Gold Cup 2017: 5 bold predictions
The 2017 Gold Cup will determine which team is the best in CONCACAF. Here are five bold predictions about what will happen.
The eve of any major competition is often the time to make predictions. While the Gold Cup is typically a tournament contested between the region’s top two teams (the United States and Mexico), there have been a few surprises along the way. In 2000, for example, Canada won it all. Other times, teams considered minnows, like Guadeloupe, can be thrust into the limelight. In the case of the French territory, it happened after the tiny archipelago reached the semifinals of the 2007 edition.
Indeed, favorites do often lose. What should be an easy game for a Goliath can end up going in David’s favor. Players can unexpectedly burst onto the scene, often motivated by the zeal to make the World Cup roster, and club teams take notice during the European transfer window.
With so much to play for over the next several weeks, here are five bold predictions.
5. The United States will struggle versus Panama
The USMNT play Panama, Martinique and Nicaragua in what should be a very manageable first round. However, Panama are the team in that group vying for second and the one who could give the United States the biggest trouble. The sides meet July 8 in the Group B opener at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, a match that could set the tone at this tournament for both teams. While the Americans hold an overall all-time record of 12-2-4, the United States has struggled against the Central Americans at the Gold Cup.
The last time the teams played at the Gold Cup was the third-place match two years ago, a game that ended 1-1 and Panama ultimately won 3-2 on a penalties. At the same tournament, the teams met in the first round, a game that also ended 1-1. The Americans, down 1-0 at halftime, salvaged a draw in the 55th minute with a Michael Bradley goal. At the 2011 Gold Cup, Panama stunned the United States 2-1 in the first round and ultimately won the group. In what may have been the most epic encounter between both nations, the teams played to a scoreless draw in the 2005 Gold Cup final under a searing heat at the old Giants Stadium in suburban New York. The Americans ultimately won the trophy on penalties, 3-1.
4. Mexico loses a game in the first round
Mexico, favorites alongside the United States to win the Gold Cup, are in Group C with El Salvador, Curacao and Jamaica. With coach Juan Carlos Osorio fielding a “B team” (made up exclusively of Liga MX players) following his side’s run at the recent Confederations Cup in Russia, El Tri could be challenged.
The opponent that sticks out most from this trio is Jamaica, who reached the final two years ago following an upset of the United States in the semifinals. In the final, Mexico trounced the Caribbean nation, 3-1. Nonetheless, Jamaica put on a grand performance during the tournament, going 2-1-0 in the group stage with wins versus Canada and El Salvador. If Mexico were to take a misstep at this Gold Cup, Jamaica would be the ones to do it.
3. Dom Dwyer will impress
The English-born striker has been tearing it up with Sporting Kansas City since he was drafted in 2012. Now, he’s hoping to do the same for the United States. Dwyer became a U.S. citizen in March, resulting in his call-up to the Gold Cup roster. Soccer is a family affair for Dwyer since his wife, the Canadian-born Sydney Leroux, is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Dwyer follows in the footsteps of many national team stars who have earned a place on the team through naturalization like Hugo Perez and Preki back in the 1980s and ’90s to more recent additions such as Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson.
With coach Bruce Arena resting Christian Pulisic, Dwyer could get very well start in attack as he did for the USA in their recent friendly versus Ghana, where he earned his first cap and also scored a goal. It will be interesting to see how Dwyer does versus international talent. He has been a scoring machine for Sporting KC and a player who can both create chances and run back to aid the defense. Should he impress at the Gold Cup, Arena will undoubtedly call him up for future World Cup qualifiers.
2. Cyle Larin will play for Canada in the knockout round
Larin is the biggest talent of his generation to come out of Canada. He’s also not on the Gold Cup roster … at least not yet.
Although Larin was left off the roster by new coach Octavio Zambrano, he could be called up to the team once the first round concludes, according to tournament rules. The rules stipulate that as many as six players can be swapped out for the knockout stage. Following his recent DWI arrest, the Orlando City FC star has been cleared to return to his MLS team. Depending on how Canada fare in the opening round, having an offensive weapon like Larin in the knockout round could make them a lot tougher to beat.
Next: Gold Cup 2017: 3 dark horses
1. Costa Rica will win it all
Remember the 2014 World Cup when Costa Rica reached the quarterfinals? It seems like a long time ago. While the Ticos have been inconsistent at times, the team have played well in World Cup qualifying and are currently second in the Hex. Costa Rica’s 4-0 home win against the United States this past November cost Jurgen Klinsmann his job.
Which takes us to the present. Costa Rica have a real chance here of doing something special. Most all of their regulars are on the roster (Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is the main exception) for the tournament. Should striker Bryan Ruiz, who was named CONCACAF’s best player last year, have a great Gold Cup, Costa Rica could very well be lifting the trophy come July 26 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.