...till the US starts the journey that they hope ultimately ends in Germany. That's right, World Cup qualification starts in earnest tomorrow afternoon with CONCACAF's Final round starting on the road in Trinidad and Tobago.

Bruce Arena has long said his strategy is to draw on the road and win at home. Ordinarily, I would agree but with the second game being on the road against Mexico (almost a certain loss), 1 point against Trinidad will put the US behind early and put a lot of pressure on the home games. Can a team which hasn't seen had any friendlies (say what you will about them but they at least allow for practice time) and very little in the way of training (thanks for that USSF) go into hostile territory (game is day after Carnivale ends so the island will still be jumping) against a respectable team and claim a point let alone three? I don't know but if either is going to happen, the European based players who are fit are going to have to do the business (that means you Landon, Damarcus, Carlos, Kasey, Brian etc.)

For those who aren't working, game will be live on ESPN2 at 2:30 CDT and ussoccer.com will have matchtracker going as always.
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"The French have only negative things to say about everything and everyone,” he snorted. "They are arrogant and selfish and always need people to tell them they are the best."

-Frenchman and former soccer player for both France and Manchester United, Eric Cantona

[This message has been edited by Dre_00 (edited 2/8/2005 10:43a).]

Is Mexico a "sure" loss?

I would say that we have great chance at getting a point from the mexico game and we should win in T&T. We are at a level where we can begin to expect things from our National Soccer team instead of hoping for them.

I think we will have 4 points after two games. I will be okay with two, if we have 1 or none I will be dissapointed.

The U.S. hasn't beaten Mexico in Mexico...ever. Hell, if I remember correctly, Mexico hasn't lost to anyone (inlcuding Brazil in the Gold Cup a few years ago) in the Azteca in decades. Granted the US has improved dramatically but when you factor 1) 120,000 fans throwing batteries and bags of urine at you 2)you're playing at a high altitude you're not use to 3)you have never beaten them there and I think have only pulled off a few draws....well it's not a sure loss but a victory would be even bigger than the one over Portugal IMO.

Personally, I think 3 points from the first two games would be great but there are elements in the mix which could make that difficult.

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"The French have only negative things to say about everything and everyone,” he snorted. "They are arrogant and selfish and always need people to tell them they are the best."

-Frenchman and former soccer player for both France and Manchester United, Eric Cantona

I am aware of our track record in Mexico but I feel like we have a chance. This team keeps coming up big when it needs to. That is why I give us a more than sporting chance to come away from Azteca with a point.