Today, 7:45 Central (on GolTV and Telefutura): USA v. Argentina.

Argentina is taking the Copa America very, very seriously, having brought all its guns, young and old, to win this tournament. I would not be surprised if they try to make an example of the young U.S. team -- which, again, is not the same group that won the Gold Cup. No Lando, Beasley, Dempsey, Howard, etc. I expect the Argentines to come full force from the starting whistle, to "shock and awe" the Americans right off the bat.

But, as I said below: young, fast legs can be a handful in international futbol, particularly if the U.S. survives the first ten minutes without conceding a goal.

I'll be watching at my favorite Dallas soccer bar: Trinity Hall.

FF

Brazil v. Mexico, Copa America: Cripes! Mexico just went up 2-0 on Brazil! A very nice direct kick goal from Morales.

OLE OLE OLE!

FF

Brazil v. Mexico, Copa America: Nery Castillo just scored a beautiful, beautiful goal. This guy is a world class player.

I'm actually rooting for Mexico. The better CONCACAF teams do outside the region, the better it is for the U.S.

FF

I was absolutely delighted with today's 2-1 Gold Cup victory. Assorted thoughts good and bad:

1. Ricardo Clark impressed me enormously. His insertion into the game changed the complexion of the game noticeably. He's quick, athletic, and has good ball skills. I'd like to see him start routinely. I'm glad he's going to Copa America.

2. Tim Howard played exceptionally well. Almost as good as Oswaldo Sanchez, who kept Mexico in the game from bell to bell.

3. I can't remember a more impressive USMNT goal than Feilhaber's. Ever.

4. Why does Twellman play for the USMNT? What does he add?

5. Gooch is a yellow card waiting to happen, and he's not effective against speedier, craftier forwards. I don't know whether they're mental or physical, but he's got problems. I don't care how imposing he looks -- this guy is not the future of the USMNT defense.

6. Why is our finishing so poor? We create chances, then fizzle.

7. After this, Copa America will be a big letdown. Essentially, we're sending our B team, against serious competition. The conventional wisdom is that we're going to get slaughtered, and to be perfectly honest, that's a possibility. But I also think the U.S. plays better as the underdog, like against Portugal in 2002 and Italy in 2006. Bradley's sending a young, fast team; pace and youth mean a lot in international tournaments. We're not going to win the Copa America, but I think we'll see some very tough, competitive play from the USMNT.

FF

US 2, Mexico 1!

An excellent game. Howard had a brilliant save late to preserve the U.S. lead. The game should have ended 3-1, because Beasley missed a sitter late on a cross from Donovan.

Bring on the Confederations Cup!

FF

Ok. I'm back, because BENNY FEILHABER JUST HIT AN ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VOLLEY-GOAL to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead. Wow.

The U.S. came out super-aggressive in the second half, and also subbed in Ricardo Clark, who played great. We equalized on a penalty (foul on Ching, Donovan scored) and then Feilhaber scored the USMNT goal of the year.

FF

I'm not going to blog the second half. Blogging while angry is no fun.

Before the half: Guardado slips it through to Castillo breaking away. Castillo misses wide -- Howard positioned himself perfectly. It was as good as a save; that was the best chance of the match. Castillo on a weaving run beats Gooch, then crosses to Guardado, who blasts it in. GOAL MEXICO.

Fourth ten: Mexico corner -- Howard punches it out. Pablo picks up a yellow a minute or so later. Borgetti turned his ankle running at Bocanegra. Borgetti is subbed out for Bravo. U.S. makes Sanchez make a nice save off a Dempsey shot.

Third ten: First Mexico corner. Marquez header punched over by Howard. Another corner resulted in a Marquez header over the bar -- the marking on Marquez was not good. Feilhaber pushed forward, passed to Bornstein, who got off a nice thirty-yard shot that hit the left side of the net. A foul on Castillo results in a free kick ten yards off the US box: a deflection leads to a corner. Castillo is fast and dangerous.

Second ten: Great move by Dempsey in the right corner -- he split two Mexicans, but no one was there to capitalize on his cross. Mexico stays aggressive, but U.S. is reacting better. A Donovan cross off a breakaway (where he beat Marquez) was a great chance that the U.S. could not convert. An even ten minutes.

First 10: Mexico comes out fast and aggressive. Mexico is pressing the Americans on every ball. It will be interesting to see if El Tri can keep up this pace; I've never seen them play this fast. But the first ten minutes definitely favored Mexico -- and Bocanegra picked up a yellow.

US-Mexico: Blogging the Gold Cup Final, in ten minute increments.

FF

Canada played well and gave the U.S. a real scare before bowing out 2-1. The last-second disallowed goal looked to be onside, with Canada a victim of poor officiating. But the U.S. has been victimized many times itself (see U.S. v. Ghana, Gooch penalty), so I have no sympathy for our northern friends. It also appeared that the goal occurred after the 4 designated mins of penalty time had elapsed.

In any event, Sunday is the big day: U.S. v. Mexico in the Gold Cup final. We've owned Mexico on U.S. soil over the past ten years, so...I will not jinx things by predicting victory. It will be an intense match, to say the least: not only is the CONACAF championship at stake, but so, allegedly, is Hugo Sanchez's job.

FF