Gold Group Preview: Group C
Curacao, Mexico, Jamaica, El Salvador
This Saturday twelve teams begin to kick-off to battle for the Gold Cup. Here is a preview for Group C from who will make a surprise out the group stage to the favorite.
Jamaica
The island nation’s history in the Gold Cup is coming off their best finish in 2015 as runner-up losing to Mexico. They made headlines in 2015 after defeating the United States 2-1 in the semifinals. Lately though they have been struggling to find success in the Caribbean Cup losing 2-1 to Curacao. The current roster for the tournament shows experience from the MLS and the USL. That should be enough to them help get past the group stage, which anything less than a quarterfinal will be for sure a disappointing result for the Reggae Boyz. Though Mexico is the favorite Jamaica will be out for revenge against Curacao and hope to make
Prediction Quarterfinals finishing 2nd place
Curacao
Curacao is coming off their first ever win of the Caribbean Cup and now look to take that momentum into the Gold Cup. Their last appearance in the Gold Cup was in 1969 finishing 3rd place. This surprised underdog has talent from the 2nd tier Dutch teams and look for Leandro Bacuna from Aston Villa to be the enforcer in the midfield.
Prediction 3rd place squeaking into the quarterfinals.
Mexico
Mexico is coming off a 4th place finish in the Confederations Cup after leading for almost the entire 2nd half and losing in extra time to Portugal. It may seem like a relief for the United States that Mexico is playing with a B team in this year’s Gold Cup. Instead it puts more pressure on the U.S. to win the tournament with no excuses for the United States to lose. Mexico still has the ability to do very well in the tournament even with half of the players having less than 10 caps. There is no way you can count out Mexico, with a young squad and an experienced head coach Juan Carlos Osario they are looking forward to reach their 6th consecutive semifinal and potential 5th final dating back to 2003.
Prediction 1st place in the group to see USA in the final.
El Salvador
It has been an up and down year for El Salvador in 2017 finishing third in the Copa Centroamerica. The oldest player is 29 meaning young squad can be exciting to watch but they inexperience against Mexico and Jamaica may become their downfall. One player to watch for is Rodolfo Zelaya who has the 3rd most number of caps and scoring the most goals with 20 and in only 44 caps for the Los Cuscatlecos.
Prediction 4th place inexperience will get the best of them in difficult group C.
Featured image courtesy of BleacherReport.com
