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I think that Sean is wrong. Very wrong. According to him, Mexico deserves a seed for playing against teams outside of our region and beating teams such as Brazil, 1-0 while missing 2 penalty kicks. Let me remind everyone that its not how you start, its how you finish. I didn’t see Mexico winning the confederations cup. Congradulations to them, they can finish higher than Japan, Tunisia, Australia, and Greece. Incase Sean didn’t already know, any team including USA, Holland, Portugal, and the Czech Republic can do that, which brings me to my next point. Although maybe USA didn’t deserve a seed, neither does Mexico. Portugal despite having a very poor 02 world cup, were the runners up in Euro 04. They got farther than seeded teams such as England, France, Spain, and Germany, proving that they are worthy. Although there have been dissapointments for the Dutch and Czechs, they are still two of the top sides in the world. Holland were runners up in 98 in which Mexico only reached the round of 16. The Czechs are ranked by FIFA the #2 team in the world. So as you can see, these 3 teams are much more deserving than the Mexicans of a seed.

I completely agree that Czech and Holland are both better teams than Mexico. The Dutch specifically have been great lately. What does everyone think about this requirement that the top seeds have played in the last World Cup? I don’t think I agree that Portugal is a better team than Mexico. I watched most of their games during Euro and was unimpressed. There is a reason why we beat them at the last World Cup. We are a better team and so is Mexico. I do believe we have yet to prove that we are a more deserving team than Mexico when it comes to games outside our region. The next year of friendly matches and the World Cup will be our best opportunity to show we are capable of playing great soccer. You and I and thousands of other American fans have seen flashes of greatness from our team in recent games. I hope that we continue to improve, and get our chance in the World Cup to show that we did deserve a top seed.

I believe that Mexico will lose when they face the U.S no matter what seed they are in, where they are playing, or under any other variating circumstances.

I agree with Adam in the statement that JUST between the U.S and Mexico, out of just those two teams the USMNT deserved the first seed more that Mexico.

Gavin Hamilton wrote a nice piece on this prior to the seeding for world soccer. speaking in economic terms, the eight teams are the eight biggest markets in terms of television audience. Mexico is the largest television market outside of Europe and he couldn’t help but feel that this would influence the organizing committee in some way. As Bruce said though, on the bright side, its good for the CONCACAF region to get a team sided.

Neither Mexico, nor Spain should be seeded. Mexico does not deserve to be ranked where they are in the world. The confederations cup was full of B teams who were playing a friendly summer tournament. They only thing they ever win is their qualifying matches where there is 0 competition besides the U.S.. Spain has never won the world cup, and never even reached the final. They have not performed well in any international tournament in recent years, and they did not even directly qualify for this world cup. The two other seeded teams should be Holland, and the Czech Republic. Both teams have proved themselves in recent years, and if you ask any international coach who he fears most in this world cup drawings those are the two teams that are always mentioned.

Well, we now know the groups, and in my opinion its the group of death. Italy, Czech, and Ghana in that respective order, it will be a tough road ahead for Bruce and his players, but I stand my ground in the belief that the US will present its finest and most talented team ever. Yes, its better to be underdogs and crash the party for everyone else: my call is that USA will pass its first round, surprising the world and telling them that yeah, we can play footie too.

I think that USA is not there with Mexico.Mexico is a better team then USA look it mexico they beat brasil they tie aganist argentina but they lose in penilities in so if they got 4th place in beat if yall went aganist brasil, argentina, our england yall will lose.So USA stop crying about mexico getting a seed they desvired better than yall they got game not like yall. Mexico surprised the world by being the best in conca
cef.

so moises, if mexico is a better team then how come USA has won 7 of the last 10 matches that they played together including the only time that they played when the stakes were the highest (the world cup). Please explain how they are better. By the way, you have really bad grammer.

-Evan

It makes sense to me. I mean what would happen if a defending champion didnt get seeded just beccause they didn’t have a good couple of months comming into the world cup. That just wouldn’t seem right to me.

Lets stop craying about whether or not Mexico deserves a seed or not it doesn’t matter anymore the draw is over lets focus on the task at hand. First of all Italy is a overrated team that is really carried by one player (Luca TONI)the Czechs can be stopped with preparation and Bruce Arena’s brilliant defensive formations and the only team really to fear is Ghana for the reason that African teams are always hard to beat.

The truth is the world hates us. They cant stand how good we are in everything, and they are so scared that we might get close to winning the one thing they have over us. And we are close. I dont care about the mexicans who are so full of themselves they cant beat us, I want to beat everybody else. so my new amthem is changing from Beat mexico to beat the world. We can we just have to play with the heart and passion we do when we beat the everlivin mess out of Mexico. Go USA - tread on me I dare ya.

Although the USMNT was drawn into a tough group, I too believe that we can advance. Today, the team has the experience of playing in front of a hostile crowd in a WC (vs. South Korea, 2002) - this will be key when we face the dangerous Ghana led by Michael Essien(Chelsea) and Stephen Appiah (was at Juventus)and the other teams. Not to get political, but I anticipate alot of anti-US sentiment at the WC. I think we can stun the Czech Republic in the first game, I believe they peaked at Euro 2004 -Baros is always offside and hasn’t scored a goal in the EPL in a long time, Koller is injured and will probably not make it to the WC. Nedved came to the rescue after they almost blew it the last month of qualifying. Italy will be a tough opponent, but the pressure they carry into the tournament and the fact that they always start slow should help.
I think it is possible.

Though many people are mad Mexico got a seed the only reason they have one is because they earned it, that easy

You can’t start analyzing the groups this early as there is still a half a year until the WC begins but it’s safe to say that we will be treated to some excellent group stage matches while following the US. Especially Italy with so many fantastic attacking options in Toni, Gilardinio, Totti, Del Piero, and Pirlo. The Czech Republic are a lesser team than they were as the Dark Horses at EURO 2004, with an aging Pavel Nedved and I seriously doubt Baros will be the top scorer in Germany. Ghana are a solid African side that feature a great young player in Micheal Essien. However, failure to proceed from this group I believe would be a terrible knock on US Soccer. As much as its billed to be a “Group of Death” I don’t see it as such. All three matches should pose a tough challenge for the US but should all be seen as winable, or atleast drawable in terms of the Italy game.

Special-k: to be sure, everything you know about me came from an eight-word post that I made yesterday. Am I European? Do I smoke two packs a day? You haven’t the slightest idea.
Phillipe is right. Mexico earned their being in the top eight teams. You know, Mexico actually play other teams rather than just the US. It’s childish to base Mexico’s skills only on the last 10 games played against one single country. And yes, they were beaten 2-0 by the US last World Cup (the yanks played remarkably well, I have to say), but it’s easy to forget that only four years before that (France 1998) the US came last out of the 32 teams. Yes, last place; barely managing to score their only World Cup goal against Iran (Iran won the game 2-1). Mexico has had a far better performance than the US in the last World Cups.
So don’t boast about your being better than Mexico or anyone else; that’s what’s beautiful about football: volatility. Last Confederations Cup Mexico beat and huimilliated World and American Champion Brazil in Hannover. How do you explain things like that? Or how they beat Asian Champions Japan in the same Cup? Or how they held a clean sheet against European Champions Greece?
And one more thing, the US group is by no means the Group of Death. (Please look up Group C)

Adam,
I have to disagree with you, the sleeper from Group D will be Angola.(I just can’t envision Mexico not getting past group play) Iran will have tremendous support in Germany, particularly from the strong Iranian community that is present in Germany but their dependency on an aging Ali Daie can’t convince me to take them seriously. In qualifying they finished second to an awful Japan squad. I can’t wait for the WC, there are some great matchups.

I don’t understand why Bruce Arena has consistently turned down his invitation to Copa America. The USMNT should be playing more opponents/games outside its region.

From the games Ive watched the U.S. seems to really be playing well. how do you think we will match up next to the Czech team. are they beatable?

bye the way I think your website and blog are great for the sport. I have already got a few people who are learning about the game to look at it and the are impressed with the knowledge they can gain from the people just writing in. Good stuff. Keep it up for the beautiful game.

adam, I fully agree with you: “I feel another team deserved a seed above Mexico - even if that meant no CONCACAF team was seeded.” Just look at the Netherlands: they rank third in the FIFA World Ranking, they’ve been playing better than Mexico and the US combined lately and still they didnt get a seed. Why? For the stupid reason that they didn’t qualify for Japan/Korea 2002.
In fact, if you look closely at the seeded teams, it turns out to be quite an unconvincing list: Germany, host country, has been playing at a very low level lately. Argentina and France didn’t make the second round last World Cup. Indeed, if it were up to me to write down that list, it would look quite different.
And yes, the US does need to play more games against European, South American and Asian countries. Truth is, the average yank will be far more interested in a match featuring two old enemies (Mexico vs. USA) than in a not-so-interesting match which would actually feature top-class football (say USA vs. Chile, or USA vs. Slovakia). In countries like Mexico, people regard every match with equal passion.
And about your second point…nah, Mexico will beat Iran. In fact, I’m pretty much sure they’ll end up as first place in their group; they were lucky enough.

Its hard to say whether Mexico should have been or shouldn’t have been seeded. Bet remember, its all done mathematically. The United States has shown vast improvement in soccer over the past 10 years but in all honesty, its only shown it against its rival team. The United States have been the more dominate team when playing Mexico with the exception of playing in the Azteca but remember every team that does play there rarely ever wins (I think they have lost 9 times ever in Mexico City). As for international competition, Mexico clearly dominates. Yes, both Mexico and USA have easy seeds in the CONCACAF but when you do travel outside, the Mexicans are a much better team. The one thing that the USA lacks where Mexico is best is that Mexico has control of the area of the pitch. They have a very distinct conversation when controlling the ball and can use the wing very very well. Though, the USA is a much faster team and most importantly have Mexico’s card when playing against its conservative play and thats where the USA can score and does is one the counter. I have seen and follow both teams and I still have to agree with many when I say that Mexico is still the better team. They are a soccer powerhouse and many teams dont like to play in there backyard as teams like brazil, italy, england, france and spain where they have established there own play and domination. I know many will disagree but remember that when it does come to playing soccer, the USA rarely gets the respect they earn while MEXICO has made its mark into international soccer but the US isn’t far behind.

I did.

well i think that mexico is one of the best selections of soccer that i ever seen

People People. We must admit that talking about soccer is great and all. But the complaining about mexico being seeded at that level needs to stop. Sometime around 5-6 months from now we shall know if they deserved it. Im my opinion they did, and if US is here to play, let them play and shock the world…

Jose, what the hell are you talking about? The US don’t have the talent to beat these teams in our group yet. Playing at their highest level, I’ll put Beasley, Donovan, Johnson and McBride against any defenders in the world…ANY!

Mexico has beaten Brazil, Argentina, other euopean, southamerican and asian teams, who has the USA beaten?, Mexico deserves the seed and they’re better…

Please can u help me to get the email address of Micheal Essien.please

Hello,
my name is Alex,i am from nigeria,recently in the uae,how can i get a club or possition here,i am a striker.
Thanks