We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
It's CONCACAF SuperClassico time with the US meeting Mexico in the final of the 2011 edition of the Gold Cup tonight from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It's a late one, starting at 9pm EST. Join me for all the usual LOB coverage of the proceedings.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:58 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
168 Comments:
Right, then. Here's the team news out of Pasadena tonight:
USA: Howard, Bocanegra, Goodson, Lichaj, Cherundolo, Dempsey, Jones, Bradley, Bedoya, Donovan, Adu
Mexico: Talavera, Marquez, Salcido, Moreno, Guardado, Torrado, Castro, Barrera, Juarez, Dos Santos, Chicharito.
I was hoping that Bob Bradley would keep his nerve and go with the team that won the last two matches in fine style. Instead, he's stuck Landycakes back into the frame and included old codger Freddie Adu in the starting line-up. Why?
Waldo is in the house alongside Sully and Stuart Holden, who's injured right now.
Of course Sully thinks that the Adu insertion makes sense. What a prat.
It's a bit parky here in WNY tonight; not so in LA - 75 degrees and sunny in Pasadena.
Anthems now - we're about to get started here.
The U.S. seem pumped up - I hope they know what they're doing out there. This is a big one.
Of course any time we play Mexico in southern Cali it's guaranteed to be a home fixture for El Tri.
I'm here on the iPad
I see there is a message on skype
Is it from you?
I have to keep turning to the match
The prize for tonight's winners is a berth in next summer's Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Evening, Dave - yeah I was just wondering if you were watching. Welcome!
Mall cop is on the tv
The "Oles" have already started around the stadium. Steady on, El Tri fans - the match has just started!
Soft free kick for Mexico out wide right. Dangerous one in and US defenders were caught napping there. Chicha nearly through but couldn't get the touch.
Seriously...you're watching "Mall Cop?"
Jon and Matt are
The US just trying to weather the early onslaught from Mexico. Quick start from them.
Matt and Jon are banned.
Are you going to watch the womans WC?
Oooh - Dos Santos with a shot just a whisker away. We're being swarmed here.
Boy that was close?
Is he on spurs?
Nah, I've got a DVD of "Bridesmaids" to get to.....'course I will!!!!!!
Yeah - he's at Spurs right now but I think he was out on loan somewhere last season.
Pleased to see adu playing
Yes.......Bradley!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Bradley with the early goal!
Bradley with a glancing header from the corner.
You can stick those "Oles" up yer bum!
1-0!
It's terrible with lack of cheering for that goal for a home game
Well, CONCACAF picks the venues for this one. US soccer would never schedule a US-Mexico fixture in SoCal. It makes no sense. You stick that one at Foxboro or Portland, OR.
Oh - Chicha should have bagged that one. Fortunately he was a bit off balance and stretching back and nodded it over.
Do they?
Why? Isn't it always in the US?
Why aren't Mexico wearing Greek??
Now it's off the post from Chicha!!!
He's getting closer.
It's always in the US but CONCACAF still books the venues.
Tough to type on iPads
GREEN
When they wear home green, they wear white shorts, which would clash with the US' white shorts.
Jones doesn't seem up to the pace of this match. The US midfield is getting overrun.
All I want is for the match to end so wee pea can rest...he has a treble to win next season
Half way through this first half and it's amazing that the US are in the lead. Mexico are clearly the dominant side.
Happy with the Ashley Young move?
Are you debating on facebook?
Debating what?
Yes!!!!
Landy
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Landycakes with #2!
Demos repaid. Landy with a great pass
Great ball from Clint to Donovan who was very cool in finishing that chance. 47 goals from 136 games for Landycakes now. He's already the highest scorer for the US. Close to his half ton.
Oh - Adu had a half chance there. Wide.
Pleased with how asu is doing....ooh should have hit the target
Why the love for Freddy? He's a washed up has-been who lied about his age from the get-go.
Bugger! Mexico back in it. Barrera/
Bugger 2 1
Great ball by hernandez
Half an hour of breathless stuff. It's been a great match, but the US are still fortunate to be leading. We've taken both chances.
Guardado rifles a one-hopper at Timmy but he's got his body behind it.
Yellow card for Landycakes for a cheap shot.
Nice idea by Bedoya there but the flick didn't come off. This is the first match in which we've looked dangerous up front.
It's Desmond as Chicha gets the last touch on a ruthless move.
And who was it who failed to clear out? Eric Lichaj - Aston Villa reject.
Bugger 2 2
At least espn can talk about goals
It's been a cracker so far. Definitely the sort of match that American fans need to watch.
Freddy got kicked in the head there. He's down for the count. May need to come off.
Bradley coughs it up in a dangerous area there, dwelling on the ball too long but he's bailed out by Goodson.
Liked your Merson quote
Bradley tried one from distance with his left peg. Nice idea.
Chichi didn't touch it...smartly...he was offside
Guardado was rightly credited with that second goal.
Rafa Marquez seems to be in trouble now - might have to come off.
Coming up on half time - we've had four goals and two substitutions due to injury. Cor!
Oh - Dos Santos nearly scored a third there. We could use the referee's whistle at this point. Bradley is going to have to regroup. Lichaj has to go off.
Why are the ole ing?
The ball is in their own box
Struth another close one
Knife thru butter
Half time
Good half
I don't get that either. The "Oles" were originally reserved for a situation in which a team was 4 or 5-0 up in the second half and doing the carnival tricks. The Mexican crowd were "Oleing" from the off.
I am now on my regular computer and the TV is on the footer!!
Is the Gold Cup every year?
Does the winner of the year before the Confederations Cup always go? The others don't really matter?
Is the Confederations going to be held??? DId you see a FIFA guy say that Brazil are REALLY REALL FAR BEHIND SCHEDULE?
We're off for the second half
Struth... he waltzed right into the box there... TACKLE HIM and STOP THE BALL!!!
The Gold Cup is always on during summer after World Cups and the Confederations Cup is the year after the Euros as a warm-up for the World Cup.
Didn't hear that about Brazil. But didn't they say the same thing about SA?
Bloody hell! 2-3 Mexico. Barrera again. I thought Timmy might have saved that.
Great finish... the US defense is leaving holes all over the place!!
Three two
I thought Tim should have gotten the opener too
The US defense really struggling now.
Is the Gold Cup only every four years?
I know that the Confederation Cup is always in the host country of the following year's WC
I think so.
De Santos should come to Old Trafford and play with Hernandez... why not #7
Well, Wikipedia says it's every two years but then says "and when it does not fall the same year as an edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup." I don't get it.
The Gold Cup is held every two years and when it does not fall the same year as an edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup, the winner, or highest place team that is a member of both CONCACAF and FIFA, qualifies for the next staging of that tournament.
Dos Santos is terrorizing the US defense but he doesn't do that for Spurs in the Prem. I know you lot are on a buying spree but don't you want some real quality? Are Phil Jones, David DeGea and Ashley Young really United quality?
JINX
You don't think Young is a good signing?
Tallavera got clattered by his own man there. Now some time wasting.
I don't really rate him, do you? Is he really a better option than Valencia or Nani?
I am pleased with that signing.
Not sure about the other two
I think Fergie will be good for him
Freddy picks up a good free kick. He hasn't been bad tonight. Dangerous.
Dempsey has been trying some Ronaldo style free kicks in this tournament. Check this out.
free kick chance... adu with a shot on target but easily saved
Adu takes it left-footed but it was a nice height for Tallavera.
Great move by Bornstien but a useless cross twice
ooh Dempsey off the post
Oh - Dempsey off the bar!!!!!
Bar
Great strike from Clint. You could hear the crowd groan when they saw the replay.
Juan Agudelo is getting set to come on.
Please don't tackle Hernandez... he doesn't need to get hurt
Oh - Jones should have hit that one first tie.
Bedoya coming off - Agudelo coming on. That's what I would have done. Bedoya hasn't looked good tonight.
Chicha needs to stay out of the danger zone if he doesn't want to get hacked.
I reckon need a midfield playmaker. I know you'll say, "that's what Rooney is." But no - no he's not. He should play in the hole and Michael Carrick is too square ball oriented. You need someone more creative.
93K+ - great attendance!
The US are going too long ball now.
Fergie was trying to get Nasri or Modric
Boca and Dos Santos getting into some handbags.
Modric might be useful - Nasri's not the guy for you.
Oh - a chance there. Half chance for Goodson. He didn't know a lot about it. Over the bar.
More handbags now. Jones in the middle of it.
Another missed chance for Chicha. I think it's time he went off - you?
Agudelo's control let him down there and the attack was broken down.
US getting a lot of possession now and Mexico might be tiring after the long match on Wednesday.
Two-goal Pablo Barrera is off. Johnno on Facebook commented that he never did that for the Hammers.
Oh - that was lovely from Dos Santos.
2-4 Mexico.
Nice finish but isn't HOward going walk about!!!
Who missed the header? Aston Villa's useless Eric Lichaj!
Are there any US fans in the stadium?
Hello everyone . I just arrived home to see Dos Santos score a superb chip to give Mexico a 4-2 lead. That should seal the match.
That goal is an example as to why Lichaj will not be missed at ER.
Evening, MUR. It's been a cracking game. I can't have any complaints. Mexico are clearly the superior side right now and the US have done well to keep with them this long.
Indeed, MUR, indeed. Begone Eric!
Melanie played in a tournament and had three softball games today. It was really hot. The congested schedule was due to cancellation on Wednesday through Friday thanks to the weather.
Bradley hits one wide... that would have set up a grandstand finish
Oh - I thought Bradley had scored the US third. This one's not quite over.
Dempsey and Tallavera with some handbags now. Chippy.
The volley from Bradley was just wide.
Glad you had a good evening out with the family, MUR.
Yellow card for Torres there.
Good evening UWS. Are you enjoying the end to the school year? When is your son's graduation ceremony?
We have been out in the heat at the park since 11 this morning. It is great to be inside and enjoying the AC.
We did get some minor sunburns.
I am not sure Lichaj can be blamed. It was sublime skill from DOS Santos as Israel Castro shot wide with just Timmy to beat.
I'll bet. Sounds like it was a roaster today in Harlingen.
I can always blame Eric Lichaj. He's responsible for global warming in my book.
Klejstan is on for Adu. What is the use in that?
Freddy trots off to be replaced by Sasha.
Hey MUR... US almost scores again
Just wide by Landy as Klejstan contributed for once.
We have had nothing but torrential downpours for the last week!!
We have had nothing but torrential downpours for the last week!!
And Sasha was straight into the action there with a nice cross to Goodson who was unbalanced. Just wide.
Fair point ,BD, regarding Lichaj.
So much rain.. I commented twice!
We went three and a half months without rain, then had torrential downpours on Wednesday an Thursday.
Chicha is corner-flagging it for some reason now. Why? They're two goals up and almost into stoppage time.
We've had loads of rain in 2011 - it's really lush and green here now.
I HATE THAT... FERGIE WOULDN'T LET HIM DO IT
The Mexican crowd finally finds an appropriate moment to do some "Oles."
Just over by Torrado as the Mexicans are rampant.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
Handbags between Landy and Juarez.
More handbags than Louis Vuitton tonight. Boom boom.
Just saw that England's U17 beat Uruguay 2-0 in the World Cup... this is after their keeper had let a goal in from the opposing keeper!
The US followed their lost to Uzbekistan with a nil niller against New Zealand
I thought that was a fair challenge from Sasha.
The Mexicans are play acting after a scramble in their box.
Looks like England won their group and the US still came in second!
Boom Boom basil,BD.
That's it - fair result IMHO. Mexico are a side to watch out. Might be peaking a bit too soon.
It's over and Mexico deservedly win the Gold Cup
Mexico defeats the U.S. 4-2 to win the Gold Cup and clinch a place in the 2013 Confeds Cup.
Thank you, UWS. It appears that England will play the U.S. in the quarters of the U-17 tournament.
Thanks, MUR.
Wonder what color the trophy is???
Really.
I didn't know that. It has been on ESPN... The US v Uz had about four people in the stands!
That is a good point,BD. It is better to peak the year of the World Cup. They were the best and most consistent team in this tournament.
I'm not sticking around for the trophy and confetti cannon show.
It's Joel McHale and the Soup time for the Blue Devil. Cheerio, lads.
Just turned on Airplane... going to sit down and enjoy some inane humor
TTFN
Cheers BD and UWS.
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