Had enough of soccer this summer yet? No? Good, same here. Two days after the women’s squad won their 3rd world cup in tournament history, the CONCACAF Gold cup begins today, on the men’s side. The CONCACAF Gold cup, our regional championships for North America/Central America/Caribbean, begins with USA x Honduras and Panama x Haiti. in group A action. Both games will take place at Toyota Park, in Frisco Texas.
USA are defending champions, defeated Panama in 2013. If USA can win it this year, they will automatically qualify for the Confederations Cup in 2017 in Russia. If not the USA, who ever wins it this year will play USA in a playoff for a spot in the Confederations Cup in 2017. So with a lot at stake, Jurgen Klinsmann called up a strong group, many from last years World Cup squad. Although no Revolution players were called up to the final 23 roster, 2 are on standby in case of injury, Juan Agudelo and Lee Nguyen.
In their group along with Honduras, is Panama and Haiti. None of these games will be easy. These teams will be physical. Panama in 2013, upset Mexico in the semi-finals, to only lose a close 1-0 game to the Americans. Panama were also just minutes away from beating USA 2-1 in their final 2014 world cup qualifying match, a result that would of landed them a playoff round against New Zealand, eliminating Mexico from qualifying, before Graham Zusi and Aaron Johansson broke their hearts.
Honduras last time lost to America 3-1 in the semi-finals. More impressively, Honduras has qualified directly for the last two world cups, in 2010 and 2014. Haiti is a bit weird for me. Not thought of as a good national team, Haiti does have a several players who play overseas in Europe, I believe they could be a tougher opponent than what we might give them credit for. Last time in 2013, Haiti in a group with Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, and Honduras, finished last in that group, with only 1 win in 3 games, a 2-0 win over T&T.
I think this group will be harder to get results against than we may think. It will be very important for the Americans to get a win in their group opener against Panama. Although America should have more than enough quality to get the necessary results, I know Jurgen and the squad wont be taking any of these games lightly.For some players that were called up,they will have their first chance to show they are ready to be starters. Brad Guzan, is one of them. He will have his first chance to be the starter for the national team at a international competition. He had backed up Tim Howard for many years, but Tim, who turned 36 this year, will most likely wont be called up for the 2018 world cup.
Another player looking to make a big splash is DeAndre Yedlin. A surprise call up to last years world cup, he will only be turning 22 this month. He only played a year and a half in MLS before Tottenham Hotspurs from the English Premier League took a chance and bought him last summer. This could be a big chance for him to show his bosses in London his qualities, as he is missing training camp with Tottenham for national team action.