On Wednesday night, the U.S. National Team ushered in the Jurgen Klinsmann era with a 1-1 tie against Mexico in Philadelphia. The new U.S. coach spent most of the evening with a smile on his face, and although the first half of his debut was less than promising, the second half provided plenty of reason to be optimistic.

The U.S. started in a 4-2-3-1 formation that is designed to spring into a 4-3-3 on the attack and sink into a 4-5-1 on defense. It is primarily a possession formation that engineers attacks from the back to the front.

However, in the first half, the U.S. was not getting enough players high to make the formation truly effective. The 4-2-3-1 works only if the team is able to attack with numbers. At times, only three to five U.S. players would go up against seven or eight Mexican defenders. All of the attacking players, the defensive midfielders and at least the strong-side outside back must be involved in the attack.

Working out of the back, the U.S. was not finding the outside backs enough in the build-up. They were doing a good job of pulling high and wide, and the center backs were pulling to the width of the 18-yard box, but Mexico was able to sit centrally for most of the game because the outsides were not involved enough. Getting the ball wide opens up space in the middle for the defensive midfielders to check to the ball in the 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, in a formation set up for possession, Kyle Beckerman was Klinsmann’s most shrewd selection. He always plays simple, does not lose the ball and gets stuck in on tackles defensively. Beckerman excelled in this game, especially during a shaky first half. Finding his feet in the middle allowed Jose Torres and Landon Donovan to get the ball wide in the attacking half when not much was going on for the U.S. in that space.

Physically, the U.S. was still imposing, minus on the Mexico goal. The team is not afraid to get in on tackles. The U.S. goal was a result of Brek Shea’s ability to hold off his defender physically and slot a ball across the goal to Robbie Rogers, who scored on his first touch of the game.

Speaking of Rogers, the substitutes really sparked the U.S. in the second half. Juan Agudelo dribbled at players, Shea created chances and Rogers put one away. Shea assisted the goal and got behind the Mexican defense in the last 10 minutes. Rogers got taken down behind the defense and should have drawn a red card, using his pure pace to beat a defender who had two or three yards on him at the start.

The U.S. got much better on the attack toward the end of the game, largely due to the substitutions. Donovan, who was quiet for the majority of the first hour, was more involved in the latter stages. When Clint Dempsey comes in for the U.S., the attack will only get better.

All in all, it could have been a lot worse for a team playing under a new coach, coming up against an established team with recent success such as Mexico. Now, it is time to iron out the details. The U.S. was shaky on set pieces, both offensively and defensively, including the Mexico goal and Rafael Marquez’s near miss at the far post in the second half. Of course, not all U.S. personnel was available for selection; it will be interesting to see what Klinsmann will do with a full roster at his disposition.

Nonetheless, it is clear from this game (and the history of the U.S. team in general) that Klinsmann might do well to find a style that better suits the physicality of American players and appeals less to the technical side, which is lacking in comparison to the rest of the world. The U.S. found success against Mexico in the final third using its speed and power, not its technical ability. Perhaps it is time for Klinsmann to embrace that as the “culture” of the U.S. team and not get too caught up in playing pretty soccer.

Liviu Bird is a goalkeeper for Seattle Pacific University and editor-in-chief of The Falcon, Seattle Pacific’s student newspaper. You can follow him on Twitter here.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Mexico is king of CONCACAF for another two years and there’s no second guessing this time. After beating a US “B” team in the 2009 final, El Tri demolished the best the US had to offer in an entertaining 4-2 final Saturday.

With the tournament over let’s take a look at where some teams go from here and some thoughts on who impressed and who has work to do heading into World Cup qualifying.

Are we heading into the golden era of Mexico soccer?

A much respected colleague of mine is convinced that this is the best Mexico team we’ve seen. From an attacking standpoint he could be correct. The combination of Gio Dos Santos – who Tottenham would love to be as good at the club level as he is with the national team –, Chicharito, Pablo Barrera, Andres Guardado and Aldo de Nigris is the best group of attackers El Tri has ever seen.

While they’re great going forward Mexico’s future is bright in the back. With Captain Rafa Marquez likely to be moving away from national team duty a back line of Efrian Juarez, Carlos Salcido, Hector Reynoso and Jorge Torres Nilo could provide the type of defense that could put Mexico into the upper-echelon of world soccer.

US exposed?

While Mexico is flying high after the final win the US and Bob Bradley is left to figure out just what went wrong. To find the answers Bradley & Co. need to look at the back line first. With Steve Cherundolo – who had an excellent tournament – going down in the 11^th minute the US was left to rely on Jonathan Bornstein on the left side. The move showed just how shallow the lack of depth is on defense for the US and the team gave up four goals in the loss.

With the US showing their creative side in the attack with Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and the resurgent Freddy Adu providing a spark, the concern should shift from the attacking core to the back line. That’s where the questions lie that will define Bradley’s second tour of duty.

Tournament surprise

Early in the Gold Cup it looked like Jamaica would be the up-and-coming team from the tournament, but the team that impressed the most as an underdog was Panama. They twice took the game to the US and showed that they can play the type of organized, stingy defense that propelled a team like Paraguay to World Cup success in 2010.

Tournament disappointment

Costa Rica was expected to be a serious challenger for the Gold Cup and the Ticos were anything but. Their stars Bryan Ruiz and Alvaro Saborio never got on track. They’re futility was evidenced by their elimination where the team missed a penalty kick in regulation and then lost out in a shootout.

Best XI

GK: Jaime Penedo (Panama)

DEF: Steve Cherundolo (US), Felipe Baloy (Panama), Carlos Salcido (Mexico), Carlos Gallardo (Guatemala)

MID: Andres Guradado (Mexico), Clint Dempsey (US), Gio Dos Santos (Mexico), Gerrado Torrado (Mexico)

FWD: Javier “Chichartio” Hernandez (Mexico), Rodolfo Zelaya (El Salvador)

Honorable Mention: GK Tim Howard (US), DEF Christian Noriega (Guatemala), MID Gabriel Gomez (Panama), Omar Daley (Jamaica), FWD Pablo Barrera (Mexico), Jerry Bengsten (Honduras), Dane Richards (Jamaica)

MVP: Gio Dos Santos (Mexico)

Runners-up: Andres Guardado (Mexico), Rodolfo Zelaya (El Salvador)

That’s it. Thanks for following and reading during the Gold Cup. It’s been fun and I hope you enjoyed the coverage.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

In 24 hours we’ll know how the latest edition of CONCACAF’s best rivalry went down as another US-Mexico Gold Cup finale is upon us. With previews and analysis filling the internet there’s a number of issues and storylines being written about. Here I will provide some of the more interesting ones along with some keys to Saturday’s finale and my prediction.

US changing of the guard?

Overall, most who’ve followed the US during the Gold Cup would say they’ve been uninteresting. The Yanks haven’t blown anyone out – actually they dropped a group stage game – and haven’t been truly dominant.

But one storyline is cropping up: Is this Clint Dempsey’s team now? Landon Donovan has long been considered the face of US soccer. The star that fans, media and teammates gravitate too while with the team.

But 2011’s Gold Cup has been about Dempsey. The Fulham man has been the player that’s made things happen for the US both in the build up and the attack. On the other hand Donovan has been placed in the role of “super-sub” the last two games.

With Dempsey taking the lead on the field, a big performance in the finale could signal that Dempsey and his friend Donovan may be switching places in the hierarchy of the US squad.

Down a few stars

On the topic of Donovan, a day ahead of the finale the LA Galaxy playmaker admitted to the media that he’s not been told if he’ll start or come off the bench. It’s lunacy on the surface but with his impact off the bench being better than his impact in games he’s started it’s not out of the question.

A decision to start the game with Donovan on the bench could either enhance Bob Bradley’s image – which has improved this week – or completely kill any good feelings he has built. This could truly be a make or break decision for Bradley’s public image.

On the Mexican side, playmaker Andres Guardado and defender Carlos Salcido are question marks for the game. Guardado suffered an ankle injury in the second half of Wednesday’s semifinal and Salcido is fighting a lingering heel injury from his EPL season.

Both players will be tough to replace but Guardado has been spectacular in the tournament. For my money he’s been the best Mexican player and missing him could hurt El Tri’s advantage in possession and distribution.

Is fatigue a factor?

The Gold Cup is a tough tournament because of the short timeframe and long travel involved in playing games across the US. With both teams playing a tough semifinal opponent and Mexico going into extra-time and only two rest days how will the effort be on Saturday night?

Keys to the game

For the US this game is about staying organized and creating quality chances. I emphasize the word quality. When the US get possession and go forward they need to make the most of it. Also, they need to shut the lanes down and kill the space for Mexico’s talented midfield to find their talented attackers. If the US can win the midfield battle they’ll win the game.

For Mexico it’s simple: Play your best. If both teams play their best Mexico will win. They’re a better squad – not by as much as it looked like in the group stage but they are better. With their talent and ability in the attack El Tri will get their chances and if players like Chicharito, Aldo de Nigris and Gio Dos Santos get in behind the US they need to punish the US. The main concerns for Mexico should be that the US has a solid and physical midfield full of workers. The space will be much tighter.

Prediction

This is a tough one because I don’t think either team’s playing its best soccer right now and there’s questions surrounding the participation of three of the game’s best players. Going on the information I have I believe it’s going to be a very tight game with Mexico pulling it out in the end.

Mexico 2-1 in the end.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It looks like the El Tri’s Gold Cup doping issue has reached a conclusion. Days after the five players were given clean test results from a June 10 sample FIFA has ruled that Mexico can replace the five players they removed from the squad.

After the reported failed tests on June 9 the Mexican squad has played with just 18 players – now 17 with Ricardo Osorio leaving due to illness – for much of the tournament. It’s not clear who they will bring in or when they will join the Mexican squad – which is preparing in New Jersey for their quarterfinal match with Guatemala.

Without knowing who or when they’ll arrive here are a few players El Tri could be bring in to supplement their roster:

GK Liborio Sanchez (Veracruz) – A talented 21 year old ‘keeper who could be brought in for experience. It’s never a bad idea to get a young keeper in the mix to learn and observe.

GK Luis Michel (Chivas de Guadalajara) – An experienced ‘keeper who can put in significant minutes and contribute in a pinch.

FWD Carlos Vela (Arsenal) – The talented forward was one of the bright young stars in the 2009 Gold Cup but a tough loan spell at West Brom ruled him out of the Gold Cup roster. He would provide an instant punch in addition to Aldo de Nigris.

RW Edgar Pacheco (Atlas) – A creative and exciting winger who’s another young player who can make the ‘rich get richer’ in the attack.

LB Miguel Angel Ponce (Chivas de Guadalajara) –This call up could serve two goals. One it would add to the backline depth and, two, it would cap tie the defender who has citizenship with the United States – of course that will likely happen anyway at the Copa America.

CB Jonny Magallon (Chivas de Guadalajara) – A good center back who can provide depth to the Mexican backline.

None of the call ups – especially in midfield or at forward – will likely see much time in the tournament. But having some of these young players in the team and training will help confidence and experience. Also, a player like Pacheco or Vela could provide a creative and energetic spark off the bench.

We should know who the Mexican will bring in some time in the next few days.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With the Gold Cup taking a break before the quarterfinals begin Saturday afternoon there’s some down time for the teams to settle in, rest and reboot for the start of the knockout stages. For the U.S. and Mexico there’s also some player news.

The U.S. has two of their most important players on the team set to miss Thursday and Saturday training sessions to attend separate weddings this weekend. Front line attackers Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will be away from the team to attend the nuptials of family members but will be back in time for the team’s match against Jamaica.

With their experience with the team the stars’ absence will not matter much on the field. With the team’s recent performances their break may be welcomed to recharge their batteries as the team looks to raise their level of play against a tough opponent.

While the U.S. knows they’ll be at full strength for their match Mexico still has players missing due to a failed drug test. Those five players were at UCLA to get the results of a second drug test which came back negative. The test was administered to the five players June 10 – a day after they were removed from the squad due to original failed test – but the Mexican FA has not decided the groups fate.

Now the situation will shift to the Mexican FA getting a “B” or back up sample given in May to be tested. With the investigation ongoing, it’s not clear what will happen to the five players ahead of this weekend. While everything has gone very well for El Tri they have not been able to replace the five players without a decision being made.

Whether the second test is run will likely determine the fate of the five, something the Mexican FA would likely prefer to happen sooner than later.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Eight teams are left standing in the Gold Cup. With two good matches and teams such as Mexico and Jamaica playing good football, the bracket is set up to be a good battle on one side and a battle to try and stop the freight train that is Mexico on the other. I’ll preview the latter in this post.

Mexico versus Guatemala

Keeping Mexico in check was too tall a task for any team in group A. Mexico ravaged the group scoring an impressive 14 goals and allowing just one. Being a prolific scoring team and a stingy defense is a fantastic formula and Mexico has managed to pull it off.

They’ll face a Guatemala team that’s known for breaking up play and coming up with timely goals. Against a Mexican squad that will certainly be looking to dominant the ball and continue to play with their foot on the gas, look for the Guatemalans to employ some stalling tactics while trying to break the pace of the game.

Impact Player: Andres Guardado, Mexico

While Chicharito and Giovanni Dos Santos have gotten the headlines Guardado has played a big role in organizing and initiating the team’s attack. Guradado drives the Mexican attack and if he’s given space to operate and distribute Guatemala won’t have much of a chance.

Prediction: Mexico advances easily 3-0.

Costa Rica versus Honduras

Costa Rica went through what could be a confidence killing loss against Mexico in the final group match. The match was billed as the marquee match of the group stage but ended before the half after Mexico poured on four goals. Now the Costa Ricans face a Honduras team that has the talent to be explosive and has the experience to go with it. If Costa Rica is going to be successful their stars – namely Bryan Ruiz – are going to have to step up.

Honduras entered the tournament as the favorite in group B but fell to Jamaica in the final group match 1-0 to finish second. For all their experience and talent the Catratchos have not gotten on track offensively and are not running at top gear. Like Costa Rica, Honduras needs their star players to step up in the knockout stages. A healthy Carlo Costly will help as well.

Impact Player: Jerry Bengston, Honduras

Bengston is a young energetic forward who has shown very well in the Gold Cup. The Motuaga man could be playing his way into a contract in a bigger league and a big game against the well respected Ticos will go a long way to raising his profile. The dangerous striker will be a thorn in the side of Costa Rica if they focus too much on Costly.

Prediction: This is one of the two best matches of the quarterfinals – along with USA v. Jamaica. It’s also the toughest to predict because I don’t believe we’ve seen the best from either team. If they play at top level it could be a great game. I’ll go 2-1 Honduras because I think their stars will come through.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It was suppose to be the toughest test of the Gold Cup for the Mexican national team. It was suppose to be the true barometer for figuring out if El Tri is “for real.” A 4-1 win over Costa Rica should put any concerns to rest.

Mexico dominated Costa Rica en route to winning group A and in the process scored 14 goals and allowed just one in return. Costa Rica was simply over matched in every facet of the game. The Ticos lost the battle at every level and the Mexicans continued their finishing clinic putting up four first half goals; ending the game before the troops hit the locker room.

The scary thing for Mexico’s upcoming opponents is that the scoring came from new sources. Andres Guardado got going with a first

Rafael Marquez opened his Gold Cup account Sunday against Costa Rica

half brace and Pablo Barrera and Rafa Marquez added a goal apiece. With Chicharito and Giovanni Dos Santos already in great form, adding offensive options is a scary thought for opponents going forward.

From the Costa Rica point of view, Ricardo La Volpe’s – former Mexico head man – crew played Mexico well in the second half but were never able to pose an attacking challenge to the Mexican defense. For a team that was looking to make a statement and take the group, Sunday’s loss will be a tough one to take.

El Salvador makes a push for second

Before Costa Rica struggled against Mexico, El Salvador made life tough for the Ticos with a 6-1 win over Cuba. El Salvador dominated Cuba – who finished the Gold Cup with zero points giving up 16 goals – much like Mexico dominated Costa Rica which was in every facet.

Rodolfo Zelaya led El Salvador with a brace and the six goal effort gives the team welcomed hope for landing one of the two third place spots in the knockout stages. Its hope that was faint at the start of the evening.

El Salvador will have to wait until the group stage is finished to know their fate. Finishing three goals behind Costa Rica in goal differential placed El Salvador third in group A behind Mexico and the Ticos. If they do make it through they’ll play the winner of group C, which could be Panama, USA or Canada.

Final standings for group A and current group B and C standings can be found here.

Monday night group B finishes with Guatemala needing to beat Grenada by two or more goals to push past El Salvador in the third place standings and Honduras and Jamaica battling it out for first place.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Note to every team in the Gold Cup: if you play Mexico build a big first half lead if you want to win the match. For the second straight match El Tri played a close first half – this time taking a 1-0 lead over Cuba into the locker room – only to explode in the second half for their second straight 5-0 victory.

Before El Tri took care of business against another over matched opponent, fellow group A favorite Costa Rica needed a stoppage time bailout goal from Randall Brenes to rescue a point from El Salvador and keep their hopes of winning the group alive.

Brenes to the rescue

After the opening round results the match between El Salvador and Costa Rica looked to be a foregone result for the Ticos. But El Salvador had other ideas disrupting the Costa Rica attack with their usual “chippy” tactics.

Those tactics worked as Costa Rica failed to generate many chances and with talented FC Twente man Bryan Ruiz starting on the

bench for the second straight game, the Ticos had trouble breaking down the stingy El Salvador defense early.

To make matters worse for Costa Rica, El Salvador took a late first half lead when Rodolfo Zelaya scored on a free kick to give the Salvadorians the lead heading into the locker room.

Despite a better second half from the Ticos, El Salvador’s strategy of playing with a strong back four and killing the flow of the game in the midfield looked to have them headed towards victory. But in the fifth minute of stoppage time Brenes came through and kept Costa Rica within a victory over Mexico of winning the group.

Shorthanded Mexico routs Cuba

After a rough day filled with talks of failed drug tests and suspensions El Tri came out and once again did what good teams do: beat up on the little guy.

Chicharito continued his goal scoring ways against Cuba

Led once again by Manchester United starlet Chicharito – who has five goals in two Gold Cup matches – El Tri put their doping troubles behind them and hammered Cuba in the final 45 minutes to notch an astounding +10 goal differential. Gio Dos Santos (2) and Aldo De Nigris joined Chicharito on the score sheet as Mexico simply dominated Cuba down the stretch.

It was not all roses for Mexico as they struggled to finish in the first half prior to the 33^rd minute goal from Chicharito. But once the machine got rolling it was all El Tri in route to them taking control of group A.

Now the favorites will take a significant step up in competition when they face each other Sunday night. The winner will claim group A and a match up against either group B or C’s third place team.

The loser is likely headed to a match against either Jamaica or Honduras in the quarterfinals. El Salvador will be fighting to become one of the two third place teams to make the quarterfinals as Cuba is eliminated from the tournament.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com during the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Just hours ahead of their second group stage match against Cuba reports are circulating that five Mexican national team players have failed a drug test and have been removed from the squad pending further investigation.

The five include Guillermo Ochoa, Maza Rodriquez, Antonio “Sinha” Naelson, Edgar Duenas and Christian Bermudez. Rumors are circulating that Ricardo Osorio also failed the test but that has not been confirmed.

The test was administered by the Mexican Football Association in May and analyzed at the University of California at Los Angeles. Results showed that the five players tested positive for Clenbutrol, a banned growth enhancement substance that is illegally used on show animals such as cows, sheep and lamb.

It’s been made clear that these issues are in the early stages and no suspensions have been made. The FMF is looking into the results to ensure validity but have removed the players in what looks to be a precautionary measure.

The ramifications of these losses could be big with all five players considered integral to El Tri’s plans, especially Ochoa who is the number one ‘keeper. Despite their ultimate ruling the five are not likely to play tonight against Cuba and could be scratches for a huge showdown against Costa Rica in the final game of the group stage and the knockout stages depending on the length of the investigation.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com for the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

On the first day of Gold Cup action Mexico and Costa Rica confirmed what many already knew: they’re the class of group A.

With a pair of 5-0 wins, Costa Rica and Mexico put on dominant showings – in Mexico’s case for 45 minutes – getting both teams off to a great start in their quest for CONCACAF dominance.

Costa Rica dispatches Cuba

Costa Rica got the first of the 5-0 results in emphatic fashion. Los Ticos got a standout performance from Gold Cup debutant Marcos Urena who opened the scoring in the 6^th minute with the first of his two goals on the night.

Cuba -  a big underdog coming in – fought hard following the opening goal before conceding a goal just before the half to Alvaro Saborio in the 41^st minute. The goal stole any momentum Cuba could have taken into the locker room and set them up for a rough second half.

Costa Rica added three more in the second half to send a message to the rest of group A that they’re a force to reckon with going forward.

Mexico takes advantage of superior second half

While Costa Rica dominated their opponent from the first kick, El Tri struggled to get going against El Salvador before scoring 5 second half goals in the second match of the night. The first half was disjointed and the Mexicans had trouble imposing their will. Struggling to break down the El Salvador defense found themselves in a 0-0 fight at the half.

But the second half brought a much different look as Mexico put their foot on the pedal early and by minute 60 El Tri had put the

Chicharito got off to a great start with Sunday's hat trick

game away with 3 quick goals. Efrain Juarez got Mexico on the board in front of the 80,000 plus that showed up by heading a deflected shot into the net. The Celtic man seemed to catch a break when the ball rebounded off his head as he fell to the ground after making the initial shot.

The goal opened the floodgates and was followed up by a goal from second half sub Aldo de Nigris’ in the 58^th minute. The goal preceded a closing hat trick from Manchester United starlet Chicharito who put his stamp on the win.

While the tournament favorites took their time in revving up their attacking engine, the reigning champions showed in the second half the goal scoring potential they possess.

Mexico and Costa Rica swap opponents Thursday in Charlotte, NC before a much anticipated showdown next Sunday in Chicago.

Monday will bring group B action with Jamaica – who lost the services of Omar Cummings and Tyrone Marshall this weekend – facing Grenada and Honduras taking on Guatemala.

Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com for the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News