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 13th addition of this tournament. July 7th 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
25th 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 13th 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 23rd deadline. Since the first Gold Cup only three countries
have hoisted the trophy: Mexico (6), USA (5) and Canada (1).
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