Official 2022 USA World Cup Qualifying thread

We won so why should we be worried?

Very interested to see the starting lineup today given that it is a quick turnaround but only a 2 game leg, as well as the fact that we have some unfortunate suspensions of McKennie and Robinson to deal with. I'd not be disappointed with a draw in Kingston.

We have a great chance to get a point or three tonight. Meanwhile, Mexico is playing a tough Canada squad in Edmonton, where the temperature at kickoff is supposed to be 16F (feels like 6!).

Obviously, the risk for the Americans is of a big let down from last Friday. We're better than Jamaica, but Antonio might be the best striker we'll see in qualifying, and Bailey is very good as well. Hopefully, we can get on the scoreboard in the first half, which we haven't been able to do for the most part. If we can jump out to an early lead, the game could open up and allow us to put a few more in.

Also good chance of snow for the Canada-MEX game in Edmonton. Any truth to the rumor that Greg will be there?

Busio for McKinnie and Richards for M Robinson. Surprised to not see more changes.

Hadn't thought much one way or the other of Musah until last game where he really impressed me with his awareness and ability to retain control. Hope that continues. And I hope Aaronson plays better.

Busio to Weah to Pepi to Weah to the net! Off to a good start in Jamaica.

Beat Mexico but can't beat Jamaica. I don't care if it's on the road or not...if you are ever going to be taken seriously as a soccer country, these are games you win. They've now won 1 of their last 9 WCQs on the road....against such amazing opponents as El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica. Say what you want about ties being good..and they are..but this is some crap competition for the most part. What does that say about how bad US Soccer is?

Costa Rica 4-0 Loss.

Panama 1-1 Tie.

Mexico 1-1 Tie (this is actually a good result)

Honduras 1-1 Tie.

Trinidad 2-1 Loss.

El Salvador 1-1 Tie.

Honduras 4-1 Win.

Panama 1-0 Loss.

Jamaica 1-1 Tie.

As I said beforehand, I am not upset nor surprised with the draw here, especially considering Jamaica's 2nd goal was called back on a bad foul call. Given that you started this "the sky is falling!" thread, I'm not shocked that we disagree on that. We got our 4 points from these 2 games and move on to the next batch.

Anyway, amazing goal from Antonio. Midfield clearly missing McKennie. Playing on crappy fields sucks. So it goes.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Beat Mexico but can't beat Jamaica. I don't care if it's on the road or not...if you are ever going to be taken seriously as a soccer country, these are games you win. They've now won 1 of their last 9 WCQs on the road....against such amazing opponents as El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica. Say what you want about ties being good..and they are..but this is some crap competition for the most part. What does that say about how bad US Soccer is?

Costa Rica 4-0 Loss.

Panama 1-1 Tie.

Mexico 1-1 Tie (this is actually a good result)

Honduras 1-1 Tie.

Trinidad 2-1 Loss.

El Salvador 1-1 Tie.

Honduras 4-1 Win.

Panama 1-0 Loss.

Jamaica 1-1 Tie.

Italy tied N. Ireland (population 1.9 million) 0-0 yesterday in a game they needed to win to guarantee qualification to the World Cup. Four months ago, they won the Euros and are most definitely taken seriously as a soccer country.

Just checked out the standings. I figured we were pretty good to qualify at this point but in reality we're pretty good to get in the playoff at least which put me at ease. I figured worse case we win playoff and get in.

But now I want to avoid playoff..

Canada 16 pointsUSA 15Mexico 14Panama 14Costa Rica 9

Looking just at opponents played, Canada and Mexico have already played each other twice so they have easier matches left.  The USA has played Jamaica twice and Costa Rica has played El Salvador twice. 

USA had better get at least 6 points this next window. Otherwise they end with Mexico away, Panama home and Costa Rica away so it's not like we end with an easy game like Trinidad and Tobago:)

I feel pretty confident we will finish in the top 3. All we have to do is stay ahead of Panama, who we play at home (Orlando) on 3/27. We should win (yes, I know, famous last words) and, if we do, it will be very difficult for Panama to finish ahead of us.

Yes, we have tough games away to Mexico, CR and Canada, but we can get something out of those games.

And if we end up in 4th, I think the playoff is against New Zealand. We will be favored against them.

A loss tonight and we are likely looking a the playoff 

1-0

2-0

I credit wejo for reminding me about the game tonight.

Texted a coworker before the game that if the US doesn't win, I want Berhalter fired by the end of the night. He agreed. So far it looks like Greg B holds onto his coaching job.

This is a game the US should win 4-0.

The last 2 performances by the US were pretty awful. Not being able to put more than 1 past El Salvador is a joke. If Gregggggg Berhalter thought the US dominated Canada, well I'm not sure what game he was watching. As an old coach of mine once said "the most meaningless stat is soccer is possession percentage".

As Wejo said, this game tonight really is a must win. Your looking at finishing at Mexico..then 4 days later at home vs. Panama and then at Costa Rica. That is a brutal way to end things. Its quite possible to come away from that with 0 points. The game v Mexico is going to be really really really hard to recover from in a short amount of time. It's going to be at altitude and will be a really physical contest. Plus both teams will be looking to get the W that will keep them out of the playoff.

Lol at the constant pessimists. USMNT still humming along.

gibusio wrote:

Lol at the constant pessimists. USMNT still humming along.

They lost to Canada.

Beating tiny Honduras hardly makes up for that.

They're saved every year because CONCACAF is the softest qualifying in the World.

They're lucky CONCACAF takes a generous 3 teams because they probably only deserve to send one.