The Concacaf Gold Cup is set to commence this Saturday night, with reigning champions Mexico kicking off against the Dominican Republic. El Tri aims to defend their title and secure a third consecutive Concacaf trophy. However, their path is expected to be challenging. While the United States Men`s National Team may be facing difficulties under Mauricio Pochettino, the Canadian national team continues to show improvement. Invited participant Saudi Arabia also presents a formidable challenge, especially after their notable victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup group stage. Other nations like Costa Rica and Suriname will be looking to cause upsets.
This tournament represents the final competitive outing for the United States, Canada, and Mexico before they co-host the 2026 World Cup. Consequently, all three teams are highly motivated to perform well. However, unlike Mexico and Canada, several key players from the USMNT will not be participating, with the decision for Christian Pulisic to rest sparking some debate. This absence could open opportunities for other teams to make an impact, while Pochettino continues to refine his preferred starting lineup.
Here`s a look at how the tournament might unfold:
Biggest Surprise: El Salvador
Several teams across Concacaf have shown considerable progress, and El Salvador is currently enjoying a four-match unbeaten streak heading into the Gold Cup. While overcoming Canada to win their group will be tough, there`s a strong possibility that the winner of their match against Honduras will advance from the group stage. In previous years, defeating Honduras would have been a more daunting task, but in this current, more open landscape, El Salvador has the potential to emerge successfully.
Biggest Disappointment: Costa Rica
Costa Rica was once comfortably positioned as the fourth strongest team in Concacaf. Now, with their `golden generation` fading, they are in a transitional phase, assessing their standing. While Costa Rica might still progress from their group if they can overcome Suriname, this squad does not appear built for a deep tournament run. They seem stuck in a state of `Concacaf purgatory`, striving to challenge the region`s top teams while simultaneously needing to fend off nations rapidly closing the gap.
Golden Boot Winner: Raul Jimenez, Mexico
Raul Jimenez`s recent resurgence for Mexico has been impressive. During the Concacaf Nations League finals, the Fulham forward found the back of the net five times and provided an assist, playing a key role in El Tri`s victory. For years, Mexico, much like the USMNT, needed a reliable central striker to unify their attack. Jimenez has effectively taken on this role, performing strongly despite the lingering effects of a severe head injury that impacted his earlier career.
Player of the Tournament: Edson Alvarez, Mexico
While Jimenez leads the attack, Edson Alvarez`s contribution in both defense and midfield is equally crucial for Mexico. Despite some mixed results in recent friendlies, Mexico is expected to navigate through their Concacaf opponents with Alvarez leading the charge. It`s uncommon for a defensive midfielder to be named the tournament`s best player, which highlights just how vital Alvarez is to the Mexican national team`s structure and success.
Tournament Winner: Mexico
Expect a repeat performance from Mexico. They continue to demonstrate their status as the dominant force in the region, ready to tackle any challenge. This is a well-balanced team that understands its strengths. Even if striker Santiago Gimenez isn`t consistently finding the net, Mexico possesses ample quality to wear down opponents throughout the tournament and ultimately secure another Gold Cup title.
