iNickStuffThe formation played by Mexico national head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre in their 4-2 win over the United States in the 2011 Gold Cup final, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on 25th June 2011.

Mexico coach De la Torre played a lop-sided 4-2-3-1 formation. Veteraned centre half Rafael Marquez partnered Hector Moreno in the centre of the defence whilst marauding full backs Carlos Salcido and Efrain Juarez attacked the flanks, both left and right. A moderately high line was deployed and the full backs were allowed to overlap the forward wingers in Andres Guardado and Pablo Barrera.

The midfield was also marshalled by two destroyers in Israel Castro and Gerardo Torrado, providing service in short passes into the front three, and breaking up opposition attacks that may be from the American midfield, which happened to be Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley and Alejandro Bedoya. This was maintained for the majority of the match, until the 70th - 75th minute where Mexico switched to a 4-4-2 / 4-4-1-1 formation, similar to the U.S.' starter formation at the beginning of the match.

The Mexican attack was in the shape of a '3-1'. Andres Guardado and Pablo Barrera played parallel to one-another whilst Giovani dos Santos played centre. Giovani moved into the channels of the final thirds, meanwhile Andres Guardado closed down the whole of the left flank, dropping back whilst Carlos Salcido attacked (or rather Torres Nilo as he substituted the Fulham defender early into the first half). Javier Hernandez, like Donovan, spearheaded the Mexican attack as the main centre forward, and help the ball up the field to bring others into play.

26.06.2011