Its a World Cup Qualifier weekend

by Dave Clark on Oct 11, 2008 10:29 AM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

While like everyone who reads this blog I will be paying attention to the USA hosting Cuba and likely locking in our advancement to the next round, I will be doing something just a bit different today as well.

I will be watching matches looking for those players who could make an impact in MLS within the league's current salary structure.

Here's the link to the live scoreboard at FIFA.com. You'll see a packed weekend of play with matches in the Americas (CONCACAF and CONMEBOL), Europe and Africa. Asia plays next week on Wednesday with a huge match between Australia and Qatar in Brisbane. Follow that one, particularly with the recent suggestion that MLS should look to Australia for filling the dozens of roster spots that will open up in the next three years. You should also follow it as Khalifan(Khalfan) will be on the pitch for the full match for Qatar.

With the USA v Cuba match pay attention to how many Cubans decide to stay in DC after the weekend is over. Cuban national teams have a habit of losing players when they come to the States and I fully expect that to occur over the weekend. Any of their players would be a good addition to an MLS club, even if just to further the depth of the league.

So peruse the match reports, watch the telie and let us know how far MLS should cast its net based off today's qualifiers

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In Europe we saw few upsets, which isn’t too surprising, because most of the groups are rather lopsided with at most 3 quality sides.

Israel in Group 2 though did manage another win, moving to 7 points in 3 matches. They are positioning themselves well for a second place finish in this weaker group where Greece is by far and away the best.

Sweden held Portugal to a draw, moving a point up on C.Ronaldo’s side for second in Group 1.

In Africa after tomorrow we will see which 12 groups winners and 8 best seconds move on to the final qualifying round. It looks like 5 or 6 Arab nations will move on, there’s an oddity in Ghana, Gabon and Libya are tied with 12 points. It gets intriguing because the THIRD place team in that group has more points than all but two second place teams.

In CONCACAF Costa Rica is already done abusing Suriname and will be through to the Final Round.

South America will reach the halfway point tonight with a guaruntee that Paraguay sits in first. Recall that I suggested that Paraguay would be a great place to look for Sounders FC. They play Colombia in Bogota tonight.

One hour until Democracy and Communism face off.

by Dave Clark on Oct 11, 2008 2:55 PM PDT reply actions