US Defeats Mexico to win 2007 Gold Cup

The latest installment of CONCACAF’s biggest rivalry saw the United States defeat 2-1 in the Gold Cup final in Chicago. It was Mexico that struck blood first thanks to a goal by Jose Andres Guardado in the 44th minute. It was the first time in 797 minutes on US soil that Mexico scored.

The US got the equalizer in the 62nd minute when Landon Donovan converted a penalty after Brian Ching was knocked down in the box. The goal was Donovan’s 34th in a US uniform, tying him with Eric Wynalda for the country’s all-time lead.

It was a player who rarely hits the net for the US who scored the game winner, however. Benny Feilhaber delivered a huge volley (Update: video below) into the top corner in the 72nd minute to help to the US win its second consecutive Gold Cup and its fourth overall. The US has won nine of its past 12 matches against Mexico. The win also improves the States’ record under coach Bob Bradley to 10-0-1 since he took over for Bruce Arena.

That record surely will have some more blemishes once the US plays in the Copa America. With a team made up of largely inexperienced players, the kind that make you ask, who’s that?, the US will face an Argentina side that is dripping with talent, a Colombia team that is dangerous and a Paraguay side that has many of the same players from its 2006 World Cup team.