South Africa, Here We Come!!!

...that's right, the US is headed to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after Saturday night's 3-2 win in Honduras!

Normally, SoccerJunkie would break down the game at this point...but---in the biggest travesty US Soccer has seen a in long, long time---soccer fans nationwide were left to find a local bar that was able to bring in a feed of the game after Honduras sold the TV rights to a company that only broadcasts in closed-circuit. The result of all that...no US network (ESPN, Fox Soccer Channel, Telemundo, or Galavision) was able to obtain a feed that it could broadcast, and most US soccer fans had to wait for the result on Twitter, USSoccer.com, or other online sources. Can something be done so that this can be avoided in the future? SoccerJunkie sure hopes so!

Looking forward, the US rounds out qualifying against Costa Rica on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C. ---and SoccerJunkie will be there, in the Land of the Bouncing Stands, taking it in live (so be sure to check back for analysis after the game!).

Despite having qualified for South Africa, this match still carries plenty of meaning for the US, and even more for Costa Rica. A United States win guarantees that the Yanks win the CONCACAF hexagonal, and (while gaining a top seed is very unlikely) finish with a higher seed than rival Mexico---an important step towards avoiding the Group of Death in 1st-round draw. During the draw for that 1st round---the Group Stage---the 32 teams that qualify are placed in 4 pots of 8 teams each---Pot #1 includes the 8 "seeded" teams---including host South Africa, who's automatically drawn into Group A; while Pot #2 includes the highest seed from any confederation not included in Pot 1 (this will almost certainly include CONCACAF, AFC (Asia), and OFC (Oceania, which will be represented by New Zealand IF they advance through their 2-leg playoff with Bahrain...they tied the 1st leg 0-0 on Saturday, the 2nd leg will be played next month), with the remaining places going to UEFA teams not in Pot 1); Pots #3 & 4 include the remaining teams, with higher seeded teams in Pot 3, lowest seeded teams in Pot 4. A Costa Rica victory guarantees them an automatic berth in South Africa, while a loss or draw would leave them scoreboard watching---Honduras (who travels to 5th-placed El Salvador) sits 2 points back, but has a 5-goal lead over Costa Rica in goal differential. In short, a Costa Rica loss or tie, paired with a Honduras win, means the Ticos will face the 5th-placed CONEMBOL (South America) team in a playoff for a spot in South Africa, while Honduras would earn the automatic berth. The remaining match in CONCACAF (Mexico @ Trinidad & Tobago) has little meaning, as Mexico has clinched a berth and Trinidad has been eliminated. A Mexico win, with a US loss, would allow Mexico to win the final hexagonal and make for an interesting seeding process.
A quick look at the CONCACAF standing heading into the last match:
Country Record Points Goal Differential
USA 6-2-1 19 +6
Mexico 6-3-0 18 +6
Costa Rica 5-4-0 15 0
Honduras 4-4-1 13 +5
El Salvador 2-5-2 8 -5
Trinidad 1-6-2 5 -12

-----------------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere in qualifying, as we head into the final day of matches (with the exception of playoffs)...

Europe has barely begun to sort things out. The Netherlands, England, Spain, Germany, Denmark and Serbia are all assured automatic berths at this point, while Switzerland and Slovakia currently lead their groups and are assured of at least a 2nd-place finish and a playoff spot (the top 8 2nd-place finishers (out of 9 groups) advance to the 2-leg playoff to determine the final 4 UEFA berths). Ireland, France, Bosnia and Russia are all guaranteed of a 2nd-place finish and playoff spot. The rest, though, is up for grabs...here's a quick look at each group:
Group 1
Denmark is through with 21 points, while Portugal (16 points, vs Malta (1 point)) is in a battle for their playoff lives with Sweden (15 points, vs Albania (7 points)) and Hungary (13 points, at Denmark (21 points)). Going in to the final day, 7 groups have clinched playoff spots (meaning whoever finishes 2nd will have enough points to make the playoffs)...the two groups battling for the last remaining playoff spot? Groups 1 and 9.
Group 2
Switzerland leads the group with 20 points, and is assured of at least a playoff spot heading into their home match vs. Israel (15 points, 3rd place). Only 2nd-place Greece (17 points) can catch Switzerland, as they host Luxembourg (5 points)---but they would miss the playoffs altogether with a loss and an Israel win over Switzerland or a loss, a Swiss win, and a Latvia (14 points) win at home over Moldova (3 points). Wayyy too many scenarios to really detail here, just have to wait and see...
Group 3
Slovakia leads on 19 points, and, like Switzerland, is assured of at least a playoff spot as they travel to Poland (11 points). Of the 3 teams who are still alive for a playoff spot---Slovenia (17 points, at San Marino (0 points)), Czech Republic (15 points), and Northern Ireland (14 points)---only Slovenia can still finish ahead of Slovakia. Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic will meet at the Sparta Stadium in Prague.
Group 4
All decided here---Germany has won the group, Russia will advance to the playoffs.
Group 5
Same here as the previous group---Spain will play in South Africa, Bosnia will await the playoff draw.
Group 6
England has clinched qualification, while the playoff spot is down to just two teams---Ukraine (18 points, at Andorra (0 points)) and Croatia (17 points, at Kazakhstan (6 points)).
Group 7
Serbia has advanced, France has clinched a playoff spot.
Group 8
Italy will get a chance to defend their World Cup trophy, while Ireland has booked a playoff spot.
Group 9
No games to play, as this is the group that has only 5 teams. The Netherlands will advance, while Norway has finished second. This group is most likely to miss the playoffs, as a win by either Portugal or Sweden would likely have them finish ahead of Norway and in the playoffs.

-----------------------------------------------------------

There's still plenty to play for in South America, as well. Brazil, Paraguay and Chile have clinched qualification, while the 4th-place automatic berth and 5th-place playoff spot (against 4th-place from CONCACAF) are wide open. Powerhouse Argentina currently sit 4th on 25 points, but face a match away to Uruguay, who are only 1 point behind (24 points). To potentially complicate things even more, Ecuador (who will play at Chile) are sitting on 23 points, though they'd have a large goal differential to make up against both Argentina and Uruguay. Venezuela (21 points) are still in contention for a playoff spot, though they face an uphill battle, playing in Brazil.

-----------------------------------------------------------

On a short MLS note, after picking up a shutout this weekend, Chivas USA 'keeper Zach Thornton is now only one shutout away from equaling Brad Guzan's single-season club shutout record of 13. Both of the 'keeper over at Chivas, by the way, are Red Bulls cast-offs, with Thornton being backed up by Jon Conway---which is kind of ironic, as Thornton backed up Conway for a large portion of last season in NY. Good to see Big Zach back in net and back on his game.

And speaking of the Red Bulls...prior to signing as Portsmouth's Director of Football, former Chelsea manager Avram Grant met with the Red Bulls about taking over a dual Director of Football/head coach position. Grant was apparently very interested, but, with the Red Bulls dragging their feet, decided to take the opportunity offered in the Premiership. Another miss for the Red Bulls, though you have to wonder if Grant would be a good fit for the team---his background with the American game is minimal. At this point, only time will tell what direction the Red Bulls go, but with a new stadium set to open, whatever move they make better be a good one...

-----------------------------------------------------------

Finally, thanks to the BBC, some fantastical quotes---and even more fantastical chants---from the last weekend of action in England (yes, it's a little late)...

"Well, he just can't stop scoring!" Ken Bates on the arrival of striker Lucianno Becchio's baby daughter.

"We had three French officials and a French manager of one of the teams. I don't think the referee was biased but a goal was offside." Olympiakos manager Zico after Arshavin's goal in the Champions League, which he didn't think was biased at all!

"There's a terrific atmosphere here (at Fiorentina), they always have passionate crowds in France." Chris Waddle gets his countries mixed up during Fiorentina-Liverpool.

"On another day, they both would have scored today." Graeme Souness on Sky after Chelsea v Liverpool. I'm sure it made sense in his head!

It may be golf, but it’s still good…
"I cannot be in three places at one time - I can manage two, but not three." Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie backs himself to defy the laws of physics at Celtic Manor.

BBC reporter: "People are going to ask me to ask you - are you going to stay on?"
Roy Keane: "I refuse to answer that question."
BBC reporter: "We'll take that as a yes, then?"
Roy Keane:"Take it whatever way you want." Keano being interviewed following Ipswich's 3-1 defeat at Barnsley. If looks could kill....

"You have to expect that from Tim Cahill, he's got the ability to do the completely unexpected." Commentator on The Quay radio station during the first half of Pompey's 1-0 loss to Everton.

"Man United may only get three or four chances against you, but they can end up scoring three, four, even five from them." Clark Carlisle on MOTD2.



And for the chants...

"We're not pointless anymore!" Southampton fans after beating Gillingham 4-1 to get their points tally into positive figures.

"We don't need no health and safety,We don't need no ground control,We're just here to support the Boro....Hey, stewards, leave our fans alone!" To the tune of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, sung at Boro-Reading as fans at the front were told to sit down.

"You've been hit by, you've been struck by... Lee Cattermole." Sunderland fans at Old Trafford to the tune of Smooth Criminal.

"Yeaaaaaaah..... And Bent is on fire!" More from Sunderland fans (to the tune of Sex Is On Fire by Kings of Leon).

"We want six!" Wolves fans at Old Trafford when the board went up showing three minutes added-time.



And just for kicks, a great banner...

"I'm only here because the ticket was free." Spotted at Home Park during Plymouth v Nottingham Forest. I could also see this banner hanging at Giants Stadium on the 24th---the Red Bulls last game of the season....anyone? Anyone?



Be sure to check back later in the week for the lastest on Wednesday's matches, as well as pictures and video from USA/Costa Rica---if you're going, SoccerJunkie will see you at RFK!