Essentially true, although there are two picayune exceptions. Panama could mathematically surpass the USA on the goals-scored tiebreaker with as few as 10 goals, so a 10-3 win over Costa Rica would be enough to bring that scenario into play. Honduras could mathematically catch the USA on the goal-differential tiebreaker with a draw and a 12-goal win.
Panama is like a broken man right now. I hope they recover, I'm rooting for them. I think they can do better in a World Cup than Honduras. The Catrachos rely far too much on the lenient refereeing in this region. FWIW, I expect the young Trinidadians to give us a headache for the first hour of play. We may even go down to them. But kids get tired fast, so I expect the old fox Arena to count on that.
Stop romanticizing Panama. They're literally a carbon copy of us. They would bode about the same. Only likability about Panama is that they would be debutants and a neat new little country neutrals could rally around.
They're not half as dirty. Neither team has a chance in Russia, if they even make it, but they're less likely to get down to 10 than you are. Also, they already deserve their shot. Maybe they can manage to do what you can't: win a game in a WC.
Panama is definitely a better team than Honduras at the moment. I'd have my money on the Canaleros to beat Australia in the playoff.
It's pretty much open game so far...To Honduras it's a must-win game...to CR, almost a must-win game...
UEFA update, all projected unless noted as already done deal: Group A: France wins it, Sweden second (19 or 20 pts.) Group B: Portugal wins it if it beats Switzerland (second with 27 pts.) Group C, both done deal: Germany won it, Northern Ireland second (19 or 20 pts.) Group D: Serbia wins it beating Georgia, Wales 2nd if ties Ireland at home (18 or 20 pts.) Group E: Poland wins it, Denmark second (20 or 22 pts.) Group F, winner done deal: England won it, Slovakia second unless Scotland beats Slovenia away (18 or 20 pts.) Group G, both done deal: Spain won it, Italy second (20, 21 or 23 pts) Group H, winner done deal: Belgium won it, Greece second (19 pts.) Group I: Iceland wins it beating Kosovo, Croatia second unless it loses in Ukraine (18 or 20 pts.) Teams in italics virtually guaranteed a playoff spot. Worst 2nd place: matches against group's minnow taken out, the most likely worst second is: Croatia, if it only ties in Ukraine Scotland, if it only ties in Slovenia Wales, if it can only tie Ireland at home
It sucks that Netherlands will miss the WC next year...What happens to the team? They have lots of talent and still can't manage to claim second place...
The first half suggests Costa Rica is very cool taking a 0-0 here and partying. Honduras really needs to win this, with their goal difference and with Panama hosting the soon-to-be-hungover Ticos next. We'll see what they have to throw at the situation coming out of the locker room.