Expect the unexpected in Gold Cup quarters

As CONCACAF competitions tend to be, the Gold Cup group stage was a strange little rodeo.

French Guiana fielded an ineligible player, knowing full well it would forfeit the match (and subsequently get hit by sanctions).

Honduras advanced despite failing to score, its only three goals awarded through French Guiana’s forfeit.

The United States relinquished a two-goal lead in the second half to lightly regarded Martinique, but won anyway.

Powerhouse Mexico laboured to put aside upstart Curacao.

The tournament’s leading scorers with three goals apiece were a 16-year-old Canadian (Vancouver Whitecaps forward Alphonso Davies) and a Martinican who was briefly a Seattle Sounder (Kevin Parsemain).

The U.S. matches (in Nashville, Tenn.; Tampa, Fla.; and Cleveland) drew an average of 32,975. Mexico’s games (San Diego, Denver, San Antonio) attracted 48,829. Well, that’s not so strange.

Up next are the quarter-final games. On Wednesday in Philadelphia, the United States plays El Salvador while Costa Rica takes on Panama. On Thursday in Glendale, Ariz., Canada will play Jamaica while Mexico takes on Honduras.

Wednesday’s winners will meet in Saturday’s semifinal in Arlington, Texas. The winners from Thursday’s quarter-final matches in Glendale play Sunday in Pasadena, Calif. The final is next Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif.

If the quarter-finals and semifinals are tied after 90 minutes, the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks. The final will, if necessary, use 30 minutes of extra time before turning to penalties. Teams are afforded one additional sub during extra time.