2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup

citytillidie

With Mexico finished with the Confederations Cup it is on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Will they continue on with there North American Qualification form with more 0-0 draws, or will the win V Japan kick start them to retain their crown.

Will host USA regain the crown

Will Cuba players go missing in the States

The fun kicks off on July 7th with Canada V Martinique in group A which looks to be the hardest group.

ESPN are showing it here



Group A
July 7th Canada V Martinique
July 7th Mexico V Panama
July 11th Panama V Martinique
July 11th Mexico V Canada
July 14th Martinique V Mexico
July 14th Panama V Canada

Group B
July 8th El Salvador V Trinidad and Tobago
July 8th Haiti V Honduras
July 12th Trinidad and Tobago V Haiti
July 12th Honduras V El Salvador
July 15th El Salvador V Haiti
July 15th Honduras V Trinidad and Tobago

Group C
July 9th Costa Rica V Cuba
July 9th Belize V USA
July 13th USA V Cuba
July 13th Costa Rica V Belize
July 16th Cuba V Belize
July 16th USA V Costa Rica

Quater Final
July 20th A2 V B2
July 20th A1 V B3/C3
July 21st B1 V C2
July 21st C1 V A3/B3

Semi Finals
24th July

Final
28th July

citytillidie

This started with a bang with both Canada and Mexico losing last night

The_Kew_Tour

Martinique scored a cracking winner too.

ben.schlomo

They dominated the game and deserved the win, Canada have a young and inexperienced squad at this years tournament, they are awful, a squad full of bit part MLS and reserve lower league European teams.

roanoke

Interestingly Landon Donovan (the most capped player at the tournament) has more caps than the entire Mexico squad combined (145 v 131).

RGM

roanoke wrote: »

Interestingly Landon Donovan (the most capped player at the tournament) has more caps than the entire Mexico squad combined (145 v 131).

That's because both Mexico and the USA are running out B teams. None of the American players who were starting in the qualifiers are on the Gold Cup roster. Donovan didn't play in the qualifiers and is essentially earning his spot back. But that's why the Mexicans are so inexperienced.

From an American perspective though, the Gold Cup lineup is still really interesting. There's Donovan, of course, but then you have Stuart Holden (making his way back from injury) who has looked really impressive. Brek Shea's touch eludes him at times, but he always looks dangerous going down the wing. And Onyewu is my dark horse, I'm hoping he can get his job back. Several of these players are likely to have a role to play in Brazil, if not a spot in the starting lineup.

Seaneh

How did the two countries sort out the VISA situation so that Cuba's player could travel to the US?

RGM

Seaneh wrote: »

How did the two countries sort out the VISA situation so that Cuba's player could travel to the US?

Cuba's national baseball team has participated in several tournaments here over the past 20 years. There have been ups and downs, but the restrictions aren't what they used to be. It is tradition at this point that Cuba brings a team and at least one person defects while they're here.

citytillidie

Group stage over now onto the quater finals

Mexico V Trinidad and Tobago
Panama V Cuba
Honduras V Costa Rica
USA V El Salvador

RGM

Can't find video of it, but there was a shocking decision in the USA-Costa Rica game where the Costa Rican keeper came outside the box to clear a ball, then blatantly used both hands to stop a shot while still outside the box. Ref only gave a yellow? Game was still scoreless at that point.

ArmaniJeanss

Final of this competition (which has clearly captured the attention of everyone here!) has just kicked off on ESPN for those who want some competitive footie after a diet of pre-season friendlies.

USA v Panama.

razorblunt

Reports of Holden damaging his knee again?

RGM

razorblunt wrote: »

Reports of Holden damaging his knee again?

Torn ACL. Not even the knee Evans tore up, the other one.

Unbelievably sad. He's a legitimately talented player who could play in any league and also a genuinely nice guy. Can't imagine how rough this is for him.