Lo que si me comentó Vane que me pareció muy interesante, es que a pesar de estar de vuelta en su tierra natal, en cierta manera se siente como que está en el medio, es como que no es ni de un lado ni del otro. En Costa Rica le preguntan de que país es, pues ella tiene proverbios de otros países que se le han pegado cuando vivió en el extranjero. El acento de Vane no es tan marcado como el de los otros Costarricenses y hay gente que piensa que ella ha emigrado a Costa Rica. Cuando uno ve otras cosas en USA y las vive todos los días, te acostumbras a eso.

Vane se siente una latina muy internacional ya que trabajó con latinos en USA y se acostumbró a dichos, y maneras diferentes. A pesar que está de vuelta en su tierra, ella extraña a sus amigos latinos de USA, como iban a pasear, a tomar unas bebidas, al cine, etc. Los amigos que ella tiene desde niña en Costa Rica ya tienen otra vida; muchos están casados, de novio, estudiando y ya no tienen tanto tiempo para juntarse y salir a algún lugar o para charlar como antes.

En cuanto al aspecto laboral, Vane me comentó que ella no ve muchas diferencias entre el ambiente de trabajo con gente latina en USA y el ambiente laboral en Costa Rica. Ahora, ella piensa que si hubiese trabajado con gente americana, ahí si hubiese sido diferente el ambiento de trabajo.

Desde que volvió a Costa Rica, en Abril del 2009, Vane cuenta que los vecinos le pusieron el sobrenombre de “la gitana”, y su familia tiene dudas de que ella se quede en Costa Rica de por vida. A pesar que están súper contentos de verla y tenerla cerca, ellos tienen miedo de que se vuelva a USA. Solo el tiempo dirá.

En cuanto al crimen en su país natal, Vane me comentó que simplemente hay que tomar precauciones más que nada. Por ejemplo, siempre hay que trabar el auto, guardar paquetes en el el baúl (trunk) o no ir por lugares oscuros para no exponerse a ningún riesgo. Es cuestión de estar atento y precavido.

Un comentario de Vane que se quedó conmigo, fue que cada persona tiene control de cómo percibe lo que lo rodea, entonces es muy importante ver las cosas con una buena actitud y con ojos frescos, y que porque las cosas no sean perfectas no significa que sean malas, simplemente son diferentes.

Having already qualified, USA can look ahead to preparing for the big tournament.  In the coming weeks, USA will play a series of exhibitions (“friendlies”) in order to fine-tune their final squad for South Africa.  On November 14^th, USA will be traveling to Bratislava, Slovakia to play against the Slovakian National Team.  Then, four days later, USA will be traveling to Aarhus, Denmark to play the Danish National Team.  Why do this?  Well these friendlies give the team an opportunity to look at which players work well together, as well as which players could be a boost off the bench should a potential injury happen before or during the World Cup.

Another reason for these friendlies, in particular, is that playing against a decent team on the road will help the USA team build some “road character.”  The World Cup, being in South Africa, means no home games for USA at a neutral venue.  Playing on the road will help the starters develop more confidence while on the road, thus building a stronger team.

Even though the World Cup is more than seven months away, it is the preparations being made now that will help build the team’s confidence and increase the chances of a good showing in 2010.

Author: Joel Beebe

From the original 35 teams, there are six teams left in the CONCAFAF region.  The top three teams automatically qualify, while the 4^th place team still has to play a home and away qualifying round with the 5^th placed team from South America’s group to advance.  With 16 points, the United States leads the group after 8 games.  Mexico follows in close second with 15 and Honduras rounds out the top three with 13 points.

What does all this mean?  With a possible six points (three points for a win or one for a draw) from the last two games, any of the top three could end up in the dreaded 4^th place spot.  With this squad is shaping up to possibly be two-time World Cup champion Argentina, nobody wants to end up in 4^th place.

This makes the next round of games crucial, especially the United States, who must travel to San Pedro Sula in Honduras to capture all three points for the win.  Honduras has been fierce at home-scoring 12 goals, while only giving up two.  If the United States can steal some points away, it would go a long way toward securing a place in South Africa.

If the United States wins in Honduras, they are all but assured a spot.  Accomplishing this will be a problem, as their record on the road has been less than stellar.  In the four road games the U.S. has played, they’ve recorded only a single win, which came on September 9^th at Trinidad and Tobago.  Add to that the Frankie Hejduk-inspired draw in El Salvador, the U.S. has only picked up four points on the road, which comes out to a below average 1-1-2 record.  A loss in Honduras does not spell disaster. If the U.S. can get a win or draw against Costa Rica in their final home game a week later, their place is still assured.  However, the smart move would be to get some points in Honduras to insure a better position before the final round.

No matter what, I can guarantee that the United States’ bumpy road to qualify will be an exciting one.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see them in action.

Author: Joel Beebe

From the original 35 teams, there are six teams left in the CONCAFAF region.  The top three teams automatically qualify, while the 4^th place team still has to play a home and away qualifying round with the 5^th placed team from South America’s group to advance.  With 16 points, the United States leads the group after 8 games.  Mexico follows in close second with 15 and Honduras rounds out the top three with 13 points.

What does all this mean?  With a possible six points (three points for a win or one for a draw) from the last two games, any of the top three could end up in the dreaded 4^th place spot.  With this squad is shaping up to possibly be two-time World Cup champion Argentina, nobody wants to end up in 4^th place.

This makes the next round of games crucial, especially the United States, who must travel to San Pedro Sula in Honduras to capture all three points for the win.  Honduras has been fierce at home-scoring 12 goals, while only giving up two.  If the United States can steal some points away, it would go a long way toward securing a place in South Africa.

If the United States wins in Honduras, they are all but assured a spot.  Accomplishing this will be a problem, as their record on the road has been less than stellar.  In the four road games the U.S. has played, they’ve recorded only a single win, which came on September 9^th at Trinidad and Tobago.  Add to that the Frankie Hejduk-inspired draw in El Salvador, the U.S. has only picked up four points on the road, which comes out to a below average 1-1-2 record.  A loss in Honduras does not spell disaster. If the U.S. can get a win or draw against Costa Rica in their final home game a week later, their place is still assured.  However, the smart move would be to get some points in Honduras to insure a better position before the final round.

No matter what, I can guarantee that the United States’ bumpy road to qualify will be an exciting one.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see them in action.

Author: Joel Beebe