By Clemente Lisi – PASADENA, CA (Jun 24, 2011) US Soccer Players – There is no real way not to overhype Saturday's Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl. Whenever the USA and Mexico meet – be it the Gold Cup, a World Cup Qualifier or friendly – it is always a chance for these CONCACAF heavyweights to add another page to the story of their long-simmering rivalry.
In the Gold Cup’s 20-year history, Mexico has won five titles to the USA's four. Aside from regional bragging rights, the winner of this year's tournament will also qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup.
CONCACAF’s two giants last played at the Estadio Azteca in August 2009 during a World Cup Qualifier that Mexico won 2-1. Prior to that game, the Americans lost 5-0 to Mexico just a month earlier in the Gold Cup final. Although the USA fielded a "B" team for that tournament, the Mexicans rubbed it in as another sign of their presumed regional supremacy.
Historically, Mexico has had the better of the USA. The Mexicans hold a 32-15-11 all-time record. Most importantly for the Americans, the USA is 10-4-2 in its last 16 meetings dating back to 2000.
El Tri has looked very impressive at this Gold Cup. With a roster loaded with European-based players, the Mexicans swaggered into the final, outscored opponents 14-1 in the first round and defeated Guatemala (2-1) and Honduras (2-0 in overtime) in the knockout stage.
Mexico did suffer a blow following its 5-0 win against El Salvador in the opener. The Mexican soccer federation revealed that five players – Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Rodriguez, Antonio Naelson, Christian Bermudez and Edgar Duenas – had tested positive for a banned substance.
The substance, clenbuterol, was blamed on tainted meat the players had eaten. The Mexicans also blamed the lab that conducted the tests in May for not giving them the results in a timely manner. CONCACAF upheld the suspensions and the Mexicans were forced to play the next three games with just 18 players on their roster. CONCACAF allowed Mexico to replace the players before this past Wednesday's semifinal against Honduras.
"This team knows it can win against any adversity if it wants to in order to be a champion,” Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said following his team’s victory over Guatemala.
Defenders Hector Reynoso, Paul Aguilar and Marco Fabian arrived in Houston on Tuesday night for the remainder of the Gold Cup. Goalkeeper Luis Mitchell and defender Marco Fabian were also named as replacements, but are with the Under-23 team in Colombia.
“I think it is something that gives us a boost knowing that we now have more players at our disposal," said Mexico captain Rafa Marquez, who also plays for the New York Red Bulls.
Although Honduras had complained about the player replacements, the USA did not.
“You want them to be their best team and us to have our best team because that's what it's all about,” US midfielder Clint Dempsey said.
The Mexicans are undoubtedly playing at their best. The team is 8-0-2 this year and has played all 10 of its games, including friendlies, on US soil. Over the past few months, Mexico has played in Atlanta, Oakland, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, Arlington, TX., Charlotte, Chicago, New York and Houston in front of sellout crowds in nearly every city. In most parts of this country, Mexico is the home team. The Rose Bowl is expected to be a sea of green, white and red for the final. CONCACAF has already announced that the attendance is expected to reach 90,000.
The pro-Mexican crowd will be looking for Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez to play a big part in bringing the Cup south of the border. The tournament's top scorer with seven goals, the Manchester United striker has blossomed into a talented scorer. Paired with forward Aldo De Nigris, Mexico has not skipped a beat offensively and picked apart every defense it has encountered thus far at the Gold Cup. It did take 120 minutes against Honduras in Houston, but in the end it was Chicharito and de Nigris who once again made the difference.
Mexico is a strong team loaded with individual talent. Combining creativity with pragmatism, Mexico uses the flanks to move the ball along with speed and craftiness in an effort to create scoring chances. Expect passes to soar into the US box from all directions. When the Mexicans are forced to play the ball down the middle, there are no shortage of players who can dribble or outrun defenders. Midfielder Giovani dos Santos is the type of player who excels when put into that position.
Mexico has no obvious weaknesses in this tournament, though the defense can be a bit suspect. We saw it at last summer’s World Cup. At the Gold Cup, Mexico’s defense has yet to be tested by a quality opponent. The USA will provide Mexico with that test. Against a player of the quality and strength of Dempsey, the Mexican backline could find itself totally overwhelmed.
The United States has not played its best soccer at this tournament, but coach Bob Bradley has had to balance trying to integrate new players with getting the team into the final. Bradley’s tightrope act has worked so far. Players like midfielders Alejandro Bedoya and Jermaine Jones have had a solid tournament.
Psychologically, the Americans are on a high. The 1-0 rematch win over Panama in Houston on Wednesday showed that the team has resilience – grinding out a victory against what proved to be a tough opponent. The game was decided by one big play. Dempsey’s goal, which came after a pinpoint pass from Landon Donovan served to him masterfully by Freddy Adu, was the sort of strike that highlighted the USA’s ability to play as a unit. Plays like that will sink Mexico.
Physically, the Americans are the fittest group of players at this competition. Bradley’s ability to look to his bench (Donovan came in as a sub in the last two games) and pluck creative players he can use to snatch wins is something that has come in handy in the knockout stages. Adu, who had not played at this tournament so far, was a surprise choice to replace striker Juan Agudelo, but a decision that paid off in the end.
For much of this tournament, the Americans have had to mostly respond to whatever game their opponents tried to impose. Against Mexico, the USA will need to take the initiative, maintain possession, and not squander scoring chances to lift the trophy.
Clemente Lisi is a New York-based writer. Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ClementeLisi
