USA Given Draw of Death On All Fronts

November 22nd, 2008 | by: Carter Daly |

The draws for both the Hexagonal of World Cup Qualifying and the 2009 edition of the Confederations Cup in South Africa have been released. Here is the verdict:

WCQ:

Feb. 11 Mexico Home
March 28 El Salvador Away
April 1 Trinidad & Tobago Home
June 3 Costa Rica Away
June 6 Honduras Home
Aug. 12 Mexico Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador Home
Sep. 9 Trinidad & Tobago Away
Oct. 10 Honduras Away
Oct. 14 Costa Rica Home

Confederations Cup:

Group:

USA
Italy
Brazil
Egypt

So, in addition to having to play an underachieving, all be it good, Mexican side, we draw a group that includes arguably the two best National teams of all time and the reigning African champion. That’s fair.

Oh, and the other group for the Confederations Cup is comprised of host South Africa, Iraq, Spain, and New Zealand. Once again, no shenanigans here for the host right?

On the bright side, many of us always ask for the increased level of competition for our boys, and there it is. A 2006 World Cup rematch against Italy should be fun, especially with Benedict Rossi donning the Azzuri colors.

As for the Hexagonal, it is what it is. Every away game will be tough, and besides Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica could provide the particularly tricky challenges for our boys, if there are to be any. Bob has the boys rolling now, and don’t expect it to stop.

Discuss all related draws of death here.

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Pseudinho

Bring it on! I wanted to see USA-Iraq, but getting to play Italy, Brazil, then Egypt will be a good test for us. In a way you can say we lucked out with the Hex draw, because Vela and Torrado will be suspended for the first qualifying game in the Hex. Will be without the services of Pablo Mastroeni. Advantage U.S.
Bra

If the USA hasn’t qualified by the end September 5th, those away games @ T&T and Honduras could be trouble.. but I think they should have things wrapped up by then (especially since the Hex is a group in which HALF of the teams progress automatically).

My prediction: USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, TNT, El Salvador.

El Salvador will definitely be the whipping boys of his Hex. And the US-Mexico difference will be wider than just 3 points.
Alex

Honduras will once agian be the “sexy pick” of the group, at least to get an auto qualoiifer. The US and Mexico spots are almost assured, although Mexico got a tough break having to face the US first with all the problems theyve been having. THe sleeper pick has to be Costa Rica. Thye won their group but the opposition leaves us with nothing to judge on. El Salvador should be interesting, but not in a good way. TNT beat our youngans but still, I dont see them makin it out.

USA Mexico Honduras Costa Rica Trinidad Salvador.

That pick seemed a bit too easy, but oh well

I’m fine with the Conferations Cup draw. It will really show us where the US team is at.