Awesome poster for USA vs Mexico WCQ.

 

In just over a week, Columbus will be rocking for the Hexagonal World Cup Qualifier match between the current frontrunners United States against a Mexico side currently struggling with form. I posted it here because I got to say that the poster is awesome. The man who designed this is Brent Rollins, whom possibly some Filipinos may have seen do some stuff for Status here in the Philippines.

Could be a song to groove to with this video.



h/t to SI's Grant Wahl for directing me to this nice masterpiece.

Reliving America's moment at Azteca

A couple of months ago, the United States scheduled a FIFA international friendly against their bitter rivals Mexico at the cavernous Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. For the El Tri, it was a very special occasion, as it was the opportunity to fans to raucously celebrate their Olympic gold medal-winning football team. Nothing would be more satisfying for Mexicans by celebrating a homecoming with a victory over their northern neighbors.

The Americans have notoriously been woeful when playing in Mexico, unable to secure a win in their previous 24 tries. Nine of those 24 games were held at the Azteca, where they have been outscored 20-4 overall.

But Jurgen Klinsmann has seen this kind of a script before. Earlier this year, Clint Dempsey's lone goal in the 55th minute proved to enough for the Americans to beat Italy in Genoa, their first-ever win in ten tries against the Azzuri; doing it on their turf, no less

And thanks to Orozco Fiscal in the 80th minute (with a little help from Tim Howard), they achieved what was thought to be the impossible. And this is how they did it.

The Historical Box Score

Yup, the box score happened. An absolute torching by the United States against Nigeria in Olympic competition. The team's on fire... Indeed.

The USA Basketball Shortlist

The finalists as to who will be comprising the Olympic Team competing in London has been named. Here are their names in alphabetical order:

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers)
Chris Bosh (Miami Heat)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)
Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets)
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)
LeBron James (Miami Heat)
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks)
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets)




By grouping this will be the breakdown:

Bigs: LMA, Bosh, TC, Blake, Dwight, Love, Lamar (7)
Wings: Melo, Kobe, KD, Rudy, AI9, LeBron (6)
Guards: Chauncey, Eric, CP3, DRose, Wade, Russ, Deron (7)

The 2008 team a.k.a. Redeem Team looked like this:

Bigs: Boozer, Dwight, Bosh (3)
Wings: Lebron, Redd, Kobe, Prince, Melo (5)
Guards: Kidd, Deron, Wade, CP3 (4)

The 2010 team a.k.a. The B-Team / The Young Guns looked like this: 

Bigs: Love, Odom, Chandler (3)
Wings: KD, Gay, Iguodala, Granger (4)
Guards: Billups, Rose, Russ, Curry, Gordon (5)

My personal choice:

Bigs: Dwight, Love, Bosh (3)
Wings: LeBron, Kobe, KD, Iguodala, Melo (5)
Guards: CP3, Wade, Rose, Russ (4)

My biggest concern with this lineup is perimeter shooting. The previous two iterations had someone that you can say is a designated shooter (Redd in 2008, Curry in 2010). Still, imagine the talent on that lineup for a second. They are heavily favored to retain the title considered by many as a virtual American birthright.