United States friendlies vs Scotland and Österreich

[carolinablue232]

There can really only be two at the very most, since the CONCACAF/AFC pot is quite poor besides the US and [on form] Mexico

Japan and South Korea are always tricky.

 

[carolinablue232]

I think you'll find a lot of the traditional euro powers won't be much cop, tbh.

When compared to the US, they still have the talent advantage though. Seeing Omar Gonzalez up against Van Persie or Ronaldo would make me cry.

 

[Brownie]

It's pretty even I'd say, probably with USA edging it in the fourth.

 

[Allezfan]

There can really only be two at the very most, since the CONCACAF/AFC pot is quite poor besides the US and [on form] Mexico

Not confirmed this is the way they'll do it.

But if the groups are.

a) Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland
b) Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Honduras, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea
c) Chile, Ecuador, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, France
d) Netherlands, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia

I think there's reasons to be optimistic. You could get Algeria, Greece and Switzerland, for instance.

 

[ijjysmith]

Algeria will snot USA in some sort of violent revenge.

 

[Allezfan]

Would be boss if they were some proper groups of death, though. Like Spain, Japan, Chile and Netherlands as well as Brazil, USA, France and Portugal and Germany, Mexico, Ghana and Italy.

And England get Iran, Cameroon and Switzerland.

 

[TX Bill]

Those two matches were poor by our standards.

That said, I'm confident we can do better. The question is will we?

 

[carolinablue232]

Those two matches were poor by our standards.

That said, I'm confident we can do better. The question is will we?

Missing half our squad. I'm not worried about it.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Be interested to see how the US do in Brazil, tbh.

Mexico's self destruction means it's hard to tell just how good they actually are.

Dempsey and Donovan are probably at their last world cup, too and are as good a players as the US has ever produced. You would hope they'd have one last hoorah left in them.

I've got hope burning within, but reason tells me I need the next 7 months to prep for the colossal letdown we're about to face. The sad truth is this team has 4 of the greatest Americans ever* and it will be the last world cup for 3 of them.

*I meant to write the four greatest Americans, and although that may be hyperbole by some small stretch, it's not far off

 

[Hellerad]

Don't forget Stoke also has Maurice Edu rotting on its bench.

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea, Juan Agudelo (arriving in January).

Stokemerica.

 

[pfim]

Don't forget Stoke also has Maurice Edu rotting on its bench.

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea, Juan Agudelo (arriving in January).

Stokemerica.

Agudelo won't be getting a work permit...probably for the best.

 

[Garrick]

Don't forget Stoke also has Maurice Edu rotting on its bench.

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea, Juan Agudelo (arriving in January).

Stokemerica.

Edu was out on loan last year, but he's not this year. Go to hell, Stoke. I'd rather all three of those just go back to MLS than sit on that bench with that crappy club.

Agudelo's permit was, in fact, denied. Seems to be one of the first victims of a more xenophobic FA.

 

[Hellerad]

Agudelo won't be getting a work permit...probably for the best.

Wow. I had not heard that yet. Work has been nuts so I haven't been checking my usual footy blogs.

 

[Hellerad]

Edu was out on loan last year, but he's not this year. Go to hell, Stoke. I'd rather all three of those just go back to MLS than sit on that bench with that crappy club.

Agudelo's permit was, in fact, denied. Seems to be one of the first victims of a more xenophobic FA.

Blessing in disguise. I would hate Agudelo at Stoke more than Altidore at Sunderland. Hopefully Agudelo will spend a couple of seasons in the Netherlands or Portugal. I think his play style and mentality would shine in Portugal and it would give him a couple of years to develop before he qualifies for a permit.