Let's start today with some (for our purposes, very minor) good news:
Finland make it two in a row thanks to Pohjanpalo | UEFA.com
Markus Halsti started at center back and went 90 minutes for Finland, who are still alive for a spot in Euro 2016.
Costa Rica 1-0 Uruguay: Ruiz header snaps 10-match winless run | Goal.com
Alvaro Saborio's Ticos won by the same scoreline, though Sabo didn't get on the field.
And now, sadness:
A soccer friendly with an unfriendly score:Brazil 4, United States 1 | Washington Post
Details on last night's humiliation at the hands of Brazil. 4-1 does not accurately portray the gap between the teams. And sure, Brazil has good players and all that, but this was just pathetic (save a stoppage time Danny Williams golazo that was nice enough).
Armchair Analyst: More experimentation but no answers for Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT in loss to Brazil | MLSsoccer.com
Impressed that Matt Doyle doesn't just go into a rant here. The continued experimentation - switching Bradley and Bedoya out of roles they've played before, for example - isn't towards any end with the USMNT these days. It's a mess, and every team that plays the US these days knows how to take advantage. Why is Alejandro Bedoya playing as a holding midfielder? Who knows! Let's also play center backs as full backs and start center backs who have no place in the US pool.
USMNT will play Guatemala, St. Vincent and the Grenadines in World Cup qualifying | Stars and Stripes FC
Looking forward to 6 aggravatingly close games! And Carlos Ruiz!
Canada Take Shaky Step Forward on Road to Russia 2018 | Waking the Red
All of the favorites got through in CONCACAF's World Cup qualifiers, but there were some uncomfortable moments. Canada, for example, was pressured numerous times by Belize but ultimately advanced 4-1 on aggregate.
Mad Bull & Maestro steal show as Canada advance in World Cup qualifying | Three Things & Player Ratings
Of course, the stars of the game were somehow Belizean announcing duo Maestro and Mad Bull.
Got anything else that needs discussing? Head to the comments.