The Match That Must Be

Finally watched the USA match from the weekend. They looked better, but not great. Jamaica didn't quite come roaring out of the gates and it is hard to judge the performance against some of the opposition in this tournament.

Tonight's matches will provide sterner tests for the Juggernauts of CONCACAF, with Panama and Honduras looking to upset the perennial dominant forces. I don't know that the Gold Cup organizers would like an upset too much considering the revenue they dream about from a USA Mexico final in Los Angeles. They need that final. We need that final. It is the only match in this tournament that anyone really cares about.

The American team has looked like shit. Let's not dress up a turd, it is what it is. We all know the team can play better. We have seen nearly the same squad play much better in the World Cup only a year ago. They will need to step there game up if they are to even get a shot against Mexico. Panama will not lie down. Mexico has easily looked the best team in the tournament. Considering the opposition that may not be saying much, but its more than the Americans have been able to do. Unless we see an utterly convincing display from the Americans today I'd still say Mexico is playing better at the moment, and are probably the better team.

The Americans have dominated Mexico in recent years, but this seems to be a different team. With Chicharito they have an emerging superstar with the ability to get a goal out of nothing, something the USA lack and that could give them the edge. The thing is that the Americans seem to hold a psychological advantage over Mexico, with my friends and I suspecting the pressure mounted on the Mexican players so immense by comparison to the Americans it affects their play. Can you say LeChoke?

I was watching Sportscenter an hour ago and they decided to give the matches tonight a quick minute breakdown. How sweet of them. turn on the Spanish language channels and that's all they are talking about. There is much national pride at stake and they don't fail to let the team know that. Its ok for USA to lose, not many here will really care or remember after a day or two. For Mexico it looms over them for 4 years until their next chance at redemption. Should the two teams get there i believe we will be in for one hell of a match.

We intend to be at the Rose Bowl for the match and I want to see some passion. Not to berate the other teams but the build up and preparation will be something special should we get the match the nation wants.

I want to see 90s Aerostars littering the fairways of Brookside in Pasadena with the smell of carne asada and Tecate in the air. I want to hear a tambarazo playing and the colors of El Tri flying high. I want to party with The American Outlaws and all the other American supporters that give USA soccer a good name. There should be bandanas and beer pong, burgers and brats, Buds and burning weather!



Deeply entrenched in silly season people everywhere can hope for a match that will ignite some passion and cause for real interest to spell us from the doldrums of football summer.

Who remembers this?



All that's left is for the football teams to take care of business tonight to give the fans what they deserve. Don't fuck this up.