2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup

[Zeno]

University of Phx stadium gets a game this year for the Gold Cup, teams aren't set but it for sure won't be the US(they play 4th, 8th & 11th of July)...I'd say chances are pretty good its Mexico.

First Round
3 July – The Home Depot Center (Los Angeles)
4 July – Qwest Field (Seattle)
5 July – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland)
7 July – Crew Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
8 July – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (Washington)
9 July – Reliant Stadium (Houston)
10 July – Florida International University Stadium (Miami)
11 July – Gillette Stadium (Boston)
12 July – University of Phoenix Stadium (Phoenix)

Quarterfinals
18 July – Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
19 July – Dallas Cowboys New Stadium (Dallas)

Semifinals
23 July – Soldier Field (Chicago)

Final
26 July – Giants Stadium (New York)

 

[azsouthendzone]

Thats pretty freakin awesome.

 

[Zeno]

US Gold Cup roster...

GOALKEEPERS- Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (Valarenga), Luis Robles (FC Kaiserslautern)

DEFENDERS- Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaellands), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

MIDFIELDERS- Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Sam Cronin (Toronto FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS- Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)

Surprised about Ching being included. He obviously is among Bradley's first choice strikers so what does he have to prove at this tournament? Dynamo fans have to be a little pissed about him being gone.

I love seeing Quaranta back on the team, after beating his dependency problems and working for near the league minimum last year he has earned another opportunity. Hopefully he gets a fair shot to start either up top or on the wing.

I'm also hoping Luis Robles gets a shot in goal too, he's from Sierra Vista, AZ where I lived for a few years.

 

[Zeno]

Schedule

Here is the complete schedule...

First Round
Friday, July 3 – Los Angeles (The Home Depot Center)
Canada vs. Jamaica, 5 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador, 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)

Saturday, July 4 – Seattle (Qwest Field)
Honduras vs. Haiti, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Grenada vs. USA, 6 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)

Sunday, July 5 – San Francisco (Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum)
Panama vs. Guadeloupe, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Nicaragua vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

Tuesday, July 7 – Columbus, Ohio (Crew Stadium)
Jamaica vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Canada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)

Wednesday, July 8 – Washington (Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium)
Haiti vs. Grenada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
USA vs. Honduras, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)

Thursday, July 9 – Houston (Reliant Stadium)
Guadeloupe vs. Nicaragua, 7 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Panama, 9 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)

Friday, July 10 – Miami (Florida International University Stadium)
Costa Rica vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)

Saturday, July 11 – Boston (Gillette Stadium)
USA vs. Haiti, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Honduras vs. Grenada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)

Sunday, July 12 – Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium)
Panama vs. Nicaragua, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Guadeloupe, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

Here is the elimination round schedule...

Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 18 – Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up, TBA (x)
Group B winner vs. Group A/C third-place, TBA (x)
x-matches scheduled for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with order TBD

Sunday, July 19 – Dallas (Dallas Cowboys New Stadium)
Group C runner-up vs. Group A runner-up, TBA (y) Group C winner vs. Group A/B third place, TBA (y) y-matches scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. local (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT) with order TBD

Semifinals
Thursday, July 23 – Chicago (Soldier Field)
Philadelphia quarterfinal winners, TBA (z)
Dallas quarterfinal winners, TBA (z)
z-matches scheduled for 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. local (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. EDT) with order TBD

Final
Sunday, July 26 – New York (Giants Stadium)

Semifinal winners, 3 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT)

 

[CaptTurbo]

I thought we play with our normal international team for the Gold Cup. Where is everyone?

 

[Zeno]

I thought we play with our normal international team for the Gold Cup. Where is everyone?

They are letting most of the guys who participated in the Confed Cup either have a break or return to their clubs. The only ones who aren't are guys who aren't getting a lot of PT anyway right now like Adu & Pearce, Davies is supposedly trying to get a transfer to a bigger league/club so that explains his inclusion. I'm hoping Adu gets plenty of playing time in the tourney, he needs it.

Mexico is sending a "B" team as well.

 

[azsouthendzone]

They are letting most of the guys who participated in the Confed Cup either have a break or return to their clubs. The only ones who aren't are guys who aren't getting a lot of PT anyway right now like Adu & Pearce, Davies is supposedly trying to get a transfer to a bigger league/club so that explains his inclusion. I'm hoping Adu gets plenty of playing time in the tourney, he needs it.

Mexico is sending a "B" team as well.

Gotta get R and R for the Mexico qualifier.

 

[Stout]

What about this phenom midfielder I keep hearing about, Jones? Why isn't he getting some playing time?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

What about this phenom midfielder I keep hearing about, Jones? Why isn't he getting some playing time?

Jermaine Jones is a dual citizen who is switching to the US after playing for Germany (he can switch as they were all friendlies and youth tourneys), but the FIFA paperwork won't be done for a couple months. He's also 27 so he's not exactly an up and coming player.

 

[Zeno]

What about this phenom midfielder I keep hearing about, Jones? Why isn't he getting some playing time?

He is not eligible to play until August at the earliest. Hopefully he will be available for the game in Azteca stadium.

 

[Stout]

Gotcha. Thanks, guys.

 

[Zeno]

B team or not I am looking forward to seeing these guys play. You never know someone may emerge and earn their way on to the WC roster.

 

[TheKid_1]

Got to love seeing Brad Evans on the roster...For those of you who don't know, he graduated from Mountain Point H.S. here is Arizona in I think 2003. Always gotta root for the hometown kids!

 

[Zeno]

Got to love seeing Brad Evans on the roster...For those of you who don't know, he graduated from Mountain Point H.S. here is Arizona in I think 2003. Always gotta root for the hometown kids!

The U20 team that is playing in a tournament in Egypt right now has a local product too, Danny Cruz from Ironwood High. Its good to see Arizona boys making their mark for the US...right now the only regular we see is Pablo Mastroeni (Thunderbird High) and his career with the Nats is coming to an end.

 

[Zeno]

Looking forward to the tournament starting this weekend. I'm hoping to see a lot of Quaranta, Adu, Marshall & Holden...with a good showing they all could sneak their way on to the WC'10 roster. Adu is probably a lock for the roster anyway but Marshall is more than capable of beating out Califf, Holden is better than Kljestan and Quaranta is versatile enough to play forward and anywhere in the MF except D-Mid.

There are a few guys that I can't even figure why they were taken when it seems to be a chance for younger guys to showcase themselves...Conrad is 31, Arnaud is 29, Heaps is 32, Ching is 31 and Logan Pause just isn't very good. I would have liked to have seen guys who could contribute in the future like Michael Orozco, Chris Pontius, Marcus Tracy, Frank Simek or Zack Whitbred.

 

[Mulli]

Hey, should I get tickets for the semifinal round at Soldier Field on July 23rd? Will the countries just be playing the scrubs?

 

[Zeno]

Hey, should I get tickets for the semifinal round at Soldier Field on July 23rd? Will the countries just be playing the scrubs?

The only teams I know of that are bringing "B" teams are the US and Mexico.

 

[Zeno]

Canada beat Jamaica 1 - 0 and El Salvador upset Costa Rica 2 - 1

US plays in Seattle Saturday night (9ET) on Fox Soccer Channel

 

[jdsouza]

Group B Preview:

Honduras v Haiti : 4th July 19:00 EDT

The Catrachos kick start their campaign against Haiti in Group B action from Gold Cup. Honduras are the likely favorites to advance from Group B. But I expect this match to be a keenly contested affair since Haiti would need a win to build their chances right from the start.

My Prediction: Honduras 1-0 Haiti

Grenada v USA : 4th July 21:00 EDT

United States the firm favorites to win the Gold Cup are up against minnows Grenada, who make their first ever appearance at the tournament. United States bruising from the Confederation Cup final defeat at the hands of Brazil will look to make quick amends.

With USA reinforcing their squad , Josmer Altidore , Freddy Adu , Charlie Davies are the ones to watch for. USA playing a relatively second string squad at the Gold Cup compared to the team which played at the Confederations Cup

My Prediction: Grenada 0-2 USA

USA and Honduras of course are the firm favorites to go through from Group B. Any shocks could see Haiti make a cut.

After yesterday’s superb Group A games, i hope the action will live up today as well. I see all my games live streamed on Omnisport.tv. HD quality and nice replay action to all key events in a game!!!!!

 

[Zeno]

4-0 USA, goals by Adu, Holden, Rogers & Davies.

Hard to judge much against a minnow like Grenada but the US just dominated every part of the game. Rogers was awesome with 2 assists & a goal blowing by their defense with his speed all game.

Game against Honduras on Wednesday will be a much better test.

 

[Zeno]

US Wins again 2-0 over Honduras. Goals by Quaranta & Ching.

Next up is Haiti, I expect a completely different lineup for that game as the US only needs a tie to win the group and Haiti isn't very good.

 

[Stout]

Rodgers needs a lot more seasoning against good teams, but he might develop with his speed. Davies will still insist on putting his head down, running, and losing the ball, but he does have talent when he's not being bullheaded. Adu hasn't shown nearly enough to get regular time in WC qualifying as he is giving the ball away far too easily. The guy I really, really like so far has been Beckerman. He is an excellent holding midfielder that can find the outlet every time, and he does not give possession away. That is exactly what we need, and am I alone in wanting to see him start in WC qualifying? He could be our new Reyna.

 

[jdsouza]

Group C Preview- Gameweek 2

Guadeloupe Vs Nicaragua

Guadeloupe are now optimistic of reaching the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Nicaragua desperately need a win inorder to advance to the knock out rounds.

My prediction- Guadeloupe 1 - 0 Nicaragua

Mexico Vs Panama

Panama were stunned in their first match when they were beaten by the lowly Guadeloupe. However Panama need to win against a confident and strong Mexican side inorder to qualify

My prediction- Mexico 2- 1 Panama

Both streams are available on Omnisport.tv as well today in HD quality!!

Happy Viewing!!!

 

[Zeno]

Rodgers needs a lot more seasoning against good teams, but he might develop with his speed. Davies will still insist on putting his head down, running, and losing the ball, but he does have talent when he's not being bullheaded. Adu hasn't shown nearly enough to get regular time in WC qualifying as he is giving the ball away far too easily. The guy I really, really like so far has been Beckerman. He is an excellent holding midfielder that can find the outlet every time, and he does not give possession away. That is exactly what we need, and am I alone in wanting to see him start in WC qualifying? He could be our new Reyna.

I'll admit Beckerman has played well the past 2 guys but watching a lot of MLS these past 2 seasons, I don't think he is a better player than Rico Clark (and I am not a fan of his) and he definitely isn't as good as Michael Bradley.

Rodgers also brings a decent ability to cross..which is severely lacking with the full national team. He is young though, his time will come in 2014 qualifying I am sure.

Chad Marshall is the one I think has moved up the depth chart with his performance. I would not be surprised if he has pushed Califf off the roster completely.

 

[TheKid_1]

Where does Holden come into the fold? The players I have been most impressed with thus far including the confederations cup are Davies, Holden, Beckerman, and DeMerit. I guess you have to throw Bennie in there too.