Last night in Houston, two incredibly intense games weren’t decided easily. However, the late goals of both the USA and Mexico brought both of them to the final game of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. This is the fifth time and third in a row these two have met in the final. Despite Mexico’s fascinating start to the tournament, they’ve become a bit shaky late on in the tournament. The United States has been playing better than they did in the group stage. History favors Mexico who have defeated USA three times in the final and only lost once. Will Mexico be able to hold on and maintain their form for one last game, or will the USA finally find rhythm and upset the reigning champions? We’ll all find out on Saturday, 25 June!

The first semi-final saw USA take on the team that defeated them in the Group Stage, Panama. Panama was on a lucky streak, and thanks to two very late goals in the last two games, they made it to semi-finals successfully. The game started with the USA keeping much of possession. Panama had very few attempts on goal, but the USA wasn’t getting all kinds of shots off either. Half-time, and there’s no score. After the break, Landon Donovan, the current goal co-leader checks in ready to make something happen. Not long after, Freddy Adu, the almost invisible American player who started to make a name for American soccer some eight years ago comes into the game. These two players would set up the goal that ultimately send the USA to the final. In the 76th minute, Adu gets the ball about midfield. He launches a lead pass down the right wing to the foot of Donovan in stride. Donovan’s got room so drives the ball low to the far post. Dempsey gets around the Panamanian defender to tap it in for the goal. Despite the quality efforts of Panama, and the outstanding speed of their young midfielder Quintero, Panama could not equal the score. The hosts are into the final of the Gold Cup.

One hour later, Mexico and Honduras walk out onto the pitch. It’s more of the same story, no goals and little action in the first half. Despite Mexico having most of possession, Honduras had many great chances, and weren’t short of times that could have given them the lead. So despite excellent attempts on goal, the game went to extra time. Three minutes into the extra-time, and Jesus Aldo de Nigris heads in his fourth goal of the tournament that puts Mexico in front. Aldo de Nigris has been coming in as a substitute for many games in the tournament, but he always seems to find a way to score, and is Mexico’s second best scorer in the tournament. The player he’s behind would add one more to his tally in the 99th minute. From a corner, Javier Hernandez sneaks in behind the defenders and hides around the far post. The ball goes through everyone, to the awaiting hip of Hernandez, who taps it in to give Mexico a 2-0 lead. For all of the game, everyone could see Hernandez’s frustration, but he was all smiles and cheers after his goal. Honduras’ frustration just increased, and midfielder Roger Espinoza earned two yellows and red in only extra-time. Honduras can’t find any goals, and Mexico are going to the final.

The USA and Mexico have won this tournament a combined 12 times, with Mexico doubling the American’s four titles. The last time a team other than these two won the tournament was in 2000, when Canada defeated Colombia in the final. There isn’t any doubt that these are the current two best teams in the CONCACAF region. The fury of the El Tri and the strength of the Stars and Stripes. It really is a “Famous Final”, and it isn’t just for bragging rights. The winner will earn a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. “It’ll be a special game between what I think are the two best teams in this Gold Cup,” said Mexican captain Rafael Marquez. Saturday, 25 June, 2011 is the date of the final. Only a few short days before the final that we’ve all been eagerly awaiting.