World Cup and European leagues

[Browneagle64]

Can't wait until until team U.S.A scores yet another victory tonight against El Salvador. I am so siked and ready to hear all the nonsense that my Salvadoranian neighbors and local resturants will start to talk about. Be ready to see a lot of the young players scores early in tonights match in good ole' boston.

[WLCALUM83]

El Salvador vs. USA on deck:

[WLCALUM83]

Halftime:  USA 2, El Salvador 0. 

[WLCALUM83]

Final:  USA 4, El Salvador 0. 

[WLCALUM83]

Trin & Tob vs. Guatemala just underway as I post:

[WLCALUM83]

Trin & Tob 0, Guatemala 0--Half:

[WLCALUM83]

IMHO, Panama vs. Mexico should be a good one. It'll be interesting to see (with Mexico's Blanco out for this match) how well Panama defends Borguetti and Mexico's other main offensive threats.

[WLCALUM83]

Final:  Trin & Tob 1, Guatemala 1. (Both goals scored in the last 8 minutes of the match, per ESPN Soccernet )

Unless I'm missing something, that result puts Guatemala in second place in the group.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not sure what the uproar was over Donovan's penalty?  The past few years its been standard practice to award a PK for any handball in the box, intentional or not.  Intentional ones get the added bonus of a Red Card.  Either way, it's good to see the US squad light it up a bit.  They'll need that aggressiveness if they're going to compete in the Copa.

Up to #16 in the world, by the way, in the latest FIFA rankings.  That's a 13 place jump over last month.


Right now in the Gold Cup:

Through to the quarters: USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, and Panama.

Mexico and Honduras both have a good shot to get in.  A draw today for either side will get them in.  Even with a loss, they are both well ahead of El Salvador in the tiebreakers.  They'd have to lose by upwards of four goals to be kept out of the quarters.

I'm not sure if there is a draw for the quarters of if they do it on points earned.

[Browneagle64]

Congrats to team USA. What an awesome plan that team USA came out yesterday. As expected coach bradley and co. did well this time around in having the offense produce much more goals and its defense staying sound and tough. Glad to see that more rookies were used as well.

Speaking of Mexico having a shot----I am sure they will be in. However, who do you really put in for blanco? Borguetti usually tends to run out of gas this late into tourneys. Or better yet which goalee do you use, Sanchez or Ochoa??? In the end, as hoops pointed out, it should be a good game

[WLCALUM83]

CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals:

Canada vs. Guatemala

USA vs. Panama

Honduras vs. Guadelope

Mexico vs. Costa Rica

IMHO, at least on paper, USA and Honduras would figure to have easier match-ups. Panama lost 2 players to red cards last night. Honduras looked like a high powered juggernaut. The other 2 matches are too close to call.

[Browneagle64]

The only team that i honestly would consider having the easier match up in the quater finals would only be team USA. The reason why i believe that this game would be in favor of team USA is because 1) the red, white and blue has a good and solid game plan in both their offense and defense, 2) their Vets and rookies are gelling much quicker than any other national team in this tourney and 3) as WLCALUM has mentioned, 2 of Panamas top players have been lost due to red cards. Of course team USA is going to win.

Btw, thus far "EL Tri" is disappointing a lot of it fans thus far through out the tourney. It's taking to long for them to score and their offense doesn't seem to click as fast as they other teams are showing us. I would have thought that this game would have been its coming out party since both team played each other at the Rosebowl last year and El tri winning the game in a huge convincing manner. However, coach sanchez has a lot of work ahead of him.   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Guadeloupe is a weak squad.  They got lucky with one match in a weak pool and Honduras is a very talented team.  The US and Honduras should win easily.

I'd think Guatemala and Mexico would come out on top in the other matches, but all four of those teams are playing about level right now, so you never know.

[Browneagle64]

Job well done for team USA in their recent win. Glad to see that Coach bradley and Co.  are on a hot streak and are ready to take the gold cup yet again.

Btw, the costa rica v.s mexico game should be a big test for el tri--- given that every mexico soccer fan is a bit feed up with coach sanchez game plan. However, in my opinion, mexico wins this game in yet another close and scarry game 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Guadeloupe again!  They took down a strong Honduras squad.  Amazing results thus far.  Should Mexico start getting scared?  They only got by Costa Rica with the help of two Red Cards.