Thread: 2011 Gold Cup Thread

Well I suppose it was inevitable for a US-Mexico final. Hopefully the Mexicans will be tired for having to go into OT today. I think the key for the US is to shut down/limit Mexico's wing play (obvious)...gotta starve service from Cheech. I think Bradley and Jones can handle the central midfield but Donovan and Dempsey (maybe Bedoya?) are going to have to come up huge. I'm going to guess this is the starting lineup:

Agudelo

Bedoya--Dempsey--Donovan

Jones--Bradley

Lichaj--Boca--Goodson--Cherundolo

Howard

Donovan has to start this game, he's been pretty meh so far all tournament but he always comes to play against Mexico. I like Bedoya's energy on the wing, it'll allow Dempsey to drift and find pockets in between the midfield and defenders. If the game is tied or the US is behind in the second half then I'm sure Adu will see some more time. Predictions?

Originally Posted by KHenry14

Freddy showed today the type of brillance he can bring to a game....and at the same time he'll make a bonehead giveaway in the defensive zone. But coming into a game late to be a spark? Right up his alley. Add in he's REALLY good on set pieces, and he could change a game.

Gutsy move by Bradley since Adu has not played at all in the Gold Cup. Bradley gets a lot of flack so he should get credit when it is deserved. His subs impacted the game.

Originally Posted by kba4life2

Agudelo

Bedoya--Dempsey--Donovan

Jones--Bradley

Lichaj--Boca--Goodson--Cherundolo

Howard

Donovan has to start this game, he's been pretty meh so far all tournament but he always comes to play against Mexico. I like Bedoya's energy on the wing, it'll allow Dempsey to drift and find pockets in between the midfield and defenders. If the game is tied or the US is behind in the second half then I'm sure Adu will see some more time. Predictions?

Bedoya had been playing on the right side of midfield and is doing a pretty good job of providing width. I don't see him playing on the left. I think it's more likely Donovan plays in the middle behind Agundelo and Dempsey starts on the left but with the freedom to play more centrally. Lichaj provides width on the left when Dempsey vacates that space.

The guy that makes me nervous right now is Bradley. He is usually one of our best players but he looks like he has little left in the tank. After a season of not playing that much it shouldn't be a surprise. I was hoping Edu would play a bit more, whenever he plays I'm impressed with him and he provides a lot of energy and physicality. Plus he is coming off a solid season with Rangers. Unfortunately it seems like Michael is always the first name on the team sheet.

Going forward the US is going to have to figure out a way to make a 4-5-1/4-2-3-1/4-3-3 since we have a surplus of solid CMs in the national team pool right now and not exactly the best forward crop. I guess the downside is Altidore seems best when playing with a strike partner(Davies).

Mexico will beat the US team in the final

Originally Posted by kba4life2

Well I suppose it was inevitable for a US-Mexico final. Hopefully the Mexicans will be tired for having to go into OT today. I think the key for the US is to shut down/limit Mexico's wing play (obvious)...gotta starve service from Cheech. I think Bradley and Jones can handle the central midfield but Donovan and Dempsey (maybe Bedoya?) are going to have to come up huge. I'm going to guess this is the starting lineup:

Agudelo

Bedoya--Dempsey--Donovan

Jones--Bradley

Lichaj--Boca--Goodson--Cherundolo

Howard

Donovan has to start this game, he's been pretty meh so far all tournament but he always comes to play against Mexico. I like Bedoya's energy on the wing, it'll allow Dempsey to drift and find pockets in between the midfield and defenders. If the game is tied or the US is behind in the second half then I'm sure Adu will see some more time. Predictions?

Not just overtime, the Hondurans had a kickfest and the ref let the game get out of hand. Never understood why a Central American ref calls a game for a Central American team. There should have been at least 4 red cards and only at the end did he finally take it out. Maybe borrow refs from COMENBOL.

Prediction: Penalty Kicks but roughy to call the winner. Howard may be the difference there unless Michel plays instead of Talavera.

Originally Posted by KingsOvAllKings

Mexico will beat the US team in the final

When was the last time Mexico beat the US in the US ? been a while I see a close tight physical game with a few cards maybe even a red or two.

USA 2
Mex 1

Rosebowl is doing some work on the stadium I am not sure about attendance will be sold out for sure

Originally Posted by SuxBeingU

When was the last time Mexico beat the US in the US ? been a while I see a close tight physical game with a few cards maybe even a red or two.

USA 2
Mex 1

Rosebowl is doing some work on the stadium I am not sure about attendance will be sold out for sure

2009 Gold Cup 5-0 Mexico

I thought Bradley did a good tactical job against Panama but lets be honest if Altidore is healthy, Adu never sees the field and doesn't perform as well as he did.

I do hope Adu gets another shot as a sub on Saturday

Originally Posted by SuxBeingU

When was the last time Mexico beat the US in the US ? been a while I see a close tight physical game with a few cards maybe even a red or two.

USA 2
Mex 1

Rosebowl is doing some work on the stadium I am not sure about attendance will be sold out for sure

Already sold out. Luckily I got my tickets awhile ago.

I imagine about 85,000 Mexican fans, and maybe 2 or 3,000 US fans. Last time I went to a US/Mexico game in LA I was hit in the leg by a piss bomb amongst other insults/threats. Good times.

I really fear Mexico in this game, and just hope the US doesn't get utterly embarrassed.

The USA wont get embarrassed, but they might lose. This isn't the C team they fielded in 2009, this is pretty much their A Team. Sure, the USA doesn't have anybody like Hernandez up top (have they ever?) but this game will be won in the mid-field. Play possession, work the wings, and take advantage of the few chances they will be getting and the USA can eek out a win.