Lets go for it! What do you think? I'm very nervous about this game but thats nothing new for me. The Mexico of the first round was scary. The Mexico I saw vs Guatamala and Honduras? Not very scary. The US has gotten better through the tournament, they'll need to absolutely have their best effort from each of the 11 players on the field tonight plus any subs. Mexico can probably win this without playing their best game. My heart is telling me that the US once again against the odds pulls out a somewhat unlikely 2-1 victory!
1-0 US. Donovan PK. Very tight, intense game with limited good scoring chances. At some point a Mexican makes a controversial "mistake" in the box and Donovan lines up the US's only PK of the tournament. Oh, and people who dislike BB will complain about how lucky the US was, while people who defend BB will point to the scoreline. The perfect ending!
Mexico is the only team in CONCACRAP that has a realistic opportunity to score an upset over the USMNT. Just some facts to consider per US Soccer since 2000: 1. The U.S. since 2000 has a 10-4-2 advantage in the rivalry. 2. At home, the U.S. has a 9-1-2 mark since 2000. 3. The 2009 loss in the Gold Cup final was the first defeat in the last 12 meetings in the U.S. spanning a decade. 4. The last meeting between the U.S. and Mexico in the Los Angeles area was a 2-0 win for the U.S. on Oct. 25, 2000. Landon Donovan made his first international appearance and scored a goal after coming on as a sub for an injured Chris Henderson. 5. The biggest meeting in series history was a 2-0 victory for the U.S. in the Round of 16at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea on June 17, 2002. Brian McBride and Donovan scored in that match. This could be a rout except the US style is "playing not to lose". That has worked well for the last 10 years. Beating Mexico today would not be very remarkable as the results of the last 10+ years support. Losing on US soil would be. The only people worried about this match are Bradley and Mexico fans. Oh predictitions; Bradley shows courage and starts Edu over his son and the US wins by at least two. Bradley stays predictable; and any 10 players plus his son play a very competitive match.
So I've spent the whole morning shaving USA into the fur coat of Fred (my german shepherd.) As long as the USA wins I don't care about the score. 5-1 USA....Skittles!
I would be remiss if I predicted anything but USA 2:0 I'll further out on the limb and say through goals by Adu and Dempsey I know, I know. But I don't have answer for my predictions, so I'm going on gut feeling and optimism.
Tied 1-1 Extra time goes by... we win in PKs Howard once again saves our asses. Goals from Jones and De Nigris.
2-1 States Donovan (41) Dempsey (63) Chicarito (81) Mexico dominates the 2nd half but Timmy saves our ass
3-2 USA. Chicarito and Rafa score for Mexico. LD from the PK spot and Bradley with 2. He seems to play his best against Mexico.
I don't see us keeping Chicharito out so I figure them for at least one goal. Heart says 1-1 and then USA wins in extra time. Head says 2-1 to Mexico. I just think they'll create quite a few more chances.