It’s a travel day, and my trip from Orlando to San Jose, Costa Rica, got a bit more complicated when the security line at the Orlando airport caused me to miss my flight to Houston, which forced me to connect through … Newark? Thankfully, I’ll get into Costa Rica later tonight, and at least I had a good Wawa breakfast sandwich in Orlando. For now, though, I’d love to hear your answers to a question: What’s your favorite USMNT moment of the Octagonal? The 14th and final game of the tournament is Wednesday, and it’s been a journey.
Will be interested to see if this resonates with others but the moment that made me scream loudest was Dest's goal against CRC. Coming after the loss in Panama and then getting down so early in the game, my anxiety was at an all time high and then boom, beautiful build up leading a beautiful goal. It felt like one of the earliest moments when the promise of this young team finally translated to the performance of this team.
It's gotta be the second-half comeback in Honduras. It wasn't just a comeback in that game, but it was a road win after consecutive draws, including at home against (what we didn't yet realize was the Concacaf King) Canada. It was just such a relief. And it was our first WCQ win post-Couva, something the team and the fans really really needed.
Gio Reyna's MARADONNA-esque run!!!!!! Demonstrated the massive leap in quality by American players! Never mind that Reyna did not score like Maradonna did! It was an amazing feat (near-pun not intended) that signified so much else for me!
As a total outlier: I really was impressed with the play ( and pace ) of Moore last night. He flies in as a last minute substitute and gives us an “A” game. He didn’t just man a spot. He made a difference and put pressure on Panama all night.
Played soccer as a kid. Fan since the 94 World Cup and flew with my best friend to USA-MEX for out first ever qualifier. I remember watching the 02 world cup with him at 2am as we were in high school. Driving up to watch USA-England in 10 together. Both of us have young kids now who are unvaxed (under 5) so we’ve spent the last 2 years in major quarantine and haven’t been able to travel or really do anything so that they were safe. After a lot of thought and boosters we decided to fly in for 24 hours to Cincy. In this crazy world it was one of the high points of my life.
Personally my favorite moment was freezing in St. Paul for my first ever WCQ match (2nd cap). Although I feel like I'm about to top that because I'm traveling to Costa Rica right now. My favorite on field moment was seeing Ferrera hand the ball to Pulisic last night for that first PK. I felt like we sealed qualification as soon as he grabbed that ball.
I enjoyed the Honduras game in Minneapolis even though I'm sure the players and fans don't want to ever play there again. Also, the 2nd half at Honduras was great.
Gio Reyna looks to be everything USMNT fans had hoped and then some. His quality has been revelatory in the past two games. His meandering dribble and the “ooooohhhhhs” of the Mexican fans made me feel like we were finally capable of playing big boy soccer on the global stage.
Not sure it was the favorite moment but it might have been the most important. Pepi’s goal in Honduras might have saved us. It was match day 3 and we had 2 points from first 2 matches and were tied 1-1 vs Honduras. Pulisic was pulled from a tie game in 62nd minute (Was Greg acknowledging US might be better without Christian as there was no chemistry then with him on the field then?) . Pepi scored in 75th minute and 2 more late goals made it a late 4-1 route. Without those 2 points we need to at least tie Costa Rica to avoid the playoff. I’d love to know more why Greg pulled our best individual player when we were in pretty dire straights.
I flew my son home from CA so we could go to Mexico match in our hometown--that was incredibly special. Went to all 7 home qualifiers and I'm going to give the nod to Costa Rica in Columbus. Going down early--they showed what a special group they were to come all the way back and win it. A lot of heart, guts, poise. Didn't really know what they were made of til that night.
Seeing Pulisic flash a true smile last night. I hope it's a sign he's coming out of the recent struggles of expectation (his own and others) and shaking the burden that was taking away his love for the game.
The comeback in Honduras deserves a shout because, as our lone away qualifying win, and a come from behind one at that, it was vitally important when you look at the standings now.
Dos a Cero will always top the list. But seeing Pulisic after his 3rd goal last night was a close second. The kid has had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and you could see in the Nov-January window he had lost a little confidence. To score three goals last night when it mattered so much, and to punctuate with such a deft last goal, it was beautiful to see. I felt like you could see all the frustration and pressure melt away when he celebrated in that corner.
On a personal level, it was seeing the expression of incredulous joy on my son's face after getting high-fives from many of the players on their way to and from warm-ups for last night's game. A few simple high-fives just gave this kid memories he'll cherish for a lifetime! From a game perspective, it's a toss-up between the dos a cero victory over Mexico and Pulisic's third goal last night. The former mattered more in the context of qualifiers and was a great team performance, but I can't shake the feeling that the flash of skill Pulisic showed on his third goal last night might represent an unleashing of the burden he carried for so much of this qualifying cycle - one which has prevented him from being his best self from a soccer perspective. That's the Pulisic we all want to see in Qatar come December, and it was so great to see that player emerge again last night!
Realizing that he had already scored in the previous fixture, watching Pepi score twice vs Jamaica, for me, seemed to be the moment I realized that we’ve got a young, diverse batch of dudes that can do some damage for a good long while. Let’s goooo.
I know the home game in Nashville against Canada wasn’t the result we wanted, but personally it was a big highlight. Two nights prior my eight-year old son and I decided to make the drive from Chicago. We had a great time in a fantastic environment. I know he’ll remember the weekend fondly.
Because I was at the Mexico match in Cincy, my favorite moment is Pulisic's score and the crowd's thundering response. BTW, the security line at MCO is consistently a nightmare, especially during Spring Break.
Is there anything better than seeing Dos a Cero return?
Maybe recency bias but Pulisic's third last night. Sometimes we forget he can do things like that and he reminded us in the most critical game.
Will be interested to see if this resonates with others but the moment that made me scream loudest was Dest's goal against CRC. Coming after the loss in Panama and then getting down so early in the game, my anxiety was at an all time high and then boom, beautiful build up leading a beautiful goal. It felt like one of the earliest moments when the promise of this young team finally translated to the performance of this team.
It's gotta be the second-half comeback in Honduras. It wasn't just a comeback in that game, but it was a road win after consecutive draws, including at home against (what we didn't yet realize was the Concacaf King) Canada. It was just such a relief. And it was our first WCQ win post-Couva, something the team and the fans really really needed.
Gio Reyna's MARADONNA-esque run!!!!!! Demonstrated the massive leap in quality by American players! Never mind that Reyna did not score like Maradonna did! It was an amazing feat (near-pun not intended) that signified so much else for me!
As a total outlier: I really was impressed with the play ( and pace ) of Moore last night. He flies in as a last minute substitute and gives us an “A” game. He didn’t just man a spot. He made a difference and put pressure on Panama all night.
“Jedi” Robinson stating that he likes to be called “Jedi”. I also liked his fake leg injury celebration.
Second half of the Honduras game… that was the wildest swing of emotions I’ve had watching this team since 2010
My highlight is the U.S. domination of Mexico in its 2-0 (dos a cero😁) win!
Pulisic's goal last night. Just awesome. World class. Worst moment - Minneapolis. Whole thing was so silly.
Today as Im traveling to Costa Rica for tomorrow’s match. We gonna party tomorrow night!!!
Played soccer as a kid. Fan since the 94 World Cup and flew with my best friend to USA-MEX for out first ever qualifier. I remember watching the 02 world cup with him at 2am as we were in high school. Driving up to watch USA-England in 10 together. Both of us have young kids now who are unvaxed (under 5) so we’ve spent the last 2 years in major quarantine and haven’t been able to travel or really do anything so that they were safe. After a lot of thought and boosters we decided to fly in for 24 hours to Cincy. In this crazy world it was one of the high points of my life.
Personally my favorite moment was freezing in St. Paul for my first ever WCQ match (2nd cap). Although I feel like I'm about to top that because I'm traveling to Costa Rica right now. My favorite on field moment was seeing Ferrera hand the ball to Pulisic last night for that first PK. I felt like we sealed qualification as soon as he grabbed that ball.
I enjoyed the Honduras game in Minneapolis even though I'm sure the players and fans don't want to ever play there again. Also, the 2nd half at Honduras was great.
Having a legitimate home field advantage for the first time. Keep giving those cities international matches
Gio Reyna looks to be everything USMNT fans had hoped and then some. His quality has been revelatory in the past two games. His meandering dribble and the “ooooohhhhhs” of the Mexican fans made me feel like we were finally capable of playing big boy soccer on the global stage.
Not sure it was the favorite moment but it might have been the most important. Pepi’s goal in Honduras might have saved us. It was match day 3 and we had 2 points from first 2 matches and were tied 1-1 vs Honduras. Pulisic was pulled from a tie game in 62nd minute (Was Greg acknowledging US might be better without Christian as there was no chemistry then with him on the field then?) . Pepi scored in 75th minute and 2 more late goals made it a late 4-1 route. Without those 2 points we need to at least tie Costa Rica to avoid the playoff. I’d love to know more why Greg pulled our best individual player when we were in pretty dire straights.
I flew my son home from CA so we could go to Mexico match in our hometown--that was incredibly special. Went to all 7 home qualifiers and I'm going to give the nod to Costa Rica in Columbus. Going down early--they showed what a special group they were to come all the way back and win it. A lot of heart, guts, poise. Didn't really know what they were made of til that night.
Dest's goal.
Dos a cero. Every time I hear that phrase I smile. And especially this time after Ochoa’s mirror remark. Just SO gratifying to STICK it to them.
2-0 was great as a team moment. But I think I'll take CP's goal last night, thank you very much.
Man in the Mirror. Honorable mentions go to Gio’s run at the Azteca, the worm, comeback victory away in Honduras
Seeing Pulisic flash a true smile last night. I hope it's a sign he's coming out of the recent struggles of expectation (his own and others) and shaking the burden that was taking away his love for the game.
Please describe the Wawa sandwich. Sausage and egg on a hard roll?
Two things... First, the Pepi window. Loved that the kid broke out. Second, went to two games with my sister and two with my Dad. Loved it.
Two things... First, the Pepi window. Loved that the kid broke out. Second, went to two games with my sister and two with my Dad. Loved it.
The comeback in Honduras deserves a shout because, as our lone away qualifying win, and a come from behind one at that, it was vitally important when you look at the standings now.
Dos a Cero will always top the list. But seeing Pulisic after his 3rd goal last night was a close second. The kid has had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and you could see in the Nov-January window he had lost a little confidence. To score three goals last night when it mattered so much, and to punctuate with such a deft last goal, it was beautiful to see. I felt like you could see all the frustration and pressure melt away when he celebrated in that corner.
On a personal level, it was seeing the expression of incredulous joy on my son's face after getting high-fives from many of the players on their way to and from warm-ups for last night's game. A few simple high-fives just gave this kid memories he'll cherish for a lifetime! From a game perspective, it's a toss-up between the dos a cero victory over Mexico and Pulisic's third goal last night. The former mattered more in the context of qualifiers and was a great team performance, but I can't shake the feeling that the flash of skill Pulisic showed on his third goal last night might represent an unleashing of the burden he carried for so much of this qualifying cycle - one which has prevented him from being his best self from a soccer perspective. That's the Pulisic we all want to see in Qatar come December, and it was so great to see that player emerge again last night!
1. Pepi's first goal against Honduras because we really needed that win after the poor start.
2. Dest's golazo against Costa Rica (which was the best goal scored by the US in qualifying until...)
3. Pulisic's 3rd goal against Panama for the world-class quality
Realizing that he had already scored in the previous fixture, watching Pepi score twice vs Jamaica, for me, seemed to be the moment I realized that we’ve got a young, diverse batch of dudes that can do some damage for a good long while. Let’s goooo.
Antonee Robinson goal vs Panama in 1-0 win..or Weah shot forcing a 2nd half own-goal by Costa Rica (in 2nd half after losing to Panama)
2-0, hands down.
Gotta be Pulisic’s performance last night. His worm celebration and the meaning behind it 👌
I know the home game in Nashville against Canada wasn’t the result we wanted, but personally it was a big highlight. Two nights prior my eight-year old son and I decided to make the drive from Chicago. We had a great time in a fantastic environment. I know he’ll remember the weekend fondly.
Weston header goal against Honduras in 0 degrees to set us out on a huge win in Minnesota.
Weston header goal against Honduras in 0 degrees to set us out on a huge win in Minnesota.
Pulisic getting his third goal was superb.
Without question, Pulisic’s “Man in the Mirror” goal against Mexico in Cinci. It was the most pivotal event for the US during this qualification.
Adding VAR midstream.
Because I was at the Mexico match in Cincy, my favorite moment is Pulisic's score and the crowd's thundering response. BTW, the security line at MCO is consistently a nightmare, especially during Spring Break.