U.S. MNT wins Fifth CONCACAF Gold Cup

In the final of the 2005 Gold Cup, the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Panama and where named Champions. This past Sunday the Americans secured a repeat victory over Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, giving them their fifth title (Mexico leads with six).


Landon Donovan was named MVP of the tournament and leads the all-time scoring with 18 goals in Gold Cup matches.



Check out highlights from the Championship match:

Five goals by five different Americans helps USMNT cruise past El Salvador

USMNT vs El Salvador (photo credit: Chris Wimmer)

On a hot summer day in Baltimore, MD the U.S. Men's National Team dismantled El Salvador with a 5-1 win in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal round.

U.S. supporters were witness to a goal scoring frenzy that saw five different American players find the back of the net. Most impressive would have to be the goal by second half substitute Eddie Johnson -- scoring only seconds after entering the match for Chris Wondolowski. Landon Donovan had no problem finding Johnson's bright blonde hairdo for a beautiful header to put the USMNT up 3-1 near the middle of the second half.

With a two goal lead the American side began to have fun with the now exhausted El Salvador defenders. Shot after shot was sent toward Dagoberto Portillo and eventually the U.S. side would add another two goals to finish with an easy 5-1 victory. The final score could have easily been 7-1 or even 8-1 had Donovan and Johnson finished some excellent opportunities directly in front of the goal (completely unmarked). 

Landon Donovan (photo credit: Chris Wimmer)

The four goal difference was enough to send most of the El Salvadorian fans headed toward the exits, but not before showing their displeasure for their national side by raining trash down onto other fans below them and even at one point stopping the match during a U.S. corner kick attempt.  

Video: USA vs El Salvador Match Highlights

Next up for the USMNT on their quest to reclaim the Gold Cup title will be Honduras on Wednesday in Texas.



Second Half Match Notes:

• El Salvador put on a ton of pressure to begin the first half but unable to finish on any attempts.
• Eddie Johnson scored immediately after subbing in for Wando!!!
• Brek Shea coming in as the second substitute for USMNT
• El Salvadorian crown silenced following 3rd US goal.
• Shea immediately creates opportunity finding Johnson inside the box.
• Johnson whiffs on a beautiful cross , while being completely unmarked.
• Knocking on the door - Donovan mis-hits a clear goal scoring opportunity.
• Rain begins to come down steady at 72 minute mark.
• Orasco is final sub for US
• Great flick on by Johnson to Donavan who goes around keeper to put the 4th US goal in (78).
• El Salvadorian fan heading for the exits.
• US keeps applying pressure until the final whistle.
• Good depth on US squad leads to the Red, White, and Blue outplaying El Salvador.
• Fight breaks out in stands as trash comes raining down, meanwhile Mix heads in another goal for good measure (5-1).

USMNT Demonsrate Bipolar playing style during this Gold Cup

Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated or irritable mood (mania), alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.

With the win in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup at RFK on Fathers Day the U.S. Men's National Team beat the strongest competition it has faced so far this tournament in Jamaica. The 2-0 win was a decisive one with the USMNT dominating the Reggae Boys and controlling the tempo from start to finish. This win came without star player Landon Donovan starting due to his early morning return to the national team after attending a family function.

What was evident after the game during the press conference and player interviews was that the USMNT and Head Coach Bob Bradley had a huge weight lifted from their shoulders. Bradley was even joking around with the press regarding being second-guessed saying: "I never get second-guessed" which was obviously tongue-in-cheek.

The truth of the matter is the U.S. have looked very sporadic throughout this years Gold Cup tournament, at certain points downright bipolar. Looking to recapture the Gold Cup trophy the Yanks lost to Mexico in 2009 this U.S. squad led by Bradley was set up with what seemed to be a somewhat easy group stage. Drawn into Group C with Panama, Canada, and Guadeloupe the U.S. where favored to win their group but an uninspired performance against Panama ended in the first ever loss for the Stars and Stripes in Gold Cup group play. After the loss many of the players displayed obvious signs of fatigue or listlessness and loss of self-esteem, all part of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder.

Immediately after the embarrassing loss questions started like a brush fire on Twitter and throughout the Internet as to whether or not Bob Bradley would ever be able to get the most from a U.S. squad that contained multiple players in the starting roster currently on top level European clubs. Bradleys' crew did not disappoint against Jamaica in the following match, the winner of which would advance to the semifinals. After controlling the entire game the players, head coach, and even fans where experiencing the manic half of bipolar disorder- inflated self-esteem and noticeably elevated mood.

If only this team loaded with more talent than any other USMNT before it could find some sort of identity, preferably a consistent one. Look at any of the top international squads in the world and you can easily pinpoint the team "identity". Germany plays a methodically efficient style while Brazil is well known for their beautiful free flowing style simply called  "The Brazilian Way". Maybe the USMNT style of play should be referred to as the Bipolar method at least until this team finds a style of its own, hopefully a winning one that brings back the trophy crowning the best team in CONCACAF.

USMNT Gold Cup Stats and History

With the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup just around the corner, we wanted to bring our readers some interesting stats regarding the USMNT and their history in Gold Cup play.

• The CONCACAF Gold Cup has been played ten times since 1991.
• The USMNT have won the Gold Cup four times:
• 1991
• 2002
• 2005
• 2007
• Thre USMNT players have been named MVP of the Gold Cup Tournament:
• Tony Meola '91
• Kasey Keller '98
• Brian McBride '02
• Three USMNT players have won the Golden Boot Award
• Eric Wynalda '96 (4 goals)
• Brian McBride '02 (4 goals)
• DaMarcus Beasley '05 (3 goals)
• The USMNT has won the Fair Play Award twice
• 2003
• 2009
• Fourty-Three different USMNT players have scored goals in Gold Cup action
• The top three scorers in Gold Cup action for the USMNT are:
• L. Donovan (12)
• E. Wynalda (9)
• D. Beasley (6)

Style over Structure: A comparison of Brazil and US Soccer Philosophy

VS

The future success of US Soccer must start at the bottom. American players are missing the intangibles: creativity, desire, and confidence. All of these are set in motion at an early age and not instilled via coaching at the top level.

The Brazilian National team is always considered one of the top teams in international soccer competitions and have been for quite some time. The Brazilians have won 5 World Cup competitions in 19 appearances (the only team to play in every World Cup). The Brazilian team has produced numerous international stars including the best to ever play futbol, Pele. From current national team members Robinho and Kaka to up and coming superstar Neymar, there is never a lack of talent being produced by Brazil.

In Brazil the focus is not on coaching but rather playing the “beautiful game”. Style, skill, and passion are encouraged and expressed by the national players from Brazil with much less emphasis on structure and power. In comparison the US Soccer program has continued to fail in its goal to produce a competitive international soccer squad due to its dependence on the model American athlete. Most sports that youth in America participate in require size, strength, and power the desired attributes of an “athlete”. However, as Brazil continues to demonstrate, this may not be the correct area of focus when it comes to building a winning soccer team and successful coaching philosophy.

In their youth Brazilian children can be seen with a ball at their feet no matter what the field conditions are, constantly playing the ‘beautiful game’. This open play is the key to developing creativity and skill without any coaching whatsoever. Compare this scenario to that of a suburban soccer complex in America: turf fields, top of the line equipment, and multiple coaches (and unfortunately parents) dissecting and interjecting at the first sight of a players’ “mistake”. We focus our coaching on technical, tactical, psychological and of course physical skills. Not mentioned is creativity, passion, or individuality.

If US Soccer where to study successful international teams from around the globe and attempt to blend their winning formulas for developing talented players and competitive teams they may have a better chance at success.

The true measure of success for a national soccer team is measured in wins and not corporate sponsorship money or T.V. coverage/revenue. For the game of soccer to finally take hold of the American audience the team must first WIN. Face it, Americans love WINNERS. Remember back not long ago to the 2010 World Cup and the attention our country paid to the results of the US Soccer team and captain Landon Donovan when they were playing well and advancing in the tournament.



Then remember how quickly that attention faded once the team was eliminated.



In Brazil where the love of futbol is introduced along with a bottle at birth the success of the national team unites an entire country. In the US the sport of soccer is an afterthought to many. With an open mind and willingness to change philosophy, the US Soccer program would have the opportunity to embrace the youth of America with a sport that is not only the most popular sport in the world but is also accessible to any race, religion, color, gender, and class.

Americans are innately independent soles. This is why democracy and capitalism are encouraged and defended in our country. Start with our youth and encourage them to develop their independent spirit through the beautiful game and we may soon see the results on display during the most widely viewed sporting event in the world. And who knows, with a little help from FIFA that might even be on US soil as soon as 2018 or 2022.

Where are they now? Big Names in Virginia Soccer History - Claudio Reyna

Many U.S. and University of Virginia soccer fans remember former US National team, New York Red Bull, and UVA player Claudio Reyna.

Back before Landon Donovan was the biggest name in US soccer, Claudio Reyna was widely considered one of the greatest players from the United States. Reyna played on three U.S. world cup squads in 1998, 2002, and 2006 as well as two Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996.

While on the men’s soccer team at the University of Virginia from 1991-1994 Reyna played for head coach Bruce Arena, who of course went on to coach the men’s national team. They combined to win three national championships at UVA.

After his amazing college career Reyna went to Europe and played for Bayer Leverkusen, Rangers, Sunderland, and Manchester City before returning in 2007 to join MLS side New York Red Bulls.
Currently Claudio Reyna is busy running the Claudio Reyna Foundation whose mission statement is “to Invest, Instill, and Inspire underprivileged youth in urban communities by providing positive experiences through Education, Community Involvement, and Soccer that grow healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. He was also named US Youth Soccer Technical Director by USSF in April 2010. Reyna is married, has three sons and one daughter, and now lives in Bedford, N.Y.