Well, I know stuff happens, but I found the elbow to Eddie's dome to be pretty classless. That happened about 25 feet from seats and it was one of those plays where the PAN guy clearly just sized Eddie up and essentially coldcocked him. Looked over his shoulder to see where he was and threw the elbow right where he wanted. But in general, I agree. Hell, Frankie came damn close to a red card with that stupid two-footer. I thought he played well last night, but I just wish he'd take that false bravado, need to be edgy/tough aspect out of his game.
i am also thinking which team has a better chance of stealing points from Mexico ? Panama, ES,or Jamaica... after all it matters who finishes first at least top 3, but i would love to see Mexico not make it to Germany. Another team i like to see not make it to the Hex is Costa Rica, Honduras need to win at home for this to happen, can they do it ? Mexico,USA, Guatemala are in so far. the Hex might look like this Mexico T&T USA Panama ( Jamaica or ES ) Guatemala Honduras ( CR )
I second this. It also bears noting that Panama by and large did not play the kind of irritating bunker defense that we so often see from Concacaf opponents, which is pretty cool.
After sifting through the posts on this thread, I'll weigh in with my two cents-worth. The U.S. have a 28-match unbeaten streak against CONCACAF oppontents, so Jamaica's chances don't seem good to get a win. If they draw with us and Panama and El Salvador also draw with each other, the Reggaeboyz move on. I think it's in our best interests to try and win the match in Columbus and eliminate Jamaica while we have the chance. Of course, our toughest game so far was in Panama when the weather conditions proved to be a great equalizer. Who knows what Mother Nature will bring during the final hex next year? Four years ago, Mexico was in disarray after this stage, having finished second to Trinidad & Tobago. Look what happened in that final hex--Mexico finished second while T & T was last! If Costa Rica and Jamaica get out of their respective groups, the rest of the hex could be in for a tough time. Still, the United States and Mexico will be heavy favorites to get to Germany. If Honduras and say, Panama get to the final hex--two of the more recent elite teams in CONCACAF will be staying home for friendlies in 2005.
A Hex sans Ticos and sans Boyz would be really bizarre. I don't think Honduras will make it, but obviously, I think we would prefer San Pedro Sula to the animales at Spitprissa. US best case: Honduras. Which side from our group would give Mexico the most trouble? Surely it would have to be the Sallies. They HATE Mexico. Even though they have no form now, as SetPeace pointed out, there is often drastic changes in fortune between the Prehex and the Hex itself. US best case: Sallies. The only chance for El Salvador is if we beat Jamaica. There's our rationale right there to kill the Boyz. And justice would surely be served if WarnerCo were trumped at home losing by 2 to Ezra and company. JUSTICE: St. Vincent. Which would leave a hex looking like this: US Tri Guats Catrachos Sallies St. Vincent @ Mazatenango - last time, a vicious WarnerCo-enforced draw following repeated Ruiz-led muggings of Keller. Doable. @ San Pedro Sula - last time, Mathis bagged 3 points @ San Salvador - we've now won there also @ St. Vincent - Warner's revenge? @ Azteca - THE BIG SMOGDOWN We should expect to win 2 of these, draw 1, lose 2. Four years ago, the win on the road was cancelled by the loss at home (Catrachos). Draws on the road were precious. This time around, should this miracle Hex come to pass, we could conceivably look at Qualifying, depending on the fixture draw, by the end of the summer. Also, should this miracle Hex come to pass, I highly doubt WarnerCo will let us get Mexico in February to open the Hex.... -bs
Look guys, let's be realistic....for now and forever and for always the USA, mexico and A.N. Other will forever more represent this region in the WC.........( but the only two that will ever have even a chance of actually WINNING the damn thing will be the USA...and maybe, maybe ( if they catch the same lightning the greeks caught)..mexico... ...it came down from the mount....right next to the bit that stated.... Brazil, argentina and A.N. Others two brothers from south america will also ALWAYS make the WC....but the only two who will ever,ever have a chance to win the damn thing are Brazil and the argies.... so it is written...so it shall be done.........
Let's just call the Jamaica game a want to win and not a must win. I think Bruce will call all the usefull MLS players to camp in an effort to keep them in shape after the playoffs. However I hope that he favors say Martino over Cobi in order to give the newer players more experience Given that we probably will start a mostly MLS team with some players not favored in Europe and needing a good show to convince the world that they're worth a start. Which means McBride, Vanney, Clint, Keller and (in a way) Casey. All the others in Europe probably won't go.