70 minutes in, it did not look like Panama still had USA’s number, after beating the Americans eight days earlier. But it certainly didn’t look like USA had Panama’s. Then Bob Bradley made a couple of substitutions and everything changed. Landon Donovan came off the bench again to provide a spark, and then a moment many US Soccer fans thought they’d never see. Freddy Adu entered for USA, in a huge match let alone.
Freddy Adu provided spark and creativity the US has lacked the entire Gold Cup
Then, right on cue none other than Freddy Adu hit none other than Landon Donovan on a beautiful pass. Donovan then hooked up with Clint Dempsey for a beautiful sliding goal, putting the US up 1-0, setting up another trip to the Gold Cup Final.
Mexico was having equal trouble with Honduras. The 2nd and 3rd teams from CONCACAF to make the 2010 World Cup. Honduras bunkered down, played tons of defense, hoping to get the game to penalty kicks. They almost did it. The two teams were tied after 90, but Mexico finally was able to break the goalless streak scoring twice in extra time, and winning 2-0.
USA and Mexico are pretty clearly the top two teams in CONCACAF, but them meeting in the final was far from a guarantee. Teams like Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and Jamaica presented real threats to messing up a 1 vs. 2 final. USA is 4-1 going into the final, Mexico sits at a perfect 5-0. The last 4 games these two teams have played at full strength, USA has won 3, and Mexico 1. Mexico’s lone win was in Mexico City. But many soccer analysts agree, this Mexico team is the best they’ve seen in a long time, can the US keep up? A full player by player breakdown with predictions will come Saturday morning.