SOC: Gold Cup Preview

The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup begins at 7:00 p.m. on July 7, 2017, and three of our writers have predicted who they believe will navigate through the Group Stage, and advance to the Knockout Stage. The first place and second place teams from Group A-C move on, while the top two third place teams join them, meaning eight teams go through to the bracket round. Mexico and the United States have won each of the last eight tournaments, with the two countries winning four a piece. Mexico won in 2003, 2009, 2011, and 2015. And the United States took the title in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013. Canada, in 2000, is the only other country to win a Gold Cup championship.

Group A:

Canada

Costa Rica

French Guiana

Honduras

Canada is 3-1-1 in their last five outings, with one of their victories coming against El Salvador, 3-1, on September 6, who is in Group C. Costa Rica is 2-1-1 in their previous five matches, highlighted by their 4-0 domination against the United States on November 15, while their lone loss came at the hands of Mexico, 2-0, on March 24. French Guiana will face Canada on July 7 at 7:00 p.m., Honduras on July 11 at 10:00 p.m., and Costa Rica on July 14 at 7:30 p.m. Honduras is 0-2-3 in their last five meetings, losing to the United States, 6-0, on March 24, and tying Panama, 2-2, on June 13.

Group B:

Martinique

Nicaragua

Panama

United States

Martinique is 1-1-1 since March 26, winning easily on April 27, against Guadeloupe, 4-1. Nicaragua has struggled, going 0-4-1 since September 8, losing to Bolivia twice last month. Panama's year hasn't been going very well either, at 0-1-4, tying Honduras, 2-2, in the last outing. The United States has gone 2-0-3 in their last five matches, stretching since March 28, highlighted by a 1-1 tie against Mexico and a 2-1 victory over Ghana.

Group C:

Curacao

El Salvador

Jamaica

Mexico

Curacao is 0-3-2 in their most recent five games, but it's hard to tell exactly where they are, given three of those games are against El Salvador, one which was a tie, and the other two being loses. Speaking of, El Salvador is 0-3-2. with losses coming against Mexico, Canada, and Ecuador. Jamaica is 1-4-0 since September 2, when they were defeated, 2-0, by Panama. Mexico, who is favored, along with the U.S. to reach the title game, went 2-2-1 in the Confederations Cup, taking fourth place, following a 2-1 loss against Portugal in the Third Place Game.

Ricardo Mendoza:

Charles Post:

Chase Zayac:

Photo Credit: WTOP.