Gold Cup 2015: Final Look at Group Results, Tables Before Quarter-Final Fixtures

The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup has reached the knockout phase, with the United States looking by far the best team of the most likely candidates to win the competition.

USMNT topped Group A by three points, and they are pitted against lowly Cuba in their quarter-final berth. Former joint-favourites Mexico have drifted out in the bookies' odds after conceding four goals in their final Group C game against Trinidad and Tobago—leaving them with just one win and two draws from the opening stage—driving them into a second-place finish in the group. 

Here are the final results from the group standings before the tournament hits the last eight, including the quarter-final schedule:

Position	Team	Pl	W	D	L	GD	P
Group A
1	United States	3	2	1	0	2	7
2	Haiti	3	1	1	1	0	4
3	Panama	3	0	3	0	0	3
4	Honduras	3	0	1	2	-2	1
Group B
1	Jamaica	3	2	1	0	2	7
2	Costa Rica	3	0	3	0	0	3
3	El Salvador	3	0	2	1	-1	2
4	Canada	3	0	2	1	-1	2
Group C
1	Trinidad and Tobago	3	2	1	0	4	7
2	Mexico	3	1	2	0	6	5
3	Cuba	3	1	0	2	-7	3
4	Guatemala	3	0	1	2	-3	1

Date	Time (ET/BST)	Fixture	TV Info (US/UK)
Saturday, July 18	5 p.m./10 p.m.	USA vs. Cuba	FOX Sports 2/BT Sport 2
Saturday, July 18	8 p.m./1 a.m.	Haiti vs. Jamaica	FOX Sports 2/BT Sport 2
Sunday, July 19	4:30 p.m./9:30 p.m.	Trinidad vs. Panama	FOX Sports 1/BT Sport 2
Sunday, July 19	7:30 p.m./12:30 a.m.	Mexico vs. Costa Rica	FOX Sports 1/BT Sport 2

USA Unstoppable Against Poor Opposition

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Once upon a time, the United States were rarely thought of as favourites in any form of the game, but those days are long gone, with the Stars and Stripes in control of their Gold Cup destiny. 

USMNT and USWNT are the dominant football forces on their continent, and the men's side will hope to punish Cuba in the next round of the CONCACAF competition. 

The Americans will look towards former Premier League veteran Clint Dempsey, with Jozy Altidore leaving the squad and limiting the nation's goalscoring options. Dempsey's experience of top-level football will be vital in the knockouts, but it is questionable how long the striker can be his team's catalyst. 

ESPN's Paul Carr highlighted how statistically important the former Fulham attacker was for the USA in the recent game against Panama:

Also into the squad comes the experienced DaMarcus Beasley who was initially overlooked by Jurgen Klinsmann—prompting the player to end his international career. But Beasley answered the call for help from the German coach, with the 33-year-old explaining the chain of events, per Steven Goff of Washington Post:

"

I woke up and saw my phone had a missed call from Jurgen. I said, "Oh, that is kind of weird." I hadn’t spoken to him since I said I was retiring. I thought maybe the message was going to say, "How are you doing?” But he said he was thinking of bringing me in for the Gold Cup, so it took me by surprise. Next day, we spoke at length about it, and he gave me time to think about it.

"

The diminutive Houston Dynamo player has featured 19 times for his team in the MLS this term, per ESPNFC.com, and he can add the know-how Klinsmann requires in the combative areas of the pitch. 

With the last eight in place, Bleacher Report's Michael Cummings explained why he sees Klinsmann's team as the overwhelming favourites: 

Mexico Look Poor Through Groups

As is the norm at any Gold Cup gathering, Mexico entered the fray as the likely team to challenge the USA, but their form has been sporadic in the group phase. An opening win saw El Tri on track, but two draws—including a 4-4 with Trinidad and Tobago—has seen the team in green only qualify as runners-up. 

Sports Illustrated's Liviu Bird blamed Mexico's management for their lack of good results, highlighting their strange tactics:

"

[Miguel] Herrera [also] played key men out of position, with Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera starting wider than normal in El Tri’s first two games. Rather than the top points of a central triangle, they played as wingers with two midfielders between them.

As such, Mexico was often outnumbered as opponents crowded out the middle of the field and forced it to change the point of attack with big, diagonal switches toward Guardado and Herrera. Mexico could not circulate the ball through the middle as quickly as it usually does, and the forwards became simple targets in the box rather than outlets for possession.

"

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Mexico must now face Costa Rica—who are unbeaten with three draws—as a result of their unexpected failure to win Group C. Their opponents have not shown the class of recent years, but the Mexicans will know they can pose dangerous questions most Gold Cup teams aren't capable of producing. 

There is every chance Mexico will be packing their luggage after the quarter-finals, but it is common knowledge that if they suddenly hit top form—they can smoothly progress to the end of the competition.

But at the moment they look poor and demotivated, and their defence looks weaker than it has for many years. 

The USA are rightfully the tournament favourites at this juncture, and Klinsmann will feel his side can comfortably claim glory as those around them flatter to deceive. 

Beasley and Dempsey will give USMNT the balance other sides simply do not have, but their ageing legs might become a factor as the final awaits.