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

Maybe we got too used to winning under Berhalter.

National teams sometimes struggle. Germany just lost 2-0 to Slovakia. Italy is lagging in third place in their qualifying group and struggled to break down Estonia for an hour before a late flurry of goals. England managed 3 goals in 180 minutes against Andorra, population 80,000, without having to play in Andorra. Croatia only managed one goal in the Faroe Islands.

Playing well isn't guaranteed. Winning isn't guaranteed. USMNT fans were spoiled when they beat Mexico in a World Cup knockout game, and rather than seeing 2002 as a freak they want to see it as a trend.

Anyhow, I was a Pochettino skeptic but he has one job, to not embarrass the home country in the World Cup, so I'll judge him then.

 

At this rate, I think team USA is a solid favorite to become the 3rd World Cup host nation to fail to get out of the group stage.

 

I’m still not too worried, the World Cup is a different thing and I think they’ll do enough to not be embarrassed. I don’t believe an epic run to the semifinal is coming up though lol, even if world superstars like Scally and Aiden Morris are there.

 

What I don't know about Poch is whether or not he's the guy to make use of the run up to have the team well drilled and organized. His pedigree says he would know how but that same pedigree suggests that he hasn't really had to.

It's tough to judge based on these international dates where there isn't a lot of time but it's clear to me that we're not going to out talent many, if any, teams.

 

Stanley Matthews was playing in the English top flight in his 50s, so maybe these guys will stick around a bit longer.

 

It will be interesting to see if Poch will make it to the World Cup at this rate...

 

Wlllllll he?

 

Kazu Miura is still playing in his 50s.

 

King Kazu and I are the same age, and as long as he is playing I can't be old since a pro soccer player is my age. So, go King Kazu!

 

El Salvador - Suriname and Panama - Guatemala are both on Paramount + right now.

 

Suriname goes up 2-1 in the 81st minute.

 

Suriname wins!

 

I really liked the Surinamese second goal as the worked the ball all the way around to an unexpected runner for a pretty winner. El Salvador barely threatened and only got the own goal.

 

This group is suddenly super interesting, since Suriname was expected to pull up the rear. Panama was going to have an easy job of it but tied Suriname and is tied with Guatemala so far tonight.

Six game groups for a spot in the World Cup leaves little room for error.

 

Four Caribbean Football Union sides have played in the World Cup. The predominant launguages of the countries involved were: English, Spanish, and French. All that's left is for Dutch-speaking places to get into the act. Suriname and Curacao are the only possibilities left for that in CONCACAF. Can either one of them do it? I wouldn't have thought so, but after watching Suriname display its overall speed advantage on El Salvador, while taking advantage of sloppy passing by the Cuscatlans, who's to say it's impossible?

Panama should be running this group by now, but the team looks sluggish since its Gold Cup quarterfinal loss to Guatemala. Maybe the Canaleros are pressing too much? October will be interesting as the sense of urgency ramps up.

Suriname 4 pts.
El Salvador 3 pts.
Panama 2 pts.
Guatemala 1 pt.

October 10

GUA at SUR
PAN at SLV

October 14

SUR at PAN
GUA at SLV

 

USMNT fans asked for it and they are getting it! At least, I can only assume so. After the lackluster performance against Korea, a new and improved starting line-up for tonight's game has been released.

 

God that’s a bad team

 

Quota lineup.

 

Blackmon and Arfsen and Freeman and Ream and Roldan is a gutsy backline, with Freese to boot. That's more commitment to MLS than a diehard fan such as me has.

 

Canada with the 1 - 0 victory in Wales from a great free kick by Derek Cornelius in the 41st minute. Great Euro road trip by the boys, especially with several out with injury. That being said, Wales also were playing pretty much a B team since they had a match in Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Highlights below...

 

A US goal actually happened.

 

I heard the commentary talking about him obviously making the World Cup team since he's the Captain and I was afraid to visit any other site or page.

 

After that sweet Zendejas strike, I switched over to the early WCQs for CONCACAF tonight. Dante Sealy for T & T had to leave the pitch at the direction of the referee. Why? Apparently, he was wearing some inappropriate gear under his shorts! What that inappropriate item was, I don't know...but it was a first for me! I didn't know there was such a rule.

 

Curacao up 2-0 on Bermuda in Willemstad. T & T had a goal disallowed on a close offside call confirmed by VAR. Still scoreless in Kingston.