US “B” Team Opens Gold Cup against Grenada

The US hopes to pick up where it left off after a thrilling run in the Confederations Cup when it faces off against Grenada at Seattle’s QWest Field in the 2009 Gold Cup. Players like Freddy Adu, Kenny Cooper, Robbie Rogers, and Charlie Davies are looking forward to impress Coach Bob Bradley to prove they belong in the 23 man squad heading to South Africa for next summer’s World Cup. 

Freddy's Big Chance?

The US rose to 12th in the FIFA rankings after upsetting previously number one ranked Spain and taking Brazil, Spain’s successor as top dog to the brink in a tight game. The Gold Cup represents an opportunity to maintain the momentum gained during the Confederations Cup and build on the global perception of the US as a respectable side. Mexico will be the team with the best chance of taking the Gold Cup away from the Americans but Honduras is a solid dark horse choice.

On the flip side, the US doesn’t stand to gain much from this competition outside finding players that step up for next summer’s World Cup. A bad performance will result in falling back in prestige and be an excuse for the Bob Bradley haters to regroup and call for as yet unnamed coach from abroad to take over.

Neither result should be that meaningful. This competition should be looked upon as a pleasant summer’s entertainment for those soccer/sports fans waiting for the kickoff of European leagues and the NFL.  I’m hoping Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore put on a show like they did in the Under 20 World Cup a couple of years ago when they beat Brazil and nearly made it to the finals. That would give Bob Bradley a lot more confidence in the depth of his squad with critical World Cup qualifiers on deck for August.

Visit the official site of US Soccer for more information on the Gold Cup at:

The Official Site of U.S. Soccer – Mens National Team.

Robert Woodard is the author of Black People Don’t Play Soccer?: Unlocking American Soccer’s Secret Weapon, a visionary look at the future of American soccer. BPDPS is a compelling analysis of African-Americans and soccer with the bonus of historical accounts of soccer’s development in the US and an encyclopedia of players of African descent around the world. Take a look inside the book at www.blackpeopledontplaysoccer.com

~ by zrwoodard on July 4, 2009.