Concacaf WC Qaulifying

Not going to push the panic button, but this Hex won't be easy.

Costa Rica 2-0 road win at T&T. The Ticos have to be favored now to put 6 points between themselves and the US.

Panama 1-0 road win at Honduras. This is the team we better be concerned with. That's a huge 3 points and they have to be regarded as a real threat. They host Mexico, which will be a chippy affair.

Honduras host T&T. The Hondurans squeaked into the Hex and now faces a must win.

 

Can the US bring some snow to Costa Rica for tomorrow's match? That may help things a bit.

 

Costa Rica in the catbird's seat at 6 points. Mexico grabs 4 points from 2 away matches. Honduras got the needed win versus T&T (destined to finish 6th), but 3 points from 2 home matches is just okay. That leaves one and it bears repeating; Panama is a serious THREAT. They already won at Honduras (what are the chances this US team can go there and get 3 points?) and drew at home with Mexico (1 point better than the US). They are a scrappy, veteran, well organized group.

 

Thank you Trinidad & Tobago!! Lost in the 6-0 Honduras thrashing was Panama not being able to get a result in the Port of Spain losing 1-0. El Tri handled Costa Rica 2-0 and travel to T&T on Tues. If the Soca Warriors can spring another upset their own aspirations will be given life. The Hondurans next host Costa Rica in what should be a real test of pride.

 

The US obviously executed well but I think going forward Honduras will show they are better than their performance last night. It seemed like one of those nights where everything the US tried worked and every chance Honduras created was just inches away.

 

El Tri w/a scrappy 0-1 win at T&T, but caught a break with an offsides call on what should of been a T&T goal

Honduras did bounce back and scored the opening goal, but Costa Rica was able to score the equalizer and hold on to a point.

 

http://www.espnfc.us/world-cup-qualifying-concacaf/64/table

Elsewhere on Thurs:

Mexico hosts Honduras. The Hondurans have a bad GD (thanks to the 6-0 loss to the US), here's hoping El Tri adds to it and they stay at 4 points.

Panama travels to Costa Rica. Thinking that the Ticos winning would be the best result, but a draw wouldn't be horrible since it gives the US a chance to zero in on second place. A Panama win on the road and they drag Costa Rica squarely into the fight.

 

Panama with a huge point at Costa Rica (0-0), who were a man down for last 35 minutes.

El Tri cruises 3 nil over Honduras.

Hex is shaping up w/3 teams battling for 2 spots, with the odd team out in a playoff.

 

The Ticos are hosting T&T and Panama is home to Honduras (both games Tues). Have to hope Honduras can get a result, but they've looked awful.

 

Costa Rica squeaked by T&T 2-1 w/Bryan Ruiz providing the winner.

GOOD NEWS!!! Honduras drew at Panama 2-2. The Hondurans, knowing they could ill afford a loss and have any chance left in the Hex, took a 2-1 lead, but the hosts tied it in second half stoppage time.

 

Bryan Ruiz. Those days...

 

Yup. I still like this one best, though.

 

So this gets back underway next week with a home (NY) match against Costa Rica on Friday Sep 1 and away to Honduras four days later.

The big question now is who is going to play the back line?

Villafana seems to be first choice on the left, but he's only played in 1 (of 5) Tijuana match since the Gold Cup. Morrow played in the Gold Cup but is otherwise inexperienced at the international level. Beasley is still available, but he is also nearing his 85th birthday.

On the right we have the inconsistent Chandler and Lichaj and Yedlin and Johnson both just returning from injuries. So that means we'll see Zusi.

Centrally, Cameron, Ream, and Besler are healthy while Brooks and Gonzalez are out. Gonzalez may actually be back to fitness, but he missed a few Liga MX matches this month. So I guess the big question there is: who will team with Cameron?

 

I would guess Ream.

 

My sources were wrong on Villafana. He plays for Santos and has played the full 90 in their 3 most recent matches. Based on that, I'm sure we'll see him start at left back and send at least 75% of his attempted crosses directly into the nearest defender (as usual).

 

Literally laughed out loud.

 

Our man Ream!

 

Have to think Ream will start w/Cameron. Fabian is back, but he's easing back into fitness so expecting Evan's favorite LB to split time.

 

Villafana will start at LB. I think Bruce/Fabian agreed to leave him alone at midfield (but I am sure he could play LB if there was a super emergency scenario).