USA / Mexico Reliant Stadium 2/6/08

Napoleon,
It has a great deal to do with the match if any of the players on either team are devout Christians (Esp. Catholics). Mardi Gras, literally Fat Tuesday, is a day in which you are to eat calorie rich foods as Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of fasting. Therefore, if there are any observant Catholics on either team (I would assume a good chance on the Mexican national team) then they wouldn't have eaten anything for the day. So I think that would have a great deal to do with the game.
 
I don't know any Catholics who actually "fast." They just eat fish or pasta instead of beef or chicken. My wife is as observant as they come, but not eating for a day would be a new one. Some players may have ashes on their foreheads, but they won't be starving.
 
Well, now you have met someone who does fast. I'm not Catholic though. I would assume it would also apply to any Anglican players that we might have on our side. (or others since I'm not Anglican either.)
 
Here's the US roster. It looks good for the most part, although I was surprised to see no cherundulo, spector or bornstein on the back line...

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK)

the link
 
I'm pretty sure religion takes a back seat (if not in the trunk) to the money and prestige of playing for the national team.

Every year there are NFL games on Sunday. There are NBA games on Christmas. There are NCAA games or MLB games on Easter. The same goes for soccer around the world. (Except for maybe muslim stuff in muslim countries.)

But this is probably something for Quacks or the West Mall.

Basically, Ash Wednesday will have absolutely no effect/affect/uhffect on this game.
hookem.gif


But I'd like to see a USA victory. Maybe 2-0...
wink.gif
 
61 - I went to the first US/Mexico game at Reliant back in '03 or '04. It was without a doubt the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced, including Texas/OU, NCAA tournament, and the NFL Playoffs. The intensity is off the charts. Enjoy.
 
Hoping and praying for an Altidore/Dempsey pairing up top:

The selection of defenders on the roster is very curious. I think Cherundolo is injured, but who the hell are we going to play at right back? Drew Moor? Left back isn't much better either, as Heath Pearce is fine for the Scandinavian B teams, but not sure if he's ready for the big boys.


---------------Howard------------------
Moor-------Gooch------Bocanegra-------Pearce
Donovan------Bradley-----Edu----------Davis
-------------Dempsey-----Altidore----------

Adu for Davis 70'

Playing Donovan on the wing best utilizes his high work rate, speed, desire to track back and defend, and decent crossing ability. He performs better if he's not required to be the focus of the attack, and he can still run onto long balls and beat defenders one-on-one.

I could also see Eddie Robinson and Ramon Corrales getting the start. Both looked good against Sweden, with Corrales getting in some good crosses and Robinson scoring a pretty good goal.
 
i leave Austin at 12 today and i am feeling very American...

got my red, white and blue on... camo shorts, a headband, huge American flag, and some raybans (knockoffs)...

let's do this damn thing...

i also had mcdonalds for breakfast. can't more American than that.
 
Our defenders in this one, as a group, don't give me a lot of confidence. I think we give up a couple today, call it 2-2. Should be fun to watch.
 
The US stands a much better chance of equalizing if Mexico goes ahead than the other way 'round. The US has always been mentally stronger, and the only way I see that changing is if Mexico can overcome a deficit.

What excites me about this game is all the incredible young talent that will be on display for both sides. I also like the fact that both teams are scheduling very formidable friendlies in the coming months: US will play at Polska and in Spain, while Mexico goes to Portugal and is in negotiation to play England this june in Chicago (they won't have anything better to do). It can only help them because we all know that unless FIFA changes the system (they won't), the groups they draw in South Africa will be the toughest-- especially if they are in the same pot as the asian teams.

As far as predictions, I smell a 1-1, with both keepers making sure it stays that way.
 
I want a USA win and for Landon's mother to be kept safe from the murdering Mexican players.
 
Let me get this straight. Landon urinating on the field is bad, but Mexican fans throwing bags of urine at US players on the same field is okay?
 
Someone give Bob Bradley a Kevlar helmet. Looks like a General the way he stands there stoically on the side line.
 
It is also okay for Mexican players to say they will murder Landon's mom and that they will find where she lives. Nice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top