[jjbrr]

It's time once again, my friends. Let us celebrate the journey to the globe's biggest sporting event.



The ‘Catrachos’ defeated Jamaica, 2-0, last Tuesday, but in the process they have found their team in shambles heading into Tuesday’s match against the USMNT. Standouts Oscar Boniek Garcia and Maynor Figueroa are injured, stalwart centerback Victor Bernardez and starting midfielder Luis Garrido are suspended, and forward Jerry Bengtson, who scored the game-winning goal against the U.S. last February, has reportedly left the Honduran camp out of frustration with not being used in the team’s win vs. Jamaica.

Throw in apparent injuries to Osman Chavez and Jerry Palacios, and you have a Honduran camp in rough shape heading to Salt Lake City for Tuesday’s showdown vs. the United States. In fact, only 15 players were available to train when the Honduran team convened for a training camp in San Jose, California on Thursday.

Spoiler

And here's an article

VAMOS!

[gwnn]

5 goals in total in 6 matches? Quite Unmexican I'd say.

In unrelated news, I was really hoping Uzbekistan would qualify today but South Korea apparently sold its match (as did Qatar in Uzbekistan I guess).

[Aberlour10]

Will Nike, Adidas & Puma fight this time to be the main sponsor of the Official Water Cooler 2014 World Cup Contest?

[jjbrr]

It makes me happy to see the US beating teams by use of controlled possession and letting the ball do most of the work. It's like we almost understand the game now and possess the skills to compete!

[jjbrr]

With that said we still looked a little ugly on some giveaways that led to counterattacks. Against a stronger offense it might have been a different story. And at times our back four have looked a bit incapable, but I believe in JURGEN

[helene_t]

Bosnia-Herzegovinia seems to be qualifying so I will be rooting for them.

[Aberlour10]

 jjbrr, on 2013-June-19, 07:54, said:

With that said we still looked a little ugly on some giveaways that led to counterattacks. Against a stronger offense it might have been a different story. And at times our back four have looked a bit incapable, but I believe in JURGEN

No doubt, Klinsmann ist a Great Motivator, this was/is his strongest side as a coach, but there was never lack of motivation in US team, these guys always fight. What they most need is a clever tactical behavior, strategy, by the analysis of the opponent...and in these things Klinsmann failed in both, national team and FC Bayern...the german experts all agree that.

[gwnn]

Iceland might make it to the playoffs btw! LOL

[jjbrr]

 Aberlour10, on 2013-June-19, 08:24, said:

No doubt, Klinsmann ist a Great Motivator, this was/is his strongest side as a coach, but there was never lack of motivation in US team, these guys always fight. What they most need is a clever tactical behavior, strategy, by the analysis of the opponent...and in these things Klinsmann failed in both, national team and FC Bayern...the german experts all agree that.

Long term that may be a concern for the US team. I think every US fan dreams of a time when our team can impress the German experts consistently, but I think we need to walk before we run, and JURGEN is helping us find our legs. Do we have the skill/patience/discipline/talent to exploit a world class opponent's weaknesses with a clever tactical scheme? Maybe. Given that our scheme under Bob Bradley was to play 10 behind the ball and boot longballs to Donovan it's nice to just see the team work the ball down the field with smart, safe passes and actually play the game the way the rest of the world seems to play it.

If motivation alone will help the US team win games and make a run past the group stage next year, I think we'll happily take it and use it as something to build upon.

[Aberlour10]

With "both failed" I meant in my previous posting the german national team.

[jjbrr]

Quote

The United States has broken into the top 20 of the FIFA rankings for the first time in more than two years after winning last month's Gold Cup.

USA#1 ROW#2

[jjbrr]

[Aberlour10]

A

Brasil, Croatia , Mexico, Cameroon

B

Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

C

Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

D

Uruguay, Costa Rica, England , Italy

E

Switzerland, Ecuador, France , Honduras

F

Argentina, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria

G

Germany, Portugal , Ghana, USA

H

Belgium, Algeria, Russia , South Korea




Take it as it comes Jürgen!

[chasetb]

Honduras is SO !@#$%^& lucky with their draw; Mexico's draw isn't too bad either. Group C is by far the weakest (I call it the Group of Life), and I am thinking Group B is the Group of Death, with Group G and D the next two behind it.

[Aberlour10]

I watched this show live. Really strange rules there on the way "who must to whom". I was not surprised, the FIFA is a federation with very very own rules and procedures remaining sometimes more mobster relationships than a modern sport assotiation.

[Fluffy]

There is a decent chance Brazi-Spain will be played sooner than we hoped for.

IMO group D is the most complicated, but I often overrate England.

[jjbrr]

lol the rest of the world is so SHOOK the US is good at soccer they had to rig the draw

[jjbrr]

jurgennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[jjbrr]

good thing yedlin will be on the team. we didnt want LANDON anyway

[el mister]

Luis Suarez - Uruguay forward of unique charm, is doubtful for the world cup - had knee surgery this week. How tragic.

Hope the Belgians can put a good run together - a mile and a half of talent in that team. Just need to grow the self-belief that they can win a major tournament - Euro 16 prob the one they have a real shot at.