SB Nation Los Angeles - CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Update: United States Eliminated, Mexico Advanceshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-03-27T22:38:52-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26657572012-03-27T22:38:52-07:002012-03-27T22:38:52-07:00Mexico Vs. Panama: El Tricolor Ride Late Goal To Sweep Table
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<p>CARSON, Calif -- With only pride on the line, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> took the pitch against Panama at The Home Depot Center and both teams played like there was nothing at stake. 0-0 for most of the match, Mexico didn't break through until stoppage time to win the match 1-0 and go 3-0-0 through the group stages. Mexico will face Canada in the semi-finals in Kansas City.</p>
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<p>Erick Torres was the man to finally break through for Mexico, with a stoppage time goal that gave the 10,061 in attendance something to cheer for finally. Jeronimo Amione brought down a cross from in the box, and laid the ball out for Erick Torres right in front of goal who smashed it into the back of the net. </p>
<p>The first half was uneventful, with Mexico trotting out a sub-optimal side and Panama having nothing to play for. There were some good chances, but no urgency to finish them. Of some note is Miguel Ponce, who was born in California and plays for Guadalajara, getting the start tonight at left back. Otherwise, it was a fairly listless first half. </p>
<p>Marco Fabian, a long established played at Guadalajara, came on an hour into the match confusing many. His presence had been missed, but with qualifying assured it just didn't seem necessary. </p>
<p>Mexico finished with a +10 goal differential, easily the best in the tournament. Victory over Canada will see the team through to the Olympics, after not making it out of the group stage in 2008. </p>
<p>Panama and Mexico took an equal number of shots, but Panama was much better at hitting the target tonight with only one shot off target. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/chivas-usa/2012/3/27/2907696/mexico-vs-panama-el-tricolor-ride-late-goal-to-sweep-tableJosie Becker2012-03-27T20:15:49-07:002012-03-27T20:15:49-07:00CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Update: Honduras Advances, Mexico Wins Group Baring Miracle
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<p>Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago faced off in the early match at The Home Depot Center, with Honduras moving on to the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Semi-Finals with the final score 2-0. With the Honduran win, the Group B participants are locked in as Mexico and Honduras.</p> <p>CARSON, Calif -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/honduras">Honduras</a> and Trinidad & Tobago faced off in the early match at The Home Depot Center, with Honduras moving on to the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Semi-Finals with the final score 2-0. With the Honduran win, the Group B participants are locked in as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> and Honduras. The only way Mexico doesn't win the group is if they lose by nine goals to Panama. </p>
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<p>Honduras scored their first goal in the 36'. A Wilmer Crisanto cross was deflected into the air by Antony Lozano. Eddie Hernandez of BK Hacken of the Swedish League was able to get underneath the ball and head it in. This goal all but assured Honduras going through, as a draw would not be enough for Trinidad and Tobago. </p>
<p>The second Honduran goal came in the 69', in a reversal of the first. Eddie Hernandez found Antony Lozano in front of goal and Lozano was able to nudge in a goal that fans at the Home Depot Center were mildly thrilled by. Most in attendance were here for the second match, when Mexico is set to take on Panama. </p>
<p>Baring a miracle, Mexico and Canada will face off in semi-final one, to be held on March 31st. The second match of the evening will feature El Salvador taking on Honduras, ensuring that a Central American team will be represented in the Olympics. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/3/27/2907377/concacaf-olympic-qualifying-update-honduras-mexico-london-2012Josie Becker2012-03-26T20:38:36-07:002012-03-26T20:38:36-07:00Olympic Qualifying Update: United States Eliminated
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> suffered their latest in a series of recent setbacks, drawing to El Salvador tonight resulting in elimination from the Olympic Qualifying tournament. Canada drew against Cuba in the first Group A match tonight, which meant the US could win the group with a victory of El Salvador. However, a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time took victory out of the hands of the US and gave the group to El Salvador with Canada finishing second. </p>
<p>Last year, the US U-20 squad failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Many players on that squad were on the U-23 roster, a team that exists mostly for the Olympic games. Most of the additions were MLS players, such as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy's</a> <span>Michael Stephens</span> who came in late in tonight's match. </p>
<p>The match between the US and El Salvador ended 3-3; with <span>Brek Shea</span>, Terrence Boyd, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/149735/joe-corona">Joe Corona</a> scoring for the US. El Salvador and Canada both finish with five points, to the US' 4. Canada will face the winner of Group B, with El Salvador facing the runner up. </p>
<p>That Group B winner will be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a>, baring the extremely unlikely scenario of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/honduras">Honduras</a> scoring 11 goals tomorrow which Mexico doesn't score any. Honduras is still in the driver's seat for the runner up spot in the group, but Trinidad and Tobago could take it with a win over Honduras tomorrow. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/chivas-usa/2012/3/26/2905129/olympic-qualifying-update-united-states-eliminatedJosie Becker2012-03-25T18:51:17-07:002012-03-25T18:51:17-07:00Olympic Qualifying Update, Mexico Vs. Honduras: El Tricolor Advance To Knockout Stage
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<p>CARSON, Cailf -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> U-23s defeated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/honduras">Honduras</a> U-23s today at The Home Depot Center in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying, with the final score 3-0. With the victory, Mexico advances to the semi-finals of the tournament. With Panama and Trinidad & Tobago drawing in the earlier match, Mexico clinches first place in the group. They'll face the runner up in Group A. </p>
<p>Mexico advanced on a hat trick by Alan Pulido, striker for Tigres UNAL. The first two goals came in the first half, the first one from the right side inside the box after mishandling the initial pass. The a second was a golazo, head on from outside the box. The third came again inside the box, with Pulido once again showing he was right right choice for striker today. </p>
<p>Honduras are still in a good position to finish runner up in Group B. Technically, no one has been eliminated from the group yet, as Panama or Trinidad and Tobago could advance with a victory on the last day. </p>
<p>Over in Group A, Cuba has been eliminated, but the other two teams are still active. The USA and El Salvador will face off tomorrow, likely for the right for the right to face Mexico in the Semi-finals. The scenarios are complicated, but it would be some feat for Cuba to advance with a -10 goal differential after two matches. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/chivas-usa/2012/3/25/2902383/olympic-qualifying-update-mexico-vs-honduras-el-tricolor-advance-toJosie Becker2012-03-25T12:23:48-07:002012-03-25T12:23:48-07:00CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Update: United States Shocked By Canada, Mexico Cruising
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<p> This afternoon will see day four of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying at The Home Depot Center in Carson, but there's been a major upset already. </p> <p>CARSON, Calif -- This afternoon will see day four of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying at The Home Depot Center in Carson, but there's been a major upset as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> U-23 team was defeated 2-0 by Canada last night at LP Field in Nashville. Mexico take on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/honduras">Honduras</a> tonight in Carson, and are expected to finish top of Group B. </p>
<p>Mexico won their first match against Trinadad and Tobago 7-1 on Friday night, getting a hat trick from Marco Fabian of CD Guadalajara. Defender Israel Jimenez of Tigres UNAL also scored on a night when goals came cheap. Honduras won their match 3-1 earlier that day, and will likely be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico's</a> toughest match of the Group. A decision tonight will all but clinch Group A for the victor. </p>
<p>The US were expected to finish top of Group A, but now have to defeat El Salvador in their final group stage match tomorrow. Canada got goals from <span>Doneil Henry</span> of Toronto FC and Lucas Cavallini, both in the second half. Canada now has 4 points to the US 3, and face Cuba in their last match; a team the US defeated 6-0. </p>
<p>The runner up of Group A will face the winner of Group B in the Semi-Finals at Livestrong Park with the winner moving on to the Olympics. This means a US vs. Mexico Semi-Final for an Olympic spot is not only possible, but it's now the most likely way forward. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/chivas-usa/2012/3/25/2901684/concacaf-olympic-qualifying-update-united-states-shocked-by-canadaJosie Becker