Six more teams were knocked out of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals over the past week, but only four players are making their return to MLS clubs slated for starting their US Open Cup campaigns Tuesday. Five remain with the United States and Mexico for Saturday’s Final at the Rose Bowl.
The US eliminated Jamaica 2-0 in the Quarterfinals Sunday evening, sending goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts back to the LA Galaxy and Dane Richards to the New York Red Bulls. The two clubs are set for derbies versus local USL Pro clubs in the Third Round. Ricketts made eight saves in the loss, but allowed his first two goals of the tournament after recording three clean sheets in group play. Richards finished with two assists.
Eliminated via penalties, 4-2, after a 1-1 draw with Honduras Saturday, Costa Rica’s Alvaro Saborio may be looking for redemption in Real Salt Lake’s first Open Cup appearance since 2006. Tied 1-1, Saborio had a chance to win the match for the Ticos in the 76th minute with a penalty kick but struck the attempt poorly, allowing the netminder to make the stop. Trailing 2-1 after the first two rounds of the shootout, Saborio’s effort rang off the crossbar, dooming Costa Rica to the eventual elimination.
The Hondurans, and Sporting Kansas City's Roger Espinoza, would fall 2-0 Wednesday in overtime by Mexico. Espinoza had a chance to provide the winner in the 90th minute on a long-range effort only to see the keeper make a diving stop.
Still in the tournament are the Red Bulls’ Rafael Marquez with Mexico and the US foursome of the Columbus Crew’s Robbie Rogers, LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and the New York duo of Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo.
With a trio of Red Bulls set to play in the Final Saturday, the club will likely rest all three come Tuesday’s Open Cup contest.
For the initial report on the Overlap Affect of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on the US Open Cup, as well as the list of the players on international duty, view it here at TheCup.us.
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