Mexico embarasses the United States 5-0 – Video Highlights – The match started off fairly even in the first half but the second half saw Mexico take control and embarass the Americans with a 5-0 victory. From the start of the 1st half Mexico looked strong with a few chances but the United States slowly took the momentum back. Towards the end of the first half the Americans were the better team and had chances but just couldn’t convert them. It remained fairly even as the score was 0-0 after 45 minutes.

The 2nd half started out promising for the United States as they still were getting chances. The substitution of Vela for Mexico started to make a difference as he linked up with Dos Santos to get pressure on the American defense. About 10 minutes into the 2nd half Mexico really started to open up the American defense and break the offsides trap. Unfortunately a soft penalty was called on Heaps and Mexico was awarded a penalty kick which he converted. After Mexico took the lead it was all over as they immediately took control of the match. Dos Santos and Vela continually got behind the defense and both scored goals in a 5 minute span to break the game wide open. The result was not in doubt after Mexico got a 3-0 lead and the flood gates were officially opened.

The United States looked tired and flat after Mexico took the lead and could never recover. Mexico began running circles around the USA defense and added two more goals. It should be noted that Troy Perkins did have a solid game and made 2-3 saves that could have easily been goals on most goalkeepers. Also, the Americans were using a backup squad that didn’t feature the top players that played in the Confederations Cup. Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Alitdore, Bocanegra, and Oneywu were all NOT on this roster and Mexico had a roster with much more depth and top tier players. So, while it is a great victory for Mexico and an embarassing result for the Americans, it would have likely been different with a full strength US side.

Match Preview – United States v Mexico – Sunday – 15:00 EST

The United States had a much easier semifinal as they defeated Honduras 2-0 while Mexico struggled by advancing on penalty kicks past Costa Rica. On US soil, the Americans have consistently beat the Mexicans in the past decade but that could easily change on Sunday. The USA has a roster that is considered their “B” or even “C” team which includes a lot of inexperienced and MLS players. While the team is young, they’ve performed well including midfielder Stuart Holden, who has arguably been the best player of any country in the entire tournament. Mexico has underachieved this entire year but a win in the Gold Cup Final would change that quickly. It’s a rivalry match that is usually very physical and intense so it’s likely be a very close match as well. If Holden continues to play at a high level and get support from Robbie Rogers and Kyle Beckerman, the US could definitely win, but the Mexicans are a talented team that can never be counted out. It should be an entertaining game on Sunday.

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Mexico tops Costa Rica 1-1, 5-3 on penalty kicks – Video Highlights – Mexico and Costa Rica played a scoreless first half and it seemed it would be the same in the 2nd half. However Mexico had a golden opportunity early when Miguel Sabah stepped up to take a penalty kick but missed. The 2nd half continued scoreles until oth teams struck late. In the 88th minute, Guillermo Franco of Mexico scored in what appeared to be the gamewinner but unfortunately for Mexico the match was far from over as Costa Rica responded. Froylan Ledezma scored in extra time for Costa Rica to even the match at 1-1. From that point it went to two 15 minute periods of extra time where both teams had chances but couldn’t convert.

The match came down to penalty kicks as Mexico was first to shoot. The first penalty was converted by Franco with a high shot down the middle as the keeper guessed to the left. Costa Rica responded converting their first penalty by Saborio to tie it at 1-1. The next kick for Mexico was good as it was in the right corner as the goalkeeper guessed left. Again, Costa Rica responded with another kick to the right as the goalkeeper guessed left. The streak continued as Mexico converted again to make it 3-2 and put pressure back on Costa Rica. Finally, Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa made a big save on Costa Rica’s 3rd penalty kick to give Mexico the advantage with 2 left for each side. Mexico made their 4th penalty and put more pressure on Costa Rica who had to convert their last 2. The 4th kick for Costa Rica couldn’t be much closer as it hit the crossbar and just crossed the line. Finally, Mexico sealed the win with the last penalty kick converted with a shot into the corner. They will face the United States on Sunday in the final.

United States defeates Honduras 2-0; advances to final – Video Highlights – The United States scored 2 unanswered goals and played solid against Honduras to advance to the Gold Cup final. At the start of the match the USA was the better side with more chances but it began to even out as the first half continued. Then with about 5-10 minutes left in the half, the Americans stepped up their play and began to get lots of pressure on the Honduran defense. It paid off in the45th minute when Clarence Goodson scored on a header off a corner kick to make it 1-0 for the USA at halftime.

The 2nd half was a continuation as the United States controlled most of the possesion and scoring chances. They were unable to scored early and Honduras had a few chances. The best chance was a shot from Carlos Costly, who got behind the defense, but goalkeeper Troy Perkins came out to make a huge save. Just a few minutes later, the United States sealed the win with a Stuart Holden pass to Kenny Cooper who scored from just a few feet away. Overall it was a solid performance from the United States who will look to win their 3rd Gold Cup in a row.

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Mexico dominates Haiti 4-0 – Video Highlights – Mexico controlled possesion and scoring chances as they defeated Haiti 4-0 to move into the semifinals. Miguel Sabah scored 2 goals (23rd minute and 63rd minute), Giovanni Dos Santos added another (42nd minute), and Barrera capped the scoring with a goal in the 83rd minute. Haiti had a solid tournament to make the quarterfinals but Mexico was clearer the better and more talented team. Mexico will now play Costa Rica in the semifinals on Thursday.

Costa Rica crushes Guadeloupe 5-1 – Video Highlights - Costa Rica took an early lead and never looked back as they beat Guadeloupe 5-1 to move into the Gold Cup semifinals. Borges opened the match quickly with a goal in the 3rd minute, and Saborio added 2 goals (16th minute and 71st minute). Herron had a goal as well (47th minute) and Herrera had the last one in the 89th minute. Overall, Guadeloupe had a few chances but couldn’t overcome a 0-3 deficit early in the 2nd half. It was a successful tournament for Guadeloupe who showed the ability to play with the top teams in the region. Costa Rica is now set to play Mexico in the semifinals in what should be a very interesting match.

United States outlasts Panama 2-1 – Video Highlights – The United States came from behind to defeat Panama 2-1 in Extra Time Saturday night to advance to the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals. They will now play Honduras, who defeated Canada 1-0 in the earlier quarterfinal at Philadelphia. The match was even from the start but Panama was more energetic and caught a break late in the first half. It was scoreless until the final minute when a corner kick was headed on goal, then deflected and fell to Blas Perez who kicked into the back of the net for a 1-0 Panama lead at half time.

The 2nd half was a completely different story as the United States came out with passion and quickly found an equalizer. A cross sent into the box was played back by Davy Arnaud to Kyle Beckerman who took a shot from the edge of the box and scored for a 1-1 match. It was a great shot from Beckerman and better setup from Arnaud. The rest of the 2nd half was largely controlled by the United States but they couldn’t get the game winner. After regulation time, the match was sent to extra time. In extra time, both teams showed signs of fatigue but Panama really was affected. Late in the first period of extra time, Stuart Holden headed a ball to Kenny Cooper who was about to take a shot when a Panamanian defender fouled him, giving the United States a penalty kick. Cooper stepped up to take the kick and hit a perfect shot in the corner off the post for a 2-1 lead.

The last period of extra time saw Panama struggle to get chances but they couldn’t convert and seemed to fade after a strong 1st half. It was a tough match for the United States who came out after a 0-1 deficit and were the better team.

Honduras edges Canada 1-0 – Video Highlights – Honduras defeated Canada 1-0 on  35th minute penalty converted by Walter Martinez. It was a game that Canada seemed to have control early but they couldn’t convert on their 12 shots, 5 of which were on goal. Canada was playing without a few regulars, most noticably Dwayne De Rosario who chose to return to his club Toronto FC in the MLS. The win for Honduras puts them in the semifinals agains the winner of the United States/Panama match.

United States v Panama – Saturday – Philadelphia – The United States takes on Panama as they are undefeated in the last 2 Gold Cup tournaments. Panama advanced from Group C by placing 3rd and will have a tough task to defeat the favorites. The USA is using a backup squad of MLS players and could be susceptible but it seems unlikely. Bob Bradley has found a mix of veterans (Brian Ching) and young stars (Stuart Holden) that can more than handle Panama. Prediction – United States wins 3-1

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United States v Panama – Saturday – Philadelphia – The United States takes on Panama as they are undefeated in the last 2 Gold Cup tournaments. Panama advanced from Group C by placing 3rd and will have a tough task to defeat the favorites. The USA is using a backup squad of MLS players and could be susceptible but it seems unlikely. Bob Bradley has found a mix of veterans (Brian Ching) and young stars (Stuart Holden) that can more than handle Panama. Prediction – United States wins 3-1

Canada v Honduras – Saturday – Philadelphia – It should be a very intriguing matchup between two even teams. Canada has played well in the Gold Cup Honduras was 2nd in Group B just behind the United States. Honduras will have strong crowd support while Canada has not lost a game yet. Ali Gerba has been the main scoring threat for the Canadians while Honduras has had Carlos Costly lead the way with a couple of goals. Canada has been more successful in the Gold Cup than other CONCACAF events and should get the victory in a close match. Prediction – Canada wins 1-0

Guadeloupe v Costa Rica – Sunday – Arlington – Costa Rica finished 2nd in Group A while Guadeloupe was 2nd in Group C as both teams play each other Sunday in Texas. On paper, Costa Rica seems the clear favorite but Guadeloupe has been solid all tournament. Guadeloupe could make it close and even have a first half lead but Costa Rica has too much quality to not make it to the semifinals. Prediction –  Costa Rica wins 2-1

Mexico v Haiti – Sunday – Arlington – Mexico has not looked great in recent months but only conceded 1 goal in winning Group C to advance to the quarters. Haiti was the 3rd place finisher in Group B and played the USA to a draw to earn their quarterfinal berth. Mexico are the huge favorites and it will take a lot from Haiti to stay in the match. Anything could happen and Mexico could easily underperform again but it they still have enough to recover from a bad start. Prediction – Mexico wins 2-0

Mexico v Haiti – Sunday – Arlington –