By Charles Boehm – SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (Mar 31, 2022) US Soccer Players - The Costa Rica supporters came from miles around. Many arrived long before kickoff, grooving to the music created by drummers and brass players as carnival-style dancers performed. Others hurried under their national stadium's swooping arched roof at the last minute after a long day at work. However they managed to make it, . . .
The Octagonal ends, North American zone advances
Thursday's soccer news starts with Canada, Mexico, and the United States directly qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Canada finished top of the table on goal difference over Mexico, with both teams on 28 points. The USA was in 3rd-place on goal difference, tied on 25 points with 4th-place Costa Rica. It's Costa Rica playing New Zealand in the playoffs. None of the Concacaf teams are in pot 1 for . . .
Costa Rica 2 – USMNT 0, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
The USMNT advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 loss at Costa Rica. The United States finished in 3rd-place in the Octagonal, tied on points with 4th-place Costa Rica. Juan Pablo Vargas put Costa Rica up in the 51st and Anthony Contreras doubled the lead in the 59th. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas subbed out with an injury in the 79th with Esteban Alvarado sharing in the . . .
Preview: Costa Rica vs USMNT, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the USMNT on the road at Costa Rica (9pm ET - CBS Sports) trying to successfully close out Concacaf World Cup qualifying. Costa Rica would need to win by six goals to move from the playoff spot to an automatic qualifying place. That's how much the USMNT helped itself with the 5-1 home win over Panama. Goal difference in hand, the United States would still like . . .
The rest of the Octagonal in game 14
Tuesday's soccer news starts with the situations across Concacaf leading into the final matchday. Canada is at the top of the Octagonal table with 28 points and a +17 goal differential. They're also the only team to officially qualify. The United States is in 2nd-place tied with 3rd-place Mexico on 25 points but ahead on the tiebreaker +13 to +7. Costa Rica is in 4th at 22 points and +3. No one . . .
Pulisic’s three, advantage in the Octagonal finale
Monday's soccer news starts with the USMNT coming as close as possible to advancing to the 2022 World Cup. The 5-1 win over Panama and Costa Rica beating El Salvador 2-1 creates a final day scenario where it would take a lopsided Costa Rica win to send the USMNT to the playoffs. Mexico is also in that equation, with the top three the same as it was when the March window opened last week. The USA . . .
USMNT 5 – Panama 1, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
The USMNT will enter the final matchday of the Octagonal round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying with a three-point lead and a sizable goal difference for an automatic spot. Christian Pulisic lead the United States to a 5-1 win over Panama in Orlando on Sunday night, converting two penalties and finishing off a hat-trick. Pulisic opened the scoring from the spot in the 17th with Paul Arriola . . .
Preview: USMNT vs Panama in Concacaf World Cup qualifying
Friday's soccer news starts with the USMNT returning home after a scoreless draw at Mexico in Concacaf World Cup qualifying. Splitting the points keeps the same order at the top of the Octagonal qualifying table, with the USMNT in 2nd-place. They host a Panama team on Sunday (7pm ET - FS1) that drew 1-1 at home against Honduras, dropping to 5th-place and now chasing Costa Rica for the playoff . . .
Mexico 0 – USMNT 0, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
Mexico and the United States split the points in a 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca in the Octagonal round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying. The United States had its chances in front of a noticeably small crowd due to traffic issues getting to the stadium. As the game developed, the United States came close to scoring twice, putting four of their nine shots on goal. Mexico had two shots on goal from 11 . . .
Beginnings, endings, and perseverance for USMNT at Azteca
By Charles Boehm – MEXICO CITY (Mar 24, 2022) US Soccer Players - For decades, Estadio Azteca has been the immovable object for generation after generation of US soccer players and teams. Coaches come and go, names on the backs of the jerseys change. The two nations on either side of North America's biggest rivalry evolve and, in many ways, grow more alike. But the results at this hulking, . . .
