Quarter-final coaches meet in Philadelphia

CONCACAF introduced the four head coaches whose national teams will meet this Saturday 18 July in Philadelphia in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final stage. Stephen Hart of Canada, Reinaldo Rueda of Honduras, Gary Stempel of Panama and Bob Bradley of USA were all on hand at Lincoln Financial Field to preview the Canada-Honduras and USA-Panama matches.



“This is the first time in the CONCACAF Gold Cup that we are fortunate enough to be here in Philadelphia,” said CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer. “We have some really wonderful games that will be played here.”



Both Canada and Honduras arrived in Philadelphia over the weekend after Friday (Canada-Costa Rica in Miami) and Saturday (Honduras-Grenada in Foxborough, MA) matches to close out the preliminary phase. Canada resumed training Monday while Honduras resumed training today.



“Every game is different,” says coach Stephen Hart. “I don’t think it is a matter of being a defensive or attacking team, it is about achieving the right balance. We have tried to do that in our preparation and in our games. Yes, we are very aware of the strengths of Honduras. If we can put together a balanced game, then maybe things can go our way.”



Both teams will take advantage of the full week to heal some knocks and bruises. Of note, Honduras’ coach Reinaldo Rueda explained he has three players under medical review: Marvin Chávez, Miguel Castillo and Carlos Palacios. The team expects to receive further information tomorrow.



“We are after a good result on Saturday, but we know of the great work of coach Hart in Canada,” said Honduras coach Rueda.



Along with the four teams in Philadelphia, there are four teams in Dallas preparing for the second day of the quarter-final stage. Mr. Blazer travels to Dallas tonight to introduce those four head coaches tomorrow in advance of the 19 July matches to be played in Dallas.



The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup runs 3-26 July in 13 cities across USA. Beyond the quarter-final phase, four teams will meet in the semi-final stage on 23 July in Chicago and then two teams will meet in the final on 26 July in New York.