The Future of US Soccer Rests with the Gold Cup Final

It's been a weird time for the US Soccer team since their World Cup appearance last year. The friendlies this year have given us two draws and two loses with one of them coming at the hands of the World Cup Champions, Spain, 4-0. But the US team is now not playing in friendlies but the Gold Cup tournament. They got by the group stage, despite one loss, and later beat Jamaica on Sunday, 2-0. Then yesterday they faced Panama, who was responsible for that one loss, and beat them 1-0 thanks to a Clint Dempsey goal in the 77th minute with some help from Landon Donovan. The US now is in the Gold Final and should do fine as long as they don't face... AH DAMN IT, IT'S MEXICO!!!

Now could the US win this match? Sure they could. It's not like facing Spain again. But Mexico is still pretty strong especially with Chicharito who has been getting better thanks to some time in the EPL playing as a starter for Man U. The point is that it will not be easy.

What makes this more interesting is that the fate of the head coach of the US Soccer team, Bob Bradley, could be at stake. While he has certainly met expectations to get to the Gold Cup Final, it may not be enough. If the team loses the match, there will be pressure to have him fired and replaced before the 2014 World Cup comes around again. Bob Bradley will have to win to make sure he has a job with the National Team.

Whatever the implications, it will be a fine match to watch. The Border Rivalry for the Gold Cup with be played Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

P.S. Also, don't forget to watch the Women's World Cup starting this weekend and be sure to root for the US Women's Soccer Team. You know, the team that has actually won World Cups.