Friday Night Football: World Cup Qualifying Draw Date Announced & More
A few things to mention briefly:
*FIFA announced today that the draw for the teams in the CONCACAF final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup takes place Nov. 22. Teams will learn their opponents as well as home and away dates for all 10 qualifiers that will determine the three automatic berths for the region in South Africa. The United States, Costa Rica and El Salvador have already advanced to the final round, with the remaining three teams to be determined.
FIFA will also conduct the draw that day for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup scheduled for June 14-28 in South Africa. Participants are the United States, hosts South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New Zealand and Spain.
*Mexico announced the roster today for Wednesday's game against Ecuador in Arizona, which includes American Edgar Castillo and Manchester City's emerging star Nery Castillo. Here's the complete squad.
Lastly, the No. 4-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills men opened the defense of its two consecutive CCAA titles, advancing 5-3 on penalty kicks in the semifinal over Chico State today, after a 1-1 double-overtime tie in regulation. The 16-2-3 Toros meet the winner of the Sonoma State- Cal State L.A. semifinal on Sunday.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Leave a comment