Looks like Mexico's chances to win the tournament may have just been hurt pretty badly. http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_...-gold-cup-team-after-positive-drug-tests.html
They really only lost there starting keeper. Ochoa is good but he's not fantastic and I would think there back up can step in without losing too much I mean they pulled Ochoa from qualifying last cycle. Maza is the only other real loss but he's a central defender who's ok at best. I wish PSV would get an upgrade over him and Mexico should also be OK losing him. I think there chances are down a bit put I don't think any of the names on that list were big enough to make USA the favorite but who knows maybe the back up keeper will be the Mexican version of Rob Green.
I don't disagree really. Ochoa is really overrated, but thats not really where this hurts them the most. I'd be surprised if CONCACAF lets them replace the players... going through the rest of this tournament with a very very short bench is gonna be tough. There will be an injury or a red card in there somewhere and its gonna be hard for them without that depth. It takes more than just your first 11 to win a tournament like this. I think they're probably still a slight favorite, but the rest of the field (Cuba excluded) probably gained some ground.
Also note Mexico only has 4 defenders left on their roster. People will be playing out of position a lot. It's funny though how the FMF pulls their own players out for failing the tests, but now they want to be rewarded for policing themselves and be let to replace their players.
Everything is awful. The officiating has been ridiculous, Panama started diving and time wasting in the 38th minute, and the only one who came to play for us is Dempsey.
Ref was very good. Not something you'd expect in this region. Panama had their game plan and executed really well. Their captain Baloy is a beast. We just suck. We don't have the manager and that hurts this team bad. Since the WC loss to Ghana the US has only won twice. S. Africa and Canada. We have the players to stomp these team in CONCACAF regularly except for Mexico. Have they heard of pass and move before?
Jesus, I hope buying those tickets to the Quarterfinals in Houston wasn't premature. I really only wanna see the US and don't know if I will go just if its to see Mexico...
Huge goal from the spot by DeRo. If Canada holds on for the win, we'll still win the group as long as we beat Guadeloupe. And Panama will draw Mexico and (while Mexico is certainly a heavy favorite) that is still a tough matchup for Mexico.
I can't see USA losing this game to Guadalupe. They just have to come out with more energy and get a goal early so the pressure on them doesn't build up. Hopefully Canada can get the win over Panama so we can top the group.
Actually, I may be wrong about the Mexico-Panama thing, I think Panama would finish 2nd in the group if Canada wins 1-0. Not that it matters, the big thing is that Canada needs to hold onto this for 5 more min so we can win the group.
Jamaica is not the team I wanted in quarterfinals. They're pretty talented and they're playing really well right now.
Well, Mexico is honestly just better than us. We're capable of beating them, but it would be an upset. A Jamaica-Panama path to finals is fairly difficult for this tournament. I honestly don't know if we do it with the way our back line has looked. Hopefully Lichaj shows well today, I have high hopes for him.
