Good win for USA soccer team in WC qualifying, and a huge huge upset.

[patdog]

Looks like Jozy Altidore may have locked down that striker the USA has been looking for for at least 20 years. Hat trick for him (on 3 assists from Donovan) in the 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago. Overall, just a solid win. The first goal was on a great 1-2-3 sequence from Ching to Donovan to Altidore.

But the huge surprise was Argentina not only losing to Bolivia, but losing 6-1. WTF??? Bolivia was 8th (out of 9) in South American qualifying going into that match. </p>

 

[Mr Meoff]

Was that Ching? Unbelievable.

 

[MSUCostanza]

at the WCQ standings in UEFA. There are some huge names on the outside looking in right now and have some work to do.

I'm thinking Argentina threw the game, with some money on the line. They know they will still qualify.

 

[patdog]

but I can't imagine why they would give up that many goals if they did. A 3-1 loss would have been plenty and would have been a lot less embarrassing for them. And while they surely will still qualify, they're only in 4th place (the top 4 qualify and #5 plays the CONCACAF #4 team for the final spot in the WC) and they still have to play the top 6 other teams in that group. They don't exactly have a lot of room to be throwing games to bad teams.</p>

 

[VegasDawg13]

at the WCQ standings in UEFA. There are some huge names on the outside looking in right now and have some work to do.

You aren't kidding. Portugal is in some serious trouble.

 

[MSUCostanza]

somebody laid a fortune on a 6-1 scoreline.

 

[patdog]

Honduras beat Mexico 3-1 last night. If qualifying ended today, Mexico would have to play a 2-game series against Uruguay for the final spot in the World Cup. </p>

 

[Maroon Eagle]

...since they've only played four times. Hungary and Portugal have yet to meet though and play twice this fall.

 

[MSUCostanza]

didn't realize that. Sven isn't exactly working wonders in Mexico. On the other hand, Honduras looks a lot tougher this time around.

What would happen if France, Portugal and Mexico didn't qualify? How funny would that be?

 

[patdog]

Sven isn't exactly working wonders in Mexico. On the other hand, Honduras looks a lot tougher this time around.

The commentators mentioned last night something to the effect that Sven had to get at least a draw in that game to keep his job. I guess we'll find out soon if that was right or not. And yeah, both Honduras and Costa Rica are looking pretty good right now. I doubt that CONCACAF has ever had this many legitimately halfway decent teams.

 

[gtowndawg]

I know the upper portion wasn't open, but it looked nice on TV.

 

[qbdog]

I know the upper portion wasn't open, but it looked nice on TV.

Said it was the largest soccer crowd ever in the state of TN. The team looked good and the crowd was into it. It was fun to watch.

As for Argentina, they hired the national hero to be their coach and that's probably not what they expected. Aren't there rumors that he's got a drug problem? Definitely addicted to eating....not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Coach33.sixpack]

the way they act every time we go down to Estadio Azteca. I think that is the name.

 

[MSUCostanza]

for the entire 1980's and 90's. Wouldn't surprise me if he's still using. I read an article somewhere that claimed he snorted a few lines before the WC Final in 1986.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Link.</p>

 

[MSUCostanza]

this is full of awesome. I hope Mexico completely implodes and doesn't qualify.

 

[PosterFormerlyKnownAsRFAA]

the US and Mexico will, to steal Stallions theme, rise to the top.

The US was in trouble midway through the WCQ prior to WC06 or WC02. One or the other, we lost a game at home I think and blew a lead on the road or something. Either way, it looked really bad for us at one point. But, in the end, we made it.

I think Mexico will do the same thing. They'll putter along, but will make it. I will tell you this, it would be freakin' awesome to be Mexico IN Mexico this year! And if that was something that lead to them missing the World Cup...oh how great that would be!

 

[patdog]

The standing are a bit skewed right now because they've played 2 road games against 2 of the better teams in CONCACAF and only 1 home game. They'll definitely finish in the top 3 (and most likely in the top 2) and not even have to play the play-in series against the #5 team from CONMEBOL.