Gold Cup News & Notes
While we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, the Gold Cup Final seems destined to be a battle between CONCACAF powerhouses, Mexico and the United States. The Stars & Stripes are still the favorite to advance to the Gold Cup Final but the Jamaicans have plenty of momentum and belief that 2015 is their year. Statistics are on the Americans side however, as the U.S. have an astonishing 13-1-8 record against the Reggae Boyz all-time.
Mexico and Panama will meet in the nightcap of the evening, where the Mexicans are expected to prevail and advance. Major League Soccer goalkeeper, Jamie Penedo, has starred in net for Panama this tournament, and will be needed to do so once more if they expect to defeat El Tri. Could his soon-to-be teammate, Gio Dos Santos find his way on the pitch for Mexico? Could he even supply the game-winner? We shall see.
U.S. Open Cup Update
The New York Red Bulls failed to win their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against Philadelphia Union, despite playing at home, with a man advantage for over half of the game, and having four (yes, FOUR) times the amount of shots. The field seemed to be heavily tilted in favor of the home squad but they were unable to tally a goal, thanks to the heroics of Union goalkeeper, John McCarthy. He relented a goal in the 93rd minute, in part to an acrobatic goal by midfielder, Lloyd Sam, sending the match to extra time. After 30 minutes of additional time neither team was able to find the back of the net, the game went on to be decided by the always entertaining penalty kick shootout.
Kicking things off for the home-side was Bradley Wright-Phillips. The goal king of MLS last season was unable to convert his attempt, beating McCarthy but clanking the shot off the cross bar. The teams traded goals until Lloyd Sam, New York’s hero just a half -hour previous missed his spot kick due to an off the line save by McCarthy. McCarthy and his New York counterpart, Luis Robles, both held their ground in the shootout but the visitors ultimately pulled off the victory 4-3 to advance to the semi-finals.
Sporting Kansas City hosted Houston Dynamo in the other U.S. Open Cup match Tuesday night. Led by the dangerous attacking trio of Benny Feilhaber, Dom Dwyer, and Kriszitan Nemeth, SKC came from behind to win handily 3-1. Houston fell to ten men in the 30th minute when Luis Garrido was sent to the showers, giving the home-side the advantage. Will Bruin tallied a goal in the 59th minute for Houston, though the lead and momentum was short lived with Feilhaber scoring in the 71st minute, followed by Dwyer and Nemeth converting in the 86th and 88th.
MLS Predictions – Week 21
SKC @ RSL – TIE
TFC @ Columbus – Toronto WIN
Seattle @ Montreal – Montreal WIN
New England @ Chicago – TIE
LAG @ Houston – LAG WIN
Portland @ FCD – TIE
Orlando @ NYCFC – NYCFC WIN
Philadelphia @ DCU – DCU WIN
SJ @ Vancouver – Vancouver WIN
Fantasy Lineup
That is all I have for you fine folks today. Let me know your thoughts on my predictions and fantasy lineup.
