With the news that Atlanta will host the semifinals of the Gold Cup this summer, the possibility that the men’s national soccer teams for the U.S. and Mexico could play in the Georgia Dome is established.
But what is the probability that the two powers in the CONCACAF region will advance that far, giving soccer fans in metro Atlanta and red, white, blue and/or green treat?
The path for the U.S., the tournament’s defending champ and which hasn’t played in metro Atlanta since 1977, is much more difficult than Mexico’s, which should advance.
The U.S. was put into a group that includes (likely) Honduras, Haiti and Panama, which aren’t pushovers even though the games will be played in the U.S. Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and company will open against either Honduras or French Guiana on July 7 in Frisco, Texas. The U.S. is 14-4-4 against Honduras, drawing 1-1 in their last meeting in Florida. The U.S. has never played French Guiana.
The U.S., ranked No. 32 in FIFA’s world rankings, will play Haiti, ranked No. 77, three days later on July 10 in Foxborough, Mass. The U.S. is 5-6-5 against Haiti and is 1-0-2 in their last three meeting.
The U.S. will finish the group stage three days later against No. 61 Panama in Kansas City. The U.S. is 10-1-2 against Panama in the Gold Cup.
Should the U.S. finish first or second the group, it will advance to the quarterfinals in Baltimore. A third-place group finish would send the U.S. to East Rutherford, N.J.
While the group stage opponents aren’t highly ranked, the U.S. hasn’t been playing well since defeating Ghana in the opening game of last year’s World Cup.
It has one win in its past six and is playing a brand of soccer that is disjointed and unattractive. The defense has surrendered lead after lead and the offense only shows brief signs of being able to put purposeful passes together.
The good news for the U.S. it is is coming off a 2-0 win over Panama in a friendly played in early February.
The other good news is most of the U.S. players should be in form because the MLS, Mexico and German leagues, from which almost all of the players will likely come, will all be in full swing. The players should be game ready and should be in the proper condition.
MLS: Here's how MLS players with ties to the state did last week:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Started, made five saves and allowed two goals in team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: at Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: at Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Ricardo Clark (@RicoC13), Houston, M, Jonesboro
Started and played 90 minutes in 1-0 loss to Orlando on Friday.
Next game: at Los Angeles on Saturday.
Andy Craven (@andymcraven), Seattle, F, St. Simons
Craven signed with Sounders 2, Seattle’s USL team.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Started and played 90 minutes in team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: at Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Did not make the 18 for team’s 1-0 loss toVancouver. He is dealing with an infection in his right arm.
Next game: At San Jose on Sunday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 1-0 loss to Vancouver.
Next game: At San Jose on Sunday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Columbus, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 2-0 win over Toronto on Saturday.
Next game: at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
No game this week.
Next game: will host Alajuelense in the CCL on Wednesday and at New England on Saturday.
Kwadwo Poku, NYCFC, M/F, Silverbacks
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 2-0 win over New England on Sunday.
Next game: at Colorado on Saturday.
Andrew Wolverton (@a_wolvie), Los Angeles, G, Atlanta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-2 tie with Portland on Sunday.
Next game: at Houston on Saturday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-1 win over Sporting KC on Saturday.
Next game: at Philadelphia on Friday.
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