De Nigris and 'Chicharito' rescue Tri
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jun 23, 2011
[MEXICO-HONDURAS] For the third straight time, Mexico will meet the USA in the final of the Gold Cup, advancing to Saturday's championship game at the Rose Bowl
with a 2-0 win over Honduras in overtime on goals by Aldo de Nigris and Javier Hernandez.
After breezing
through the group stage, Mexico has been now stretched by its next two opponents, first Guatemala in the quarterfinals and now Honduras in the semifinals.
The Catrachos held their ground
until Mexico scored off a pair of corner kicks -- first de Nigris met Pablo Barrera's ball in the 93rd minute and then he nodded Barrera's ball on to Hernandez
for the second goal six minutes later.
Paul Aguilar -- one of three players brought in as replacement players for those banned for doping
violations -- then had a chance to put the game away but hit the crossbar.
The game produced nine yellow cards and one red to Sporting Kansas City's Roger
Espinoza in the 115th minute.
June 22 in Houston
Mexico 2 Honduras 0. Goals: de Nigris 93,
J.Hernandez 99.
Mexico -- Talavera, Salcido (Nilo, 56), Moreno, Marquez, Juarez, Guardado (de Nigris, 53), Torrado, Castro, Barrera, dos Santos,
J.Hernandez.
Honduras -- Valladares, J.C. Garcia, Bernardez (Leveron, 46), Chavez, Sabillon, Portillo (Nunez, 61), Espinoza, Thomas, Mejia,
O.Garcia, Bengtson (Costly, 71).
Red Card: Honduras -- Espinoza 115.
Referee: Walter Lopez (Guatemala).
Att.: 70,627.
One other comment in addition to Ric's, on the match report, I thought Espinoza received a yellow not a red card during stoppage time?
Surprised again at the Bob Bradley critics. Believe most of these critics have little knowledge (outside of TV coverage) on the merits of each player.
Amazing how the only way to please most fans is by winning every game by large margins.
Perhaps Bob Bradley rested Donovan because he felt the US could win without him against Panama, and save Donovan for the final with Mexico in a few days!
Freddy Adu is not 22. As with almost every African immigrant player (and many other 3rd world countries), they all try to take advantage of the American system by lying about age. Being a year or two younger is most always an advantage in Sports and the education system.
Official "Birth Certificates" can be bought in these countries with any birth date you want for about $20.
@Amos, the thought did cross my mind that Landon Donovan has been held out to allow maximum rest for the very uphill climb against what may be one of Mexico's most talented squad's ever. He's gonna have to 'bring it' or the USMNT will be in dire straits.
If we lose track of the #9, which we have done in the past or #14 or #18 if he is healthy it will be a long night. But I think the US will somehow win.
Prediction 3-0 PR 4-1 win for Mexico.