Gold Cup 2015 - Quick Look

The year was 1991.  Not only was this the first ever CONCACAF Gold Cup but also marked the first major title for U.S. soccer.  Triumphing 4-3 in a shootout against Honduras, this now distant but historic final is traceable to as the birth of international football in the United States. 

The year is now 2015 and once again the CONCACAF Gold Cup returns to U.S. soil as the host of the 13^th addition of this tournament.  July 7^th will feature two matches from Group A to kick off the field play.  The venue Toyota Stadium will host Panama taking on Haiti in the first match while the USA squares off with Honduras, marking the 25^th year anniversary and rematch of the first ever Gold Cup Final. 

Group A contains the USA, Panama, Honduras and Haiti.  The USA enter this tournament off the back of two come from behind victories in Europe, which saw them take down European giants Holland and reigning World Cup Champions Germany.  Although these matches were friendlies, exhibitions, coach Jürgen Klinsmann will hope his side brings similar form into a tight group.   Panama and the USA will battle on July 13^th in what will be a rematch of the 2013 final. 

Group B features Costa Rica, El Salvador, Canada and Jamaica.  Canada’s only Gold Cup Championship came in 2000 when they defeated invitee Columbia 2-0.  A team to watch closely will be Costa Rica, who captivated their entire nation during the 2014 World Cup as the underdogs battled into the Quarterfinal before falling to Brazil.  

Group C rounds out the competition comprised of Mexico, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago and Cuba.  Mexico leads all CONCACAF nations with 6 total Gold Cup titles including back-to-back final victories over the USA in 2009 and 2011.  

Each country has already submitted their 35-man provisional roster and is required to announce a final 23-man roster before the June 23^rd deadline.  Since the first Gold Cup only three countries have hoisted the trophy: Mexico (6), USA (5) and Canada (1).