Friday, August 27, 2021

What Will Happen in Canada's World Cup Qualifying?

Canada is about to embark on a 14 game journey that may or may not lead them to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. 

Despite the recent success, Canada still hasn't been able to conquer their Achilles heel that have alienated them in decades past. They will have 4 trips into Central America where they will look to put their demons to rest as they look to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

Assuming that they will lose to USA and Mexico on the road, they will have five other away games where collecting points will be a huge advantage. The tie in El Salvador in 2016, turned out to be the fatal blow in Canada's road to Russia. 

As Potent as our offense is, we still don't know if they can have the same fire power on rough and uneven grass in Central America. To add to this, our defense is our weak part which scares me if things come down to goal differential. 

Our back bone will be tested in the games at Mexico and USA to avoid multi goal losses. The Jamaica games will also be crucial as Jamaica has the third best roster but it will be a less intimidating environment. 

We might need scoreboard help along the way but I'm leaning towards us finishing 5th in the Octagon. Finishing 3rd might require us to win in Costa Rica or Jamaica or getting a draw in both games. That's what scares me. 

There are wins on this schedule. five out of the seven home games should be wins. The problem lies in where can we win one more to get us a crucial 6th. Beating the States for a second consecutive time at home will be harder. El Salvador appears to be the weakest team in the group but that seems to be the swing game for Canada. I have that game being a draw but that seems like it could be flipped easily. That means, holding serve elsewhere. 

I have Canada going 4-2-1 at home and 1-3-3 on the road. They will beat Panama on the road because that's the last game. They will need to run up the score. At the same time, Costa Rica will be able to run up the score on USA more effectively as USA will have already punched their ticket. 

Here are my final Group predictions.  


PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationCanadaHondurasEl SalvadorUnited StatesPanamaCosta RicaMexicoJamaica
1Mexico14860397+3230
2 Sep8 Sep30 Jan '2213 Oct12 Nov16 Nov27 Mar '22
2USA148242512+132627 Jan '2230 Jan '228 Sep12 Nov7 Oct27 Mar '2213 Oct
3 Jamaica 146352114+7212 Feb '225 Sep2 Sep7 Oct27 Mar '2213 Oct12 Nov
4Costa Rica 145541718-119
5 Sep2 Feb '2227 Jan '2227 Mar '2213 Oct12 Nov7 Oct
5Canada145541822-41930 Mar '2224 Mar '2216 Nov10 Oct2 Sep8 Sep30 Jan '22
6Honduras 145361121-101824 Mar '2216 Nov10 Oct30 Mar '2227 Jan '225 Sep8 Sep
7Panama 143651022-12157 Oct10 Oct30 Mar '2224 Mar '222 Feb '2230 Jan '222 Sep
8El Salvador 140212530-252

Thursday, August 26, 2021

What Will Be the Ducks record be This Year

 I was able to go to the online Ducks store and order three more shirts for the season. I'm pretty excited for this hopefully normal season. 

Oregon should be the favorite in 10 or 11 of their games this year. The one I'm not sure on is At Washington. The Ducks escaped with a 35-31 win two years ago in a game Oregon trailed for most part of the game. As of now, I would have Washington at -2.5 but lots will change between now and the game. 

We are getting to the point in the Cristobal era where we are expecting to be a Top eight team. Getting to the Playoff might be gravy but with a BCS Title appearance in 2010 and 2014 we should call ourselves due to get back to the College Football playoff. 

The way that the Pac 12 schedule presents itself does make things problematic. For instance, this year Ooregon is At Washington and At Utah. It's super unfortunate because Washington hasn't been to Autzen since 2018. 

Two years ago we were At Washington, USC and ASU all in the same year. We play four South teams a year so the rotation isn't even, but it seems to me we get the hard road schedule in the odd years and the easier road schedule in the even years. 

So... maybe expectations should be lower this year? Playing a tough schedule might give us some advantages if we finish with one loss. It will be interesting if we beat Ohio State but finish 11-1 and don't win the division would we still go to the playoff. It would likely depend on other conferences. 

Thanks for making Oregon a fun place to be apart of. Having Cerebal Palsy doesn't define me and I want to meet every Ducks fan there is. 

Nine days to go. Get Excited Everyone!!