On Friday, Oct. 6, the final FIFA International Break begins with a slate of qualifiers.
The one that hits closest to home, obviously, is the United States. Sitting in fourth place in the final round of qualifying, the Americans are currently lined up to compete in the inter-confederation playoff against either Syria or Australia. Of course, the U.S. will want to avoid the playoff and advance with one of the three automatic bids, but they have work to do.
1.
x Mexico – 18 (5-0-3, +8)
2.
Costa Rica – 15 (4-1-3, +7)
3.
Panama – 10 (2-2-4, +2)
4.United States – 9 (2-3-3, +1)
5.
Honduras – 9 (2-3-3, -7)
6.
Trinidad and Tobago – 3 (1-7-0, -11)
Friday, Oct. 6
USA vs. Panama – 4:35 p.m. PT
Mexico vs. T&T – 6:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, Oct. 6
Costa Rica vs. Honduras – 3 p.m. PT
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Honduras vs. Mexico – 5 p.m. PT
Panama vs. Costa Rica – 5 p.m. PT
T&T vs. USA – 5 p.m. PT
Chris Wondolowski and the United States control their own destiny and are playing two games they should win (although we’ve said that before). First, they get Anibal Godoy and Panama on Friday in Orlando, who will surely provide a raucous atmosphere for the home side. A win would lift the red, white and blue over Los Canaleros and into third place.
The U.S. then faces last place Trinidad and Tobago away next Tuesday to close out qualifying.
Marco Ureña and Costa Rica have already assured themselves of a top-four finish, in large part because of Ureña’s goal-scoring against the U.S. and Mexico one month ago. However, Los Ticos will want to make sure they stay in the top three to avoid the playoff. A home game against Honduras and road game against Panama is how they close how the Hex.
Panama is in arguably the most intriguing position. As an underdog on the road against the ‘States, the Panamanians could find themselves taking on Costa Rica with a fourth place finish on the line next Tuesday. Of course, they could finish fourth even with a pair of losses if Honduras picks up no more than one point against Costa Rica and Mexico. Don’t assume Mexico, who’s already qualified, will trot out a first-choice lineup though.
Elsewhere in the world, Vako and the Georgia National Team play their final two qualifiers in Group D. Having already been eliminated from World Cup contention, the Georgians will look to play spoiler as they take on the top two teams in the group – Serbia and Wales.
Friday, Oct. 6
Georgia vs. Wales – 9 a.m. PT
Monday, Oct. 9
Serbia vs. Georgia – 11:45 a.m. PT
Kip Colvey and the New Zealand All-Whites don’t have any qualifiers this break, but will still be playing a match on Friday against Japan. The contest will serve as preparation for the Kiwi’s two-leg playoff against CONMEBOL’s fifth-place team with a World Cup berth up for grabs. As of right now, New Zealand is lined up to play Leo Messi and Argentina, although that could, and likely will, all change this weekend.
