CONCACAF Gold Cup: US, Mexico ride collission course

In this neck of the soccer woods, the tallest tree has always been Mexico, with the United States showing some impressive growth over the last decade. The two countries should prove their standing once again in the coming weeks when the 12-nation CONCACAF Gold Cup is played in six U.S. cities, including Los Angeles.

Mexico is the defending champion and the favorite. The U.S. is at home, which levels the field a little more. Barring upsets, the Americans and Mexicans should meet in the July 24 final at Giants Stadium. Ten teams stand in their way - eight of their neighbors from the North and Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region and two guests, Colombia and South Africa.

The tournament, played about every two years, offers different challenges to different teams. For Panama, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago, it offers the chance to find out how to salvage their rapidly sinking World Cup hopes. All three countries are in danger of not reaching Germany '06 and need to rediscover a way to win before qualifying resumes in August. Most of South Africa's top players turned down the chance to play in the Gold Cup, however.

Mexico, which plays South Africa, Guatemala and Jamaica in the first round, comes into the Gold Cup riding higher than ever. Admittedly, its 20-game unbeaten streak was ended at the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany, but Argentine-born Coach Ricardo Lavolpe's squad finished a more-than-respectable fourth, surprising many with its stylish and resourceful play.

Along the way, Mexico, ranked sixth in the world, defeated eventual champion and World Cup holder Brazil, 1-0, and Asian champion Japan, 2-1, and tied European champion Greece, 0-0. Mexico tied Argentina, 1-1, in the semifinals but was ousted on penalty kicks after extra time. Finally, it lost, 4-3, in extra time to Germany in the third-place match.

No such worries surround the U.S., which is ranked 10th in the world. Coach Bruce Arena has selected a strong team, evidence of his desire to win the tournament and to serve notice to Mexico that it is not the only tree in the forest. Like Lavolpe, Arena is without some top players, the most notable being striker Brian McBride and defender Carlos Bocanegra, both of whom will play for Fulham of the English Premier League when it takes on an MLS All-Star team July 30 at Columbus, Ohio.

More interest, however, concerns those who are on the roster. The Gold Cup offers the opportunity for as many as 11 American 'bubble' players to show that they should be in Arena's plans for Germany '06.The list includes goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Arena said he wants to see Hahnemann play at least one game in the tournament. Kasey Keller should start the rest. Then there are defenders Jimmy Conrad, Oguchi Onyewu, Tony Sanneh and Greg Vanney, as well as midfielders Chris Armas, Brad Davis, Clint Dempsey and Ben Olsen, and forwards Conor Casey and Pat Noonan.

Sports Betting Game Odds from: BODOG

2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Matchups:

Mexico -200

vs South Africa +500

Jamaica +120

vs Guatemala +179

Prediction: South Africa will upset Mexico, 2-1 while Jamaica will beat Guatemala, 2-0.

for more 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Tips, Odds, Picks, Lines and Predictions, click here: European Soccer Betting

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