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

I am also watching Brazil vs France in Gillette Stadium, see the attendance, nobody complaining about weather, time of the day, weekday, traffic etc

 

The weather here is fine today even though it's overcast it's warm.

 

Warm? I see people wearing jackets in the stands, also on resale 3 hours before the game cheapest ticket over $600

 

Kosovo advance with a crazy 4-3 win at Slovakia.
Kosovo hosts Turkiye on Tuesday with a trip to World Cup 2026 at stake.

Sweden tops Ukraine, 3-1 in a match played in Valencia.
Poland came from behind to eliminate Albania, 2-1.
Poland travel to Sweden Tuesday with the winner heading to the World Cup.

Denmark won against North Macedonia, 4-0.
The Danes play Tuesday against the winner of Czechia or Ireland. They are tied at 2-2 and into extra time.

Italy tops Northern Ireland, 2-0.
Next up for Italy is a Tuesday road trip to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina. Those two are tied at 1 and playing in extra time as well.

 

66,215 at Gillette.

 

Going into PK's in Prague and Cardiff.
Czechia 2-2 Ireland
Wales 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

In Monterrey, Bolivia and Suriname are nil-nil after 23 minutes.

 

Bosnia-Herzegovina go through to Tuesday's playoff. They beat Wales 4-2 in PK's and will host Italy.

Czechia defeat Ireland on PK's, 4-3. They advance to Tuesday's match against Denmark, and will host the Danes.

 

Halftime in Monterrey. Still scoreless between Suriname and Bolivia. Winner gets Iraq on Tuesday for a chance to play in this year's World Cup.

At 11 EDT, 8 PDT in Guadalajara, it's Jamaica vs. New Caledonia, with the winner getting Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday.

 

Caledonia classic, aka Scotland, is already in the World Cup.

 

Final from Monterrey: Bolivia 2, Suriname 1

Suriname took the lead on a 48th minute goal. Bolivia tied it in the 72nd and got the game-winner in the 79th minute on a PK following a foul in the box.

Bolivia advance to Tuesday night's match with Iraq, also in Monterrey. Winner goes to the World Cup.

 

New Caledonia's lineup contains three current pros: Angelo Fulgini in the Saudi Pro League, Jakob Jeno in the Israeli second tier, and Joseph Athale in the OFC Pro League. There's also one ex-pro, Georges Gope-Fenepej, who is 37 and now plays in the French fourth tier.

Everyone else is either in New Caledonia's domestic league or no higher than the fifth tier in France.

 

Final from Guadalajara: Jamaica 1-0 New Caledonia

An 18th minute goal by the Reggae Boyz stood up for the duration, and Jamaica advances to Tuesday night's playoff final in Guadalajara against Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

We have a different perception of temperature in New England in spring after a cold winter. It was relatively humid and around 50 which counts as warm for early spring, even if it would be cool for fall. You will see most people without coats in this weather here. It was 40s this morning at 5am and humid and I came in to work in a sweatshirt. If you are seeing French or Brazilians in the stands it's no surprise they behave differently.

 

18-years-old. On debut. @CommBank Player of the Match, as voted by the fans! 🔥

Congratulations, Lucas Herrington 👏

Watch new CommBank #Socceroos cap no.658 this Tuesday in Melbourne 👇

🇦🇺 v 🇨🇼 31.3.26 - 8:10pm AEDT
🏟️ AAMI Park
🎟️ https://t.co/fXdFj1EW0V pic.twitter.com/mGka8ztcsY

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 27, 2026

 

And now for something really different. This weekend's Ratak Cup futsal tournament in the Marshall Islands, sponsored by Centennial 38!

We are delighted to announce the official sponsors of the 2026 Ratak Cup:
Centennial 38 pic.twitter.com/F13JsVQgFV

— Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (@SoccerFedMI) March 27, 2026

 

USA-Belgium is borderline unwatchable because of the kits.

 

Ratak Cup points standings after 3 games:
Boca Lagoon 9
Ajeltake Arsenal 6
Rairok Flamengo 4
Vasco de Laura 3
Real Majuro 3
Rita Plate 1

Due to a weather alert, it was decided to push back until Tuesday for the final rounds and knockout stages

— Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (@SoccerFedMI) March 28, 2026

 

I didn't think Debast's shot would ever reach the goal line. It first had to get halfway to goal, and then halfway to goal, and then halfway to goal, and so on ad infinitum.

 

With all of the shots that Belgium was getting in the first half, I'm surprised by how disappointed I still am in this US team.

 

This has reminded me of how pissed I was about rosters from the US in past windows and that realistically they were punting on the World Cup since there was no chance they would have time to put together a cohesive team in time for the tournament.

 

The dipshit announcer just said “Belgium scored five unanswered goals” just after saying Agyemang “pulled one back.” I guess everyone was uninvested today.

Thx,

Jay!

 

Mexico playing a friendly in Mexico. Imagine that.

Thx,

Jay!

 

I had completely missed the new sponsorship making it Estadio Banorte. It's good to see renovations complete to Mexico City Stadium.

 

NEW @TheAthleticFC
Neither USMNT nor Belgium had alternative kit at  venue to change kits re: color clash. Post kick-off they tried to source from team hotels but not possible. Belgium's Onana said "it was awful" on-field & Lammens raised at HT with kitman…

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) March 28, 2026

Neither USMNT nor Belgium had alternative kit at venue to change kits re: color clash. Post kick-off they tried to source from team hotels but not possible. Belgium's Onana said "it was awful" on-field & Lammens raised at HT with kitman

Thx,

Jay!