CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009: Schedule and Preview

The 2009 Gold Cup kicks off Friday July 3rd, less than three weeks away, so first off, here is the schedule:

First Round

Friday, July 3

Canada vs. Jamaica

Costa Rica vs. El Salvador

Saturday, July 4

Honduras vs. Haiti

Grenada vs. USA

Sunday, July 5

Panama vs. Guadeloupe

Nicaragua vs. Mexico

Tuesday, July 7

Jamaica vs. Costa Rica

El Salvador vs. Canada

Wednesday, July 8

Haiti vs. Grenada

USA vs. Honduras

Thursday, July 9

Guadeloupe vs. Nicaragua

Mexico vs. Panama

Friday, July 10

Costa Rica vs. Canada

El Salvador vs. Jamaica

Saturday, July 11

USA vs. Haiti

Honduras vs. Grenada

Sunday, July 12

Panama vs. Nicaragua

Mexico vs. Guadeloupe

Quarterfinals

Saturday, July 18 – Philadelphia

Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up

Group B winner vs. Group A/C third-place

Sunday, July 19 – Dallas

Group C runner-up vs. Group A runner-up

Group C winner vs. Group A/B third place

Semifinals

Thursday, July 23 – Chicago

Philadelphia quarterfinal winners

Dallas quarterfinal winners

Final

Sunday, July 26 - New York

With USA winning the past two Gold Cups, and being the highest ranked team going in, they are surely the favorite, but they will no doubt face opposition.

Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras are surely teams to watch out for.

Here are the groups:

Group A will consist of Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Jamaica. Look for Costa Rica to be the favorite here, especially after beating USA in a World Cup Qualifying match a few weeks ago.

Group B will consist of Grenada, USA, Haiti and Honduras. USA and Honduras will be favorites. USA should win this group with ease, considering their play against Honduras earlier in the year.

Group C will consist of Guadeloupe, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Mexico is surely the favorite going in and should easily win this group.

Quarterfinal Predictions: Costa Rica v. Honduras

                                    USA V. El Salvador

                                    Panama v. Canada

                                      Mexico v. Haiti

Semi-final Predictions: Costa Rica v USA

                               Mexico v. Canada

Final Prediction: Mexico v. USA...Winner: USA 

Look for USA to rebound with two rematches, first against Costa Rica and second a rematch of the 2007 Gold Cup versus Mexico, in which USA won 2-1.