Goal.com Previews Honduras

Goal.com has been previewing the teams playing in the CONCACAF Hexagonal in order of expected finish, starting with last and going to first. Here is there third installment and it previews Honduras, who they expect to finish in fourth place. Check out the previous articles profiling T&T and El Salvador here. Although Amado Guevera (#20 above) and Honduras will be looking to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982 (their only finals appearence), I do not think they will be able to overcome the superior talent of Costa Rica, USA, and Mexico to finish in the top three; then again there is always the home and away with the fifth place team from COMMEBOL that could get them in.

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US vs Mexico: Should Be Quite a Trip

When it was announced that the US vs Mexico game on Feb 11th would be played in Columbus, I figured I would have good time watching the game on my couch, drinking a few beers. Then my brother suggested that we go, and reminded me that the game falls on one of my good friends' birthdays. Now I am hyped. If all goes to plan, I will be watching this game in person thanks to cheap flights from Southwest and a cheap hotel room thanks to Holiday Inn. US Soccer put up the video above on their Youtube page as promo for the game. Gotta love the fact they include a few shots of Gooch making Borgetti his bitch. Anyone else plan on making the trip?

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WCQ: El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago

With the Hexagonal getting closer everyday, it's time to take a closer look at the five teams the US will face in the final round of world cup qualifying. Goal.com has begun to preview the teams in the order that they think they will finish, starting with El Salvador in last, and Trinidad & Tobago in fifth. Here is the preview for El Salvador and Elisio Quintanilla (pictured above in blue) and the preview for the Soca Warriors (pictured above in red). Think these are appropriate places for them to finish, or do you think one of these teams will surprise us? I will link the rest of the previews as they appear.

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US to Face Mexico In Columbus

The US Men's Soccer team is heading back to Columbus to face Mexico in their opening game of the Hexagonal on Feb 11th. Although there was speculation that this game might be played in Seattle or at Real Salt Lake's new stadium, it was always going to be Columbus. The last two times that US has faced Mexico in the final round of WCQ, the games have been held in Columbus and the US has prevailed 2-0 on both occassions. What's that? Dos a cero, damn right. Let's hope Tim Howard and the boys can bring some of that magic again, and that Mexico still hates playing in cold weather. Check the video above for footage of the US vs. Mexico game in 2001, courtesy of the guys over at the US MNT blog.

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Dos a Cero, Sound's about right

Sorry for the delay, I took a day to bask in the glory of victory and annual leave. Nice performance put in by the young fellas, emphasized by the poor display by the visiting Guatemalans. Solid defending, two quality goals and some nice confident ball movement. Those who had been calling for Kenny Cooper had to be happy with the result, as he finished well after a quality move and pass from Jozy. With Beasley, Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Edu and Davies available for the Hexagonal, let's see how big Bob does with some tough personnel decisions.

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The Wait is Over

Let's hope the boys have carb-loaded for the game like Michael Phelps, and are hyped for the game despite being through to the next round. I'm picking the US to win 2-1, getting at least one goal from Jozy. Give a prediction. Will the young Americans rise to the occasion, or will a desperate Guatemalan side overcome an inexperienced American side like Trinidad before them? Let me know what you think. Thanks go to the MNT blog for the preview above.

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What's the Point?

So with the US already through to the next round, and most European players along with top MLS players getting a rest, why should you care about the US vs. Guatemala WCQ ( Wed. on ESPNClassic, 8 pm ET)? Here are a few reasons (or a few players) to watch:

1. Freddy Adu - After a couple of strong performances in friendlies against world powers, Spain and Argentina, and a move to Monaco in Ligue 1, Freddy seemed poised to realize his potential and become a regular for the US. Now having struggled in the last qualifier versus T&T and failing to break into the lineup at Monaco, he has another chance to step up and shine against a motivated Guatemalan team.

2. Jozy Altidore - A goal in your first game against Mexico, and a 10 million dollar move to Villareal can certainly raise expectations for you future. But after a lackluster performance in the Olympics, a lack of playing time for the Spanish giants, and a possible loan move on the horizon, Jozy gets another opportunity to show that he is the future at the forward position for the US.

3. Kenny Cooper - Kenny Cooper earned this call up. After getting overlooked for all of the critical qualifiers, and turning down a chance to play against T&T to stay and help his club, we finally get a chance to see the big man don a US jersey once again. Second in MLS with 18 goals scored, Cooper has established himself as one of the most prolific American strikers at the club level. At only 24 years old, lets hope that nose for goal translates to the international level.

4. Cory Gibbs and Conor Casey - Both were once promising young players that were supposed to be future mainstays for the US. Both went through more injuries than you can imagine. Both came back to MLS, and the Colorado Rapids to rejuvenate their careers. Job well done. During their late season push, the Colorado Rapids leaned on Gibbs to steady their inconsistent back line and depended on Casey for the goals. If they can stay clear of the injury bug and continue their resurgence, they can add some quality depth to their positions on the national team.

5. Michael Parkhurst - The 2007 MLS Defender of the Year, and perennial Fair Play award winner (only 9 fouls in a season, really?), has never developed into a mainstay for the senior squad. One of the most dominant defenders in MLS, Parkhurst should get a fair amount of playing time on Wednesday, and another chance to prove that his lack of physical play will not hinder him on the international level. His contract with the Revs is up, and a good performance could increase his stock in the January transfer window.

6. Jonathan Bornstein - Once Bradley's favorite option at left back, Bornstein has been relegated to the background thanks to a series of injuries and Heath Pearce's steady play at the position. But, after overcoming early season injuries and helping Chivas reach the playoffs for the second year in a row, Bornstein gets another shot to assert himself as the premier American left back.

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US Roster for Qualifier Announced

Thanks to the MNT blog for the video announcement of the roster for the upcoming WCQ vs. Guatemala on Wednesday. Nice to see Brad Guzan, Freddy Adu, and Jozy Altidore get called in. Experience playing against a desperate Guatemalan team will be vital for the trio, as playing time has been hard to come by for their respective European teams.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)
DEFENDERS (6): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

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