Twenty days after Mexico’s five to nothing drubbing of El Salvador, the anticipation is over. While the Gold Cup has provided its fans with plenty of excitement and surprise, it is safe to say the past twenty days have been nothing more than a formality. The blow-outs, the penalty shoot-outs, the Cinderella runs and the disappointing exits will be forgotten all too soon. Chicharito’s seven marvellous goals, Canada’s lackluster performance and Panama’s group stage victory over the United States have all been filler; events that warranted our attention for nothing more than a few moments. It’s all been somewhat of a dress rehearsal that took place to bridge the gap between the start of the tournament to the moment we have all been waiting for: USA vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup final.
The ongoing rivalry which has been dubbed the “El Clasico” of CONCACAF will be renewed tonight in Pasadena when the likes of Giovani Dos Santos, Andres Guardado, Carlos Salcido and wonder kid Javier Hernandez try to cap off a dominant tournament with a second consecutive Gold Cup title. Standing in their way is a USA squad which at first glance do not appear to pose much of a threat. Sure, this is not the same USA team that lost in extra time to Ghana at the 2010 World Cup. A lot has changed since then. Landon Donovan is out of form, Clint Dempsey seems to have lost his finishing touch, Altidore has been deservedly removed from the starting XI and captain Bocanegra is another year older. Yet for some reason, none of this seems to matter when the United States meet Mexico. While skill and form are big factors in every match, in a rivalry as great as this, it takes a backseat to heart, pride and determination. Mexico’s 5-0 record and plus sixteen goal differential is intimidating to those of us watching from the sidelines, but I can assure you that the United States will look at it from an entirely different perspective. They will take it as motivation. The last thing Bradley will do is have his team put Mexico on a pedestal. They do not see Mexico as the big, bad El Tricolor’s, but rather as the last team standing in their way of Gold Cup glory.
You excited yet?
It will be the third consecutive time that Mexico and the USA will meet in the Gold Cup Final. Back in 2007 the United States beat Mexico 2-1 at Soldier Field off of Benny Feilhaber’s winner in the 73rd minute. In 2009 Mexico flat out embarrassed the States, winning by a score of 5-0. You can bet the States will not let that happen again. The United States will be aiming for their fifth Gold Cup title while Mexico will be searching for their sixth.
The key for Mexico will be to stay on the attack and keep the pressure on a subpar USA back line. If they can maintain a consistent attack and keep the States on their toes, they will be successful. It is what they have been doing all tournament and it has worked out perfectly for them as they have scored a total of eighteen goals in five games. The Mexicans are fielding arguably the best team in the country’s history. Their free flowing style of play and top class ball movement make them an absolute delight to watch. With such a young core, El Tri is ready to make some serious noise on the world stage for years to come.
While Mexico has experienced plenty of success on the attack, the USA has found that to be their weakness. They have had a very hard time finding the back of the net in the tournament and it has not been for a lack of chances. It has been the same problem that has been haunting the team for years. They have yet to find a reliable go-to striker who will step up when they need it most. They have learned the hard way that putting all their eggs into one basket with Donovan does not equate to success. While Dempsey has stepped in and contributed at times, his inconsistency and inability to find his finishing touch has been a problem for them to say the least. Dempsey’s performance against Guadeloupe in the final group stage made George Best roll over in his grave.
In order for the United States to win this game, they need to capitalize on their opportunities. Most importantly, they need someone other than Donovan and Dempsey to step up and contribute. Eighteen year old Juan Agudelo will more than likely be the lone striker in the line-up and with Donovan and Dempsey slotted right behind him in the midfield, he will be sure to get his fair share of chances. In the end, I think that the lack of a true striker will prove to be the downfall of the Americans in the final, but nothing is a foregone conclusion in a rivalry like this.
Regardless of the final outcome, this game will be a pleasure to watch. It is such a heated rivalry which never fails to entertain the fans. Will the grit and determination of the Americans be enough to overcome a talented Mexican side? Are the Mexicans too quick and too lethal for the US to handle? It’s Mexico’s game to lose, but you can be sure no one told the US national team that.
Image courtesy of © DAVID LEAH/isiphotos.com and ussoccer.com
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