- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - El Salvador v USA
Posted on 3/27/09 at 12:21 pm
Posted on 3/27/09 at 12:21 pm
The second game of the final round (Hexagonal) of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF (North American, Central American, Caribbean nations) region sees the USMNT travelling to El Salvador this Saturday (on ESPN2/HD @ 9pm Eastern). The third game for the USMNT comes quickly, being played at home in Nashville, TN on April 1st (on ESPN2/HD @ 7:30pm Eastern) against Trinidad & Tobago. Victories in both of these matches would go a long way to help stamp the US's ticket to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Just a recap, six teams advanced to this final round (hence the name Hexagonal). Each team plays every other team home and away for a total of 10 matches per team. It's standard tournament scoring with 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and no points for a loss. The top three teams with the most points after 10 matches will automatically advance to the World Cup finals, while the fourth place team will play off against the fifth place team from CONMEBOL (South American nations) for a final slot. The tie breaker is goal differnetial over the course of this round (I don't know what the tie breakers are after that level, though). In the first game of the Hexagonal, the US defeated Mexico 2-0 at home in Columbus, Ohio.
There are some interesting player call-ups for these two matches (Eddie Johnson somehow found his way back to the national team), and Tim Howard, the normal starting goalkeeper, is suspended for the match against El Salvador due to an accumulation of yellow cards from previous international matches. Still, Saturday's match against El Salvador will probably be very much like coach Bob Bradley's usual lineup, looking something like:
Ching - Donovan
Beasley - Bradley - Mastronei/Klesjtan - Dempsey
Pierce/Spector - Onyewu - Bocanegra/DeMerit - Cherundolo/Heydjuk
Guzan
Who's watching, and what scores do you have?
Just a recap, six teams advanced to this final round (hence the name Hexagonal). Each team plays every other team home and away for a total of 10 matches per team. It's standard tournament scoring with 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and no points for a loss. The top three teams with the most points after 10 matches will automatically advance to the World Cup finals, while the fourth place team will play off against the fifth place team from CONMEBOL (South American nations) for a final slot. The tie breaker is goal differnetial over the course of this round (I don't know what the tie breakers are after that level, though). In the first game of the Hexagonal, the US defeated Mexico 2-0 at home in Columbus, Ohio.
There are some interesting player call-ups for these two matches (Eddie Johnson somehow found his way back to the national team), and Tim Howard, the normal starting goalkeeper, is suspended for the match against El Salvador due to an accumulation of yellow cards from previous international matches. Still, Saturday's match against El Salvador will probably be very much like coach Bob Bradley's usual lineup, looking something like:
Ching - Donovan
Beasley - Bradley - Mastronei/Klesjtan - Dempsey
Pierce/Spector - Onyewu - Bocanegra/DeMerit - Cherundolo/Heydjuk
Guzan
Who's watching, and what scores do you have?
4
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:05 pm to Ron Mexico
quote:Hope the weather in Music City is better than it is down here on the Gulf Coast.
the USMNT comes quickly, being played at home in Nashville, TN on April 1st (on ESPN2/HD @ 7:30pm Eastern)
It's stormy as hell in these parts.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:07 pm to loweralabamatrojan
I'm not making it to Nashville after all 
My boss is coming to New Orleans and so I have to be present.
My boss is coming to New Orleans and so I have to be present.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:10 pm to Ron Mexico
Agree 100% with Ron, both with respect to the thoughts on the lineup and final score prediction.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:10 pm to CrazyTigerFan
Seriously, does Ching have naked pictures of Bradley's wife or something? For as much heat Johnson takes, he's still far superior to the turnover machine that is Brian Ching.
I'm warming to Pearce. He's not great, but he's not awful. I remember when Dolo was a liability and now hes a top defender, so I'm hoping Pearce follows the same progression.
And Pablo is my boy, but I think he's slowly going to lose his defensive mid spot to Bradley. It breaks my heart as Pablo is probably my favorite US player over the past decade, but soccer is cruel game. You get old quick. I'd hate for him to have an end career like Reyna who clearly had no business being out there in his last WC.
Still, I like our chances. Call it 2-1. Goals by Donovan and Klejstan. The winner off a set piece from Gooch.
I'm warming to Pearce. He's not great, but he's not awful. I remember when Dolo was a liability and now hes a top defender, so I'm hoping Pearce follows the same progression.
And Pablo is my boy, but I think he's slowly going to lose his defensive mid spot to Bradley. It breaks my heart as Pablo is probably my favorite US player over the past decade, but soccer is cruel game. You get old quick. I'd hate for him to have an end career like Reyna who clearly had no business being out there in his last WC.
Still, I like our chances. Call it 2-1. Goals by Donovan and Klejstan. The winner off a set piece from Gooch.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:16 pm to Baloo
quote:
I'm warming to Pearce. He's not great, but he's not awful. I remember when Dolo was a liability and now hes a top defender, so I'm hoping Pearce follows the same progression.
pearce isnt bad at all actually playing DEFENSE, but if we are going to continue to attack with our back wings, he is not the answer
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:30 pm to Baloo
Eddie Johnson is NOT better than Ching. Listen, I don't like seeing Ching being trotted out there every game but he is far superior to Johnson.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:32 pm to Baloo
quote:Bradlito is playing big boy soccer now. He's bringing the wood.
And Pablo is my boy, but I think he's slowly going to lose his defensive mid spot to Bradley. It breaks my heart as Pablo is probably my favorite US player over the past decade, but soccer is cruel game.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:33 pm to Ron Mexico
Sometimes it seems like Gooch can be a liability, but overall I like this lineup sans Ching. I wish Altidore would've shown more in the limited time he played against Mexico.
Over There, Over There
Send the word, Send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The Drum's rum-tumming everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't be back till it's over, over there
quote:
LINK
Over There, Over There
Send the word, Send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The Drum's rum-tumming everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't be back till it's over, over there
Posted on 3/27/09 at 2:50 pm to thenry712
quote:
I wish Altidore would've shown more in the limited time he played against Mexico.
I think he showed some good stuff in his few minutes. It's hard when you only get 10 minutes to get a ton going. I thought he played pretty well, had a few chances.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 3:11 pm to Buckeye Fan 19
A. Cherundolo isn't playing. Still working back from injuries. It'll be Hejduk or Spector at right back.
2. Any Baton Rougeans, we'll have a group at The Bulldog for the game. Shouldn't be hard to find us. I'll be in either the blue and white Copa America jersey or the new grey away jersey.
2. Any Baton Rougeans, we'll have a group at The Bulldog for the game. Shouldn't be hard to find us. I'll be in either the blue and white Copa America jersey or the new grey away jersey.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 4:11 pm to Sheep
Hope we get to see Spector out there, but Hejduk looked really good on the defensive end last game.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 5:51 pm to hendersonshands
Anyone know anything about El Salvador? I know they're not the best team in Central America.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 5:56 pm to thenry712
El Salvador is Mexican for "The Salvador".
Posted on 3/27/09 at 6:46 pm to loweralabamatrojan
Posted on 3/27/09 at 9:20 pm to thenry712
quote:
Sometimes it seems like Gooch can be a liability
well he is a damn solid center back and will be starting for years to come.
oh and bradley is pretty much fixed in the starting lineup for the world cup.
Posted on 3/27/09 at 10:31 pm to rockchlkjayhku11
Gooch is kind of a liability in the lineup if he's not being patient. You never know which Gooch you are gonna get, lately it's been the good side.
Posted on 3/28/09 at 6:04 pm to Ron Mexico
bringing this board back up top for the match
T-minus an hour and 56 minutes
T-minus an hour and 56 minutes
Posted on 3/28/09 at 6:08 pm to thenry712
Page 1 of 10
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News