USA-Mexico: Gold Cup Final Preview

On July 25, arch rivals Mexico and the United States will meet in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final.

So far in this year's tournament, both teams have cruised their way into the title game, as neither team has had a loss, and both teams have at times been dominant over their respective opponents.

Here is a preview of the match from the United States side and the Mexican side for this match, and how each team got to where they currently are.

United States

After their miracle run to the final in the FIFA Confederations Cup last month, the United States have gone into this tournament as one of hottest teams in the world with their recent performance.

However, United States coach Bob Bradley decided to give many of his regular starters time off for this tournament, and instead has gone with his backup players for this tournament.

But the backups have all performed great, and the United States won their first two game of the group stage 4-0 over Grenada and 2-0 over Honduras, and drew their final game of the group stage 2-2 with Haiti.

With this performance, the Americans gained seven out of a possible nine points, and won Group B.

In the quarterfinals, the United States scraped by Panama 2-1 in extra time as Kenny Cooper converted a penalty in the 106th minute.

In the semifinals, the Americans once again met Honduras, and won 2-0 on goals by Clarence Goodson and Cooper, as the Americans have now found their way to the final.

In this game, expect the United States to do several things.

Expect the Americans to score goals, as they have had at least two goals in each game of the Gold Cup.

Also, expect the Americans to utilize everyone, as ten different Americans have scored in this year's Gold Cup.

And finally, expect the Americans to continue to play well defensively, as they have three clean sheets already in this tournament.

If the United States can accomplish these tasks in the Gold Cup final, they will have a great chance of winning the 2009 Gold Cup.

Mexico

After losing 2-1 in the 2007 Gold Cup final to the United States, Mexico have come into this tournament looking to win their fifth Gold Cup.

However, Mexico haven't looked their best in the group stage of the Gold Cup, but despite this, Mexico won 2-1 over Nicaragua, drew 1-1 with Panama and won 2-0 over Guadeloupe (which is a territory that can't enter FIFA competitions, but could participate in CONCACAF events).

With the seven points earned in the group stage, Mexico won Group C and were onto the quarterfinals, where they would meet Haiti.

In the quarterfinals, Mexico played their best game of the tournament, as they won 4-1 over Haiti.

However in the semifinals, Mexico scraped by Costa Rica 5-3 on penalties after both teams played to a one all draw in regular time, as Mexico found themselves in the Gold Cup final against the United States.

In this game, expect Mexico to do several things.

First off, expect Mexico to attack during this game, as Mexico have already scored ten goals in this year's Gold Cup, and have the leading goal scorer in Miguel Sabah, who has four goals.

Also, expect Mexico to try to beat the Americans and send a message for next month when the Americans go into the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Aug. 12 to play a World Cup qualifier against Mexico.

And finally, expect Mexico to try to play like they did against Haiti on July 19 in the quarterfinals, in which they won 4-0.

If Mexico could do all of these tasks, they will have a great chance of getting their record-breaking fifth Gold Cup. 

Finally, expect a great match between these two rivals on Sunday as both of these clubs will try to get their fifth Gold Cup, and try to gain the upper hand in this rivalry.