July 8, 2005
Gold Cup 2005 is here
CONCACAF’s international championship, the Gold
Cup, has arrived and will be taking place on these shores
from July 6th-24th. Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala,
Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago
and the U.S.A. will compete in the 12-team tournament
along with invitees Colombia and South Africa. The rosters
are a mix of A and B-listers across all nations but
such stars as Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala), Jared Borgetti
(Mexico) and Steven Pienaar (South Africa) are expected
to turn up. The top two teams from each of the three
groups, along with the two best third-place finishers
will progress to the quarterfinal single-game knockout
stage.
Group A is a bit of a crapshoot with Colombia looking
a likely favorite. Honduras, Panama and a resurgent
Trinidad & Tobago will scramble for second place
and possibly a lucky third place progression.
Bringing a mostly MLS-based squad, the U.S. should
walk Group B, with Costa Rica providing the toughest
opposition. A politically thorny match-up with Cuba
will be the U.S.’ first match on Thursday the
7th at Seattle’s Qwest Field. Struggling Canada,
surprise winners of this competition in 2000, should
not be trouble for anybody in this group.
If there is a so-called Group of Death in this tournament,
Group C is it. Favorites Mexico will do battle with
South Africa, Guatemala and Jamaica. None of these sides
are to be underestimated, and one will likely grab a
third-place trip to the quarterfinals.
Overall the U.S. should be favorites to win it all,
while Mexico may be fatigued so soon after an inspired
Confederations Cup performance last month. Costa Rica
and Colombia may also challenge and do not overlook
an underrated South African side.
Edward Knowles, International Editor, 90:00™
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