The field has been announced, the groups have been determined and the schedule has been set.
Now, there’s only one question remaining: Who will win the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
Who will win the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
As always, the US and Mexico are the favorites. The two North American powers have combined to win 11 of the 12 previous Gold Cups, with the US taking the 2013 edition after Mexico lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2011.
This summer though, figures to provide a stiffer test for the Yanks and El Tri. Costa Rica is the top-ranked team in the region, checking in at 13th in Thursday’s FIFA rankings, eight spots ahead of Mexico and 19 in front of the US. Still riding high after their quarterfinal performance at last summer’s World Cup, Los Ticos will no doubt send a strong squad to the Gold Cup, with a tournament win giving them a shot at qualifying for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
Panama and Honduras – assuming the Catrachos beat French Guiana to qualify for the tournament – will also be tough outs. Both are paired with the US in Group A, and each country will be looking to improve on strong 2013 Gold Cup showings that saw Panama make the final and Honduras bow out in the semis.
Don’t sleep on the dark horses, either. Canada and Jamaica won’t be favored to lift the trophy, but they both have some talent, and could spring a surprise or two this summer.
Who do you think will take home the Gold Cup? Vote for the team you think will lift the trophy in Philadelphia this July. We’ll share the results on Friday.
