We’re Still Alive

Unlike Yellow Ledbetter, you can understand the words to that song...

You’ll have to take my word on Bushman, because he’s on another cross-country jaunt on the government’s dime (no word if it was in one of those clunkers they’re buying), but I’m still kicking. Fresh back from a week at the beach, just in time for the biggest game of the century for the Men’s National Team. Hey, if every fight in the 1990’s that involved Tyson was the Fight of the Century, then why doesn’t it work for this one?

Ok, enough hyperbole. This is a big one, but much more from Mexico’s side. And I think that’s where the U.S. has a distinct advantage. The Yanks can play loose knowing a loss does them no real harm in the grand scheme of things, aka qualifying, but taking points from Mexico hurts El Tri’s cause.

A blog on ESPN’s Insider points out that no team with fewer than 15 points has failed to qualify from the Hex. The Yanks should do that with home games against El Salvador and Costa Rica (already on 12, will be through by the October game at RFK) in addition to the likelihood of grabbing at least a point in Port of Spain.

Mexico, though, currently have just six points and could be in fifth come Thursday morning should El Salvador win away to Trinidad & Tobago. Not likely, but they very well could be three points behind Honduras in the guaranteed third spot should Los Catrachos beat visiting Costa Rica combined with a draw at Azteca. Looking ahead, Mexico’s next match takes them to Costa Rica and that horrible turf in Estadio Saprissa. Of course they could manage to take the last nine possible points from hosting Honduras and El Salvador before heading to T&T on the final day, but they certainly wouldn’t want to leave things to chance for the final match day, especially since the Trinis just added Bobby Zamora and Jlloyd Samuel to their national team.

Of course I’m going to go into this one expecting a loss, kind of like any time the Terps travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium, so that way I’m mentally prepared for the worst. However, I really think Bob Bradley’s crew can manage a draw. I’m not his biggest supporter, but as I’ve said in the past he’s at his best in these single qualification games. Add to that the incentive from the group that played in the Confederations Cup who watched the Gold Cup final thousands of miles away and it’s a great scenario for the U.S.

The key for me will be to avoid conceding an early goal in both halves, a job the Yanks have failed numerous times in the past six months. If they can do that, and set up Donovan and Davies in the counter, things can be good. I hope Jozy gets the start up front to trouble Mexico’s back line with pace, but I have a feeling Ching will get the nod as he typically does. Even so, with Donovan, Davies, and Dempsey -- Triple D as a new nickname? -- there will be pace and of course Michael Bradley is great at sliding forward in a trailing role to finish plays.

So, for a prediction, let’s go 1-1. And in that case, it’ll be the Bears who are winning (RIP John Hughes).

Other stuff

- D.C. United again looked good against an international foe this past weekend. Until the second half started, that is. The relative depth (like the Mariana trench versus a kiddie pool) was evident, as was the lack of pace for United defenders. The temperature didn’t help either with United in their Johnny Cash colors clashing nicely with Los Blancos. But now things get rough for D.C. with another late season schedule congestion. The single game U.S. Open Cup final isn’t a huge deal, but I don’t understand why they couldn’t have played another midweek game or two in June or July, or even back in April, to relieve the schedule a wee bit. Their depth is certainly better than last year, but I’d be surprised to see them get out of the Champions League group, instead focusing on the playoffs. After all, they win trophies.

- Speaking of teams that win a trophy, how bad are New York? You have to feel bad for Juan Pablo Angel, one of the best pure strikers MLS has seen, who can’t get service to save his life. You have to wonder if they are kicking themselves for firing Bruce Arena after just 18 months when he has gone to Los Angeles, arguably a worse situation, and turned that team into a playoff team. Now, another offseason blow up is looming and they’ll need a big name to have on the bench for the opening of their new stadium. Of course that’s not the way to go, unless they could somehow convince Bob Bradley to come back after the World Cup is done. It’s kinda sad that the prospects for Philly next year are better than for the Red Bulls and they don’t have any players yet.

I’ll probably be back later in the week with a look back at the USA-Mexico game. And maybe a look at the EPL that kicks off this weekend. Gotta love the return of justification for waking up and drinking well before noon!

- Pat Walsh