Giovani Dos Santos is missing because of injury. Jonathan didn’t make it on to the “big boy” team.

Arellano and Esqueda add themselves as well.

Yeah, well those arefactors but the US team wasn’t the only one that had to deal with those. How many players play in that altitude(yeah, we have European based players too you know. I know crazy, huh…)? How many players were getting fouled. The players didn’t have a heat resistant veil around them either. And well there’s a thing called pressure.

Oh, and the weather? The weather was in the nice range of the 80’s(F). There were clearly, clear skies.

Well, you had your “A” team. This game “mattered.” It was worth something(3 points). The best team in US history. The one that beat Spain in the Confederations Cup…I’m waiting for the next game. And the excuses that will pop up for that.

As for the referee. Oh shut it. He had a good game. Yeah, there were some things, but it even out for both teams. Bocanegra deserved to be sent off for a second yellow, and there’s no arguments that Nery Castillo should have been punished as well.

The truth is that Mexico were the better team today. Period. The US did have chunks of time where they dominated, and looked quite dangerous. Dangerous enough to win the game. But face it. Mexico WERE the better team. There’ll be excuses thrown all around(I’ve already seen tons of them, and the game just ended) but Mexico deserved to win.

Just admit it. You aren’t as good as you thought you were(one win against Spain doesn’t make you a superpower).

In the opening stages of the game both teams were holding on pretty tight. They were anticipating every move, and weren’t giving away too much. Both Mexico and the US attacked.

Mexico’s first warning shot came in the 2nd minute with Andres Guardado taking a shot from outside the area, but Timmy Howard easily took care of that.

The US decided to respond right away with Charlie Davies making his way into the Mexican area, only to be stopped by Carlos Salcido.

Too early in the game, the US went up. In the 9th minute Landon Donovan(or Jotovan) picked up a ball and sent it to Davies. Davies then went past all the Mexican defenders who were left back sleeping, and easily sent it past Guillermo Ochoa to give the US the 1-0 lead.

After the US goal it was plainly clear that the US withdrew back, happy with the minimal lead, and waited for a counterattack opportunity.

Their waiting just caused harm as in the 19th minute Israel Castro took a powerful right footed shot from right outside the area that hit under the cross bar past Timmy Howard. Castro had received the ball from Blanco, and took the initiative to shoot for the equalizer at 1-1.

Mexico looked to go up once more in the 24th minute when Franco sent a ball to Gio who’s shot went rolling across the goal. Ultimately, it was called offsides.

In the 29th minute Mexico came close with a free kick, but Howard punched it away off the line.

Coming back for the second half, Mexico had a shot in the 53rd minute. Guillermo Franco laid a ball for Blanco, but the Chicago Fire player was unable to do anything and Michael Bradley cleared.

In the 58th, Gio received the ball unmarked, but was unable to make anything of his poor shot.

Then in the 65th minute Guardado had a good play in the US area. He made a pass to himself right in front of goal, but Cherundolo was able to clear it.

In the 75th minute Guillermo Franco had a good opportunity during a corner kick. Franco received the ball, but was unable to control it, and Howard was able to control the ball and the bottom of the post.

Finally, in the 81st minute Efrain Juarez took off with the ball leaving behind the US team, but mostly Landon Donovan who had traced him down. Donovan took him down right at the end, but Juarez was able to pass the ball back, which bounced to Sabah who shot past Howard’s outstretched hand to give Mexico the 2-1 score.

I liked this game. Mexico deserved to win this game. They played well, as did the US. You could see a different attitude from the players as they started. The only problem that I really have is that fans are going to celebrate this game like Mexico just won the World Cup. Sometimes, it’s not just the media that’s at fault for problems that occur. Yeah, they won, but the major celebrations aren’t really needed. And that they completely disrespected the US anthem. That’s just a No-No. I don’t care if it’s a game between Palestine and Israel. That’s just not done. Anywhere.

The defense was a bit shaky, but overall did a decent job. They were caught by the speed, but that isn’t really that surprising, is it. Rafael Marquez will be nice sight when he comes back for a game. Thankfully, he wasn’t on the field, because with the fracas going on he surely would have warranted a card.

Midfield played well. They provided good coverage, and creativity when called upon.

And up top. Again! Finishing was a problem at times, and that seriously needs to be worked on.

Nery Castillo. You got to keep that temper in check. I don’t think he contributed much to the game besides trying to start fights. Not that a good fight isn’t enjoyed, but in a game this close he should have kept himself more in check.

And US supporters smack talking Giovani. Be jealous. That hatred is just jealousy because as “dirty” as he played today(?), you should recheck some of the US players…Ahem.

A good try goes out to the US team. The “Gooch” was one of the best players on the field(and seriously Nery, don’t pick fights with this guy. He could probably get rid of that unibrow of yours with a swift punch. Show him you’re better, but with what you can do with the ball.) Davies was seriously worrying. And of course, Timmy Howard did well in goal(although not as well as I expected him too).

Mexico is in 3rd place right now, but Honduras has yet to play against Costa Rica.

Next game is on September 5th against Costa Rica.

Despite the rumors, ‘Conejo’ Perez is not on the roster. Ochoa and Corona are the two on the list, and it seems safe to assume that Ochoa will be under the sticks for the game against the US.

Juarez, Castro, and Magallon will be returning after the stint with the national team. The only one that is surprising is Castro. He had decent performances, but at other times it was a wonder why he was there.
Marquez, Osorio, and Salcido are on the list. Marquez said that he’d be ready to play about 45 mins(coming back from his injury, not the time allotted for a red card), but I didn’t think that Osorio was ready.
Aaron Galindo from Chivas, and Oscar Rojas from America are also on the defense.
I’m surprised that Fausto Pinto has been left out since he did a a good job at the Gold Cup. Maybe facing the more physical players of the US kept him out?

In the midfield Gerardo Torrado and Israel Castro are back. Also, Andres Guardado and Cuautemoc Blanco. I’m not really sure if Blanco’s inclusion is right. Sure, he’ll add that creativity, but it’s also time to let go of this player.

Up front Medina, Giovani, Vela, Sabah, and Franco are back. Not really surprising since they performed well in the Gold Cup, although Medina may have to more consistency finding the net.
Nery Castillo is also on the list. It’s surprising since he doesn’t seem to get playing time with his club, and on the latest call ups has underperformed.
I’m surprised that Pablo Barrera was left out. He came in a as a substitute and performed well during games.

So who deserves to be here, and who doesn’t?

Any surprises?

Leave your comments below.

The US looked dangerous in the first half, but in the end it ended 0-0.

Coming back for the second half things changed.

In the 56th minute a penalty was given to Mexico after Giovani Dos Santos went down in the box. Heaps and Dos Santos had a tousle in the box, and the referee Campbell gave Mexico a penalty. Captain Torrado stepped up to the spot and scored to make 1-0 to Mexico.

It didn’t take too long before Mexico brought on the goal fest.

Vela made a run into the area in the 62nd minute and gave it to Sabah, who’s shot was saved by Perkins. Dos Santos took the rebound to give Mexico a 2-0 advantage.

Two goals wasn’t enough and a third goal was added in the 67th minute by Carlos Vela. Dos Santos found Vela who calmly chipped it over Perkins. The ball rolled slowly into the goals, unable to be stopped by any of the US defenders to make it 3-0.

It wasn’t enough, and in the 79th another goal was added. Carlos Vela slipped in a perfect pass to “Gringo” Castro who added the fourth past Perkins. 4-0

The final dagger in the US’ heart was in the 90th minute with a goal by Guille Franco. Fausto Pinto fed the ball to Franco outside the area, and the naturalized Argentine took a powerful shot to make it 5-0 in the night.

And with that Mexico won 5-0 against the US to become the 2009 Gold Cup Champions.

Giovani Dos Santos also won the award for Player of the Tournament.

And Miguel Sabah went home with Top Goalscorer.

Up next…the showdown on August 12th at the Azteca.

Mexico
1 G. Ochoa (GK)
2 J. Magallón
5 F. Pinto
21 J. Valenzuela
22 E. Juárez
6 G. Torrado
8 I. Castro
7 A. Medina
13 P. Barrera
14 M. Sabah
17 G. Dos Santos

Subs

Castro
Franco
Vela

Costa Rica

1 K. Navas (GK)
3 F. Fernández
20 D. Marshall
2 D. Delgado
15 H. Wallace
5 C. Borges
6 C. Oviedo
14 A. Alonso
11 A. Herrón
9 A. Saborío
7 P. Brenes

Costa Rica wasted no time in attacking the Mexican goal. Herron came in close to almost score, but Efrain Juarez slid across goal just in time to keep out the ball during the opening minute.

In the 11th minute, it was Costa Rica once more who were on the attack. Alonso took a shot, and it hit just under the cross bar to keep the score level.

Mexico finally had an opportunity just before the half hour break. Medina flew down the right flank and sent in a shot to Miguel Sabah who was blocked by Costa Rican goalkeeper Keilor Navas blocking the way.

Then in the 40th minute Costa Rica once more had a chance. Alonso decided to surprise once more and took a shot from far out, but Ochoa was able to make the save.

Mexico was the one that had the last opportunity in the first half. In the 45th minute Barrera sent in a cross from the left towards Giovani. Dos Santos made contact with the ball, but didn’t give it any direction, and it went wide of the goal to keep the score at 0-0 during the first half.

Coming back, Mexico was given a penalty in the 56th minute for a hand ball by Costa Rican Brenes. With many of the Mexican players staying away from the ball it was finally Sabah that stepped up to take it. Sabah shot the ball to the right, but it was too soft, and easily saved by Navas to keep it as 0-0.

Near the end of the game in the 88th minute, Mexico put themselves up. Medina’s free kick was headed out, but Franco arrived and kicked it strongly back in and put Mexico up 1-0.

The excitement wouldn’t last as Costa Rica equalized with 10 secs left in added time in the 92nd. Magallon failed to take control of a ball and it went through to Ledezma who escaped from Castro and Valenzuela.

In the 91st min(extra time) Vela had a chance, but his shot was saved by Navas’ hand.

Then in the 97th min, Mexico once more had a chance. Vela received a cross from Giovani, but failed to put it in as it came down on his left foot.

In the 107th minute Herrera unleashed a strong shot, but Ochoa barely stretched to prevent it from going in.

Franco had an opportunity in the 112th minute but he headed it over the bar, from a free kick from Medina.

In the 117th minute Costa Rica came close when Valenzuela mishandled a ball, but Castro was able to get it out. It was then a corner kick where Oviedo shot, but ultimately Ochoa was able to control.

PENALTIES

Mexico(Franco)- Scores! Top of the net, coolly stets u

Costa Rica(Saborio)- Scores. Ochoa goes the wrong way and Costa Rica levels

Mexico(Giovani)- Scores! Just next to right post

Costa Rica(Borges)- Scores. Ochoa dives, and goes the wrong way

Mexico(Torrado)- Scores! Near center, goes right in.

Costa Rica(Ledezma)- Ochoa stops! Goes to the left and keeps the ball out to keep Mexico up.

Mexico(Juarez)- Scores! Sends Navas the wrong way on a soft penalty.

Costa Rica(Oviedo)- Scores. Just under the cross bar, and hits just past the line.

Mexico(Vela)- Scores! Sends to bottom left and sends Mexico through to the finals against the US.

And if you want to torture yourself again…it’s not the best quality, but the best condensed.

Surprisingly, Mexico started out playing decently. Panama got in a few times in the opening minutes, but nothing very dangerous.

In the 10th minute Giovani Dos Santos received the ball from Alberto Medina who had gone up the left field on a counterattack. Dos Santos latched on and came up against Penedo, but sent it to Sabah who scored and made it 1-0 to Mexico.

Then Panama leveled the game in the 29th minute when Blas Perez overpowered Johnny Magallon and Jose Antonio Castro to shoot past Ochoa and make it 1-1.

Both teams ended the game with 10 men after Luis Miguel Noriega and Armando Gun were sent off after some pushing and shoving.

Nothing too spectacular happened in the second half, as both teams were less active than the first part.

However, in the 79th minute trouble ensued when Javier Aguirre stuck out his foot at Ricardo Phillips as he was chasing a ball near the Mexican technical area. There were some shoves and the Mexican manager and Panamanian player were both sent off. Phillips refused to leave, and stopped the game for a little over 10 minutes.

Mexico will now move on to Glendale, Arizona to play Guadeloupe on Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Guadeloupe has yet to lose a game and is currently top of group C.

There were two goals. One was a penalty at the end of the first half, which frankly, I don’t think it should have been called. I’ve been looking at replays and I still don’t see it. Anyways, Luis Noriega stepped up and scored giving Mexico the 1-0 advantage.

In the second half things weren’t looking good either. It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Mexico scored a goal on their own. Medina sent in a cross and Barrera was there to put it in for a 2-0 win.

Again, I don’t think there’s much to say about this game. The team has been severely disappointing these past few games. Yes, the defense has kept clean sheets, but really? It’s been against “little” teams so they shouldn’t exactly been celebrating that fact.

Something that’s very unfortunate is Vela’s injury. He’s been having trouble scoring, but with this injury, it looks to dampen his confidence perhaps. Hopefully he recovers.

Next up is Panama on Thursday for which I’m predicting a similar game. The team will play in Houston at the Reliant Stadium.

According to an interview with Record, Castillo seems more anxious to play with the US national team, than with El Tri.

“If the United States calls me, I’ll go. With Mexico I’d have to think about it. I’ve only been called up once by Aguirre and I didn’t play, so I’ve said that I’m willing to play with the US.”

“Now, the only thing I wish to do is what is best to improve my career, and for my family. I’d like to have an opportunity to compete for a place. Probably, I’ll be hated later.”

Although Castillo hasn’t yet been called up to play with the US like Jose Francisco Torres of Pachuca, he thinks he’d be fine playing at the Azteca with the US.

“Imagine going with the United States’ national team to play at the Azteca! Sincerely, I’d feel fine being there, but so far they’re just ambivalent thoughts because I did wear Mexico’s shirt.

“It’s not that I have greater affection towards the shirt of the United States, I also have affection for the verde, but my decision is to play with them.”

While I agree that Castillo absolutely has the right to play with whatever team he wants, what seems suspicious is that he decided to make his declarations right after the US made it to the finals of the Confederations Cup.

So if Castillo gets called up for Mexico at anytime, should he play for the national team?

So if Castillo gets called up for Mexico at anytime, should he play for El Tri?(answers)

Whatever he ends up doing, all the luck to Castillo. Hopefully, he doesn’t lose his passport again.

Mexico: Jesus Corona; Efrain Juarez, Edgar Dueñas, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Fausto Pinto (Israel Martinez); Alberto Medina, Israel Castro, Luis Miguel Noriega (Carlos Esquivel), Jose Maria Cardenas (Carlos Vela); Omar Bravo (Miguel Sabah), Omar Arellano (Pablo Barrera).

Guatemala: Ricardo Trigueño; Carlos Gallardo, Yony Wilson-Flores, Luis Rodriguez, Gustavo Cabrera; Fredy Thompson, Luis Bradley, Mynor Davila (Edgar Chinchilla), Miguel Fernandez, Jose Manuel Contreras (Cristian Noriega); Transito Montepeque (Selvin Joel Motta).

There was a period in the second half where Medina looked very dangerous and a Mexico goal looked like it was coming. Besides that, nothing.

Guatemala also had a legit claim for a penalty, but it was denied and they had a man sent off leaving them only with 10.

Overall, the anticipated debut of ‘Chuy’ Corona was good. He had a great moment where he came out and denied a player on a sure goal, but besides that he could have gone off and done something else. While at least this wasn’t a loss, I’m worried for upcoming games. That one play helped Corona’s cause in being #1, but more action for him would have perhaps helped.

Of course, this was a sort of makeshift line-up, not because anyone was injured, but because Aguirre was looking to experiment. There are some players that looked OK, but I don’t think this combination works very well.