Hard to argue the fact that the two best teams are in the final. Congrats to Panama. Hopefully, this will be a better match than the 2005 final (0-0 draw to PKs).
Dos - Uno? I don't know what you're talking about, but I called it just the way it turned out. I said Mexico and U.S. would dominate their opponents, and that is what happened. The U.S. got the goals in addition to beating up on Honduras, and therefore advanced. Mexico, while having more possession & opportunities, just couldn't score enough goals. Basically, they played against Panama like Costa Rica did against Honduras in the quarter-final. It was rather unfortunate for the Mexicans. Also, I did say it wouldn't be a total surprise if Panama beat them. But you claim to have not read my post... why, because you can't read 2 paragraphs of English or something? You're very much the fool, my friend.
Yeah, the Mexico/Panama game was strange. Panama dominated early, got the goal, and had many opportunities to get a 2nd, but didn't. Once Mexico scored, they dominated for long stretches, but couldn't get a second, then Panama scored and held on. I wouldn't quite equate it to the CR/Honduras game, because Honduras never really dominated for 25-30 minutes like Panama did against Mexico. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Panama wins the final. Overall, I think they've been one of the two best teams in the tournament. They've been more consistent than Mexico (who played a real clunker against T&T).
Well, I wouldn't say that Panama dominated the first 25 to 30 mins of that game, but their passing and attacking looked more sharper than Mexico during that time. Still, if you look at the stats, Mexico had more time of possession (even during that first half-hour), and obviously even more as the game went on. They just couldn't create many good opportunities to score during the first 30 mins, but they eventually got it going. Too bad though, that they could only put one of those chances in the back of the net. And that's why I say this game is comparable to the Costa Rica vs. Honduras QF match. Although I will definitely admit to the fact that Panama is a far better team than Honduras, and have certainly played well throughout this tournament. They definitely have earned their spot in the final.
LOL... I'd still argue that Mexico and the U.S. are the 2 best teams in Concacaf, but Panama have certainly played better than Mexico in this 2013 Gold Cup tournament. So yeah in that regard, the 2 most deserving teams are in the final. Also, given that these 2 teams actually know how to score goals (whereas teams like Mexico and Costa Rica struggle to score and live up to expectations), I think we'll get a result in regulation. It could go either way. Expect the U.S. to dominate in terms of time of possession and overall scoring chances, but Panama will create their own opportunities with good defensive play and quick counterattacks. So anything could happen. Should be a good one! ;-)
USA wins the Gold Cup 1-0 Panama played like they did in their last 3 matches in the Hex which was not a good thing.... They were playing more fluid this tournament but can't say I like Dely Valdes' strategy for most of this match. By the time they started pushing it was way too late. Don't understand the switch for Gabby Torres, sure he wasn't doing much but he should have stayed on longer can't take out your leading scorer. Congrats to the Nats they were solid with possession and maybe should have had a couple goals (Eddie Johnson's miss comes to mind). As for Panama, gotta learn from this and use the good of this tournament to build on the rest of the Hex if they want to have a chance. Tough loss but the match plan was not very good. Btw I thought the Shea goal was offside but I don't think I got the right look.
That whole thing is a mess. And if we win it again, is it given to the runner-up for the play-off match? Just ridiculous. If only they made it every 4 years
I disagree with this seeing as they planned to take donovan out of the game forcing USA to restart attacks over and over allowing for chances on the breaks. They defended well with a solid line for the majority of the game with added pressure and were patient(perhaps too patient). If Panama fought for possession that would have opened up the game for donovan in the middle. I do agree on torres though and the shea goal
I'm not even entirely sure Donovan made contact. In fact, every time I see it, I'm more convinced he missed it.
Yeah, you maybe right about Donovan missing, but as the replay shows, the ball was clearly headed INSIDE the post for goal anyway. Shea just happened to reach it first and put it into the back of net instead of having the ball go into the sidenet. It was a well deserved game winning goal for the US. Things turned out exactly as I expected. The US dominated with over 70% time of possession, and had more of the scoring chances. Panama had a few opportunities as anticipated, but the US defense was up to the task today. Good for them. And a good overall showing by Panama throughout this tournament. It was kind of unfortunate for them that the US was red hot during the tournament (i.e. the ONE team that played better than Panama in the Gold Cup).