Classic USA-MEX match & Other Friendlies

WORK FROM HOME -- It was not surprising that the USA won a meaningless match against MEX (they sometimes do, and no, the Nations Cup trophy is not worth playing for, as evident by players MEX did not call up) since this does not lead to, for example WC qualifying or a Confederations Cup berth.  But, oh what a match it was.  Of course, a typical USA misplay led to a MEX goal barely 70 seconds in and a near death blow when they went up 2-0.  Except they didn't, VAR rules offsides and minutes later, USA scored off a corner kick to tie it at 1.  Boy, nearly every one of USA's 6 corners resulted in a great header, most on goal, something that rarely happens in soccer.  It was like a free scoring opportunity every time.  When MEX went up late, USA tied it again three minutes later (yeah, off a corner).  

Then VAR ruled PKs twice in the second half of Extra Time, one for USA (where Christian Pulisic nailed the PK) and one for MEX (where backup GK Ethan Horvath came up big with a save).  That gave the final USA 3, MEX 2.  But let's not forget

Now EURO 2021

Due to extreme precautions against the spread of the coronovirus disease (COVID-19) and the uncertainty of when (or if) it could be effectively contained or mitigated, Uefa announced it is postponing EURO 2020 (which was scheduled to kick off June 12) until 2021.  That means our 3rd HWCI Uefa EURO pool will have to wait until next year as well.  It is hard enough to plan this big of an event on its own, even harder doing so always looking over your shoulder wondering if the event would even happen so a good decision.  This not only presents a clean break from 2020 but it also would allow all the domestic club European leagues to complete their seasons when safe and not worry about butting heads against EURO 2020 or worry about international windows.

Twenty teams had already qualified with four more to be decided by qualification play-offs (based on finish in Nations League 2018-2019) which was to played in March before COVID-19 popped up.  This was also going to be the first EUROs played across all of Europe (in celebration of Uefa's 60th anniversary) rather than a host nation (or two).  The new dates are June 11-July 11, 2021.

Also, Copa America was postponed until 2021 as well.  Luckily, 2021 is the year we had no soccer pool so EURO 2021 will fit nicely in there.  We have the HWCI World Cup pool in 2022, HWCI Women's World Cup pool in 2023, and EUROs again in 2024.  With this postponement, it would allow me a stress-free way in the summer to reflect on our past 10 soccer pools (6 Men's World Cups, 2 Women's World Cups, 2 EUROs) so look for periodic blog updates here.  Stay safe!

Nations League to debut in 2018!

Very interesting.  There will be at least one very bad team in Euro 2020 as UEFA has just approved the Nations League, a new competition to replace normal friendlies.  The worst teams will be placed in Division D and eventually, one of those teams will qualify for Euro 2020.  Go Gibraltar (more Prudential ads)!

So we still have Euro 2016 to worry about so this is far ahead in the future.  BTW, the 5th Quadrennial HWCI World Cup pool will start in May.