04/16/24
September 11, 2013
Dos a Cero, Again: The US Men's National Team beat Mexico 2-0 for the fourth time in a row in Columbus last night and, with Honduras getting a draw against Panama, became one of five teams to qualify for the World Cup Finals next summer. With the loss, Mexico assured themselves of a tough road simply to qualify.
Joining the US in Brazil will be Argentina, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and Italy, while Jordan won a playoff to, well, playoff against the fifth place team from South America. Fomer USMNT coach Bob Bradley's Egypt side finished their AFC group stage a perfect 6-0 with a 4-2 over Guinea.
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 10:38 AM - 10 comments
We were giving the ball up way too easy in the middle of the field, but put together some great scoring chances when we got deep. The pass that led to the Donovan goal was sublime.
I love how we put this game in Columbus to prevent it from being dominated by Mexico's fans. This kind of thing is why I married an Ohio native.
posted by rcade at 12:27 PM on September 11, 2013
I'm telling myself the lack of Bradley is the entire reason the connection between back and front lines looked so bad in the first half. Not a bad result without Bradley or Altidore. Seems like we have this cup thing pretty much sewn up.
posted by yerfatma at 01:21 PM on September 11, 2013
Attending the game last night, I was impressed at just how well the pro-USA crowd was achieved. There really was very little green either in the stadium or in the tailgating lots. Clearly this game could be played in a much larger stadium, but kudos for making a real home field advantage such a priority.
posted by bender at 01:38 PM on September 11, 2013
Beg Ohio State to get Ohio Stadium. If it didn't sell out 100K, it would be very close.
posted by jjzucal at 07:59 PM on September 11, 2013
became one of five teams to qualify for the World Cup Finals next summer
Ahem. You mean five more teams.
posted by owlhouse at 10:27 PM on September 11, 2013
Of course an actual home crowd is preferable, but those big US stadiums packed with hostile fans have a silver lining. In Houston or LA the players get the experience of playing before an away crowd, but US soccer gets most of the proceeds.
That said, when it matters most, like for a WC qualifier, I'd definitely take Columbus.
posted by Hugh Janus at 10:53 PM on September 11, 2013
Owlie, you're correct. Left off the word more in my excitement. Looking forward to thrashing your boys in the group stage ;)
posted by billsaysthis at 10:21 AM on September 12, 2013
Attending the game last night, I was impressed at just how well the pro-USA crowd was achieved. There really was very little green either in the stadium or in the tailgating lots.
A lot less green than there was 4 years ago. It helped that the USSF expanded the designated supporters sections.
Beg Ohio State to get Ohio Stadium. If it didn't sell out 100K, it would be very close.
I think this particular matchup benefits from the intimacy of the stadium. It's sounds weird, but I'm not sure you can achieve the same energy at a larger venue in the Columbus area. I think it might get diluted.
Anyway, here are some videos and pics for you to enjoy. Or not enjoy. I don't care. I'm still coming down off of the high from Tuesday.
We Don't Need Seattle (see here and here for some context)
posted by goddam at 10:31 AM on September 13, 2013
I especially like this pic for the children walking men to their doom effect.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:51 AM on September 13, 2013
I think Dempsey missed that penalty at the end purposefully just to keep the scoreline.
Overall, outstanding result, but not a great game. U.S. conceded the ball way too easily -- a sharper and more incisive side could have really blown the lid off of that game. Obviously missing Bradley hurt significantly, as did missing some of the others. Also, Mexico dominated the opening 20 or so minutes, and could have been a much different game had they managed to convert that dominance into a goal and put the U.S. in a position where it had to press. Lots to work on between now and next summer, but for now the team should celebrate a job well done in qualifying.