Oso planning to go pro
This is just one of the reasons why CONCACAF is a joke. If anything remotely close to this happened during a Euro qualifier, the match would be abandoned, and the game would be played in an empty stadium.It's shameful and disgusting that stuff is still allowed to happen.
In response to groove's original question, it all depends on who you sit by. Yes there are some some very obnoxious, threatening Mexico fans, but by no means can you label all Mexico fans "an affront to civilization" as Jam Chowder did. It's actually quite insulting. The biggest factor, as is usually the case during sporting events, is the amount of alcohol consumed. I went to the 2007 Gold Cup Final in Chicago and saw my fair share of tough man talk from both American and Mexican fans. Obviously the U.S. fans had the last laugh in that one.
Would be nice if somehow the US got out of CONCACAF and into CONMEBOL. Obviously would be more difficult to make the World Cup every cycle but in the long run it would be better for US Soccer and we wouldnt have to deal with playing on high school quality pitches like we do when we play at some of the CONCACAF minnows.
ESPNs preview of todays game:http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/carlisle_jeff/id/6698248/us-vs-mexico-tale-tape-jeff-carlisle-soccerThis is an important marker of both programs--Bradley knows to start Donovan, and begin play with greater intensity...I hope.
Interesting to see.There's really only Donovan off the bench to change the game. As much as I want Freddy to continue upward, you're not sure if he'll bring tonight what he did against Panama. I imagine Bradley's thinking has to come down to where he feels he has a legitimate option in the 65th minute of a 0-0 match that hasn't seen one team dominate play. At that point, other than Donovan, who can take over and work to win it? Guessing he has to stay with what has worked this last week.
I await for the day when the USA will play against Mexico in the USA and it will actually be considered a home game for the USA . . .
I don't know if we'll ever see that day.
I see this Mexico team as very very tough to beat. The attack is clicking on all cylinders now that Dos Santos decided to stop being a prima donna. Chicharito is a given but the wingers Guardado and Barrera are basically using the Gold Cup as a tryout for their next team so they will be extra lively.
We need Jurgen Klinsmann badly, Bob Bradley needs to go.
Still a team likely to make the World Cup, which says more about the weaknesses of CONCACAF than the strength of the US team. Even if Mexico _ now the favorite _ finishes first in the final qualifying round, it'll be another World Cup no team from the region gets seeded and protected.
Mexico was seeded for Germany in 2006 I believe.