Goal 94 Dynasty

[SnDvls]

It's 1994 and the USA is looking for a new coach to lead the team to the 1994 World Cup and beyond.

We start out ranked 13th in the world and 12th in Continental America.

The three soccer papers welcome me with open arms. I'm ready for the challenge.

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right out of the bat I'm thrown into getting this team to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
I'm put in Group D as the favorite.
the other teams in my group are Canada, Cuba, and Surinam

now to look at my roster to see who is any good on this team.

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My first game is a friendly away against Argentina. They are ranked #11 in the world and #1 in the Americas so it will be a challenge for my first match.

looking over the roster we play a 4-4-2 which I'm fine with so I won't change it at all.

since I'm playing a friendly I think I'll bring in a few players who don't have any caps yet to play, but not too many to bring down the team moral.

Goalkeepers
T. Meola with 84 caps will get the start
R. Longley is 34, but has no caps so I'll bring him along and leave my other
experienced goalie B. Friedel home for this game.

I'm bringing with me two sweepers, two center backs, two left backs and a right back.

starting at sweeper is W. Longdon with zero caps, but sitting on the bench is vetran M Balboa with 90 caps.

A. Lalas will start at center back and have N. Lamb on the bench

J. Agoos is the backup to left back P. Caligiuri and D. Browne will be at right back earning his first caps.

my midfield consists of defensive midfielder W. Nash, left midfield J. Berrey, forward midfield R. Wegerle, and right winger T. Ramos.

Finally we have at center forward E. Wynalda and striker E. Hedges

the rest of the bench consists of striker A. Nunn, left winger R. Davies, forward midfield N. Blair, right midfield A. Cripps and center midfield L. Tye.

[SnDvls]

It was a slow match, but the USA pulled it off winning 1-0 on a E. Hedges goal at the 48 min mark. Hedges won "Man of the Match" as we had 3 shots all game, but they were all on target. Meola saved three shots as well. It was a physical game too with a total of 6 yellow cards, 2 for the USA one on Wynalda and one on M. Balboa who came in as a defensive sub for Lalas.

Overall I'm happy with the performance of the guys and the mixture of players with and without caps.

[SnDvls]

my next match is another friendly against Panama before my first qualifying match against Canada.

Looks like I have one more shot at shoring up my team before the games really count.

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My friendly is home this time against Panama.
Panama is ranked 117 in the world and 17 in the Americas so it should be an easy win.

I'm going to give Meola a rest from goalkeeper this week, but keep him on the squad in case I really need him. Starting in his place is B. Gathergood a 32 year old with zero caps.

E Hedges will start again at striker, but will have a new inexperienced center forward in V. Greig along with him. Just in case Greig gets in trouble I'm bringing along E. Stewart (16 caps) and C. Jones (49 caps).

The defense looks the same except I'm leaving P. Caligiuri off the team this time in favor of starting E. Horsepool. I think these two will be coming with me to qualifying so I want to see them both in action.

I'd like to bring in T. Dooley to play defensive midfield, but he just isn't fit enough yet so it's another rookie L. Owens...we'll see how it does.

not many more changes of note to mention.

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In other Group D action Canada and Surinam tied 0-0.

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well the match didn't start out too well for us as Greig got a yellow card right away and Hedges was injured by a hard tackle all within the first minute of play.

Greig redeamed himself though picking up "Man of the Match" with his goal at the 24 minute mark. Horsepool added another at the 31 minute mark to ice the game as we won 2-0.

I was very pleased this game with 6 shots on goal while limiting them to 4.

On to qualifying...

[SnDvls]

qualyifing matches are one at home one on the road against each team in round one action. A win gets you 3 points, a tie 1 and a loss 0. If there is a tie at the end it goes to goal differential.

My first match is against Canada. They are #57 in the world and #16 in the Americas. Should be a USA victory in this one.

[SnDvls]

I was impressed with some of the players the last two games, unfortunally some of them are now tired so I'll have to go with some other options for my first match.

I'll stay at the 4-4-2 scheme I have been using for the qualifying games as well.

Here is a more indepth look at my roster for these games.

I'm keeping both T. Meola (age 25, 85 caps, 126 goals against) and B. Gathergood (age 32, 1 cap, 0 goals against) at goalkeeper. Gathergood will get the start again this week as Canada is still a pretty easy foe. Meola has better tackling skills, but Gathergood is far better at keeping and kicking.

On defense I'll continue to play with a sweeper, center back, left back and right back. At sweeper I chose to start E. Urquhart (age 28, 0 caps, 0 goals scored) he wasn't my first choice, but Longdon who started the two friendlies is fairly tired. One my bench at reserve sweeper is the reliable M. Balboa (age 26, 91 caps, 10 goals). I didn't start Balboa as he has a yellow card and want to save him for a defensive sub for either sweeper or center back if needed. At center back I'm going with A. Lalas again (age 24, 47 caps, 4 goals) he's very solid at what he does. I'm also bringign reserve center back N. Lamb (age 30, 0 caps, 0 goals), but don't see a need for him to play or me using him unless I suffer an injury. I'm taking a little gamble at right back with D. Browne (age 29, 2 caps, 0 goals) as he is just okay in fitness after his first two games, but there really isn't anyone else I'm at ease with using or in good enough fitness to throw in there. Left back is solid as I'm starting P. Caligiuri (30, 83, 4) and bringing E. Horsepool (25, 1, 1) off the bench. If I'm in a pinch and need to play one out of position at right back I can.

[SnDvls]

my midfield look like this.
one center, left, and forward midfielder starting along with a right winger.
I had been starting a defensive midfielder, but decided to change it up a bit to see what results I get. Making his first cap with the USA is center midfielder I. Prichard (25, 0, 0). He's really an experiment and just in case it doesn't work out I've added to my bench defensive midfielder L. Owens (28, 1, 0). Owens was solid in the last game so I'll keep him around if needed. J. Harkes (27, 49, 4) checks in at left midfield while R. Wegerle (30, 18, 1) is in at forward midfield. T. Ramos (27, 51, 3) is in his standard spot of right wing while I have C. Reyna (20, 16, 2) on the bench at right midfield.

Center forward V. Grieg (25, 1, 1) earned himself a spot on the team, but veteran center forward E. Wynalda (25, 53, 14) will get the start, this week. Joining Wynalda in the starting lineup as the last player is striker E. Stewart (25, 17, 2). I am also bring along two more strikers, back from injury E. Hedges (26, 2, 1) and V. Horsefield (29, 0, 0).

[thealmighty]

Originally Posted by SnDvls

...We start out ranked 13th in the world and 12th in Continental America....

That doesn't make sense. That means that only one team in the world that's not in Continental America is in the top 13 in the world? Or am I more confused than usual?

[SnDvls]

Wynalda got an early goal at the 12 minute mark that allowed us to play more agressive on both the offensive side and defensive side of the ball. Stewart added another goal at the 34 minute mark before picking up a red card on a hard foul and getting ejected from the match and forcing the USA to play shorthanded.

With my striker gone I moved Wynalda from center forward to striker and Ramos to center forward. Being short handed was hard on the guys as they gave up their first goal of the year at the 84 minute mark, but held on to win 2-1. Ramos got "Man of the Match" playing his best game yet and out of position no less. I wasn't quite as pleased with my defense allowing 8 shots, but I'll write that one off to being short handed. I was still able to get 5 shots on goal 3 of them on target.

[SnDvls]

Originally Posted by thealmighty

That doesn't make sense. That means that only one team in the world that's not in Continental America is in the top 13 in the world? Or am I more confused than usual?

basically you get your world rankings from the world cup and your Americas ranking from the qualifying tournament. So I could actually end up #1 in the Americas and #32 or so in the world depending on the outcome of the two tournaments.

here's how the world rankings break down up to the USA

Brazil
Italy
Sweden
Bulgaria
Romania
Holland
Spain
Germany
Mexico
Nigera
Argentina
Belgim
USA

and the Americas ranking is

Argentina
Mexico
Columbia
Equador
Brazil
Peru
Uruguay
Paraguay
Venezuela
Chile
Boliva
USA

[SnDvls]

there are 32 teams in the Americas too

[thealmighty]

So the rankings don't really mean anything until the tourney is done with, I guess.

[SnDvls]

notice Brazil & Argentina as two examples of teams that are ranked opposite.

[SnDvls]

Originally Posted by thealmighty

So the rankings don't really mean anything until the tourney is done with, I guess.

well they are the real rankings prior to the 1994 World Cup.

[thealmighty]

Oh, ok. It's just weird that there are 8 teams ranked in front of the U.S. in the Americas that are not ahead of them in the world. That's alot of difference.

[SnDvls]

our next match is an away friendly against Bermuda ranked #86 in the world and #29 in the Americas.

Due to his red card I'll be without E. Stewart for this game.

I've decided to go with a 4-3-3 lineup this game to see how it effects my play, bringing in an extra striker and taking out the forward midfielder.

Since this is a friendly I won't go into too much detail on my whole lineup. So key changes are that both goalkeepers are tired so I'm giving B. Friedel (21, 25, 37 goals against) his first start and cap of the year.

I have only one player, with one cap, on defense so we'll see how all the new guys gel today.

[SnDvls]

In other Group D qualifying action Canada beat Cuba @ Canada 1-0

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The good news is my experiment worked as we allowed no shots on goal and won the game 1-0 on a V. Horsefield goal at the 42 minute mark. The bad new is Horsefield was sent off with a red card soon after his goal and we lost E. Hedges to injury again. J. Ford earned his first cap at left back and earned "Man of the Match" with is defense on the Bermuda strikers.

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My next match is another home friendly against Boliva #21 in the World and #11 in the Americas. This will be a tough one like my first friendly against Argentina.

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I'm going back to my tradational 4-4-2 scheme for this friendly. T. Dooley, defensive midfield, still isn't in game shape for me, so again I have to settle with another player to start in that position.

E. Hedges' injury wasn't bad enough for him to miss another game so I'll bring him along, but keep him on the bench unless I need a quick offensive outburst in the game.

I also got E. Steward back from his red card suspension so he'll get the start again.

My regulars on defense seem to be ready to run again so I'll bring them along and start them for this friendly.

[SnDvls]

my defense continues to impress shutting out another team and allowing only one shot. While my offense had 6 shots on goal.

The USA won 2-0 with goals from E. Wynalda at the 6 min. mark and a late goal by E. Stewart, "Man of the Match", at the 92 min. mark. Stewart did get a yellow card this game so I'll need to watch his agressiveness the next game.

[SnDvls]

I have my second qualifying game at Surinam, #90 in the World, #20 in the Americas.

My team is pretty confident, actually over confident, too confidnet. So I'm leaving many star players home because of it, or not starting them.

At goal keeper B. Gathergood will be on the bench and earning his first cap is R. Longley (34, 0, 0 allowed). He's not the best option out there, but he's in shape and not over confident, which could lead to stupid mistakes.

I'll continue my usual 4-4-2 line up.

Goalkeeper R. Longley
Sweeper E Urquhart
Center Back A. Lalas
Left Back J. Agoos
Right Back J. Ford
Defensive Midfield L. Owens
Left Midfield J. Berrey
Forward Midfield R. Wegerle
Right Winger T. Ramos
Center Forward V. Greig
Striker V. Horsefield

Bench
Goalkeeper B. Gathergood
Sweeper W. Longdon
Center Back M. Lapper
Left Back B. Holloway
Defensive Midfield E. Howard
Right Midfield O. Clarke
Center Forward E. Wynalda
Striker E. Hedges
Striker C. Jones

[SnDvls]

prior to out match Surinam had a qualifying match at Cuba where they lost 3-0.

The standing thus far in Group D are as follows

Team GP W D L GF GA Pts.
Canada 3 1 1 1 2 2 4
Cuba 2 1 0 1 3 1 3
USA 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Surinam 2 0 1 1 0 3 1

[SnDvls]

well I was worried that the team would lose focus and be over confident and I was proven correct.

we out shot them 4 to 1 but didn't get a goal until the 83rd min. by E. Wynalda, whom I subbed in at halftime.

All the players I was worried about did have poor games...damn egos

"Man of the Match" was a suprise to me in E. Hedges whom didn't get playing time until after half time. T. Ramos did pick up a yellow card this game as well.

[SnDvls]

updated Group D standings

Team GP W D L GF GA Pts.
USA 2 2 0 0 3 1 6
Canada 3 1 1 1 2 2 4
Cuba 2 1 0 1 3 1 3
Surinam 3 0 1 2 0 4 1

[SnDvls]

my next match is a qualifying match against Cuba #128 in the World and #18 in the Americas

[SnDvls]

no changes to the lineup from the last qualifying match as it looks like this will be the group.

I'll continue my usual 4-4-2 line up.

Goalkeeper R. Longley
Sweeper E Urquhart
Center Back A. Lalas
Left Back J. Agoos
Right Back J. Ford
Defensive Midfield L. Owens
Left Midfield J. Berrey
Forward Midfield R. Wegerle
Right Winger T. Ramos
Center Forward V. Greig
Striker V. Horsefield

Bench
Goalkeeper B. Gathergood
Sweeper W. Longdon
Center Back M. Lapper
Left Back B. Holloway
Defensive Midfield E. Howard
Right Midfield O. Clarke
Center Forward E. Wynalda
Striker E. Hedges
Striker C. Jones

[SnDvls]

Cuba came out strong and got an early goal at the 17 Min. mark and held the 1-0 lead into half time.

With my team struggling and only having 1 shot in the first half I decided to change up my tactics a bit. Instead of having my team play a half pitch game I changed it to full ptich and told them to push forward instead of sagging back to the box.
I then subbed in C. Jones to give me an additional striker for R. Wegerle. Finally, at the 82 Min. mark I got the tying goal from V. Horsefield.
J. Berry was "Man of the Match" with a flawless game, hopefully he can keep it up.

[SnDvls]

updated standings now that each team has played 3 games.


Team GP W D L GF GA Pts.
USA 3 2 1 0 4 2 7
Cuba 3 1 1 1 4 2 4
Canada 3 1 1 1 2 2 4
Surinam 3 0 1 2 0 4 1


it is still anyones group, but Surinam will have to win at least 2 games to really have a chance.

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My next game is again a qualyifing game against Cuba this time away. I think I will be making some changes to the lineup to help the players realize I don't like overconfidence.

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since Cuba game me so many problems with their 5-4-1 formation I decided to try a 4-3-3 formation to combat it.

Goalkeeper R. Longley
Sweeper E Urquhart
Center Back A. Lalas
Left Back J. Agoos
Right Back D. Browne
Defensive Midfield W. Nash
Left Midfield J. Berrey
Right Midfield O. Clarke
Center Forward E. Wynalda
Center Forward E. Stewart
Striker E. Hedges

Bench
Goalkeeper B. Gathergood
Sweeper W. Longdon
Center Back M. Lapper
Left Back W. Home
Defensive Midfield E. Howard
Center Forward W. Wylde
Center Forward V. Greig
Striker V. Horsefield
Striker C. Jones

[SnDvls]

Surinam got closer as they pulled off the 2-0 win over Canada

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Then Surinam pulled off a 1-0 over Cuba to stand tied with the USA at 7 points, but they've played 2 more games.

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Looks like my strategy worked as I had 2 goals in the first half, Nash at the 16 Min. mark and Wynalda just before half time at the 45 Min. mark. Hedges was Man of the Match as he had 3 break away shots, one was a called back goal for offsides, in excellent work. And no player on my team was booked.

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With a win or tie against Surinam I will be moving on to the next round.

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And my next game is a home qualifying game agains Surinam. Like I said before a win or tie guarantees I move on to the next round.

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Since I knew I could take a chance on some players here I gave M. Nicholes his first cap and he didn't disappoint as he got his first goal at the 15 Min. mark. E. Stewart added another at the 87 Min. mark for a 2-0 USA win.

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My last qualifying game is at Canada who I already beat 2-1. Since I know I'm moving on I will probally not play a lot of my regulars so I don't get them into foul trouble.

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Well the USA slaughtered their neighbors to the north in a 6-0 drubbing and ended any hope of Canada advancing to the next round.

The USA was lead by a hat trick by Man of the Match, E. Stewart, two in the first half. Not to be outdone and showing he deserved his second ever cap M. Nicholes added two more first half goals to take a 4-0 lead at the half.
To avoid retalation both Stewart and Nicholes were subbed out in the second half and V. Greig came off the bench to put in the final goal at the 91 min. mark.

[SnDvls]

Final Group D standings

Team GP W D L GF GA Pts.
USA 6 5 1 0 14 2 16
Surinam 6 2 1 3 3 6 7
Cuba 6 1 2 3 4 5 5
Canada 6 1 2 3 4 10 5

Other Group winners

Group A
Brazil
Group B
Argentina
Group C
Columbia
Group E
Uruguay
Group F
Mexico
Group G
Bolivia
Group H
Costa Rica

[SnDvls]

The USA has qualified for the World Cup in Holland and is placed in Group D

Other teams in my group are
Russia, Cameroon, and the Rep. of Ireland.

Russia is the favorite to win the group.

Russia is ranked #18 in the world and #8 in Europe
Camarron is ranked #22 in the world and #14 in Africa
Rep. of Ireland is ranked #15 in the world and #12 in Europe

So even though I'm the highest rated currently in the world of my group I'm not the favorite, hopefully it will provide motivation for my players.

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going into World Cup group play I'll be playing a few friendlies first.

Germany has agreed to travel to play us. Germany is in Group E so if I advance I could face them in the next round too. They are ranked #8 in the world and #2 in Europe.

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Well it wasn't a loss and the team played better than I though they would, pulling out a 1-1 tie. B. Holloway in his first cap got a game tying goal at the 61 min. mark to help the USA. We were out shot though 6 to 2 so that will have to get better.

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My next match is also a friendly, and in an odd twist it's a home match against Cameroon who I'll be facing in group play as well.

[SnDvls]

Other friendlies will be home against Italy and Japan and road games against Columbia.

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In a match that had 14 fouls, 2 injuries, 2 yellow cards, and a red card. We pulled off a 1-0 win in a very physical match. E. Stewart earned Man of the Match with is goal at the 33 min. mark, but saw J. Ford pick up a yellow card and E. Wynalda pick up a red in retalation against Cameroon injuring E. Hedges in the first half.