The stage is set as the Americans and Mexicans are the last
two countries remaining in the quest for the CONCACAF Gold Cup crown.
This Saturday the Rose Bowl plays host to the championship
game, with kickoff slated for 9 PM EST.
Bob Bradley's team beat Jamaica comfortably in the
quarter-finals before evening the score against Panama with a 1-0 victory in
the last four.
Probably the story in the semi-final was the surprise
introduction of Freddy Adu late in the second half. How did the little-used
attacker fare?
He responded fantastically well in his limited playing time,
picking out Landon Donovan with a phenomenal through ball which led to the
game-winning goal from Clint Dempsey with just over 15 minutes to go.
The United States has now posted shutouts in three straight
matches as well as in four of its five total throughout the competition.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard has played well, but most of the credit should go to a
surprisingly cohesive defensive unit.
It was a gutsy win for Mexico in the quarters as well. El
Tri faced Honduras at Reliant Stadium in Houston and the game had to be decided
in extra-time with the score locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes.
Desperation seems to play in the Mexicans' favor, given that
Jesus De Nigris scored just two minutes into the additional period. Six minutes
later, deadly striker Javier Hernandez found the back of the net once more to
seal his team's progression into the title game.
And what a match it should turn out to be. Nine of the 10
previous Gold Cups have ended with either the United States or Mexico winning
it all.
Sportsbooks have not picked a strong betting odds favorite for this
year's edition, with Mexico at +135 with Bodog. The Americans can be backed at
+180 soccer odds to win the gold on home turf.
Prepare for a pulsating final
We've touched over the potent
tandem of Chicharito and Giovani dos Santos in Mexico's attack. But this team
can also kill you from the wings, as Pablo Barrera and Andres Guardado have
also had tremendous tournaments.
But for me the key to victory for either side will be
controlling the middle of the field once again.
Both squads have enjoyed their fair share of possession, so
whoever wins out this weekend will certainly have the advantage. Dominating the
midfield will prove to be crucial.
For the United States, that task falls to Landon Donovan and
Michael Bradley. Donovan has started out the last two matches on the bench in
order to give him a little rest, so for the final he should have fresher legs
than normal.
Bradley, the coach's son who had a loan spell with Aston
Villa this past season, is a player not known primarily for his flair or skills
but rather for his hard-work and determination. He always battles hard and
he'll need to really go all out versus this quality Mexico outfit.
In the world rankings, the USA is currently at 22nd
while El Tri is 28th. But those numbers do not tell the real story
as this Mexico team is exceptionally strong at the moment and is playing like a
top 10 side.
This final was what people were expecting and hoping for,
and here we are. The Americans have the chance to get some revenge from a 2009
loss to their border rivals, but can they succeed in their toughest test yet?
While I definitely do not enjoy being the bearer of bad
news, I honestly feel as if Mexico is the better squad right now. The United
States has not had to deal with a forward line as quick and skilled as the
pairing of Chicharito and dos Santos and I see one of the two getting at least
a goal on Saturday.
Also, we have not seen very much consistency out of Bob
Bradley's team throughout most of the competition, so another off-day at the
office may very well lead to a disastrous night for the Americans.
FREE Pick: United States 1 Mexico 2