Semis of the Ostrich
The Aluminum semis kick-off tomorrow in the Gold Cup–with the cross-border rivalry between the USA and Canada while Mexico takes on the inspired island-side Guadalupe.
I think I pigeonholed it before the opening of this CONCACAF tinsel-tourney, calling on the dark horses to fulfill their destinies. But in truth, both teams have shown quality in their build-up to the finals while the usual suspects have seemed more than ordinary.
Canada has followed suit with National rebuilding as the slow, stiffened, and fragmented Canadian style of play of old is beginning to show a progression toward proactive, flowing football. With players like De Rosario, Ali Gerba, and De Guzmán, Canada has shown that they can be lethal in attack and have perhaps created the best team goal thus far of the tournament in their quarterfinal trouncing of Guatemala.
The US has won all its games of course, yet have lacked the brilliance, relying on bravado as usual to take them through. Canada could really make this one interesting with another power performance, but I feel that a return to form of their second game is more likely, with the US coming away with a 2-nil-er.
On the other hand, the Caribbean is never without a turn of pace or creativity, downfall always coming down rather to discipline or structure. Guadalupe has shown to be the more steady of the Caribbean sides in this cup, as they have combined scoring goals with defending, even coming from behind to secure points when necessary.
Secretly, Mexico will feel that Guadalupe is the weakest of teams that they will have faced, but in a Semi nothing is impossible. Of course Mexico should put on a multi-goal display, but don’t really look up for it so far in this tournament. 2-1 Guadalupe is what the Romantics would say, but dagger says 3-1 Mexico.
And the return of fireworks in another Ameri-Mexi Finale.
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