Regional powers lay out their goals
U.S., Mexico will compete for coveted berth in Confederations Cup, evaluate personnel
The two heavyweights of CONCACAF are not fielding full-strength rosters for the Gold Cup, but that does not mean there is anything less at stake for Mexico and the United States.
The biennial 12-team tournament kicks off in the United States on Friday night. The winner gets a berth in CONCACAF’s playoff for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Germany recently beat Chile to win the 2017 Confederations Cup, and U.S. national team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya said it was inspiring to see it unfold on one of the world’s biggest stages.
“A lot of people were watching those games this summer, and you see the type of competition you’re up against,” Bedoya said. “We’d definitely like to be part of that. These are all important games. This (Gold Cup) is an important tournament.”
Bedoya is part of the U.S. team, ranked 35th in the world, that will play without stars such as Christian Pulisic, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Geoff Cameron and Clint Dempsey.
Instead, coach Bruce Arena has called on players such as Dax McCarty, Dom Dwyer, Matt Besler and Joe Corona.
“We’re at a time when we have
to give certain players a break,” Arena said. “In some ways, we have a new identity with this team, some new players. That’s challenging. We’re hopeful we can get some good results.”
FIFA rules prevent Mexico, ranked 16th in the world, from using the same roster in back-to-back tournaments, so Mexico, which advanced to the Confederations Cup semifinals, will field a “B” team for the Gold Cup. Its 23-man roster includes Dynamo forward Erick Torres, who was a late injury substitute.
Mexico has been listed as the betting favorite, with the United States close behind. Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama should pose strong challenges.
All three countries are participating in the CONCACAF’s final round of World Cup qualifying.
In the Gold Cup, Mexico is in Group C with El Salvador, Jamaica and Curaçao. Mexico plays its first group-stage match Sunday night against El Salvador in San Diego.
The United States is in Group B with Panama, Martinique and Nicaragua. The U.S. opens against Panama on Saturday in Nashville.
Group A is composed of Honduras, Canada, Costa Rica and French Guiana. Those teams will play their second group-stage games at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday. The doubleheader has Costa Rica vs. Canada at 6:30 p.m. and Honduras vs. French Guiana at 9 p.m.
Mexico and the United States have won 12 of the 13 Gold Cups since 1991. Five of the 13 finals have pitted the two, but two finals in a row have not.
“It is important to win your confederation championship,” Arena said. “We’re certainly setting our sights on that.”