**Official USMNT Soccer Thread**

I don't think the game against Costa Rica really proved anything or shed any light on this team aside from a few good individual performances (specifically with DeMarcus Beasley & Brad Guzan).

I'm not confident in Omar Gonzalez back there. I was hoping to see how he looked against Costa Rica but that wasn't a good game to judge being as though the snow acted like a natural defense. He looked horrible against Honduras. He was out of position most of the match & wasn't aware of where he was supposed to be. It's only going to be that much harder against the attack Chicharito & Mexico can & will bring.

Edit - FIFA rejected Costa Rica's protest & the game stands (phew).

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...-rica-protest-calling-for-u.s.-replay?cc=5901


FIFA rejects Costa Rica protest

ZURICH -- FIFA has dismissed Costa Rica's protest against losing 1-0 to the United States in a World Cup qualifying match played in a snowstorm because team captain Bryan Ruiz did not complain to the referee during the match.

FIFA says the Costa Rican football association failed to meet the requirements of filing a valid protest of Friday's match in Commerce City, Colo.

In a statement published Tuesday, FIFA refers to a clause in its 2014 World Cup regulations.

It states that when a field becomes unplayable during a match, the protesting team's captain "shall immediately lodge a protest with the referee in the presence of the captain of the opposing team."

FIFA says "therefore, the result of the match played on March 22 stands and is considered as valid."

The Costa Rican federation said Sunday that the "physical integrity" of players and officials was affected, "ball movement became impossible" and field markings were not visible in Friday's match.

Costa Rica soccer federation president Eduardo Li Sanchez said Monday the team sent additional data to FIFA.

"Before the game started we said the conditions were not right for playing, but we had to play because the commissioner and the referee said the conditions were OK to play, so we had to go out," Li told ESPN's Raza Deportiva. "At halftime, we again made a plea. The commissioner went down with us to the pitch to speak with the referee. The game was stopped and we were taken to a crisis room. When we got there, the referee started the match again. Is that fair play?"

U.S. captain Clint Dempsey scored in the 16th minute to lift his team to second place in the six-team CONCACAF region qualifying group after two matches. Costa Rica is last.

The top three teams qualify directly for the tournament in Brazil, and the fourth-place team faces New Zealand in a playoff.

During Friday's game, plows and shovels were used to clear the penalty areas, center circle and midfield stripe as snow got heavier, and a yellow-and-purple ball was used.

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto urged the referee to suspend the game, but U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a case for playing on because both teams faced the same conditions.
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I figured FIFA would deny the Costa Rica protest...apparently Clint said their captain didn't officially request anything with him present so they didn't even go through the proper channels regardless...but moving onto tonight, damn I cannot wait for this game!!

I think Mexico is gonna come out hard first 20 mins or so and as long as we stay disciplined and can hold them off then we should be in good shape....and remember those fans are CRAZY down there but they will turn on El Tri if they don't get us with 1 goal probably before the half, and if we can come back and can nab one off the counter then all bets are off. Sounds like Sacha will replace Jermaine and that may be the only change to the starting 11, so if thats the case then we may be more willing to attack then we have down there in the past.

I'm optimistic that we can at least pull a draw out of this one....obviously we're likely to lose but getting at least a point (or hell if we get a W then :wow:) would be good for us
 
leaving out of there with at least one point..i know that for sure.

USA 2-1
 
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I'm not feeling confidant... then again I'm usually pretty pessimistic when it comes to our play 
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LyonBC1 said:
I think Mexico is gonna come out hard first 20 mins or so and as long as we stay disciplined and can hold them off then we should be in good shape....and remember those fans are CRAZY down there but they will turn on El Tri if they don't get us with 1 goal probably before the half, and if we can come back and can nab one off the counter then all bets are off.
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Like that 2-0 lead in the Gold Cup?

Like that Charlie Davies goal on the counter during last WCQ?
 
I'm looking for big games from Jozy, DeMarcus, & Herculez... Duece will ball regardless... Afraid of what Omar is going to do or rather what he won't do against Chicha & the Mexican attack...
 
Nervous as f***. Hope for atleast 1 and a hondurus lost. That would be good. Really difficult to play in azteca.
 
ERACISM said:
LyonBC1 said:
I think Mexico is gonna come out hard first 20 mins or so and as long as we stay disciplined and can hold them off then we should be in good shape....and remember those fans are CRAZY down there but they will turn on El Tri if they don't get us with 1 goal probably before the half, and if we can come back and can nab one off the counter then all bets are off.
Click to expand...

Like that 2-0 lead in the Gold Cup?

Like that Charlie Davies goal on the counter during last WCQ?
Click to expand...

:lol: cmon bro you know very well the Mexican fans turn very quickly on them if they are not doing well, thats not even debatable....especially with them having only 2 points from 2 games already. The national team players have to request the fans to stick with them the full 90... Chepo even pleaded with them to not boo mercilessly at the US anthem.

But Besler with the start in Azteca in only his 2nd cap :wow: sink or swim I guess.
 
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i like the optimism...just wish i shared it :lol:

i haven't seen anything to think we're coming out winning the game outright. hopefully im wrong.
 
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