warrior16
Data Expert
Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
Posts: 2,169
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Post by warrior16 on Oct 1, 2015 23:21:37 GMT -6
US got off to a good start tonight in the CONCACAF U23 Olympic Qualification Tournament with a 3-1 win over Canada. Jordan Morris scored twice, and Luis Gil added a PK in stoppage time. Next game is against Cuba next week as the US presses onward in our attempt to qualify for Rio 2016.
Canada's goal came off an excellent flick from a corner kick, although having a man defending the back post easily would have cleared it, so hopefully they fix that for the next game.
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warrior16
Data Expert
Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
Posts: 2,169
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Post by warrior16 on Oct 3, 2015 21:20:59 GMT -6
USA clinches a semifinal berth win a 6-1 win over Cuba, as five different American players scored. Center backs Matt Miazga and Cameron Carter-Vickers (who is only 17, by the way) both scored, along with Emerson Hyndman (who is 19), Alonso Hernandez, and brace from Jerome Kiesewetter. Cuba's goal came from a long shot in second half stoppage time. US is pretty much guaranteed first place in the group, but we have one more match against Panama in a few days.
Still, we're already off to a much better start then last cycle, when we embarrassingly failed to qualify for London 2012.
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warrior16
Data Expert
Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
Posts: 2,169
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Post by warrior16 on Oct 6, 2015 22:32:56 GMT -6
After a scoreless first half, the USA came alive in the second half and cruised to a 4-0 win over Panama to win all three group stage games for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympic cycle. With first place in the group already secured, the US played several backups today and still managed a comfortable win. Jerome Keisewetter, Jordan Morris, and Luis Gil all scored once again, along with an own goal from Panama.
Saturday will be a huge day for US Soccer, as the U23s will take on either Mexico or Honduras (most likely Honduras) in the semifinals in the afternoon, and of course, at night the senior USMNT takes on Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup. If the U23s lose on Saturday, they will have to play the other semifinal loser in a third place game, and then beat a South American team in a playoff in order to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. If they win on Saturday, qualification is secured, and they will have the opportunity to win the whole tournament next Tuesday night.
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warrior16
Data Expert
Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
Posts: 2,169
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Post by warrior16 on Oct 7, 2015 22:19:11 GMT -6
As predicted, the US will play Honduras at 2pm CT on Saturday afternoon for a chance at guaranteed Olympic qualification. We will be heavy favorites, but still should not take anyone lightly.
Mexico scraped out a 2-1 win against Honduras tonight to win the group, but it wasn't very convincing. I think their back line might really struggle against our speedy forwards. Hopefully we get the chance to beat them.
Mexico will play Canada in the other semifinal.
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Post by TacoTuesday on Oct 8, 2015 19:02:31 GMT -6
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warrior16
Data Expert
Michael Stein - Volunteer Assitant
Posts: 2,169
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Post by warrior16 on Oct 10, 2015 18:00:30 GMT -6
Despite being heavy favorites, the US fall 2-0 to Honduras and we now have to beat Canada again and win a playoff against Colombia to qualify for the Olympics.
How much longer will we tolerate losing to third-world countries like Honduras, Jamaica, and El Salvador? That shouldn't be happening at any level.
The ODP program can only be considered a massive failure at this point, at least for the men. It's sole purpose is to identify and develop talent for the Olympic team, and it looks like we're well on our way to not qualifying again.
If the senior team loses tonight, that will only seal the deal in my mind that Klinsmann and his entire staff should be cleaned out. It isn't working. We're no better off than we were under Bradley or Arena. Almost none of his grandiose promises have come to pass. None of our teams at any level can possess the ball. It's just not good enough.
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