Football Dispatch

Summer Football
22 June 2007
The United States and Mexico will contest the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final on Sunday, 24 June at Soldier Field in Chicago. The decisive match will bring together the two most successful clubs in the history of North America's premiere international competition. The Americans will be hoping to secure a second consecutive title after defeating Panama on penalties in 2005 while Mexico are looking for a record 5th championship.

The United States held on to defeat Canada in Thursday's first semi-final. Ian Hume's 76th-minute strike pulled the Canadians to within a goal as the Americans were bombarded throughout the final quarter of the match. But Landon Donovan's successful penalty attempt at the stroke of half-time proved the match-winner -- Canadian goalkeeper Pat Onstad having tripped the Los Angeles Galaxy forward in the area. Just six minutes prior, Columbus Crew defender Frankie Hejduk opened the scoring with a superb drive from just outside the 18-yard box.

Mexico's berth in Sunday's final came by virtue of a narrow 1-0 win over Guadeloupe. Pavel Pardo's 70th-minute tally was the only goal of the game -- a brilliant, curling effort from 30-yards out. Still, the odds seem stacked against Mexico. They have not defeated the Americans in the United States in seven years. Both nations have also been invited to participate in July's Copa America.

There is further skepticism surrounding Liverpool's ability to improve their squad, this morning, after Rafael Benitez was rebuffed on two fronts. Firstly, his highly-anticipated swoop for Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres has hit the rocks. Atletico is holding-out for at least 27M-pounds for the 23-year-old Spain international. Liverpool, meanwhile, are proposing a swap deal involving Luis Garcia and approximately 18M-pounds. Their inability to meet Atletico's demands is re-enforcing speculation that new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are not prepared to finance significant transactions in the off-season. Secondly, Benitez has failed to secure 21-year-old Valencia forward David Silva. Valued at 12M-pounds, Silva has signed a 6-year extension at the Mestalla.

It appears as though Benitez' most significant signing will be West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun. The 27-year-old is desperate to leave Upton Park; and Liverpool have increased their offer from 3M-pounds to 4.5M. Craig Bellamny could also be included as part of a package for the Israel international.

On the flip-side of the money-tree, new Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is prepared to spend upwards of 50M-pounds in order to improve the squad at Eastlands. And he is hoping that improvements will come immediately. "I'm dreaming of a trophy in my first season here," he remarked, yesterday. He continued to glow over City's marketing possibilities in Asia, stating that he would make the club "as big as Manchester United and Liverpool." Shinawatra paid 81.6M-pounds for a 55.9% stake in the club.

AS Roma have signed Bayer Leverkusen defender Juan. As part of the package, Roma will visit the BayArena for a friendly on 29 July. The Serie-A giants paid 6.3M-euros for the 28-year-old Brazilian international and immediately signed him to a 4-year contract. Juan played five seasons at Leverkusen following a transfer from Brazilian club Flamengo in 2002.

Ze Roberto is returning to the Bundesliga. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder ended a four-year stint at Bayern Munich last summer to play for Santos. But after just twelve appearances for the Brazilian club, he has signed-on for a further two seasons at Bayern. The Brazil international has also played for Bayer Leverkusen, Flamengo, and Real Madrid.