PBP: MLS N&A Running USMNT and other International Games Thread {R}

Solomon's with a series of 3 shots - the first saved by the keeper, the second cleared off the line by a defender and the third cleared off the line again by a different defender.

 

Another pk allows New Caledonia to tie it up 2-2 in the 59th

 

New Caledonia takes a 3-2 lead in the 69th

 

And…..

 

And New Caledonia are 2-0-0 now and the Solomon's are 0-0-2 in group play.

 

Competitive game alert!

We’re up 1-0 but gave up a penalty: saved by Turner!

 

I know the Eagles are on and everything, but aren’t we second-screening? I’m triple-screening.

 

66’ Turner and the D under pressure.

 

Is this like a supporters protest that didn’t get communicated to the non-core members?

 

I have no idea about the games this weekend. Will turn on the end now.

 

More action on friendly dates.

We’ve got the eleven-man disadvantage for the last 10-15 minutes or so.

 

3 points or something.

 

Tahiti v Sāmoa under way in the heavy rain in Hamilton, NZ

 

Halftime and the game remains scoreless, with Tahiti having the better chances but Sāmoa's Fatu has made a few good saves.

The ball has stopped rolling several times on the far side of the pitch near midfield and with the heavy rain supposed to continue through the end of the game, I think they'll be fortunate to actually finish. The All Whites v Vanuatu is supposed to be played later in the evening .

 

Kaspard scores in the 59th for Tahiti, 1-0. That's probably a dagger based on Sāmoa's attack.

 

On the bright side, the rain has let up, so there is hope yet.

 

Fatu wasn't able to hold on to the ball and Tahiti's Mathon was there to knock it in. Tahiti 2-0 in the 63rd.

 

It is exciting that someone other than New Zealand from OFC will still be playing after this round.

 

I still think FIFA should encourage the Caribbean Federation and the Oceania Federation to join together into an Islands Confederation. At least in the final round New Zealand could have some real competition with Jamaica and the other Caribbean "powers". They could play the final round in the US in a group stage World Cup format to ensure travel isn't too horrendous. Of course, that would also mean Mexico, US and Canada would join up with South America.


Sāmoa put it in the back of the net, but were offside.

 

Teaonui Tehau gets one in the 87th minute to put Tahiti up 3-0.

If you are curious, Teaonui effectively means "the big cloud": te = the, ao = cloud, nui = big.

 

Game over, Tahiti win it 3-0. Tahiti play Vanuatu in the 3rd round, while Sāmoa plays New Zealand.

 

Assuming at least 2 guaranteed WC slots for said combined confed, I'd be fine with this (much better odds of a Caribbean team making every World Cup), but I wonder how agreeable NZ and the rest of the OFC final rounders would be having to fly to the USA every cycle.

I'm not sure the Canadians would want to follow the USA/MX when they can stay in whats left of CONCACAF and potentially dominate it indefinitely as a regular WC qualifier.

 

Imagine a 16,000 km round trip for a game! Greenland to New Zealand (Greenland having applied to Concacaf earlier this year).

 

Concacaf gets 6 + 2 going forward already - 3 + 2 this cycle since the trio of hosts get automatic bids.

 

They can compete at the 2025 Island Games being hosted in the Orkneys.