the team consists of all (except two) domesticated players.

I am anticipating the game on wednesday...

I do feel that USA has the upperhand but i will not be suprised if Guatemala pulls off a draw.

suerte Guate.

[ranciddroog]

I really think we are on our way for me the key to get to that coveted 3rd spots is first now droping points at home and getting a draw at CR and we will surley be 3rd, i strongly believe we can grab the 3rd spot

[rlo127]

I was just wondering if any chapines here will be at the game tomorrow to route for Guate??

[Goathemala]

I wanted to go at first but I have to stay home and take care of some things here but my uncles going he lives close to the state of Alabama (pobrecito) so I guess Ill be watching the game on ESPN2 tomorow.

[Goathemala]

Of course we can be 4th,3rd, 2nd or 1st as long as we win and get the points, but I know we can make it.

[MoRado]

Of course we can be 4th,3rd, 2nd or 1st as long as we win and get the points, but I know we can make it.
I hope you guates make it to the WC.......but as 4th's

[Toronto Papi]

I hope you guates make it to the WC.......but as 4th's

lol...

I hope Costa Rica makes it the the WC as 4ths

because we all know how good u guys are under pressure, especially in playoffs :rolleyes:

[MeTaLhEaD696]

this will be the positions at the end of the year
:cool:
MEXICO
GUATEMALA
USA
COSTARICA
PANAMA
T&T

[MelH]

congrats to the chapine fans: you came early, strong, loud, and BLUE! When I pulled into the stadium, I thought I was in the wrong parking lot! :D

Before the game, the American fans were outnumbered probably 100:1, there were little pockets of red sprinkled amongst a sea of blue. Every Guatemalan fan there was decked out in blue, with a flag in their hands, and one painted on their face.

I walked around with my kids and talked with a lot of fans - all were very gracious and friendly. Didnt hear or see one bit of hostility the entire night.

Guatemalans = Class Act

Thanks for the wonderful experience!

I have pictures up at BradentonSoccer.com (http://www.bradentonsoccer.com) if anyone wants to check them out. If you have names of any of the people in the pictures, let me know and I'll change the captions.

Congrats Guatemala! Beat the Mexicans and the Costa Ricans! :D

[rlo127]

Yea I have to say that chapines came out that day, i was very proud to see them there. And yes the USA supporters came in strong too! Very good game. i just checked your pics from the USA men forum, great pics!! I'll have to post mine soon, but they are mostly from the game :)

[erdeek]

Ok so Guatemala has a few friendlies coming up this month:

April 20th Guatemala vs. Jamaica, Atlanta, GA...Does anybody know where they will play this game??

April 27th Guatemala vs Brasil, Sao Paolo, Brasil. ]

Any thoughts?

[Goathemala]

Ok so Guatemala has a few friendlies coming up this month:

April 20th Guatemala vs. Jamaica, Atlanta, GA...Does anybody know where they will play this game??

April 27th Guatemala vs Brasil, Sao Paolo, Brasil. ]

Any thoughts?

Guatemala will play this game in Herndon Stadium in Atlanta,GA. The stadium has a capacity for 15,000 and is the home of the local women's team there. Guatemala will also play Haiti,Venezuela and might play Peru or Ecuador but the dates are not confirmed yet.

[Goathemala]

One more thing I forgot, the game against Brazil might be televised on DishNetwork (Globo TV from Brazil).

[fscat]

What does everyone think now that they lost both friendlies? On one hand you can say it was good, that the players got to play more together and against decent (Jamaica) and good (Brazil) competition. Also, those games were without Ruiz and Ramirez. On the other hand, they did lose.

[guategol]

I think it was good that they lost because it seems to me that maradiaga is forgeting his goal of taking guatemala to the world cup and should work alot more harder.he should also call up other players that should get a chance in the national team.But he keeps calling up the same players over and over again.

[fscat]

Maybe he's trying to get the same core group of players, who play his style of soccer, to get used to each other, to get used to playing together as a team. Building chemistry, continuity, familiarity, etc.