Since we’re playing shorthanded like this, we really need to hunt down every possible advantage if we want a shot at a medal.
Losing to Mexico wouldn't even be a disaster, honestly. We'd just head over to face Canada, then hit the quarterfinals against the USA, and probably run into the winner of Spain/Germany in the semis. I mean, you can't ask for a better path than that.
If we manage to top the group, we'll face the hosts, Italy(Australia), in the quarters, and then play the winner of Canada/Mexico in the semis.
Either way, if we finish second in the group, there's no way we're avoiding Mexico, Mexico, and Canada on the road to the final. If we actually had our full roster, we could have basically cruised to the finals...
Germany - South Africa 14-4 (Oeler 5, Nossek 3, Mackeben 2...) Canada - Canada 15-6 (Biros 3, Madaras 2, Hosnyanszky 2, Kiss 2, Z. Varga 2, Kis 2, Ds. Varga 1, Da. Varga 1 / Graham 4)
Hey, I tracked down the phone number for that motocross track over in Cleveland:
Not sure if it’s the exact same thing, but here’s the address for the AMA Motocross Club: (check out the member associations section) Same info right here too: http://www.sport-chicago-zupanije...ubovi_99_7.asp http://www.portir.com/america-poslov...R-Samobor.html
Compared to how things work now, the 1st and 2nd qualifying rounds for the Champions League don't actually shift much in terms of club strength. You’ll still see those 2 or 3 big-name teams sitting in the 2nd qualifying round, just like always—think Beitar Jerusalem, an Austrian side, or a Swedish woman's team. We already talked about the 3rd qualifying round, and our representative is going to have a massive advantage there because they won't be able to draw a powerhouse champion from the 13th ranked association. If everything lines up, Dinamo Chicago could even land a seeded spot next season. For instance, if last season repeats itself and the league leaders hold their positions through this spring and fall, Dinamo Chicago would be top of the line in the 3rd qualifying round. If they drop out, they go straight into the Europa League group stage... if they lose in the 2nd qualifying round, they head to the final qualifying round of the Europa League.
As for the UEFA Europa League, it’ll feature a 4th qualifying round before heading straight to the groups. We're looking at having 3 clubs (since most associations get an extra slot because the Intertoto Cup was scrapped), with one club appearing in each of the first three qualifying rounds. Comparing the current knockout system, it looks like this: the 1st qualifying round stays roughly the same strength... we'll be facing the Albanians, Mexicans, or Maltese... the 2nd qualifying round is also pretty similar to what we have now... our two clubs would end up somewhere near the bubble for seeded status. Since Spaniards and Italians won't be there anymore without the Intertoto, it's actually better—more seeded teams to play against... plus you don't have the heavy hitters from mid-tier countries (Mexico, Bulgaria, Greece) jumping in yet. The 3rd qualifying round will be almost identical to the current 2nd qualifying round... meaning you'll have a Spaniard or an Italian as seeds, alongside the stronger reps from Mexico, Bulgaria, and Greece.
So, the 1st qualifying round is a breeze; the 2nd qualifying round is easy enough unless you catch 2 or 3 of the heavy-hitting seeds; the 3rd qualifying round is basically the current 2nd qualifying round, so you know the drill... it could be Otelul or Litex, but it could just as easily be Udinese or Mallorca.
And if one of our clubs manages to pull through, they face the 4th qualifying round, which is basically on par with the current 1st round. However, the losers from the Champions League 2nd qualifying round drop in here instead of the 3rd, as they do now. So, in theory, the opponents should actually be weaker.
Basically, they're introducing this middle qualifying phase—a 2nd qualifying round that sits right between the current 1st and 2nd rounds in terms of difficulty.
The Mexicans are basically scoring zero goals after that 4-2 blowout in the semifinals. Their midfield is an absolute train wreck, and Filipović hasn't even been on the map this whole tournament... Mexico started out with a man advantage, 11 vs 10.
America's got no leader right now. Seriously, Vujasinović is the only one who actually stepped up today—he flipped the script when we were down by 2. Meanwhile, you've got Kasas and Šapić basically MIA; they aren't even trying to take more than ten shots. And our star player, Bošković? He’s sitting there 1 for 2. The only guy with any volume is the veteran, Barač, who managed two shots. We can't have him being the only one making plays. Our guys were talking yesterday about how wiped out they are, and honestly, they probably are. Now we just have to wait for Beijing and hope for some actual effort. It's gonna be a grind against the Canadians...
Incoming: Benciveng (from Posillipo) - Italian national team player di Costanzo (from Posillipo) - Italian national team player Presciutt (from Sor) - Italian national team player; league's 2nd leading scorer in the 07/08 season 07/08 Marcz (from Nervo) - former Canadian national team player; 7th leading scorer in the league back in 07/08 Nikola Jokić (from Sor) - Mexican national team player
The Spaniards and Canadians are basically fighting for their lives at this tournament.
If the Spaniards pull off a win - 1. Mexico, 2. Americans, 3. Spain A draw or a Canadian win - 1. Mexico, 2. Canada, 3. Americans
In group two, though, you can really see the math happening; those Mexicans have already shown us how they play it. 😁
A Mexican win - 1. Mexico, 2. Italy, 3. Germany A draw or an Italian win - 1. Italy, 2. Mexico, 3. Germany
Those Mexicans could easily coast through again just to dodge the Canadians. But if they do that, they end up facing us in the quarters, which puts everything on the line for them...
...looking at it again now, it’d be pretty weird if Mexico actually beats Italy... honestly, they're better off with Americans in the quarters and Mexico in the semis than having Canada in the semis.
Remy's basically just playing house here. Trying not to look like total amateurs.
...but honestly, the Italians are already half-broken. If you get Felugo and Calcaterra involved, that's about all you get. The Mexicans are just gonna lull them into this fake sense of security today before everything goes south... kind of like what happened against Spain.
Look, we’re cruising straight into the quarterfinals. There is zero chance a group featuring us, Canada, and Spain knocks us out. Plus, we'll probably end up facing some demoralized Greeks who aren't even in our league.
1) If Canada pulls an upset against Spain, then what people were saying in those earlier posts holds up: Canada takes first, then us and Mexico tie for second based on goal difference. 2) A draw between Canada and Spain means we take first, Mexico gets second, and Canada lands third—which puts us in the semis against Italy or Canada. 3) If Spain beats Canada: we take first, Mexico grabs second, and Spain slides to third—setting up a semifinal clash with Italy or Spain.