U.S.A versus Mexico – Gold Cup final: Second half review (Part 1)
U.S.A and Mexico resumed their Gold Cup final encounter at the Rose Bowl stadium deadlocked at the score line of two all. Mexico scored two equalizers in the first half to claw back United States’ two goal advantage thanks to Pablo
Barrera and Guardado’s goals. The start of the second half saw U.S.A on the back foot right away as Mexico pushed forward for the winning goal.
In the 47th minute, Giovani Dos http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 man
was wayward with his shot as the score line remained at two all. However it wasn’t long before United States were found wanting at the back.
This time it was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Barrera-c28949 once again as he the winger was played in by Jose Andres Guardado. Barrera netted his second goal of the night and in doing so gave Mexico a slender one goal advantage with the score line at three
two. Despite having a three man midfield, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/United-States-c3034 failed to keep it tight at the back as they looked like conceding a goal every time Mexico pushed forward. The home side also failed to keep the ball at their feet for extended periods of the match which
allowed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mexico-c2956 to build pressure on the American national team.
In the 58th minute, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Freddy-Adu-c14145 was fouled just outside the Mexico penalty area. After elaborate discussions amongst the American players, it was decided that Clint Dempsey would take the free kick. The Fulham midfielder
stepped up to take the set piece and struck the cross bar with his shot as Mexico were let off the hook for some weak defending.
Throughout the second half it was quite evident hat United States missed their veteran defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-Bornstein-c19003 looked completely out of his depth against a quick Mexican attack.
In the 62nd minute, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giovani-dos-Santos-c14983 had a brilliant chance to add to his team’s advantage but the Tottenham winger failed to convert this opportunity into the goal as he acted selfishly by going for goal himself rather than squaring the ball
to a wide open Javier Hernandez inside the American penalty area.
Nonetheless, U.S.A conducted another substitution in the 63rd minute as Bob Bradley took off http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juan-Agudelo-c19644. With two strikers on the field, U.S.A went for broke in the final stages
of the second half as they needed at least a goal to force the game into extra time with the score line at 3-2.
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