Sorry for the long break between posts guys. School started up this past week and life has been a bit hectic to say the least. I was really hoping to do another off-topic Wednesday post (I have a list of fun ideas, well fun in my opinion) but I guess I will just suffer through writing about the GIGANTIC USA World Cup Qualifier game here at the RioT.
Currently the US sits in 3rd place in the CONCACAF standings with 10 points. With the top 3 getting the automatic bids and the 4th place having to play in the playoff against the South Africa 5th place team, this game is a MUST WIN for the nats. El Salvador gave us a good match down there, but the late heroics of surfer-dude Frankie Hejduk and Jozy Altidore saved us a point in a 2-2 draw. Coming up to the RioT, the nats can expect a very good, home-favoring crowd that will cheer them to victory.
Starting XI:
Timmy
Dolo Demerit* Boca Spector
Dempsey Bradley Feilhaber Donovan
Jozy Davies
* - Demerit is questionable for this game, which sucks as he is already the replacement (sorta) for Gooch. Either Goodsen or Marshall would take the spot if he is injured.
I don't have much on El Salvador outside of what I have seen from them in a few matches. I know they are a pretty well organized squad that counters quite well (see the first goal they score on us down there). The US will have to be sharp and the first goal is vital if they want to get the 3 points they so desperately need.
In the end, this game has to be the one where the US gets not only a win, but a big one. A 3 or 4 goal win would be huge if this qualifier comes down to goal differential.
Prediction: 4-0 USA
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