This years Gold Cup features a few B teams from the National Teams especially from Mexico and the US. However, its still considered the CONCACAF Championship. Winners are crowned every two years. Games start tomorrow July 7th and conclude with the final in Chicago on July 28th. The winner of the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cups will face each other to determine who will represent CONCACAF at the Confederations Cup in 2017.
Group A - Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique
Games will be played July 7, 11, 14. Sites, LA, Seattle, Denver.
This is the toughest group, expect 3 teams to come out of it. Mexico brings in a team of domestic players. They have struggled losing to Queretaro 3-2 and Cruz Azul Hidalgo 1-0 in tune-ups. Panama has chosen to rest some of their top players but still will bring a group strong enough to win their group lead by Blas Perez. Canada brings in alot of young players as they look to the future. Martinique will not be a factor in this group, they are not even a FIFA nation. Mexico should win the group but with their performances in tune ups, I don't feel confident in picking them. It won't be a shocker if Panama takes it. Canada will move on to the knockout round as well. Martinique will leave without a point.
Group B - Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago
Games will be played July 8, 12, 15. Sites New York, Miami, Houston
Trinidad and Tobago are always a fun group to watch. This feisty have been tough in past world cup qualifying years, but the last couple years haven't been good to them and they have struggled. T & T are in a rebuilding phase but will bring in their internationals for this competition. Haiti seems like a push over, but have fared well recently in games vs Spain and Italy with scores of 2-1 and 2-2 respectively. But Haiti, much like T & T performed poorly in qualifying. El Salvador got caught in a tough group with Mexico and Costa Rica in Qualifying for the Hex, but they are a decent side. They will bring experience. Honduras is a rising soccer nation having qualified for the last World Cup and may get a shot at a playoff for the Brazil World Cup. They will rest alot of stars but the depth of their program will show and they will easily win the group, followed by El Salvador, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Group C- USA, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba
Games will be played July 9, 13, 16. Sites Portland, Hartford, Salt Lake
Belize is playing in their first Gold Cup and are going to get routed. They had trouble raising the money to even get here. Cuba lacks firepower on the offensive end but usually bunker down and teams struggle scoring goals against them. They won the Caribbean Cup in Antigua and are now playing in their 6th Gold Cup out of the last 7. If they can keep their top players from defecting, they may be able to salvage a 4th point and make the knockout stage. But this group belongs to the US and Costa Rica. Unlike many nations, Costa Rica is bringing some of their big guns like Alvaro Saborio. Even without Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica will be tough. They've been tough in the Hex and will likely qualify for the World Cup. The US routed Guatemala 6-0 and look like the strongest side in the tournament. With Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, Hercules Gomez, and a host of Americans fighting for a shot on the World Cup Roster, the US looks strong. The US also brings in some youth in players like McInerey and Diskerud who are hungry to get into the mix for the 2018 Cup. This group is a 2 team race that the US should win.
Mexico has won this tournament 6 times, the US 4, and Canada 1. This is the 12th Gold Cup.
My Prediction -
The Final Four will be played in Dallas July 24th.
Mexico vs. Panama.....Panama wins 1-0
US vs. Costa Rica.....US wins 3-1
Championship will be played July 28th in Chicago
US vs Panama......US wins their 5th Gold Cup by beating Panama 4-1.
