[Zjohkrbi]

Game on Universal Sports Network - Darn Comcast for dropping them just in time for all the Olympic qualifying stuff - Mun2 (Spanish) and CONCACAF.com (online).Join MLSsoccer.com editors and TopDrawerSoccer.com editors for a LIVE CHAT, starting at 9 pm ET. We'll also have check-ins from our guys on the scene at LP Field, Noah Davis and Gavin Day.


03/25/2012
Canada, Salvador primed, U.S. precarious
http://www.concacaf.com/page/MOQ/New...692521,00.html

By Michael Lewis
CONCACAF.com
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Once considered a favorite to qualify for the London Olympics, the United States is looking at the possibility of a summer less travelled.
The Americans must beat El Salvador on Monday just to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF qualifying finals, and then win again on Friday to claim a 15th trip to the Olympics.
A 2-0 loss to Canada at LP Field on Saturday night left the Americans a point behind both the Canadians and El Salvador in Group A. Assuming Canada defeats winless Cuba in the first game of the doubleheader, the United States' best hope would be for is for second place, and that likely would pit it against Mexico in Saturday's knockout round in Kansas City, Kansas.
"I have trust in this team," captain and midfielder Freddy Adu said. "I know we're going to come back. We'll respond in a big way."
The U.S. pride and reputation are at stake, entering the tournament with an entirely pro roster and losing to Canada, which had one only one of nine previous games in Olympic qualifying.
"I think that if you can't get up for that, to go to the Olympics, then you shouldn't be here," midfielder Brek Shea said.
U.S. coach Caleb Porter wanted to put the loss behind them as soon as possible.
"We can't dwell on this," he said. "No one's going to point fingers. The guys are going to stick together. We know what we're capable of. They know what we're capable of. This isn't the end of the world. This isn't the way we wanted it to play out, but everything is still in our hands. If we beat El Salvador, then we're though [to the semifinals]."
El Salvador isn't shying away from the challenge.
After his team defeated Cuba 4-0 in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, Salvadoran coach Mauricio Alfaro gave high praise to the U.S. side.
"We know the seriousness we need to have against them to get a good result," he said. "The USA is a very good team that takes all the opportunities they have to score goals."
Alfaro said he was concerned with several mistakes his team made that allowed Cuba to penetrate and take some quality shots.
"We're going to have to talk to the players about the mistakes that they had because that can't happen against the U.S. because they're going to take advantage of them."
U.S. forward Joe Corona, who scored three goals in Thursday's 6-0 triumph over Cuba, had a choice to play for the United States, his father's native Mexico or his mother's native El Salvador.
"I didn't even know they had him in their lineup," Alfaro said with a laugh. "At the end, Joe picked what team he wanted. I know there's some motivation to play against him. The players know. They'll just go out and give 100 percent and try to beat them and get a win."
The Canadians, on the other hand, are in an advantageous situation, needing only a draw against a Cuba team that has had players ejected in both game and has been outscored 10-0.
"It's another game," Canada coach Tony Fonseca said. "It's no easy games. Every game is different.
"We're not going to take Cuba lightly. We're going to work hard and break them down as well. Obviously if we want to come out on top, we have to do a lot of things right.
"We have to look at the next two games with the same desire, the same passion."
Cuba is left with playing solely for pride, having been eliminated from semifinal contention.
Assistant coach William Bennett said he wants the team "to keep working and give a good show to the fans who come here. Mainly keep 11 players on the field and leave the (tournament) with a win."

[Teeppoodiug]

This is a strong group, the Canada game was a complete travesty. Hopefully Porter gets their heads level.

The Agudelo injury hurts, but we're pretty loaded at forward so there's no reason we should lose.

[themsrsdude]

This is a strong group, the Canada game was a complete travesty. Hopefully Porter gets their heads level.

The Agudelo injury hurts, but we're pretty loaded at forward so there's no reason we should lose.

I have not really seen any of this team since the tourney that go them this far. On a personal note, my Philadelphia Union is really hurting partly because of Adu, Sheanon Williams, and Amobi Okugobeing being on this team, so I hope they at least make it to the next level to make messing up the start of our season worthwhile.

[AnriXuinriZ]

I have not really seen any of this team since the tourney that go them this far. On a personal note, my Philadelphia Union is really hurting partly because of Adu, Sheanon Williams, and Amobi Okugobeing being on this team, so I hope they at least make it to the next level to make messing up the start of our season worthwhile.

I'm going to PPL for the first time this weekend, I'm pretty excited to check it out.

Really hurts not to have Adu when he's supposed to take his role as the leader of the offensive third. Losing Williams has made the defense an utter disaster, Albright looks lost out there.

[Rffkwfct]

I'm going to PPL for the first time this weekend, I'm pretty excited to check it out.

Really hurts not to have Adu when he's supposed to take his role as the leader of the offensive third. Losing Williams has made the defense an utter disaster, Albright looks lost out there.

Great atmosphere. You will love it. it is nothing like any other sporting event I have been to.
I may very well be at that game too.