While both CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night were tightly contested, Sunday's quarterfinals were anything but.
Mexico and Costa Rica both scored blowout victories on Sunday in Dallas to set up a great semifinal match-up. Costa Rica rolled to a 5-1 victory against Guadeloupe, while the Mexicans were never troubled in posting 4-0 victory against Haiti in front of a sold-out crowd of 82,252 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the first event at the new stadium.
Celso Borges opened the scoring for Costa Rica with a beautiful bicycle kick, while Alvaro Saborio added two more for 'Los Ticos'.
Giovani Dos Santos starred for Mexico, scoring a goal and setting up two others on corner kicks in a 4-0 drubbing of Haiti. Miguel Sabah added two goals.
Costa Rica will meet Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals on Thursday at Soldier Field in Chicago. The United States and Honduras will play in the other semifinal.
You can see highlights from both of today's quarterfinals after the jump:
Madmax: Sorry, I guess one whole paragraph is too much for you to read through properly. I didn’t say he deserves a spot. In fact, I said he shouldn’t be seeing time with the nats right now. My point is that we should all be praying that he regains his form rather than saying we hope he never gets called up again.
joamic on Beasley, “There’s simply no way to know if he’s finished already, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt…”
1000% wrong. You earn your spot from play not reputation. Beasley although not playing many games the past year looks beat up. The few times he has played he’s been horrible. You don’t get charitable call-ups based on past performances. His only chance to make the USMNT is playing well at a club, and not many clubs are interested.
Mexico vs Costa Rica is the finals for me, two best squads.
One of my biggest pet peeves with the commenters on this site is the constant lumping in of Beasley with Kljestan as players that we never want to see again (which is just one example of the absurd overreactions most people here are guilty of). All Kljestan has ever done is scored the hat trick in a fairly meaningless friendly (though, to be fair, until this season he was one of the best midfielders in MLS). If you think he’s not national team caliber, fine. On the other hand, if you’ve followed the national team for more than a few years, then you know that Beasley was once a stud for a Champions League Eindhoven side, and that he was once – believe it or not – a key player for Rangers. Even more importantly, we should vividly remember what a weapon he was for the nats with his speed, toughness, class on the ball, and shooting ability. I agree that he shouldn’t currently be seeing any time on the field with the nats, but it makes me angry and sad when people say they hope they’ve seen the last of him. What we should hope is that he regains his form, because an in-form Beasley is one of the best players this country has ever had. Oh, and by the way, he’s lost and regained his form before, and… he’s only 27. There’s simply no way to know if he’s finished already, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Criticize him if you want, but show some respect. He’s done more than enough to earn it.
chg, I never said you did. I’m just saying you’re whining about something that is completely stupid and ultimately unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
Yes, JCC, I said that because I hate the Spanish language and all elements of the Spanish speaking world.
“I wish Spanish speaking announcers had more in their toolbox than screaming gollll, golazooo, and penal over and over again, regardless of the magnitude of the event.
If this was an English language announcer, he would rightfully be lambasted. Imagine “homeruNNNNNNNNNNNNN-homeRUN-homeRUN-homeRUN-hoMMMMMMMERUNNNNNN” for a solo shot in the third at Turner Field, or something similar for any touchdown, let alone every single one.
Posted by: chg | July 20, 2009 at 08:50 AM”
Ugh. Anglophones. Always whining about something stupid. If it’s not the vuvuzelas, it’s the Spanish announcers.
@ Brent McD, you are absolutely correct, i would love to see us winning the Gold Cup but the current roster is getting an opportunity to show what they have. The fact that they have been able to grow in these few weeks is important. Now the tough games. Who will hold up under the pressure and who will be shoved aside by quality opponents? This is what BB wants to know for the future.
Mexico has also improved from the garbage of a few months ago during the WCQ. They are still making some mistakes but they are beginning to click and will be dangerous.
Mexico is playing markedly better without Aguirre on the sidelines, but Costa Rica will be a real test….
At this point, any of the four remaining teams is fully capable of winning the Gold Cup….
I know we’d all like the U.S. to win every game and every tournament, but I appreciate that Bradley is still thinking long-term, focusing on building depth for the World Cup next summer (and beyond)….
Yeah I missed some names, I was in a bit of a Hurry. Benny is an maybe an A team if not a sure B team starter. Davies wasn’t meant to be used twice. Sorry I meant Ching as the sub on the first team not Davies. But the point has been made I missed a good bunch of names and yet it shows that in we are playing with a C some might even say D team in this tournament. Beckerman has been very good in the midfield but there isn’t a chance he would make it on an A,B or possibly even C team roster. We are getting deeper but we still have a way o go.
and yet nobody still notices the absence of benny in that lineup other than me
jp992751-
These arent the top choices but some are close, Arnaud for example is a better forward and attacking midfielder than any midfielder or forward on your “B” team.
Because Bradleys “depth chart” says these guys arent the top talents doesnt really mean a hill of beans.
SoulShadow:
Its Edgar Castillo. And Simek plays right back, but I agree he should be on that B team.
I feel like I’m def in the minority in regards to this but the gap in quality between Edu and Clark is very very small IMO. In fact I might take Rico over Mo in a starting lineup.
Ives – everyone, ESPN included, is trying to make a USMNT power ranking. how about making a post with your depth chart? 3 23- man rosters: A,B and C
talking about power rankings; i think the mls season is still going on. thoughts on the galaxy, tfc, chicago and seattle in playoff spots..
Who cares about B or C team. It’s a culmination of potential players to make the US roster in the future.
Mason:
I know about the European players, but there are a lot of European players in weak leagues that should be fine to play, like Heath Pearce and Troy Perkins are. Also, what about the American players in MLS who are not playing? I definitely get what your saying about this not being the Gold Cup to qualify for the Confederation s Cup, but it’s still the championship for our region and we are the current holders. I also don’t want to risk lifting Mexico’s morale and ending our streak by having them beat us in the final if we made it that far. I’d rather we lost to Honduras in the semifinals.
Dman:
As Mike said, what’s with the subs? I meant third starting team. As far as I know whenever someone has referred to a B or C team they are referring to the next best STARTING teams, not subs and entire rosters. That’s pretty silly.
JP,
For the B team, you forgot Frank Simek from Sheffield Wednesday. He’d be a starting defender on that squad (probably ahead of Marshall). So would Ching for that matter (especially with Bradley coaching). I’d also go with Johnson as well.
Edu pushes Clark out of the starting spot for the A team. Plus the eventual addition of Jones does definitely push someone out of the A team. Edgar Sanchez will do so as well (or at least the B team) if he decides to make the switch.
Mike
I wish Spanish speaking announcers had more in their toolbox than screaming gollll, golazooo, and penal over and over again, regardless of the magnitude of the event.
If this was an English language announcer, he would rightfully be lambasted. Imagine “homeruNNNNNNNNNNNNN-homeRUN-homeRUN-homeRUN-hoMMMMMMMERUNNNNNN” for a solo shot in the third at Turner Field, or something similar for any touchdown, let alone every single one.
jp992751,
Beasley and Klejstan should NEVER be mentioned on any US Team again.
@jp
on your A team, you have Charlie Davies listed as both a starter and a sub. did he clone himself?
i like it jp, i like it… i would put perkins behind hahnemann and maybe even reis… EJ is a third teamer in my eye
oh and you forgot Benny, he is a first teamer… plus jones will push someone onto your “b” team
A Team
F-Altidore
F-Davies
M-Dempsey
M-Donovan
M-Bradley
M-Clark
D-Bocanegra
D-Oneywu
D-Demerit
D-Spector
G-Howard
Going off of mostly Confed Cup the roster will probably change oh and to humor theguy that thinks we count subs as A teamers here are three subs I won’ use agin for the B Team.
Sub 1-Davies
Sub 2-Churandolo
Sub 3-Edu
B Team
F-Casey
F- Cooper
M- Adu
M- Klejstan
M- Beasley
M- Torres
D- Hejduk
D- Bornstein
D- Parkhurst
D- Marshall
G- Guzan
3 subs
Sub 1- Pearce
Sub 2- Holden
Sub 3- Twellman
As you see there are only tow or three guys on the gold cup roster right now even on any of these teams. This is our C team and some players uhm uhm Heaps uhm uhm Pause aren’t even our D team.
I’m surprised there hasn’t been any comment on the Canada vs. Honduras game, and that amazing penalty call by the ref……
Dman – how do “A” team subs that don’t play a single minute contribute to that team? You know you’re already stretching the truth with that statement so your throwing in the “plus subs” bit to soften your claim. WEAK dude.
Sure they are a C team but the home field advantage certainly makes them play better then an average C team.
I love that everyone is saying this is our C team. Please provide the A team (with subs), B team (with subs), and C team (with subs)
I’m thinking more and more this is a B to C+ team for the US.
Posted by: dman | July 19, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Its a c team when most of the guys coming in are getting 1st, 2nd and 3rd caps while in group stage.
Steve Davis has an article about the size of the field at the new Cowboys stadium. Major problems:
http://dailysoccerfix.com/2009/07/18/new-stadium%E2%80%99s-field-is-big-enough-%E2%80%A6-but-just-barely/
Almost every guy that started against Panama would be 3rd or lower on the depth chart at his position except for maybe Ching or Pearce– that’s what makes it a C team.
too bad for haiti’s GK he played a tuff game..
and those sidelines @ dallas? is that FIFA okay?
Posted by: RLW2020 | July 19, 2009 at 10:52 PM
_____________
The field is not soccer friendly at all. Players could seriously be hurt near the corners in the field. Dallas stadium will NEVER make the World Cup Venue.
NFL just hates soccer.
Can play will travel anywhere!!
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20292059,00.html
I guess there is no more reason for Landon to be home sick anymore..
I love that everyone is saying this is our C team. Please provide the A team (with subs), B team (with subs), and C team (with subs)
I’m thinking more and more this is a B to C+ team for the US.
aristotle-
The US is playing the C team because this tournament doesn’t mean much. This isn’t the iteration of Gold Cup that gets a team into Confed Cup. We could run the A side out there and beat everybody until the final with ease, but we know about those players. With the WCF coming up next year, and further WCQ this year, it’s time to establish some depth. Also, lots of A-teamers are playing with European clubs, and are now in their pre-season. Best to leave those players where they are so that they can fight for PT for the coming season.
its a combination of their A and B team
Gio is playing for Mexico? Are they running out their A team now?
It’s the first sporting event.
Nic, I think Ives meant first “football” event
The U.S. will probably be eliminated by Honduras. They certainly will not win the tournament with their C team. Will they even bring Landon back? I’m not sure I understand why we feel the need to just give away the championship for our region.
too bad for haiti’s GK he played a tuff game..
and those sidelines @ dallas? is that FIFA okay?
CBR – The game is on grass. CR hasn’t a snowflakes’s chance in hell.
Costa Rica is playing some excellent soccer. The Mexico – Costa Rica game is going to be a real test for the Mexicans.
costa rica will beat mexico….mexico has not faced a real opponent this whole cup. And the closest thing to a real opponent they faced was Panama which resulted in a draw
Ives, there have been like six events at the New Texas Stadium. Not even close to the first.
I work next door.