The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off tonight with French Guiana and Canada starting the party at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Here is a complete guide to following the U.S. men’s national team and your Loons — Francisco Calvo and Johan Venegas with Costa Rica and Jermaine Taylor with Jamaica — throughout the tournament.
But first, let’s take a step back and look at what the Gold Cup is.
SOURCE: USA TODAY Sports
The Gold Cup is the confederation championship for CONCACAF – the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. It is held every two years at venues across the region, primarily in the U.S. Teams qualify through various smaller tournaments such as the Caribbean Cup and Copa Centroamericana, with the U.S., Mexico and Canada receiving automatic bids.
Twelve qualifying teams are split into three groups, with the top two teams in each group and the two best third-place teams moving on to the knockout matches. The final eight teams battle in a single-elimination bracket to be crowned champion on July 26 at Levi’s Stadium in California. The 2017 champion will play the winner of the 2019 tournament for a spot in the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Now that you know how it works, let’s take a look at the groups.
<strong>Group A</strong> |
<strong>Group B</strong> |
<strong>Group C</strong> |
<img alt="Costa Rica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Costa Rica</div> |
<img alt="United States" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">USA</div> |
<img alt="Jamaica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Jamaica.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Jamaica</div> |
<img alt="Honduras" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_Honduras.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Honduras</div> |
<img alt="Panama" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Panama.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Panama</div> |
<img alt="Mexico" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Mexico.svg.png" style="width: 50px; height: 29px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Mexico</div> |
<img alt="French Guiana" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_French_Guiana.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">French Guiana</div> |
<img alt="Martinique" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Snake_Flag_of_Martinique.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Martinique</div> |
<img alt="El Salvador" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_El_Salvador.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">El Salvador</div> |
<img alt="Canada" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Canada</div> |
<img alt="Nicaragua" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Nicaragua</div> |
<img alt="Curacao" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Curac%CC%A7ao.svg.png" style="width: 50px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Curacao</div> |
With Costa Rica, Jamaica and the U.S. all separated, Loons fans will have a squad to root for in each group. Calvo, Venegas and the rest of the Ticos should easily advance with the first seed from Group A, with Honduras likely providing their stiffest competition. The recent form of the U.S. makes it a safe bet they will advance with the #1 spot for Group B. The road for Taylor and the Reggae Boyz looks a little rocky after being paired with juggernaut Mexico, but they should be able to manage a second-place finish in the group.
Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, Mexico and the U.S. have won all but one tournament. Canada pulled off a dramatic upset in the 2000 Gold Cup, but no other team has been able to break through since. Will surging Costa Rica make a run for its first title? Or will Jamaica make a repeat appearance in the final and take the crown?
Here’s how you can watch your Loons and the Yanks throughout the Gold Cup.
GROUP STAGE
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Time (CT)</strong> |
<strong>TV</strong> |
July 7 |
<img alt="Costa Rica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Costa Rica</div> |
<img alt="Honduras" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_Honduras.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Honduras</div> |
8:00 p.m. |
FS2 |
July 8 |
<img alt="United States" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">USA</div> |
<img alt="Panama" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Panama.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Panama</div> |
3:30 p.m. |
FOX |
July 9 |
<img alt="Jamaica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Jamaica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Jamaica</div> |
<img alt="Curacao" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Curac%CC%A7ao.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Curacao</div> |
6:00 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 11 |
<img alt="Costa Rica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Costa Rica</div> |
<img alt="Canada" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Canada</div> |
6:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 12 |
<img alt="United States" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">USA</div> |
<img alt="Martinique" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Snake_Flag_of_Martinique.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Martinique</div> |
7:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 13 |
<img alt="Jamaica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Jamaica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Jamaica</div> |
<img alt="Mexico" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Mexico.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Mexico</div> |
9:00 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 14 |
<img alt="Costa Rica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Costa Rica</div> |
<img alt="French Guiana" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_French_Guiana.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">French Guiana</div> |
6:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 15 |
<img alt="United States" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">USA</div> |
<img alt="Nicaragua" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Nicaragua</div> |
6:00 p.m. |
Univision/FXX |
July 16 |
<img alt="Jamaica" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/Flag_of_Jamaica.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">Jamaica</div> |
<img alt="El Salvador" src="https://minnesota-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2017/July/Gold%20Cup%20Flags/100px-Flag_of_El_Salvador.svg.png" style="width: 25px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><div style="display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;">El Salvador</div> |
5:00 p.m. |
FS2 |
QUARTERFINALS
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Team 1</strong> |
<strong>Team 2</strong> |
<strong>Time (CT)</strong> |
<strong>TV</strong> |
July 19 |
Group A #1 |
Group B #2 |
5:00 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 19 |
Group B #1 |
TBD |
8:00 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 20 |
Group C #1 |
TBD |
6:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 20 |
Group C #2 |
Group A #2 |
9:00 p.m. |
FS1 |
SEMIFINALS
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Team 1</strong> |
<strong>Team 2</strong> |
<strong>Time (CT)</strong> |
<strong>TV</strong> |
July 22 |
TBD |
TBD |
8:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
July 23 |
TBD |
TBD |
7:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
FINAL
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Team 1</strong> |
<strong>Team 2</strong> |
<strong>Time (CT)</strong> |
<strong>TV</strong> |
July 26 |
TBD |
TBD |
8:30 p.m. |
FS1 |
