I don't get this, aren't all clubs in break at that point, and MLS is the only league in season?

You're arguing like you own a club or something.

You didn't know that I own a third league English team?

Australia made it against Honduras.

Honduras was terrible in both matches...really bugs me even more now. They beat Mexico or Costa Rica (cant remember now) at home though and we didn't so really it's our own doing.

Bruce Arena can suck a fat one.

akm91 said:

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Quote:

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Four-time world champions Italy will miss Russia 2018 after Gian Piero Ventura's team failed to score in two legs against Sweden, enabling the Scandinavians to qualify for next summer's tournament with a 1-0 aggregate playoff victory.

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At least for many US fans. Italy has not missed a WC since 1958.

Italy flames out

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Love it

US should just invite Chile, Netherlands, and Italy and just have a round-robin of six friendlies over a 10-day time period. Nothing big, don't keep standings, no playoff game. But it would be a chance for the four teams to get some playing time for their 2022 player pools.

I think that would draw a lot of interest.
It would be extremely unusual.
It would definitely be a first.
Good experience for the future for the USA and the other three teams.

Media already calling it the "world crap" and "soccer nit". I definitely don't see it happening as any kind of tourney but maybe some round robin friendlies as suggested above.

I am all for it - either tournament or friendlies. Who gives a flying flip what the press calls it?

Sure, there will be some jeers "Hey look at all the teams that weren't good enough to make the World Cup", but I don't see how anyone can call this "sour grapes" by the U.S, or "take our ball and go home" or whatever. That's just stupid. It's not what it is, and no one would see it that way, unless they have an axe to grind. And again, who cares what anyone says? Let's just play some futbol!