Gold Cup 2013: Preview and Predictions for Opening Quarterfinals Action

The group stage of the 2013 Gold Cup came to a close with two thrilling Group C contests that yielded a stunning 1-0 United States victory over Costa Rica and a 4-0 Cuba victory over Belize that earned it a spot in the quarterfinals as the last representative of the top third-place teams.

Now, with the field set, the quarterfinals are set to kick off on Saturday with two exciting matchups featuring three top-two finishers and an upstart Cuban team hoping to build off its momentum.

The action is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday with Panama squaring off with Cuba, immediately followed by Match 2 between Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.

We’ll provide the vitals and preview both of those matches, as well as offer predictions for the winning teams.

 

Panama vs. Cuba

Where: Georgia Dome; Atlanta, Georgia

When: Saturday, July 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET

Television/Streaming: Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer 2Go

Group Stage Points: Panama 7, Cuba 3

Unfortunately for Cuba, its 4-0 victory on Tuesday may have just prolonged the inevitable.

The Cuban team was winless in its last 12 Gold Cup matches entering that contest, and while it played extremely well—fueled by an Ariel Martinez hat trick—Cuba stands little chance of upending a tremendous Panama team on the heels of a seven-point group-stage showing.

Panama won each of its first two group-stage contests, the first of which was a convincing victory over a reeling Mexican side fresh off a disappointing Confederations Cup campaign. While Panama played to scoreless draw with Canada in its last match, the team really didn’t have much to play for.

Now, Panama looks to build on its impressive tournament performance with another win in the knockout stage, and unless Cuba can step up its attack, that’s likely to happen.

Cuba allowed seven goals and scored just one in its first two group-stage matches, slowed in the defensive third by a group of defenders unable to apply enough pressure on the wings. Similarly, Cuba struggled to organize its attack, coming up well short against both the United States and Costa Rica.

With all due respect to Cuba, it simply isn’t on the same level as Panama right now. Unless Martinez steps up with another monster performance, Panama should breeze to a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Panama 4, Cuba 1

 

Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago

Where: Georgia Dome; Atlanta, Georgia

When: Saturday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. ET

Television/Streaming: Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer 2Go

Group Stage Points: Mexico 6, Trinidad and Tobago 4

Mexico’s international struggles have been well-documented. After flailing in World Cup qualifiers, the Mexican team saw an early exit in the Confederations Cup and managed just a second-place finish in Group A in this tournament.

While a pair of group-stage victories will certainly help ease some of that tension, Mexico is far too talented to have dropped even one first-round contest. If it doesn’t increase its effort on Saturday, Mexico could be heading for its first Gold Cup exit short of the finals in the last three editions.

But Trinidad and Tobago will have its hands full. After scoring just four goals in its three group-stage contests, Trinidad and Tobago will have to prove its attack is capable of overpowering a stout Mexican defense.

Trinidad and Tobago has some firepower on the attack, but will Kenwyne Jones be enough to help boost his team past an ultra-talented Mexican defense?

At this point, there’s little evidence to suggest that is going to happen.

Prediction: Mexico 2, Trinidad and Tobago 0