2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification

[Carbonox]

Yay, 1-0 lead! That was the very definition of a lucky strike.

 

[CAM]

We've never beaten Jamaica in WC Qualifying. That, paired with the fact that Jamaica's pitch is about the same quality as the Wal-Mart parking lot, tonight lines up to be a tough challenge for the boys in blue.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Well Team USA knows what to expect this time around. Fool me twice is not acceptable this late in qualification. We have to win this.

 

[CAM]

One must remember that our last loss was due to two bullcrap free kicks as well, one of which was a freak deflection.

 

[sumbrownkid]

I think the last match will be remembered well in the team's mentality tonight.

 

[CAM]

If not, Howard will (not so) kindly remember them the first time they screw up .

 

[The Flex]

CR7 burning the entire left flank for Portugal atm.

 

[CAM]

Just watched Czech Republic v. Italy. Italy was poor, the Czechs couldn't put anything away. Finished 0-0, it felt like 2-0 to the Czechs from watching it.

 

[poolhaas]

Belgium takes the group lead after beating Serbia 2-1 and a big thanks to Scotland for taking the win in Croatia, 0-1

 

[The Flex]

Prandelli has improved Italy by implending a new more organized system but hes tactically inept at times and cant get to instruct his players to stop playing cohesive at times.

 

[CAM]

Doesn't help when Balotelli picks up a red either.

Screw me sideways and call me Sally. Jamaica has transformed in my eyes from a nice vacation spot to a craphole full of bullcrap goals.

GOLAZOOOOOO Brad Evans.

Excuse my earlier comments, whenever I see the field in Kingston I get agitated, too many set piece goals which drive me up the wall. I was sure hoping tonight wouldn't mirror the last go-round, and enjoyed watching the Jamaicans play.

One thing, isn't Jermaine Beckford English?

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

Oh. My. God.

Brad Evans has scored an international goal.

I'm now receiving reports that hell is indeed beginning to freeze over.

 

[CAM]

It was actually pretty too. Received the pass, calmed down, checked his bearings, and curled it around a defenseless Ricketts. He deserved it too, his performance as a fullback has been sensational so far.

My favorite detail of tonight is that the pressure going into the next two home matches has dropped significantly. With that said, sloppy play (like the marking on that free kick) is far from resolved.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

One thing, isn't Jermaine Beckford English?

He has dual citizenship, just like Wilfred Zaha. Beckford chose to represent Jamaica over the Three Lions.

 

[CAM]

I see. As one could probably imagine, that was my defense mechanism when he scored.

Our opponents can do the same with many German/Mexican dual citizenship players, so fair play.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Just watched Mexico's match against Panama
http://[domain blocked due to malware]/instances/400x/38536892.jpg


They need to get it together

 

[daan]

I see. As one could probably imagine, that was my defense mechanism when he scored.

Our opponents can do the same with many German/Mexican dual citizenship players, so fair play.

The rules for international football are a bit open. A player can play for the country of his birth, or the countries of his parents, or a country that he has played in for a certain number of years.

It's not really an issue for the US as you have a huge population, but smaller nations have always taken advantage of this.

To give an example, Richard Gough got 62 caps for Scotland, even though he was born in Sweden, grew up in South Africa, and didn't play in Scotland until he was 18. His dad is Scottish and his mum Swedish so he could have played for either.

Before being capped for England, Owen Hargreaves could have played for Canada (birth), England (dad), Wales (mum) & Germany (played in for years.)

 

[CAM]

That's pretty neat.

I was aware of the rule where you're stuck with whoever you play your first competitive match with, but I didn't know the selection process was that wide open.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

That's pretty neat.

I was aware of the rule where you're stuck with whoever you play your first competitive match with, but I didn't know the selection process was that wide open.

A dream of mine is to move to the Cook Islands and become an international footballer.

 

[daan]

Another interesting fact. Matt Le Tissier, born in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, was eligible for any of England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. He picked England, but I always thought we could have asked him...

And, yeah, I haven't mentioned Scotland beating Croatia last night, as I'm not actually sure it happened...

 

[Ross]

And, yeah, I haven't mentioned Scotland beating Croatia last night, as I'm not actually sure it happened...

When I looked at the result I had to double check it. Still mathematical impossible for them to qualify though. However, mathematically, Wales can still qualify as they are on 6 points, Croatia, in second have 16 and Wales have 4 games to play.

 

[marxlien]

Chile won 2-1 against Paraguay in Paraguay, now we are 4th (so in the WC) but more importantly we have recover the good football.

 

[Carbonox]

Time for the away game against Belarus. A win would put us at 8 points just 2 behind France. Not that we'd have much of a chance even then, because we'd need to beat France at the away game and steal points from Spain most likely...

 

[CAM]

You support Finland, correct?

We play Panama at home late tonight. 6 points from our first two games would be wonderful.

 

[MoLiEG]

Time for another horrifying game at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico hasn't been able to harm anybody...

If they dare to get another miserable tie or worse, a loss, I'm 80 % certain we will not go to Brazil 2014...

 

[CAM]

You guys are playing Costa Rica right? They're in pretty good form.

I've only seen Panama once and they weren't bad.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Time for another horrifying game at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico hasn't been able to harm anybody...

If they dare to get another miserable tie or worse, a loss, I'm 80 % certain we will not go to Brazil 2014...

I miss Ricardo La Volpe

 

[MoLiEG]

You guys are playing Costa Rica right? They're in pretty good form.

I've only seen Panama once and they weren't bad.

Aztecazo part II is on the way then...

I miss Ricardo La Volpe

And Jared Borguetti.... and Rafa Márquez and Cuauhtémoc Blanco in their best days...

 

[sumbrownkid]

I like looking down on Mexico in the standings.

 

[Carbonox]

Holy crap, Finland took the lead after all the pressure Belarus has maintained early in the game!

At least this wasn't an own goal.