Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
One day remains until the United States kicks off its CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign.
Bob Bradley and his charges have put a large emphasis on this tournament, with the hopes of winning it for a fifth time and clinching a spot at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Saturday's 4-0 loss to Spain put a bit of a damper on the U.S. momentum heading into the Gold Cup, even though Landon Donovan didn't play and the likes of Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Steve Cherundolo were used as substitutes.
The tournament hosts are still considered to be among the favorites to win the regional crown, though. Defending champion Mexico is the other favorite and only reinforced its status after putting five goals on El Salvador in its tournament opener Sunday night. Should the brackets hold to form, the two regional powers would do battle in the final later this month for the third consecutive Gold Cup, but there's plenty of CONCACAF soccer to be played before then, starting with the United States game against a capable and motivated Canada side Tuesday night.
How do you see the USMNT faring at the Gold Cup? Cast your vote after the jump:
How did you vote? Do you see the loss to Spain hampering the United States' chances at the Gold Cup? Think the USMNT will win it all? Who are your darkhorses to win the tournament?
Share your thoughts below.
+2
Yeah — was at the friendly in Houston a few years ago. Not interested unless its North of the Mason Dixon.
Ives — any chance on puting an age/height restriction on the comment box?
First and foremost, I am a passionate NATS fan an avid player for over 30 yrs.
That being said, I felt a serious PANG in my gut when I saw the starting 11 on Sunday and pretty much insulted after the result. We are in serious disarray at the moment, from back to front, left to right. AND the one position (keeper) where we have ALWAYS had deep depth, is pretty thin.
We have heart, we have guts, we have spirit, BUT we all know (or most of us should) that only can take a team so far (ie WC2010). What we dont have (and wont for another decade) is talent depth.
Many are still calling for BB’s head. I dont think he’s to blame, but its clear that our depth in that position is shallow too. The US Soccer system is very complex. I’m not sure that anyone else could provide any better leadership or result.
How will we do in the GC? I have no idea. If I were a betting man though…my money would be on green.
OUT!!!
I remember when i was 14. He’s just a stupid kid, try to ignore him.
We seem to be overlooking one significant fact for a potential US-Mexico final which works against us. It’s basically a ‘home’ game for Mexico in Pasadena. Recall the US hasn’t scheduled a game in CA or anywhere in the southwest for over decade due to the thuggish, disgusting antics of the Mexican fans (body waste anyone?). And what red-blooded American would want to pay money and sit in the stands and deal with that? Not me..been there, done that.
Like the US-Spain game on Saturday, it’s all about the gate receipts.
Chandler? really? Let him play in a meaningful competition and make an impact before we call him part of the “core.”
I was at the USA Spain game and I was NOT impressed by the first half lineup. However, the second half lineup was MUCH better, even though they had little shots on goal and even though they still gave up 1 goal. This was Spain; Mexico ain’t Spain. But still, our center core of D needs to track back on their marks!!!! I think the majority of Spain’s goals came from a man not being marked on a run to the box. Pathetic. That’s defense 101.
I guess you are one of the guys that don’t believe, HHHHAAA!! Who is the tosser? Faith tosser faith,
I’m all for team USA doing well in this tourney cuz I want to visit Brazil during the Confederations cup in 2013.
On the other hand .. if failure to secure this cup means BB cleans out his desk…
Kind of a Win Win in my book
Wow, what an insightful comment…
Shark, is that you?
i also believe that we will lose to mexico in the final but the 2014 comment is premature. were not in a great position now, as were in a major transition, but by 2014 im sure we will more or less be comfortable with whichever players emerge by then. its wayyyy too early to be freaking out about 2014
I would probably like Bradley gone if we don’t win the whole thing. But don’t want to talk about it yet. I just want to win. The stakes are high for everyone on the US team in this Gold Cup.
The question was “How do you see the USMNT faring…” not “how far do you hope they get.” I want the US to win the thing, but they have a poor defense, play from behind constantly, and the coach has yet to demonstrate an ability to evaluate his players and put the team in the best position to succeed based on his roster.
I served 9 years in the US Army. I’m not changing nationality champ
Touche my brother. 😉
Yeah true.
Question is what happens to BB if the US looses.
1. Don’t make it to the final game = Canned
2. Loose in final by more than 2 goals = Canned
3. Win it = Kept
4. Sunil G loves BB so much that he keeps his job no matter the result.
You’re still not making any damn sense.
For copa oro 2009, bradley (wisely, most would argue) did not call up anybody from the confederation cup roster save benny, adu and davies. All of whom departed prior to the knockout stages.
So I guess if you were arguing that in 2009 our player pool from #20-#50 was subpar, you’d have a point.
But whether we win the gold cup this year or not, it will have nothing whatsoever to do with the 0-5 drubbing we took two years ago.
Ban Buddy please, what a tosser.
Not freaking out about the Spain loss. It was an obvious game to call once you saw the lineup.
Adu in the starting 11 – no thanks. Like the rest.
Chandler won’t play for the US again…
Funny… typical of a person who has no argument. Aka, most people on this site.
Not really I know several idiots but I’m not one 😀
Me as well, but I disagree that beating El Salvador 5-0 means nothing.
Mexico was a team that clicked during the 2nd half of yesterday’s game and was very effective in dismantling El Salvador.
While Mexico deserves more credit than they ever have before for as long as I’ve been following the two of them closely, I still think the US will come out on top. Dempsey and Donovan are both huge x-factors with the similar positional, work rate, and finishing capacity as Chicharito, but they’ll spread the Mexican defense thin by drawing them to the flanks. Plus we still got Altidore, Agudelo, Bedoya, and Adu – all highly capable young players who have shown flashes of brilliance in the past whose club forms are indicative of a coming transformation to permanent x-factor status. Will one of them make that leap during the Gold Cup? I’d love to see it!
re: Buddy… you missed the point. I’ll spot you a 10-0 Gold Cup win over Mexico in the final. It still won’t improve this team in the long run.
I won’t be any happier when it comes to failing to get outta the group come 2014 WC.
Mexican supporters.
Reasonable supporters? Like you?
Don’t forget that the 2009 roster started at 30 and was whittled down to 23.
My point is Bradley is still the constant and that his tactics are flawed.
It will be exposed. Hopefully, not unitl the semis.
I guess anybody can be a memeber of MENSA these days. Congrats, Away Goals!
What the hell is going on? What a bunch of pu**ies. “I am scared of Gio, (little girl)Sweet Pee, (crunch his boney Mexican as* with a few tackles) and Salcido (PPSSS).”
Non believers should not rejoice the fruits of a U.S. victory in the final. Shame on you!!!!!!!!!! I know what you will say, “I was wrong?” “I will never doubt the U.S. again.” What a bunch of pu**ies. Even the Mexican faithful, knowing how stupid they are, would never do that. Over and out. You guys suck!!!!!!!!!
Mastroeni sucked when he played in MLS and for the nats. He missed tackles and could not defend. He never scored or assisted either
No way bro the confed cup 2009 was.
It takes one to know one.
Who were the 2 percent idiots that voted that the USA would not get out the group ? -___-
You are a pisshead. Go choke on a taco. If you are a U.S. fan, go change nationality.
Maybe because we have eyes, Moron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of your comments reek of humor.
Christ!!!!!!!! Have faith!!!!!!!!!!
It would have helped. Then the score would have been tres a cero.
Jesus, how do you idiots find this site?
Your Nick says it all, dude.Dos Santos is a little girl. He looks like a little girl running in the park HHHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Most intriguing development of the GC for USMNT will be the maturation of Jones-Bradley midfield pairing — our two best players at CM. They need real matches to work it out. Now is the time to solidify their partnership, bring the stick and sharp passing to midfield. When they achieve this we will be in a very good position to compete in the final.
Jozy will break out of his scoring rut this tournament. I’d like to see Jozy dominate the way he knows he can off the ball, apply high pressure and disrupt not simply jog about on defense.
Ticos and Mexico tore it up in their openers last night. When was the last time we scored five goals in a game? Perhaps Costa Rica puts a dagger in Mexico during semis. Of course, that does not make it easier for the boys. Either way, USA and BB’s staff will need to put their best performances of the year together to lift the GC.
Last, let’s hope Landon has enjoyed the perfect balance of lamb pizza and pinot grigio over the last few months and comes recharged and ready to play. The Paraguay performance was one of the worst LD outings I’ve seen. Perhaps it was the memories of such a crap outing that left him with the nightsweats prior to USA vs Spain. He’s the man. We need him.
No faith? Another Pathetic loser.
The other way around. You probably put it in the wrong hole too.
But they can keep pace with yo mama!!!!!!!!! Shut up , fool!!!!!!!!!
“Blows?” You are an expert in that , right?
Yeah, the low class.
Really? Is it true? Two consecutive years in two World Cups. Do you have mold in your head, boy? Does not mean anything. The last game could have gone either way. But you were too busy playing pocket-pull to notice. Your knowledge of soccer sucks.Keep on sucking my friend.
Well said, and I agree with most of these responses too. I really think Holden could have brought something great to this team.
What’s wrong with Wodo? Did he **** your sister?
Keep the faith!!!!!!! You’ll be happy you did
Someone that has done something when they played at the highest level?
I wouldn’t mind seeing Herculez in the squad over Wondo because I think if you’re going to have someone come off the bench in the last 10 minutes and snatch a goal he gives a better chance then Wondo, but I don’t think either him or Buddle are better options then Altidore at the international level
Chicharito -USA: 3:0