US - Guatemala World Cup Qualifier thread (spoilers sure to happen)

[nickgutierrez]

The game is on right now, on ESPN2. The US has gone back to a 4-4-2, after the failed single striker experiment vs. Mexico.

Is anybody else watching?

[pnutchuck]

1. No, I'm in Paris and watched France vs Israel

it ended in a draw.

[nickgutierrez]

2. France is in some serious trouble, aren't they?

A draw vs. Israel? Was the game in France?

[pnutchuck]

3. It was in Israel and France lost a player about 15 min

into the game because he head butted another player after the Israeli player fouled him. Plus, the French goal keeper made a statement before going that he was scared of terrorists in Israel. So, everytime the French got near the Isreli goal keeper, the crowd blew whistles.

[Crankie Avalon]

21. Trezeguet was sent off in the second half...

..a few minutes after he had scored the opening goal: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=154870&cc=5901

[Crankie Avalon]

22. They're not the same team without Zidane...

...and they don't have any replacement for him, either. Even once Henry comes back from his injury, they seem a pretty ordinary team at this point.

[Tweed]

18. France is in trouble

With just two wins, over Cyprus and the Faroe Islands I might add, two draws against Israel and home draws against Ireland and Switzerland, it will be interesting to see who pulls away in Group Four.

I'd say Ireland is the favorite. They have draws with Israel, Switzerland, and France but they were all away games. Ireland plays great at home and will be tough to beat by all three of those teams. Cyprus and Faroe Islands don't stand a chance of course.

[southlandshari]

4. GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!

USA 1, Guatemala 0!!!

Oh yeah, I'm watching ESPN2, and my lucky-ass husband has a fantastic boss who decided to buy them both tickets today and they took off like little boys on a wild adventure this afternoon (we live a couple of hours from Birmingham).

[nickgutierrez]

5. Eddie Johnson looks incredibly dangerous right now.

Every time the ball gets into the area, it seems like he's right around it. The goal was absolutely perfect too, a nice, calm, smooth finish. He turns 21 tomorrow, they said. Just judging from his play, I would have thought he was a lot older.

[southlandshari]

13. Only 20?

I'm even more impressed. I haven't followed the US team that closely since the 2002 World Cup, I'm afraid. I have a lot to learn in a short amount of time. I am so glad this is on TV tonight.

I called my husband's cell after that goal; he answered, but the stadium noise was deafening. Wish I was there!

[salib]

6. But England has failed to score so far

That is the one I am also watching.

[nickgutierrez]

7. Who are they playing? n/t

[salib]

8. Azerbaijan

[salib]

9. It's on FSW

[nickgutierrez]

10. I wish I had FSW. n/t

[salib]

11. Just got satellite, so it is new to me

[salib]

12. Occurs to me that the England game is NOT live

They win 2-0.

[nickgutierrez]

14. Half time, 1-0 US.

Eddie Johnson the loan goalscorer.

The US looks in control of this match, scoring the goal and having a number of chances to tack on a second. They eventually need to convert one of the chances, I think, but they do look to be pretty strong right now.

[salib]

15. I agree

And yes, they need to convert so that they are not wasting all those opportunities.

[southlandshari]

16. I agree, too!

The score could easily be 3-0 or 4-0 by now - I'm not faulting the US team for not scoring more in the first half, just saying they look so strong and have created so many openings for a goal that, at this point, those cheering for Guatemala should be happy with the score as it is!

[southlandshari]

17. And again!!

I'm assuming it is ok to discuss goals in this thread since you posted the spoiler warning, right?!

USA 2, Guatemala 0!

As I said in another thread, it is damn nice to be able to feel some national pride about something after the last few years and our current administration. I'm not a big nationalists anyway, being married to a Palestinian, and a believer that God is not a US citizen, despite the majority belief to the contrary these days!

Anyway, this is so refreshing. I have not felt like cheering for anything American for a while now. This reminds me of the innocence of youth - may the best team win!

[nickgutierrez]

19. Full time, US wins 2-0

Impressive performance - the scoreline understated the US performance, really. There were a lot of wasted chances, and a goal taken back after a shaky offsides call. This could have been 3 or 4-0, and neither of those results would have been overly flattering for the US.

[Il_Coniglietto]

20. Darn.

I was semi-rooting for Guatemala (where my family's from). Ah well. Best of luck to the US.