CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013: Previewing Thursday's Group a Showdowns in Seattle
Group stage play is officially underway at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and will continue on Thursday when two-time defending champion Mexico will look to pick up its first win of the tournament in the second go-around of Group A action.
But before El Tri squares off against Canada in Seattle, Panama and Martinique will go head to head in Seattle. Will Mexico bounce back from its slow start? Will Panama improve to 2-0?
Read on to find out those answers and more as we get you set with everything you need to know heading into Thursday's Group A action in the Pacific Northwest.
Martinique Aims to Keep Memorable Run Alive vs. Panama
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Thursday, July 11, 8:30 p.m. ET
Watch: FOX Soccer
Live Stream: FOXSoccer2Go
Despite flying well below the radar coming into this year's Gold Cup, the Caribbean's Martinique is already off to a scorching start after stunning Canada in the Group A opener on Sunday at the Rose Bowl.
Up next for Les Matinino is Panama, which earned three huge points of its own against Mexico last weekend.
Panama got an early goal from Gabriel Torres and then responded beautifully to the Mexicans' equalizer late in the first half by scoring three minutes into the second half to take a lead that it would not relinquish.
It will be very interesting to see how Martinique responds after a dramatic 1-0 win over Canada that saw Fabrice Reuperne score the deciding goal three minutes into injury time. Although Patrick Cavelan's squad is flying high at the moment, expect Panama to bring Martinique back down to earth on Thursday.
Los Canaleros are obviously the more talented bunch and, as they showed against Mexico on Sunday, they don't need many opportunities to score goals.
Mexico and Canada Each Look to Bounce Back
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Thursday, July 11, 11 p.m. ET
Watch: FOX Soccer
Live Stream: FOXSoccer2Go
Both Mexico and Canada are in desperate need of a positive result Thursday night in Seattle if they hope to remain in the mix in Group A and ultimately advance to the Gold Cup quarterfinals this month.
Each suffered a one-goal loss on Sunday at the Rose Bowl, but the Canucks were dealt a devastating blow that may prove too much to overcome. Canada looked poised to secure a point from a 0-0 draw with Martinique until the tiny island nation scored deep into injury time to steal three points and leave the North American squad in disbelief.
Mexico's defeat wasn't nearly as heartbreaking, but every bit as deflating. El Tri possessed the ball for over 70 percent of the match and put twice as many shots on goal as Panama, only to lose, 2-1.
Although its best players didn't make the trip to the United States for this year's tournament, Mexico is still a team worthy of the quarterfinals this summer.
Look for El Tri to right the ship on Thursday and beat a disappointed and undermanned Canadian team that hasn't won the Gold Cup since 2000.
Gold Cup Group A Standings
| Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Panama | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| Martinique | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.






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