US Beats Mexico for Gold Cup Crown
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by user Thecrookedcap
It wasn't a pretty road to the Gold Cup finals for US or Mexico. The semifinals saw the US squeak by Canada by a dubious bad call, while Mexico struggled to get more than one goal in on non-FIFA members and Gold Cup debutantes Guadeloupe. When it came down to the final, the US won a second straight Gold Cup title.
The first half was strongly in favor of Mexico capped off by a goal in the 43rd minute by Andres Guardado (who played really well in the loss). It was the first time this tournament the US had trailed. Aside from a great chance by Jonathan Bornstein in the 25th minute, the Americans did not have any great opportunities on the Mexican net in the first half.
Coming onto the field in the second half, the American offense looked much stronger. The game drew level in the 61st minute after Brian Ching, whose name fascinated the Spanish commentators to no end, was brought down in the box for a penalty, which "Golden Boy" (I say this loosely) Landon Donovan converted. The US took the lead in the 72nd when a corner kick was knocked out of the box by a Mexican defender to US midfielder Benny Feilhaber. The young Hamburg player took it off the volley and hit the long distance attempt past Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Although the Mexicans challenged frequently, they were unable to get the second goal in the remaining minutes.
It was not a dominating performance for the United States, but nonetheless it was their best game of the tournament. As the tournament went on they became increasingly complacent. Guardado's goal was probably the best thing that could have happened for them, as it forced them to have to play back as they had not done in the Gold Cup.
The US is now tied with Mexico on Gold Cup Titles with four each. The game was the ninth consecutive that El Tri has failed to win on American soil. Their last win came in March 1999 in San Diego.
Feilhaber's Goal: (at :43)
| This user is a TEAM USA fan. In every event. |
