The CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place from 5th to 25th June in the United States, and this is the 11th edition of the tournament. As the region continues to develop, this promises to be the most competitive tournament to date. While the Gold Cup has been dominated by Mexico and the United States since its inception in 1991 (only Canada have managed to break the two teams’ stranglehold on the trophy), the competition improves every edition and there usually is no shortage of surprises.

With the United States, Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe, Group C is the most difficult looking section of the 2011 Gold Cup. While the United States are expected to breeze through proceedings and will expect nothing less than a Gold Cup title, this should be a group that will not be decided until the final day.

Should the hosts claim the top spot in Group C as expected, the fight for second place should be intriguing nonetheless. Canada, under manager Stephen Hart, have made strides recently and will hope to conjure up the spirit of 2000, when they lifted the Gold Cup for the only time in their history. Panama are not to be overlooked and have done well in recent years to become one of the most improved sides in CONCACAF. Guadeloupe too, while relatively unknown and not even a member of FIFA, surprised all observers with a run to the semi-finals in 2007 and will be no pushovers in this tournament. We look at the teams involved in Group C:


United States

As far as the United States are concerned, anything less than lifting the Gold Cup trophy on 25th June will be considered a failure. After sending out in essence a B team at the 2009 tournament, the Americans did well, but ultimately finished as runners-up losing 5-0 to Mexico in the final. This time though, coach Bob Bradley has called up what is near-enough a full-strength side. The desire to return to the top of CONCACAF is great and on paper this is, along with Mexico, the strongest team of the bunch. With a squad littered with European and MLS experience and home advantage as hosts, the United States start as favourites to lift the trophy.

 

Coach: Bob Bradley

After a successful time coaching college and club football in the United States, Bradley was handed the reins to the national team in 2006. He has since led the Americans to a Gold Cup title in 2007, a runners-up spot at the 2009 Confederations Cup, as well as a Round of 16 appearance at the 2010 World Cup last summer. The 53-year-old was retained in his current position after the sojourn in South Africa, despite widespread speculation that he would give way to a fresh face.

Now, Bradley is preparing a side to compete in the 2014 World Cup after signing a four-year contract last August. He previously won trophies at club level with Chicago Fire in 1998 (a league and cup double) and 2000 (cup).

Key Player: Landon Donovan

The leader on the pitch for the United States, Donovan’s career has experienced a revival since a highly successful loan spell at English side Everton and good showing for his country at the 2010 World Cup. Donovan is a seven-time United States Soccer Player of the Year and his skill and goalscoring abilities have been a big part of America’s success since his debut in 2000. The 29-year-old has now amassed over 130 international caps and is the all-time leading scorer in US history with 45 goals.

Besides his status as the top American player of the last decade, Donovan has also been one of the best MLS performers in the league’s history and has won three MLS Cups, two with San Jose Earthquakes and one with current side Los Angeles Galaxy.

 

 

Canada

Arguably Canada are the sleeping giants of football in the CONCACAF region. Though the side won the Gold Cup in 2000, becoming the only team outside the United States and Mexico to lift the trophy, the fact remains that overall the North American nation have usually flattered to deceive at the tournament. Add to this only one World Cup finals appearance back in 1986 and at the top level Canada can be considered underachievers. There is a positive mood however sweeping through the Canadian ranks, in what feels like a now-or-never scenario for the country’s team. Blessed with a squad with a mix of youth and experience, along with a fine blend of talent plying their trade in Europe and North America, the sense is that if Canada are going to perform and impress in the region it will have to happen now. Perhaps one of the more intriguing sides to watch during this Gold Cup.

Coach: Stephen Hart

Trinidad and Tobago-born Hart was appointed as Canada manager in late 2009 after taking over the side on two occasions as interim boss. He has since succeeded in picking up some positive friendly results, but the Gold Cup represents a first real competitive test as full-time manager. Not that Hart doesn’t have experience with the tournament though; as interim coach, the 51-year-old led Canada to the semi-finals in 2007 and quarter-finals two years ago. A coach that has held many positions in the Canadian system from youth teams all the way up to the national side, Hart is considered by many to be the right man for the job. The only question now is whether he can deliver on the big stage.

Key Player: Dwayne De Rosario

A supremely talented midfielder-cum-forward, De Rosario has been one of the all-time best players in MLS history. Playing in the league for 10 years, the Canadian has a haul of four MLS Cup titles along with two Most Valuable Player awards. Able to deliver the telling pass or score at a good rate, there is a touch of genius to the 33-year-old, and he remains capable of scoring breathtaking goals. Canada’s most experienced player, with 55 caps and 15 goals, De Rosario will be keen to shine as the clock ticks down on his international career.

 

 

Panama

Consigned to the CONCACAF doldrums for an extended period of time, the Panamanian national team has emerged as a regional power in the last six years. Panama began turning heads back in 2005 when they surprisingly advanced to the Gold Cup final, only to lose to the United States on penalties. In fact, the Americans have been a thorn in the side of this team, having knocked the country out of the last three Gold Cup tournaments. Grouped with the United States again, La Marea Roja can at least look forward to meeting different opposition in the quarter-finals should they advance.

Coach: Julio Dely Valdes

One of the most famous Panamanian footballers, Dely Valdes was appointed as manager of the national team last September, preferred over Luis Fernando Suarez who instead joined Honduras. A former striker, he started his tenure in decent fashion by leading the team to third place in the Copa Centroamericana. The pressure will be on now to advance to the knockout stage of the Gold Cup with a quarter-final spot the least that is expected. The 44-year-old coach brings a wealth of experience to his new position having played nearly 500 professional matches as a player, scoring over 200 goals in the process and playing in several countries including Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, France and Spain.

Key Player: Felipe Baloy

The 29-year-old Baloy has been a rock at the back for Panama in the last decade. A strong central defender, he is one of the most experienced and well-travelled players in the Panamanian squad. Baloy has played in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico, where he now turns out for Santos Laguna. With over 400 professional matches under his belt, the Panama captain has made 50 appearances for his country.

 

 

Guadeloupe

The Gold Cup is commonly considered Guadeloupe’s World Cup as the country is an overseas department of France and not FIFA-affiliated, but rather only an associate member of CONCACAF. Despite having only played in a handful of regional tournaments to date, the team have acquitted themselves well. In 2007, Guadeloupe wowed observers with their march to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup, knocking out a strong Honduras side in the quarter-finals before going down to powerhouses Mexico. The team have been well assembled by coach Roger Salnot and enter the Gold Cup in good form having made it to the final of the 2010 Digicel Cup, only losing out to Jamaica on penalties. It remains to be seen how this talented side can perform this year without the element of surprise however.

Coach: Roger Salnot

At the helm since 2001, Salnot has overseen the rapid rise of Guadeloupe in the last half decade. The coach has been able to put together a competitive side comprised of European-based players and domestic talent, with the results speaking for themselves and including several positive performances in the Gold Cup and Digicel Cup.

Key Player: Stephane Auvray

The Guadeloupe captain is the heart and soul of his team. Born and raised in Guadeloupe, an island with a population of only 400,000, Auvray moved to Europe as a teenager and landed in France to begin his career. He started with amateur side GSI Pontivy before moving to Vannes OC, playing there for five seasons and compiling over 150 appearances. Auvray has now taken his game to the United States where he has become a stalwart for MLS side Sporting Kansas City.

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