Starting XI: Things We Can Expect from USA-Barbados

The United States starts its long journey to South Africa this Sunday in California in a monumental CONCACAF clash that has observers, pundits, and barflies parsing every possibility.

Okay, maybe playing Barbados isn’t that big a deal. But there are some things we can speculate about. Here are eleven things we think might happen.


1. The U.S. scores 25 goals. None by Eddie Johnson.
 
2. A few “Hi, my name is...” introductions between Barbados players during warm-ups.

3. Midway through the first half, Barbados captain Norman Forde turns to U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and says, “Why’d you cut di dreads?”

4. Mastroeni is red carded for tackling Forde from behind.

5. Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” plays during warm-ups, confusing the Barbadians more than the Americans. “He’s Jamaican, mon!”

6. Former U.S. international John O'Brien sits in the stands holding a “John 3:16” sign.

7. Mass desertion from Sam’s Army over the lack of creativity and attacking threat inherent in Bob Bradley’s damn double holding-midfielder system.

8. Freddy Adu throws a temper tantrum--in Portuguese.

9. During halftime, Barbados and Wigan Athletic defender Emmerson Boyce tries to defect to the US. “Help, help, I’m being repressed!” he’s heard shouting as he runs down the tunnel.

10. Michael Bradley gives his dad a fabulous Father's Day gift: a goal.

11. Drew Carey explodes after eating one too many nachos.

The Starting XI appears on Goal.com every week.