http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54683-2004Jun19.html "I think [the Grenadians] have come to terms that they aren't going to advance," Arena said. "However, they do want to win the game." Obviously, the US is in the drivers seat, but we aren't talking about 5 or 6 goals here. It's a 3 goal lead. We will be on the road, in a very hostile environment. One of my best friends, who is Grenadian, is heading down there this morning. I don't know what Bruce is telling the players, but I would hope that he isn't being as flippant about Grenada's chances to the players, as he is to the media. Pride cometh before the fall.
Look, here's what's going to happen: Grenada came out of Columbus 3-0 down only because they put 10 men in the box, hoped for the best, and got an ass-load of luck. They can do the same thing again, and they'll get the same result. Hell, it might even be worse, they can't be that lucky again. If they want to have any hope of challenging us, they're going to open up and go foward, and if that happens, we'll kill 'em. Roberts might get a goal, but we'll get 5 or 6. Grenada is handcuffed, damned if they go foward, damned if they bunker. I think Bruce is being realistic, rather than arrogant.
Give Arena credit -- at least he's not blowing smoke up everyone's ass about how the Grenadans have us right where they want us. Few coaches speak honestly in situations like this. At least Arena said what everyone is thinking.
Grenada has no shot. What did you expect him to say? I still find it appalling that we only scored 3 frigging goals though...Mexico dropped TEN on Dominica... Ten.
NO shot? i think that is a bit of hyperbole on your part. we beat them 3-0 at home. Twice they had clear chances in front of the net to take leads in the game. they may only have a 3% chance, but they have a chance nonetheless. I'm just saying that it seems to me to be a mistake IF he is telling his team that they can't lose this tie. Is he saying that to his team ..... I don't know. But the fact that he is saying it to the media may be an indication of what he's saying behind closed doors. Respect for the opponent always seems a wise course of action to me. Mind you, I am not saying we are going to lose, because obviously i don't think that we will. But telling his guys that they can't let up for a second, lest the unthinkable happen would seem to be a good idea rather than flippantly dismissing a home side down by 3 goals.
We haven't lost a WCQ by three goals since 1980 and that was to Mexico. Not only that, but in a tie-breaking situation, away goals count double. They would have to win by three and shut us out to even have it come to overtime.
So? The US would probably drop 10 on Dominica too. Think Grenada without Roberts, Joseph, and Charles.
Bruce is probably pretty confident as we dominated the last match no matter what the score. But he also knows if the score stays close anything can happen. But will we lose by over three goals? Never happen.
he's right, they have no shot - it can also be important to see that your side is motivated in situations where they are expected to clean up
You have to love da' Bruce for his straight-up style. He tells it like it is. He apparently does this with his players, telling them exactly where they stand, and apparently, the players respect him a lot because of it. I am glad Bruce Almighty is tellin' it like it is. Go on wit yo bad self, Bruce!
words are just words- here is what matters: the USA called up most of their best players.THAT tells you the aproach we are taking to the game.Period.
Over confident--I don't think so. If we can't beat teams like this on our quest to qualify, then we don't need to be in the WC in 2006.
Finally a coach tells it like it is. Grenada is not going to beat us 4-0. If they do Americans should be forced to quit soccer forever.
I know. Bermuda couldn't overturn a 1 goal deficit against El Salvador, there was no way Grenada was going to overturn a 3 goal deficit. And to whoever made the Mexico comment... Grenada is a "little" better than Dominica. And I'm gonna guess Dominica didn't run a 5-4-1 formations like Grenada did in Columbus to keep the goal count down.