Panama scoreless with Mexico at the half in the Azteca right now. As a US fan, we really need Mexico to take 3 points in this one. We have to go to Honduras on Tuesday and Panama gets T&T at home.
***Official USMNT Thread***
- Thread starter ianoconnor
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Just a couple thoughts on that match.
First, Costa Rica had arguably the best performance of any CONCACAF team in the 2014 World Cup. That is not a team full of scrubs that the US just lost to. A lot of the Eurosnobs in the US fan base crap on MLS every chance they get, but the fact is it has been good for the USMNT. Unfortunately, it's probably been even better for the rest of CONCACAF (minus Mexico). There are so many players from CR, Panama, Honduras, Trinidad, Jamaica, and other smaller CONCACAF nations who have benefited from playing in MLS. The Hex is getting tougher because the teams behind the US and Mexico are getting better. Just look at what Mexico went through in the Hex before the 2014 World Cup.
Second, Dempsey needs to play. The narrative that he's no more than a super sub needs to end now. He starts for the Sounders every game except for when they have 2 games in a week. This idea that he's not capable of playing 90 minutes anymore is stupid. I'm not saying he should be starting both of these qualifiers this week, but since he didn't start this one he damn well better be starting from the first kick in Honduras. When he's on the field with Pulisic from the start, things like this tend to happen....
Teams can't focus on just one of them. They can't just go after one guy on our squad and hack at him constantly and dare the rest of our team to hurt them. Together they split the defense's focus and are able to play off each other. It not only makes them better players together, but it opens up space for the rest of the team.
First, Costa Rica had arguably the best performance of any CONCACAF team in the 2014 World Cup. That is not a team full of scrubs that the US just lost to. A lot of the Eurosnobs in the US fan base crap on MLS every chance they get, but the fact is it has been good for the USMNT. Unfortunately, it's probably been even better for the rest of CONCACAF (minus Mexico). There are so many players from CR, Panama, Honduras, Trinidad, Jamaica, and other smaller CONCACAF nations who have benefited from playing in MLS. The Hex is getting tougher because the teams behind the US and Mexico are getting better. Just look at what Mexico went through in the Hex before the 2014 World Cup.
Second, Dempsey needs to play. The narrative that he's no more than a super sub needs to end now. He starts for the Sounders every game except for when they have 2 games in a week. This idea that he's not capable of playing 90 minutes anymore is stupid. I'm not saying he should be starting both of these qualifiers this week, but since he didn't start this one he damn well better be starting from the first kick in Honduras. When he's on the field with Pulisic from the start, things like this tend to happen....
Teams can't focus on just one of them. They can't just go after one guy on our squad and hack at him constantly and dare the rest of our team to hurt them. Together they split the defense's focus and are able to play off each other. It not only makes them better players together, but it opens up space for the rest of the team.
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Mexico got a second half goal last night and beat Panama. So the US and Honduras are currently tied in the 3 and 4 spots both with 8 points. The US is ahead of Honduras though on goal differential with a +1 while Honduras is -7 (that 6-0 home win against them might end up being huge). Panama sits in 5th with 7 points.
The remaining schedules look like this:
US: @ Honduras, Panama, @ Trinidad
Honduras: US, @ Costa Rica, Mexico
Panama: Trinidad, @ US, Costa Rica
At this point, Mexico has already qualified and Costa Rica is for the most part there too. Honduras has the toughest remaining schedule and their final game against Mexico could end up being important. Let's just hope that Mexico doesn't decide to mail it in that last game since it means absolutely nothing for them. They owe us one.
The remaining schedules look like this:
US: @ Honduras, Panama, @ Trinidad
Honduras: US, @ Costa Rica, Mexico
Panama: Trinidad, @ US, Costa Rica
At this point, Mexico has already qualified and Costa Rica is for the most part there too. Honduras has the toughest remaining schedule and their final game against Mexico could end up being important. Let's just hope that Mexico doesn't decide to mail it in that last game since it means absolutely nothing for them. They owe us one.
we need to be playing a 4 2 3 1. Think that is obvious at this point. Want Bradley paired with Acosta in the back, then Fabian, Clint, Pulisic, with Wood at the top. Maybe Nagbe in the Fabian spot and FJ can go back to LB. If you want to use CD as a Sub, Pulisic goes to the middle of the 3 and FJ, Nagbe wing to wing.
Fabian looked out of it last night. I understand wanting to get him out there, but he pretty obviously looked like a guy who has had all of 10 minutes of field time with his club this year.
Why Arena insists on Altidore is beyond. Maybe it's because a lot of US fans lick his butt. ALTIDORE CANT SCORE IN SERIOUS MATCHES. When I think about my strikers and who is going to play I don't think about hold up play or link up play or any of the crap. Who is most likely going to get a goal? THAT is the question. I'd say Dom Dwyer is twice as likely to get a goal against any real opponent as Jozy.
I had a post earlier where I asked about Altidore. I think that dude has all the talent in the world. He is an absolute head case though.
93 degrees and 71 percent humidity with a possible thunderstorm right before first kick. Welcome to the jungle.
I'm not a huge Jermaine Jones guy, but man a tough guy that can run for days would be nice to have on a day like this. Also, he would probably pick up his second yellow in the 51' minute and be out of position on the goal right before that.
Today's match is huge! They all are, but when you're playing a team tied with you in the standings with 3 games to go for the last outright qualification spot...that's huge. Hope the U.S. can pull it off. I'd settle for a draw in Honduras, but a win would put us in the driver's seat with Panama match coming up. Win Hondo and win vs. Panama, and the U.S. might not even need a result against Trinidad.