***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

CONCACAF WCQ tables... interesting to see Guyana ahead of T&T who just lost to Bermuda. Canada with the Group of Cupcakes.

Andy- what's the process here- top team per group advances to another round of qualifications (or are there more than 1?)... that does or doesn't include US, Mexico etc?

2014 Second Round - Group A

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

El Salvador 3 3 0 0 5 9

Suriname 3 2 1 0 2 7

Dom Republic 3 0 1 2 -2 1

Cayman Islan 3 0 0 3 -5 0

2014 Second Round - Group B

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Guyana 3 3 0 0 5 9

Trin & Tob 3 2 0 1 2 6

Bermuda 3 1 0 2 -1 3

Barbados 3 0 0 3 -6 0

2014 Second Round - Group C

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Panama 1 1 0 0 1 3

Nicaragua 2 1 0 1 1 3

Dominica 1 0 0 1 -2 0

2014 Second Round - Group D

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Canada 3 3 0 0 13 9

Kitts & Nevi 3 1 2 0 2 5

Puerto Rico 3 0 2 1 -3 2

St Lucia 3 0 0 3 -12 0

2014 Second Round - Group E

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Guatemala 2 2 0 0 5 6

Belize 2 1 0 1 2 3

St Vincent 2 1 0 1 -3 3

Grenada 2 0 0 2 -4 0

2014 Second Round - Group F

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Haiti 3 3 0 0 15 9

Antigua and 3 3 0 0 11 9

Curacao 3 0 0 3 -6 0

US Virgin Is 3 0 0 3 -20 0

 

[NewlyRetired]

CONCACAF WCQ tables... interesting to see Guyana ahead of T&T who just lost to Bermuda. Canada with the Group of Cupcakes. Andy- what's the process here- top team per group advances to another round of qualifications (or are there more than 1?)... that does or doesn't include US, Mexico etc?2014 Second Round - Group ATEAM P W D L GD PTSEl Salvador 3 3 0 0 5 9Suriname 3 2 1 0 2 7Dom Republic 3 0 1 2 -2 1Cayman Islan 3 0 0 3 -5 02014 Second Round - Group BTEAM P W D L GD PTSGuyana 3 3 0 0 5 9Trin & Tob 3 2 0 1 2 6Bermuda 3 1 0 2 -1 3Barbados 3 0 0 3 -6 02014 Second Round - Group CTEAM P W D L GD PTSPanama 1 1 0 0 1 3Nicaragua 2 1 0 1 1 3Dominica 1 0 0 1 -2 02014 Second Round - Group DTEAM P W D L GD PTSCanada 3 3 0 0 13 9Kitts & Nevi 3 1 2 0 2 5Puerto Rico 3 0 2 1 -3 2St Lucia 3 0 0 3 -12 02014 Second Round - Group ETEAM P W D L GD PTSGuatemala 2 2 0 0 5 6Belize 2 1 0 1 2 3St Vincent 2 1 0 1 -3 3Grenada 2 0 0 2 -4 02014 Second Round - Group FTEAM P W D L GD PTSHaiti 3 3 0 0 15 9Antigua and 3 3 0 0 11 9Curacao 3 0 0 3 -6 0US Virgin Is 3 0 0 3 -20 0

Here is how it worksSingle team from each group advancesWinners of Group A and Group B go into the Mexico/Costa Rica GroupWinners of Group C and Group D go into the Honduras/Cuba groupWinners of Group E and Group F go into the US/Jamaica groupThe scheduling for this current round of game is different. It is rare after 3 games to see two teams in the same group at 3-0 like in group F. Most of the schedule seems unbalanced. For example, T&T has not yet played Guyana yet. In 4 days in November they will play each other back to back to see who goes through.Guat is all but through for the US group and we will have to wait out winner of group F (although neither team concerns me). Guat is a pain in the neck since the away leg can be tricky.Group of "death" still looks like it could be Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and T&T(if they take care of business).Hopefully Panama will go through else the Honduras/Cuba group looks pretty weak. Good chance for Canada to maybe make the hex this year.

 

[El Floppo]

CONCACAF WCQ tables... interesting to see Guyana ahead of T&T who just lost to Bermuda. Canada with the Group of Cupcakes. Andy- what's the process here- top team per group advances to another round of qualifications (or are there more than 1?)... that does or doesn't include US, Mexico etc?2014 Second Round - Group ATEAM P W D L GD PTSEl Salvador 3 3 0 0 5 9Suriname 3 2 1 0 2 7Dom Republic 3 0 1 2 -2 1Cayman Islan 3 0 0 3 -5 02014 Second Round - Group BTEAM P W D L GD PTSGuyana 3 3 0 0 5 9Trin & Tob 3 2 0 1 2 6Bermuda 3 1 0 2 -1 3Barbados 3 0 0 3 -6 02014 Second Round - Group CTEAM P W D L GD PTSPanama 1 1 0 0 1 3Nicaragua 2 1 0 1 1 3Dominica 1 0 0 1 -2 02014 Second Round - Group DTEAM P W D L GD PTSCanada 3 3 0 0 13 9Kitts & Nevi 3 1 2 0 2 5Puerto Rico 3 0 2 1 -3 2St Lucia 3 0 0 3 -12 02014 Second Round - Group ETEAM P W D L GD PTSGuatemala 2 2 0 0 5 6Belize 2 1 0 1 2 3St Vincent 2 1 0 1 -3 3Grenada 2 0 0 2 -4 02014 Second Round - Group FTEAM P W D L GD PTSHaiti 3 3 0 0 15 9Antigua and 3 3 0 0 11 9Curacao 3 0 0 3 -6 0US Virgin Is 3 0 0 3 -20 0

Here is how it worksSingle team from each group advancesWinners of Group A and Group B go into the Mexico/Costa Rica GroupWinners of Group C and Group D go into the Honduras/Cuba groupWinners of Group E and Group F go into the US/Jamaica groupThe scheduling for this current round of game is different. It is rare after 3 games to see two teams in the same group at 3-0 like in group F. Most of the schedule seems unbalanced. For example, T&T has not yet played Guyana yet. In 4 days in November they will play each other back to back to see who goes through.Guat is all but through for the US group and we will have to wait out winner of group F (although neither team concerns me). Guat is a pain in the neck since the away leg can be tricky.Group of "death" still looks like it could be Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and T&T(if they take care of business).Hopefully Panama will go through else the Honduras/Cuba group looks pretty weak. Good chance for Canada to maybe make the hex this year.

Thanks andy.So carrying it forward, the top 2 in eac group from the next round advance to the hex where the top 3.5 teams (4th team in playoff) advance to the WC.... correct? I keep forgetting whether its the old hex style or the new version that looked brutal to all of us.Nothing against T&T, but I'd love to see some new blood advance- Guyana would be interesting, especially given the recent talk about some of their descendants playing for The Netherlands.Oh! I'm sure you mentioned it and I once again missed it, but what about Blazer resigning? Pretty big news for the US and region with the long-time top 2 guys bailing. Any ideas/news/rumors about who's taking his spot and what it means to the US?

 

[NewlyRetired]

So carrying it forward, the top 2 in eac group from the next round advance to the hex where the top 3.5 teams (4th team in playoff) advance to the WC.... correct? I keep forgetting whether its the old hex style or the new version that looked brutal to all of us.

Old Hex format (thankfully). Top 2 from each group advance to Hex.Top 3 teams in Hex to World Cup4th place team plays the winner of OFC (ie New Zealand) for a place in the World Cup. Talk about a travel nightmare for the two teams

 

[NewlyRetired]

Nothing against T&T, but I'd love to see some new blood advance- Guyana would be interesting, especially given the recent talk about some of their descendants playing for The Netherlands.

You might be confusing them with Suriname. Suriname is the country that has the various ties to the great Dutch footballers like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Romeo Castelen, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Patrick Kluivert

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh! I'm sure you mentioned it and I once again missed it, but what about Blazer resigning? Pretty big news for the US and region with the long-time top 2 guys bailing. Any ideas/news/rumors about who's taking his spot and what it means to the US?

I did not post about this. After the near sickening summer of the FIFA fiasco, I have tried to avoid some of these articles as they are too depressing for me.As such I do not know who will be going after the empty seats but I am pretty sure they will be corrupt to their core :(

 

[El Floppo]

Nothing against T&T, but I'd love to see some new blood advance- Guyana would be interesting, especially given the recent talk about some of their descendants playing for The Netherlands.

You might be confusing them with Suriname. Suriname is the country that has the various ties to the great Dutch footballers like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Romeo Castelen, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Patrick Kluivert

you are correct, sir.still interesting if Guyana gets through...

 

[Eephus]

Nothing against T&T, but I'd love to see some new blood advance- Guyana would be interesting, especially given the recent talk about some of their descendants playing for The Netherlands.

You might be confusing them with Suriname. Suriname is the country that has the various ties to the great Dutch footballers like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Romeo Castelen, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Patrick Kluivert

you are correct, sir.still interesting if Guyana gets through...

Mark Teixeria is eligible to play for Guyana. One of his grandparents was born there

 

[Moe.]

How is the following possible?

2014 Second Round - Group F

TEAM P W D L GD PTS

Haiti 3 3 0 0 15 9

Antigua and 3 3 0 0 11 9

Curacao 3 0 0 3 -6 0

US Virgin Is 3 0 0 3 -20 0

edit: I'm guessing this isn't played in any kind of an order.

 

[The Z Machine]

Nothing against T&T, but I'd love to see some new blood advance- Guyana would be interesting, especially given the recent talk about some of their descendants playing for The Netherlands.

You might be confusing them with Suriname. Suriname is the country that has the various ties to the great Dutch footballers like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Romeo Castelen, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Patrick Kluivert

you are correct, sir.still interesting if Guyana gets through...

Guyana's an interesting country. Very little infrastructure and the government and nearly all local businesses are run by Indians (like from the subcontinent) whose families came over as labor a while back.

 

[NewlyRetired]

How is the following possible?2014 Second Round - Group FTEAM P W D L GD PTSHaiti 3 3 0 0 15 9Antigua and 3 3 0 0 11 9Curacao 3 0 0 3 -6 0US Virgin Is 3 0 0 3 -20 0edit: I'm guessing this isn't played in any kind of an order.

Your guess is correct. Look back a few posts where I responded to Floppo. I talked about the scheduling there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I CAN'T WAIT to see them play tomorrow!

They had a free open practice today. You didn't get a chance to go did you?

 

[El Floppo]

I CAN'T WAIT to see them play tomorrow!

They had a free open practice today. You didn't get a chance to go did you?

mother ####er. I had no idea. I would've been there in a heart-beat, baby-in-tow.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I CAN'T WAIT to see them play tomorrow!

They had a free open practice today. You didn't get a chance to go did you?

mother ####er. I had no idea. I would've been there in a heart-beat, baby-in-tow.

JK even took the time to address the crowd during the training. Sounded pretty cool

 

[Sebowski]

I CAN'T WAIT to see them play tomorrow!

They had a free open practice today. You didn't get a chance to go did you?

mother ####er. I had no idea. I would've been there in a heart-beat, baby-in-tow.

JK even took the time to address the crowd during the training. Sounded pretty cool

And everyone got a free jersey and the first 100 people got press passes to to the locker room after the game. Plus Klinsmann kissed everyone on both sides of their cheek. Euro style.As long as we are piling on....

 

[NewlyRetired]

I know he is going to be signed either in Jan or next summer but god do I hope it is to a team he can actually play for and not one of the giants. http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/10/man-united-prepare-10m-january-bid-for-mls-star-brek-shea-old-trafford-boss-keen-on-fc-dallas-youngster/

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing young American international Brek Shea after a prolonged period of monitoring the FC Dallas attacker. Sir Alex Ferguson has been scouting the powerfully built forward and the reports filed on the 21 year old have lead to the Old Trafford boss being ready to make an offer for his services.The MLS season comes to an end in late November and the Premier League champions are eager to then enter into talks with the player and his club over a possible £10m deal to sign the youngster who has had a stand out season this term, notching ten goals and a number of assists for FC Dallas.Shea is now a regular in Jurgen Klinsmann’s US national team set-up and is thought to be a player with a great deal of potential. It is thought Man United would offer the player back on loan to his MLS side for the opening period of the 2012 season ahead of a formal transfer to Old Trafford.A number of European sides are said to be interest in Shea with Chelsea and Juventus also tracking the 6ft 3in adaptable attacker who can play either as an orthodox striker or out on the wing.Ferguson has been linked with a move for Brek Shea in the past but now that he has developed into a more effective player and has a grounding of experience under his belt it appears the Scot is ready to make an offer.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US will play two friendlies in Europe next month. Should be announced this week. First rumor is France, if France qualifies for Euro 2012 today.

I can't remember if the US has ever played France in any type of soccer game before at the senior level.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Germany playing Belgium today with a chance to go 10-0-0 in qualifying.

Deutschland

Deutschland

Deutschland

 

[NewlyRetired]

Germany playing Belgium today with a chance to go 10-0-0 in qualifying.

Deutschland

Deutschland

Deutschland

This game is on espn2 today in case people were not aware.

 

[Eephus]

Germany playing Belgium today with a chance to go 10-0-0 in qualifying.

Deutschland

Deutschland

Deutschland

It's a must win game for the Red Devils

 

[Eephus]

Greece is losing while Croatia is winning. If the results hold, Croatia advances from Group F while Greece heads for the playoffs.

 

[Eephus]

Ireland is a goal up at halftime vs 10-man Armenia. They scored on an own goal.

 

[The Z Machine]

Ireland is a goal up at halftime vs 10-man Armenia. They scored on an own goal.

Uf. My Hayastan buddies aren't looking so good.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Greece is losing while Croatia is winning. If the results hold, Croatia advances from Group F while Greece heads for the playoffs.

Two late goals from Greece to take the lead.

 

[B Maverick]

I know he is going to be signed either in Jan or next summer but god do I hope it is to a team he can actually play for and not one of the giants. http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/10/man-united-prepare-10m-january-bid-for-mls-star-brek-shea-old-trafford-boss-keen-on-fc-dallas-youngster/

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing young American international Brek Shea after a prolonged period of monitoring the FC Dallas attacker. Sir Alex Ferguson has been scouting the powerfully built forward and the reports filed on the 21 year old have lead to the Old Trafford boss being ready to make an offer for his services.The MLS season comes to an end in late November and the Premier League champions are eager to then enter into talks with the player and his club over a possible £10m deal to sign the youngster who has had a stand out season this term, notching ten goals and a number of assists for FC Dallas.Shea is now a regular in Jurgen Klinsmann’s US national team set-up and is thought to be a player with a great deal of potential. It is thought Man United would offer the player back on loan to his MLS side for the opening period of the 2012 season ahead of a formal transfer to Old Trafford.A number of European sides are said to be interest in Shea with Chelsea and Juventus also tracking the 6ft 3in adaptable attacker who can play either as an orthodox striker or out on the wing.Ferguson has been linked with a move for Brek Shea in the past but now that he has developed into a more effective player and has a grounding of experience under his belt it appears the Scot is ready to make an offer.

I would bet he would be sent out immediately on loan due to the amount of strikers and wide players United has. I havent seen much of him outside the USMNT so I am not sure where or how he would fit into United's attack. January window will be interesting for United thats for sure....

 

[The Z Machine]

There's no way Shea sees any action for United for a while. Plus, he might get loaned out for 3 year just to aquire EU residency, as he might not get approved for a UK work permit right away. He doesn't have many caps yet.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Denmark is up 1-0 on Portugal. If it holds Denmark wins group and Portugal goes to playoffs.

 

[The Z Machine]

Denmark is up 1-0 on Portugal. If it holds Denmark wins group and Portugal goes to playoffs.

That would be a real coup for Denmark.

 

[Eephus]

Denmark is up 1-0 on Portugal. If it holds Denmark wins group and Portugal goes to playoffs.

That would be a real coup for Denmark.

Danish supporters are a good addition to any tournament

 

[The Z Machine]

Denmark is up 1-0 on Portugal. If it holds Denmark wins group and Portugal goes to playoffs.

That would be a real coup for Denmark.

Danish supporters are a good addition to any tournament

Oh indeed.

 

[Eephus]

Serbia trails Slovenia at the half 1-0. If the result holds, Serbia is out and Estonia makes the playoffs. Estonia's national league is ranked 47 out of 53 in UEFA coefficients.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Denmark is through with a big 2-1 over Portugal who now go to the playoffs.

Bosnia is beating France 1-0 right now which would put Bosnia in, and send France to playoffs and screw up a nice friendly for the US. France needs a draw to go through.

 

[Eephus]

Denmark is through with a big 2-1 over Portugal who now go to the playoffs. Bosnia is beating France 1-0 right now which would put Bosnia in, and send France to playoffs and screw up a nice friendly for the US. France needs a draw to go through.

Nasri with a late equalizer

 

[NewlyRetired]

Denmark is through with a big 2-1 over Portugal who now go to the playoffs. Bosnia is beating France 1-0 right now which would put Bosnia in, and send France to playoffs and screw up a nice friendly for the US. France needs a draw to go through.

Nasri with a late equalizer

Sweet! This would be a great friendly for the US if they can sign it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ok everything is complete now.

Here are the results

Qualified for Euro 2012

Poland (hosts)

Ukraine (hosts)

Germany

Italy

Holland

England

Russia

France

Greece

Denmark

Spain

Sweden (best second place team)

Into the playoffs

Ireland

Portugal

Croatia

Bosnia

Estonia

Montenegro

Turkey

Czech Republic

 

[NewlyRetired]

Klinsmann is going to responsible for hiring the Olympic coach. Should be interesting to see who gets the job. He said he and Vasquez will be too busy to take the job

Also, as expected Chris Woods is the official goalkeeper coach for the Nats now.

 

[Eephus]

Ok everything is complete now.Here are the resultsQualified for Euro 2012Poland (hosts)Ukraine (hosts)GermanyItalyHollandEnglandRussiaFranceGreeceDenmarkSpainSweden (best second place team)Into the playoffsIrelandPortugalCroatiaBosniaEstoniaMontenegroTurkeyCzech Republic

I think this is the most competitive tournament in the world. Serbia and Switzerland are probably the biggest powers to be out so far with the playoffs likely to claim other victims.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ok everything is complete now.Here are the resultsQualified for Euro 2012Poland (hosts)Ukraine (hosts)GermanyItalyHollandEnglandRussiaFranceGreeceDenmarkSpainSweden (best second place team)Into the playoffsIrelandPortugalCroatiaBosniaEstoniaMontenegroTurkeyCzech Republic

I think this is the most competitive tournament in the world. Serbia and Switzerland are probably the biggest powers to be out so far with the playoffs likely to claim other victims.

I agree. The two hosts does tend to dilute the finals though since both of those teams likely would have been playoff teams at best this go around.Also interesting that nearly every big name team went through with out slipping into the playoffs. Fantastic consistency.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Will UEFA be able to rig the playoff draw so that 4/5 of Ireland/Portugal/Croatia/Turkey/Czech make it through?

 

[Eephus]

Ok everything is complete now.Here are the resultsQualified for Euro 2012Poland (hosts)Ukraine (hosts)GermanyItalyHollandEnglandRussiaFranceGreeceDenmarkSpainSweden (best second place team)Into the playoffsIrelandPortugalCroatiaBosniaEstoniaMontenegroTurkeyCzech Republic

I think this is the most competitive tournament in the world. Serbia and Switzerland are probably the biggest powers to be out so far with the playoffs likely to claim other victims.

I agree. The two hosts does tend to dilute the finals though since both of those teams likely would have been playoff teams at best this go around.Also interesting that nearly every big name team went through with out slipping into the playoffs. Fantastic consistency.

I think the decline of the Balkans as soccer powers and the growing dominance of nations with big money national leagues have caused UEFA to play out to form for recent tournaments.It wasn't that long ago that both France and England failed to qualify for USA 1994.

 

[scoobygang]

I agree. The two hosts does tend to dilute the finals though since both of those teams likely would have been playoff teams at best this go around.Also interesting that nearly every big name team went through with out slipping into the playoffs. Fantastic consistency.

Obviously Portugal is the big exception. Have to imagine they are most likely to get the corrupt UEFA seeding help. A big tourney without Ronaldo would make baby Platini cry.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will UEFA be able to rig the playoff draw so that 4/5 of Ireland/Portugal/Croatia/Turkey/Czech make it through?

Why? Attendance and or tv viewing audience?

 

[NewlyRetired]

I agree. The two hosts does tend to dilute the finals though since both of those teams likely would have been playoff teams at best this go around.Also interesting that nearly every big name team went through with out slipping into the playoffs. Fantastic consistency.

Obviously Portugal is the big exception. Have to imagine they are most likely to get the corrupt UEFA seeding help. A big tourney without Ronaldo would make baby Platini cry.

Portugal vs Estonia then?

 

[NewlyRetired]

It wasn't that long ago that both France and England failed to qualify for USA 1994.

Less teams in the WC back then though to be fair. Only 12 teams from Europe got to qualify (Germany went through as the previous winners).

 

[Steve Tasker]

Will UEFA be able to rig the playoff draw so that 4/5 of Ireland/Portugal/Croatia/Turkey/Czech make it through?

Why? Attendance and or tv viewing audience?

I don't know. Remember the 2010 World Cup qualification?

 

[Eephus]

It wasn't that long ago that both France and England failed to qualify for USA 1994.

Less teams in the WC back then though to be fair. Only 12 teams from Europe got to qualify (Germany went through as the previous winners).

13 UEFA teams qualified for South Africa. There are about 20-25% more countries in Europe than there were 15 years ago.

 

[NewlyRetired]

It wasn't that long ago that both France and England failed to qualify for USA 1994.

Less teams in the WC back then though to be fair. Only 12 teams from Europe got to qualify (Germany went through as the previous winners).

13 UEFA teams qualified for South Africa. There are about 20-25% more countries in Europe than there were 15 years ago.

But isn't some of the reason that there are more county's now due to the fact that so many of the county's like Yugoslavia and Czech Republic broke apart? I am not convinced the parts individually were as strong as the whole. There might have been less country's back then but I wonder if the competition was stronger?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Will UEFA be able to rig the playoff draw so that 4/5 of Ireland/Portugal/Croatia/Turkey/Czech make it through?

Why? Attendance and or tv viewing audience?

I don't know. Remember the 2010 World Cup qualification?

Apparently FIFA had something to do with this, though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will UEFA be able to rig the playoff draw so that 4/5 of Ireland/Portugal/Croatia/Turkey/Czech make it through?

Why? Attendance and or tv viewing audience?

I don't know. Remember the 2010 World Cup qualification?

Not really. Did the UEFA playoffs get rigged then?

 

[LHUCKS]

Pulling for England as usual.(I'm 95% English)

Although I enjoy watching Spain, I wouldn't mind seeing them lose. I also root against Italy ever since the 2006 WC.

For some reason I always want to see the Russians do well. Perhaps the ending of Rocky 4 made an impression. I also feel bad for Ronaldo and find myself rooting for Portugal.