After the spectacular performance at the Confederations Cup I think there were great expectations to the US team as they went into the Gold Cup - the nearest thing to a Concacaf regional trophy. And the US seemed on the way to fulfill these expectations as they were to face the arch-rivals from Mexico in the final of the Gold Cup in front of 80,000 spectators in New Jersey. After 0-0 at half-time Mexico was awarded a doubtful penalty kick that Gerardo Torredo scored on. After this, the otherwise solid US side fell apart, and Mexico humilliated the US 5-0, winning on US for the first time this century!
This fifth Gold Cup title is surely good for the Mexican's confidence as they struggle to qualify for the World Cup, while it is surely a huge disappointment to the US. However, I don't think this is necessarily bad for the US: as they have now been brought to the world's attention, they nevertheless need to keep their feet on the ground, and enter next year's world cup with some necessary humility, no matter how disappointing this match may have been. This was an extraordinary result, and I still think the US is a better team than Mexico overall.
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