The MNT Blog
News and Notes on the U.S. Men's National Team
Posted by ussoccer at 6/12/2011 10:04 AM CDT
Here's a look at the scenarios the U.S. team faces heading into Tuesday's match with Guadeloupe. The bottom line is that a win in Kansas City, Kan., will clinch a top-two place in the group for the U.S.
The U.S. has the advantage of playing the last game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage and will know exactly what is needed to advance. The best chance for the U.S. to win the group would be a Canada win against Panama by one or two goals, however, a 3-0 win for Canada also provides for scenarios in which the U.S. could advance.
GROUP C STANDINGS
Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts.
PAN 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 6
USA 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 3
CAN 2 1 1 0 1 2 -1 3
GPE 2 0 2 0 2 4 -2 0
TIEBREAKERS
At the end of group play, if two or more teams are equal on points (including ties among third place teams), the manner in which teams will advance to the next round will be resolved as follows and in the order indicated:
a. Greater number of points in matches between the tied teams.
b. Greater Goal Difference in matches between the tied teams (if more than two teams finish equal on points).
c. Greater number of goals scored in matches among the tied teams (if more than two teams finish equal on points).
d. Greater Goal Difference in all group matches.
e. Greater number of goals scored in all group matches.
f. Drawing of lots.
U.S. SCENARIOS
IF PANAMA BEATS CANADA ...
and the U.S. wins, the U.S. advances in second place.
and the U.S. ties, the U.S. advances in second place.
and the U.S. loses by one goal, the U.S. advances in second place.
and the U.S. loses by two or three goals, the U.S. finishes in third place with three points*
and the U.S. loses by four or more goals, the U.S. finishes in fourth place
IF PANAMA AND CANADA TIE ..
and the U.S. wins, the U.S. advances in second place.
and the U.S. ties, the U.S. advances in second place. (tiebreaker: head to head vs Canada)
If Panama ties and the U.S. loses, the U.S. will finish in fourth place. (tiebreaker: head to head vs Guadeloupe)
IF CANADA BEATS PANAMA ...
by one or two goals and the U.S. wins, the U.S. wins the group.
3-0 and the U.S. wins by one or more scoring at least 2, the U.S. will advance in first place.
3-0 and the U.S. wins 1-0, there will be a drawing of lots to determine first or second place.
by three goals, scoring four or more, and the U.S. wins, the U.S. will advance in second place.
by four goals and the U.S. wins, the U.S. advances in second place.
and the U.S. ties, the U.S. will finish in third place with four points**
and the U.S. loses, the U.S. will finish in fourth place.
THIRD PLACE SCENARIOS
(Note: Will be updated daily based on Group A and B results).
* If the U.S. were to advance as a third-place team with three points, one of the following must happen:
Either El Salvador-Cuba or Guatemala-Greneda end in a tie
Either Cuba or Greneda win with a margin of victory that when added to the U.S. margin of defeat is less than 10
** If the U.S. were to advance as a third-place team with four points, one of the following must happen:
Either El Salvador-Cuba or Guatemala-Greneda end in a tie
Either Cuba or Greneda win
Either El Salvador wins by five or fewer goals OR Guatemala wins by two or fewer goals.
Note: There are additional scenarios based on goals scored should El Salvador (-5, 1 GS), Guatemala (-2, 0 GS) and the U.S. (+1, 3 GS) all finish with four points and a +1 goal difference.
