Honduras v USA - WCQ 10-Oct-2009

We still have a couple of weeks, but I found it interesting that, due to the political unrest in Honduras right now (that whole faux-coup thing), this game may be played in a neutral venue.

My first thought is "neutral venue, you mean you'll play in the USA?"

While it sounds funny, really, if we offered Honduras a list of 10 or so locations and let them pick which one they wanted, preferably with a large Honduran immigrant population, I think they'd go for it. Honduras is the 2nd poorest nation in Central America (behind only Belize) so the ability of their fans to travel is very limited. Play anywhere else outside Honduras and you're likely as not to have more Sam's Army than Catrachos fans.

 

Political unrest only getting worse. Seems to me a decision soon is in order but instead this is what we have

By some reports 10 people have been killed, people have been jailed for no reason, Mexican and Guatamalan media were beaten by security forces, and FIFA and CONCACAF cant return a phone call. Why am I not surprised.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... us&cc=5901

 

There is no way the match will be moved. There have been civil wars where both sides agree to a cease fire to get a match of this importance in. A win against us and a trip to South Africa looks pretty good for them.

 

Bradley names roster for final qualifiers. Didnt expect it this early.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy Conrad in there after the Gold Cup. I would be happy to see him on the pitch. No Demerit though (injured?).



GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 14/8 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 24/3), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 4/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover: 19/0), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards: 1/0), Clarence Goodson (IK Start: 1/0), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan: 18/1), Jonathan Spector (West Ham: 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 13/4), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 7/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 20/5), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus: 4/0), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 6/0)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Hull City: 11/6), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids: 5/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 16/6), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich: 1/1), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux: 5/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 33/11)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

 

update on the BS TV coverage situation.
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/0 ... t-tv-only/

All part of the international conspiracy to keep US soccer down. Game starts at 10 pm ET and I have to go to a bar. Not the greatest situation for kids that want to watch.

 

See Don, I tooooollllllddd youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

This really sucks though for everyone. Thankfully, I'll be camping that weekend anyway.

 

Demerit. He damaged his eye removing a contact (during half-time of a game, IIRC). It's bad enough that there's scarring and he's having to see an eye specialist.

 

I guess it's gonna be hot in Honduras, so they needed two waterboys on the roster (C. Casey and R. Rogers).

 

I'm not finding anything on ESPN's website about tv for the match.

Don, you must be on the edge of your seat to see your two favorite managers go head-to-head tomorrow on ESPN2.

 

The TV coverage is fucking bullshit. WHy a major channel couldn't pay for the rights to one of the most important games in Honduran football history is beyond me. Further still this is the most important game for the US since Ghana in 2006. Geez this sucks.


The crowd is going to be rowdy. It might get ugly. I've always thought that football was a more left wing sport and that's why everybody hates the US in central America. Shit is kicking off in Honduras and don't be surprised if the Americans have to be escorted by the police to the airport and have to run off the pitch.

 

I am going to be in Idaho at an alumni weekend and there are no bars.There must be some internet hack out there!?!

Anyone?

 

Shoulder sprain, out for Honduras.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-N...-Honduras-Qualifier-with-Shoulder-Injury.aspx

 

Hmm, I wonder if Harkes pleased or saddened by this?

There's goes enemy #1, but also 60+ minutes of material for him...

 

So, does Bob go defensive now in the midfield...

Donovan-Bradley-Clark-Feilhaber

...or more attack-minded...

Donovan-Bradley-Feilhaber-Holden

 

The roster (according to ESPN):

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Houston), ?? (replacement for Dempsey), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Houston), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca, Mexico)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Conor Casey (Colorado), Brian Ching (Houston), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich, Germany), Charlie Davies (Sochaux, France), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles)

The starting line-up, according to WhitesBhoy

----------------------------------- Howard ------------------------------------

----- 'Dolo ------------ Gooch ---------------- Boca ---------- Spector ----

------------------------------------------- Bradley ----------------------------
-------- Holden ------------- Feilhaber ---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------- Donovan ------------

----------- Altidore ------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------- Davies --------------------

USA 2 - 0 Honduras

GET 'ER DONE!

 

I'm hoping for the later, but Bradley would go defensive-minded versus the Faroe Islands on the road.

This is an all or nothing match as far as I'm concerned. A tie does practically NOTHING (unless T&T gets a tie at Costa Rica also). A win and we're in, and the 3 points should be the only thing on the boys mind, so let's hope that is reflected in their play. FFC would get a good boost if the US qualifies in Honduras because Clint wouldn't have to get on a plane to DC.

As far as Deuce is concerned. Any time he doesn't play for the US, we're simply not as good, period. He plays his best in the biggest of situations and unless his shoulder is really bad he'll show at RFK.