World Cup Qualifying Reports

The US Men’s Team shut out Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 last night (that’s the game I was enjoying). They are now 3-0 with 3 games remaining in the semifinal round of qualification (12 teams will become 6 teams, with 3 moving onto the WC).

Elsewhere, Soccer by Ives offered several good articles this week:
Here are the CONCACAF Standings prior to the games last night
Mexico Beats Canada puts our neighbors to the North very close to elimination
Oh, and for those of you born in the 80′s or later, here’s some history for you from Ives.

November 19, 1989, when U.S. national team defender Paul Caligiuri sent a curling left-footed shot into the net from 35 yards away to help give the Americans a 1-0 win and berth in the 1990 World Cup, the first World Cup berth since 1950.

It was against Trinidad & Tobago, played in Port of Spain, T&T I can’t recall where I was, although I had been living in Chicago for a couple of years by then, but I remember leaping to my feet and celebrating. I’d spent the summer coaching an A League Women’s team in Chicago and I’m certain there was a group of us watching it together. And it’s the reason you need to know who Caligiuri is.

And here’s the video that’s getting the most play – Denmark’s stunning 3-2 win over Portugal

All the more remarkable given the display Portugal puts on. That first goal was a classic hold, build, destroy! The World Cup blog offers game details –

Portugal had led 1-0 through Nani since the 42nd minute. But then the following happened: Nicklas Bendtner equalized with a great cut inside and strike in the 84th minute, Deco restored Portugal’s lead with an 86th minute penalty (and must have thought he’d won the game) only for Christian Poulsen to make it 2-2 with a 90th minute header.

But it wasn’t over. Because in the 92nd minute Werder Bremen’s Daniel Jensen stepped up and lashed a shot from about 20 yards out, which took a deflection and went past Quim to make it 3-2.