SoccerAmerica - USA opens World Cup 2014 qualifying in June 11/16/2011

[DATEBOOK] The USA will begin its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup on June 8, 2012, when it hosts tiny Antigua & Barbuba in the opening game of the semifinal round in the Concacaf region. Also in Group A are Guatemala and Jamaica. The six-game schedule consists of three double fixture dates, one of which will consist of back-to-back matches with the Reggae Boyz in September.

The top two teams in each of three Concacaf groups will advance to the final round of qualifying.

Group B consists of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guyana and Mexico, while Group C is comprised of Canada, Cuba, Honduras and Panama.

The two surprises from the first round of qualifying are Antigua & Barbuda and Guyana, which edged out Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago, respectively.

The USA defeated Guatemala in both matches during the same stage of 2010 World Cup qualifying and holds a record of 12-4-5 (W-L-T) against Guatemala.

The Americans have never lost to Jamaica in 18 games (10-0-8). In their latest meeting, the USA won, 2-0, in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Gold Cup.

The USA has never played Antigua & Barbuda.

GROUP A:
June 8
USA vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica vs. Guatemala
June 12
Guatemala vs. USA
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Jamaica
Sept. 7
Jamaica vs. USA
Guatemala vs. Antigua Barbuda
Sept. 11
USA vs. Jamaica
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Guatemala
Oct. 12
Guatemala vs. Jamaica
Antigua & Barbuda vs. USA
Oct. 16
USA vs. Guatemala
Jamaica vs. Antigua & Barbuda

GROUP B:
June 8
Mexico vs. Guyana
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador
June 12
El Salvador vs. Mexico
Guyana vs. Costa Rica
Sept. 7
Costa Rica vs. Mexico
El Salvador vs. Guyana
Sept. 11
Mexico vs. Costa Rica
Guyana vs. El Salvador
Oct. 12
El Salvador vs. Costa Rica
Guyana vs. Mexico
Oct. 16
Mexico vs. El Salvador
Costa Rica vs. Guyana

Group C
June 8
Honduras vs. Panama
Cuba vs. Canada
June 12
Canada vs. Honduras
Panama vs. Cuba
Sept. 7
Cuba vs. Honduras
Canada vs. Panama
Sept. 11
Honduras vs. Cuba
Panama vs. Canada
Oct. 12
Canada vs. Cuba
Panama vs. Honduras
Oct. 16
Honduras vs. Canada
Cuba vs. Panam

0 comments

Scott O'connor

commented on: November 17, 2011 at 10:55 a.m.

Hmmm. Everybody should beat Antigua. That's 6 points for US, Jamaica, and Guatemala minimum. I don't like the back to back road fixtures with Guatemala and Jamaica (albeit 3 months apart). That 2nd game of qualifying with Guatemala on 4 days rest and traveling to Guatemala, strikes me as a potential dropping of points. Guatemala will hunker down and try to nil-nil us. A Carlos Ruiz miracle strike (a la vs Mexico in the Gold Cup) could send us home with 0 points. Any dropped points could send Jamaica and Guatemala on to the next round. Granted, if we can't navigate Guatemala or Jamaica, we should sit out and watch the better teams play in Brazil.

Scott O'connor

commented on: November 17, 2011 at 11:10 a.m.

Should set up a challenging Hexagonal. US, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica/Guatemala. Road games in Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and possibly Guatemala can trip up anyone. Jamaica is not as fearsome at home as the central american teams.

Scott O'connor

commented on: November 17, 2011 at 7:37 p.m.

Also, I think US Soccer needs to start making us more of a home field advantage. They need to stop putting games in big stadiums in big cities where the visitors draw as many or more fans as the home side (especially Mexico). Let's play more games in 2nd tier MLS stadiums and give season ticket holders first shot at the tickets. That'll guarantee a full house with excellent support for the home team. Start with places like Seattle and Portland, who draw great crowds for MLS games and would provide a great home field atmosphere for our guys. Columbus, Salt Lake City, and perhaps even Kansas City could also fit that profile. Selling out huge stadiums with more visiting fans than home fans is a great way for USSF to make money but doesn't provide a home field advantage.

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