Posts Categorized as ‘Gold Cup’

10 Kit Essay, Gold Cup, South of the Border

Gold Cup match fixing must serve as wake up call

This summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup was played against a backdrop of scandal, finger-pointing and disgrace off the pitch, but that didn’t seem to carry over to the matches. Now, with Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl receiving confirmation Thursday that FIFA and Interpol investigations of match fixing show something was amiss with a handful of matches, we’re forced to believe even the pitch wasn’t spared from corruption.

Wahl’s report (which you should read in full if you haven’t yet) features a betting-industry insider who is suspicious of every match played by Cuba and Grenada and also El Salvador’s opening 5-0 loss to Mexico. The suspicions come from in-game betting in which bettors wager on future events, such as how many more goals will be scored during the remainder of a game. The majority of the action is in Asia, and a Singaporean newspaper received a tip before the tournament that a syndicate from the Asian nation would have a hand in Gold Cup match results.

The FIFA/Interpol investigation was announced in mid-June with German magazine Der Spiegel reporting there was suspicious betting action on three games, both 5-0 results and one 4-0 game (I’ve got to be honest, I’m not 100% sure this is the original article because I don’t know German, but it is about the Gold Cup and match fixing).

Obviously these allegations – revelations, perhaps – should be troubling to all fans of sport, but the Gold Cup matches mentioned are particularly disturbing to me because I was there. I covered the matches on the first day of the Gold Cup for USA10Kit as I would cover any other match, expecting both teams to put their best effort forward to win. They both finished 5-0, and at the time nothing really seemed out of place.

I thought Mexico’s midfield was very good. I thought El Salvador was badly in need of Arturo Alvarez and was unlucky to lose by such a wide margin. I dismissed Costa Rica’s drubbing of Cuba as simply a show of strength from the Central Americans.

And now? Now I’m not sure what to think. (more…)

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Gold Cup, United States

USA10Cast Episode One: Brent Latham joins from Mexico

The first ever USA10Cast, the USA10Kit podcast, features Brent Latham joining Jon Arnold from Mexico where he is covering the U-17 World Cup. The guys close the book on the Gold Cup and chat about the U-17 World Cup. Latham gives a preview of the U.S.’ upcoming knockout round match with Germany and gives some names you might be hearing rise out of the youth ranks sooner rather than later.

USA10Cast Episode One: Brent Latham joins from Mexico by USA10Cast

We’re going to be experimenting with this, but SoundCloud is unique in that it lets you add a comment pretty much anywhere. Just click the blue bar wherever you’d like to interject your point. Enjoy!

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Chalkboard Analysis, Gold Cup, United States

Chalkboard Analysis: Gold Cup Final

Blake Owen - The partnership between MLS and the statistics gurus at Opta has finally paid off for fans of the US National Team. The MLS chalkboards are up-and-running, and Opta even provided stats (and chalkboards!) for the Gold Cup knockout stages.

The data from the final reveals how a lack of pressing from the United States allowed Mexico to break down the American defense to the tune of four goals. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, Gold Cup, World Cup 2014

Thoughts on USA-Mexico

ANTHONY MANNINO- If the loss to Panama was unacceptable, then the loss to Mexico is just disappointing. Not from the standpoint that the USMNT was the better team, but they had control of the match 22 minutes into the game. Mexico controlled the possession, but some how, some way US had a 2-0 lead. After the two goals the US defense was torn apart by Giovani Dos Santos, Pablo Barrera, and Andres Guardado.

It is not just losing to Mexico that is the problem, but not being able to play in the Confederations Cup is a huge blow for the US. Mexico will now be able to warm up for the World Cup against Spain, Brazil, Japan, winner of the Copa America, and the winner of next year’s Euros. Every team Mexico will play is a quality opponent. The US will play in the 2013 Gold Cup, and the best team they will likely face is the Mexican B team. That valuable experience is what these two squads were fighting for tonight, and Mexico won that battle. (more…)

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Gold Cup

So That Was Fun. Now Start Landon Donovan Again.

NOAH DAVIS – I have a piece up on MLSsoccer.com arguing that Clint Dempsey helped Landon Donovan get his mojo back Wednesday night in Houston. The Fulham midfielder scored, but the Los Angeles Galaxy star created the goal, and Dempsey’s celebration made sure he and the rest of the world knew it.

(There’s also a case to be made the Dempsey helped Freddy Adu cement his importance as a someone who can make a difference off the bench. Do we remember his perfect pass, a looping, left-footed ball that probably no one else on the roster makes, if the Texan doesn’t convert Donovan’s brilliant cross? But that’s a discussion for another time. )

Bob Bradley was not wrong to start Donovan on the bench against Panama, but he needs to bring back his star for the match against Mexico. It’s not even a choice.

The play is obvious. Take off Sacha Kljestan, who had a brutal night against the Panamanians just three days after shining versus Jamaica, and insert the United States’ all-time leading goalscorer. Push Clint Dempsey up top with Juan Agudelo, leave Alejandro Bedoya out on the wing, and call it a formation.

I think we’re done here. Your thoughts?

 

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Gold Cup, United States

Thoughts on USA-Panama

ANTHONY MANNINO in Houston- It was not pretty, but the USMNT has now achieved their goal and will play in the Gold Cup finals. Again Bob Bradley made the gusty move to sit Landon Donovan start Alejandro Bedoya. That was not the only surprised Bradley had up the sleeve of his sweat jacket, as the American manager replaced Juan Agudelo with Freddy Adu. The teenage phenomenon who seems to have a new address every six months made all the difference with his first action in the Gold Cup. (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, Gold Cup

Adu’s Resurgence Surprises Nearly Everyone But Adu

JON ARNOLD in Houston — Plenty of athletes claim they don’t listen to what those on the outside say, particularly when the comments are critical.

But Freddy Adu knew exactly what the critics were saying.

He heard them say he had no place on the Gold Cup roster. He understood they thought his career as a top class player ended before it even started.

He just didn’t believe it.

“I know a lot of people were saying ‘Oh, he’s done, he’s this, he’s that,’ but you can’t listen to all that,” Adu said after the United States’ 1-0 victory against Panama in the Gold Cup semifinals. (more…)

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Gold Cup, United States

United States 1-0 Panama: Player ratings and analysis

JON ARNOLD in Houston — After all the panic, hand-wringing and worry the United States is where we all thought they would be: in the final of the Gold Cup.

The team heads to L.A. having been tested throughout the tournament, yet there they are.

The semifinal victory provided us with the unlikeliest of heroes, as Freddy Adu once again entered the headlines, only this time he put himself there. (more…)

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Gold Cup, United States

Gold Cup Semifinal Live Chat

The Gold Cup resumes tonight with two matchups in the Semifinals at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. USA10kit will have plenty of content from on the scene down in Texas, as well as a live chat spanning both. We’ll kick things off here at 6:45 pm ET, and will carry on through the Mexico vs. Honduras game that begins at 10 pm.

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Gold Cup, United States, World Cup 2014

Kljestan’s Confidence at an All Time High

ANTHONY MANNINO in Houston- It must be the one of the most disappointing days in a soccer player’s career when their name is not part of their country’s World Cup roster. Last year Sacha Kljestan experienced that disappointment. However, Kljestan did not let missing the World Cup affect his play, and a few days later he signed with the most successful club in Belgium, Anderlecht. The move has paid off for Kljestan, and playing in the Champions League for a competitive club has helped the midfielder’s confidence.

“I feel more confidence from Bob. Obviously, I think like I said since I have been over at Anderlecht my consistency everyday, my mentality, my training, my confidence has gotten to an all time high,” Kljestan said. “So right now I feel really good about myself and my ways of helping the team, so I feel confident right now. I think my coaching staff has confidence in me, and I think most importantly above all my teammates have confidence in me, and finding in the game, and helping join the defense to the attack. So I think overall it has been good.” (more…)

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