Un panorama más complicado se encuentra en la Concacaf, hablemos un poco más de ellos...
Marco Rodriguez (México, 1973): Su tercer mundial? a 2006 fue de relleno, en 2010 dejo algunas dudas, es algo irregular, pero después del retiro de Archundia el número 1 de México.
[Debe ser invitado a su tercer proceso mundialista.]
Roberto García (México, 1974): Siguiendo lo ocurrido en los últimos años, vuelve a haber dos mexicanos. Su país se encargó de dañarle la final del sub17, donde realizó un excelente trabajo, ojo que en una recaída de Marco puede sacar ventaja.
[Para nosotros debe empezar el proceso a 2014.]
Jair Marrufo (Estados Unidos, 1977): Esta será la vencida? Ya estuvo en el proceso anterior, participó en los Olímpicos y en un mundial sub.
[Esta vez llega un poco más maduro y sin dudas con mejores cartas. Creo que será invitado.]
Mark Geiger (Estados Unidos, 1974): Casi desconocido antes de la final del mundial sub20, será que esta vez la apuesta va por los jóvenes? A pesar de ser inexperto ganó mucha experiencia en Colombia.
[Yo prefiero llevarlo, por joven que sea a uno de los veteranos que nunca rindieron, aunque creo que FIFA pensará diferente.]
Roberto Moreno (Panamá, 1970): No se porqué lo mandaron a casa en 2010 antes de tiempo, en estos momentos es de lo mejor (o el mejor) de la zona.
[Debe empezar el proceso y de seguir con este nivel seguramente terminarlo en 2014.]
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador, 1975): Después de haber estado en 2010 levantando carteles le llegó la hora, ya dirigió una final de Copa Oro, como raro USA vs México y la sacó con honores.
[Pinta bien para este proceso debe empezarlo ojalá no se destiña como paso de 2007 a 2010.]
Walter Lopez (Gautemala, 1980): Joven, pero bueno, ya demostró sus caualidades en el mundial sub20 y la semifinal de Copa Oro, me gustaría mucho verlo en el proceso, pero con otros asistentes, para poder llegar lejos.
[Debe ser llamado, pero ojalá pueda cambiar por lo menos uno de sus asistentes.]
Walter Quesada (Costa Rica, 1970): No se porqué, pero FIFA ve algo en él, participó en la Copa América y tuvo el peor partido además en la Copa Oro realizó un desastre.
[Si por mí fuera puede ver el mundial desde la comodidad de su sofá o en una taberna con un par de cervezas.]
Enrico Wijngaarde (Suriname, 1974): Proceso fallido en 2010, tiene confianza en su región, ha llegado a semis de Copa Oro y ya participó en un mundial sub20, el de Canadá.
[Aunque creo que FIFA lo va a llamar, para mí puede quedarse en casa, prefiero dejar un joven a alguien que ya falló un proceso y probablemente falle un segundo.]
Raymond Bogle (Jamaica, 1971): A punto de quedarse fuera del sub17 debido a su fallo en las pruebas físicas, en el mundial no demostró mucho a pesar de llegar a los octavos de final.
[Para mí y creo que para FIFA también se debe quedar en casa.]
Nuestra elección: Marco Rodriguez, Roberto García, Roberto Moreno, Joel Aguilar, Walter Lopez, Jair Marrufo, Mark Geiger.
Posible elección de FIFA: Marco Rodriguez, Roberto García, Roberto Moreno, Joel Aguilar, Walter Lopez, Jair Marrufo, Enrico Wijngaarde
My choice (just what I think what FIFA will do..): RODRIGUEZ, GARCIA, MORENO, Aguilar, LOPEZ, QUESADA, MARRUFO/WIJNGAARDE
ResponderEliminarNot sure about Marrufo or Wijngaarde..
I know the United States is not the most powerful federation in the world, but it IS the most powerful in CONCACAF. There is absolutely no way that we'd go without having at least one candidate.
ResponderEliminarMarrufo was a guarantee until the U20s. Geiger's performance complicates things. In year's past, I would dismiss the idea that the United States could have two candidates. This year, with Jack Warner gone and Brian Hall in charge of CONCACAF referees? It's possible.
Also... why Garcia over Chacon? Chacon went to the Gold Cup and Copa America, after all. I'd also put Gantar in the mix now.
Right now, I'd say:
Locks: RODRIGUEZ, CHACON, AGUILAR, MORENO, LOPEZ, MARRUFO
Two of: GEIGER/WIJNGAARDE/GANTAR/QUESADA... edge to Wijngaarde and Geiger
It´s sure USA will have at lesat one, the two is not a crazy Idea but also is not a reality.
ResponderEliminarGarcia has big steps over Chacon. I saw the two and I liked Garcia, Chacon is a bit lazy, does not want compromise. And I can tell you I gave the names FIFA has in mind and Gantar is not one, maybe for 2018 but not for 2014...
Another thing to remember here is how much politics have played in the past. There are three distinct sections to CONCACAF (North America, Central and Caribbean). In the past, the islands had the most power and that ensured they had a seat at the table. Even in Marrufo's crew last time, he was forced to take a Jamaican AR. With Warner and Austin banned, it will be interesting to see how much the influence the Caribbean has. Wijngaarde really is their only viable candidate, but will Bogle be forced into the mix?
ResponderEliminarI agree that Gantar isn't likely to make the list, but it is possible. Gantar is not a referee I rate at all (I like Ward better) but CONCACAF seems to like him. He has as much of a chance as Queseda at this point.
The formation of crews will be very interesting. If Marrufo gets nominated, he will have Rockwell and Morgante. Who would Geiger have? Hurd and Fletcher (CAN) were thrown into the mix for him very late in stage. Hurd is probably one of the lowest ranked Assistants in our country. Strickland, Quisenberry and Tovar have to retire soon. Aside from the, I'd rank our ARs as:
1) Gansner
2) Wienckowski
3) Morgante
4) Rockwell
5) Vasoli
6) Hurd
7) Boria
I really hope Gansner and Wienckowski get to go with Geiger. But Morgante and Rockwell are definitely first choice for Marrufo.
Well, yes I know abouth the division, but Bogle was not really good in the u17 and a so-so u17 is to my mind not enough to get in to the list. Also if we take in account the other names... Maybe Bogle gets in, but it woud be only politics which would be a shame.
ResponderEliminarThis list have some influence CONCACAF´s toughts about their referees but if we see Gantar palmarés is not much, not big matches, his Gold Cup only one match, no FIFA tournament... Gantar has not much, he is too joung that is why he is out.
I think each referee can chose his AR, so was it in South America for 2010. There is also a reserve AR, but we will have to wait to see if Geiger and Marrufo are in to start thinking the AR.
I don´t konw if Quesada has a real chance, I don´t like him, have seen him a couple of chances but was not good, not a WC level. But FIFA seems to have an eay over him...
I did not think each referee was allowed to pick his ARs. Maybe in CONMEBOL and UEFA, but in the other confederations, there are international trios. For example, I know Geiger did not choose Hurd and Fletcher. I don't think it's different for WC candidacy.
ResponderEliminarWell, if he did not choose them FIFA will use that trio for all the competitions. I only know of a referee who was able to change AR after the first selection: Khalil Al-Ghamdi, his AR had failled the test for previous tournaments and in the WC he appeared with other...
ResponderEliminarMy understanding for Geiger was that he his first choice AR was/is Wienckowski. He and Wienckowski went to the CONCACAF U20s as a partnership (CONCACAF had duos, not trios, attend).
ResponderEliminarGantar and Fletcher went as a separate partnership.
When Geiger was selected for FIFA U20s, he had to take one Canadian AR, as Gantar was not selected. So Fletcher was automatic. Wienckowski was also invited based on his CONCACAF performance.
Due to work other commitments, Wienckowski could not go to Colombia. Nor could Rockwell, who is Marrufo's #2 AR and was Geiger's second choice. So he was left with Hurd, who USSF nominated. Hurd got VERY lucky getting selected for Colombia. I really don't think he should be in the discussion for Brazil.