who will be going to 2006? I'll venture the guess of: USA Mexico Costa Rica Guatemala- beats some Asian team and shows what it's like playing in central america
With all respect, I think it is impossible for you to mention a Guatemalan team in this without mentioning Honduras. Something EXTREMELY ACKWARD would have to happen for Honduras to not be in this list and Guatemala in it. For Guatemala to be even close they must change their thinking completely, 100% and I dont think this is remotely possible in a 4 year period. Unfortunate but true. At the same time I see Costa Rica declining a bit, I dont think it'll be easy to qualify.
Mexico USA Costa Rica Honduras Honduras IMO is miles ahead of Guatemala, Jamaica, T&T, Canda, ETc....
I needed something to make my 4 picks a little more unique. I just have a feeling about the Guats this time around. We'll see.....
Wow. Some people are choosing Guatemala to go through to the WC in 2006 based on the form of one striker 4 years before the big dance.
Mexico, USA, Costa Rica. After that I'd have to say Honduras is the current favorite to take the playoff spot or to relegate one of the other 3 to the playoff spot. If I had to pick a darkhorse to get that 4th spot, how about Canada??
Without a decent professional league it won't happen. There are too many other countries with a lot more money for soccer and much better federations.
Who the hell knows. Four years ago practically everyone was punching Jamaica's ticket again for '02 and Costa Rica was barely mentioned. You can never tell - Mexico was in trouble for qualifiying and the US went through a rough stretch as well.
The odvious first pick would be USA. I think the other three will be Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico. Jamaica has continued to get better, and if they can pull something together in the next few years CONCACAF isn't the hardest place for them to qualify, but Honduras could just easily end up with that spot. Costa Rica will deffinitley decline from their present high, but they will qualify.
Predicting 3 years ahead is somewhat meaningless, especially when we don't know if the qualifying format will change. I'll go with Canada, Mexico, US & Honduras for the moment. Honduras because they are overdue, Mexico & the US for having the most cash, most players & the most depth, and Canada if our current rapid rate of improvement & player signings in Europe continues as it has the last little while.