The group stage at the Gold Cup comes to an end tonight with Canada and the USA facing must win scenarios. Expected for the Canadians yes, but definitely not for Bob Bradley’s boys. But after that uncharacteristic 2-1 loss to Panama on Saturday, the Americans again find themselves in that high pressure win or go home situation.
The 2009 Confederations Cup was a real coming out party for the Stars & Stripes. Then last summer at the World Cup they outlasted Algeria thanks to Landon Donovan’s goal in the dying seconds to send the U.S. into the last 16 before they eventually lost to Ghana in extra time. Donovan could really help his country and his own legacy by potting one tonight against Guadeloupe in Kansas City. The LA Galaxy captain is tied with Club América legend Luis Roberto Alves as the Gold Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 12.
The hosts again enjoy the late kickoff and are fully expected to run the French Y squad all over Livestrong Sporting Park. In fact, the bookies expect you to throw down $1,200 for the chance of winning $100 with the USA tonight. Those are some big odds, but obviously for good reason.
Guadeloupe is far more entertaining for their French connections than their football. As one of the 27 regions of France, they can’t qualify for a World Cup because they are not an independent nation. They use Euros on the islands. Their soccer fame is reserved as being the birthplace of the parents of Thierry Henry, Louis Saha and the club-less Pascal Chimbonda.
But the U.S. would be reckless to head into this expecting to walk away with all three points. In Detroit we saw a slow starting side rally with two goals against high octane Panama before holding their own with just 10 men in a well played 1-0 loss to an underperforming CMNT. And as Grant Wahl pointed out in his Sports Illustrated column today comparing the USMNT’s performances under former skipper Bruce Arena to current boss Bradley’s, the U.S. routinely play from behind.
Is that Bradley’s fault? We saw last June that the depth on that bench can completely turn games around, as best displayed with the USA’s thrilling comeback (and robbery) versus Slovenia. Could the Americans suffer another collapse on their back-line and fail to reach the quarterfinals? It is highly unlikely, but anything can happen. I would not bet it to, and I have made many stupid wagers in the past.
Taking a step back after seeing that Panama 2-1 USA scoreline on Saturday, the ‘Canal Men’ did the Canadians a favour. Having automatically qualified now, Panama are less likely to play with the intensity they unleashed on the U.S. That’s definitely a good thing for Canada who have several issues to figure out. Like how to replace Marcel De Jong, and succeed without a fully fit Atiba Hutchinson. Plus Panama coach Julio Cesar Dely Valdes is expected to go with the same XI he started on Saturday.
It will be a very interesting match to watch. Unlike when analysing the USA, there aren’t many constants with Canada. Stephen Hart is still trying to figure out what players can best carry out his objectives. It doesn’t seem like soon to be Premier League player Simeon Jackson works as the lone striker. Will Canada’s attacking strategy continue to be ‘move the ball out to the wing and hope DeRo can swing something special in’?
Personally, I am more excited to watch tonight’s double header than last Tuesday’s, and I was in Detroit. The Canucks have a lot to play for while it’s shocking to think that the USA could finish third in the group, pinning them against Mexico in the quarterfinals. Not only would that be a disaster for organizers, it would suck any excitement that might exist outside the offices of Sunil Gulati and the Mexican border right out the window.
Oh well. Countdown to Copa: 17 days, 7 hours and 13 minutes (at posting).
