GOLD CUP: Honduras shocks Mexico, Cuba ties Panama
The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup is earning the name Tournament of Surprises after a pair of stunning results at Giants Stadium. Carlos Costly scored two goals, including a 91st-minute game-winner, to lift Honduras past Mexico, 2-1.
Mexican midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco lost his temper yet again, drawing a red card after elbowing Honduran defender Samuel Caballero in the 48th minute to force Mexico to play the rest of the match a man down. Honduras responded with two goals, the first a sharp-angled shot from Costly, who dribbled past Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez before beating him from a tight angle. The second came on a header in stoppage time that sent the fans in blue into a frenzied state.
The Cuba-Panama game was another solid performance by Cuba, though Panama had a chance in the 90th minute to steal a win. Panama captain Felipe Baloy drew a penalty kick but then he sent the kick about 30 rows into the stands ala Baggio.
What do these results mean? They mean that Mexico has yet to secure a quarterfinal berth and could still potentially finish in third place in the group and earn a quarterfinal showdown against the US national team on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
Mexico is sure to come out inspired against Panama on Wednesday and it won't help Panama that Baloy, their captain and best defender, will be missing the match due to yellow card accumulation.
So after two games there are only two teams out of 12 to secure a place in the quarterfinals. Most people would have figured the US national team but I can't imagine too many people having pegged Guadeloupe as the second team to have qualified.
Talk about a crazy and fun tournament, and things are only going to get better.
Guadalupe is hysterical. I don't even know where that his.
Posted by: Go Metro | June 10, 2007 at 09:27 PM
A couple of great games.
Honduras dominated Mexico and they got a well deserved win. It would have been a shame if they just tied. That game should have been a blowout.
Costly looked really good. I think he's added his name to the list of players MLS should take a look at.
Posted by: Chris | June 10, 2007 at 09:54 PM
I'm happy Panama didn't win. I hope that the results in the last match have get them knocked out, but I think with 4 points and having put in 3 in their first game that they'll end up as a third place finisher. But they do the whole roll on the floor injury fake constantly. It looked like they got the Honduran player sent off that way (the Panama player fell on the floor, then jumped in the air and then proceded to roll on the floor in order to get the Honduran player red carded - and until that point the game was all Honduras). At one point late in the match against Cuba there was a trip outside the box. Panama player does the roll on the floor thing for a few seconds, then stops and looks up at another player 10 feet away. That player looks to the bench, then looks back at the player on the ground and does like a "stay down" motion with his hand. So the player on the ground once again begins to roll on the floor. They're just looking to try to get players on the opposing teams carded. Really p'ed me off and I hope Mexico sends a bunch in their net so they get sent home.
Have to say, I've been impressed with Cuba's play in their matches. I just expected them to be the group's whipping boys, but they've actually shown well so far. Interestingly, they actually still have a chance to advance out of the group (If both they and Panama win their matches).
Posted by: Chris | June 10, 2007 at 09:56 PM
has Guadeloupe definitely qualified? i wouldn't think they're anymore of a certainty than Panama..
Posted by: Jasen | June 10, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Well Ives, I guess you can say that Mexico's loss to Honduras could be a 'Costly' one! Tee Hee!
Posted by: Joe B. NYC | June 10, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Are you sure that Baloy will miss their next game? I thought he only got a yellow in today's game, not also on Friday night.
Posted by: David W | June 10, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Only the USA have officially qualified for the quarters.
Posted by: scaryice | June 10, 2007 at 11:32 PM
Mexico has looked bad - and that is fine by me. Also, no one has been eliminated for the quarters.
Posted by: Jeff | June 10, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Probably the strongest Central Americans teams in this tournament are Guatemala and Honduras; and Panama probably only beat Honduras because they were playing a man up and Honduras probably beat Mexico because they were a man up as well. Honduras played strong the first 15 minutes and then it got even and then Mexico played a little bit better until Blanco blew it. The Mexicans could not hold Honduras who actually had many chances to score but poor finishing cost them, until the end of course. The U.S. held off Guatemala and actually played better with 10 men. Mexico has really not impressed in this tournament so far and Hugo Sanchez better watch out. I think he is a joke anyway, always complaining and making excuses for everything. Even though the U.S. has not played their best soccer- because this young team is still establishing cohesion- it has been the best team in this tournament. By the quarter finals the U.S. should really crank it up (the offense). Mexico also has the ability to do this as well but I would have to give the edge to the U.S. if the meet. I rather just see Panama finish them off but Mexico will be the favorites to win that game but you never know.
Posted by: Billy | June 11, 2007 at 01:03 AM
it boggles the mind why chicago would sign blanco. i cannot stand the guy
Posted by: brentmcd | June 11, 2007 at 02:29 AM
Ives, I hate to point this out but I feel compelled as a former writer myself...
Your espn.com piece about Canada posing a threat to the US/Mexico...and then a Canada defeat at the hands of Guadelupe? Wow. So much for that...
Posted by: EmorySoccer | June 11, 2007 at 09:10 AM
I am way to confused right now. I am seeing different scenarios right now for saturdays's quarterfinal game against TBA. Can someone please help me figure out the current possibilities. I believe if we finish 1st in out group we play either A3, or C3, correct?
SO if Mexico were to lose again, we could play them saturday right?
Posted by: Bill | June 11, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Likely USA will play C3, which is Mexico's group, as the third team in USA group is unlikely to qualify. Therefore A3 will then plays C1 leaving C3 to play USA (B1). Really Mexico can only end up being C3 with a tie in their game vs Panama. A win puts them higher and a lost should leave them out of the tournament. Clearer now? :)
Posted by: Jeff | June 11, 2007 at 07:17 PM