GUADALAJARA, Mexico – There is a mood of cautious optimism in the Mexican press about El Tri's chances in Saturday’s Gold Cup final. There's also a healthy dose of respect for the US team.
Mexico legend Luis García, writing in Record, nicely sums up the general feeling in a piece praising the efforts of the Mexican squad so far in the Gold Cup. He then adds the caveat: “Today, without doubt, the national team will suffer facing the gallant Americans whose modus vivendi are dull and tight games.”
The same newspaper highlights Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley as the key players for the United States.
There is also a lot of talk about whether Andrés Guardado and Carlos Salcido will play any part in the game for Mexico. Raúl Guzmán reports in Record that Friday in the “closed” training session, Mexico were testing a lineup without the dangerous left-side pairing.
On Friday, it was widely reported that José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre has not tasted defeat as Mexico coach and has made the most successful start to the position in the history of the national team. A win against the US would be the first time a Mexico team has won the Gold Cup with a perfect record, points out mediotiempo.com.
All the newspapers add to de la Torre's view that this is a genuine clásico.
“The US and Mexico have sown a sporting enmity that is highlighted in the way players celebrate when in games between the two and the high tension before the games,” writes Luis Homero Echeverría in Cancha.
The cheekiest bit of hype before the game is on mediotiempo.com. An online boxing game entitled “Soccer Knockout” gives you, playing as Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, the chance to try to knock out a placid Landon Donovan.
