Cugalabanza Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Two games left: vs. Jamaica (in Kansas City) Fri. 10/11 at 6:30pm ET. On ESPN at Panama (Panama City) Tues. 10/15 at 9pm ET. On beIN Sport The U.S. has already qualified for Brazil next summer, but they still want to look good in these games. Some of the young guys are still looking to secure a spot for theWC trip, including Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson. Also, Klinsmann apparently wants to check out a striker pairing of Eddie Johnson and Jozy Altidore, so we’ll most likely see them together at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Non-soccer fan, here. Question: So this seems similar to when football teams have already clinched a playoff spot and they can't (or already did) clinch home-field advantage. Every year, people dispute whether it's ethical for the teams to rest their star players. Same thing happens in the NBA. Is that a consideration in soccer? Do the fans care? Do players "get cold" from not playing for so long? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 (edited) Non-soccer fan, here. Question: So this seems similar to when football teams have already clinched a playoff spot and they can't (or already did) clinch home-field advantage. Every year, people dispute whether it's ethical for the teams to rest their star players. Same thing happens in the NBA. Is that a consideration in soccer? Do the fans care? Do players "get cold" from not playing for so long? Just curious. Injuries aren't such a big deal in this instance, since the WC is still 8 months away. The bigger issue is taking players away from their club teams. It's especially painful for MLS teams like the LA Galaxy who are making a playoff push and have to go without two of their best players (Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez) for yet another stretch at a crucial time for them. (Actually, the Galaxy will miss their three best players because Robbie Keane also takes off to play WC qualifying games for his home country, Ireland). Yes, players can get cold. It's hard in soccer to coordinate having your players peak at the right time because the international schedules are so crazy. The World Cup is in June, when the European leagues have just finished their long seasons. As a result, these European-based players are definitely "in form" at that time, but they may also be exhausted. Conversely, the MLS season runs in the summer through the fall, so the World Cup comes at kind of a down time for them. They try to stay fit with international friendlies and occasionally playing "on loan" for a while in a European pro league to keep their fitness and sharpness up. The timing is tricky with these things. Edit: In this case, for the U.S. qualifying games, they are still pretty much playing their A squad, with some fringe players mixed in. This is because they are still trying to build team cohesion and because they have to determine exactly who needs to fill what roles. Edited October 10, 2013 by Cugalabanza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Injuries aren't such a big deal in this instance, since the WC is still 8 months away. The bigger issue is taking players away from their club teams. It's especially painful for MLS teams like the LA Galaxy who are making a playoff push and have to go without two of their best players (Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez) for yet another stretch at a crucial time for them. (Actually, the Galaxy will miss their three best players because Robbie Keane also takes off to play WC qualifying games for his home country, Ireland). Yes, players can get cold. It's hard in soccer to coordinate having your players peak at the right time because the international schedules are so crazy. The World Cup is in June, when the European leagues have just finished their long seasons. As a result, these European-based players are definitely "in form" at that time, but they may also be exhausted. Conversely, the MLS season runs in the summer through the fall, so the World Cup comes at kind of a down time for them. They try to stay fit with international friendlies and occasionally playing "on loan" for a while in a European pro league to keep their fitness and sharpness up. The timing is tricky with these things. Edit: In this case, for the U.S. qualifying games, they are still pretty much playing their A squad, with some fringe players mixed in. This is because they are still trying to build team cohesion and because they have to determine exactly who needs to fill what roles. The international break is a pain in the !@#$ing ass. We lost Bradley who, although isn't a starter since Strootman joined is a great player to bring up when legs are tired to defend a lead. De Rossi had to be removed from these international games as well due to precaution. I love the WC as much as anyone but when your club team is doing well, it certainly kills the momentum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted October 16, 2013 Author Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) Crazy, crazy finish to qualifying. It didn't really matter the result for the U.S. last night against Panama, but they scored two "WTF?!" goals right at the end of extra time to save Mexico's lucky ass and to absolutely tear the hearts out of the Panamanian people in their home stadium. USA wins 3-2 after trailing all the way. Mexico gets the final (conditional) CONCACAF spot (they have to beat New Zealand in a playoff to make it to the WC) and Panama misses out. I just can't get over how lucky Mexico is. They won only two games out of ten in the Hex. October 15 should forever be remembered as Graham Zusi Day in Mexico. Edited October 16, 2013 by Cugalabanza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTS Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) If you understand Spanish, this video is absolutely amazing. If you don't, you will still understand why Mexico is forever in our debt. The clip is from Mexico's ESPN-equivalent. They had to go to split-screen coverage as it appeared Mexico was on its death bed. That is, until we saved them. https://www.youtube....d&v=oz1XhaBT45I Watching ESPN trying to create fake drama with Manning's return to Indy makes me feel sorry for people who just don't give soccer a try. Last night in CONCACAF proved yet again what real sports is all about. The drama of international soccer is unmatched. In a game that was meaningless to the USA, I was still on pins and needles because of what everything meant for all the other teams. Edited October 16, 2013 by PTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted October 16, 2013 Author Share Posted October 16, 2013 If you understand Spanish, this video is absolutely amazing. If you don't, you will still understand why Mexico is forever in our debt. The clip is from Mexico's ESPN-equivalent. They had to go to split-screen coverage as it appeared Mexico was on its death bed. That is, until we saved them. https://www.youtube....d&v=oz1XhaBT45I Watching ESPN trying to create fake drama with Manning's return to Indy makes me feel sorry for people who just don't give soccer a try. Last night in CONCACAF proved yet again what real sports is all about. The drama of international soccer is unmatched. In a game that was meaningless to the USA, I was still on pins and needles because of what everything meant for all the other teams. Agreed. I cannot imagine the heartbreak in Panama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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