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Cackalacky

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Vucetich, Mexico's third coach in three months, had led his team to a victory over Panama on Friday at Estadio Azteca, but his team could not squeeze out the win over Costa Rica. He said that there was no reason to send a message of thanks to the United States for having gifted Mexico its qualification for the playoffs by beating Panama, as they were just doing their job.

"My mission with the national team was for us to qualify. We beat Panama and that was the critical point and the combination of results turned out in such a way that we reached our objective," Vucetich said post-match. "As professionals we should play all of our games at our best level of play. If we knew we were going to qualify we would not have done so. We have to praise ethical and professional behavior, in this case by the United States.”
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Cackalacky

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At one point Tuesday night, the Mexican economy had lost around $600 million with El Tri's potential elimination. Sponsors both in Mexico and the United States were reaching for acid reflux medication. Somewhere in Switzerland, Sepp Blatter couldn't sleep (Mexico is one of the top markets that produces cash flow at the World Cup).
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Auckland, New Zealand - If the All Whites, as expected, face Mexico in November's World Cup playoffs, it won't just be New Zealand versus the might of Mexico - it will be the Kiwis against the rest of the footballing world.

In terms of playing numbers, economic power and supporter base Mexico are in the top five nations in the football world and their absence from Brazil would be a severe blow to the tournament and its related economies. If Mexico were somehow put out by New Zealand, the overall impact has been estimated to be upwards of US$600 million ($725 million) to the tournament.

"The economic impact of Mexico not making the World Cup would be immense," says Mexican football historian and author Leon Krauze. "One sports marketing analyst has estimated that the impact would be around $600m if you count sponsorship, television deals, advertising revenue and the lead up matches - and I think that is a conservative figure. Aside from Mexico, look at the American economy and the impact that the team has there, especially in the southwest - California, Arizona, Texas - it's absolutely immense. For Mexican and Hispanic companies the impact of the Mexican team not being there would be huge, almost impossible to measure."

According to Krauze, sales of the Mexican team shirt at the 2010 World Cup outstripped all others (more than 1.2 million units sold) and around 15,000 Mexicans travelled to South Africa to follow El Tri. That figure would be expected to double - or triple - with the quadrennial tournament held in the Americas for the first time since 1994 and only the third time since 1970.

From this distance it's perhaps difficult to understand that vast, uber economy that is Mexican football. The top two television companies (TV Azteca and Televisa) own several professional teams between them while Telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim (the billionaire who is currently ranked as the second richest man on the planet) took a stake in two first division teams last year. Televisa is also the principal owner of Azteca Stadium.

"Football is huge for the television companies and the national team is their biggest product," says Mexican football journalist Martin del Palacio. "(Non qualification) would be a catastrophe for them and it also affects the entire economy of the Mexican FA."
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Major economic impact of Mexican football.
 
ACamp1900

ACamp1900

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Cackalacky said:
So you are saying that you are ok with USA throwing the game last night to spite Mexico?
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Ok with it...?? I'd endorse it.. lol

nah, I'm saying, in extra time, knowing full well what the situation is, and they knew, if they didn't they damn well should have... then you back off and let the extra time run out... you don't push forward and try to save your biggest rival...
 
ickythump1225

ickythump1225

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I just simply don't understand the mindset of being upset that we won. I don't give a damn what it does for Mexico...maybe NZ will beat them for all we know. The guys out on the pitch at the end of the match were playing hard trying to get on the roster for Brazil they're not wetting their beds thinking about what will happen to Mexico.
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ACamp1900 said:
That first group would be yummy....
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Our best case scenario is getting placed into a group with Colombia, Ecuador, or Switzerland as the seeded team. Then Iran or Jordan, and either an African team or a beatable Euro team like Ukraine, Bosnia, Croatia, or England(yes I said England)
 
RuntheBall

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As the one who started this mess: I am not mad we won. I am mad that we didn't play well. I am mad Mexico is in the WC. I would not have thrown the game. I play to win. Would Mexico being out of the WC be better than us winning an inconsequential game versus Panama? Yes. Would I throw the game because of it? No.

On another note: Any chance we get one of the top 8 seeds?
PS- I pray we do not draw Belgium. If that happens there will likely be 3 solid teams in the group...not good.
EDIT: Just saw Belgium has a top 8 spot... guess drawing them wouldn't be too bad then. Others with top 8's are:Spain, Argentina and Germany.
 
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nsisk157

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Uruguay appear likely to qualify and bump Holland out of the top pool...
They thrashed Jordan 5-0, in Jordan.
 
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notredomer23

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nsisk157 said:
Uruguay appear likely to qualify and bump Holland out of the top pool...
They thrashed Jordan 5-0, in Jordan.
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Ouch, I did not realize that was in Jordan. Expected that Uruguay would qualify, but not by that much.


Mexico and New Zealand has been dominated by Mexico so far, but New Zealand has a free kick coming up in the attack third.
 
ACamp1900

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I'm still super pissed about that late push forward... of all the massive screw ups in American sports history...

let. the. sleeping. dog. lie.
 
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notredomer23

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Agreed Acamp. Watch them knock us out in the round of 16.

Best hope here is New Zealand can steal a goal back and not concede anymore, and somehow get up on Mexico when they go back to New Zealand. New Zealand would win because of away goal differential.
 
RuntheBall

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After sub-par matches vs. Scotland and Austria (admittedly not our best sides), who do you guys see in the starting XI and on the roster at the WC next summer?

My thoughts:
- Brek Shea is good... off the bench. His energy seems to be better coming off the bench rather than the whole match. It doesn't seem he can play the whole 90 with good intensity. Almost the same with Johannsson. Both should play, but off of the bench. Also the winger spots are some of the deepest with Zusi presumably playing signifigant minutes (I think he should start).

-Brooks can be a solid starter for us... in 2 years. He is talented, but the maturity (communication, experience) isn't quite there yet, IMO. He may be able to pick up a spot on the team to gain experience and he isn't a terrible option.

- If Beasley starts, I won't watch.

- I think Besler is the best CB we have. Who do we parir with him? I guess its Gonzalez, though his distribution was suspect sometimes vs. Austria. Not a huge fan. Is good with his head though.

-Altidore plays well with someone up top? But we don't really have a good compliment for him, IMO. I think Dempsey is a bit more effective playing in more a mid-field role, though he is an option. Eddie Johnson and Boyd are other two interesting options, though I'm not sure either would start.

- I like Cameron's creativity and skill on the ball. He is great coming forward. Fouls a bit too much on defense though. HIm, F. Johnson or B. Evans at RB? [Or is Johnson LB? I like Fabian's skill coming forward too for the record. But having two wing back that are good coming forward may expose our CB's].

- Jermaine Jones frustrates me. He either turns the ball over or plays in back in the weirdest spots. His communication with Bradley seems to have regressed.

My starting XI:

GK: Howard
RB: Evans
CB: Besler
CB: Gonzalez
LB: F. Johnson (not sure if he plays LB RB or if Jurgen cares)
CDM: G. Cameron
DM: Bradley
LM: Donovan (its hard to keep him off of the field)
CM: Dempsey (maybe more of a CAM)
RM: Zusi
ST: Altidore

Others:
GK: Guzan and Rimando
Backs: Beasley, Goodson, Tim Ream (Chandler, Orozco, Brooks are some other options)
Midfield: Shea,Diskerud, Jermaine Jones (assuming he doesn't start, of course) [Danny Williams,Beckerman, Kljestan, B. Davis]
FW: Johannason, E. Johnson, Boyd (maybe only two to have more mid-field/ back options; though all three could play Dempsey's role and we could move Dempsey more to Donovan's role or something)

I probably missed a few.

What are you're guys ideas?
 
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Cackalacky

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I like your starting XI and I think it will all depend on the opponent and if all of those are available for WC moving forward.

Beasley, is a clear cut starter. I don't like it (I actually hate it) but his form has been significantly improved since EVER, and it is his spot to lose. Klinnsman loves him there and he brings significant WC experience.

Unless he gets hurt, Jermaine Jones is a clear cut starter as well. I agree he is a head case but he is an enforcer which we need if Bradley is going to be the pacemaker. He tends to get caught forward too much and they do have to work on that.

Beasler and Gonzales will likely be the Cbs, though I really like Cameron and Gonzales together. Those are two imposing Cbs. I like Cameron at RB now too as that is what he is playing most with Stoke. Limited attacking options with him out-wide though. Evans can get up an down the sideline though he gets beat A LOT.

B team:
Diskerud, Zusi, F. Johnson, EJ, Johanssen, Cameron, Goodson, Evans, Brooks, Shea, Klesjstan (sp?), Guzan,
 
RuntheBall

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Cackalacky said:
I like your starting XI and I think it will all depend on the opponent and if all of those are available for WC moving forward.

Beasley, is a clear cut starter. I don't like it (I actually hate it) but his form has been significantly improved since EVER, and it is his spot to lose. Klinnsman loves him there and he brings significant WC experience.

Unless he gets hurt, Jermaine Jones is a clear cut starter as well. I agree he is a head case but he is an enforcer which we need if Bradley is going to be the pacemaker. He tends to get caught forward too much and they do have to work on that.

Beasler and Gonzales will likely be the Cbs, though I really like Cameron and Gonzales together. Those are two imposing Cbs. I like Cameron at RB now too as that is what he is playing most with Stoke. Limited attacking options with him out-wide though. Evans can get up an down the sideline though he gets beat A LOT.

B team:
Diskerud, Zusi, F. Johnson, EJ, Johanssen, Cameron, Goodson, Evans, Brooks, Shea, Klesjstan (sp?), Guzan,
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I still see Cameron as a DM I guess. He has said that is his preferred position [both club and national], so I'd have liked to see him there again in a friendly to see how it works out.

But you are probably right on Jones and Beasley. Jones does bring something, but is really frustrating to me in the build up and transition game. He seems to be magically missing every time we give up a goal. Plus having Cameron and Bradley in the DM, two distributers and guys who have nice balls (....), seems redundant. I think they are the two most skillful players though.

Beasley gets beat too much IMO, though he does bring some experience to the back-line which is much needed.


Do you have any ideas on what we will/ should do up top? Altidore needs someone to play with IMO and I don't like seeing Dempsey up there, though he probably will be.
 
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RuntheBall said:
I still see Cameron as a DM I guess. He has said that is his preferred position [both club and national], so I'd have liked to see him there again in a friendly to see how it works out.

But you are probably right on Jones and Beasley. Jones does bring something, but is really frustrating to me in the build up and transition game. He seems to be magically missing every time we give up a goal. Plus having Cameron and Bradley in the DM, two distributers and guys who have nice balls (....), seems redundant. I think they are the two most skillful players though.

Beasley gets beat too much IMO, though he does bring some experience to the back-line which is much needed.


Do you have any ideas on what we will/ should do up top? Altidore needs someone to play with IMO and I don't like seeing Dempsey up there, though he probably will be.
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I don't think we need another forward per SE with Altidore but he has to get help. I think with with good wide play and runs up the middle into the box that can be achieved tactically with Dempsey and Donovan.

Personally I like a 4-1-3-1-1:

Howard
Cameron. Gonzales Besler. Beasley
Bradley
Donovan. Jones. Johnson (F or E)
Dempsey (Zusi)
Altidore
This lineup can easily become numerous formations or are tactically interchangeable.
 
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notredomer23

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GK Howard
RB Cameron
CB Besler
CB Gonzalez
LB Johnson/Beasley
CDM: Jones
DM: Bradley
LM: Donovan
CAM: Johannsson/Dempsey
RM: Dempsey/Zusi
ST: Altidore
 
gkIrish

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Shout out to my Greek squad for making their 3rd World Cup. Will only be the second time the U.S. and Greece are both in the World Cup so I really want to go. But I have no money :(
 
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notredomer23

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Cackalacky said:
I don't think we need another forward per SE with Altidore but he has to get help. I think with with good wide play and runs up the middle into the box that can be achieved tactically with Dempsey and Donovan.

Personally I like a 4-1-3-1-1:

Howard
Cameron. Gonzales Besler. Beasley
Bradley
Donovan. Jones. Johnson (F or E)
Dempsey (Zusi)
Altidore
This lineup can easily become numerous formations or are tactically interchangeable.
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Fabian over Eddy please. Eddie, Brek Shea, and Graham Zusi I think will be the 3 main subs come the World Cup.
 
GowerND11

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sparkyND said:
Anyone watching the Arsenal vs. Everton game today?
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I did. Everton is a very tough squad. Really would love to be 7 points clear, but I'll take 5. Giroud was SO close to hitting the game winning shot, just off the woodwork. Shouldn't have allowed the equalizer, but it happens.
 
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