Gold Cup Final: A Look back

Wow, what a game.

The U.S. national team comesbackfrom a 1-0 deficit to beat Mexico 2-1 (sorry, 2-0 is a habit I suppose) in front of a sold-out crowd at Soldier Field dominated by Mexican fans.

I've been to a bunch of US-Mexico games and today's was easily the best game of the bunch. Both teams played well, attacking in waves and both goalkeepers came up with clutch saves.

Here are some updates from after the match:

The comeback victory was the first for the U.S. team in the 73-year history of the rivalry.

Andres Guardado has been labeled healthy and able to go with Mexico to Copa America. I haven't heard about Jared Borgetti's status but his injury appeared more severe.

Jonathan Spector was taken to hospital for observation fer a mild concussion suffered in the same collision that left Guardado with a concussion.

Yes, that was Mexican defender Carlos Salcido who exchanged jerseys with Landon Donovan. A great gesture of sportsmanship, unlike Hugo Sanchez berating match officials and sarcastically applauding them during the trophy ceremony.

One Mexican player who did give the U.S. team credit after the match was none other than goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. After a great performance in goal, Sanchez refused to call the penalty call questionable and stated that the Mexican team was to blame for its missed opportunity.

There were some ugly scenes of fighting in the stands after the match. In most cases, it was Mexicans fighting other Mexicans.

Here are some other observations from today's game:

Benny Feilhaber is ready for primetime. I had some doubts about whether Feilhaber was really ready to be a first-team regular but he erased those today. It isn't even just about the goal. He held possession better than most American players and showed a knack for getting out of tight situations and delivering smart passes.

Brian Ching is the best forward the US team has. Yes, he started slowly and looked rusty early on but he put himself in good positions consistently and made sharp passes that none of the other forwards in the mix can make. I said at the start of the tournament that he was the top choice at forward and after missing some games as he regained fitness, he came back on Sunday and did everything he was asked. While it would be nice to have a Nery Castillo type who could terrorize defenses, Ching does such a good job setting up Donovan, Dempsey and Beasley that he deserves to keep getting the nod.

Nery Castillo is a terror. If you didn't know about Nery Castillo before Sunday's match, you do now. Castillo has been a star in Greece for a few years now and is on the verge of a big-money move somewhere in Europe. His speed, shiftiness, and vision are going to be key for Mexico for years. Get ready for a Castillo-Carlos Vela forward line to be the class of CONCACAF in a few years.

Ricardo Clark is ready to battle for a starting job. Count me as in the wrong about Clark. I wasn't sure if he was ready to be a quality option in central midfield but he played with confidence and skill on Sunday. He will have a great chance to show how good he is this week in Copa America.

US defenders need to improve. It might sound crazy to say given the US team only gave up one goal, but there were too many instances where people made mistakes and were beaten only to be bailed out by bad Mexico finishing or great help defending. Yes, defending is a team game and if help defense is stopping attacks then things are good, but Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Jonathan Bornstein all need to sharpen their skills for the U.S. team to be a team that can contend with anybody in the world.

The Copa America roster suddenly doesn't look so bad. With Feilhaber and Clark looking so good on Sunday, the U.S. Copa America team feels a little stronger now. Having them play in front of a center back tandem of Jay DeMerit and Jimmy Conrad gives the U.S. team a solid spine. Whether the fullbacks and forwards will be ready is another story.

Comments

[arisrules]

Yea, I was pretty sold on feilheiber, but Clark stepped it up today.

How do you put those two and Bradley on the field? For all the nepo-tards screaming about Michael Bradley, he had the best half of any US player against Canada in the semis. What he brings to the plate is a superior understanding of the game, positionally, which could blend well with Clark's athleticism and Feilheiber's skill on the ball.

Nerry Castillo is one of the most arrogant and malicious players in the world (and I am not kidding). Outside of olympiakos fans, everybody in greece loathes him.

[Dannyc58]

Ching's through balls up front are a thing of beauty. He also came back and played some strong help defense.

As he gets more fit, he'll be even better.

I was on the fence about Ching, but I'm officially a fan now.

[EssEff]

I had heard about Nery, but I think he was a no-show for the previous US/Mex game. That guy is scary. He really showed well today. In the second half today, I was biting off my fingernails whenever he got the ball in the Off 1/3. If Justin Mapp lived up to 110% of his potential, that's who he would play like.

That being said, what a game. Feilhaber was very smooth on the ball. Killing time in the late stages, he cut inside with the ball only to give a reverse pass to a streaking Beasley. That showed calm and confidence that we desperately need out of a ball handler.

Go Timmy. Saved our uncured bacon!

[RobinX]

Come on.....now everyone is in love with Ching. He was a nothing in the first half and had a good second half. I cant figure out how the U.S continue to get good results against a team as good as Mexico. Look at our team.....no forwards, a little above average midfield, a little below average defense, and good goalkeeping. Yet, we dominate a team who can stack up against the rest of the world much better than us. Does anyone disagree with my thoughts of the U.S team?

[Mike]

I agree with Aris- how do we put Bradley, Feilhaber, and Clark on the field at the same time? Looks like the only way to keep those three in the middle is to go with a 4-5-1. Bradley has clearly been thinking that too as it seems to be his preferred formation this tournament. I think with wing players like DMB, Landon, and Dempsey, It can work, as those wingers can have the freedom to go forward and turn it into a 4-3-3 at times.

Now if we can just find the right striker for the job. Kenny Cooper anyone?

Ives, any links yet to the post-match Mexico comments? I always like to hear them blame everyone but themselves for their struggles with the US. At least that hack Sanchez finally gave some respect- of course after what he tried to do to EJ a while back, it's hard to take him seriously.

[sidenetting]

Well, lunch will be free for me tomorrow. All my Mexican friends at work here in Chicago are very sad, and poorer, tonight.

I like Michael Bradley well enough but let's talk about Bob Bradley. He was the MVP, along with LD, for the tournament. He got production out of most of the lineup and had a huge sub with Rico at halftime.

He also did a nice job selecting this team. He played young guys and vets in a nice mix. He didn't get ruffled by poor performances but also wasn't afraid to give the hook when someone was relly off their game (Mastro).

[smokeminside]

Well, I wouldn't say we had no forwards. I can't explain the difficulty finishing (especially Beasley's miss), but the shots were there, people were in good positions, and they played their hearts out. Ching moved the ball around well, and Twellman did okay in place of Dempsey.

Anyway, the result: our players may not have some of the brilliance of the more athletic guys for Mexico, but I like the team chemistry, and I like the chances Bradley is willing to take. As Ives alluded to earlier today, strange that Ching goes from not suiting up to starting, and yet it paid off. Gutsy sub of Ricardo, and it paid off. Howard was great. We won, I'm happy.

[weems]

Good to hear about Guardado--I had been looking online to find info about his condition.

Also, couldn't agree more about Hugo Sanchez--classless to the last. And I do believe his shirt roughly approximates the color of the pink-slip that is in the mail. His personnel decisions have been dreadful.

A good final for both sides. Congrats to this transitional US team for reasserting it's authority on the region.

[dc fan]

Not nitpicking but you have the score wrong Ives. it was 2-1 not 2-0. I know that after typing 2-0 so many times when talking about a US v Mexico match, old habits are hard to break.

[Skaven]

I'm still not clear on why we're not taking the A team to Copa America. This is the best US team that I've seen in years (ever?). It'd be quite satisfying to see this team go down to South America and do some damage.

[H Wright]

Ives,
I agree with your comment that Ching is our most effective holding forward, however, I dont think we should consider him as our first option in all cases.

The player who impressed me the most today was Spector. He had a great showing and cannot be blamed for the goal as everyone slid to cover for Bornstein.

And to address the midfield combo of Benny, Rico, and Mike B, I have to give the nod to Benny and Michael (even though i thought Rico played really well and will provide a deep shot threat, and im a really big fan).

When everyone is HEALTHY, Id like to see a US line up like this:

----------Dempsey----------
Beasley-------------Donovan

----Convey-----Feilhaber---
----------Bradley----------

Spector----------Cherundolo
----Bocanegra---Onyewu-----
----------Howard-----------

Ive always liked Convey's crosses and Cherundolo is a great right back. Look to Rico and Ching to sub in or start, depending on the team.

[smokeminside]

OT, Ives, but I just re-read your summary...what did Sanchez have to complain about regarding the refereeing? I thoughht it was the best i'd seen in the tournament....

[kpugs]

Mexico=class. Always. They never disappoint with their show of sportsmanship and great attitude.

[Jasen]

wow Wright, i had completely forgotten about Convey!

hopefully he bounces back from his injury nicely, as he was playing well for Reading and would surely be another weapon for us.

[Ted]

Why is the FIFA Confiderations Cup in 2009 so important. I know it's a tournament right before the World Cup but is there another reason? Be gentle.

[Hamm]

Ted, I'm probably not the most qualified person to answer this but I'll give my two cents. The Confed Cup is big because it's a competitive tournament just a year before the World Cup. One of the laments coming out of the US's 2006 World Cup perforance was that we don't get enough challenging matches, particularly overseas, to adequately prepare us for the World Cup. And the Confed Cup is about as good as you're going to get in that department. Not only does it feature quality opponents (confederation winners plus others), but it will occur at the same stadiums we'll (hopefully) play in at the World Cup just one year later. It's just a good "dress rehersal" for the big show a year later, in addition to hopefully making them more experienced and battle-hardened.

[Joamiq]

We can't take the A team to Copa America. Clubs don't have to release our players for it since we're a guest.

Ted, everything Hamm said is right.

[brentmcd]

what a great game! excellent referee. mexico actually played with class. respect to both sides. with guys like guardado and castillo, this rivalry looks primed for the next decade.

very impressed with beasley today; he looked like a man possessed. count me in favor of ching up top; he's the best option we have for creating chances. his passing and field sense are better than twellman, and he definitely wore the defense down with his strength in the second half. hats off to bob bradley and the gold cup champions!

good: howard, bocanegra, onyewu, simek, feilhaber, clark, beasley, donovan, ching

poor: bornstein, spector

[JB]

Ives, some of the previous posts sparked a thought. Can you provide an update on Convey, Gibbs, Wolff, Steve C? When will they be healthy and do you see any of them having a problem getting back into the National team mix (Steve C is our best right back so doubt an issue but what about the other three)?

[JB]

Ives, sold on all the points you make except Rico Clark needs more time to develop. A great win for the U.S. in a great game. Castillo was a terror...if the U.S. can not contain Castillo, Messi is going to be impossible. The stretch of play between Howards save on Bautista and Beasley's miss typifies the U.S. long time problems...still prone to bad defensives lapses combined with inability to close out games. Today the breaks (thanks to TH) went our way, but we need to tighten up the back, and start hitting the WIDE open net (Ching, Beas).

[Ted]

Thanks Hamm.

[inkedAG]

If Brian Ching is our best forward, the US is in deep doo-doo...

[DawsonSoccer]

This is the first time I've stumbled upon this board, but I have to say I'm impressed. I didn't think the US would show as much heart as they did in WC06 v Italy, but they did today. Let's be serious, they were outplayed in the first 45 as Mexico finally brought it in a game against the USA. However, as most teams eventually learn, it's a game of 90 not 45 minutes!

Bravo to the USA for fighting as much as they did.

Observations:

* Dempsey, Beasley and Donovan remembered lessons learned playing 9 v 10 for 45 minutes in Germany and kept plugging away - Awesome.

* Mexico traded a jersey - a grand and appropriate gesture.

* Why can't FIFA enforce a two game ban on any coach or player who accosts a referee after a match, particularly a National Team game - next FIFA games - out you go.

* Mexico played with passion and cleverness - just without the fitness to maintain it for 90

* Beasley? Gotta give him props for being on the end of things, and downers for his missing of sitters (3) in the tournament - wonder why ManCity won't pick up his option?

* Twellman has improved. Dempsey needs some time off. Ching - you can have him, he's not the future up top. Bornstein - very good for most of the event. Spector - needs more time. Frankie H - is he Bradley's other son?

Rant over.

[eastlachiva]

I have to apologize and admit error in predicting that this US team was a semi-finalist at best. If not for the offsides call by the Mexican ref, I'd be right. Either way, I'm glad I was wrong and proud that the US won the way they did. It's not easy to be Pro-US Soccer in EAST Los Angeles today, but it sure is fun!!

[Alex]

Haha, i'm just reading back on this because i'm bored...

"Copa America roster doesn't look so bad after all.."

Hah! So sad... But who could have known waht a disaster it would be?