Costa Rica did well at a World Cup once. They must be world beaters.
It was the last time that England played them in a meaningful game. Costa Rica, who you said wouldn't have a hope in Europe, finished on top of the table with the two European clubs not moving on and England finishing at the bottom. So yeah, pardon me if I don't buy that they would be a San Marino in Euro qualifying.
There's a good chance CR won't even field their best team and will basically concede the game.
They've got a number of guys on a yellow; if they pick up another yellow they may be suspended for the playoff game. It's not worth the risk given that, even with their strongest team, they have basically no shot at getting into 3rd place.
Curious to see what kind of lineup the United States puts out there. Strong team (Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Adams, Zimmerman, A. Rob, M. Rob) or put in the B team.
There's a good chance CR won't even field their best team and will basically concede the game.
They've got a number of guys on a yellow; if they pick up another yellow they may be suspended for the playoff game. It's not worth the risk given that, even with their strongest team, they have basically no shot at getting into 3rd place...
If Mexico loses to El Salvador (granted, not particularly likely), Costa Rica has a decent chance to catch them since they're only 4 ahead of CR in goal differential.
There's a good chance CR won't even field their best team and will basically concede the game.
They've got a number of guys on a yellow; if they pick up another yellow they may be suspended for the playoff game. It's not worth the risk given that, even with their strongest team, they have basically no shot at getting into 3rd place.
Curious to see what kind of lineup the United States puts out there. Strong team (Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Adams, Zimmerman, A. Rob, M. Rob) or put in the B team.
Can we just talk for a second about how ridiculous it is that, in a 14 game competition, if you pick up 2 yellow cards over the course of all those matches, you're suspended for the next game? I can understand 2 in 3 games or 2 in 5 games, but 2 in 14?!?
There's a good chance CR won't even field their best team and will basically concede the game.
They've got a number of guys on a yellow; if they pick up another yellow they may be suspended for the playoff game. It's not worth the risk given that, even with their strongest team, they have basically no shot at getting into 3rd place.
Curious to see what kind of lineup the United States puts out there. Strong team (Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, Adams, Zimmerman, A. Rob, M. Rob) or put in the B team.
Can we just talk for a second about how ridiculous it is that, in a 14 game competition, if you pick up 2 yellow cards over the course of all those matches, you're suspended for the next game? I can understand 2 in 3 games or 2 in 5 games, but 2 in 14?!?
Agreed. That's CONCACAF for you.
It may have benefitted the USA here, since we are probably deeper than most of the other countries.
The USA has officially qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
Another loss in Costa Rica. Still winless there all time in World Cup Qualifying..
Of all the WC qualifications we've had this one seems sad and joyless. Losing to Costa Rica's B team is not a good look. I hope I'm wrong but with Berhalter at the helm I don't see us getting out of the group in Qatar. We'll have a better idea Friday when we see our group opponents.
If the US can manage to get all of their top players on the field at once, they could be really, really dangerous in the World Cup. I read where in this entire qualification schedule, the US didn't have Reyna, Pulisic, McKinnie, Weah, Dest and I think Adams available together for one single game. The backups to these players are good, but in a World Cup against the top teams, they'll get exposed quickly.
The midfield of this team might be it's strongest. A healthy Reyna, McKennie and Tyler Adams with Pulisic and Aaronson/Weah on the wings is dangerous. Focus on Reyna (and he is a hell of a playmaker) and it will free up Pulisic. Focus on Pulisic and Reyna will destroy you. McKennie in the offensive end is a huge threat, as well. He's big and won't get easily pushed off the ball. Defensively, he is somewhat of a liability. You might actually see Musah start over him vs a Tier 1 team. Both Aaronson and Weah have enough pace and skill to cause fits on the right side.
Tomorrow (Friday) is the World Cup Draw. This is where you'll find out the US opponents in the first 3 games of the group stage.
The two biggest question marks for the US are who is going to score the goals (ie a striker) and GK. Last night, you saw a world class keeper in Keylor Nevas. Steffan and Turner on not on that level.
Last night was disappointing, but will be forgotten very quickly, if it hasn't been forgotten already. How you do in qualification is irrelevant to how you do in the WC itself.
I'd like to see Horvath get a shot in goal. Steffen did not look good against Panama or CR. Horvath is playing for his club, and playing well.
The more MLS players on the roster, the poorer the team will perform. The MLS is an inferior league. Too much pressure form US Soccer and the MLS executives to put them on the World Cup team. The European based players are what will propel this team out of the group stage.
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