What, even more tournament football I hear you exclaim?!
Well yes, it has surprised me too. We are still enjoying the latter stages of the Copa America and it’s still five days before the final of Euro 2020, but the CONCACAF Gold Cup is here.
It may be seen as a bit of a throwaway by fans and media generally but don’t let that viewpoint deceive you. It means something to the participants, especially the two most successful nations.
In fact, Mexico and the United States have dominated this competition since it began in 1991 with the North Americans capturing eight titles and the US claiming six successes.
To put that into context, not since 2000 when Canada beat Colombia has a nation other than Mexico or the US triumphed.
So as Euro 2020 and the Copa America reach a conclusion this weekend, thoughts will turn to who can become the continental champion of the Americas and the Caribbean.
In terms of squad depth and quality, holders El Tri will be tough to beat.
Placed 11th in the FIFA World Rankings, they are the highest nation in the competition, ahead of 20th-placed USA, Jamaica at 45th and Costa Rica at 50th.
With El Salvador and Curaçao among their opponents, Group A should be navigated in a fairly straightforward manner, likewise for the US in Group B where Canada and Matinica are among those who lie in wait.
As with Mexico, this competition does have tremendous meaning for the United States national team who won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2017 before losing to Mexico in the final two years ago.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter has a tough job with an inexperienced roster to select from and the absence of Chelsea’s Champions League winner Christian Pulisic is certainly a big blow for the Stars and Stripes.
As for other teams who could pose a threat, well in Group C don’t be surprised if Costa Rica and/or Jamaica lift their game for the big occasion. They have done it before and could well do it again.
How fitting it would be in 2021 if Costa Rica triumph, exactly a century after the national team, which features three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas in goals, was founded.
Costa Rica held Mexico to a draw recently, as did Honduras who start as favourites in Group D where they face Panama, Grenada and Qatar – the latter keen to impress ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.
There is certainly scope for CONCACAF Gold Cup highlights and as ever at SBOTOP, we will provide the up-to-date Gold Cup 2021 news as it happens.
The winners of each group will head to Texas for the semi-finals, hosted in Houston and Austin, before the showcase final takes place in the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas just over three weeks from now.
This is a tournament also known for its comebacks.
Among the most notable came two years ago in the quarter-final between Canada and Haiti.
On that occasion, Canada led 2-0 at the break and all signs pointed towards a first Gold Cup semi-final appearance since 2007.
Yet throughout that tournament, Haiti had produced fightbacks, rallying from 1-0 second half deficits to defeat Bermuda and Costa Rica in the group stage.
You can probably guess what happened next!
Canada are here again and this time with one of the brightest stars for both club and country on their roster, Alphonso Davies.
Last year, Davies became the first Canadian to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and the defender has nine goals in 20 appearances for his national team.
Despite his talent, 14 of the Canadian squad have 10 caps or fewer and that inexperience may show as the tournament progresses.
Watch out also for Leon Bailey. The subject of an eligibility debate that raged from Belgium, via England, to even Germany, Bayer Leverkusen’s mercurial winger debuted for Jamaica at the 2019 Gold Cup and impressed in the Bundesliga last term.
Another Bundesliga man is Sheraldo Becker who will feature for minnows Suriname. The former Ajax academy player immediately showed what he could offer, scoring two goals on his debut in a 6-0 win over Bermuda in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Back to the favourites though and, while good outside bets, it’s hard to see Canada, Costa Rica or Jamaica being quite ready to unseat El Tricolor or the US.
Experience will prove the key and I can’t see past Mexico again.
Before you pick a winner, make sure you study the CONCACAF Gold Cup betting odds.
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