Gold Cup Final: Preview
United States and Mexico will face off each other for the third consecutive time in the final of CONCACAF Gold Cup on June 25 at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. This final lineup was expected from the start of the tournament as because United States and Mexico both are the dominant forces in North American region. Mexico is the most successful in acquiring the Gold cup they have won the cup 8 times. On the other hand United States has won this trophy 4 times and stands second in the list. The winner of the tournament will not only win this prestigious trophy but also will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup which will be held in Brazil.
United States got through to the finals by beating Panama 1-0 after Clint Dempsey scored a 76th minute goal, whereas Mexico qualified by beating Honduras 2-0 with goals in extra time by Javier Hernandez and Jesus Aldo De Nigris.
On their road to the final, hosts United States won 2-0 against Canada and 1-0 against Guadeloupe but they lost to Panama by 2 goals to 1 in the group stage. In the Quarterfinals, they beat Jamaica by 2-0.
The other finalist Mexico showed why they have won the cup the most number of times. In Gold Cup 2011, Mexico has maintained a 100% win record by not losing even a single match so far. In group league matches Mexico won against El Salvador and Cuba beating both 5-0, and also won against Costa Rica 4-1. In the Quarterfinals which took place at East Rutherford, the Mexican team beat Guatemala 2-1. With this kind of form they will be early favorites to win this year’s finals as well.
In this year’s final of Gold Cup, United States has a great opportunity to take revenge of their previous Gold Cup final defeat in Mexico. In 2009 finals, Mexico routed the United States team by 5-0.
This year’s final will be a star studded affair. Both Mexico and United States have many superstar footballers. Mexico have the likes of Rafael Marquez and Manchester United sensation and this year’s Gold cup top scorer Javier Hernandez whereas the United States have Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. Donovan is number 2 in the all time Gold cup top goal scorer tally with 11 goals, just 1 behind Luis Roberto Alves. So he would definitely try to add to his tally of goals and give United States the Gold cup.
The Gold Cup final will be in front of 90000 people in stadium but millions of other football fans across the globe will be closely following it. We hope that the match lives up to its billing and the best team wins.
Tags: CONCACAF Gold Cup, Final, Gold Cup, Mexico, Pasadena, Preview, Rose Bowl, United States
