Plenty at stake in Gold Cup for Mexico, United States

Panama have impressed at recent Gold Cup tournaments, reaching the semi-finals in their last three appearances, finishing as runners up in 2005 and 2013. Canada Coach Octavio Zambrano named nine MLS players to his team.

The young US team took care of business, cruising through group play and taking out Panama (2-1) in the quarterfinals and Honduras (2-0) in the semifinals. The victor of the tournament will be halfway toward qualification for the 2021 Confederations Cup. Right here. The U.S., winners just once in 28 meetings with its southern neighbor since claiming the 1934 World Cup qualifier in the initial clash, shocked Mexico on goals by John Doyle and Peter Vermes, one of the most significant victories in American soccer history. These are all important games.

Despite lacking star power, the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup will offer first-rate soccer drama.

Donovan, who retired from global soccer in 2014, is the all-time leading goal scorer for the US men’s national team and consistently came up with goals in the Gold Cup (18 goals).

McCarty was the player usually sitting deep, Acosta shuttled between attack and defense, while Corona played higher in a bid to provide support for lone striker Dom Dwyer. From his first few touches Davies showed he belonged on the same field with players up to 20 years his senior.

To read this article in one of Houston’s most-spoken languages, click on the button below.

Thankfully, the team has been handed another attempt just two years later, despite many clamouring for CONCACAF to follow some of the other confederations and play the tournament every four years. Its 23-man roster includes Dynamo forward Erick Torres, who was a late injury substitute. In 2015, a total of 26 matches including the final match were played in 14 different venues in the United States.

Tonight’s second game will feature Honduras and Costa Rica, two well respected teams in CONCACAF.

Los Catrachos have struggled in World Cup qualifying, but should do enough to progress in second place. Winning the opener would allow Arena to play a younger squad in the remaining group stage games. Mexico’s debut is slated for Sunday against El Salvador.

The first game, which will kick off at 7 p.m. and be televised on Fox Sports 2, will be the first time Canada and French Guiana play each other in the Gold Cup.

Canada faces a far tougher test in its next group game against Costa Rica, while French Guyana takes on Honduras.

The only obvious setback for the United States at present: A groin injury for another newcomer, Kenny Saief, who has been ruled out for the tournament and was replaced on the roster by Philadelphia Union winger Chris Pontius on Wednesday.

Marco Urena converted a volley on a sublime cross from Rodney Wallace shortly before halftime to give Costa Rica a lead it would never relinquish Friday evening.

The next time Davies received the ball in a similar position was in the 60th minute, and this time the youngster powered past his defender and calmly slotted the ball through the legs of the onrushing French Guiana ‘keeper.

But it’s not like this tournament is without its quality, and that’s usually provided in the grandstand, can’t-miss finale between Mexico and the United States. After losing to Bermuda through a Reggie Lambe goal (remember him, Toronto FC fans?) in an earlier round, the two met again with a place in the third and final group stages still in place.