Join us Saturday evening at 8pm at Farmer’s Gastropub as we cheer on the USA in their match against Mexico. Farmer’s noted on their Facebook page today that they’ll have the grills going outside on Saturday with some special treats!

The 2011 Gold Cup final will take place on Saturday, June 25 at a sold-out Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Kickoff for the match is set for 8 p.m. CT, and the match can be seen live on FOX Soccer and Univision. FOX Soccer will also have a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. and Mexico shard the spoils during the past two Gold Cup finals, with the U.S. taking the 2007 final 2-1 while Mexico pulled away late in 2009 to defeat an inexperienced U.S. squad for a 5-0 victory. The U.S. will be seeking its fifth Gold Cup title and a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The U.S. Men’s National Team advanced to an unprecedented fourth straight CONCACAF Gold Cup final this evening displaying patience and poise in a 1-0 victory against Panama at Reliant Stadium. The U.S. will face Mexico for the third straight time in the final after the USA’s archrival defeated Honduras in the second semifinal.

In a defensive match against Panama that didn’t see many chances for either side, Clint Dempsey scored his third goal of the 2011 Gold Cup in the 76th minute after a great service from Landon Donovan set him up for a sliding finish from close range at the left post.

Join us Wednesday evening at Farmers Gastropub where we’ll be cheering on the USA squad as they look to gain revenge against Panama in the semifinal match. Kickoff for the match is at 6 p.m. CT can be seen live on FOX Soccer and Univision. FOX Soccer will also have a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT

Gold Cup USA-PANAMA, Semifinal (live) 6 pm on Fox Soccer Channel and Univision.
Gold Cup HONDURAS-MEXICO, Semifinal (live) 9 pm on Univision.
Gold Cup Final is Saturday at 7:30 pm, plan on joining us again!

The U.S. Men’s National Team put together its best performance in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Sunday with an impressive 2-0 victory against Jamaica at RFK Stadium to advance to the semifinals.

The U.S. dominated the match and created numerous chances, finally breaking through in the second half when Jermaine Jones’ one-timer from the top of the penalty area found the back on the net. After a red card to Jermaine Taylor, the U.S. used their man advantage to put the game away with an attractive passing sequence the led to a well-composed finish from close range by Clint Dempsey.

The U.S. will face Jamaica in the quarterfinals at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m. CT. The match can be seen live on FOX Soccer and Univision. FOX Soccer will also have a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT

You can also catch the U17 Team in the FIFA U17 World Cup in their opening Group game at 5:00 pm on ESPN2.

From Soccer America

As soon as the Gold Cup groups were announced, Jamaica looked a good bet to not only advance into the knockout phases but perhaps qualify for its first final.

It has done nothing to dispel that sentiment while reeling off three straight wins in group play while scoring seven goals and conceding none.

Quarterfinals
June 18 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Costa Rica vs. Honduras (#1 9), 5 pm ET (TeleFutura)
June 18 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Mexico vs. Guatemala (#20), 8 pm ET (Univision)
June 19 in Washington, D.C.
Jamaica vs. USA (#21), 3 pm ET (Fox Soccer, Univision)
June 19 in Washington, D.C.
Panama vs. El Salvador (#22), 6 pm ET (Univision)
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Semifinals
June 22 in Houston
Winner 19 vs. Winner 20 (#23), 7 pm ET (Fox Soccer, Univision)
June 22 in Houston
Winner 21 vs. Winner 22 (#24), 10 pm ET (Fox Soccer, Univision)
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Final
June 25 in Pasadena, Calif.
Winner 23 vs. Winner 24, 9 pm ET (Univision)

CHICAGO (June 9, 2011) – The 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup features 24 teams playing from June 18-July 10 in seven venues across Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Morelia, Monterrey, Pachuca, Queretaro and Torreon.

Wilmer Cabrera is the head coach and his 21-player roster arrived in Mexico a week ago for final preparations as they represent the United States at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

Cabrera’s team will kick off Group D on June 19 at 6 pm against the Czech Republic, a game that will be shown live on ESPNU and on tape delay on Galavision from Torreon. On June 22, the U.S. will face Uzbekistan at 3 pm, live on Galavision and delayed on ESPNU. The final group match against New Zealand on June 26 will be shown live on ESPNU and on tape delay on Galavision at 6 pm. In addition, every game will be shown live on ESPN3.

June 19, 2011 – U.S. Under-17 Men vs. Czech Republic – 5 p.m. on ESPNU/ESPN3 (live), Galavision (delay)
June 22, 2011 – U.S. Under-17 Men vs. Uzbekistan – 2 p.m. on Galavision/ESPN3 (live) ESPNU (delay)
June 25, 2011 – U.S. Under-17 Men vs. New Zealand – 5 p.m. on ESPNU/ESPN3 (live), Galavision (delay)

FIFA U17 World CUp in Mexico

The U.S. qualified for Mexico by winning the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in February. After winning two group games against Cuba and Panama, a thrilling overtime victory in the quarterfinal match against El Salvador sealed the Americans berth to the World Cup. Cabrera’s team went on to win its semifinal match against host Jamaica before a 3-0 overtime victory against Canada gave the United States the regional championship.

The U.S. roster features 18 players who took home the regional crown at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in February. There are two players from Region II, defender Zach Carroll from Vardar (MI) and midfielder Andrew Souders from Crew Soccer Academy (OH).

A WIN IS THE WAY TO RFK: After a successful start to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 win against Canada in Detroit, the U.S. was upset by Panama in the second match, setting up a Group C finale which has more significance than anyone in the U.S. camp had hoped. A win in the first all-time meeting with Guadeloupe sends the U.S. to RFK Stadium for a quarterfinal as either the first or second place team in the group.

Kickoff at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., is slated for 8 p.m. CT (tickets) and the match will be broadcast live on FOX Soccer, TeleFutura, CONCACAF.com and univision.com. Fans can follow the action with updates from ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer. In the first game of the night, Canada faces group leaders Panama with a 6 p.m. CT kickoff. The U.S. team will be paying close attention to the first match of the night, as the result dictates the possible scenarios for U.S. placement in the group.

SCENARIOS: While several scenarios exist, the bottom line is that a U.S. win in Kansas City, Kan., will clinch a top-two finish in the group and a berth to the quarterfinals in Washington, D.C. The U.S. has the advantage of playing the last game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage and will know exactly what is needed to advance. The best chance for the U.S. to win the group would be a Canada win against Panama by one or two goals; however, a 3-0 win for Canada also provides for scenarios in which the U.S. could advance. In terms of a quarterfinal opponent, if the U.S. finishes second in the group they will play either Honduras or Jamaica. A first-place finish would see the U.S. play the third place team from either Group A or B.

GAME TWO IN TAMPA: After a successful start to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 win against Canada in Detroit, the U.S. headed south to Tampa, Fla., to prepare to face Panama on Saturday, June 11, at Raymond James Stadium. Group C’s first-place position is up for grabs as Panama was 3-2 winners against Guadeloupe in Tuesday’s other match and currently sits in second place behind the U.S. on goal differential. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast live on FOX Soccer, TeleFutura, CONCACAF.com and univision.com.

A look back at the 2-0 win over Canada offers a lesson in the use of width and the opportunities for players who show the patience and willingness to handle the role the way it should be played. Check out Jozy is drifting, the Deuce is peaking

Speaking of Dempsey, Soccer America also noted Dempsey’s role is a vital decision for USA. I wish Bradley would figure this out!

Another player featured by Soccer America recently was Charles Goodson, with Goodson Fills Big Role In US Back Line

The Final US game will be played at LIVESTRONG Soccer Park in Kansas City on June 14 as the US faces Guadeloupe in a game that will start at 8 p.m. CT and be broadcast live on FOX Soccer / TeleFutura.

The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup opens Sunday June 5th with all games being played here in the US. LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will host a double-header that includes the US vs Guadeloupe as well as Canada vs Panama on Tuesday June 14th. Tickets can be purchased here.

You can follow Tournament results at the Gold Cup site, which included this preview of the US and the tournaments importance:

The United States enters the CONCACAF Gold Cup with some high expectations. It’s not a question of whether the Americans can reach the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on June 25. It’s whether they can win the tournament for the fifth time.This year’s championship has much more at stake — an opportunity to play at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The last time the Americans faced a similar situation, they won the 2007 Gold Cup in Chicago. Two years later, they used their appearance at the Confederations Cup as a dress rehearsal in South Africa. It helped the United States acquaint itself to the country, and aided as the team reached the second round of the 2010 World Cup.

“We certainly look at this Gold Cup as carrying that extra bit of importance,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

Here is the USA Schedule, again all games are on Fox Soccer Channel and included in my Calendar (sidebar)

Tuesday June 7, 7:00 pm – U.S. Men vs. Canada
Saturday June 11, 7:00 pm – U.S. Men vs. Panama
Tuesday June 14, 8:00 pm – U.S. Men vs. Guadeloupe

There are games being played in Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Chicago, New York and Washington DC this month with the Final scheduled for the Rose Bowl. Tickets can be purchased here.

Given the importance of the tournament, here is the roster for the US Team as well as an interview with Head Coach Bob Bradley on some of the choices made, including not adding Teal Bunbury of Sporting KC

In addition to the TV broadcast, the following games will be streamed live on CONCACAF TV:
June 7 – USA vs. Canada
June 11 – USA vs. Panama
June 14 – Guadeloupe vs. USA
June 19 – Quarterfinal match (Teams TBD)
June 22 – Semifinal match (Teams TBD)
June 25 – Final (Teams TBD)

You can also follow the tournament via Facebook or Twitter

The U.S. will take on 2010 FIFA World Cup champion Spain on June 4 in Foxborough, Mass. Kickoff against the current No.1-ranked team in the world is set for 3:30 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN. Head Coach Bob Bradley announced the team roster two weeks ago and the team has been training since.

In addition to the game against Spain, the team will compete in the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup that will begin on Sunday. The USA opens play on Tuesday against Canada. Look for that story on Sunday.

Sporting KC opens their stadium with a game against my favorite team, the Chicago Fire, next Wednesday. The game is being broadcast on ESPN2 if you won’t be there either (dang). The next game at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will be a CONCACAF Gold Cup game between the USA and Guadeloupe as well as a game between Canada vs Panama. Tickets still available.

CHICAGO (April 21, 2011) – The U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team are in Queretaro, Mexico, from April 22-May 2 for an international training camp that will include two friendlies against the Mexican U-17 Men’s National Team on April 27 and May 1. U.S. head coach Wilmer Cabrera leads a 24-player roster to Queretaro, one of seven venues for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

There are 17 players who were part of the U.S. team that won the CONCACAF U-17 Championship in February, including Alejandro Guido, Mario Rodriguez and Marc Pelosi, who each scored in the all-important quarterfinal victory against El Salvador that sealed the American’s place in the upcoming World Cup. Kellyn Acosta, who was also part of that championship run, is the lone player on the roster born in 1995, as a group of players born in 1995 is currently in Montaigu, France. Forward Jack McBean, a Home Grown player signee for the Los Angeles Galaxy, is the lone professional player on the roster and assisted on all three U.S. goals in the championship game against Canada.

This will be one of the final international trips for the young U.S. team before the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is set for June 18-July 10 in Mexico. The Americans will learn their World Cup schedule and opponents at the Official Draw, which is slated for Tuesday, May 17, in Mexico City.

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (March 29, 2011) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team opened its CONCACAF U-20 Championship campaign with a 4-0 win against Suriname at Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Four different U.S. players scored, with Conor Doyle leading the offense with a goal and two assists, Kelyn Rowe netted a goal and an assist and Bobby Wood and Joe Gyau each added a goal.

The U.S. took over first place in Group B with the three points, and will round out play in the three-team Group B against Panama on Saturday, April 2 at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET). That game will be televised live on ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.

You can catch a number of the games this week on ESPN3.com. Here’s the current list:

WEDNESDAY, March 30
Concacaf U-20 Championship GUADALOUPE-COSTA RICA (live) 8 pm.
Concacaf U-20 Championship TRINIDAD & TOBAGO-CUBA (live) 10 pm.

THURSDAY, March 31
Concacaf U-20 Championship PANAMA-SURINAME (live) 8 pm.
Concacaf U-20 Championship HONDURAS-JAMAICA (live) 10 pm.