11/23/24
October 11, 2009
US Books Spot in World Cup with 3-2 Win in Honduras: In a World Cup match only available for (legal) viewing on closed-circuit television, the U.S. defeated Honduras 3-2 with Conor Casey's first two goals for the squad and Landon Donovan's free kick. The match would have been tied by a late penalty kick, but Honduran striker Carlos Pavon missed the goal.
Seems like this place will stream too.
I had a big, er, discussion on the NY Times Goal blog the other day about this but to summarize, I blame the US Soccer leadership. They should have done what was necessary, including using influence through CONCACAF to avoid this second straight TV debacle.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:05 PM on October 10, 2009
So sad. USA qualifies with 3-2 win. Mexico also goes to with 4-1 victory.
posted by jjzucal at 12:05 AM on October 11, 2009
That was a strange match. The U.S. faced more bullets than Butch and Sundance and somehow left with a win. Conor Casey picked the right time to start scoring.
On to South Africa!
posted by rcade at 12:59 AM on October 11, 2009
Whew. Got nervous there for a second. I knew there was a thread about the lack of TV coverage but thankfully I see it was absorbed by this thread. I'm drunk, but I didn't think I was that drunk.
The MSG viewing was fantastic. My friends in tricorn hats were getting strange looks from a guy in full Ace Frehley makeup (KISS was playing the arena tonight). Decent amount of Honduran fans there, but everything remained civil. Except of course for the lone Mexico fan who decided to start shit with a member of our group. I'm just glad I can enjoy the game in DC on Wednesday without worrying about us qualifying.
posted by goddam at 01:58 AM on October 11, 2009
I saw some highlights on Sky Sports (simulcast on Fox Soccer Channel). It seems the Hondurans missed a penalty late in the match which would have drawn the match.
posted by jjzucal at 03:02 AM on October 11, 2009
It seems the Hondurans missed a penalty late in the match which would have drawn the match.
Not only did Pavon miss the PK, he missed a sitter a couple minutes later.
posted by goddam at 03:20 AM on October 11, 2009
Not that it was seriously in doubt, but I'm happy to safely avoid the play-in with South America. Honduras or Costa Rica is going to have to face Argentina (if they don't get a result at Uruguay Wednesday) or Uruguay to get into the field of 32. Ouside of that, the US has struggled in World Cups in Europe but has typically advanced in World Cups off of European soil--including each of the last two--so here's to hoping that we do well in South Africa!
posted by bender at 10:34 AM on October 12, 2009
Yeah, this blows. I'll be heading to the MSG viewing. I would usually head down to Nevada Smiths but with all the other qualifiers going on the place will be a zoo, and there's no guarantee you can even get in the door.