Recently in Gold Cup 2011 Category

The deed is done. The legend has signed on and is cleared to play against Leeds in the FA Cup tie on Monday. Whet your appetite with the top 25 goals while at Arsenal, each goal more delectable than the last.

What stands out apart from his outstanding physical attributes is extreme self confidence. Henry was so sure about what he wanted to do with the ball. He also believed in Arsenal's passing system up to a point which he used in enlightened self interest to score goals. Lets face it, a Henry operating at a third from his peak will be infinitely better than what we have in Chamakh, the incredible vanishing man or Park who no one has seen since he was signed on last summer.

Here is what we don't need. In the summer the CONCACAF region was right in the midst of the Mohammed Bin Hammam scandal after Chuck Blazer revealed a money for votes rigging scheme that involved officials of the Caribbean Football Union receiving wads of cash from Bin Hammam for their support to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. The fallout was immense. Bin Hammam was banned from the sport, Jack Warner, the CONCACAF president voluntarily retired in exchange of immunity, and Blazer, the organization's vice president and whistleblower played a cat and mouse game with an incensed CFU which involved a messy court case.

That was not the only thing not above board this summer. FIFA is now investigating this year's Gold Cup for match fixing especially matches that involved Grenada and Cuba. The chatter was on the Mexico vs USA final which showed up Tim Howard in extremely poor light and the abyss in quality between the two countries. Meanwhile, the matches involving Cuba and Grenada saw enormous spikes in betting going on while the matches were being played, akin, one supposes to the phenomenon of volumes of short selling in the stock market which trigger suspicion of insider trading.

With what's going on, the CONCACAF, long one of the weakest regional associations in term of footballing quality is now saddled with the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt. FIFA delegated one of its top enforcers, Chris Eaton, the head of security to oversee the investigation which could see perpetrators being docked or suspended if these allegations hold true with Sepp Blatter now eager to be looked on as a crusader against corruption.

US Soccer will be well advised to launch its own investigation because the Gold Cup is essentially hosted by them and the integrity of the pre-eminent soccer tournament in the region is at stake here. Whether they do it in conjunction with FIFA or independently with permission is not really important but the perception that they do not support corruption is important for many different reasons, one of them, bringing the World Cup back to the USA.

The 2022 World Cup will set the Qatar government back by $221bn in development and infrastructure costs according to an analyst who does this for a living. Small change for the richest country in the world even as they stand to lose billions without recouping but a small fraction. FIFA by the way will have made out with its billions in TV and merchandising revenue with all its earnings non-taxable because of its non-profit status.

To put this in perspective, the 2006 World Cup in Germany cost $8.5bn to host. South Africa spent $4bn for the 2010 World Cup. The business generated from these events boosted the GDP by about .5% in both countries.

The projected costs of the 2014 edition runs to $15bn with about 50% devoted to developing transportation (rail, road, and air) because Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world. The World Cup will boost Brazil's GDP by 1.5% according to a bank estimate.

That escalates to about $65bn to $115bn by the 2018 World Cup where the estimates to carpet Russia with high speed rail covering a surface area of 6,601,668 sq miles (the largest country in the world) will itself entail an expenditure of $35bn to $85bn, depending on the source. Without that additional burden, the figures plummet to a more sedate $25bn to $30bn.

This is eclipsed by Qatar where traversing its miniscule 4,473sq miles (164th in surace area) is not the really the problem but building stadia, training facilities, and accomodation that is air-conditioned will cost them $171billion. A new port and expansion to the Doha International Airport adds another $50bn.

There will be no hard feelings between Qatar and FIFA even if the 2022 World Cup is underwritten as a comprehensive loss because by that year the oil and gas earnings generated will more than make up for it (FY 2011 $80.8bn). Government revenues are projected to rise on an average $50bn a year because of increased demand in the energy sector. The 2022 World Cup is more of a vanity project than a economic fillip to a country that really does not need one.

Tim Howard, sore loser

Saturday's Gold Cup post game ceremony conducted by Univision's Fernando Fiore mostly in Spanish brought on a expletive laden rant by the US goalkeeper. He perceived in it a slight akin to a gatecrasher eating with chopsticks when everyone else is using forks. Or something like that.

Of course, this was a signal for the immigrant bashers to come out full force laying the economic woes on all those illegals and threatening the final solution on them. Mexican Americans, constituting the overwhelming majority watching the finals supported their country of origin in vociferous fashion, were denounced and told to go back to their "shitty little hellhole".

What was amusing to see behind their thinly veiled racism was that most of them cared little for "soccer playing faggots" and "pussies." These goons would not have supported the US national team any day or any given Sunday for that matter. Most had not heard of Howard and used his rant as an excuse to spout their SB 1070 talking points.

Yesterday, Howard apologized for his *#@&#@~ but not the sentiment behind it.

"When this occurs on your home soil, it is particularly insulting. We, as American players, were asked to participate in a postgame ceremony at a match in Los Angeles and we are standing there trying to show good sportsmanship and yet the ceremony is going on and we are just looking at one another struggling to understand a word."

"It was, to be honest, humiliating, and I firmly believe the tournament organizers should not have put us in that position."

First, the US team has a number of Hispanic origin players including Juan Agudelo, Alejandro Bedoya, and Carlos Bocanegra. There is also Jose Francisco Torres, who opted to play for the USA and was seen in last year's World Cup. They all understand the language. Second, none of the major networks carried the Gold Cup finals and it was left to Univision to carry it on standard cable. Fox Soccer Channel was the only other outlet to air the match but it is a premium service. The most important soccer tournament the USA participates in outside of the World Cup and yet ABC, CBS, and NBC chose to punt on the Gold Cup. This was the real insult. Third, lets fix Howard's last line.

"It was, to be honest, humiliating, and I firmly believe I should have done better and not have put us in that position."

The real humiliation was on the pitch, not the post game ceremony. Man up, Tim. Also, a little technicality here. The USA has no official language. All these bashers conveniently forget that and yet here they are carrying flags saying, "Don't tread on me" touting individual rights. Double speak.

The goal of the year. If there was one reason, just one reason to watch the Gold Cup final between Mexico vs USA, it would have to be Giovani Dos Santos's other world goal. Unbelievable skill from the Racing Santander midfielder who kept the ball on a rope drawing out half the US defense and Tim Howard off his line and then in an exhibition of delectable control chips the ball perfectly towards the far post and over a leaping Eric Lichaj. A Play Station goal.

He was brilliant throughout the match. With his jinking runs and tight ball control he reminds one of the earlier Ronaldinho.

El Tri were spades more creative than the USA and with the dangerous Andres Guardado, a flyer down the left and Pablo Barrera churning down the right the rejiggered US defense was torn apart. Bob Bradley was forced into making an early substitution bringing Jonathan Bornstein for the injured Steve Cherundolo while the match was barely 10 minutes old. Bornstein returned to his familiar left back spot while Bradley shunted Lichaj into an unfamiliar right back role. After this match can one safely conclude Bornstein's national career is over.

It was the USA however storming into a early 2-0 lead with Freddy Adu having a hand in both scores. Bradley repaid Adu's scintillating Panama form by giving him a start and rotated Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey up top. Adu's effort earned the USA a corner which he whipped into the near post. Michael Bradley positioned in front managed the perfect deflection. Adu then initiated the move which led to Dempsey finding Donovan cutting in and driving the ball with a left footed finish past Alfredo Talavera. The Mexicans were just about picking themselves up after that early goal.

Surely they were done for. But El Tri, are a team that have shown they play their best football in such adversity. Adding to the early setbacks, Mexico lost Carlos Salcido and Rafa Marquez their two defensive stalwarts to injury. José Manuel de la Torre brought in the less experienced Jorge Torres Nilo and the 30 year old uncapped Hector Reynoso. Both stepped up with Reynoso proving to be a tough customer in the middle and Torres teaming up with Guardado to give even more zip down the left channel.

The Mexicans cranked it up in the last 20 minutes of the first half as they patrolled the US perimeter looking for a way in and coming close a number of times. It was Pablo Barrera providing the breakthrough as Chicharito found him from midfield and the West Ham midfielder sliced past Bornstein to rifle a shot between Howard and the near post. The equalizer came when Dos Santos bursting through the right sent in a splitting cross which found an out of position Lichaj struggling to clear the ball. An onrushing Guardado smashed a shot which a prostrate Howard partially blocked but the ball trickled into goal.

The second half saw Mexico taking an early lead with Barrera scoring his second goal with a magnificent curling effort with the outside of his right foot. Mexico sealed the win with Dos Santos providing that exclamation point. The USA did have a few good chances with Dempsey's first time shot hitting the crossbar, Bradley's volley just curling away, and Carlos Bocanegra's header flashing wide to keep the match interesting.

The match turned all the FSC pundits prediction of a low scoring match on its head. Why would that be? Two teams that like to attack, have a host of attacking talent, and in a battle for regional supremacy. Except for the 1998 Gold Cup final which ended in a 1-0 win for the USA, the rest featuring these two countries have been relatively high scoring affairs.

Kyle Martino interestingly kept talking of 'posture', referring to the constant switching between Dempsey and Donovan in the striker role. Has he perhaps not heard of 'formation'? He was also premature in predicting no more 'ole's' after the USA took that two goal lead. El Tri fans who vastly outnumbered the US support rubbed that bit of hubris with redoubled vocal fervour. JP Dellacamera in a show of irritating atavism lapsed into baseball parlance to describe equalizers as 'game tying goals'. Stuart Holden was short and concise in his summation but one can take quick power naps when Chris Sullivan goes into drone mode. Then there was the distractingly large caption on the TV screen obscuring most of the action on the wings. The Univision coverage provided better clarity with one far more understated.

Peel away the fog of jingoism and beyond this result lies the inevitable conclusion of a Mexican team superior to their US counterparts. That of course does not mean the US is doomed because Martino rightly points out grit and determination can make a difference. But clearly a talent gap that large will prove difficult to overcome. Chicharito Hernandez had a quiet evening but his team proved they did not really need him to score.

The veteran striker continues to make a killing off the bench after his header in extra time finally breaks the stalemate.

A few minutes later from yet another corner his header falls to Chicharito Hernandez and the Man Utd striker has little to do except allow the ball to bounce off his body into goal. It was his 7th goal in this Gold Cup. The record belongs to another Mexican of Brazilian origin, Luís Roberto Alves aka Zaguinho with 11 goals.

Mexico wasted a number of chances with Hector Moreno, Hernandez, de Nigris, and Giovani dos Santos with perhaps the easiest of them all missing out. Yet it was Honduras that could have won it with Roger Espinoza's piledriver barely kept out by a leaping Alfredo Talavera.

Mexico now meet the USA in the Gold Cup finals in a much anticipated showdown between CONCACAF's two heaviest hitters.

Freddy Adu's heads up play found Landon Donovan steaming on the right and in a flash the LA Galaxy man positioned himself to lay a perfectly delivered low cross which found who else but Clint Dempsey. Goal. This was the USA at its best 0-60 counterattacking best. It took but a moment but it changed a match desperately in need of an adrenaline rush.

Dempsey pointed to Donovan as he should. The credit is his for that inch perfect pass but lets face it he was doing what he does best. The real hero in this case was Adu coming back after two years, the forgotten man in US football, drifting from one club to another. Each one less promising than the last one. He's now 22 years and aeons have passed since he was that starry eyed kid with big dreams. Bob Bradley gave him his chance and he took it with both hands. Initiating the breakaway he took one hell of a gutsy swing of the leg and an article of faith to find Donovan.

Bradley went with the same line up against Jamaica sitting down Donovan and starting Alejandro Bedoya and Sacha Kjlestan. With an hamstring injury ruling out Altidore for weeks, Bradley turned to Juan Agudelo. What worked in that match did not quite pan out here. The Panamanian defense is a hundred times better. They kept their shape and contested every long ball and 50-50. The first half was a cagey affair with few good chances both falling to Agudelo, the second one a header clanging fortuitously off the upright for the Panamanians after Jaime Pinedo was beaten.

The second half brought Donovan to the pitch but there was no change in the tempo as the defense pinned him down and cut off the passing lanes. One also forgets the number of times the Panamanians got their heads onto the ball to steer away a long ball or set piece. Meanwhile their attack was getting into gear as Luis Tejada finally got some help from Amilcar Henriquez and Armando Cooper. The latter had Panama's best chance as he flashed a shot from an angle with Tim Howard making a finger tip save.

The match was ominously heading to a stalemate with every passing scoreless minute favouring La Marea Roja. With Bradley looking increasingly pinched in the nose the stage was set for a roll of dice. Out came Agudelo and in trotted Adu. Dempsey was set up as the lone striker having thrived in that position repeatedly. Ten minutes later the match changed irrevocably. Adu found himself and at 22 years he still has time left to make good on all that promise.

The US are in the finals for the eighth time and now await Mexico or Honduras who are waging a grim war at Reliant Stadium in the second semi-finals.

Juan Agudelo might get another start against Panama

Jozy Altidore underwent an MRI for his strained hamstring to further evaluate his status for tomorrow's match against Panama. He will remain a game time decision but chances are he will not be cleared. If that is the case then Juan Agudelo should get the nod.

The Red Bulls striker entered the quarterfinals game against Jamaica after Altidore was taken off with his injury and his piercing cross was coolly finished off by Clint Dempsey for the second goal. The consensus: this was Agudelo's finest performance for the national team in his eight appearances.

The USA have met Panama in the knockout stage three other times and have won each time although La Marea Roja have proved tough to beat. The 2005 Gold Cup finals were decided by penalty shootout while their most recent encounter, the 2009 quarterfinals was decided by Kenny Cooper's penalty kick.

Bradley's line changes for Jamaica were necessitated by Landon Donovan's fatigue brought on by a hectic schedule of matches as well as his cross country journey the night before to attend his sister's wedding. Alejandro Bedoya and Sasha Kljestan performed exceptionally well with Bedoya especially, a menace on the right with his movement on and off the ball. This time around Donovan will have had over two days to recover and should be ready to start.

The back four has coalesced around Steve Cherundolo having player of the tournament like performances, a solid centre pair in Carlos Bocanegra and Clarence Goodson, and Eric Lichaj who does his version of Gareth Bale like gutbusting runs on the left and is equally sound defensively.

After Donovan's second half arrival against Jamaica Bradley paired up Dempsey with Agudelo and this opened up the attack a lot more. He should go back to it with Dempsey in the slot behind Agudelo in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bedoya and Donovan in the outside positions. Michael Bradley at the base and Jermaine Jones sitting back in the holding position. Jones will have to avoid silly fouls as he's already on a yellow and a second one could see him miss the finals.

Panama are without their most dangerous weapon Blas Perez who earned a second booking in the El Salvador match and is therefore out. They still have Luis Tejada who has three goals so far with one of them opening their tally in the USA group game. However Panama's strength so far has been their defense and their disciplined approach proved difficult to break down for the USA in their first ever loss in the Gold Cp group stage. It is a group of experienced veterans led by Felipe Baloy and they have a tough pair of centre backs in Roman Torres and Alfredo Machado. Bradley after that loss had this to say:

"Panama did a good job defending, and as we're trying to open them and find spaces, we allow them the first goal. At that point their game plan becomes stronger. We still have the same approach, but the second goal makes it hard. In the second half we put a lot into it. We had some good chances, but nonetheless we weren't sharp enough in the areas that mattered."

Finishing has been a problem in this competition (this is in sharp contrast to the efficient displays in the past) with the US squandering a number of chances. Dempsey in particular needs a number of looks to be productive but he's proved if he's given that padding he will deliver. The US should find ways to get him the ball and lot of it should be driven from the flanks. Both Dempsey's goals have come from outside crosses. Motivation should not be a problem - a USA win will get them to their finals holding up their end of the bargain for an anticipated Mexico match up for CONCACAF supremacy.

Bob Bradley gamble opting to sit down Landon Donovan and opening with Alejandro Bedoya and Sasha Kljestan paid off handsomely. The midfield was a beehive of meaningful activity with the fresh legs of both players making repeated inroads into the heart of the Jamaican defense.

Bedoya in particular made the right channel a right terror with his pace and movement. With Steve Cherundolo serving up precision crosses there was the an air of inevitability about the match. It took an excellent Donovan Ricketts to deny the US time and time again. The Jamaicans who had shown excellent endeavour in the group stage disappointed with their lack of ambition and indiscipline allowing far too much space as the US seized control of the midfield.

So much so it seemed as if this was rope a dope for a counterattacking punch. But the reality was the Jamaicans lacked a clear cut plan of how to stop the US as groups of them milled in their own half waiting for a mistake to gift them the ball. For a brief shining moment all of this would not have mattered if Ryan Johnson had been able to beat Tim Howard and Luton Shelton had not muffed his shot of the resulting rebound. Even the injury departure of Jozy Altidore within 10 minutes of the match did not lift the Reggae Boyz. That is because Juan Agudelo shone as the replacement striker.

Two players need to be singled out. Clint Dempsey for channeling his frustrations of the previous match into well directed menace - he was excellent sitting just behind Altidore and then after Agudelo's arrival taking over the role of frontline striker. The midfielder gave the defense all kinds of problems with his improvisations. He is clearly the US's most creative player. It took all of Ricketts reflexes to fend off a first time volley, a well struck bicycle kick, and then thwarting a point blank header.

Jermaine Jones for finding a way to break the deadlock for his smashing piledriver which Ricketts would have been able to save except for Jermain Taylor's fortuitous intervention which saw the ball change course for the first goal. A well deserved bit of luck after all the huffing and puffing. Jones also made Sergio Busquets look like a rank amateur going down poleaxed after Taylor stuck out a speculative leg. There was no contact but referee Marco Rodriguez fell for that bit of theatre pulling out the red card as Jamaica was reduced to ten men in the 67th minute. But Jones marshaled the backfield excellently disrupting the speedy Jamaicans with his tough, physical presence.

By that time Landon Donovan was on the pitch in place of the impressive Bedoya. And he made an instant impact drawing out his LA Galaxy team mate Ricketts but with a gaping goal in front was ruled offside. However he was on target minutes later as he fed Agudelo a ball wide right and the striker cut in to nutmeg a pass to Dempsey. The Fulham man coolly and calmly sidestepped Ricketts before turning the ball into goal. It bears saying a reflective moment ended Deuce's doughnut - all the prior reflexive occurrences having failed.

The second goal established a few things. First, Agudelo as a striker loves to play wide and these instincts led to the goal happening in the first place and second, Dempsey is actually a striker and should really be employed in that role.

Bradley deserves all the credit for this win. He has his detractors with much of the criticism reserved for his cautious and crab like approach to the game. But today his faith in Bedoya and Kljestan was vindicated. Bradley has also taken a step in the right direction promoting Eric Lichaj as left back. He did a great job neutralizing the dangerous Dane Richards. With Lichaj and Cherundolo on the channels the USA has opened up the field. The back four also have a far more settled look with Bocanegra and Goodson in the centre.

The USA now meet Panama in the semi-finals in a repeat of their group match which ended badly for them. However, after this performance the USA look like they're back on track.

The world's oldest football competition will be sponsored for the next three years by the "King of Beers". The competition is to be grandiosely re-branded as the FA Cup with Budweiser.

The FA of course gets some serious business. For the more finicky it's a measure of the beer's quality when the Budweiser ads generate more buzz than the taste. Here is ratebeer.com's take on its flagship product. Six of the 10 worst rated beers in the world are made by Anheuser Busch.

The less than ringing endorsement from the beer cognoscenti has not dampened Anheuser Busch's appetite to team up with other global brands of which there is no bigger behemoth than FIFA. Budweiser is proudly touted as FIFA's beer for the last 25 years which is a lot of water under the bridge. Maybe the association with Sepp Blatter is apt - the self styled "King of Beers" meets "The Emperor with no clothes." True that.

The USA missed about half a dozen chances to put the game beyond doubt. Clint Dempsey was most egregious missing a point blank header and then committing a mind numbing miss in front of an open goal. In between he skewered a couple of wild shots in a forgettable display of errant marksmanship.

After yet another miss he managed a rueful smile. It was that kind of night when you wish you stayed home. Landon Donovan was also off with a uncharacteristic miss as he scooped a ball over goal when a simple tap would have sufficed.

The goal came very early and from out of nowhere as Jozy Altidore collecting a pass from Michael Bradley rocketed the ball from distance. Franck Grandel who had made a very fine save a few minutes ago did not move a muscle. That was the only blip in the Guadelope goalie's performance as he kept the deficit from getting larger with some timely stops.

Kyle Martino, the colour commentator kept harping repeatedly about the many US starters with tired legs because of the extra minutes played but there was Steve Cherundolo proving him wrong as he kept churning down the right side from start to finish putting in quality crosses and keeping Loic Loval and Cedric Collet quiet.

On the other flank Bob Bradley finally gave Eric Lichaj is due with the Villa wing back installed in his usual position. Carlos Bocanegra was moved inside paired with Clarence Goodson. The switch gave solidity and with Lichaj using his pace the USA looked far more adventurous in possession. The US manager also paired Chris Wondolowski with Altidore and the San Jose striker was able to get a few good looks at goal but was unable to finish.

The USA now meet Jamaica who breezed past their opponents in Group A and if this match is any indication of future profligacy then they're in a world of trouble. Jamaica, Honduras, and Mexico have shown they've moved to another level. Panama serves as reminder that the US was not even the best in their group despite all the jingoistic chest beating of the FSC commentators.

Dwayne De Rosario converts a PK but Panama the most thrilling team to watch in Group C draw level through Blas Perez in the 91st minute. The USA now have to beat or draw Guadeloupe to make sure of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Panama through Luis Tejada and Gabriel Gomez go 2 up before Clarence Goodson pulls one back. The Panamanians secure a spot in the knock out stage while the USA will duke it out with Canada for the second spot after their neighbours to the north won against Guadeloupe . It was the USA's first ever loss in the Gold Cup group stage - an unbeaten streak of 26 matches coming to a screaming halt.

Landon Donovan post match:

"First of all, give Panama a lot of credit. They started the game well, took the initiative to be aggressive and made some early plays. It took us a while to get into the game and our second half was very good, but when you dig yourself a hole that deep sometimes you can't get out of it."

Guillermo Ochoa might have a beef with his country's food suppliers

Five members of Mexico's Gold Cup squad have been suspended after they tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol. They are goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), defenders Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV) and Edgar Duenas (Toluca), midfielders Antonio Naelson (Toluca) and Christian Bermudez (Atlanta).

The general secretary of the Mexican Football Federation, Decio de Maria said that the five players were suspended with immediate effect. They could also potentially face a two year ban from the sport if the investigations turned up any wrongdoing. However, he also added that tainted chicken or beef could be the cause of the banned substance appearing in their urine samples.

"We know there is a health alert throughout the country because of food contaminated with Clenbuterol and that will be taken into account for the investigation."

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador tested positive for the same substance after claiming he ate contaminated meat. He was given a provisional one year ban which was later rescinded by the Spanish Cycling Federation after he was cleared of doping charges. Beef containing Clenbuterol regularly shows up in samples from China where it is used in cattle feed to increase the muscle to fat ratio thus making it leaner and more attractive for human consumption. Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Portugal have also reported outbreaks of illness attributed to Clenbuterol tainted meat.

Clenbuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist, i.e., it is a sympathomimetic amine (substances that mimic the sympathetic nervous system) and is used by asthmatics in its clinical form as a bronchodilator to make breathing easier but increasingly it is being sought after for its weight loss properties which makes it popular with athletes. In the USA it has not been approved for human use and its only application is limited to treating airway obstruction in horses.

The substance "repartitions" body mass by reducing body fat and increasing skeletal muscle mass. It also "wires" the human body by increasing aerobic capacity, stimulating the central nervous system, and driving up blood pressure and oxygenation. At higher doses than 120 µg per day it could potentially prove toxic with side effects including heart palpitations, muscle tremors, nausea, headaches, and nervousness.

What makes Clenbuterol attractive to many athletes, especially women is that it has none of the disastrous androgenic qualities of anabolic steroids (think of the East German women's swimming team) which include facial hair and deep voices. The WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) considers it a performance enhancing substance and it is included on the banned list.

This is the largest group of footballers caught with Clenbuterol doping in one swoop which points a finger to either a rogue trainer or tainted meat as an explanation. Usually it is the one off athlete in an individual sport where the need for speed is paramount; hence the more visible cases in cycling, athletics and swimming. The most celebrated case however belongs to Kirk Radomksi, the former NY Mets batboy and clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty to charges of distributing steroids (including Clenbuterol) to dozens of major league players and money laundering in 2007.

Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions was a cesspool of lumpy divots which caused the ball to slow down considerably or take an awkward bounce. The stadium's surface is an artificial turf over which was carpeted over by bales of natural grass for the Gold Cup. The field was partly responsible for a match that was never free flowing.

The USA beat a game Canada through goals scored by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey. But the player who caught the eye was Michael Bradley, who quietly put together one of his most effective games as midfield lynchpin.

We do not really have state of the art heat maps but Bradley must have traversed the field a hundred times or more - initiating moves and getting onto the end of them. He's as box to box as one can get and the effort was even more creditable when his steep drop off in appearances is taken into consideration.

Bob Bradley gambled a bit when he put Tim Ream and Clarence Goodson as the centre back pair but it was in most part solid and disciplined. Ream in particular was impressive making some timely stops and keeping Dwayne De Rosario, Canada's main threat in check.

Steve Cherundolo was tasked with neutralizing the switching twin threats of Simeon Jackson (already a Norwich City legend) and Josh Simpson. Kudos to the veteran right back who did a nice job and also put together some great service into the box.

There was much improvement up front with Altidore looking sharp although the first goal was somewhat fortunate as goalie Lars Hirschfeld should have stopped it. But Altidore's snapshot had an element of surprise. Juan Aguadelo invented some good looks at goal but this time Hirschfeld was upto the task. The USA went into halftime holding that one goal lead but not before De Rosario gave them a scare with his wickedly bending drive missing narrowly away from Howard's outstretched hands.

Canada redoubled their efforts in the second half and dominated in spells as Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson controlled the ball. The USA missed a golden opportunity to go two up when Altidore narrowly missed a header after Bradley seeing him open lofted the ball intelligently into the box. But it all changed when Dempsey who had shown some nice schoolyard tricks in a previous possession got onto the end of an Altidore cross across the box to finish emphatically at the far corner. Another reminder why he's been Fulham's player of the season.

20 minutes to go and Canada looking at a two goal hole brought in the controversial but talented Ali Gerba who showed no hesitating lashing in a powerful shot which Howard tipped over. It was more Howard as Gerba got onto the end of a lofted ball following a goalmouth melee and volleyed for what appeared to be a sure goal but for the Everton goalie making a spectacular save. Canada knocking at the door was frustrated by a vintage Howard taking over the custodian's role in a kinetic frenzy.

It was a much improved display after the dispiriting loss to Spain. The USA stepped up their defensive efforts and got some good minutes from their forwards.

Deuce should get his opportunities against Canada

The USA meets Canada @ 8 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan (FSC/ TeleFutura)

The Gold Cup is already underway. Mexico got off to a flying start hammering El Salvador, 5-0 and Costa Rica manhandled Cuba by the same scoreline. An improving Jamaica beat Grenada, 4-0 while the powerful Hondurans were held to a goalless draw against Guatemala.

Today, it is the USA's turn and they meet Canada in their Gold Cup opener. Hopefully enough time to recover from the hangover of Saturday's loss against World champions Spain. The USA's defensive woes were highlighted in that friendly with Oguchi Onyewu inept in the middle and Jonathan Spector getting caught repeatedly by the smooth jiving David Silva out on the flanks.

This US defense is not built for speed. It is slow, worn out, and reactive. At the other end, the attack looked toothless with Jozy Altidore's years of accumulated rust showing and Juan Aguadelo looking lightweight despite the build up.

One of the characteristics of this US squad is the presence of a number of players desperately short of match practice. Bradley is essentially calling on past experience and performances to fill that gap.

The Gold Cup should be looked on as an investment into the future and in Eric Lichaj and Timothy Chandler, the US manager possesses two players who need all the exposure they can get. Both use powerful movement up and down the flanks which countries like Brazil have utilized so effectively through their attack minded wing backs. Chandler is not in the present squad but Lichaj is and the Aston Villa man should get his start at left back. The change would see Carlos Bocanegra return to centre paired with Clarence Goodson. At right back Steve Cherundolo gets the nod over Jonathan Spector. It's the best defensive line up given the circumstances.

The midfield is once again the place to look to success with pace and creativity aplenty in Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu, Alejandro Bedoya, and the holding capabilities of Jermaine Jones/ Maurice Edu. We see the shape of a diamond if Bradley can resist the urge of a two holding midfielder set. Rapid 0 to 60 counterattacking. It's what the US do best.

Bradley Jr at the apex, Donovan and Bedoya painting the corners and Maurice Edu at the bottom. With Dempsey doing so well in the slot at Fulham one could see him start behind Altidore. He is a profligate player but if given enough looks always manages to deliver.

US soccer is in a curious quandary. There is huge amounts of talent coming up the youth ranks and an increasing flow of players heading into and out of the overseas leagues. There is much cause for optimism and yet when it comes to the national team there is a statism. Part of the problem is Bradley's cautious fail safe strategy. Partly it is down to the few opportunities for the national team to contend with quality opposition. There is little room for error and so Bradley's best foot forward could be the answer to the Gold Cup but it may not necessarily hold a future solution. To be fair, this is not confined to Bradley, as Fabio Capello is increasingly fighting the same perception. For all his lip service to the youth movement he still trots out the same "tired" England team.

A do over for Freddy

Bob Bradley announces his 23 man roster for the Gold Cup.

Goalkeepers: Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Eric Lichaj (Leeds), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Rizespor), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Freddy Adu's inclusion stands out. Bob Bradley decides to resurrect the midfielder's fortunes as he finds playing time with Turkish second league side Rizespor. It's been a meandering journey for the one time teenage phenom after butting heads with micro managing Piotr Nowak at DC United six years ago.

Robbie Rogers call up is a real head scratcher.

The player who every pundit and fan was betting on was Timmy Chandler and his exclusion has everyone talking. Except for Eric Lichaj this is a slow and reactive defense.

Cherundolo is a solid right back but a wingback like Chandler would have given a different dimension with his speed and ability to bust open wide. Jonathan Spector is now exclusively used as a holding midfielder at West Ham after his performance as right back was widely disparaged.

On the other flank Jonathan Bornstein, Bradley's first choice for years continues to inspire no confidence except in Honduras. One would have liked to see Jay De Merit in Gooch's place because the former Watford defender is the only one capable of tracking back quickly. One still remembers how Bocanegra got burned by Asamoah Gyan in the World Cup. This defense could have a tough time stopping someone as elusive as Chicharito or the speedier Carlos Costly or Bryan Ruiz.

Robbie Rogers made a decent impression in the 2009 Gold Cup but since then he's been unconvincing. For all his speed he's lightweight on the ball. Not sure what Bradley was thinking there. Alejandro Bedoya would have been a better choice.

Chris Wondolowski last season's Golden Boot winner has been in good scoring nick so one can see why Bradley would consider him. Having said that he's a career journeyman not exactly in the first flush of youth. One would have preferred to give Teal Bunbury an opportunity for international experience.

There is news that Chandler's omission might have to do with his club FC Nürnberg putting their foot down rather than the more eyebrow raising "fatigue" factor.