The US and the 2018 World Cup

DMB · Post by **DMB** » Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:23 pm

(Incidentally, the World Cup is still going to be held in Russia, despite FIFA's proven corruption.)

What are their chances? Would they do better to play their women's team?

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-socce ... SKBN13F0PQ

United States coach Juergen Klinsmann remains "1,000 percent sure" his side will qualify for the 2018 World Cup despite a 4-0 rout at Costa Rica last week.

He even has the support of President Barack Obama, the coach told a gala dinner in Berlin.

In an interview with Reuters, Klinsmann said he was disappointed "and even angry" that his team had lost their first two World Cup qualifiers in the space of five days, having let in a late goal against the run of play to lose 2-1 at home to Mexico.

But he added that the team had played well at times during 2016 and would bounce back and win at least 15 points from the 24 available in the next eight qualifying games, which should enable the U.S. to qualify from the CONCACAF region.

The top three of the six teams go through, with the fourth-placed country going into a playoff against a team from Asia. The U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago are both pointless after two games...

...With 12 wins, six losses and one draw, he felt 2016 had been a solid year -- "except for the finish" -- and called the U.S. team's wins against Costa Rica, Paraguay, Ecuador at the Copa America to reach the last four a seminal moment for U.S. soccer.

"We had a maturing process at the Copa America that was outstanding," he said. "We wanted to have younger players becoming more powerful and confident and got that. There is a real dynamic going on with players like Bobby Wood, John Brooks, Jordan Morris and Christian Pulisic."

Tharmas · Post by **Tharmas** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 4:19 pm

Well, Klinsmann was sacked as coach. Don't know what they'll do now. How's the situation in English soccer working out?

DMB · Post by **DMB** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 1:15 am

I gather that they're happy with the latest coach. But now there is a big scandal about child sexual abuse in various footie clubs in 1980s and 1990s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38093421

Four ex-footballers have appeared together in an emotional interview to tell of their torment after being abused as children by a coach.
Andy Woodward, who was the first to go public last week, wept as Steve Walters, Chris Unsworth and Jason Dunford spoke of being abused by ex-Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell.

Mr Unsworth said he "never told a soul" that he was raped up to 100 times.
Three police forces are investigating claims against more than one person.
Barry Bennell, 62, has served three jail sentences for child sex offences.

Since Mr Woodward's story emerged, several ex-players have made allegations about being sexually abused by coaches as children - a number of them by Bennell, who is currently living in Milton Keynes.

Watch Victoria Derbyshire interview in full