I'll be watching the Heat/Miami game primarily, but will have to flip back and forth for these games. Costa Rica @ Mexico - both teams have 7 points. If Costa Rica can somehow win, they will be in great shape to qualify for Brazil 2014. Mexico has been mediocre at home in this round. I expect Mexico by +2 GD. Panama @ USA - US needs to win this game and get the 3 points. Doing so would put Panama in a tough spot regarding remaining points, and would make the US a heavy favorite to advance to Brazil 2014. USA wins by a goal.
Yeah, I'm going to be watching a stream since I don't have cable anymore. We'll see if that temporary turf holds up. Not having JJ in the middle is going to suck. He and Bradley looked good together. Best case scenario is a convincing win w/ Altidore continuing his scoring streak and something dynamic happening along the wings (maybe a Fabian Johnson goal). Our outside mid play seems soooooo slow these days w/o Donovan.
Why is Klinnsman blackballing Lando from the team? I know he took a "break" from the game, but he's still the best mid-field player the US has to offer in terms of experience and skill. Evans needs to start at left mid-field, and Dempsey is the key now, though. Hopefully Jozy can continue his great play, as you said. A striker needs to be fed, and he seems to be back on his game. Omar Gonzalez had better not make yet another big mistake, too. He plays fantastic for 85 minutes, but there seems to always be a 5 minute stretch where he gets out of position and gives up a goal.
About Donovan, I'm not really sure. His break coincided with some pretty big qualifiers, so I'm sure that didn't make Klinsman too happy. But you're right, he still is our best offensive midfielder. I'm guessing he plays some in the Gold Cup (or at least the other friendlies this summer if we go young for GC) and then is back in the fold for the rest of the WCQs. We really miss his ability to get it down the field in a hurry. I just wish Landon had the drive that Dempsey does. Who knows how good he'd have been if he stuck it out in Germany or even at Everton years later.
A Mexico win here, and a US win against Panama would help out the US quite a bit if they could work at least a draw @Costa Rica. The point in Azteca for the US was huge.
New heartthrob Brad Evans has been getting burned. Don't we got a lovechild in Deutchland somewhere who can play right back? I'm assuming Chandler is hurt right?
