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The Gold Cup Final May be as Good as it Gets for a While for U.S. Soccer

U.S. soccer was flying high about 30 minutes into their Gold Cup finals match with rival Mexico. They had uncharacteristically found a burst of offense as they enjoyed a 2-0 lead. They just had to have their stifling defense take over.

Then things began to fall apart. Or maybe it was more just a case of reality setting in. It wasn't so much that any individual began to play poorly or Bob Bradley began to coach bad. And that is the real problem for U.S. soccer. They were just clearly outclassed by Mexico.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

That in itself is not a horribly bad thing. Mexico is a very good team. They are a young and talented team that is really beginning to hit it's stride. They will surely soon find themselves in the top 20 world rankings.

And those facts only further illuminate what is wrong with the U.S. team. America is slow and unimaginative compared to Mexico. They are also comparatively old. It is pretty clear that the U.S.'s best players have been and remain Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey. All three of those guys are aging past their prime and not into it.

There is little in the way of young talent to get excited about. Freddy Adu had a decent run when he got some playing time, and he is only 22 years old, but he certainly doesn't look like the star he was once supposed to be. Jozy Altidore has shown some promise, but he has also been a source of frustration.

There is little to get excited about right now when it comes to the future of U.S. soccer. They lack athleticism and talent, and most disturbingly they lack the promise of finding it.

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—Richard Langford

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The 2011 Gold Cup Will Likely Mark the End of the Line for Bob Bradley

Bob Bradley has to be getting used to the hot seat by now. It seems as if he has been on it more often than not during his tenure as U.S. head coach. And, at the moment, that is a good thing for Bradley because at least he will be comfortable for the time being. 

U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati could have cooled of Bradley's seat following the U.S.'s 4-2 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final, but instead he told the press he needed to hurry in order to catch a red-eye back to New York.

And that may have been all the statement anyone needed about Bradley's job security. This a pretty lame excuse for a man usually more than willing to talk to the press.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Members of the U.S. team were available to comment on Bradley, and the players weren't exactly lining up to defend Bradley.

Tim Howard was not going to put the blame on Bradley in this quote found on Yahoo! Sports:

A game like today has nothing to do with Bob. It is about us. We stepped over the line. The game plan was right and we didn’t get it done.

While Howard was not blaming Bradley, he was more than likely just owning up to the team's failures. He didn't say Bradley did a good job—simply that he was not to be blamed for the loss.

Landon Donovan was not as diplomatic. And any chance Bradley had of having Donovan in his corner was likely lost when he put Donovan on the bench. When Donovan was asked about Bradley's future he simply said, in the above linked article:

That is not my concern

It doesn't take much reading between the lines there to deduce Donovan could care less about Bob Bradley. And he probably won't have to deal with him for much longer as the writing appears to be on the wall, and it says that Bradley's tenure as the head coach of U.S. soccer has run its course.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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2011 Gold Cup Results Have Create an Upset Tim Howard

U.S. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was steaming at the conclusion of the Gold Cup. And he had every right to be. The U.S. had just blown a 2-0 lead en route to losing 4-2, and then they had to watch Mexico claim the 2011 Gold Cup.

That was not the source of Howard's post game angst and rant though. The post game ceremonies, which were held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, were conducted in Spanish.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Howard was visibly upset at the awards ceremony, and he spoke to the press afterwards. Here is Howard as quoted on ESPN:

CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves. I think it was a f*#!*@* disgrace that the entire postmatch ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your ass that if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't be all in English.

Howard wanted to make it clear that is not what cost them the game:

But that's not why we lost the game. They've got some special players who put us in some bad situations.

ESPN reported that Ben Spencer, a spokesman for CONCACAF, declined to comment about the situation.

At some point, they have to don't they? Howard's pointed statements will remain the elephant in the room until CONCACAF addresses them.

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—Richard Langford

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Mexico Enjoyed a the Benefit of the Cheering Crowd in the Gold Cup 2011 Final

The 2011 Gold Cup was played exclusively on the home turf of the U.S. team. And for every game that fact was apparent—well every game until the finals. The U.S. had the crowd behind them and rooting them on all the way until the finals.

The finals were still played on in the U.S., at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA to be exact, but the crowd was no longer cheering for the Americans.

Well, some of them were. About 15-20,000 of the 70,000 fans were cheering for the Red, White and Blue. The rest? Well, they were decidedly pro Mexican.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

The discrepancy was so pronounced that when Mexico won 4-0 they did the post game ceremony entirely in Spanish, and the U.S. team was left to wonder exactly where the game was being played.

The decision to have the post game ceremony did not sit well with U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Here is Howard as quoted on ESPN:

CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves. I think it was a f*#!*@* disgrace that the entire postmatch ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your ass that if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't be all in English.

I am sure he is right about the ceremonies not being entirely in English had the roles been reversed. On the other hand, it is hard to imagine a U.S. team having much fan support in another country, when they can't even get it in their own country. 

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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The Mexico vs. USA Gold Cup Final Leaves a Bitter Taste For U.S. Soccer

Things were looking pretty good for the U.S. as they scored their second goal to take a 2-0 lead over their rival Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup finals. Everything was working. Bob Bradley had reinserted Landon Donovan, and he moved them into a top attacking position, by inserting Freddy Adu into the starting lineup. And it was all working.

Then the wheels came off of the bus. And it wasn't so much that any individual began to play poorly or Bob Bradley began to coach bad. And therein lies the bigger problem for U.S. soccer. They were just clearly outclassed by Mexico.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Mexico is no slouch. They are a young and talented team that is really beginning to hit it's stride. They will surely soon find themselves in the top 20 world rankings.

And that lies in stark contrast to the U.S. team. America was slow and plodding compared to Mexico. They are also old. There is little in the way of young talent to get excited about. Freddy Adu had a decent run when he got some playing time, and he is only 22 years old, but he certainly doesn't look like the star he was once supposed to be.

So U.S. soccer fans can yell and scream for Bob Bradley's job, or for lineup changes, but until this squad finds some more athleticism and talent that is growing towards their peak instead of descending from it, the future is anything but bright.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Freddy Adu Will Try to Build Off of Strong Performance at the Gold Cup

Freddy Adu was weighted down with unbelievable lofty expectations at an incredibly young age. Adu wasn't just dubbed a phenom at age 14, but the savior of U.S. soccer. He was handed a $1 million contract by Nike the moment he turned pro.

Adu never grew into those expectations. He didn't really grow at all. Adu's slight frame has found him often getting pushed around on the pitch. And he has yet to develop into anything other than just another player in the pro ranks.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

As for being the savior for U.S. soccer, well he has just struggled to make the international team. Adu was on the Gold Cup roster in 2011, but he was inactive in group stage play. Then in the semifinals he did something he hadn't done in over two years: he played in an international match.

Even more impressively, he played well. So well, that he earned a start in the Gold Cup final. And he played even better in the final. Adu assisted on the first U.S. goal and he was instrumental on the second.

And all of a sudden Adu's career is showing signs of promise again. It is not the unreasonably lofty savior expectations, but at 22 and with a strong showing at the Gold Cup, he looks poised to be a solid contributor to the U.S. team for years to come.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Giovani Dos Santos' Career is Stalling Away From Team Mexico

Giovani Dos Santos stole the show in the 2011 Gold Cup final. He played strong all game, and then capped his performance with the goal of the tournament.

The goal came off a spectacular series of moves that him eluding a hard charging Tim Howard, then avoiding two American defenders as he chipped a shot with the perfect touch and trajectory to just clear Eric Lichaj's head, yet sail under the goal post. His efforts earned him Man of the Match honors.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Spectacular international play is nothing new for Dos Santos. He has often tormented America. However, his recent club play has not been up to the same level.

Dos Santos has all but disappeared from the club play since being acquired by Tottenham in 2008. He was dropped from the league squad, and sent on loan to Ipswich Town. Dos Santos played well enough to be brought back from his loan, but again toiled with little playing time.

This led to him being sent on loan to Galatasaray with an option for them to purchase his contract. They declined after Dos Santos underwhelmed. 

So he went back to Tottenham to toil on the bench before being sent on loan to Racing Santander. Dos Santos played very well, and again he finds himself back on Tottenham, but likely with little playing time ahead of him.

Dos Santos is only 22 years old. He still has plenty of time to find his spot, and as he displayed in the Gold Cup, he is capable of elite level play. However, he needs the playing time to show it. 

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

Giovanni dos Santos Scores Goal of the Gold Cup in Final

The Gold Cup Final between the US and Mexico was highlighted by Giovanni dos Santos' spectacular final goal.

The match began with the US getting off to a commanding 2-0 lead. With their backs against the wall, Mexico responded with four consecutive goals of their own, the last of which came at the capable foot of dos Santos.

Dos Santos' goal will likely go down as the best goal of the entire Gold Cup. With six defenders and a keeper all trying to keep him from scoring, dos Santos displayed some impressive footwork to allow him to weave through the box.

He proceeded to perfectly lob the ball into the upper corner of the goal, putting the final dagger in the US. Mexico assumed complete control of the match after scoring three goals in a row. The fourth goal, coming in the fashion that it did, slammed the door shut on a US comeback.

-Kyle Vassalo

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

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Bob Bradley Has Likely Coached His Last Game for the U.S. Team

Bob Bradley's job status was shaky entering the 2011 Gold Cup. Following the conclusion of the World Cup, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati showed interest in other coaches before deciding to retain Bradley.

After the Gold Cup, shaky may be too positive a term for Bradley's job status. Gulati refused to comment on Bradley's job status. Gulati told the press he needed to hurry in order to catch a red-eye back to New York.

And that may have been all the statement anyone needed about Bradley's job security. This a pretty lame excuse for a man usually more than willing to talk to the press.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Members of the U.S. team were available to comment on Bradley, and the players weren't exactly lining up to defend Bradley.

Tim Howard was not going to put the blame on Bradley in this quote found on Yahoo! Sports:

A game like today has nothing to do with Bob. It is about us. We stepped over the line. The game plan was right and we didn’t get it done.

While Howard was not blaming Bradley, he was more than likely just owning up to the team's failures. He didn't say Bradley did a good job—simply that he was not to be blamed for the loss.

Landon Donovan was not as diplomatic. And any chance Bradley had of having Donovan in his corner was likely lost when he put Donovan on the bench. When Donovan was asked about Bradley's future he simply said, in the above linked article:

That is not my concern

It doesn't take much reading between the lines there to deduce Donovan could care less about Bob Bradley. And he probably won't have to deal with him for much longer as the writing appears to be on the wall, and it says that Bradley's tenure as the head coach of U.S. soccer has run its course.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Bob Bradley Needs to be Replaced as U.S. Head Coach

After 25 minutes of Gold Cup final play Bob Bradley looked like a star and tactical genius. The addition of Freddy Adu and the reinsertion of Landon Donovan were paying immediate dividends. Adu's role in the starting line up allowed Donovan to move way up top and attack, and it helped the U.S. move out to a 2-0 lead.

Then it all came crashing down as Mexico went onto score four unanswered goals and claim the Gold Cup. And the U.S. seemed helpless to stop or alter the flow.

The game was tied at two entering halftime, and Bob Bradley had no answers to try and sway the momentum back to his side.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

In the end, it is not this game that should decide Bradley's fate. Mexico proved they were the better squad. There was no amount of coaching that could have helped the U.S. overcome the difference in talent. Mexico is too young, too fast, and proficient.

Bradley showed in the final that he has a good feel for this team and the courage to make bold moves, but this is still a team that spent the majority of the Gold Cup looked stale and lifeless far too often.

There is no greater condemnation of a coach than that.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Tim Howard Has Pointed Comments for CONCACAF at the Conclusion of the 2011 Gold Cup

U.S. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was not in the best of moods at the conclusion of the Gold Cup. Not that anyone would expect him to be. The U.S. had just blown a 2-0 lead en route to losing 4-2, and then they had to watch Mexico claim the 2011 Gold Cup.

What was not expected was that it was the watching that had Howard fuming and not the process. The post game ceremonies, which were held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, were conducted in Spanish.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Howard was visibly upset at the awards ceremony, and he spoke to the press afterwards. Here is Howard as quoted on ESPN:

CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves. I think it was a f*#!*@* disgrace that the entire postmatch ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your ass that if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't be all in English.

Howard then proved that it wasn't all sour grapes as he went onto add:

But that's not why we lost the game. They've got some special players who put us in some bad situations.

ESPN reported that Ben Spencer, a spokesman for CONCACAF, declined to comment about the situation. Howard's aggressive comments are going to force CONCACAF's hand—at some point, people will expect a response.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Gold Cup 2011 Results Aren't Enough to Convince Me Bob Bradley Should Keep His Job

Bob Bradley made some very unconventional moves for the U.S. during elimination play of the Gold Cup, and for the most part they paid off. Which is good for Bradley because his job security needed it.

After the U.S.'s run was ended at the FIFA World Cup many people were calling for Bob Bradley's job. He was retained, and given another proving ground in the 2011 Gold Cup. Then many people turned to the majority of people as the Gold Cup got underway

The U.S. was very underwhelming in Group Stage play. In fact, they were historically bad. They lost their first ever game in group stage play. Lots of people were calling for Bob Bradley's job then. But lucky for him and U.S. Soccer they had advanced to elimination play.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Bradley made the bold decision to put Landon Donovan on the bench for the U.S.'s first two elimination games, and the U.S. played its best soccer of the tournament. He also played Freddy Adu in the semifinals win over Panama.

Adu had his first international action in two years in the semifinals and played well. Bradley rewarded Adu by inserting him into the starting lineup for the finals. And Adu again played well. He was instrumental on both goals for the U.S. and he assisted on the first one.

Bradley did what he felt he had to do to match the attacking mentality of Mexico. In the end they came up short, and Bradley certainly didn't make any halftime adjustments to sway momentum back to his team's favor.

While he did show he has a good feel for this team and the courage to make bold moves, in the end this is a team that looked stale and lifeless far too often at the Gold Cup, and that falls on the shoulders of the coach.

It is time for a change with U.S. Soccer.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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Mexico Wins the 2011 Gold Cup with a 4-2 Victory Over the US in the Finals

The U.S. jumped out to a commanding and early 2-0 lead in the 2011 Gold Cup finals. The action started when Freddy Adu centered a corner kick and Michael Bradley found the back of the net with a header in the ninth minute.

The U.S. then extended its lead to 2-0 in the 22nd minute after Freddy Adu passed to Clint Dempsey and Dempsey then assisted to Landon Donovan as he slid it past the keeper, but that was as good as it got for the Americans.

That was the end of the scoring for the Americans though, and six minutes later Mexico was on the scoreboard.

Pablo Barrera netted El Tri's first goal, and his first of two on the day, with a goal inside the right post as the U.S. was just coming off of a substitution. Mexico then wasted no time (well seven minutes) pulling even at two when their second goal came after Eric Lichaj tried to clear the ball back to Tim Howard, but El Tri's Andre Guardado ran interference and the ball found the back of the net as it slid past Tim Howard.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Mexico took their first lead in this game just four minutes into the second half when Pablo Barrera found himself all alone vs. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard. Barrera did not waste his opportunity and he masterfully bended it past Howard.

Giovani Dos Santos scored the goal of the game to give Mexico a commanding 4-2 lead in the 76th minute. He had the ball on the right back corner of the goalkeepers box as Tim Howard came out and tried to take the ball from him, but Dos Santos eluded him and two U.S. defenders.

He then lofted a beautiful chip shot to the back upper left corner of the goal. The U.S. had a defender back, and he jumped as high as he could to try and head the ball away, but he missed by inches. And now it is 4-2 Mexico in the 80th minute.

That ended the scoring for the game, and for all intents and purposes it ended the 2011 Gold Cup. It was an exciting finale to an entertaining Gold Cup.

Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer.

—Richard Langford

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The Mexico vs USA Gold Cup Finals Ends with a 4-2 Victory for El Tri

The U.S. jumped out to a commanding and early 2-0 lead in the 2011 Gold Cup finals, yet it never really felt like they were in control. While they scored an opportunistic two early goals, they never really had control of this game.

Mexico controlled possession for the majority of this game, and they were getting plenty of good looks. It all felt like it was a matter of time before they broke through and it was.

Pablo Barrera netted El Tri's first goal, and his first of two on the day, with a goal inside the right post as the U.S. was just coming off of a substitution. Mexico then wasted no time pulling even at two when their second goal came after Eric Lichaj tried to clear the ball back to Tim Howard, but El Tri's Andre Guardado ran interference and the ball found the back of the net as it slid past Tim Howard.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

Mexico wasted no time in the second half to claim their first lead. In the fourth minute of the second half Pablo Barrera found himself all alone vs. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard. Barrera did not waste his opportunity and he masterfully bended it past Howard.

Giovani Dos Santos scored the goal of the game to give Mexico a commanding 4-2 lead. He had the ball on the right back corner of the goalkeepers box as Tim Howard came out and tried to take the ball from him, but Dos Santos eluded him and two U.S. defenders.

He then lofted a beautiful chip shot to the back upper left corner of the goal. The U.S. had a defender back, and he jumped as high as he could to try and head the ball away, but he missed by inches. And now it is 4-2 Mexico in the 80th minute.

That was the fourth and final unanswered goal for Mexico. The U.S. scored early when Freddy Adu centered a corner kick and Michael Bradley found the back of the net with a header.

The U.S. extended its lead to 2-0 after Freddy Adu passed to Clint Dempsey and Dempsey then assisted to Landon Donovan as he slid it past the keeper, but that was as good as it got for the Americans.

It was an entertaining match, but in the end Mexico's offensive firepower was just too much for the Americans

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—Richard Langford

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Mexico vs USA Nears the Finish with Mexico Leading 4-2

Mexico has now scored four unanswered goals to take a commanding 4-2 lead. Giovani Dos Santos had the ball on the right back corner of the goalkeepers box as Tim Howard came out and tried to take the ball from him, but Dos Santos eluded him and two U.S. defenders.

He then lofted a beautiful chip shot to the back upper left corner of the goal. The U.S. had a defender back, and he jumped as high as he could to try and head the ball away, but he missed by inches. And now it is 4-2 Mexico in the 80th minute.

The came is not over yet.

MUST READ: U.S. vs. Mexico Final, Live Blog and Postgame Reactions

The U.S. came attacking back and Michael Bradley had a one touch with the goalkeeper out of position, but his off foot shot curved just wide left.

Tempers are also beginning to flare. With the rivals locked in a tight 3-2 battle Jermaine Jones was called for a soft foul on Jose Torres.

Some pushing, shoving and yelling ensued. The Americans are quickly running out of time, however, and if they are going to mount a come back they are going to have to do it quickly.

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—Richard Langford