CONCACAF Gold Cup Preview

By Noah Davis

On a Thursday afternoon conference call, CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer announced the three different four-team groups for this summer's Gold Cup, taking place across 13 United States venues between July 3 and July 26. The defending champion U.S. team was placed in Group B with Grenada, Haiti, and Honduras, while Mexico joins Group C alongside Guadeloupe, Nicaragua, and Panama. In what has to be the most difficult foursome, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Jamaica were all drawn into Group A.

While the Americans won the 2007 Gold Cup, the team is also participating in the Confederations Cup and likely plans to send a stronger squad to South Africa, leaving the door wide open for a new champion in the regional championship. The top two teams from each group make the quarterfinals, as will the top two third-place teams. Goal.com takes a look at how the tournament might play out. 

Group A

The Favorite: Costa Rica -- With a narrow 1-0 home victory over an  El Salvador squad missing two stars (Eliseo Quintanilla and Cristian Castillo) in World Cup qualifying action on Wednesday night, the Ticos have established themselves as the team to beat in this group.

The Dark Horse: El Salvador -- A 2-2 tie against the U.S. over the past weekend proved the Cuscatlecos can play with the region's best. The question remains as to whether the squad's success will continue once it leaves the friendly confines of Estadio Cuscatlán.

The Prediction: 1. Costa Rica 2. El Salvador 3. Jamaica (quarterfinalist) 4. Canada 

Group B

The Favorite: Honduras -- The club struggled earlier this year, but righted the ship with a destruction of Mexico last night. Injured star striker David Suazo could return in time for the Gold Cup, only helping Honduras' chances.

The Dark Horse: The United States -- Although Bob Bradley will bring his stars to South Africa, there's still enough depth in the pool to compete in this tournament. Don't count the Americans out once they reach the knockout rounds, especially considering the younger team will benefit greatly from the home crowd.

The Prediction: 1. Honduras 2. U.S. 3. Haiti (quarterfinalist) 4. Grenada  

Group C

The Favorite: Mexico -- Even an El Tri team in disarray has to be the favorite in what should be considered the weakest group. Plus, either Sven-Goran Eriksson will have figured out his side by July or he'll be gone.

The Dark Horse: Panama -- An opening match against surprise qualifiers Guadeloupe could help The Red Tide start off with a victory.

The Prediction: 1. Mexico 2. Panama 3. Nicaragua 4. Guadeloupe,  

Quarterfinals:

Costa Rica vs. U.S.

Honduras vs. Jamaica

Panama vs. El Salvador

Mexico vs. Haiti 

Semifinals:

Costa Rica vs. Honduras

El Salvador vs. Mexico 

Final:

Honduras vs. Mexico 

Champion:

Honduras 

Schedule

First Round

Friday, July 3 – Los Angeles (The Home Depot Center)

Canada vs. Jamaica, 5 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)

Costa Rica vs. El Salvador, 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT) 

Saturday, July 4 – Seattle (Qwest Field)

Honduras vs. Haiti, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

Grenada vs. USA, 6 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) 

Sunday, July 5 – San Francisco (Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum)

Panama vs. Guadeloupe, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)

Nicaragua vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT) 

Tuesday, July 7 – Columbus, Ohio (Crew Stadium)

Jamaica vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

El Salvador vs. Canada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) 

Wednesday, July 8 – Washington (Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium)

Haiti vs. Grenada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

USA vs. Honduras, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) 

Thursday, July 9 – Houston (Reliant Stadium)

Guadeloupe vs. Nicaragua, 7 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)

Mexico vs. Panama, 9 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT) 

Friday, July 10 – Miami (Florida International University Stadium)

Costa Rica vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

El Salvador vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) 

Saturday, July 11 – Boston (Gillette Stadium)

USA vs. Haiti, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)

Honduras vs. Grenada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT) 

Sunday, July 12 – Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium)

Panama vs. Nicaragua, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)

Mexico vs. Guadeloupe, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT) 

Quarterfinals

Saturday, July 18 – Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)

Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up, TBA (x)

Group B winner vs. Group A/C third-place, TBA (x)

x-matches scheduled for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with order TBD 

Sunday, July 19 – Dallas (Dallas Cowboys New Stadium)

Group C runner-up vs. Group A runner-up, TBA (y)

Group C winner vs. Group A/B third place, TBA (y)

y-matches scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. local (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT) with order TBD 

Semifinals

Thursday, July 23 – Chicago (Soldier Field)

Philadelphia quarterfinal winners, TBA (z)

Dallas quarterfinal winners, TBA (z)

z-matches scheduled for 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. local (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. EDT) with order TBD 

Final

Saturday, July 26 – New York (Giants Stadium)

Semifinal winners, 3 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT)

Noah Davis covers the U.S. Men's National Team for Goal.com.