4 solid teams, whom do you want to see emerge to the hex to hopefully play against the US for the 3.5 spots? Costa Rica, Canada, Guatemala and Honduras. Andy
Don't know who I'd want, but my picks to advance from that group are Canada and Costa Rica...sorry Bora. The Guats finish bottom.
I think whoever emerges from this group have to be considered favorites for 1.5 of the 3.5 slots, so I don't think it matters to the US a ton. I'll definitely be rooting against Costa Rica, but the other three I think are close to a wash. Canada is lower-ranked but can actually field more high-level players than Guatemala, while we just destroyed Honduras but it's not clear that we can do that repeatedly.
I am hoping that Canada pulls through because that would be one game we could place in many different stadiums with no worries about away support. Andy
Again, all the hype for Canada. Not sure just why, suppose it's faith in Yallop and them finally getting their best players committed to the international scene. For what it's worth, I've bought into it and think Canada could top the group (that, or crumble in the face of the brutal away games in Central America). Costa Rica sure cut it close with Cuba--advancing on the away goals rule? Wow. I was far from impressed with Honduras; think they might be on the outs. As for Guatemala, no real opinion. They play with bastard ferocity though, so can't be counted out. My uninformed guess: Canada Costa Rica Guatemala Honduras
I would love to see Canada and Costa Rica. Canada, because they might have games in BC that I could road-trip to from Seattle. Costa Rica because I'd like to see an American coach qualify for the WC with a non-American team. I hope the diving Guats lose every game, and I hope Honduras fires Bora and plays with the attacking flair we saw last time in qualifying. This goup, juxtaposed with the group T&T is in, is Exhibit A in the case for CONCACAF Corruption. What a joke.
First of all I like your avatar Casper. Pathmark was the store back in the day! We have to remember that Honduras was simply having a scrimmage aganist us a few months ago. They will be a completely different team when it comes time for the Hex next year which they will definitely be a part of. If we have to play Honduras again we need to put the game as far away from RFK as possible. I hope to see Canada and Honduras come out of this group as I am tired of seeing Costa Rica in the final six. Besides, Steve Sampson shouldn't be allowed to take anyone else to the WC ever again.
Canada looks pretty strong, but their big weakness is central defense. THey're slow-footed there. You can probably get away with DeVos if he were paired with a quick player. Right now it's Watson. That doesn't match up well with Ruiz and Petrazossi (sp?), for instance. I really question Honduras. They made their reputation on a hot streak (and a road win against a depleted American side) that they haven't replicated since. Are they really as good as their reputation? We'll see. I watched the Guats play yesterday, and they looked good. And for one they weren't exessively physical. Maradiaga has them playing like, well like Costa Rica. More skill and less muscle. CR? Who knows? The most talent, but some definite question marks. Do they get rid of Sampson? If so, is it wise to drop a new coach into a group of death situation? I'll take CR and Canada.
I think Canada and Guatemala will come out of this group. It will be a tough one. Will probably come down to the last games to see who comes out.
Costa Rica is a threat to win the Hex, so root against them. Honduras will be solid, fairly talented and very well coached. root against them. Canada is going to be a USA-lite team. A few very nice players, but not quite as good as the us, and a nice young base, that is a step or two behind the US. We could smack them around, so root there. Guatamala last go round got a lot out of not too much, but should be a team we could handle. so while logic would say CR and Hond, heart would say canada and Guat.
Ticos and the Canucks. Canada only because they'll have a stadium in Toronto and I can come home from school and go to the game.
Remember, CR was in the same group as Brazil and Turkey, 1st and 3rd respectively in '02. They lost out on round 2 by goal differential. They held their own vs. 2 very tough squads. And from what I've heard, Cuba has begun to invest a lil' $$ in footie, so they're prolly repeating the rewards from that little investment. So it's not just that CR sucked but that they got a difficult draw. Anyway, my picks for this group are CR and Honduras. Rather, I should say that the 2nd place team will be the team that most quickly gets their act together. Guatemala has the misfortune of being in utter disarray thanks to a ridiculous FIFA sanction that finally got overturned. Canada, while having a full-side of decent pros, has the disadvantage of having an apathetic attitude for years by said athletes. They're not too familiar w/ each other, at least not enough yet to compete at the level they're capable. And Honduras... I think they've regressed under Bora. I thought they were an up and coming side w/ major talent. I hope they dump Bora and can get their act together. It's a shame that 4 nations w/ such potential have to battle it out while Mexico is the only one in their group that "should" be in the final round. And it's a shame that Haiti and Cuba were ousted while several inferior squads made it through.
Good point. This is the Cuba squad that had a chunk of the squad play together for a year or two in the regionallia, right? Obviously not elegible for games at the same time, but practising and playing friendlies Thought it was a pretty cool idea at the time, and wondered when they'd see results.
I see where you're coming from on this, but I firmly believe in the fact that a KEY component to developing an elite squad is to have quality competition on the road to the Cup. So we should root for quality play in these semi-finals. From everybody. Including Mexico. Like it or not, Mexico has a decent squad and they are a legitimate hope to go deeper in the Cup than anybody except the US. Even more important is that we want the best teams to go to Germany. So if we get 4 teams, we should root for all of them until they get eliminated. Say one of the stronger teams gets eliminated, and then Trinidad and Tobago or any other squad that isn't up to snuff gets pummeled in Germany. All of the sudden, it's quite possible that 2010 would only give us 2 spots. Do you want that? So, we should root for good soccer so that we can maintain our slots.
Saw a little bit of the cr match in cuba, saw the guats play suriname and saw the hondurans play the dutch antilles... didn't see any canada, so.... my belief is CR will win their group, they have the best experience, and can compete on the road and get points. At home, they should nail 3 wins. Honduras has a ton of offensive talent, and the inclusion of David Suazo makes them far more dangerous than they showe agaisnt the USA. Personally, I didn't think they were really trying, so I discount that effort. Say the guats BOTH matches, and the run of play didn't favor them as much as it should have. petrorossi....lloks like a mini..schwarennegger...drug test anyone!! so my picks... CR and Honduras on goal differential over Canada!!
I think Costa Rica and Canada will be the 2 teams to advance. I want Canada to be one of the teams; as for the other, if Sampson is still CR's coach I want them to go thru so I can boo his ass off and laugh as the Ticos fall apart in the Hex, if they fire Sampson this week (as they are rumored to be considering) then I really don't care who the second after Canada is. My main reasons for wanting Canada to go thru are because I like their team and especially want to see Yallop, Onstad, and DeRosario do well, but there's also the factor that if they go to the Hex they'd be a strong bet to advance to the playoff against the 5th-placed Asian team, which will be played in November; and there's a good chance that their Asian opponent would be Saudi Arabia or Iran. Now, come on, who here doesn't want to see a bunch of desert dwellers have to play in Edmonton in November??
Can someone tell me exactly what Honduras has done recently, as in the last couple of years to earn as much reverence as they seem to have? They went on a hot streak beating up on B-sides in the Copa America and then beat up an injury-tormented US team. They were 0-4-4 with Bora at the helm b/f playing Netherlands Antilles. I can't say if they're overrated. maybe they are that good. But I don't necessarily see the evidence that they are.
Voila the need to ax Bora. They've got a lot of solid players that play well for quality clubs throughout Central America and they held their own in the last qualifying round b4 SK/Japan. That's why they're respected.
Costa Rica and Canada. Honduras is a mess and WILL drop points at home, while Guatemala is a team based on the scoring acumen of one player. It wouldn't surprise me if Les Rouges get a point or three at Alajuela, since they are the only team other than the US and Mexico with enough talent to beat Costa Rica when the crowd is not a factor (and this being a midweek tilt and no Saprissa to deal with, the result might be available). It comes back to simple math of qualifying....win at home, get a point or two away and you will advance.
Canada and whichever one out of Costa Rica (let's see who their new coach is) and Honduras (how long will Bora be employed) gets their poop in a group first...
Hondoras is erratic as hell. Bruce choked last time we played them for some reason, but I think they are extremely beatable by a well disciplined side. That said, if the fast, focused goal scoring Hondo shows up more than not, it's CR/Hondo. If the unfocused, lax defense Hondo shows up, CR/Canada. If I had to I'd bet on Canada. They really want it this year, feel like they have a shot, believe in Yallop, might have the best team actually showing up for the games that they have in a long time and they've got some good hair: All important WCQ qualities.