Mexico’s Gold Cup triumph will not be complete without a victory over the US in an October playoff for a 2017 Confederations Cup berth, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera says.
And US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose players settled for a fourth-place showing in their Gold Cup defense, knows that a major goal remains within reach, despite a humbling loss to Jamaica and penalty shoot-out defeat by Panama in the Gold Cup.
The archrivals will meet on Oct. 9 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to see whether the 2013 or 2015 Gold Cup winner represents the North American region at the eight-team World Cup warm-up event in Russia.
“We’ve got to get ready for that game the best we can,” Herrera said. “It’s not mission accomplished because we still have one more game. We want to go to the Confederations Cup. We know the United States is going to very determined. There was a great satisfaction in getting our goal at this tournament. Now we must go on to the Confederations Cup.”
While the US squad has the home soil edge, typical crowds at the 90,000-seat venue for US-Mexico clashes have shown stronger support for Mexico. And El Tricolores own a 33-18 with 14 draws edge in the all-time rivalry.
“The US, we have the obligation to look carefully. It’s going to be a very difficult game,” Herrera said. “We have to go for the October match. We can’t just be nice and quiet. It’s a very important match. And in November, we start World Cup qualifying.”
The US already have friendlies set for September against Brazil and Peru.
“It’s clear we’re looking toward September and those two friendly games to build things in order to be prepared for the playoff in October,” Klinsmann said.
The US would have clinched the spot in Russia in 2017 has they repeated as Gold Cup champions.
“We didn’t use that opportunity to finish things off in this tournament so we have to finish it off in October. If there’s a rise in expectations, that’s totally cool,” Klinsmann said. “There’s constant expectation, constant pressure for everybody. That’s just normal. It’s part of our job.”
Mexico won the Confederations Cup on home soil in 1999. The US team lost 3-2 to Brazil in the 2009 final in South Africa. In 2013, Mexico lost to Italy and Brazil in the group stage then beat Japan in a matchup of already-eliminated squads.
Herrera likely will count upon captain Andres Guardado, who netted six goals in the Gold Cup and earned Golden Ball honors, and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who was injured in a friendly and missed the Gold Cup.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely