[PVTree]

Something like 99% of my sports fandom is devoted to cheering on El Tree. But every once in a while I get to revisit my very first team and cheer for El Tri. Despite not looking very dangerous, México has won its group and advanced to the knockout rounds. ¡Viva México!

Mexico has secured playing at El Estadio Azteca, where they only have 2 losses in their history, in the next 2 rounds (32 and 16) if they win. That would put them in the quarterfinals. 

Current odds show that they are most likely to face Scotland and then England in these 2 rounds. Scotland can be beaten, but England will be very difficult to defeat.

Coach Aguirre is relying on having a strong defense, trying to create some danger from a scoring-challenged front line, and taking advantage of their opponent's mistakes.

He appears to be set on his backline and frontline lineups, but is still trying to discover the best midline combination. Personally, I like Lira as the defensive midfielder, Mora (youngest player at the world cup), and a player that counters the opponent's strength. 

I thought this would be Bryan Gutierrez but he's had a few moments of nervousness. It could be Romo when a second defensive midfielder is needed, but can also go on the attack as he did against SKorea. It could be Chavez when you need long distance shots to break a packed in defense. 

So far, I'm enjoying this world cup very much, being able to watch many games, and seeing many of the superstars show up as expected. 

The US played a terrific first game against a decent team. That bodes well for them. Their injured players are getting healthy so that's a positive. If Pulesic is injured and his level drops, that would be a big negative.

Arriba México Ca--........ni--jos!!!

[PVTree]

Something like 99% of my sports fandom is devoted to cheering on El Tree. But every once in a while I get to revisit my very first team and cheer for El Tri. Despite not looking very dangerous, México has won its group and advanced to the knockout rounds. ¡Viva México!

Mexico has secured playing at El Estadio Azteca, where they only have 2 losses in their history, in the next 2 rounds (32 and 16) if they win. That would put them in the quarterfinals. 

Current odds show that they are most likely to face Scotland and then England in these 2 rounds. Scotland can be beaten, but England will be very difficult to defeat.

Coach Aguirre is relying on having a strong defense, trying to create some danger from a scoring-challenged front line, and taking advantage of their opponent's mistakes.

He appears to be set on his backline and frontline lineups, but is still trying to discover the best midline combination. Personally, I like Lira as the defensive midfielder, Mora (youngest player at the world cup), and a player that counters the opponent's strength. 

I thought this would be Bryan Gutierrez but he's had a few moments of nervousness. It could be Romo when a second defensive midfielder is needed, but can also go on the attack as he did against SKorea. It could be Chavez when you need long distance shots to break a packed in defense. 

So far, I'm enjoying this world cup very much, being able to watch many games, and seeing many of the superstars show up as expected. 

The US played a terrific first game against a decent team. That bodes well for them. Their injured players are getting healthy so that's a positive. If Pulesic is injured and his level drops, that would be a big negative.

Arriba México Ca--........ni--jos!!!

[SkiBum80]

With USA's win today over Australia, it is the first time in 96 years that USA have won their first 2 games in a World Cup.
With the physical chippy play especially of the 2nd half today, I make this comment with apologies to Rodney Dangerfield:
I went to a soccer match today and a rugby game broke out.

[SkiBum80]

With USA's win today over Australia, it is the first time in 96 years that USA have won their first 2 games in a World Cup.
With the physical chippy play especially of the 2nd half today, I make this comment with apologies to Rodney Dangerfield:
I went to a soccer match today and a rugby game broke out.

[jacket3ree]

I look out my office window at Levi's. Pretty steady stream of fans walking over there now and Turkish drums are beating below me. The US has clinched Group D, so they are at Levi's on July 1. That might rival Beyonce's concert for parking lot madness. We're one of the Blue Lots.

I've really enjoyed this. Daughter and her kids are in town and we were grilling up some chicken the other night. Every time I went inside for something, Messi scored.  Last night's Mexico-Korea tilt was awesome. Mexico won their Group with a clutch save in overage. Really spectacular.

Gumby in Goal

[jacket3ree]

I look out my office window at Levi's. Pretty steady stream of fans walking over there now and Turkish drums are beating below me. The US has clinched Group D, so they are at Levi's on July 1. That might rival Beyonce's concert for parking lot madness. We're one of the Blue Lots.

I've really enjoyed this. Daughter and her kids are in town and we were grilling up some chicken the other night. Every time I went inside for something, Messi scored.  Last night's Mexico-Korea tilt was awesome. Mexico won their Group with a clutch save in overage. Really spectacular.

Gumby in Goal

[SkiBum80]

I look out my office window at Levi's. Pretty steady stream of fans walking over there now and Turkish drums are beating below me. The US has clinched Group D, so they are at Levi's on July 1. That might rival Beyonce's concert for parking lot madness. We're one of the Blue Lots.

I've really enjoyed this. Daughter and her kids are in town and we were grilling up some chicken the other night. Every time I went inside for something, Messi scored.  Last night's Mexico-Korea tilt was awesome. Mexico won their Group with a clutch save in overage. Really spectacular.

Gumby in Goal

Nice report.
Technically the USA has clinched a spot in the knockout round.
But TBD which spot exactly, as they have not yet clinched as winner of group D, depending on todays Turkey vs Paraguay, and then possibly USA vs Turkey next week.

[SkiBum80]

I look out my office window at Levi's. Pretty steady stream of fans walking over there now and Turkish drums are beating below me. The US has clinched Group D, so they are at Levi's on July 1. That might rival Beyonce's concert for parking lot madness. We're one of the Blue Lots.

I've really enjoyed this. Daughter and her kids are in town and we were grilling up some chicken the other night. Every time I went inside for something, Messi scored.  Last night's Mexico-Korea tilt was awesome. Mexico won their Group with a clutch save in overage. Really spectacular.

Gumby in Goal

Nice report.
Technically the USA has clinched a spot in the knockout round.
But TBD which spot exactly, as they have not yet clinched as winner of group D, depending on todays Turkey vs Paraguay, and then possibly USA vs Turkey next week.

[jacket3ree]

Think you are right. Have to stop asking AI questions. I have to beat correctness out of it. There are scenarios where Turkiye beats Paraguay and the U.S. by enough goals to win the group. If Paraguay wins tonight, then the U.S. wins Group D no matter what.

[jacket3ree]

Think you are right. Have to stop asking AI questions. I have to beat correctness out of it. There are scenarios where Turkiye beats Paraguay and the U.S. by enough goals to win the group. If Paraguay wins tonight, then the U.S. wins Group D no matter what.

[BostonCard]

Think you are right. Have to stop asking AI questions. I have to beat correctness out of it. There are scenarios where Turkiye beats Paraguay and the U.S. by enough goals to win the group. If Paraguay wins tonight, then the U.S. wins Group D no matter what.

First tiebreaker is head to head, so if Türkiye wins tonight and beats the US, it will win the group by virtue of the head to head win.  But also, there is a possibility that Türkiye will beat Paraguay and the US, and Australia will beat Paraguay, creating a three way tie between the US, Türkiye, and Australia, with each team going 1-1 against the other two, in which case goal differential comes into play.  Though every unlikely given the US has a +5 goal differential, it is theoretically possible that the US would finish *Third*.

BC

[BostonCard]

Think you are right. Have to stop asking AI questions. I have to beat correctness out of it. There are scenarios where Turkiye beats Paraguay and the U.S. by enough goals to win the group. If Paraguay wins tonight, then the U.S. wins Group D no matter what.

First tiebreaker is head to head, so if Türkiye wins tonight and beats the US, it will win the group by virtue of the head to head win.  But also, there is a possibility that Türkiye will beat Paraguay and the US, and Australia will beat Paraguay, creating a three way tie between the US, Türkiye, and Australia, with each team going 1-1 against the other two, in which case goal differential comes into play.  Though every unlikely given the US has a +5 goal differential, it is theoretically possible that the US would finish *Third*.

BC

[BostonCard]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

[BostonCard]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

[rogpodge]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

[rogpodge]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

[Hieronymus]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

Turkiye has played like they have molasses on their shoes. Slow foot speed, slow play and no motion on offense. Will be interesting to see if the US heavily rotates beyond the YC recipients and does Türkiye finally show something or just phones it in.

[Hieronymus]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

Turkiye has played like they have molasses on their shoes. Slow foot speed, slow play and no motion on offense. Will be interesting to see if the US heavily rotates beyond the YC recipients and does Türkiye finally show something or just phones it in.

[BostonCard]

That Curaçauan goalie was something else today against Ecuador.  Something like 27 shots, 15 on goal, and he wound up with a clean sheet.

BC

[BostonCard]

That Curaçauan goalie was something else today against Ecuador.  Something like 27 shots, 15 on goal, and he wound up with a clean sheet.

BC

[Mick]

The USA men's team likely plays the winner of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FIFA #64 in the world rankings) vs. Qatar (#57) on July 1. One of those two teams will be the third-place finisher in Group B. Technically, we could play the third place finisher in Groups B, E, F, I, or J according to the SF Chronicle. Next most likely the third-place finisher in Group J, then Group I, then Group E, then Group F. But most likely the winner of B-H v. Qatar.

And if the U.S. wins that Round of 32 game, its likely Round of 16 path is against the winner of Group G’s winner vs. another third-place team—with Belgium (#10, tied by #28 Egypt) the obvious big-name threat if they win Group G. Sports Illustrated also frames Belgium as the likeliest Group G winner in that next-stage path.

[Mick]

The USA men's team likely plays the winner of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FIFA #64 in the world rankings) vs. Qatar (#57) on July 1. One of those two teams will be the third-place finisher in Group B. Technically, we could play the third place finisher in Groups B, E, F, I, or J according to the SF Chronicle. Next most likely the third-place finisher in Group J, then Group I, then Group E, then Group F. But most likely the winner of B-H v. Qatar.

And if the U.S. wins that Round of 32 game, its likely Round of 16 path is against the winner of Group G’s winner vs. another third-place team—with Belgium (#10, tied by #28 Egypt) the obvious big-name threat if they win Group G. Sports Illustrated also frames Belgium as the likeliest Group G winner in that next-stage path.

[Nobadeer]

Just another day at the office for Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, I think they combined for 6 goals today!

Per the above posts, Team USA seems to have a decent path to the quarterfinals/ elite 8 or whatever the WC terminology is. BIH/Qatar are pretty weak and Belgium has underperformed, couldn't even beat either Egypt or Iran. If the US makes it to the quarterfinals, the defense and Harvard alum goalie could then be severely tested by any one of the likely remaining teams.

[Nobadeer]

Just another day at the office for Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, I think they combined for 6 goals today!

Per the above posts, Team USA seems to have a decent path to the quarterfinals/ elite 8 or whatever the WC terminology is. BIH/Qatar are pretty weak and Belgium has underperformed, couldn't even beat either Egypt or Iran. If the US makes it to the quarterfinals, the defense and Harvard alum goalie could then be severely tested by any one of the likely remaining teams.

[Nobadeer]

Ronaldo and Portugal - the Empire strikes back. Plenty of great goal scorers all over the WC so far. Doing their best Jasmine Aikey impersonations :--)

England held scoreless.

[Nobadeer]

Ronaldo and Portugal - the Empire strikes back. Plenty of great goal scorers all over the WC so far. Doing their best Jasmine Aikey impersonations :--)

England held scoreless.

[Canalejas]

For the first time ever, México have won all 3 group games!!  

Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.


The USMNT can do the same tomorrow!

[Canalejas]

For the first time ever, México have won all 3 group games!!  

Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.


The USMNT can do the same tomorrow!

[PVTree]

For the first time ever, México have won all 3 group games!!  

Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.


The USMNT can do the same tomorrow!

With South Korea's loss, the odds that Mexico faces the third place team between Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde greatly increased. 

Before that, Scotland was the expected (and preferred) opponent.

[PVTree]

For the first time ever, México have won all 3 group games!!  

Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.


The USMNT can do the same tomorrow!

With South Korea's loss, the odds that Mexico faces the third place team between Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde greatly increased. 

Before that, Scotland was the expected (and preferred) opponent.

[TonyLima]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

Turkiye has played like they have molasses on their shoes. Slow foot speed, slow play and no motion on offense. Will be interesting to see if the US heavily rotates beyond the YC recipients and does Türkiye finally show something or just phones it in.

I blame Recip Tayyip Erdoğan.

[TonyLima]

Moot point as Paraguay beat Türkiye.  US wins the group.

BC

Gotta hand it to Paraguay, great defending in the second half. Went to 10 men when their No. 10 covered his mouth, drawing a straight red. Outshot 33-6, but kept the clean sheet. Turkey was a hip dark horse, and is now flaming out of the group stage.

Turkiye has played like they have molasses on their shoes. Slow foot speed, slow play and no motion on offense. Will be interesting to see if the US heavily rotates beyond the YC recipients and does Türkiye finally show something or just phones it in.

I blame Recip Tayyip Erdoğan.

[jacket3ree]

So they phoned in a win with ten seconds left. Pretty riveting game and we now know why Pulisic is not a defender. 

We did our biannual cleanup of San Tomas Aquino Creek from Tasman to Montague this morning. A little more trash than usual (lots of Super Bowl detritus) and I found a carton of cigs with Arabic writing, so something a little different. 

It has been fun hanging out with fans from all over in our parking lot. The Turks dancing on the tops of their cars might be the best and I also liked the Paraguayans and Austrians I met. Plus anyone from Australia is an instant party. After today's cleanup we had sandos in the conference room and watched the fightin' Dembeles and Norway. How ever far the US gets, I don't see any way on these green and brown earth they could ever beat France. Dembele was like a traffic report. Goals on the eights. Loved the French fan with a Route 66 patch.

There are still fans wandering around Santa Clara. Someone on the creek trail with an obviously European accent asked us why they didn't have a Rumba that would clean the creek. The working joke was that had Japan played at the Stadium Formerly and Soon Enough Known as Levi's, we'd be out of a job.

[jacket3ree]

So they phoned in a win with ten seconds left. Pretty riveting game and we now know why Pulisic is not a defender. 

We did our biannual cleanup of San Tomas Aquino Creek from Tasman to Montague this morning. A little more trash than usual (lots of Super Bowl detritus) and I found a carton of cigs with Arabic writing, so something a little different. 

It has been fun hanging out with fans from all over in our parking lot. The Turks dancing on the tops of their cars might be the best and I also liked the Paraguayans and Austrians I met. Plus anyone from Australia is an instant party. After today's cleanup we had sandos in the conference room and watched the fightin' Dembeles and Norway. How ever far the US gets, I don't see any way on these green and brown earth they could ever beat France. Dembele was like a traffic report. Goals on the eights. Loved the French fan with a Route 66 patch.

There are still fans wandering around Santa Clara. Someone on the creek trail with an obviously European accent asked us why they didn't have a Rumba that would clean the creek. The working joke was that had Japan played at the Stadium Formerly and Soon Enough Known as Levi's, we'd be out of a job.

[SkiBum80]

So they phoned in a win with ten seconds left. Pretty riveting game and we now know why Pulisic is not a defender. 

We did our biannual cleanup of San Tomas Aquino Creek from Tasman to Montague this morning. A little more trash than usual (lots of Super Bowl detritus) and I found a carton of cigs with Arabic writing, so something a little different. 

It has been fun hanging out with fans from all over in our parking lot. The Turks dancing on the tops of their cars might be the best and I also liked the Paraguayans and Austrians I met. Plus anyone from Australia is an instant party. After today's cleanup we had sandos in the conference room and watched the fightin' Dembeles and Norway. How ever far the US gets, I don't see any way on these green and brown earth they could ever beat France. Dembele was like a traffic report. Goals on the eights. Loved the French fan with a Route 66 patch.

There are still fans wandering around Santa Clara. Someone on the creek trail with an obviously European accent asked us why they didn't have a Rumba that would clean the creek. The working joke was that had Japan played at the Stadium Formerly and Soon Enough Known as Levi's, we'd be out of a job.

I imagine you're gonna be mobbed on Weds there with the USA facing Bosnia. 
USA "should" win that game, notwithstanding any lack of defending by Pulisic. 
But "should" is part of "shoulda coulda woulda" so I will be eagerly hopeful to see the on-paper winner actually become the on-pitch winner. 
Before that, the Tues game of France v Sweden to be held in the formerly, and later-to-be, known as Met Life stadium, in likely very hot conditions. Not sure if or how might affect game outcome.

[SkiBum80]

So they phoned in a win with ten seconds left. Pretty riveting game and we now know why Pulisic is not a defender. 

We did our biannual cleanup of San Tomas Aquino Creek from Tasman to Montague this morning. A little more trash than usual (lots of Super Bowl detritus) and I found a carton of cigs with Arabic writing, so something a little different. 

It has been fun hanging out with fans from all over in our parking lot. The Turks dancing on the tops of their cars might be the best and I also liked the Paraguayans and Austrians I met. Plus anyone from Australia is an instant party. After today's cleanup we had sandos in the conference room and watched the fightin' Dembeles and Norway. How ever far the US gets, I don't see any way on these green and brown earth they could ever beat France. Dembele was like a traffic report. Goals on the eights. Loved the French fan with a Route 66 patch.

There are still fans wandering around Santa Clara. Someone on the creek trail with an obviously European accent asked us why they didn't have a Rumba that would clean the creek. The working joke was that had Japan played at the Stadium Formerly and Soon Enough Known as Levi's, we'd be out of a job.

I imagine you're gonna be mobbed on Weds there with the USA facing Bosnia. 
USA "should" win that game, notwithstanding any lack of defending by Pulisic. 
But "should" is part of "shoulda coulda woulda" so I will be eagerly hopeful to see the on-paper winner actually become the on-pitch winner. 
Before that, the Tues game of France v Sweden to be held in the formerly, and later-to-be, known as Met Life stadium, in likely very hot conditions. Not sure if or how might affect game outcome.

[PVTree]

3 terrific games today. All close games decided in the last minute or penalty kicks.

I'm looking forward to 2 more games like this tomorrow, and one runaway game (Mexico).

[PVTree]

3 terrific games today. All close games decided in the last minute or penalty kicks.

I'm looking forward to 2 more games like this tomorrow, and one runaway game (Mexico).

[BostonCard]

Feel bad for Japan, who led, gave up the equalizer, and then lost it in stoppage time.  The other games were pretty good, and who doesn’t love plucky Paraguay taking it to Germany, but I have never liked deciding matches on penalty kicks.  Tough way for the Germans and Dutch to go.

BC

[BostonCard]

Feel bad for Japan, who led, gave up the equalizer, and then lost it in stoppage time.  The other games were pretty good, and who doesn’t love plucky Paraguay taking it to Germany, but I have never liked deciding matches on penalty kicks.  Tough way for the Germans and Dutch to go.

BC