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Team Soccer: USA begins its World Cup quest in the most violent city on earth 21 hours ago
The road to the World Cup begins in earnest for the United States on Wednesday in an environment that, at least on paper, could scarcely be more hostile.
According to the U.S. State Department and reports from humanitarian groups, San Pedro Sula, the second biggest city in Honduras, is the most violent place on earth. The conclusion is derived from data that shows a homicide rate of 159 deaths per 100,000 citizens, with widespread thievery, drug-related violence and social unrest rife just four years removed from a bloody military coup.
Such a setting is a simple reality for the USA, for whom the good fortune of being in a relatively weak section of soccer’s global map brings an enhanced chance of reaching the World Cup in Brazil next year, yet also a series of tourist trials along the way.
Teams in the CONCACAF region that encompasses North and Central America and the Caribbean are no strangers to various forms of perfectly authorized skullduggery, plus annoyances such as erratic refereeing and less than pristine playing conditions. For example, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s players will know that their road games will be patronized by crowds fully prepared to hurl verbal hostility, often in venues and at kickoff times designed to provide maximum discomfort for the visitors.
Wednesday’s clash has been switched to mid-afternoon local time to ensure the temperature is at its highest, an advantage for the Honduran locals, with most of the Americans plying their trade in the chillier climes of Europe.
A presidentially decreed national day will ensure a packed crowd clad in Honduras’ light-blue colors, interspersed with a tiny pocket of hardy and loyal USA supporters.
The road has to start somewhere, though, and despite San Pedro Sula's nefarious reputation, things won’t get any easier as the U.S.'s campaign progresses throughout this year.
Predictions (finishing order): 1. Mexico: The class team in the region and reigning Olympic champion. Having seemingly conquered its previous habit of nagging inconsistency, Mexico is not just looking to cruise through this phase but make deep inroads at the World Cup itself. 2. United States: Should have little trouble qualifying, but mixed results under Klinsmann has split opinion on this team's true potential. Home form should be enough to comfortably clinch a spot in Brazil, but some early results on the road would ease any jitters. 3. Honduras: Could give the Americans a tough time and will like their chances of reaching a second straight World Cup. Not packed with skill but not afraid to grind out a result either and will be a force to be reckoned with at home. 4. Jamaica: Fourth place does not guarantee a trip to Brazil, merely a do-or-die playoff (likely against New Zealand). Such an outcome is a valid goal for the Reggae Boyz, who finally have a team capable of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1998. 5. Panama: Patches of talent but probably not strong enough to put together a serious bid for a top-three finish, though capable of an upset on their day. 6. Costa Rica: A sorry shadow of its former position as one of the best teams in the region. Qualification cannot be discounted, but a poor start and a meek capitulation looks more likely on recent evidence. By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory! | |
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I used the "sad" emoticon on this thread because, as many of you know, my family is from Honduras.
In fact, when I was 5 years old I lived down there...in San Pedro Sula in fact...for 2 years.
I have very fond memories of the place, but my mom doesn't want me to go visit anytime soon, not until the gang crime problem eases up.
As for the actual soccer match...
I don't know enough about each team to pick a favorite.
But if the temperature advantage is as strong as it could be (it can get HOT) then I predict this;
By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory! | |
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Sorry to hear that things are bad down in Honduras. That's never a nice way to remember "home".
I feel a similar kind of sadness sometimes, when I get wind of what's happened to the once booing areas where I had my childhood in the States. My dad says between the severe economic depression and everyone fleeing from the crime, some of our cities have become like ghost towns.
As for the soccer part of this: unfortunately, our men's soccer team is woefully bad | |
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. Ironically, our women's soccer team is among the top 3 on planet earth. They are made of all kinds of awesome, and their level of professionalism and sportsmanship both on-field and off have made these ladies into international superstars who the football world is infatuated with. Watching a US men's match will give you a migraine. Watch the US girls, and suddenly you find yourself getting soccer fever and jumping up and down in front of the tv like a maniac.
By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory! | |
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World Cup 2014: Defenseless U.S. loses 2-1 in Honduras
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — Wednesday was a national holiday in Honduras, and the beleaguered country's national team gave its soccer-loving citizens ample reason to celebrate.
With energy and confidence, Honduras put the visiting U.S. national team under pressure from the opening minutes of the year's first World Cup qualifier and emerged with a well-deserved 2-1 victory.
Looking aheadHonduras held on without too much trouble to win its fourth game in 19 all-time showdowns with the U.S. The visitors, meanwhile, were set to fly back to Miami later Wednesday, their qualification campaign in question.
Never before has the U.S. failed to earn at least a point in its Hexagonal opener (3-0-1) and the road won't get easier in March. Costa Rica, the newly crowned Central American champion, will visit Dick's Sporting Goods Park outside Denver on March 22. Then the U.S. will play at the formidable Estadio Azteca in Mexico City four days later.
Klinsmann promised that he’ll address the mistakes made on Wednesday and that “we have to make sure the next coming game we collect the points we need to qualify for Brazil. Which we will do.”
Bradley, meanwhile, preached patience. “We all hope and are optimistic that at the end of it there's going to be a World Cup to play. All these moments along the way are situations where the team grows,” Bradley said. “The bottom line is that this is a long road. There’s ups, there’s downs, there’s tough away games and there’s home games where you need your points. So we’ll continue to keep a strong mentality and believe that in the end that we have the team and the mentality that’s going to get us through.” The U.S. will need that strong mentality, because it certainly will head into next month’s games lacking momentum. Margins are thin in World Cup qualifying and the Americans now have little room for error with nine matches still to play.
Full story HERE By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory! | |
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Picture from my cousin
As you can see, the stadium was PACKED.
Most businesses closed for the day.
Man...can you imagine businesses here closing for the Superbowl of the World Series???
By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory! | |
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That's only several times worse than Oakland! Is that really the worst in the world? My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
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