Well, that info is probably sufficient to reconstruct the calculations. Anyway, like I said, if I can't verify it I won't claim it to be true, but I do know the difference point-wise between Mexico and the US was very small the last time around.
By the way, you lost that bet about Mexico winning the WC qualification. The US did last time :wink:
And I think it was the 2-0 US win over Germany in the Confed Cup in Mexico where I remember some quotes, but I'm still not yet sure.
I think Mexico came in first and the US second. But I have to look it up.
The Confed Cup, unless played on home soil or in Europe is for European teams unattractive and considered a pain in the behind. I recall some of the big countries abondining the Confed Cup. It was considered just an additional strain in an otherwise off year. The European top players were faced with 2 years of EC qualification than the EC tournament, then 2 years of WC qualifications, then the WC tournament, and add that to the top players schedule of regular season games, Champions or UEFA cup and regional cup games. The FIFA argued and set the Confed Cup up as a warm up and test for the host nation of the next WC.
IOf you look at the history of the Confed Cup it was started in 1992 in Saudi Arabia. The next two were in Saudi Arabia as well.
The first time as a warm up for the host it was played in 2001 in SK and Japan. The additional confed cup in France in 2003 almost put the stagger through the tournament. FIFA changed its entire Confed Cup and made it a 'test tournament' for the host of the next WC. Germany in 2005 was the first host for the WC in 2006. The next one is in 2009 in South Africa for the 2010 WC. It is now being held every 4 years to give it more of a reason and not just add useless games to another already filled schedule.
I remember the 1999 Confed Cup. Germany's player went on sorta strike because of that uselessness of that tournament. They were forced by FIFA to participate as the reigning EC Champion. I remember that they were clobbered by Brazil and barely slid by New Zealand.
It was the year between WC (1998) and the EC (2000).
Regarding the WC Qualifying: I see one standing having the US listed as 1 and one as Mexico listed 1. I don't know if FIFA would apply its regular tiebreaker rule (goal differential) over "head-to-head".
Both had 22 points. Mexico had the better goal differential. The US won the head-to-head.
I highly doubt that either you nor a regular soccer fan can calculate based on the FIFA info (as I posted in the link). Because once one result changes all other remaining requirements change as well.
It doesn't matter though. Bottomline is, in a desperation attempt to lift the Gold Cup to a new level and excuse the showing at Copa America it is being told that with the Gold Cup win the US will be seeded.
US Soccer and its fans have to come out of the bubble. I can see it now that just based on the Gold Cup victory the screaming will be huge to be seeded in the top 8. And if that doesn't happen than everybody is an US hater. Bottom line is that FIFA does not apply short term "somewhat" success but rather sticks with consistency. You have to work yourself up to become a seeded, a top nation in the world of soccer. And to work yourself up is NOT dumping on an honorary invitation to the Copa America with a lower-rated team. Then why even accept that tournament. You might as well set some friendlies up.
Like I said I want US Soccer to succeed. There will be no greater thing for me than to see the US and germany face each other in the WC final. It would be a no lose-only win situation for me. I party afterwards regardless who wins. But I also realize that the US can only became a top nation through hard work and through respect to all international tournaments they are invited too. Not just the Gold Cup, or the Confed Cup but also Copa America. The way to test your young players is to play friendlies or to play them when you locked up group play in any of the tournaments. Not any other way.
And if you look at 'consistency': all the good points they made through the Gold Cup will be, at least partially, lost by a poor showing in Copa America.
Having said that I certainly hope that the US will beat Paraguay.
:wink:
