World Cup Qualifying

[FWHORN]

Lost in Longhorn football and the baseball playoffs has been the last two match days for the third round of CONCACAF qualifying (first round USA has been involved in). The USA was in a world of hurt after 3 matches tied for second in the group, but back to back wins over Jamaica at home and Antigua on the road have the Americans poised to advance so long as they get any result on Tuesday in Kansas City against Guatemala.

Eddie Johnson was hero Friday here in Caribbean as he got two goals including one at the gun in injury time of the second half to get the crucial win. He was a controversial pick over Altidore but came up huge.

Klinsmann has not shown that he understands the strange path through CONCACAF with small stadiums and terrible playing surfaces evening out any speed or talent advantages the USA would normally have. But a win or draw Tuesday and it is on to the Hexagonal and hopefully some lessons learned.

 

[ViperHorn]

Tough without Donovan and Shea, but one would hope the remainder can get by Guatemala.

 

[Bill in Sinton]

Our UT soccer team has only lost one conference game and beat Kansas Sunday.

 

[ViperHorn]

The loss to unranked sand aggy was disturbing. The score very easily could have been 3 or 4 - 0 instead of 1-0.

 

[FWHORN]

Back to WC qualifying

The USA took care of business at home against Guatemala 3-1 tonight to top its group and advance to the hexagonal. Jamaica also through on goal differential.

Panama and Honduras from Group C advance to hex joining Mexico and most likely Costa Rica from group B.

Mexico and USA are far and away the top two teams of the six but that is no given and the USA's haphazard play in this round does not inspire confidence. Will be an interesting 2013.

Top 3 in the Hex advance to Brazil 2014 with the fourth place team getting a two leg playoff with Oceania.

 

[ViperHorn]

The US will need Donovan back as that stupid yellow that Dempsey picked up at the end of the match could come back to haunt the US.