For the 5th time since 1991, the Gold Cup Championship game will be between the United States and Mexico. Overall, Mexico has a 3-1 record in these games, outscoring America 10-2 over that span. In fact, the last time these two team met in the Gold Cup Final in 2009, Mexico dominated the Americans 5-0.
However, let's remember the circumstances of how that drubbing came about. America had just come off a sensational run through the Confederations Cup in South Africa. An upset over the #1 ranked Spain team, and a close game with Brazil in the final where the United States took a 2-0 lead into the half, only to lose 3-2.
Coach Bradley decided to rest many of his best players. Donovan, Dempsey, Howard, and many other key players in the Confederations Cup didn't play in the Gold Cup. In the Gold Cup Championship game, the Americans were simply outgunned by a good Mexican squad.
Tonight the matchup would seem to favor the Mexicans. The Mexicans are led by their young, international superstar, Javier Hernandez (known as Chicharito, aka "little pea"), who already has 7 goals in this tournament. The game is being played in the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California and presumably will have the stands filled with mostly Mexican fans.
However, history has shown that this American squad seems to prefer the underdog role, and if they can find it in them to recapture that magic of 2009 in South Africa, we should see quite a game tonight.
**Note: The game can only be seen on the Fox Soccer Channel
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