tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939020776355522342024-02-18T23:40:12.319-06:00Soccer-PointTeam Blog Soccer FightingPablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-52408575236737001012015-10-13T10:36:00.002-05:002015-10-13T10:36:40.913-05:00The Klinsmann EffectRemember the excitement when Jurgen Klinsmann was hired as the Technical Director for the USMNT? He used words like "style" and "development" to pump up fans. He raised a banner, started a mission, and declared a World Cup Champion by 2018. Confidence, skill and risk taking were to become the norm. The future was unlimited! He brought in young players with a mix of veterans. He started kids in an adult sport. The veterans were glorified as mentors. The 2014 World Cup was a job well done.<br />
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Fast forward to October 2015. The year stared well and only got better with victories over Holland and Germany in their countries. Amazing! How did they do it? How did Jurgen do it? Youth. Yes, there were some veterans, but the youth came with hunger, strength and speed. Were they more skilled than these teams? No. They just had a little more something to prove. As 2015 has gone, those two games were the highlights. Unfortunately, 2015 continued.<br />
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Flaming out of the Gold Cup semifinals to Jamaica, quitting on the CONCACAF Cup to Mexico, and losing to Honduras in the semifinal Olympic qualifier are all evidence of Klinsi running his course or losing his mind. I placed total blame on him in the Gold Cup and CONCACAF Cup since he picked those teams. They were slow, old, and complacent. The semifinal Olympic qualifier is his fault too since he is the Technical Director of the USMNT and its development. He did not pick this team, but they are his coaches.<br />
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The excuses are that the USMNT now has no attackers, no skill, no reinforcements, no hope, and no leaders. Sunil Gulati hired Jurgen and will hold on to his greatness from his playing days and will most likely not fire him. They have both become so prideful with their past accomplishments that they forgot to prepare to win today's games. The recent heartbreaking losses can be fixed easily and both would look like geniuses. The solution is to go back to the youth. Where are these players? All over 2nd and 3rd divisions in Europe, South America and the MLS. Unfortunately, the gaze of Klinsmann only makes it to the Bundesliga.<br />
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As his history has gone, he started younger players in 2011, resorted to veterans in tighter games, stopped developing / playing younger players, and now blames the players for not stepping up. His finger pointing through the media will only demotivate players and lose the locker room.<br />
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His last stand starts today in a friendly against Costa Rica. Please go back to playing the youth, take your lumps, grow stronger. He did this with the German team in 2006 and 8 years later, these youngsters matured and won a World Cup in 2014. World Cup qualifiers start in November against St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. If Klinsi does not get wins in these two games, Gulati may need to pull the plug.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-15951285422311688722012-06-20T12:19:00.000-05:002012-06-20T13:27:55.048-05:00Euro 2012 - What We Know, Who Will WinOk, ok, I rolled the dice on picking Holland as a semi-finalist. And yes, I thought either Russia or Croatia would be some nice dark horses. But alas, I was wrong. Where am I still alive with my picks? Germany, Italy and Spain, as semifinalists, albeit they now match up differently. So let's reconfigure and determine what happens next. Below are my predictions for the rest of the Euro 2012.<br />
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<b><u>Quarterfinals</u></b><br />
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<u>Portugal vs Czech Republic</u><br />
Thursday June 21th - I have this one going to penalty kicks. And with Petr Cech manning with goal, I see the Czech Republic taking down Ronaldo and his crew. There needs to be at least one Cinderella in the semifinals and Czech Republic is it.<br />
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<u>Germany vs Greece</u><br />
Friday June 22th - Germany will continue to control and win this match 3-1. Greece has made it interesting by surviving Group A and knocking out the Russians, but thier run ends here. Germany won the "Group of Death" with 3 wins and left little doubt of their dominance.<br />
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<u>Spain vs France</u><br />
Saturday June 23rd - Now, the drama begins. This is the first if two intriguing matches for the quarterfinal weekend. Spain seemed to toy and experiment with its infamous "Group of Debt" (included Ireland & Italy). Fortunately, they handled the group well, but created some doubt of their previous dominance. Del Bosque is convinced to overload the midfield while leaving his forwards on the bench. Their 90-minute match of keep away has worked, but was suspect against Italy and Croatia. Playing a slightly more efficient team (Germany) may spell curtains for this brilliant run.<br />
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France rose from its 2010 World Cup ashes, but only to fall back into them. Their last match (2-0 loss to Sweden) showed why they leave us scratching our heads and second-guessing their legitimacy. We could go on about them, but why? It's France. Spain wins this match with their usual hot potato prowess, 1-0. The goal will be scored around the 80th minute.<br />
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<u>England vs Italy</u><br />
Sunday June 24th - This has the makings of a hunker-down, nail-biting, don't-be-the-first-to-blink classic. Or, it may be England with 10 men camped in the box hoping for a miracle goal. Both teams have played fairly consistent and still have something to prove. Although I prefer to see England advance, Italy has too many intangibles. If their back line and Buffon play as they have, then Italy advances. If Rooney has a break out match, then England has a shot. Otherwise, Italy wins 1-0. Subplot - who loses their cool first, Rooney or Balotelli? Their tempers may determine who wins, too.<br />
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<u><b>Semifinals</b></u><br />
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<u>Czech Republic vs Spain</u><br />
Wednesday June 27th - The advantages the Czechs have are grittiness, two more days of rest than Spain, and Petr Cech. But, that is where it ends. Spain shows why it is the defending European and World Cup champion and wins 2-0.<br />
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<u>Italy vs Germany</u><br />
Thursday June 28th - The Germans will counter the Italian passion with effectiveness. But the Italians make a run at it and keep the Germans in check. But, Germany wins 2-1.<br />
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<u><b>Final</b></u><br />
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<u>Spain vs Germany</u><br />
Sunday July 1st - In typical fashion, this will be a low-scoring, conservatively played affair. One goal should win it, but both teams will score in regulation. And as it appears, extra time comes closing in with Casillas licking his chops to win a cup via penalty kicks, yet he will miss the clincher at the 115th minute. Germany wins 2-1.<br />
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<u><b>Side Notes</b></u> <br />
Spain did not coast through their group. Typically, champions have some humbling prior to the elimination matches. Good for Spain, not for Germany. . . . Teams coming from Groups of Death (and maybe the Group of Debt) do not fair well after group play. So, do not be surprised if England, France, Greece and Czech Republic pull off some miracle wins. . . . The years when Italy has had a match-fixing scandals, they win hardware.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-15913795502979263172012-06-08T11:34:00.000-05:002012-06-08T11:34:23.916-05:00Euro 2012 - PredictionsEveryone is saying how this will be the best Euro championship in its history. I think there may be some great matches, but typical football will the norm and there will be plenty of 1-0 matches. Will Spain repeat? No. Will Poland or Ukraine advance from group play? No. Sadly, this is the world's greatest tournament since there are no lower tier teams are included and it does not live up to the hype. Will there be a miracle run like Greece in 2004? Can Ireland muster a win? Will France flame out, or rise from its 2010 World Cup ashes? There are many questions and all will be answered soon as the matches begin today! The question many are pondering is who will win Euro 2012? My forecast has Holland vs Italy and Spain versus Germany in the semifinals and Germany beating Italy in the final. If I were to put money down on this, it would be on Germany. But, hedge your wager with some dark horses. My long shot picks are Russia and Croatia. I picked Russia due to their nasty history with Poland and Ukraine and unwelcome reception, which may fuel them to thumb their noses and will victories where they are unexpected. Croatia is a solid team. If they can draw with Italy and Spain and win against Ireland in group play, they could become this tourney's Cinderella.<br />
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Best of luck to all the nations and hope for a peaceful, beautiful tournament.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-75570927281223613692011-02-03T14:34:00.005-06:002011-02-03T14:54:38.954-06:00Qatar Ticket Farce<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6OxBrxAKidTnU8ctJhIwGfytasDV3Gswq4hwZ76IUihRjm3_oJ8DCQNgkhCutJXbk9FbIT2wgR7b175NmSG5P4yG-Zkwt2Wc0ytFWritagkDbozBvJ2XnzgQpIPXDGqPWY6Ot9nV8l5d/s1600/qatar+2022.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6OxBrxAKidTnU8ctJhIwGfytasDV3Gswq4hwZ76IUihRjm3_oJ8DCQNgkhCutJXbk9FbIT2wgR7b175NmSG5P4yG-Zkwt2Wc0ytFWritagkDbozBvJ2XnzgQpIPXDGqPWY6Ot9nV8l5d/s320/qatar+2022.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569568248703109490" border="0" /></a><br />Below is Soccernet's link on an article not getting much play, but it should. I know I am stating the obvious, but FIFA has made a mistake. Check out the article. It will make you giggle to hear Qatari PR at work.<br /><br />http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/873723/questions-remain-after-asian-cup-final-ticket-farce-in-qatar?cc=5901<br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/e39015/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/e39015/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/e39015/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" />My hope is that FIFA learns from this and votes again for the 2022 World Cup. The problem is that the President of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohamed Bin Hammam, who is from Qatar, will most likely be the Sepp Blatter successor. So, removing the World Cup from Qatar may be impossible.<br /><br />Is it me, or does the 2022 World Cup graphic look like a ball going down a toilet swirl? Please wash your hands before returning to work, FIFA.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-87957015819976625222011-01-31T09:46:00.002-06:002011-01-31T09:50:58.674-06:00Asian Cup Recap and the State of the UnionWhat Goes Up, Must Implode . . . Uzbekistan was a smidge close to winning the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, but were routed 6-0 to Australia in a semi-final. Nice game for the Aussies, but the soccer gods do not like trounces. In the final, Japan beat Australia 1-0 to win the Asian Cup final. Besides, isn’t Australia its own continent? Do they really need to be in the Asian conference? Long live Oceania!<br /><br />Attendance Numbers from the 2011 Asian Cup . . . The total available tickets to sell were 875,000; the total tickets sold = 405,361. That means about 46% tickets were sold. Not be “glass is half empty,” but a stadium that was 54% empty is pathetic. Look a lot Pizza Hut Park in August.<br /><br />Asian Cup Final Controversy . . . Some 3,000-5,000 people traveled to Qatar with match tickets in hand to see the Australia-Japan final, but were turned away at the gates. The stadium was locked to protect the royalty. Also, a fireworks platform blocked one of the gates. So, 37,174 attended this match in a 50,000 seat stadium and they do not have any more room or another gate? Before kick-off, the organizers gave tickets to the workers to fill the seats, but paying supporters were informed that they were late (by 5 minutes). If there were an emergency at the stadium, this could have been a catastrophe. Fortunately, the Middle East is well-organized and there is nothing to fear. If a suicide bomber doesn’t get you, then desert will. To read more of this well-planned and comical event, go to: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6073683/asian-cup-ticket-holders-denied-entry-finale<br /><br />Peace in Egypt? . . . The USMNT has a friendly with Egypt in Cairo on Wednesday February 9th (12:30PM EST). Considering the current state of Egypt, a visit by the USMNT may not be advisable. However, a football match could be the distraction Egypt needs. Or, it could be a leading of the lambs to the slaughter. I hope they reschedule after things have settled down. England, Ireland and Scotland are available on that date and would be a lot less stress on the Euro-based players.<br /><br />USMNT – Chile Friendly . . . Yes, the US played recently and tied Chile 1-1. It was fairly sloppy, but a few flashes of potential for the young US squad. Thanks to Juan Agudelo drawing a penalty and Teal Bunbury converting it, the US salvaged the draw. These two will be interesting to watch considering how young and fast they are. My attention was on the left side duo of Brek Shea and Zach Loyd. I heard lots of grumblings of their play, but thought they both did well for at least another trial. Shea was in position most of the match and his service was good. Loyd reminded me of Freddie Hejduk at times – a gambler and a ball of barbed wire – tricky, but helpful. The left side for the US has always been an issue and no matter what these two do or anyone else, no one will be happy.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-19399222168865960632011-01-21T13:36:00.007-06:002011-01-24T12:50:36.483-06:002011 Asian Cup Highlights (so far)Yes, I am reporting on the Asian Cup hosted by Qatar where I will be for the 2022 World Cup. Why? There will be plenty of tickets available. So far, the highest attended game was the opener with Qatar versus Uzbekistan at 37,143 (Uzbekistan 2 - Qatar 0). The lowest attended was the 2-2 draw between China - Uzbekistan in group play match at an estimated 2,000 (probably less than 2K). The average match attendance for the 2011 Asian Cup has been around 11,000. I hope the 2011 Gold Cup has higher attendance than this. And second thought, MLS attendance does not seem so bad after all. Pack your bags for Qatar! 2022 has plenty of seats.<br /><br />HOT OFF THE PRESS! 2011 Asian Cup - Uzbekistan beat Jordan 2-1 to advance to the semifinals to take on Australia. It will be Uzbekistan's first semi-final in the Asian Cup. In tomorrow's quarterfinals, Australia plays Iraq and Iran against South Korea. These should actually be good to watch. And with the Arabic countries losing today, I think they will win tomorrow. If they don't, the Cup attendance may dip below 10K since no one wants to watch some infidels play.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS FOR QATAR - They advanced in the Asian Cup, which should increase their FIFA ranking from 115th in the world to 7th, just ahead of Italy. "Thus, their bid is legitimate," spoketh the Blatter (dressed in toga garb and motioning his thumb down to disqualify England and the US forever).<br /><br />BAD NEWS FOR QATAR - They had 19,479 in attendance at their own quarterfinal match. What happen to the other 17,953 who came to the opener? I thought they have a stadium that seats 50K? Too many empty seats.<br /><br />HUH? NEWS FROM QATAR - Qatar's squad has a Brazilian and an Argentinian. How is that possible? 1.5 million live in Qatar and just by chance a Brazilian man and an Argentinian man married Qatarian women? Dreams do come true in Qatar....<br /><br />Between now and 2022, I will try to take the high road and dish out only positives about the imminent Qatar World Cup. I may slip and badger FIFA's voting and selection policies. And, I may fuss about the lack of scoring by US forwards. But remember - open seating in Qatar ... the man who builds his house on sand, will soon be homeless ... and, US defenders are a scoring threat! <br /><br />AQUI ESTAN O ALLI ESTAN - With Qatar eliminated, I must pull for Uzbekistan! Something tells me this is their quadrennial! The winner gets a trip to Brazil in 2013 for the Confederations Cup! Sadly, most Asian Cup winners do not qualify for the World Cup in the next year. I have written "Uzbekistan" 7 times. I have nothing more to say.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-89761423873005106962010-07-18T07:21:00.000-05:002010-07-18T07:21:21.795-05:00World Cup soccer in South Africa: newyorker.com<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/07/12/100712taco_talk_hertzberg">World Cup soccer in South Africa: newyorker.com</a> The New Yorker explores whether Americans hate soccer.Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-21264492482970355372010-07-15T06:34:00.000-05:002010-07-15T06:34:59.701-05:00Thierry Henry: Meet the MLS 2010Today will be the big media introduction in New York of the MLS' biggest signing since David Beckham: French striker Thierry Henry. As far as media events go, it won't hold a candle to the extravagant Los Angeles Galaxy welcome of Beckham. Given the failure of the overall Beckham Experiment, this is a good thing.<br />
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The timing of Thierry Henry's arrival to the media cosmos that is New York City would have been alright except for a couple of sports items from the last few days: 1.) The humiliating exit of France from the 2010 World Cup and 2.) The death (and corresponding media frenzy) of Yankees' owner and svengali: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/sports/baseball/15steinbrenner.html?hpw">George Steinbrenner</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_zrArnz_x6m60j8S3ieIDm-Ip7WkSZFMvUjeg-E7zMJBKfPgD3Umx_n5AADwhvdE00d5jCLJmL6H2WxC3FYTbKH-8HFK4amo4fR8dh6RPpL1Alt9gmRD0AbtGsPWIKUWggBxzb2fUoM/s1600/HenryRedBulls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_zrArnz_x6m60j8S3ieIDm-Ip7WkSZFMvUjeg-E7zMJBKfPgD3Umx_n5AADwhvdE00d5jCLJmL6H2WxC3FYTbKH-8HFK4amo4fR8dh6RPpL1Alt9gmRD0AbtGsPWIKUWggBxzb2fUoM/s400/HenryRedBulls.png" width="351" /></a></div><br />
Major League Soccer had the right idea. This Henry signing has been in the works for over two years now. The month-long 2010 World Cup was going to be a temporary boost and would need to be followed very soon after with something to keep those Americans who watched the USA in South Africa at pubs across the country focused on soccer.<br />
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Henry's play here stateside will be far more indicative than any 100° MLS All-Star Game friendly against a European power like Inter Milan or Tottenham Hotspurs. If he leads the league in goals by the time the playoffs start, we'll know for certain what most people suspect - that the quality of play league-wide holds no candle against any of the main European leagues.<br />
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If he's less successful, it will be a dud locally for New York's Red Bulls - a club with a new Soccer-Specific stadium to attract fans to: Red Bull Arena (named after Bruce Arena?). But something that the Red Bulls <u>do</u> have going for them: new, pre-economic downfall ballparks CitiField and Yankees Stadium that have out priced a lot of NY-area sports fans in these more dicey economic times. It's not quite the same thing that happened in Seattle with the loss of the NBA Supersonics and the hugely successful arrival of the Seattle Sounders FC. But it is a backlash trend that will further the MLS' popularity 14 years after its inception. After that whole LeBron James ego-fest that we all endured here stateside, soccer might be a nice balm for a lot of disappointed Knicks' fans.<br />
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All of this will be forgotten once the Jets and Giants begin their NFL season.<br />
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For Thierry Henry, after a difficult World Cup qualifying experience (Hand of Gaul against Ireland, anyone?) and a season on the bench in Barcelona, he will bask in the relative anonymity that he will experience on the road in places like Salt Lake City, Kansas City and Frisco, Texas. Pelé's soccer savior descendants continue their plight in the United States of American Football. Vive le fútbol.Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-67402231109213912392010-07-05T08:38:00.000-05:002010-07-05T08:38:27.268-05:00360° Panoramic Shot of World Cup Fans in Munich park<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" id="_360_krpano_id_179965" name="_360_krpano_name_179965" width="425" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.360cities.net/javascripts/krpano/krpano.swf"/><param name="quality" value="autohigh"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="pano=http://www.360cities.net/krpano/external_embed/watching-football-uru-vs-gha-blue-tollwood-munich-germany.xml&epd=http://www.360cities.net/data/embed/plugin_data/watching-football-uru-vs-gha-blue-tollwood-munich-germany"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed src="http://www.360cities.net/javascripts/krpano/krpano.swf" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="425" height="315" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" quality="autohigh" flashvars="pano=http://www.360cities.net/krpano/external_embed/watching-football-uru-vs-gha-blue-tollwood-munich-germany.xml&epd=http://www.360cities.net/data/embed/plugin_data/watching-football-uru-vs-gha-blue-tollwood-munich-germany"></embed></object><br />
<a title="panorama photos of URU vs. GHA Soccer World Cup 2010 (blue hour) on 360cities.net" href="http://www.360cities.net/image/watching-football-uru-vs-gha-blue-tollwood-munich-germany">URU vs. GHA Soccer World Cup 2010 (blue hour)</a> in <a href="http://www.360cities.net/area/olympic-park-munich" title="panoramic images from Olympic park">Olympic park</a>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-25561730152912178992010-06-28T22:35:00.000-05:002010-06-28T22:35:18.296-05:00John Cleese rants - Soccer vs Football<object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/2sD_8prYOxo/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2sD_8prYOxo&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2sD_8prYOxo&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>You gotta love John Cleese. Here he has the cheekiness to tease USA about fútbol never having caught on in this country. (This after Monty Python's genius sketch of Famous Philosophers' Football match!)Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-50672545089219848172010-06-13T23:26:00.002-05:002010-06-13T23:29:19.993-05:00The Best World Cup Calendar EVER<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqGsioY7qB7N1H56lJYZfQCravlUlkT8KwkDdKoIBNA7ZW517BoAs4L8XZUqfKh_NP7joUYj0CuPVZf87R7q_6YQEtd-16WrG6VIoDW-6OmR1Ahr6NdpH29ms6cTy8m2LajK1RcwnPe8/s1600/Screenshot-Calendar+World+Cup+2010+by+MARCA.com+-+Chromium.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqGsioY7qB7N1H56lJYZfQCravlUlkT8KwkDdKoIBNA7ZW517BoAs4L8XZUqfKh_NP7joUYj0CuPVZf87R7q_6YQEtd-16WrG6VIoDW-6OmR1Ahr6NdpH29ms6cTy8m2LajK1RcwnPe8/s400/Screenshot-Calendar+World+Cup+2010+by+MARCA.com+-+Chromium.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482481533484025874" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html">Marca.com World Cup Flash Calendar</a><br /><br />Yours in sport,<br />Pablonius MonkPablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-74581011423617921942010-06-08T10:17:00.007-05:002010-06-11T14:07:29.612-05:00Observations, Predictions and Pitfalls for the 2010 World Cup (Pt 4):<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; 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mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:.75in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol; color:windowtext;} @list l4:level2 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:1.25in; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:1.25in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol; color:windowtext;} @list l5 {mso-list-id:1310791941; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-126161266 67698703 -868969446 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l5:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l5:level2 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol; color:windowtext;} @list l6 {mso-list-id:2083795601; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:953156358 -868969446 -868969446 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l6:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.75in; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:.75in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol; color:windowtext;} @list l6:level2 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:1.25in; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:1.25in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol; color:windowtext;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Why </span><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> could win?</span>
<br /><!--[endif]--><ul><li>Wayne Rooney.<span style=""> </span>If he remains healthy, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> is an incredible force.</li><li><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> is one of the hottest teams and overdue for an appearance in the championship match.</li><li>They play the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>In 6 out of a 8 World Cups, when other teams played the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>, they did the following:</li></ul><ul><li>6 Semi-Finalists</li><li>5 Finalists</li><li>3 Champions</li></ul>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Why </span><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> won’t win?</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span><!--[endif]--><ul><li>No European team has won the championship outside of <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>.</li><li>No team has won the World Cup with a foreign born coach.</li><li>Rooney has a gimpy hamstring and has a history of getting injured in big tournaments.<span style=""> </span>He may get <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> to the Final, but he will not play in it.</li><li><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> will glide through group play with 3 victories.<span style=""> </span>Almost all World Cup champions should have a tie or a loss before entering single elimination – more on this later.</li></ul><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--><o:p>
<br /></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Why not </span><st1:country-region style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region><span style="font-weight: bold;"> or </span><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;">?</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span><!--[endif]--><ul><li>High expectations do not hold up in the World Cup.<span style=""> </span>These two continue to flip flop the #1 ranking by FIFA.<span style=""> </span>This is a kiss of death.</li><li>Recent success does not continue.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> won the 2008 European Championship.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> won Confederations Cup in 2009 and Copa <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 2007.<span style=""> </span>The odds are against this to continue.<span style=""> </span>Interesting note, when <st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> loses in Copa <st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it goes on to win the World Cup.<span style=""> </span>This trend holds true for when <st1:country-region st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region> loses to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region>; they too go on to win the World Cup. Brazil beat Argentina in the 2007 Copa America.
<br /></li><li>Group play troubles.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region> is in the “Group of Death” and no team wins the Cup from this proclaimed group.<span style=""> </span>It will be over-tested and may lead to injuries.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> is in one of the softest groups and will not be tested and will have their customary early exit by the quarterfinals.<span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span></li></ul>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. So who wins? Argentina. Why?</span>
<br /><ul><li>They are the LEAST likely best team to advance to the Final.<span style=""> </span>The recent trend is that the best team who is written off first, wins.<span style=""> </span>In 2002, the press hounded <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region> for the 1998 Final and the lack of organization coming into the tourney.<span style=""> </span>Result: <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region> won.<span style=""> </span>In 2006, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> was the whipping boy for their match fixing controversies and lack of player diversity since their squad was Serie A players only.<span style=""> </span>Result: <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> won.</li><li>The experts are picking <st1:country-region st="on">Spain</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>, <st1:city st="on">Holland</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>None are picking <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>They are picking Lionel Messi to win the Golden Boot.<span style=""> </span>For this to happen, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style=""> </span>must go deep.<span style=""> </span>DUH!</li><li>Ideal group play.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region> will be tested enough to keep their confidence and hunger in check.<span style=""> </span>As a top flight team, you do not want to dominate too much and you don’t want to play weak either.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> in 2002 struggled against <st1:country-region st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region> stumbled against the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 2006, but both became cohesive units from those matches.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region> will experience the same battle this year against <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greece</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>It will be ugly, but it will help <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the end.<span style=""> </span><u>Key stat</u>: 14 of the 16 World Cup Champions had either a tie or a loss in group play before winning it all (there are 18 champions and two tournaments did not have group play).</li><li>The Copa America trend continues. The team who loses America wins Mundial.
<br /></li><li>Least injured team.</li></ul>
<br /><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Final Score: </span><st1:country-region style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 3 - </span><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 1</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Expectations for future World Cups:</span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:country-region><ul><li><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> plays in championship matches every 12 years.<span style=""> </span>It wins the World Cup every 24 years.<span style=""> </span>Next championship appearance 2018.</li><li><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region> hosts and wins the World Cup in 2014 (beating France).</li><li><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> hosts and wins the Cup in 2018 (beating Italy).</li><li>US hosts and wins the Cup in 2022 against Germany.</li></ul> Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-10938099629994884352010-05-27T08:03:00.006-05:002010-05-31T21:37:59.090-05:00Observations, Predictions and Pitfalls for the 2010 World Cup (Pt 3):<meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHP_ADM%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; 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mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} table.MsoTableGrid {mso-style-name:"Table Grid"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; border:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->1. Who advances from the groups?
<br />Group (1st, 2nd)
<br />A. France, Mexico
<br /> B. Argentina, South Korea
<br />C. England, Slovenia
<br />D. Germany, Serbia
<br />E. Holland, Cameroon
<br />F. Italy, Paraguay
<br /> G. Brazil, Portugal
<br /> H. Spain, Honduras
<br />
<br />2. Why so few African teams advancing?<span style=""> </span>Historically, an African team does not advance in the next Cup it plays in, but at least one African team advances.<span style=""> </span>That means pick <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Algeria</st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cameroon</st1:place></st1:country-region> to advance.<span style=""> </span>I choose the best of those 3 although <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> is tempting.<span style=""> </span>But betting against <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place> not advancing from group play is like not picking Duke to the Sweet 16. <span style=""> </span>The host nation has always advanced, but I would not hold my breath.
<br />
<br />3. Why <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region></st1:place>? <st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Chile</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region> will all lose to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> and then will all tie each other for a 2-point logjam.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region> advances on goal differential thanks to a Carlos Pavon goal scored on <st1:country-region st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> and will be the only goal scored on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> in group play.<span style=""> </span>Besides, at least 1 CONCACAF team has to advance and if <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> do not, then VIVA HONDURAS! <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />4. Beauty matches in Round of 16:
<br /><!--[endif]--><ul><li><st1:country-region st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region></li><li><st1:country-region st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Portugal</st1:place></st1:country-region></li></ul><!--[endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />5. Beauty matches in the Quarterfinals (all of them – these all look like championship matches!):<span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on">
<br /></st1:country-region></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on">France</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:city st="on">Holland</st1:city> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Fantasy Quarterfinal Match:</u> <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> vs. US – if the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> beats <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> beats <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span> <span style="font-size:100%;">But, it is fantasy.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>One may happen, but not both.</li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />6. My Semi-Final Matches:<st1:country-region st="on">
<br /></st1:country-region> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ul><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> vs. <!--[endif]--><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place>Argentina</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region></li></ul>
<br />7. My Pick for the Final:
<br /><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region><ul><li><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region></li></ul> Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-55612472313848340492010-05-19T09:42:00.003-05:002010-05-19T09:51:02.954-05:00Observations, Predictions and Pitfalls for the 2010 World Cup (Pt 2):<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ce39015%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} table.MsoTableGrid {mso-style-name:"Table Grid"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; border:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">How will the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> fare in the 2010 World Cup?<span style=""> </span>The <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> is in a tougher group than most realize.<span style=""> </span>Below is what to expect from the Group C competitors:</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:country-region st="on"><u>Slovenia</u></st1:country-region><u>:</u> In qualifying, <st1:country-region st="on">Slovenia</st1:country-region> survived against <st1:country-region st="on">Poland</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Slovakia</st1:country-region>, <st1:placename st="on">Czech</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Republic</st1:placetype> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region> by posting 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses and allowing .62 goals. Their strength is their defense.<span style=""> </span>The US-Slovenia match will feature the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> attacking, but with little success.<span style=""> </span>Rewind to <st1:country-region st="on">Guatemala</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">El Salvador</st1:country-region> matches the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> encountered in the past 2 years.<span style=""> </span><span style=""></span>The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> churned these out and came ahead.<span style=""> </span>The differences between <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Slovenia</st1:place></st1:country-region> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GUA</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ELS</span> are European experience and discipline.<span style=""> </span>This should be a great match, but will be a hard fought draw.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><u>Algeria</u></st1:country-region></st1:place><u>:</u> This team is being labeled as a mystery team.<span style=""> </span>How?<span style=""> </span>3 of their players are on the same club teams as the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> players and the most of the rest play in the same Euro leagues as other <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> players.<span style=""> </span>What is puzzling about <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Algeria</st1:place></st1:country-region> is which team will show up?<span style=""> </span>In qualifying, they did not lose at home going 6-0-0. <span style=""> </span>On the road and including the African Nations Cup in Jan 2010, they won 3, drew 3 and lost 5.<span style=""> </span>Their highlight was defeating <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ivory Coast</st1:place></st1:country-region> 3-2 in a quarterfinal. Their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lowlights</span> were a group stage loss to <st1:country-region st="on">Malawi</st1:country-region> 3-0 and a semi-final 4-0 thrashing by <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>If <st1:country-region st="on">Algeria</st1:country-region> shows up determined to make a statement, then the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> may be in a world of hurt (see 2006 <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Ghana</st1:country-region></st1:place> vs. US).<span style=""> </span>I see the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> winning this game 2-1.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><u>England</u></st1:place></st1:country-region><u>:</u> This team will easily win this group.<span style=""> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Capello</span> has them clicking and they are currently a force.<span style=""> </span>What happens in the US-England match? <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> wins 3-1.<span style=""> </span>Historically, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> starts World Cups on high octane.<span style=""> </span>The first 15 minutes will be nervy for both sides, but a goal by the 20<sup><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span></sup> minute settles the Brits down and they methodically paste the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> will get a junk goal late.<span style=""> </span>This match should resemble the recent Holland-US friendly – no surprises.<span style=""> </span>If the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> starts sharply, controls the midfield and plays defense with authority, then it may draw.<span style=""> </span>But since only one of these three may happen, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> wins.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="2" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">How many points will the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> earn, and will they advance? The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> will earn 4 points, but will not advance.<span style=""> </span>Although this is a good US Team, they are too sloppy.<span style=""> </span>The difference will be <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Slovenia</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s tight defense.<span style=""> </span>They will limit the goal scoring against the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Back in Sep 2009, <st1:country-region st="on">Slovenia</st1:country-region> lost to <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wembley</span> 2-1.<span style=""> </span>I think this will be a similar result.<span style=""> </span>The killer for the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> will be the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> match.<span style=""> </span>Losing 3-1 would contribute to the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s elimination.<span style=""> </span>A 2-1 loss to <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> and a 3-1 win over <st1:country-region st="on">Algeria</st1:country-region> would advance the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> snuck into the 2<sup><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nd</span></sup> rounds in the ’94 and the ’02 World Cups and the 2009 Confederations Cup on the slimmest of goal differentials.<span style=""> </span>The tactic of earning 4 points and hoping for someone else to bail you out will eventually back fire.<span style=""> </span>Here’s how Group C will end in the 2010 World Cup:</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium none;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="width: 55.3pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="74"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> <td style="width: 40.1pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="53"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Wins</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Draws</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Losses</p> </td> <td style="width: 27pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="36"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">GF</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">GA</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">GD</p> </td> <td style="width: 42.7pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="57"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Points</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 55.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="74"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> </td> <td style="width: 40.1pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="53"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">3</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> <td style="width: 27pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="36"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">9</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">2</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">+7</p> </td> <td style="width: 42.7pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="57"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">9</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 55.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="74"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Slovenia</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> </td> <td style="width: 40.1pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="53"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 27pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="36"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">4</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">3</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">+1</p> </td> <td style="width: 42.7pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="57"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">4</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 55.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="74"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> </td> <td style="width: 40.1pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="53"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 27pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="36"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">4</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">5</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">-1</p> </td> <td style="width: 42.7pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="57"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">4</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="width: 55.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="74"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Algeria</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> </td> <td style="width: 40.1pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="53"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> <td style="width: 45pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="60"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> <td style="width: 27pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="36"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">1</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">8</p> </td> <td style="width: 28.15pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="38"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">-7</p> </td> <td style="width: 42.7pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="57"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">0</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="3" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">So, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> will fare better than it did in 2006, but it will not advance out of the group stage.<span style=""> </span>I hope I am wrong.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> defense is inconsistent.<span style=""> </span>They take too long to clear balls and hope to send some brilliant long pass that usually gets intercepted.<span style=""> </span>If the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> is to advance, then they will need to be aggressive and gritty on every play.<span style=""> </span>They need to keep teams on their heels.<span style=""> </span>If the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> scores first against <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Slovenia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it must continue to pressure, or it will not advance.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> must win ugly.<span style=""> </span>If it hopes for lucky bounces, then it is done.<span style=""> </span>It must step up, challenge, tackle, and sacrifice.<span style=""> </span>The question for the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> is does it have the will to win?<span style=""> </span>It has some skill, but it must want to win and show it.<span style=""> </span>So much like Algeria, which US team will show up? Talk is cheap, don’t be a be chump.<span style=""> </span>Go <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>!</li></ol> Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-79658551769857062462010-05-12T09:28:00.005-05:002010-05-12T09:45:17.235-05:00Observations, Predictions and Pitfalls for the 2010 World Cup (Pt 1):<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">1. ESPN has done well to prepare the masses for the 2010 World Cup.<span style=""> </span>I have enjoyed their walks down memory lane.<span style=""> </span>But I have to ask myself, “Am I qualified to write about the soccer?”<span style=""> </span>The credentials of their soccer crew state that they’re huge soccer fans and have watched a lot of matches.<span style=""> </span>I’ve done that!<span style=""> </span>So, I must be qualified!<span style=""> </span>But, they’re also employed by Disney, which means 2 people may read this.<span style=""> </span>The only difference between me and them is that I played NAIA soccer my freshmen year between class and keg parties.<span style=""> </span>My other credential is that I picked the last 3 out of 4 World Cup winners.<span style=""> </span>1998 was an anomaly.<span style=""> </span>Regardless, thank you ESPN for your World Cup coverage.
<br /><o:p> </o:p>
<br />2. Who’s on the Underdog Radar?
<br /><ul><li>Teams with a natural disaster since their last World Cup appearance.<span style=""> </span>These are <st1:country-region st="on">Chile</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Greece</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paraguay</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The town of <st1:city st="on"><span style="">Concepción</span></st1:city>, <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Chile</st1:country-region></st1:place> was leveled by 8.8 earthquake in Feb 2010.<span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Greece</st1:country-region></st1:place> – their economy is in the toilet.<span style=""> </span>In 1998, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Honduras</st1:place></st1:country-region> was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Paraguay</st1:country-region> lost it best striker Salvador Cabañas to a gun shot wound to the head in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico City</st1:place></st1:city> in Jan 2010. Although <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paraguay</st1:place></st1:country-region> has numerous good players, he was their captain.<span style=""> </span>Paraguay's President issued a national day of mourning for Cabañas, and he’s still alive!<span style=""> </span>Didn’t see Obama issue this for Davies after his car accident.<span style=""> </span>Oh, how engaged we are.<span style=""> </span>Regardless, these nations will be playing with another level of national pride.<span style=""> </span>When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.</li></ul><ul><li>Teams politically or religiously motivated.<span style=""> </span>This would include <st1:country-region st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Algeria</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The only problem for <st1:country-region st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region> is that they will be the whipping boy in the Group of Death that features <st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Portugal</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ivory Coast</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">North Korea</st1:country-region> may earn a draw and eliminate an over-confident <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ivory Coast</st1:place></st1:country-region> team.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Algeria</st1:country-region> will unite with Muslim pride to test the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> (the great Satan).<span style=""> </span>Also, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> has historically fared poorly against Muslim countries in the WC.<span style=""> </span>Don’t forget Zinedine Zidane is Algerian descent, so there is no shortage of talent.<span style=""> Besides, </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Algeria</st1:place></st1:country-region> knows a thing about upsetting teams in the WC (beat <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">West Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> 2-1 in 1982).</li></ul><o:p> </o:p>
<br />3. How much does group play matter?
<br /><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span><ul><li>Top Flight teams want to be tested.<span style=""> </span>Getting a draw in group play or an ugly win will lead to cohesion.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> in 2002 struggled against <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Turkey</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region> in 2006 battled against the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Both teams got stronger, and never looked back.<span style=""> </span>Top Flight teams who run up the score and go undefeated will lose by the quarterfinals.<span style=""> </span>See – <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</li></ul><ul><li>If you’re a middle of the road team (the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>), then you hope to score and limit your opponents to fewer goals.<span style=""> </span>DUH! It all comes down to goal differential.
<br /></li></ul><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span><ul><li>If you are a bottom dweller, then pray for a draw or a miracle goal that will inject your nation with pride.<span style=""> </span>This lone goal scorer will eventually become President or Dictator of his country.</li></ul><o:p> </o:p>
<br />4. Teams love to play the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>!<span style=""> </span>In 4 out of the last 5 World Cups, teams that played the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> did the following:
<br /><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style=""></span></span><ul><li>4 advanced to the Semi-Finals</li><li>3 to the Finals</li><li>2 eventual champions</li></ul>
<br />This may be good news for <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>And if the <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> advances to the Round of 16, it may be good news for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Play the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>, go far in the Cup! I hate this stat.<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; 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margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Last night’s 1-0 loss to <st1:country-region st="on">El Salvador</st1:country-region> complicated <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Costa Rica</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s 2010 World Cup bid.<span style=""> </span>After the last two games, <st1:country-region st="on">Costa Rica</st1:country-region> went from 1<sup>st</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup></span>,<sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></sup><st1:country-region st="on"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Honduras</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> from 2<sup>nd</sup> to 3<sup>rd</sup></span>,<sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></sup><st1:country-region st="on"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Mexico</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> from 4<sup>th</sup> to 2<sup>nd </sup>and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> went from 3<sup>rd</sup> to 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style=""> </span>Whew!<span style=""> </span>Too much juggling, but it is same pool of players in the CONCACAF Hexagonal.<span style=""> </span>And, all of them still have a chance to make the 2010 World Cup.<span style=""> </span>Remember, the top 3 teams earn automatic bids to the World Cup and the 4<sup>th</sup> place team takes on the 5<sup>th</sup> place CONEMBOL team (ouch!).<span style=""> </span>The only thing separating 3<sup>rd</sup> place from 4<sup>th</sup> place is 1 point.<span style=""> </span>And when all of the games are played, it could come down to goal differential to determine who is an automatic bid or who has to be slapped around by <st1:country-region st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Uruguay</st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Below are the current standings after last night’s games . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 218.95pt; margin-left: 4.65pt; border-collapse: collapse;" width="292" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CONCACAF Qualifying<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">GP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">W<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">D<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">L<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">GD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Points<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" str="US " width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">US <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">16<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">MX<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">15<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">HN<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">13<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 68.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="91" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">TT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 18.05pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="24" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.95pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="23" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="55" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">So, who will not earn an automatic bid for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 2010?<span style=""> </span>Again, looks like <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Costa Rica</st1:place></st1:country-region> by the slimmest of margins.<span style=""> </span>Although they should earn at least 4 points in the last 2 games, so should <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Honduras</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>These 3 countries play a “softy” in their final 2 games and they should get the valuable 3 points.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> should lose to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Honduras</st1:place></st1:country-region> and earn a point in a hard fought battle against CR in DC.<span style=""> </span>Even though this game will feel like a home game for Los Ticos, it will not be enough to get them over the hump.<span style=""> </span>And when it is all over, <st1:country-region st="on">Costa Rica</st1:country-region> will have an acid reflux moment when it looks back to the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region> game they should have won or tied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Below is what the final CONCACAF table should look like after the final games are played on October 14th . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 186.75pt; margin-left: 4.65pt; border-collapse: collapse;" width="249" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CONCACAF Qualifying<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">GP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">W<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">D<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">L<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">GD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Points<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">MX<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">19<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">HN<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">7<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">17<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" str="US " width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">US <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">17<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">16<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="78" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">TT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="21" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 15pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="20" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 29pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="39" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">-9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 33pt; height: 12.75pt;" num="" width="44" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Who knows, the last time I did this I thought <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> would end up in 4<sup>th</sup> place and now they are in the driver’s seat.<span style=""> </span>Shows you what I know.<span style=""> </span>Regardless, it will be exciting.<span style=""> </span>Stay tuned and support the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>!<o:p></o:p></span></p> Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-27397829281495981602009-08-13T08:05:00.015-05:002009-08-14T07:27:06.199-05:00Who's going to South Africa from CONCACAF?<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ce39015%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Before we print <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>’s ticket to <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region> after the win against the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>, we need to remember there are other teams (very good teams) competing as well.<span style=""> </span>Last night, <st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region> pasted <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Costa Rica</st1:place></st1:country-region> 4-0 and is now sitting pretty at 2<sup>nd</sup> place.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> better start feeling the pressure or it too will be in a tight spot.<span style=""> </span>The current CONCACAF table looks like the following (remember, the top 3 teams advance and the 4<sup>th</sup> place team has a playoff with the 5<sup>th</sup> place CONMEBOL team).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 252.75pt; margin-left: 4.65pt; border-collapse: collapse;" width="337" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<br /></td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >GP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >W<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >D<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >L<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >GD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Points<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Costa Rica " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Costa Rica</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >0<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >0<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Honduras " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Honduras</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="United States " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >United States</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 81.75pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Mexico " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Mexico</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 25.25pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 20.25pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27.05pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >0<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 26.45pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >-1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 45pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="El Salvador " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >El Salvador</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >-2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >T & T<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 25.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="34" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 20.25pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="27" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27.05pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 26.45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="35" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >-4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 45pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Here’s my prediction . . . . <span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> is playing well, but their recent victories were in front of pro-Mexico crowds.<span style=""> </span>This will not be the case in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Costa Rica</st1:place></st1:country-region> and T & T.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> does not play well in T & T, and it will be the last match for T & T who should play the spoiler to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s automatic bid.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> will struggle to earn two more victories in the next four matches.<span style=""> </span>The biggest hurdles will come in the last two matches on the road in turbulent <st1:country-region st="on">Honduras</st1:country-region> and at home against <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Costa Rica</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The next two matches (<st1:country-region st="on">El Salvador</st1:country-region> @ home and T & T on the road) are critical for the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> and are their best chances to get victories.<span style=""> </span>If they win these, they will go to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>But like <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>, this would require winning in T & T and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> does not play well there.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >As of today, CONCACAF could be won by any of the top 4 nations.<span style=""> </span>But each team is playing poorly away from home.<span style=""> </span>Thus, the table stays the same and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> takes the coveted 3<sup>rd</sup> place slot on goal differential.<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> will play <st1:country-region st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Ecuador</st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region st="on">Uruguay</st1:country-region> for a ticket to <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region> (my bet is on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Uruguay</st1:place></st1:country-region> advancing).<span style=""> </span>So on October 14<sup>th</sup> around 10PM EST after the final games are played, the CONCACAF table will look like the following . . .</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 252.75pt; margin-left: 4.65pt; border-collapse: collapse;" width="337" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;" width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<br /></td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >GP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >W<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >D<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >L<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >GD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Points<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Costa Rica " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Costa Rica</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Honduras " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Honduras</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >16<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="United States " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >United States</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 81.75pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="Mexico " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Mexico</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >0<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 27pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.5in; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" str="El Salvador " width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >El Salvador</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >-6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext;" width="109" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >T & T<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 27pt; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="36" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >-7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.5in; height: 12.75pt;color:-moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color;" num="" width="48" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-74949427987697464472009-07-22T14:01:00.000-05:002009-07-22T14:01:09.684-05:00Gold Cup: México vs. Haiti at Cowboys Stadium<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/7q4aP_OmdGk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/7q4aP_OmdGk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>This past Sunday I was fortunate enough to attend the very first sporting event at the new billion dollar + Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. No, it wasn't a Dallas Cowboys' football game. The first sporting event was a SOCCER game of all things. That this event is part of the regular CONCACAF Gold Cup calendar and fell on a date in July long before the first preseason game was a stroke of luck. But the genius of it was that it was a México game...which guaranteed a sell-out crowd to show off the new stadium to the Metroplex media. There were an impressive <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=276160&cc=5901">82,252 people</a> at this event. <br />
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All of this would be enough. But there was also a Texas Rangers' game that same night across the way from the sparkling Cowboys Stadium at the Ballpark in Arlington. <i>(<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=arlington,+tx&sll=36.173357,-95.712891&sspn=51.354768,62.138672&ie=UTF8&ll=32.749005,-97.086997&spn=0.013301,0.015171&t=h&z=16">Google Maps still has it listed as "Ameriquest Field"</a> - someone should e-mail Google that Ameriquest and the rest of their bad loan/subprime mortgage ilk</i> <i>are long gone).</i> So this was an ideal test of the traffic flow for Arlington city officials. Our group drove from the University of Texas at Dallas <i>(in lovely Richardson, Texas)</i>. Traffic was pretty smooth flowing. We arrived and parked in Lot 13 in fairly short order. We took a group of students from México who are studying this summer at UTD. For most of them it was their first chance to see their Mexican National Team. So naturally they were thrilled. They wore their "selección" jerseys, painted their faces and proudly sang the Mexican National Anthem.<br />
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I took my fancy Nikon camera to document the event. I thought I might go around the concourse to get a real sense of this new landmark stadium. But unfortunately, there's no way to go completely around the stadium like we used to in Texas Stadium. Our tickets were in Section 244 which can only be accessed by entering the stadium through Gate C.<br />
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July in Texas was also a good chance to sample the indoor air conditioning of this facility. In the heat of the summer, it held up alright. Mind you, it's not chilly like a typical Dallas shopping mall. But it was kept around 80-85 degrees pretty consistently. It still beats a preseason game at Texas Stadium in August any day.<br />
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Beers are $7. Parking was $25. (Although I understand that parking lots for Cowboys' games will cost more like $40). The tickets we bought were 2nd lower balcony and cost $29. Standing Room Only tickets were $20. <br />
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As for the structure itself, Cowboys Stadium is very impressive. It's no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_National_Stadium">Bird's Nest</a>, of course. But it's sleek, modern, and shiny. It looms on Tom Landry Highway like some heaping half of the Star Wars Death Star. I imagined what went through the minds of the Haitian National Team as they approached the enormity and grandeur of it as if they weren't anxious enough playing the mighty Mexican National Team. <br />
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Mexico's 2nd team dominated Haiti 4-0. So the Mexican fans in the 2nd half of the game spent most of their time thinking up chants to sing together, perfecting the Mexican wave and swelling with pride. One of them sitting behind me thought I was a reporter <i>(thanks to the fancy Nikon around my neck, no doubt)</i> and told me that he was one of the electricians who worked on the stadium. It gave him a great sense of pride to work on this great stadium but that night he was overwhelmed sharing that pride with so many countrymen. <br />
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The most recent <a href="http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/blatter-and-fifa-have-a-plan-b/">post</a> is regarding FIFA's contingency plans being in place in case South Africa doesn't have all its ducks in a row by the end of the year. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINk9pARq9fbNm2k_jdKYmRiVKhGGR-LP8ecl5ue8Nk5Zd5mkFUV5pnQIGt4Bq97Xg5oB4MaMuc1lEDEM5R0Gk4FiCsYoU7awnoCGiUkF7uFYwJsYcz90nGViErLioS-I-NOON1oz0K3A/s1600-h/cowboys-stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="border: 0pt none ; background-color: transparent; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfZMTmE8U1YtbPbna3EkfoXLW5_edl7CD0yr4mD9sYvpxGJX8PFGorHsGj4d-2NHCh_M6uN-Q4dOrEmr6lGezbi7p8WUgpXkiYw55u-Iv8fjfGM3tTCPw11HmPS8jwjcSNkBYhOFILqY/s320-r/cowboys-stadium.jpg" style="border: 0pt none ;" /></a>One of the countries that could possibly step in to host the 2010 World Cup is the USA. Jerry Jones' new Cowboys Stadium would be an ideal place for the finals. It's a summer tournament, so the finals could be hosted indoors at what will arguably be the finest facility of its kind when it opens in 2009.Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-85000729113653926392008-03-27T22:09:00.005-05:002008-12-11T19:18:28.538-06:00Next Stop for Cuban Soccer: the MLS?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRJPq2pbUCXgfKkqWXxQl3imIaF2yFBVTp-j3Wea43l4xvrPQf5DiSTXNzGaIu9NmuoTvlu0VwclHXFUK1MpAS2TReqBAQma8EHfvZ-hCi3e0seJ_qK6syNO0rOszlPFJQERdorq92i4/s1600-h/AP+Cuba+Soccer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRJPq2pbUCXgfKkqWXxQl3imIaF2yFBVTp-j3Wea43l4xvrPQf5DiSTXNzGaIu9NmuoTvlu0VwclHXFUK1MpAS2TReqBAQma8EHfvZ-hCi3e0seJ_qK6syNO0rOszlPFJQERdorq92i4/s400/AP+Cuba+Soccer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182630731361614050" border="0" /></a>Looks like Chivas USA's star Cuban striker Mikel Galindo has started <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/sports/soccer/15soccer.html?ref=soccer">a chain reaction of defections from Cuba's national soccer program</a>. For a country better known for its béisbol, boxing & chess prowess, this must sting. Once these players get their immigration paperwork, look for them to find a place on one of the MLS teams' rosters. 1970's NASL exec, the Cuban exile Raphael de la Sierra, who worked closely with Warner's Steve Ross to make the NY Cosmos the most successful soccer team, must be loving this trend. Eat your heart out, Maradona. <span style="font-size:78%;">(Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)</span>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-37783956762880873992008-03-27T11:25:00.006-05:002008-03-27T12:34:56.755-05:00Thierry Henry to Seattle FC?It's the most wonderful time of the year. The MLS' 13th season is about to begin this weekend. The EPL season is coming down to a few more heated matches between serious contenders (Man U at 73 points, Chelsea! at 68, Arsenal at 67 & Liverpool at 59 trying to keep its 4th place spot away from crosstown rivals Everton). And the rumor mills are churning at a feverish pace.<br /><br />If you didn't catch the Chelsea/Arsenal match on the Fox Sports Channel this past weekend, you missed a heckuva game. As busy as things have been of late, I settled for watching it over the course of Monday & Tuesday night (1st half Monday, 2nd half Tuesday). I maintained a soccer media block out. (Admittedly still not that hard to do here stateside). Arsenal have been playing below average - drawing in their previous 4 games. And Chelsea have been surging with their less than popular new manager Avram Grant. The Stamford Bridge faithful booed him loudly in the 2nd half when he made his substitutions. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Quite possibly game-winning substitutions!)</span><br /><br />Our beloved FC Dallas will open their season up in Frisco's Pizza Hut Park this Sunday against Preki's Chivas USA at 2pm (Channel 52 - KFWD). Ante Razov & Mikel Galindo will start for the Goats. <br /><br />Also Sunday: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/Rangers-vs-Celtic-soccer-36296.php">Fox Soccer Channel</a> is showing the Rangers/Celtic match at 6pm CST (delayed) - one of the great sports rivalries - right up there with Yankees/Red Sox, Packers/Vikings, Lakers/Celtics.<br /><br />The MLS rumor mill has been very active of late what with David Beckham's contract clause for MLS team ownership. I wonder where <span style="font-style: italic;">"The David Beckhams"</span> will play? That's the other source of preseason rumors: Montréal, Quebec might be getting an expansion slot in the next couple of years. Might <span style="font-style: italic;">"The David Beckhams</span>" play in Canada? The MLS has always stated that the league will eventually have a 2nd NYC team. Maybe Beckham will pay Pepe Pinton his $1 million for the NY Cosmos name. It's more likely that Beckham will purchase an existing club.<br /><br />Then on the most recent <a href="http://www.worldsoccerdaily.com/">World Soccer Daily</a> podcast, Steven Cohen made mention of high level sources indicating that Seattle is in late-stage negotiations with France's all-time leading scorer Barcelona striker Thierry Henry to play for Seattle in their inaugural season next year 2009. This would explain those Gilette ads with Roger Federer, Tiger Woods & Thierry Henry.Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-90308748270591182572008-03-16T09:42:00.007-05:002008-12-11T19:18:28.880-06:0020,000 attend pre-season match at Pizza Hut Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCc0o7qYcc9kMzDtELJes2yrgy3kykD93nNGwAiUr0KPrWUNrUF3dV_1YMVHsn1hQbQbgkVRNmQYupze9WgCoFrz8YTdvU_-t8tdmE5d0BRN9_Nq4zO0aCvxXZhuzxIkk1KmxmjegaGY/s1600-h/626-341055-283214.standalone.prod_affiliate.58.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCc0o7qYcc9kMzDtELJes2yrgy3kykD93nNGwAiUr0KPrWUNrUF3dV_1YMVHsn1hQbQbgkVRNmQYupze9WgCoFrz8YTdvU_-t8tdmE5d0BRN9_Nq4zO0aCvxXZhuzxIkk1KmxmjegaGY/s400/626-341055-283214.standalone.prod_affiliate.58.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178488700269466338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(Photo courtesy of the <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/549/story/531422.html">Fort Worth Star-Telegram</a>, Richard W. Rodriguez)</span><br />Thanks to Otto Gol for setting the wife and me up with choice tickets to the big UNICEF Charity Match against the LA Galaxy last night. We had a great time.<br /><br />A few notes on the game: it felt like a regular season game what with the big Beckham crowd and the English National Team drama. All players were putting their full effort into the game. Coach Ruud Gullit has been busy in his first pre-season as coach of the Galaxy. They look like a different team. We were disappointed not to see Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz play for his old/new team, the Galaxy. He has a hamstring issue and didn't make the trip. No Juan Toja last night either unfortunately. Beckham's fit as a fiddle this year. Let's hope he stays fit this season. After his nice performance last night, he'll get his 100th cap vs. France this month. Barring an LA Galaxy MLS Cup win or Supporters' Shield where his play is a key part of team success, it'll be the last time he plays for England.<br /><br />As for England's National Team scout Franco Baldini scouting Beckham at a charity pre-season match in Frisco, TX, well, it's a more than a bit of a ring toss. This <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3561141.ece">Times of London report</a> says that Becks will be called up for his 100th cap but denies that it will have had anything to do with his performance last night in Pizza Hut Park. The wife and I were in line at half time to get a couple of BBQ sandwiches. In front of us was this Italian guy with a Juventus baseball cap and Versace eyeglass frames. As he ordered his Pulled Pork sandwich, I wondered whether or not we were behind the very scout sent by England to evaluate Beckham's fitness! I hadn't bothered to check Google Images to see what this Franco Baldini looks like beforehand. <span style="font-style: italic;">(It wasn't Baldini after all, but it's good to see an Italian enjoying himself in North Texas at a professional soccer match enjoying the local cuisine.)</span><br /><br />LA dominated the 1st half. LA Coach Ruud Gullit has definitely made an offseason impact on this team. They looked very sharp. A couple of players to look out for this year: Mike Randolph from Chino Hills, CA. He's really fast. Becks found him on a long ball to the left of Dario Sala and Randolph almost scored. And the former Red Bulls' goalie Steve Cronin. He looks tough to score against. Beckham & Donovan will find their mojo this season as well. Look for them to combine on some nice plays.<br /><br />The game is nicely summarized <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080316&content_id=143461&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp">here</a> and <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/scoreboard/gameLog.jsp?match=03152008_LADAL">here</a>. So I won't bother trying to recap every little detail. FC Dallas finally put the pressure on in the 2nd half. There were a couple of missed shots. New kid Brek Shea made his home debut and scuffed a shot. <span style="font-style: italic;">(I used my digicam to take some very rough quality video of some of the plays. I've got Shea's flub in there too.)</span> It's good that he got that out of the way in a pre-season match. He'll settle down with some more game time experience.<br /><br /><object width='425' height='366'><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/cp/vjVQa1PpcFM8M5QJrN8Rcp009IsjfSniZRoHCnRalx4='></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></params><embed src='http://www.youtube.com/cp/vjVQa1PpcFM8M5QJrN8Rcp009IsjfSniZRoHCnRalx4=' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' width='425' height='366'></embed></object><br /><br />It was my wife's first visit to Frisco's Pizza Hut Park. She was really impressed with the stadium and enjoyed the game.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frisco Traffic Notes:</span> Driving north on the tollway at 6:55pm, we hit traffic a full mile south of the Main St. exit. So, it took us about 15 minutes to get through that and parking south of PHP & Frisco City Hall. Leaving the park after the game, we tried to avoid Main Street traffic and went south to access the Tollway from Cotton Gin Road. That proved to be a bad idea. Frisco is still a Minor League town traffic-wise. They have stop signs at the tollway & Cotton Gin Road. And right before the stop sign, the 2 lanes squeeze into one. Then you have to hurry across the frontage road to get under the overpass (no northbound stop sign or light) only to have yet another unprotected stop sign with southbound frontage road traffic speeding by as if lives depended on velocity. It's an act of bravery pointing your car into this onslaught.</span>Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-42643887049475414862008-02-14T21:25:00.003-06:002008-02-14T21:41:58.694-06:00Los TorosD Magazine's <a href="http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2008/02/14/los-toros-are-coming/">Frontburner</a> found this post from <a href="http://mlsunderground.blogspot.com/2008/02/church-of-fc-dallas.html">MLS Underground</a>. We're about a month & a half from the MLS season starting. Is this an FC Dallas viral video?
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<br />"Look for us on March 15th and March 30th...
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<br />We are Los Toros. We are legion. We will defend our pitch. We will not forget."
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<br />From Frontburner: <blockquote>A soccery FrontBurnervian sends along a this item of FC Dallas’ latest attempt at stoking the fires of fandom. At least, I assume FC Dallas is responsible for the viral-marketing-inspired campaign, rather than a bored superfan. It’s a take-off on the anti-Church of Scientology vids making their way across the Internet of late. Check out Los Toros’ message, if so inclined.</blockquote>
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<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie"value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKWtCP98nhM&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKWtCP98nhM&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425" height="355"></embed></objePablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298474161890969533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693902077635552234.post-26340551663583861132008-02-01T09:34:00.000-06:002008-02-01T10:08:20.364-06:00Futbolandia 20082007 is over. The critics did their reviews. I should have done something like a highlight reel of my award winning articles. It is always like a greatest hits compilation from Time-Life. “Hey everybody, look it’s Peter Fonda!” the enthusiastic hostess chimes. PF says, “Just walking by and heard the tunes. Man, they bring back some memories.” Hostess says, “You said it, Pete, good times.” Peter just looks beat down and ready to move on.<br /><a href="https://www.timelife.com/webapp/wcs/stores/content/TimeLife/us/images/22085-2_400.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://www.timelife.com/webapp/wcs/stores/content/TimeLife/us/images/22085-2_400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sadly, the hostess was not even born when that music was made and she thinks Peter Fonda is Jane’s dad. Compilations are nice for those who need to relive the glory days. In futbolandia, compilations are a long series of repetitive deja vu’s. This year’s stories are just like last year’s. The names and jerseys change, but the plot does not. Make more money, soccer more goals, win more games, write more blog posts. Anybody listening to this twaddle? “Just walking by, man. Heard the tunes. Right on, brother, right on,” states Peter.<br /><br />What is to look forward to in 2008? In England, a highly contested table between (drum roll, please) … Man U and Arsenal! Gee, that’s original. In Spain, a highly contested table between (drum roll, please) … Barcelona and Real Madrid. Don’t hold your breath. In Italy, a highly contested table between (drum roll, please) … Roma and AC Milan. Titillating. In Germany, a highly contested table between (drum roll, please) … Bayern Munich and who cares?<br /><br />The best stories may come from Euro 2008. And, let’s not forget about The African Nations Cup that is going on right now. Everyone has already awarded Ivory Coast the Cup since Drogba plays there. But, host Ghana may have some say as well. But never underestimate Egypt, they always find a way to win. And, no pushover is Cameroon and Samuel Eto’o’s 5 goals. Quarterfinals are Sunday and Monday.<br /><br />Back to Euro 2008. Austria and Switzerland are the host nations with Vienna hosting the final. Will a powerhouse take it, such as Italy or Germany? Or, will an underdog nip its way to a title, such as Greece or Austria? Call it Bizarro-world rationale, but sport stories are developed through a strange cosmic, poetic force. Here’s how I try to interpret this being.<br /><br />Euro 2008 is in Switzerland and Austria. Both have long futbol histories, but they have not done much since 1950. Austria is the exception with their impressive semi-final run in last year’s Under-23 World Cup. Both teams should make it out of group play. But, they will not make it to the final. One team that borders these nations will be in the final. The options are Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany and Italy. Croatia and Czech Republic will not be finalists because they used to be part of the Hapsburg Empire, which is in essence, Austria. Germany and Italy will not be finalists because they were part of the Axis Powers with Austria. All of these teams will be granted safe passage from group play, but that is where it will end. Remember, futbol is The Beautiful Game. And, Beauty will rise with this prediction. Not to say that the Hapsburgs were ugly and left ugly buildings, but the country that designed and influenced Austria and the Viennese for centuries is France. So, France is in the final. Headline – “France Continues Reign in Austria!” The other finalist will be Spain. Why? The Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Again, Beauty wins. Who wins? Spain. Why? They do not border either host country and the cosmic, poetic force will allow Spain to paste the Euro 2008 field - Guernica-style. Don’t know what Guernica’s is about? Pablonious does. ¡VIVA ESPAÑA!<br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/PicassoGuernica.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 672px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" height="90" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/PicassoGuernica.jpg" border="0" /></a>Other stories I will be addressing throughout the year are the following:<br /><strong>Jaguares de Chiapas:</strong> Two matches into Clausura 2008 and they have a win and draw. They are tied with Toluca at the top of their group. They play Monterrey Saturday, so let’s see if they can break away a bit. ... <strong>Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy:</strong> Some how they survived and are still in Primera División de Argentina. They are a cyclical team and were down in Apertura 2007. So, be on the look out for a sneak attack in Clausura 2008. ... <strong>FC Dallas:</strong> Out with the old, in with the new? FC Dallas will have some growing pains with its young draft picks, but may not be too happy with their defensive acquisition, Davino Duilio. Yes, Duilio is a defensive presence and has a good mind. But, he has slowed in recent years. The Texas heat will leave its mark on this chilango who is accustomed to pristine weather of Mexico City. If FC Dallas can survive their July-August lull, then they may be a force in the post season. The injury report at that time will be the determinant. ... <strong>US Men’s National and Olympic Teams: </strong>New faces, same results? I think the USMNT will struggle at first and come together down the stretch. Don’t expect USA to beat Mexico on February 6th. Hugo Sanchez has called for all hands on deck. He has to get this monkey off of Mexico’s back before qualifiers. Their psyche depends on it. USA has no pressure here and will put it together for the qualifiers. Bob Bradley is bringing in youth to get them experience and see who has the mettle for the long haul. The USMOT has more pressure and needs to make it to the final match to qualify for Beijing 2008. Matches will be in the States, and that should help. But other CONCACAF teams will be just as hungry to take down the host nation. Should be Mexico and USA in the final and in Beijing, but watch out for Honduras and Costa Rica.<br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/EasyRider_08.jpg/800px-EasyRider_08.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/EasyRider_08.jpg/800px-EasyRider_08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So, let’s all make Peter Fonda proud, compile our lives with sweet Mother Nature, and find yourself by getting lost on the pitch of futbolandia. “These people are going to make it, man,” Dennis Hopper <em>Easy Rider</em>.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676251019633841425noreply@blogger.com0