The "no EPL this week, WC2006 Qualifying thread"

[wendersfan]

Because of World Cup 2006 qualifying, there are no English Premier League matches this weekend. Here is the current table:

<table border = 1 cellpadding = 3><tr><td align = center>&nbsp;</td><td>Team</td><td align = center>Played</td><td align = center>Wins</td><td align = center>Draws</td><td align = center>Losses</td><td align = center>Goals For</td><td align = center>Goals Against</td><td align = center>Diff</td><td align = center>Points</td></tr><tr><td align = center>1.</td><td>Chelsea</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>8</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>8</td><td align = center>12</td></tr><tr><td align = center>2.</td><td>Manchester City</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>10</td></tr><tr><td align = center>3.</td><td>Charlton Athletic</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>7</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>9</td></tr><tr><td align = center>4.</td><td>Manchester United</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>5</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>5</td><td align = center>9</td></tr><tr><td align = center>5.</td><td>Bolton Wanderers</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>7</td></tr><tr><td align = center>6.</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>7</td></tr><tr><td align = center>7.</td><td>Arsenal</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>6</td></tr><tr><td align = center>8.</td><td>Aston Villa</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>5</td></tr><tr><td align = center>9.</td><td>West Ham United</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>10.</td><td>Liverpool</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>11.</td><td>Blackburn Rovers</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>5</td><td align = center>-2</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>12.</td><td>Middlesbrough</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>5</td><td align = center>-2</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>13.</td><td>Birmingham City</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>7</td><td align = center>-3</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>14.</td><td>Fulham</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>-3</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>15.</td><td>West Bromwich Albion</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>8</td><td align = center>-4</td><td align = center>4</td></tr><tr><td align = center>16.</td><td>Wigan Athletic</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>-1</td><td align = center>3</td></tr><tr><td align = center>17.</td><td>Everton</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>-2</td><td align = center>3</td></tr><tr><td align = center>18.</td><td>Portsmouth</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>7</td><td align = center>-4</td><td align = center>1</td></tr><tr><td align = center>19.</td><td>Newcastle United</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>1</td><td align = center>3</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>6</td><td align = center>-6</td><td align = center>1</td></tr><tr><td align = center>20.</td><td>Sunderland</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>0</td><td align = center>4</td><td align = center>2</td><td align = center>7</td><td align = center>-5</td><td align = center>0</td></tr></table>

Below are the current standings for the European group qualifications for the World Cup, and the upcoming week's matches:

<b>Group One</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr><td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Netherlands</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+17</p></td><td> <p>22</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Czech Republic</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+21</p></td><td> <p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Romania</p></td><td> <p>10</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>+7</p></td><td> <p>19</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Finland</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>+2</p></td><td> <p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>FYR Macedonia</p></td><td> <p>10</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>-9</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Armenia</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>-15</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>Andorra</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>-23</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td></tr></table>

09.03.2005

Romania - Czech Republic
Andorra - Finland
Armenia - Netherlands

09.07.2005

Netherlands - Andorra
Czech Republic - Armenia
Finland - FYR Macedonia

<b>Group Two</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr><td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Ukraine</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+12</p></td><td> <p>23</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Turkey</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+12</p></td><td> <p>16</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Greece</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>+5</p></td><td> <p>15</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Denmark</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>+5</p></td><td> <p>12</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Albania</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>-9</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Georgia</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>-5</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>Kazakhstan</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>-20</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td></tr></table>

09.03.2005

Turkey - Denmark
Albania - Kazakhstan
Georgia - Ukraine

09.07.2005

Denmark - Georgia
Kazakhstan - Greece
Ukraine - Turkey

<b>Group Three</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Portugal</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+20</p></td><td> <p>20</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Slovakia</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+15</p></td><td> <p>18</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Russia</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+5</p></td><td> <p>15</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Latvia</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>+1</p></td><td> <p>14</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Estonia</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>-3</p></td><td> <p>11</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Liechtenstein</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>-10</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>Luxembourg</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td><td> <p>-28</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

Estonia - Latvia
Russia - Liechtenstein
Portugal - Luxembourg

09.07.2005

Liechtenstein - Luxembourg
Russia - Portugal
Latvia - Slovakia

<b>Group Four</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Republic of Ireland</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+7</p></td><td> <p>13</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Switzerland</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+9</p></td><td> <p>12</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Israel</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+2</p></td><td> <p>11</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>France</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+4</p></td><td> <p>10</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Cyprus</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>-6</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Faroe Islands</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>-16</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

France - Faroe Islands
Switzerland - Israel

09.07.2005

Republic of Ireland - France
Faroe Islands - Israel
Cyprus - Switzerland

<b>Group Five</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Italy</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+4</p></td><td> <p>13</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Norway</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+3</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Slovenia</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+1</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Belarus</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+3</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Scotland</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>-1</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Moldova</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>-10</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

Moldova - Belarus
Scotland - Italy
Slovenia - Norway

09.07.2005

Belarus - Italy
Norway - Scotland
Moldova - Slovenia

<b>Group Six</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Poland</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+17</p></td><td> <p>18</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>England</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+10</p></td><td> <p>16</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Austria</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+3</p></td><td> <p>11</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Northern Ireland</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>-8</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Wales</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>-6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Azerbaijan</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>-16</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

Poland - Austria
Northern Ireland - Azerbaijan
Wales - England

09.07.2005

Azerbaijan - Austria
Northern Ireland - England
Poland - Wales

<b>Group Seven</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Spain</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+8</p></td><td> <p>13</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Serbia and Montenegro</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+10</p></td><td> <p>12</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Lithuania</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+4</p></td><td> <p>9</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Belgium</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Bosnia-Herzegovina</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>-1</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>San Marino</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>-21</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

Bosnia-Herzegovina - Belgium
Serbia and Montenegro - Lithuania

09.07.2005

Lithuania - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Belgium - San Marino
Spain - Serbia and Montenegro

<b>Group Eight</b>

<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=300><tr> <td>&nbsp; </td><td>&nbsp; </td><td> <p><b>Pl</b></p></td><td> <p><b>W</b></p></td><td> <p><b>D</b></p></td><td> <p><b>L</b></p></td><td> <p><b>GD</b></p></td><td> <p><b>Pts.</b></p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>Croatia</a></p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>+13</p></td><td> <p>16</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>Sweden</a></p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>+21</p></td><td> <p>15</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>Hungary</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>3</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>-2</p></td><td> <p>10</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>4</p></td><td> <p>Bulgaria</a></p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>2</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>8</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>Iceland</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>5</p></td><td> <p>-8</p></td><td> <p>4</p></td></tr><tr> <td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>Malta</p></td><td> <p>7</p></td><td> <p>0</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td><td> <p>6</p></td><td> <p>-24</p></td><td> <p>1</p></td></tr> </table>

09.03.2005

Sweden - Bulgaria
Iceland - Croatia
Hungary - Malta

09.07.2005

Malta - Croatia
Bulgaria - Iceland
Hungary - Sweden

[mlemmond]

Why isn't England vs Wales gonna be on the FSC?

[wendersfan]

Why isn't England vs Wales gonna be on the FSC?<b><font color = red>PAY PER VIEW</font></b>

[mlemmond]

<b><font color = red>PAY PER VIEW</font></b>

Fuck that!

I got to see it last year in England for free.

[kenbuzz]

So let me see if I have this correct:
- The 8 group winners will automatically qualify for WC2006
- The top two 2nd place side will also qualify for WC2006
- The remaining 6 2nd place sides will be drawn into three pairs, with one from each pair qualifying.

How do they determine which 2nd place sides are the best, particularly if some are playing 8 games and some are playing 10?

[wendersfan]

The US beat Mexico 2-0 last night, so we are qualified for the WC. Currently, the FIFA world rankings are as follows:
<ol><li>Brazil</li><li>Argentina</li><li>Netherlands</li><li>Czech Republic</li><li>Mexico</li><li>USA</li><li>France</li><li>England</li><li>Spain</li><li>Portugal</li></ol>
but now the US will probably overtake Mexico in the rankings and move up to number 5. Hopefully this means we'll get a decent seed into the tournament.

[wildcatlh]

The FIFA rankings are about the most idiotic things out there. And it favors CONCACAF (and South American) teams a bit much, since they play more games.

(plus the fact that a game against Spain or England or Brazil is worth just as much as a game against Canada or Jamaica in the rankings is just silly)

[wendersfan]

If it favors CONCACAF so much, then why are the Czechs ranked so high? Surely that second place finish in Euro 96 can't matter so much now. Quite honestly, other than Brazil or Argentina, the US can play with any country in the world.

[Shiv Shankly]

From a wire service article (http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,14546,-5255316,00.html) in the Guardian. I always love it when the US beats Mexico, because it pisses off the Mexicans to such an extent. Donovan's response is amusing.

My grandmother could play for the U.S., says La Volpe
MEXICO CITY, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Mexico's coach Ricardo La Volpe described the United States as a little team which his grandmother could play for following his side's 2-0 defeat on Saturday, local media said.
"It's a little team," La Volpe was widely quoted as saying following the World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.
"Here, everyone's interested in baseball and American football and many people didn't even know that a soccer match was being played today.
"So it's easy for them, because they aren't playing under any pressure. My mother, my grandmother or my great grandmother could play in a team like that."
The U.S., who have 18 points from seven games in the final stage of the CONCACAF qualifying competition, booked their place at next year's World Cup with the win.
Mexico, unbeaten in their previous 14 qualifying matches and two points behind the U.S., still need one point from their final three games to qualify.
"They scored a goal and then they sat back," said Argentine La Volpe.
The match had been preceeded by a slanging match, sparked by an interview which U.S. striker Landon Donovan gave to Spanish language media in his country.
Donovan said the Mexicans were jealous of the U.S., always out to humiliate them and he wanted to make them feel miserable.
After Saturday's match, Donovan was in no more conciliatory mood.
"They suck," he said. "I'm so happy. After we got that first goal they were never in the game. Hopefully that will shut them up for the next three or four years."

[astrochimp]

LOL,what an idiot! So thats his excuse for losing? that the US had no pressure on them.What poor sportsmanship and also very poor coaching by him ;)

Anyway i didnt get to see the England/Wales match cuz i didnt wanna pay $25 for it and by the report i read on it im glad i didnt but still happy England won.I did get to see the Scotland/Italy match here on TLN in Canada which was a pretyy good match and woulda been better if Italy hadnt tied it :p

Also good job by my Canadian boys against Spain(even though it was just a friendly and we wont be in the World Cup) but i heard they played well and a 2-1 loss isnt that bad against a great team like Spain :)

[wildcatlh]

Northern Ireland 1-0 England

rotfl

Sven Goran Eriksson is the worst coach in the world. Really.

[astrochimp]

Sven Goran Eriksson is the worst coach in the world. Really.

I agree,embarrassing.

[leepyswetr]

Is it fair to say that La Volpe's grandmother could coach England?