USA Ready for Mexico in Final?

     After an exciting semi-final round in Houston, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup is right where everyone was hoping it would be.  The USA will be taking on Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for Gold Cup supremacy. Not to mention bragging rights in this always fun rivalry.

     Bob Bradley hasn't always been a favorite choice of fans and I myself have been questioning some decisions that he has made during the tournament, I mean how long has it been since anyone has seen Freddy Adu get some real international action and really contributed? I sure as heck can't remember.  Having to watch Landon Donovan sit on the bench for a total of two halves in two games was a bit unsettling.  A decision that now seems to be genius considering Landon will be well rested for tomorrow night's match, was almost a mistake considering it took the US to the 76th minute to score, if the US would have lost resting Donovan may have been seen as not such a great decision.

     Panama came out hard and played good defense.  The best chance in the first came came off of a cross from Cherundolo and headed down the ground and of the post.  The winning goal however came off of a beautifully placed long pass from Adu from his own half into the feet of Donovan who then delivered a perfect low driving cross by the goalie and two defenders finding a sliding Clint Dempsey for a left footed goal, giving the US a 1-0 lead and eventually the win and pinning them up against rival Mexico for the third straight year.

     It took goals from Aldo de Nigris and Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez in the first half of extra time to give Mexico the win against a very tough Honduras team.  Both teams came out hard and played in front of a extremely pro Mexico crowd, as close to a World Cup atmosphere we are going to see here in the states for a while, at least until tomorrow's final that is.  After being kept in their own half during most of the first half, Honduras put up a very good fight coming up short on several attempts at goal, including a corner in the 90th minute.

     Mexico had their own chances as well.  Most notably, a strike from Pablo Barrera that was deflected by Honduras goalie Noel Valladares sending the ball straight up, seemingly onto an awaiting Chicharito, but hitting the crossbar and bouncing out of play instead.  With the match in the 89th minute Hernandez intercepted a pass and played the ball through to Giovani los Santos for a one-on-one with Valladares, but sent the ball wide of the far post.

     It didn't take long for El Tri to pull ahead, doing so three minutes in from a header of De Nigris.  Six minutes later De Nigris rose again off a corner sending the ball into the foot of Chicharito scoring again, which did look as if the ball went off of Hernandez's forearm but the goal was counted none the less. An event-less second half of overtime confirmed a trip to the final against the Untied States in Pasadena, capping off a very exciting double header.

        The United States now find themselves in a good situation going into Saturday's match, with a tired and banged up Mexico team who not only just played an 120 minute match, but will also be down a man in Andres Gallardo who sustained an injury during the Honduras match.  Despite being down a man themselves, Jozy Altidore will be on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained in the first half against the Jamaicans, this bodes well for the Americans who will have a fresh Landon Donovan and will be out to redeem a 5-0 loss in last years cup.  This promises to be a very exciting match and I myself cannot wait to see it.