How would someone characterize US Soccer’s Summer of 2009? The extreme optimist would say that the US made a non-CONCACAF tournament major final for the 1st time by ending Spain’s world record streak, then with a “B” side made it to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The extreme pessimist would say that the United States squad blew a massive opportunity to establish themselves as a major world footballing nation with their collapse in the 2nd half Confederations Cup final. Add to that Mexico put their cleats in the US rectum on US soil in the final of a tournament they have recently owned.

Both sides have legitimate points, however my leaning is 80-20 towards the pessimist side. Its not all bad but it should have been much better.

Let’s begin in South Africa, where the US took advantage of the fact that they barely made it into the semis. The way they got into the semis wasn’t anything to be proud of but hey they made it in so I won’t hold that against them. In beating Spain 2-0 in the semis, the U.S. earned massive respect but needed to lift the trophy in order to achieve “Miracle On Ice” status and stop the world footballing community from looking down on the US soccer program. In the biggest final in US Soccer history, The Stars & Stripes choked, played scared in the 2nd half with a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to Brazil. At this level of football, its no trophy, no glory, no respect.

The difference between Brazil, Germany, Italy and the elite footballing nations and the US is trophies in international tournaments outside their own confederations. Brazil, Germany, Italy each have multiple trophies and the US have zero. Lifting the Confederations Cup by beating Brazil would have been a great boost to US Soccer’s reputation in the world football community.

Now onto the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament the US was expected to win and coming in had won the last 2 editions and 3 of the last 4 stagings. To no one’s surprise, the US made it to the final with their “B” side. That’s nothing to smile about because that was what the Americans were supposed to do, praising their place in the Gold Cup final is like heaping glory upon a 2 month old for soiling their diaper.

In the final, once again in the 2nd half, the US wilted and let their arch-rival stomp them to a 5-0 embarrassment. The Americans looked slow, unorganized, and helpless. There is no excuse for that loss and the notion that it was the “B” side is no consolation. If the US is to be considered a great program,they have to display their depth by winning tournaments with their “B” side.

If you are counting that’s 8 goals allowed in two 2nd halves of 2 major international tournament finals almost a month apart. The 20% optimist says that its fulfilling to have reached two finals but the 80% pessimist says that the manner with which they lost those finals were embarrassing and shameful.

The summer of 2009 for U.S. Soccer should be remembered for its finals disappointments. The lesson of the summer of 2009: To fully appreciate winning, you have to feel the pain of losing.

The biggest national team tournament in the CONCACAF region is here. The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup will spread across the US with 13 cities hosting matches. It will all culminate with the final on July 26 in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Let’s now preview Group C.

GROUP C TEAMS & HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Guadeloupe – 3rd place in 2008 Caribbean Championship
Mexico – Automatic qualifier from North American zone
Nicaragua – 5th place in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
Panama – Champions of the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup

NICKNAMES:
Guadeloupe = Gwada Boyz
Mexico = El Tri
Nicaragua = Los Pinoleros or Albiazules
Panama = La Marea Roja or Los Canaleros

MATCH LOCATIONS:
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum – Oakland, California
Reliant Stadium – Houston, Texas
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, Arizona

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Carlos Vela (MEX)

The Arsenal forward will be wearing the #9 for El Tri and could use this tournament to establish himself as Mexico’s best player. With no Cuauhtemoc Blanco and no Rafael Marquez, Carlos Vela is set up to become the new face of Mexican football. He’s has been quiet in World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup could be the stage for him to breakout.

OVERVIEW:
Mexico is the clear class of the group but their form in qualifying is worrying and they could be pushed for a quarterfinal spot. The other quarterfinal spot will come down to Panama & Guadeloupe. The Gwada Boyz will be without 2 main players from their surprise semifinal run in 2007. Jocelyn Angloma & David Sommeil are out so it will be much harder for Guadeloupe. Panama is an emerging power in Central America as they captured the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup. The strike force of Blas Perez & Luis Tejada will present problems to defenses.

PREDICTION:
Mexico will win the group with Panama qualifying in 2nd place. Guadeloupe’s experience will help them to one of the quarterfinal spots as a 3rd place finisher.

There it is the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup groups. Enjoy the tournament.

The biggest national team tournament in the CONCACAF region is here. The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup will spread across the US with 13 cities hosting matches. It will all culminate with the final on July 26 in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Let’s now focus our attention to Group B.

GROUP B TEAMS & HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Grenada – Runner-up in 2008 Caribbean Championship
Haiti – Won a draw to participate after Cuba withdrew
Honduras – 3rd place in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
United States – Host Nation & Defending Champion

NICKNAMES:
Grenada = Spice Boyz
Haiti = Les Grenadiers
Honduras = Los Catrachos
United States = Stars & Stripes

MATCH LOCATIONS:
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington
RFK Memorial Stadium – Washington D.C.
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Kenny Cooper (USA)

The big FC Dallas forward finally gets an opportunity to play for the United States in a big international tournament. His goal scoring exploits in the MLS are well-known but for whatever reason Cooper could not get a sniff of national team play. A product of the Manchester United youth system, Cooper has only 4 caps for the Stars & Stripes. A strong performance in the Gold Cup could see the 6’3″ forward finally make the move to Europe.

OVERVIEW:
The United States will carry the momentum of a surprising Confederations Cup run into a tournament they have won 3 of the last 4 times. The US will make the next round easily. Same could be said for Honduras, Los Catrachos will be missing some of their top players but they have enough talent to get to the quarters. Grenada stunned the Caribbean when they reached the final of the Caribbean Championship and could do this tournament what Guadeloupe did in 2007. Haiti is lucky to be in the Gold Cup after Cuba withdrew.

PREDICTION:
The U.S. and Honduras will advance as the top two teams in the group. Look out for Grenada as a team to fight for a quarterfinal spot as a 3rd place qualifier.

We will finish our 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup preview with Group C.

The most important national team tournament in the CONCACAF region is here. The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup will spread across the US with 13 cities hosting matches. It will all culminate with the final on July 26 in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Let’s begin our preview of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Group A.

GROUP A TEAMS & HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Canada – Direct entry from North American zone
Costa Rica – Runner-up in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
El Salvador – 4th place in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
Jamaica – Champions of 2008 Caribbean Championship

NICKNAMES:
Canada = The Canucks
Costa Rica = Los Ticos
El Salvador = Cuscatlecos
Jamaica = The Reggae Boyz

MATCH LOCATIONS:
Home Depot Center – Carson, California
Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
FIU Stadium – Miami, Florida

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Luton Shelton (JAM)

The striker for Norwegian club Vålerenga has quickly become the goal scoring beast for The Reggae Boyz. At 23-years old he is tied as Jamaica’s all-time leading goal scorer and his two PKs against Grenada in the ’08 Caribbean Championship Final sealed Jamaica’s place in the Gold Cup. He has an excellent strike rate for Jamaica scoring 27 goals in 43 appearances. The Reggae Boyz will need him to be sharp if they want to advance out of the group.

OVERVIEW:
Costa Rica is the clear favorite to win the group and should do so. Los Ticos are the best candidate to break the US-Mexico stranglehold on the trophy. If Costa Rica can display the same form in the Gold Cup that they have in World Cup qualifying than they will be in the final.

2nd place in the group is where the drama will come from as Jamaica, El Salvador, and Canada will battle for a quarterfinal spot. The Jamaican coaching situation is now settled with Theodore Whitmore at helm. Under Whitmore, Jamaica was stellar going unbeaten in 6 matches and not allowing a goal. El Salvador is the big surprise in CONCACAF and have shown big heart in the hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifying. Canada is hurt by the absence of Dwayne De Rosario & Adrian Serioux of Toronto FC but ’07 Gold Cup MVP Julian de Guzman is coming off an encouraging season with Deportivo La Coruna and is the key to The Canucks attempt to win a 2nd Gold Cup title.

PREDICTION:
Costa Rica will win the group with El Salvador taking 2nd place and Jamaica advancing as one of the best 3rd place teams.

Tomorrow we will breakdown Group B of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.