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

Am I weird being surprised that Zendejas got called up?

 

He started and scored in our last game, so I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise.

I’ve never been impressed with his play with the US, but he keeps putting up numbers in Liga MX, so might as well give him more chances. We aren’t blessed with a deep winger pool, and the other options don’t strike me as obviously better.

 

If starting and scoring "in our last game" are the criteria, then Jonathan Dean should get a call up?
USMNT aren't blessed with a deep defense pool...

 

You mean future MLS MVP Jonathan Dean?

 

Last window was the first time I felt like Zendejas took advantage of the call up so I’m okay with the return. Might need an equal impact to stick around.

 

The same!

 

I'm watching the World Cup Qualifier from Managua, and Mother Nature has CONCACAF'd Nicaragua and Haiti....power outage in the 29th minute has halted play during a torrential downpour! 1-0 Haiti on top after a 12th minute Duckens Nazon goal.

 

Match is set to resume between NIC and HAI at 8:45 CDT after a delay of roughly 75 minutes. Haiti is up 1-0 at the 29 minute mark. Lights have been restored, but it's still raining quite hard in Managua. Fortunately, the National Stadium has artificial turf, so the playing surface won't be an issue like it was in Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier between Madagascar and Comoros. The ball in that match was barely moving through the puddles of the grass field in Abidjan, Ivory Coast for the last 5 minutes of regulation and 6 minutes of stoppage time.

 

Haiti claims a 3-0 win at Nicaragua and for the moment is on top of the Group C table in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. Costa Rica is at Honduras where it's 0-0 in the 52nd minute in a rather hotly contested, yet chippy game.

Group A and Group B teams will be in action Friday.

 

HON and CRC end 0-0. Costa Rica had a great chance to score in the 79th minute, but a point blank shot in front of goal smashed off the crossbar. This was the 66th meeting between the sides, and 'draw' is the most prominent number. There have been 25 of them to go with 23 Costa Rica wins and 18 for Honduras.

GROUP C shows Haiti in first place with 5 points and a GD of +3. Honduras have 5 points and a +2 GD. Costa Rica are on 3 points with 3 straight draws. Nicaragua have 1 point.

 

Scoreless at halftime in Paramaribo between Suriname and Guatemala.

Guatemala had its first shot on goal in the 53rd minute. Suriname had the lion's share of possession in the first half with 4 shots on goal, but only one of them seemed problematic for the Guatemalan keeper. SUR are on top in Group A with 4 points. GUA are last with 1 point.

In Group B, Trinidad & Tobago take an early 1-0 lead at Bermuda in the 10th minute.

 

On the second shot on goal for them, Guatemala take the lead at Suriname, 1-0! Goal came in the 75th minute and may have saved Guatemala's World Cup campaign and wrecked Suriname's chances to surprise.

 

In Hamilton, TRI adds to its lead with a 30th minute goal. Socca Warriors are up, 2-0 on Bermuda.

 

Halftime at BER. 2-0 T & T.

Meanwhile...in Paramaribo, Suriname ties Guatemala in the 94th minute! 5 minutes of stoppage time were allotted. 1-1 draw keeps SUR on top of Group A for now, pending the outcome of tonight's Panama at El Salvador match, which kicks off at 9 EDT.

 

Trinidad & Tobago strike early in the second half for a 3-0 lead at Bermuda in Group B.

Also in Group B, Curacao stun Jamaica with a 14th minute goal for a 1-0 lead in Willemstad.

 

T & T win in Bermuda, 3-0. Curacao up on Jamaica, 1-0 at halftime. Current live standings in Group B have Curacao on top with 7 points, Jamaica in second place with 6. Trinidad & Tobago have 4 and Bermuda at 0.

 

Another stunning goal for Curacao. 2-0 CUW over JAM in the 68th minute. Crowd, understandably, is going nuts in Willemstad.

 

Jamaica get on the scoreboard after missing close on several chances all night. 90th minute. 2-1 Curacao trying to hang on. 5 minutes of stoppage time coming.

EDIT

In the 'Hokey Smokes, Bullwinkle!" files, the Jamaica goal is wiped out. Offside/interference is the call against one of the Jamaica players. Still 2-0 Curacao, who will top Group B when the final whistle blows.

 

Guys, I don't think the US is going to win the World Cup next year.

 

Enner Valencia totally smoked Chris Richards there. Maybe if Richards didn't pick up a dumb yellow before minute 20 he could have fouled to stop Valencia.

 

Guatemala was headed for first place (at least until the later group game) until minute 95 when Suriname scored. Now they are ensconced in last and may never escape.

 

It’s a meaningless tournament, our players should be resting.

 

That's a crazy good save from the Ecuador GK to save the own goal.

Does it count as a save though? A lot of work for no save.

 

Final CONCACAF qualifier of the night is underway in El Salvador. Panama already up against it as the team had to sub off one of its defenders due to injury in the 12th minute. No score at the Cuscatlan in the 18th minute. An El Salvador win puts them top of the group. A Panama win ties them with Suriname for first place in Group A.

 

Halftime at San Salvador, and it's scoreless. Panama thought it had a PK coming in the 35th minute, but VAR overturned the referee's decision. Then, just before halftime, El Salvador scored for a 1-0 lead, but VAR overturned the goal due to a prior foul by a Salvadoran player. Live table for Group A still showing: SUR 5 pts., SLV 4 pts., PAN 3 pts. GUA 2 pts.