Gold Cup update. U-21 European competition coming.

Well the U.S. men's national team performances recently have left much to be desired. After a 4-0 loss to European and World Champions Spain a couple weeks back, the U.S. has begun its push for the Gold Cup negatively: they lost 2-1 to, wait for it, Panama. Now, the U.S. by no stretch of the imagination should have done that! While it is true that the U.S. isn't perfect, this is a poor performance in all respects. It does have its good points though, because it has brought home the fact to the U.S. players and organization that they can no longer just throw out a team and make it on grit and spirit alone. These are admirable qualities but you need more. Hopefully, Coach Bob Bradley will realize this and turn things around. However, I don't want to take anything away from the Panamanian victory: they played well getting 2 goals in the first half and dug in to hold onto the lead. The Group C table thus stands with Panama at the top having beaten Guadeloupe and the U.S., the United States in second place having beaten Canada, the Canadians in third with a win over Guadeloupe, who themselves sit in fourth with two losses to their name. In other words, the U.S. should qualify for the next round, but they have to keep it together. Meanwhile, in the other groups: A is led by Mexico who won all three of their matches allowing only 1 goal and scoring 14. Costa Rica finished in second on goal difference with one of everything but 2 more goals than third place El Salvador who just broke even on goal difference. Fourth place was confidently held by Cuba who were three-and-out scoring 1 goal and allowing 16. Last but not least, in Group B, Jamaica look confident having won their first two matches and sit on top. Meanwhile, Honduras is in second with a win and a draw. Third place is held by Guatemala while Grenada are in fourth with a game to go and no wins to their name. Hopefully the tournament continues to be exciting!