The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off Friday, July 7th, 2017 as Canada and French Guiana open things up.
We have a few firsts in this edition of the North American and Caribbean championship.
Curaçao are in their first Gold Cup ever and have been fairly impressive going into this tournament.
Bruce Arena is back as USMNT manager and it’s safe to say they are the favorites to win this tournament.
Now, let’s go team by team to see what’s in store for us.
For live updates, go to our official 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Live Blog and Follow us on Twitter @TheAOSNcom.
Group A
1. Costa Rica*
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Dany Carvajal (Albacete/Spanish Segunda Div), Leonel Moreira (Herediano/Liga FPD)
Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense/Liga FPD)
Defenders
Johnny Acosta (Herediano/Liga FPD), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United FC/MLS)
Christian Gamboa (Celtic/SPL), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna/Serie A)
Kenner Gutierrez (Alajuelense/Liga FPD), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC/MLS)
Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland/English League Champ.), Jose Salvatierra (Alajuelense/Liga FPD)
Michael Umaña (Persepolis/Persian Pro League), Juan Pablo Vargas (Herediano/Liga FPD)
Midfielders
Randall Azofeifa (Herediano/Liga FPD), Joel Campbell (Arsenal/BPL)
David Guzman (Portland Timbers/MLS), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting CP/Primeira Liga)
Ulises Segura (Saprissa/Liga FPD), Yeltsin Tejeda (FC Lausanne-Sport/Swiss Super League)
Rodney Wallace (New York City FC/MLS)
Forwards
David Ramirez (Saprissa/Liga FPD), Ariel Rodriguez (Bangkok Glass FC/Thai League T1)
Marco Ureña (San Jose Earthquakes/MLS), Johan Venegas (Minnesota United FC/MLS)
Manager
Oscar Ramirez (since 2015)
Player(s) to watch: With Keylor Navas staying with his club Real Madrid and their preseason tour, the focus turns on Costa Rica’s other stars. Many soccer junkies would be able to recognize names like Byan Ruiz and Joel Campbell. The attacking duo can add a spark to the team, both on the field and off. They have both been in the national team squad for a good amount of time now and can really lead a successful tournament run for the Ticos.
Costa Rica has never won the Gold Cup, but with bigger sides not bringing their stars, they should believe that this summer is as good of a chance to win it all. Nevertheless, a good semi-final run would be a solid showcase from the Central American side.
2. Honduras*
http://gty.im/695753514
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Ricardo Canales (CDS Vida/LNP), Donis Escober (Olimpia/LNP)
Luis Lopez (Real España/LNP)
Defenders
Ever Alvarado (Olimpia/LNP), Brayan Beckeles (Necaxa /Liga MX)
Felix Crisanto (Motagua/LNP), Henry Figueroa (Motagua/LNP)
Maynor Figueroa (FC Dallas/MLS), Marcelo Pereira (Motagua/LNP)
Carlos Sanchez (Honduras Progreso/LNP), Allans Vargas (Real España/LNP)
Midfielders
Bryan Acosta (Real España/LNP), Jorge Claros (Real España/LNP)
Carlos Discua (Motagua/LNP), Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo /MLS)
Ovido Lanza (Juticalpa FC/LNP), Alex Lopez (Olimpia/LNP)
Alfredo Mejia (Xanthi FC/Superleague Greece), Sergio Peña (Real Sociedad/LNP)
Forwards
Alberth Elis (Houston Dynamo/MLS), Anthony Lozano (Tenerife /La Liga 2)
Rony Martinez (Baoding Rongda/China League One), Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo /MLS)
Manager
Jorge Luis Pinto (since 2015)
Player(s) to watch: Young MLS attackers Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto, with 10 goals between them in the MLS this season, can use their on field chemistry in the club level and bring it over onto the national team.
Honduras will look to ride their momentum of recently winning this year’s Copa CentroAmericana this year and cause a stir in the Gold Cup. Playing group favorites Costa Rica in the first game could maybe help them for the best to settle group standing early in the tournament. Look for Honduras to make it out of the group in 2nd place.
3. Canada*
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Maxime Crepeau (Montreal Impact/MLS), Milan Borjan (MKS Korona Kielce/Ekstraklasa [Poland])
Jayson Leutwiler (Shrewsbury Town FC/EFL League One)
Defenders
Manjrekar James (Vasas Budapest/OTP Bank Liga), Steven Vitoria (Lechia Gdansk/Ekstraklasa [Poland])
Dejan Jakovic (New York Cosmos/NASL), Samuel Adekugbe (Brighton Hove & Albion/EPL)
Adam Straith (FC Edmonton/NASL), Marcel de Jong (Vancouver Whitecaps/MLS)
Midfielders
Fraser Aird (No current team), Samuel Piette (CD Izarra/Segunda Division B)
Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps/MLS), Scott Arfield (Burnley FC/BPL)
Tosaint Ricketts (Toronto FC/MLS), David Junior Hoilett (Cardiff City FC/EFL Champ.)
Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps/MLS), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC/MLS)
Mark-Anthony Kaye (Louisville City FC/USL), Anthony Jackson-Hamel(Montreal Impact/MLS)
Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact/MLS), Raheem Edwards (Toronto FC/MLS)
Michael Petrasso (Queens Park Rangers/EFL Champ.)
Forwards
Lucas Cavallini (CA Penarol/AUF)
Manager
Octavio Zambrano (Since March 2017)
Player(s) to watch: With the talented Cyle Larin (Orlando City FC/MLS) missing the group stages due to his DUI arrest last month, look to see Tosaint Ricketts to stand out from the rest. Other names that can cause a stir are Alphonso Davies as he is only 16 years old and powerful forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel.
Canada comes into this tournament needing to get a big result in goal difference in their first game vs French Guiana. Canada will face tougher opponents in Honduras and Costa Rica in the 2nd and 3rd games so they can get all the plus goal difference they can get in the 1st game. Being one of the top 2 best 3rd place teams in the group stages is the best hope Canada will get of getting on through to the next round.
4. French Guiana
http://gty.im/695464522
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Donovan Leon (Stade Brestois 29/Ligue 2), Simon Lugier (US Saint-Malo/CFA)
Jean-Banuel Petit-Homme (US Matoury/Ligue de Guyane)
Defenders
Inrick Baal (CSC de Cayenne/Ligue de Guyane), Jean-David Legrand (Stade Bordelais/CFA 2)
Gregory Lescot (FC Chartres/CFA), Kevin Rimane (Paris Saint-Germain B/CFA)
Hugues Rosime (US Matoury/Ligue de Guyane), Anthony Soubervie (FC Chambly/Division 3)
Marvin Torvic (US Matoury/Ligue de Guyane)
Midfielders
Loic Baal (ASM Belfort/Division 3), Ludovic Baal (Stade Rennais/Ligue 1)
Marc Edwige (CSC de Cayenne/Ligue de Guyane), Cedric Fabien (Tarbes Pyrenees Football/CFA)
Miguel Haabo (AS Etoile Matoury/Ligue de Guyane), Florent Malouda (Delhi Dynamos/ISL)
Forwards
Arnold Abelinto (JA Drancy/CFA), Roy Contout (Renaissance de Berkane/Botola)
Schaquille Dutard (Guingamp/Ligue 1), Rhudy Evens (US Matoury/Ligue de Guyane)
Jules Haabo (AS Etoile Matoury/Ligue de Guyane), Sloan Privat (Guingamp/Ligue 1)
Mickael Solvi (US Matoury/Ligue de Guyane)
Manager
Jair Karam (Since 2013)
Player(s) to watch: Florent Malouda (remember him?) has found himself playing in the national team squad of French Guinea after a 5 year absence from the French national team. Although already 37 years old, you can never ignore a footballer who has won everything there is to win at Chelsea Football Club.
In their first ever Gold Cup appearance, French Guiana will be looking to get any sort of result in their 3 group games. The showed some promise when they placed in 3rd place at the Caribbean Cup last week since they lost to Jamaica in a penalty shootout. This group made up of mostly lower French league players will have nothing to lose in this tournament of soccer celebrations.
Group B
1. United States*
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC/MLS), Bill Hamid (D.C. United/MLS)
Sean Johnson (New York City FC/MLS)
Defenders
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City/MLS), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/Liga MX)
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas/MLS)
Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/MLS), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG)
Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/Liga MX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City/MLS)
Midfielders
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas/MLS), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/Liga MX)
Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union/MLS), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/Liga MX)
Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire/MLS), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC/MLS)
Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution/MLS), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union/MLS)
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy/MLS)
Forwards
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution/MLS), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City/MLS)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC/MLS)
Manager
Bruce Arena
Player(s) to Watch: Graham Zusi and the rest of the USMNT back line will be under a microscope this tournament. The American defense has been susceptible to attacks and will need to tighten up if they’re bound to win. Dom Dwyer will also been watched closely. The Sporting KC forward made headlines when he became a US Citizen, essentially clearing a path towards a call-up.
This Gold Cup is the US’s to lose. They last won the competition in 2013, with Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski scoring five goals apiece. Now they’ll look towards the likes of Dom Dwyer, Paul Arriola and Gyasi Zardes to pick up the attack from the middle onward. If the defense stays tight and the midfield can keep control, this team is final-bound.
2. Panama*
http://gty.im/657475560
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Jose Calderon (CD Marathon, HON), Orlando Mosquera (Tauro FC, PAN)
Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco FC, PAN)
Defenders
Roberto Chen (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN), Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904 DunajskA Streda, SVK)
Fidel Escobar (Unattached); Roderick Miller (Atlético Nacional, COL)
Michael Amir Murillo (New York Red Bulls, USA), Luis Ovalle (Unattached)
Angel Patrick (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Jan Carlos Vargas (Tauro FC, PAN)
Midfielders
Edgar Yoel Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula, MEX), Miguel Camargo (New York City FC, USA)
Armando Cooper (Toronto FC, CAN), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes, USA)
Gabriel Gomez (Atlético Bucaramanga, COL), Leslie Heraldez (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN)
Josiel Nuñez (CD Plaza Amador, PAN), Valentin Pimentel (CD Plaza Amador, PAN)
Forwards
Abdiel Arroyo (Danubio FC, URU), Ricardo Clarke (Unattached)
Ismael Diaz (FC Porto, POR), Gabriel Torres (FC Lausanne-Sport, SUI)
Manager
Hernán Darío Gómez (Since 2014)
Player(s) to Watch: Anibal Godoy will anchor the midfield for Panama. The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder has been strong with his club, which could help in their attempt to secure second place in the group. One important note is manager Hernán Darío Gómez shift of focus to the youth movement in Panama, leaving out Blas Perez out of the summer tournament.
Panama shocked the United States in 2015, defeating them in the third place match in penalties. This squad is much younger and contains some very new names to the Gold Cup. With the shape the United States has been, it’s difficult to see Panama come out no better than second. If Gómez’s plan works out, a knockout stage spot is more than possible for this squad.
3. Nicaragua
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Justo Lorente (UNAN FC / NCA), Henry Maradiaga (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Diedrich Tèllez (Diriangen FC / NCA)
Defenders
Luis Copete (Comerciantes Unidos / PER), Cyril Errington (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Oscar Lòpez (Managua FC / NCA), Henry Niño (Jaco Rays FC / CRC)
Josue Quijano (Real Estelí FC / NCA), Manuel Rosas (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Erick Tellez (Diriangen FC / NCA), Bismarck Vèliz (Chinandega FC / NCA)
Midfielders
Daniel Cadena (Njarðvíkur / ISL), Elvis Figueroa (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Luis Galeano (Real Estelí FC / NCA), Bryan Garcia (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Marlon Lòpez (Real Estelí FC / NCA), Maykel Montiel (UNAN FC / NCA)
Bismarck Montiel (Managua FC / NCA), Luis Peralta (CD Walter Ferretti / NCA)
Forwards
Juan Barrera (Comunicaciones FC / GUA), Carlos Chavarria (Real Estelí FC / NCA)
Jorge Hurtado (CD Walter Ferretti / NCA), Eulises Pavon (CD Suchitepéquez / GUA)
Manager
Henry Duarte (Since 2014)
Player(s) to Watch: All eyes will be on Juan Barrera. The 28-year-old forward put together a clutch hat trick against Haiti for a spot in the Gold Cup. With some grit and patience, this Nicaraguan team can certainly give Barrera an opportunity or two to catch opponents sleeping.
Nicaragua found themselves in a two-leg playoff with Haiti for a spot in the 2017 Gold Cup. Despite a 3-1 loss in the away leg, Nicaragua found it within themselves to pull out a 3-0 victory a home for a 4-3 aggregate victory. Despite the glorious comeback, this squad faces an uphill battle. This is their first Gold Cup since 2009, leaving this squad highly inexperienced in large competition. If they can somehow pull out a point from the United States or Panama, and defeat Martinique, they could potentially see themselves as a third-place qualifier for the knockout stages.
4. Martinique
http://gty.im/672031284
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Loic Chauvet (CS Case-Pilote / MTQ), Kevin Olimpa (Platanias FC / GRE)
Emmanuel Vermignon (Club Colonial / MTQ)
Defenders
Sebastien Cretinoir (Golden Lion de Saint-Joseph / MTQ), Jordy Delem (Seattle Sounders / USA)
Gerald Dondon (Club Colonial / MTQ), Antoine Jean-Baptiste (FC Villefranche / FRA)
Florian Narcissot (Club Franciscain / MTQ), Karl Vitulin (AS Samaritaine / MTQ)
Nicolas Zaire (Club Franciscain / MTQ)
Midfielders
Stephane Abaul (Club Franciscain / MTQ), Daniel Herelle (Golden Lion de Saint-Joseph / MTQ)
Christof Jougon (Club Franciscain / MTQ), Djenhael Mainge (Club Franciscain / MTQ)
Jean-Manuel Nedra (Aiglon du Lamentin / MTQ), Yann Thimon (Golden Lion de Saint-Joseph / MTQ)
Forwards
Anthony Angely (Poitiers FC / FRA), Yoann Arquin (Mansfield Town / ENG)
Johan Audel (Beitar Jerusalem / ISR), Steeven Langil (Waasland-Beveren / BEL)
Johnny Marajo (Club Franciscain / MTQ), Kevin Parsemain (Golden Lion de Saint-Joseph / MTQ)
Gregory Pastel (RC Riviere-Pilote / MTQ)
Manager
Louis Marianne (Since 2014)
Player(s) to Watch: Jordy Delem, the Seattle Sounders defenseman, will get an opportunity to lead the back line. Although he spent much of 2016 with the Sounders’ second team, Delem has spent more time with the MLS squad. In 32 matches with his home-country, he has netted five goals.
French territories are no strangers to making extraordinary runs in the Gold Cup (Guadaloupe, 2007). Martinique competed in the 2013 Gold Cup, only to finish 9th. With this diverse squad, we could see them pull out a point or two.
Group C
1. Mexico*
http://gty.im/803336774
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul/Liga MX), Miguel Angel Fraga (Atlas/Liga MX)
Moises Munoz (Puebla/Liga MX)
Defenders
Hugo Ayala (Tigres UANL/Liga MX), Raul Lopez (CF Pachuca/Liga MX)
Hedgardo Marin (Chivas Guadalajara/Liga MX), Alejandro Mayorga (Chivas Guadalajara/Liga MX)
Jesus Molina (CF Monterrey/Liga MX), Cesar Montes (CF Monterrey/Liga MX)
Jair Pereira (Chivas Guadalajara/Liga MX), Luis Reyes (Club Atlas/Liga MX)
Luis Rodriguez (Tigres UANL/Liga MX)
Midfielders
Edson Alvarez (Club America /Liga MX), Jesus Dueñas (Tigres UANL /Liga MX)
Jesus Gallardo (Pumas UNAM /Liga MX), Jorge Hernandez (CF Pachuca /Liga MX)
Rodolfo Pizarro (Chivas Guadalajara /Liga MX)
Forwards
Martin Barragan (Club Necaxa/Liga MX), Erick Gutierrez (CF Pachuca /Liga MX)
Elias Hernandez (Club Leon /Liga MX), Orbelin Pineda (Chivas Guadalajara /Liga MX)
Erick “Cubo” Torres (Houston Dynamo /MLS), Angel Sepulveda (Monarcas Morelia /Liga Mx)
Manager
Juan Carlos Osorio (Since 2015)
Player(s) to Watch: Erick Torres and Rodolfo Pizarro. Torres is the only player not currently playing the La Liga MX but he wasn’t even called up to the original 23 man squad. The Houston Dynamo striker has been in the fringes of Juan Carlos Osorio’s mind since he became manager but was called up to replace Alan Pulido due to an injury. This is a perfect opportunity for Torres to show Osorio what he can do. As for Pizarro, he is now considered, by many, to be the next Mexican star to be shipped out to Europe and play for a bigger club. He has to showcase his talents in the international level first.
Mexico is sending a squad full of young players with most of them having less than 10 international caps. Make no mistake though, this team is hungry for success and will not take anything short of a trophy win as an answer. Mexico has the talent to win their group and the whole competition. If not, then it is more pressure for Juan Carlos Osorio.
2. Jamaica*
-Louis Olvera (@LouisOlveraixi)
Goalkeepers
Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union/MLS), Damion Hyatt (Arnett Gardens FC/Red Stripe PL)
Dwayne Miller (Valsta Syrianska IK/Division 2)
Defenders
Sergio Campbell (Pittsburgh Riverhounds/USL), Oniel Fisher (Seattle Sounders FC/ MLS)
Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC/ Red Stripe PL), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls/MLS)
Damion Lowe (Tampa Bay Rowdies/USL), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers/MLS)
Ladale Richie (Montego Bay United FC/ Red Stripe PL). Jermaine Taylor (Minnesota United FC/MLS)
Midfielders
Michael Binns (Portmore United FC/Red Stripe PL), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United FC/ Red Stripe PL)
Kevon Lambert (FK Vojvodina/Serbian SuperLiga), Ricardo Morris (Portmore United FC/ Red Stripe PL); Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution/ MLS)
Forwards
Cory Burke (Bethlehem Steel FC/USL), Owayne Gordon (Montego Bay United FC/ Red Stripe PL)
Jermaine Johnson (Tivoli Gardens FC/ Red Stripe PL), Darren Mattocks (Portland Timbers/MLS)
Shamar Nicholson (Boys’ Town FC/Red Stripe PL), Dever Orgill (Wolfsberger AC/Austrian Football Bundesliga)
Romario Williams (Charleston Battery/USL)
Manager
Theodore Whitmore (Since 2016)
Player(s) to Watch: 37-year-old Jermaine Johnson continues to surprise soccer fans back in the island of Jamaica as he scored 16 goals in 2016-17. Manager Theodore Whitmore can use the controversial, but efficient player to get an all important goal.
Jamaica’s hopes of returning to a Gold Cup final like they did 2 years ago will be harder to come by. The Reggae Boyz have had a rough couple of years since then with failing to qualify for the Hexagonal of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying round and recently losing the final to Curaçao in the Caribbean Cup Final. Maybe a successful trip to the knockout stages can pick up the fan’s spirits and hope for a brighter future.
3. El Salvador*
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Oscar Arroyo (Alianza FC/SLV), Derby Carrillo (Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja/ISL)
Benji Villalobos (CD Aguila/SLV)
Defenders
Alexander Larin (Alianza FC/SLV), Ivan Mancia (Alianza FC/SLV)
Ruben Marroquin (Alianza FC/SLV), Milton Molina (AD Isidro Metapan/SLV)
Henry Romero (Alianza FC/SLV), Bryan Tamacas (Santa Tecla FC/SLV)
Midfielders
Efrain Burgos (Reno 1868 FC/USA), Darwin Ceren(San Jose Earthquakes/USA)
Oscar Ceren (Alianza FC/SLV), Roberto Dominguez (Santa Tecla FC/SLV)
Andres Flores (New York Cosmos/USA), Victor Garcia (CD Aguila/SLV)
Gerson Mayen (Santa Tecla FC/SLV), Richard Menjivar (New York Cosmos/USA)
Narciso Orellana (Alianza FC/SLV), Denis Pineda (CD Santa Clara/POR)
Forwards
Harold Alas (Santa Tecla FC/SLV), Nelson Bonilla (CD Nacional/POR)
Irvin Herrera (New York Cosmos/USA), Rodolfo Zelaya (Alianza FC/SLV)
Manager
Eduardo Lara (Since 2016)
Player(s) to Watch: Darwin Ceren, the captain of this squad, looks to push his counterparts. We’ll also have to take note of Andres Flores, Richard Manjivar and Irvin Herrera, all of whom play for the New York Cosmos. Thir experience in American soccer can certainly help push them towards competing for a second place spot or putting them in position for a third-place entry into the knockout stages.
El Salvador have not missed the Gold Cup since 2005. With an ousting in the group stage in 2015, they look to return to the knockout rounds. The MLS experience from Darwin Ceren, they could certainly make a bit of noise in this Gold Cup.
4. Curaçao
-Alexandro Zatarain (@TheRealZatarain)
Goalkeepers
Jairzinho Pieter (RKSV Centro Dominguito/CUW), Eloy Room (SBV Vitesse/NED)
Rowendy Sumter (RKSV Scherpenheuvel/CUW)
Defenders
Shanon Carmelia (Ijsselmeervogels/NED), Jurien Gaari (Kozakken Boys/NED)
Quentin Jakoba (Kozakken Boys/NED), Gillian Justiana (Helmond Sport/NED)
Doriano Kortstam (Achilles ’29/NED), Darryl Lachman (Willem II/NED)
Cuco Martina (No current team), Dustley Mulder (FC Eindhoven/NED)
Ayrton Statie (FC Oss/NED)
Midfielders
Kemy Agustien (Global Cebu FC/PHI). Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa FC/ENG)
Ashar Bernardus (RKSV Centro Dominguito/CUW), Michaël Maria (SG Sonnenhof Großaspach/GER)
Forwards
Jarchino Antonia (Go Ahead Eagles/NED), Elson Hooi (Vendsyssel FF/DEN)
Rangelo Janga (AS Trenčín/SVK), Quenten Martinus (Yokohama F. Marinos/JAP)
Gevaro Nepomuceno (FC Famalicão/POR), Gino van Kessel (Lechia Gdańsk/POL)
Felitciano Zschusschen (FC Saarbrücken/GER)
Manager
Remko Bicentini (Since 2016)
Player(s) to Watch: Leandro Bacuna and Cuco Martina (last played for Southampton) add much needed leadership to the team, as both have played (or last played) in England. Gino van Kessel and Felitciano Zschusschen were the lead scorers in the Caribbean Cup, so defenses will have their eyes on set on this duo.
Curaçao is probably the most surprising team here. They’re in their first Gold Cup in country history and recently eliminated Cuba from 2018 World Cup Qualifying. Curaçao also just won the Caribbean Cup, which is a huge feat for this young program. This squad focuses a ton of possession, which is an oddity from smaller countries. If they can somehow keep control against the likes of Jamaica and El Salvador, we could be in for some interesting results.
Quarterfinals
Bracket 1
Costa Rica (Group A Winner) v Panama (Group B Runner-up)
United States (Group B Winner) v El Salvador (3rd Place Group C)
Bracket 2
Mexico (Group C Winner) v Canada (3rd Place Group A)
Jamaica (Group C Runner-up) v Honduras (Group A Runner-up)
Semifinals
Costa Rica v United States
Mexico v Honduras
Final
Mexico v United States
Yet another classic finish for a Gold Cup. Mexico has tons of youth and upside, but the American side looks poised to win their first Gold Cup since 2013.
Mexico 1 – 2 United States