Brazil/Portugal Recap and USA/Mexico preview

I'm Baaaaaack!
For those of you who are switch-overs from the old "Weknowfooty" blog, there's no need to fear, Sambo is here. I know that I haven't posted anything in a while, but there is no need to worry; I wasn't going to subject you to too much Stephen (scary thought). Now that I have the intro out of the way, ON TO THE FOOTY!
Yesterday marked the Colonial Power vs the Colony, and the Colonial power once again BITCH-slapped the colony. Brazil got it handed to them and played like crap. I don't know where Dunga's head is, but that was clearly one of the worst Brazilian sides that I have seen play in a long time (since the world cup...) They performed okay in the 1st half, but once Simao came onto the pitch for Cristiano Ronaldo (so-so performance himself) the game was over. He put a beautiful finish past Helton, the Brazilian keeper, and Brazil had their heart ripped out. Aside from a Ricardo Carvalho Wunderstrike, Portugal had put the game away. I like the direction that Portugal is going in for the Euro 2008 tournament. However, I don't like the path that Brazil is taking towards the 07 Copa America and when that tournament roles around, they will probably suffer one or two embarrassing results (including a loss to either ECUADOR OR THE UNITED STATES, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST). Speaking of the United states:
The rivalry continues tonight, (no not UNC v. Duke or UGA v. UF for all you NCAA basketball nuts out there like myself) but USA takes on Mexico at the new University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale Arizona. The fan turnout is projected to be very pro-Mexican and that bothers me. I know this game is close to the border, but come on guys, it's still on our soil. We need to support our boys, but regardless of fan support (or lack thereof), I like the boys in red, white, and blue to win this game 3 goals to 1 with goals from Dempsey, Johnson, and Ricardo Clark for the Americans and a goal from Cuautemoc Blanco who makes his long awaited Mexican return after being exiled by former Coach Ricardo Lavolpe. Lavolpe, an Argentinian, had no idea how much Blanco meant to the Mexican team and Mexican people. It is great to see him back in the lineup, as he can change a game on the drop of a hat. But enough of this mexican love fest, back to the issue at hand. Despite the fact that the USA will pick up the win tonight, I am a little concerned that Bob Bradley left out what I think are three key ingredients to the progression of US soccer for years to come in Beasley, Onyewu, and Adu. I know some people think Freddy isn't ready (nice rhyme), but we need to put him in big game environments like this so he can get experience. The Beasley and Onyewu omissions are what blow my mind. How can you leave out one of the best, young center-halves in the world, especially after he just signed with Newcastle. And Beasley is just now cracking his way into the starting lineup at the City of Manchester Stadium for Stuart Pierce's Man City. Beasley has always played his best against Mexico, and who can forget the Onyewu/Jared Borgetti staredown of the last time these two teams met (when USA won to win CONCACAF and qualied for the World cup before mexico). It's nice to see some new blood in the lineup, but come on Bob Bradley. You left out 2 of our best players and 1 that COULD become one of the best ever to suit up for the red, white, and blue. Again, I look forward to a great match, and the USA wins 3-1.