What does CONCACAF have to do in Germany...

[ZeekLTK]

to lose/keep/improve our number of bids to the 2010 World Cup?

#1 USA plays Italy, Czech Republic, and Ghana
#2 Mexico plays Angola, Portugal, and Iran
#3 Costa Rica plays Germany, Ecuador, and Poland
#4 Trinidad & Tobago plays England, Sweden, and Paraguay

*Rankings according to qualifying position


What kind of results would we need to improve to 4 or even 4.5 spots in 2010?
What kind of results would be sufficient to keep 3.5?
What kind of results would hurt us so much as we'd drop to 3 or even 2.5 spots?



In the last World Cup we increased from 3 -> 3.5 with these performances:

#1 Costa Rica defeated China, drew eventual 3rd place Turkey, lost to eventual champions Brazil - did not reach 2nd round (on goal diff)
#2 Mexico defeated Ecuador and Croatia, drew Italy and won their group to reach 2nd round
#3 USA defeated Portugal, drew South Korea, and lost to Poland - reached quarterfinals (lost to Germany)

Overall Record (not counting USA-Mexico): 4-3-3
Group Stage Points: 15 (4 from USA, 4 from CRC, 7 from MEX)

*15 out of a possible 27 (9 * 3). In 2006 we have a possible 36 points to gain in group matches (9 * 4).

[Desert_Eagle]

I think T&T needs to prove why they gave Concacaf a .5 ticket. Mexico, U.S.A, and Costa Rica will keep getting the first 3 tickets to the future world cups without a doubt. So If T&T wishes to keep attending this or even have a chance, they need to avoid losing all 3 games.

just my opinion, dont get all offended.

[Various Styles]

CONACACF needs to light some candles and pray that the MNT advances past the second round where they will meet, most likely, Argentina or Holland. If that happens then we can be assured the Mexico will hold on to their seed until 2010,, , and CONCACAF will stioll have their 3.5 tickets to the main event. Once again Mexico will carry the region on its shoulders; you can show your apreciation by buying Doritoes; official sponser of the MNT..

As for the rest of the region; well as long they manage to tie at least one game each; we dont need to have the last place team come out of CONCACAF.. Hence; U.S, Costa Rica and T&T; all we need from you guys is just one draw; and if any of yous gets lucky a win; that way your accumulated total points (with Mexicos guaranteed 7 points) can leave our region better off the the Asian confederation which im most assured will suck this time around. .

[Qdog]

Once again Mexico will carry the region on its shoulders; ...

That's until the US dusted Mexico off their collective shoulders, like dandruff. Don't worry, Keller, Donavon, Beasley and the boys will pick you up and carry you again, as usual.

[Qdog]

I think T&T needs to prove why they gave Concacaf a .5 ticket. Mexico, U.S.A, and Costa Rica will keep getting the first 3 tickets to the future world cups without a doubt. So If T&T wishes to keep attending this or even have a chance, they need to avoid losing all 3 games.

just my opinion, dont get all offended.

Agree. T&T needs to pull some points from Paraquay and either England or Sweden to maintain the 3.5 slots. I doubt the region will get more slots.

[Various Styles]

That's until the US dusted Mexico off their collective shoulders, like dandruff. Don't worry, Keller, Donavon, Beasley and the boys will pick you up and carry you again, as usual.

The U.S was lucky last WC.. they were a few minutes away from being sent home and benefited from the blatant calls against the Portuguese in their match against S. Korea. Indeed, you guys were the only team to advance on a -1 goal differential. And i would add that the U.S was also lucky to face Mexico; there is no doubt the Yanks have the Tricolores number; if we were to meet again i would give you guys the edge; but the chances of a WC meeting this time around are very slim..


Anyways, the new generation of Mexie players already have an edge over the US youths.. Just the level of talent displayed in the U-17's and even U-23's shows how the balance has once again shifted to the Tricolores.. .

[tico_sapri]

costa rica will gain 6 points....

i think we can beat ecuador and poland...but germany would be tough

[El Cabrito]

That's until the US dusted Mexico off their collective shoulders, like dandruff. Don't worry, Keller, Donavon, Beasley and the boys will pick you up and carry you again, as usual.

Just in case you forgot...

Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to host a WC
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win FIFA Intercontinental Title
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win a WC at any Age level
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to be seeded while not being the host.

Also I'll check it out, but is Mexico still the only CONCACAF team to have won their WC Group.

[Pottermaniac]

Just in case you forgot...

Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to host a WC
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win FIFA Intercontinental Title
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win a WC at any Age level
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to be seeded while not being the host.

Also I'll check it out, but is Mexico still the only CONCACAF team to have won their WC Group.

In most of this, mexico is not just the first but also the only, except on hosting the Wc, which was also hosted by the USA.

By the way, the USA won their group in 1930, so they beat us to it almost 76 years ago :D

[Pottermaniac]

did u guys know that back in 1930, the semi finals was the next stage after the group stages? so much for USA's best performance :D and they got beat 6=1 in that match. :p

[paul51]

Just in case you forgot...

Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to host a WC
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win FIFA Intercontinental Title
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win a WC at any Age level
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to be seeded while not being the host.

Also I'll check it out, but is Mexico still the only CONCACAF team to have won their WC Group.


Costa Rica was the first one to beat an european team on Europe........

[Qdog]

Just in case you forgot...

Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to host a WC
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win FIFA Intercontinental Title
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win a WC at any Age level
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to be seeded while not being the host.

Also I'll check it out, but is Mexico still the only CONCACAF team to have won their WC Group.

That's so sweet. For that you get a star and smiley face. But as Leon Spinks once said you were the greatest, but we are the latest, or something like that. ;)

The truth is Mexico has done nothing to get CONCACAF the extra .5 spot. Your team is so dependable, three good group games and out. Only the strong US run and Costa Rica pushing Turkey to the limit got our confederation the half slot. A constant showing by one team will never maintain extra slots in the cup.

[Martin Fischer]

Just in case you forgot...

Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to host a WC
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win FIFA Intercontinental Title
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to win a WC at any Age level
Mexico is the first CONCACAF team to be seeded while not being the host.

Also I'll check it out, but is Mexico still the only CONCACAF team to have won their WC Group.


A very unimpressive list, filled with irrelevancies like youth tournaments and old accomplishments.

The only one that matters -- who is the only CONCACAF side to make the quarterfinals of the World Cup Finals without hosting the event?

[MoRado]

Costa Rica was the first one to beat an european team on Europe........

that's a good one pauly!

I think we were the first team to advance to a second round in europe.... Am i correct?

[Qdog]

The U.S was lucky last WC.. they were a few minutes away from being sent home and benefited from the blatant calls against the Portuguese in their match against S. Korea. Indeed, you guys were the only team to advance on a -1 goal differential. And i would add that the U.S was also lucky to face Mexico; there is no doubt the Yanks have the Tricolores number; if we were to meet again i would give you guys the edge; but the chances of a WC meeting this time around are very slim.. [/font]

Just thought I would bold out the relevant parts of your post.:D

But I do feel for you, VS. I can almost feel what you have to be going though. Right now your sitting in your US home with such a strong pull to your cultural heritage. I can appreciate that. I respect that.

But you do have a future, and it's not pretty. You'll never switch to cheering for the US. ¿Why? Maybe too proud, stubborn, upset by uncalled for prejudism...I don't know. I respect that, also.

But someday, if you haven't already, you will meet the right girl and marry. She may be Mexican, Mexican American, White American, or from another race/culture. It doesn't really matter. You will have children that will make you proud, at least I hope so.

Your children will give token support of Mexico, to keep the old man happy. But as US soccer grows stronger and stronger, as Mexican Americans look to Uncle Sam as the first choice, as your Mexican NT start marking the home WC qualifier against the US as a planned loss, your children will grow to appreciate American soccer more and more. They will pay token respect to your Mexican team, to make you happy. But you'll know better, even if you won't accept it. Still proud, you will cheer your lost team on, and pretend your children do, also.

Then will come the grandchildren. You will try to instill Mexican NT pride in them. But they will look and see the difference. Mexico, constant runners-up at the Gold Cup, always four games and out at the big show. While the US, by then always listed as World Cup contender...how many cups do you think we'll have by then? Maybe two, three, more?

Your grandchildren will desert you. They will openly cheer for the US and loath your Mexican team. To change them you'll take them to the Rose Bowl, next edition, to see a US-Mexico friendly. Surely a crowd with over 90% cheering for the Mexicans will cause them to adjust their attitude.

But when you get there you are alone. No one in cheering for your Miexican side, except maybe you and a few other 70 somethings. How depressing. You want to go at halftime. But the kids won't roll you out in your wheelchair. They stay and cheer the US on to another big victory. You're a broken man.

Soon afterwards you lay in your hospital bed. Your children wear their Mexican NT shirts to the hospital to cheer you up. But they only talk about Donovan IV. You realize the truth. As you start to fade away the grandchildren come in. They try to remain storng, as they see you fading away. With tears in their eyes you close your eyes for the last time...with their USMNT shirts embedded in your memory. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/20.gif

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/24.gif

[Desert_Eagle]

Just thought I would bold out the relevant parts of your post.:D

But I do feel for you, VS. I can almost feel what you have to be going though. Right now your sitting in your US home with such a strong pull to your cultural heritage. I can appreciate that. I respect that.

But you do have a future, and it's not pretty. You'll never switch to cheering for the US. ¿Why? Maybe too proud, stubborn, upset by uncalled for prejudism...I don't know. I respect that, also.

But someday, if you haven't already, you will meet the right girl and marry. She may be Mexican, Mexican American, White American, or from another race/culture. It doesn't really matter. You will have children that will make you proud, at least I hope so.

Your children will give token support of Mexico, to keep the old man happy. But as US soccer grows stronger and stronger, as Mexican Americans look to Uncle Sam as the first choice, as your Mexican NT start marking the home WC qualifier against the US as a planned loss, your children will grow to appreciate American soccer more and more. They will pay token respect to your Mexican team, to make you happy. But you'll know better, even if you won't accept it. Still proud, you will cheer your lost team on, and pretend your children do, also.

Then will come the grandchildren. You will try to instill Mexican NT pride in them. But they will look and see the difference. Mexico, constant runners-up at the Gold Cup, always four games and out at the big show. While the US, by then always listed as World Cup contender...how many cups do you think we'll have by then? Maybe two, three, more?

Your grandchildren will desert you. They will openly cheer for the US and loath your Mexican team. To change them you'll take them to the Rose Bowl, next edition, to see a US-Mexico friendly. Surely a crowd with over 90% cheering for the Mexicans will cause them to adjust their attitude.

But when you get there you are alone. No one in cheering for your Miexican side, except maybe you and a few other 70 somethings. How depressing. You want to go at halftime. But the kids won't roll you out in your wheelchair. They stay and cheer the US on to another big victory. You're a broken man.

Soon afterwards you lay in your hospital bed. Your children wear their Mexican NT shirts to the hospital to cheer you up. But they only talk about Donovan IV. You realize the truth. As you start to fade away the grandchildren come in. They try to remain storng, as they see you fading away. With tears in their eyes you close your eyes for the last time...with their USMNT shirts embedded in your memory. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/20.gif

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/24.gif

you have too much time on your hands. Soccer in the u.s.a means nothing as of right now, yet in your dreams you are 3 times WC champion.

[Qdog]

you have too much time on your hands. Soccer in the u.s.a means nothing as of right now, yet in your dreams you are 3 times WC champion.

Yes, I do have too much time on my hands, and no, I didn't say the US would have three World Cups. I simply asked VS how many cups he thought the US might win in the next 40 years. But 3 cups would be a dream come true.:D

[Desert_Eagle]

Yes, I do have too much time on my hands, and no, I didn't say the US would have three World Cups. I simply asked VS how many cups he thought the US might win in the next 40 years. But 3 cups would be a dream come true.:D

I do think that on the youth side of the u.s.a soccer is a big sport, but as kids grows they get influenced by older people to play basketball, football, tennis, anything but soccer. You have to admit youth soccer has alwayz being big, but the fan based of older americans is not growing very much. So i dont see how your predictions are anywhere near close to happening. I've seen the generations you describe, but they dont cheer for the u.s.a, they cheer for the mavericks or the cowboys something like that, they dont share the passion for the mexican soccer, but they didnt change to american soccer, they go to an american popular sport.

[Qdog]

I do think that on the youth side of the u.s.a soccer is a big sport, but as kids grows they get influenced by older people to play basketball, football, tennis, anything but soccer. You have to admit youth soccer has alwayz being big, but the fan based of older americans is not growing very much. So i dont see how your predictions are anywhere near close to happening. I've seen the generations you describe, but they dont cheer for the u.s.a, they cheer for the mavericks or the cowboys something like that, they dont share the passion for the mexican soccer, but they didnt change to american soccer, they go to an american popular sport.

This was all meant in fun, thus the rolling laugher at the bottom. Soccer has grown over the years and will continue to grow. But it will be slow and consistent. Nothing in my first post you quoted should be taken seriously.

As far as this thread goes, VS was wrong in his first post and he knows it. No single team will maintain our regions .5 spot. It will take a sound overall effort from everyone.

[Desert_Eagle]

As far as this thread goes, VS was wrong in his first post and he knows it. No single team will maintain our regions .5 spot. It will take a sound overall effort from everyone.

I dont quite agree with you on that, because the other teams will still get the 3 spots next WCQ, but the .5 gainer has to show why he's there.