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.

The year he becomes a MexiCAN

I believe that I was one of many who hoped that Carlos Vela would make his breakthrough last season.

Blighted by injury and lack of form, Carlos rarely looked the player that had shown so much promise the year before. Off the pace, looking to slight and going down too easily he had his critics, and for good reason.

Following the disappointing season I was hoping he could have an impact at the World Cup that would restore some much needed confidence in the player. Another injury, and his impact was minimal.

I was worried he might see his career stall somewhat like his compatriot Gio Dos Santos who's club football has been limited and unimpressive of late, but what would one expect leaving Barcelona for Tottenham of all places. If he is lucky he may get a run out in the Carling Cup against the might Arsenal... #TOTTENHAMISCAREERSUICIDE.

Oh wait this isn't Twitter, but that shit should be trending all over the world for any poor soul who considers joining the Tiny Tots.

I digress.

With the sale of Eduardo and the new squad number I was cautiously optimistic for the Mexican after watching some impressive pre-season action. Granted, being half Mexican and a die hard Arsenal supporter I would love to see my brethren thrive in the Premier league. But I can say that free of bias, his current form bodes well for his future.

In just three substitute appearances Carlos has three goals to his name, with his total minutes on the pitch easily under 90 played to date.

Watching a match the other week with my fellow Gooners in Hollywood I mentioned how important I thought that he get his first goal of the season to give him the confidence he needs. Job done at Bolton and now a brace against Braga. Detractors may say that none of his goals have been vital and have come in routs but that's when he has been in and if he keeps banging them in the minutes will come.

It is great to see so many Mexicans getting opportunities in Europe and it is great for our region to have players like Chicharito and Carlos playing with the best in the world. We can only hope that someone like Bradley can do the same and more Americans can follow suit.

Although I am happy with the progress the American players are making I don't see any at the moment that have the potential to be world beaters like the aforementioned MexiCANS.

Carlos will take all the minutes Eduardo would have had and at our current injury rate he may get a few starts, even in the Premier League if all goes well. His finishing is clinical, although he is quite one-sided as many left footers are, and there is a reason why we Gooners have had such high hopes having seen his potential.

He should embrace that super-sub role formerly held by Theo and make the most of it, the time has come for him to shine and he needs to grab the opportunity because it wont last long.

We will be witness to a true MexiCAN this season and a new Arsenal legend.


A taste of what to look forward to.

SPORTGASM 2010/ La Furia Roja...?

Interesting results today.

First shocker of the cup, an impressive display by Uruguay... and I think Chile won (wasn't quite awake yet). But seriously though, what the fuck? Spain, really?

Give the Swiss credit for staying so organized, they parked thus bus and got lucky. Spain really needed to at least salvage a draw from the match and I was supremely confident they would at least get that. By the time the 95th minute came around I was dumbfounded. Torres looked a little rusty but still showed the danger he brings and Navas looked skillful on the right but lacked that cutting edge. Where was Fabregas? Why the fuck did Del Bosque play 2 holding midfielders against a team as defensive as the Swiss? Biscuits and Xabi both? Not a chance. Play a 4-5-1 sure but put Iniesta inside with Xavi and and let them roam free with 2 wide players. When you need to make that substitution later you revert to a 4-4-2 with Torres and get after it. They did it late on but it was a little late then when they had to chase the game.
This result pissed me off. Spain being the only team I support in this tournament that I feel has a chance. I don't think Mexico or the USA realistically can win this tournament so La Furia Roja are my only chance for glory.

On another note, are Barca officials influencing the team selection for Spain? Looks like they are trying to lower the price tag for Fabregas by not allowing his to showcase his talents in South Africa. Fucking bastards. I support Barca, but I am an Arsenal fan first and the shit they have pulled this summer illegally tapping up Cesc has been bullshit, especially coming from a club that tries to portray itself as such a class act. I love the way they play football, the city and stadium are amazing, and I know that Jesus will return to his home some day. But this isn't that day, and he isn't for sale. realistically Fabregas is one of the best, if not the best, young midfielder in the game and how he isn't called upon to come in and change the game today is mind boggling. Did Del Bosque not see his cameo off the bench at Villa this year. Good idea bring on a 19 year old(Pedro) and Navas(who?) instead. Maybe they deserved to lose. Figure it out old man.

On a more positive note we are at the Eve of a new holiday that we at The Pint affectionately call SPORTGASM. It is a rare occurrence but tomorrow gives us the avid sports fan an unfuckingbelievable amount of quality sports to watch. Approximately 16 hours of viewing pleasure that can occupy all waking hours. 7 hours of World Cup in the morning, 6 hours of the US Open, and another 3 for game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Hell Fucking Yes. Bring it on.

Oh, and tomorrow brings us probably the most exciting day of the tournament so far, with some teams tournament lives at stake. The loser of the France-Mexico game is dead in the water, just about. Time for El Tri to show they are MexiCANs and get the job done vs Le Frogs. Get it done boys. And reason to set the alarm clocks early with Argentina squaring up against South Korea at 4:30 PST with first place in the group at stake. Time for Argentina to face a real test and Messi to come alive, I expect fireworks, not to mention some tidbits of gold from the resident cokehead who today lambasted Pele as a fossil and Platini as a douchy frog(I agree with this one). Fuck yea, time for this tournament to come alive.

Still not sure they are MexiCANs, Time to make history

So it has begun. Inspiring first day of football? No. Great none the less. Mexico sure showed glimpses of its talent and potential today but still lack that conviction. Gio Dos Santos looked the most dangerous out there but they all need to step up. There isn't too much experience in this side but they may be able to really come of age in this tournament.
But now, we get to the Real Deal Holyfield. Argentina on display tomorrow, and I predict our first 4-0 of the tournament. Then comes the big one we have all been waiting for. The Brits are going down(I hope). The guys over at The Yanks are Coming have given us some great rules for a drinking game.
If you are in the LA area there are tons of viewing parties, and we the Morning Pint crew will be in full voice at the Hermosa Pier tomorrow morning. The LA Galaxy are throwing a viewing party with a 13' LED on the pier across from Hennessey's and most of the local spots should be going off. Waterman's will probably be the spot for the England USA match, any changes will be updated via Twitter. Come out and join the fun by the beach and be ready to bask in the glory of the biggest victory in American soccer history.

Oh, and prediction 2-1 USA.
Donovan 28 Rooney 42
Dempsey 88