In this episode, Santiago and Francisco preview the 2023 Gold Cup.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Francisco Flores – @franciscobcp
GROUP A
USA
Fresh off their second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League championship with a 2-0 win over Canada in the final, the USMNT will look to defend their Gold Cup title after taking home the trophy in 2021. With a whole slew of changes from the Nations League roster that won’t see staples like Christian Pulisic or Weston McKennie, interim coach B.J. Callaghan will hope to lead his squad to their eighth title, which would put them level with Mexico in all-time Gold Cup championships.
Zandejas and Matt Turner
Position Player Date of birth Club
GK Matt Turner Jun 24, 1994 Arsenal
GK Sean Johnson May 31, 1989 Toronto FC
GK Gabriel Slonina May 15, 2004 Chelsea
DF DeAndre Yedlin Jul 9, 1993 Inter Miami
DF Aaron Long Oct 12, 1992 Los Angeles FC
DF Matt Miazga Jul 19, 1995 FC Cincinnati
DF Bryan Reynolds Jun 28, 2001 Westerlo
DF Miles Robinson Mar 14, 1997 Atalanta United
DF DeJuan Jones Jun 24, 1997 New England Revolution
DF Jalen Neal Aug 24, 2003 LA Galaxy
DF John Tolkin Jul 31, 2002 New York Red Bulls
MF Gianluca Busio May 28, 2002 Venezia
MF Alan Sonora Aug 3, 1998 Juarez
MF James Sands Jul 6, 2000 New York City
MF Djordje Mihailovic Nov 10, 1998 AZ Alkmaar
MF Cristian Roldan Jun 3, 1995 Seattle Sounders
MF Aidan Morris Nov 16, 2001 Columbus Crew
FW Jesus Ferreira Dec 24, 2000 FC Dallas
FW Cade Colwell Oct 14, 2003 San Jose Earthquakes
FW Jordan Morris Oct 26, 1994 Seattle Sounders
FW Alejandro Zendejas Feb 7, 1998 America
FW Brandon Vasquez Oct 14, 1998 FC Cincinnati
FW Julian Gressel Dec 16, 1993 Vancouver Whitecaps
Jamaica
Ranked No. 63 in the FIFA world rankings, the Reggae Boyz will look to make a deep run with an eye on their first-ever Gold Cup trophy. They finished in second place in two consecutive tournaments, losing the final to Mexico in 2015 and again to the USA in 2017. Their roster will feature Michail Antonio (West Ham), Demarai Gray (Everton), and Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) as they’re favored to advance out of the group stage for the fourth consecutive time.
Jamaica
Position Player Date of birth Club
GK Andre Blake Nov 21, 1990 Philadelphia Union
GK Coniah Boyce-Clarke Mar 1, 2003 Reading
GK Jahmali Waite Dec 24, 1998 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
DF Dexter Lembikisia Nov 4, 2003 Wolves
DF Amari’i Bell May 5, 1994 Luton Town
DF Ethan Pinnock May 29, 1993 Brentford
DF Di’Shon Bernard Oct 14, 2000 Portsmouth
DF Damion Lowe May 5, 1993 Atalanta United
DF Adrian Mariappa Oct 3, 1986 Salford City
DF Kemar Lawrence Sep 17, 1992 Minnesota United
DF Javain Brown Jul 31, 2002 New York Red Bulls
MF Kevon Lambert Mar 22, 1997 Phoenix Rising
MF Daniel Johnson Oct 8, 1992 Preston North End
MF Bobby Decordova-Reid Feb 2, 1993 Fulham
MF Joel Latibeaudiere Jan 6, 2000 Swansea City
MF Kahim Parris Jan 6, 2000 Dynamo Kyiv
MF Jon Russel October 9, 2000 Barnsley
FW Leon Bailey Aug 9, 1997 Aston Villa
FW Cory Burke Dec 28, 1991 NY Red Bulls
FW Shamar Nicholson Feb 16, 1997 Spartak Moscow
FW Demarai Gray Jun 28, 1996 Everton
FW Dujuan Richards Oct 11, 2005 Phoenix All Stars
FW Michael Antonio Dec 16, 1993 West Ham
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago, ranked No. 104, haven’t advanced out of the group stage since 2015 when they made it to the quarterfinal round. Unfortunately for the Soca Warriors, they’ve been drawn into one of the toughest groups as both USA and Jamaica are favored to finish in the top two and advance to the knockouts.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis was the last team to qualify in Group A earlier this week, and they did so with a penalty shootout win over French Guiana after finishing 1-1 in regular time in the second preliminary round. Ranked No. 139, they have yet to lose a match in 2023, beating Curaçao in the first round of prelims while also earning promotion in to League B in Nations League thanks to wins over Saint Martin and Aruba. Logging upset after upset, they’ll look to keep that momentum going as they make their first appearance in the Gold Cup group stage.
Odds to win Gold Cup
USA: +180
Jamaica: +1400
Trinidad: +10000
St. Kitts and Nevis: +15000
Group A Schedule
Saturday, June 24
USA v. Jamaica – 9:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Sunday, June 25
Trinidad and Tobago v. St. Kitts and Nevis – 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Wednesday, June 28
Jamaica v. Trinidad and Tobago – 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1
St. Kitts and Nevis v. USA – 9:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Sunday, July 2
USA v. Trinidad and Tobago – 7 p.m. ET, FOX
Jamaica v. St. Kitts and Nevis – 7 p.m. ET, FS1
Group B
Mexico
Fresh off losing to the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, Mexico will begin their hunt for their first CONCACAF trophy since 2019. They still hold the most Gold Cup titles with eight overall, but the Americans currently have seven trophies and have momentum on their side. Mexico will be led by interim coach Jaime Lozano and will feature players like Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), and longtime goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana).
Mexico
Coach Jamie Lozano has announced his squad for the 2023 Gold Cup.
Position Player Date of birth Club
GK Jose Antonio Rodriguez July 4, 1992 Tijuana
GK Luis Malagon Mar 2, 1997 America
GK Guillermo Ochoa Jul 13, 1985 Salernitana
DF Julian Araujo Aug 13, 2001 Barcelona B
DF Cesar Montes Feb 24, 1997 Espanyol
DF John Vasquez Oct 22, 1998 Cremonese
DF Gerardo Arteaga Sep 7, 1998 Portsmouth
DF Jorge Sanchez Dec 10, 1997 Ajax
DF Israel Reyes May 23, 2000 America
DF Victor Guzman Mar 7, 2002 Monterrey
DF Jesus Gallardo Aug 15, 2004 Monterrey
MF Edson Alvarez Oct 24, 1997 Ajax
MF Luis Romo Jun 5, 1995 Monterrey
MF Carlos Rodriguez Jan 3, 1997 Cruz Azul
MF Sebastian Cordova Jun 12, 1997 UANL
MF Orbelin Pineda Mar 24, 1996 AEK Athens
MF Luis Chavez Jan 15, 1996 Pachuca
FW Ozziel Herrera May 25, 2001 Atlas
FW Alexis Vega Nov 25, 1997 Guadalajara
FW Santiago Gimenez Apr 18, 2001 Feyenoord
FW Erik Sanchez Sep 27, 1999 Pachuca
FW Uriel Antuna Aug 21, 1997 Cruz Azul
FW Henry Martin Nov 18, 1992 America
Haiti
The Haitians, ranked No. 87 in the FIFA world rankings, have won the tournament once before when they hosted in 1973. Since then, they’ve made it to the final just once, coming in the next tournament in 1977. The Haitian side will feature familiar MLS players such as Fafa Picault (Nashville SC) and Derrick Etienne (Atlanta United) as they look to make a deep run in this year’s tournament.
Honduras
No. 80 Honduras also have one Gold Cup title in their belt, taking home the trophy in 1981 as the host country. They reached the quarterfinals in 2021 but will hope to push a little further this time around. Head coach Diego Vasquez has called up the likes of Bryan Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Jerry Bengtson (Olimpia), and Alberth Elis (Brest) as they hope to secure a top-two finish in the group.
Qatar
Making their second Gold Cup appearance, Qatar are invitees to CONCACAF’s championship as part of hosting the World Cup in 2022. In 2021, they finished on top of Group D, beating out Honduras, Panama, and Grenada. The Qatari side went on to lose to the United States in the semifinals.
Odds to win Gold Cup
Mexico: +200
Qatar: +1600
Honduras: +3500
Haiti: +6500
Group B Schedule
Sunday, June 25
Haiti v. Qatar – 6 p.m. ET, FS1
Mexico v. Honduras – 8 p.m. ET, FS1
Thursday, June 29
Qatar v. Honduras – 7:45 p.m ET, FS1
Haiti v. Mexico – 10 p.m. ET, FS1
Sunday, July 2
Honduras v. Haiti – 9 p.m. ET, FS2
Mexico v. Qatar – 9 p.m. ET, FS1
Group C
Costa Rica
Ranked No. 39 in the FIFA world rankings, Costa Rica come into this year’s competition with three titles under their belt, though their most recent win came in 1989. They were runners up in 2002 and have made it to the semifinals twice since then but have been unable to secure a fourth championship. Los Ticos will feature the likes of Celso Borges (Alajuelense), Francisco Calvo (Konyaspor), and Kendall Waston (Saprissa) as they’re coming off a disappointing group stage exit in CONCACAF Nations League play.
Position Player Date of birth Club
GK Jussef Delgado Jan 27, 1994 Perez Zeledon
GK Kevin Chamorro Apr 8, 2000 Saprissa
GK Alexandre Lezcano Aug 26, 2001 Santos de Guapiles
DF Francis Colvo Jul 8, 1992 Konyaspor
DF Kendall Waston Jan 1, 1988 Saprissa
DF Keysher Fuller Jul 12, 1994 Herediano
DF Juan Pablo Vargas Jun 6, 1995 Millonarios
DF Carlos Martinez Mar 30, 1999 Alajuelense
DF Suhander Zuniga Jan 15, 1997 Alajuelense
DF Jefry Valverde Jun 10, 1995 Saprissa
DF Pablo Arboine Apr 3, 1998 Saprissa
MF Celso Borges May 27, 1998 Alajuelense
MF Aaron Suarez Jun 27, 2002 Alajuelense
MF Roan Wilson May 1, 2002 Gil Vicente
MF Cristopher Nunez Dec 8, 1997 Lamia
MF Wilmer Azozfeifa Jun 4, 1994 San Carlos
MF Carlos Mora Mar 18, 2001 Alajuelense
MF
Josimar Alcocer Jul 7, 2004 Alajuelense
MF Warren Madrigal Jul 24, 2004 Saprissa
MF Ricardo Pena Jul 15, 2004 Betis B
FW Joel Campbell Jun 26, 1992 Leon
FW Anthony Contreras Jan 29, 2000 Herediano
FW Diego Campos Oct 1, 1995 Degerfors IF
El Salvador
El Salvador has never found Gold Cup glory, with their top finishes coming as runners-up in 1963 and 1977. They’ve made it to the quarterfinal round six times since then and have now qualified for their ninth consecutive Gold cup tournament. La Selecta will feature several familiar names from MLS, including Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), and Kamal Miller (Inter Miami).
Panama
Panama, ranked No. 58, topped League A Group B in Nations League play, ending Costa Rica’s tournament and moving onto the knockout round. They ended up losing 2-0 to Canada in the semifinals, but making it past the group stage was a good step for them. They’ll bring that momentum into the Gold Cup as they make their 10th consecutive appearance, finishing as runners-up twice in that span. They’ll feature some recognizable names in Anibal Godoy (Nashville SC), Alberto Quintero (Cienciano), and Andres Andrade (Arminia Bielefeld) as they look for their first-ever Gold Cup championship.
GK Luis Mejia Jan 16, 1991 Union Espanola
GK Cesar Samudio Mar 26, 1994 Marathon
GK Orlando Mosquera Dec 25, 1994 Monagas
DF Cesar Blackman Apr 2, 1998 Dunajska Streda
DF Harold Cummings Mar 1, 1992 Monagas
DF Fidel Escobar Jan 9, 1995 Saprissa
DF Roderick Miller Apr 3, 1992 Toran Tovuz
DF Eduardo Anderson Jan 31, 2001 San Carlos
DF Eric Davis Mar 31, 1991 Dunajska Streda
DF Andres Andrade Oct 16, 1998 Arminia Bielefeld
DF Michael Amir Murillo Feb 11, 1996 Anderlecht
MF Cristian Marinez Feb 6, 1997 Najran
MF Jovani Welch Dec 7, 1999 Academico de Viseu
MF Adalberto Carrasquila Nov 28, 1998 Houston Dynamo
MF Alberto Quintero Dec 18, 1987 Cienciano
MF Freddy Gondola Sep 18, 1995 Alanjuelense
MF Yoel Barcenas Oct 23, 1993 Mazatlan
MF Anibal Godoy Feb 10, 1997 Nashville SC
MF Cesar Yanis Jan 28, 1996 Potros del Este
FW Ismael Diaz May 12, 1997 Universidad Catolica
FW Azarias Londono Jun 21, 2002 Comunicaciones
FW Jose Fajardo Aug 18, 1993 Cusco
FW Cecilio Waterman Apr 13, 1991 Cobresal
Martinique
Martinique was the last team to qualify for Group C as they defeated Puerto Rico in the second round of prelims with a 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday. Lausanne-Sport striker Brighton Labeau opened the scoring in the 52nd minute while Kévin Fortuné iced the match in the fifth minute of stoppage time. This is the fourth consecutive time Martinique has qualified for the Gold Cup, although they haven’t made it out of the group stage since 2002, marking the one and only time they advanced to the quarterfinals.
Odds to win Gold Cup
Costa Rica: +750
Panama: +1000
El Salvador: +4000
Martinique: +15000
Group C Schedule
Monday, June 26
El Salvador v. Martinique – 6:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Costa Rica v. Panama – 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Friday, June 30
Martinique v. Panama – 6:30 p.m. ET, FS1
El Salvador v. Costa Rica – 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Tuesday, July 4
Costa Rica v. Martinique – 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Panama v. El Salvador – 8:30 p.m. ET, FS2
Group D
Canada
The Canadians had high hopes in Qatar last winter, but they ended up losing all three of their group matches as their second-ever World Cup appearance came to an end. They’re fresh off an appearance in the Nations League final that saw them lose to the USA with a 2-0 score, and they have the talent to contend for a Gold Cup title as well. At No. 47 in the FIFA world rankings, they’ll utilize heavy hitters like Cyle Larin (Real Valladolid), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), and Jonathan David (Lille OSC). Canada will be expected to finish at the top of the group table without much trouble.
GK Dayne St. Clair May 9, 1997 Minnesota United FC
GK Tom McGill Mar 25, 2000 Brighton
GK Milan Borjan Oct 23, 1987 Red Star Belgrade
DF Zachary Brault-Guillard Dec 30, 1998 CF Montreal
DF Sam Adekugbe Jan 16, 1995 Galatasaray
DF Kamal Miller May 16, 1997 Inter Miami
DF Steven Vitoria Jan 11, 1987 Chaves
DF Dominick Zator Sep 18, 1994 Korona Kielce
DF Moise Bombito Mar 30, 2000 Colorado Rapids
DF Zac McGraw June 8, 1997 Portland Timbers
DF Richie Laryea Jan 7, 1995 Toronto FC
DF Scott Kennedy Mar 31, 1997 Jahn Regensburg
MF Stephen Eustaquio Dec 21, 1996 Porto
MF David Wotherspoon Jan 16, 1990 St Johnstone
MF Victor Loturi May 21, 2001 Ross County
MF Ali Ahmed Oct 10, 2000 Vancouver Whitecaps
MF Jonathan Osorio June 12, 1992 Toronto FC
FW Lucas Cavallini Dec 28, 1992 Tijuana
FW Junior Hoilett Jun 5, 1990 Reading
FW Liam Millar Sep 27, 1997 Toronto FC
FW Jacob Shaffleburg Nov 26, 1999 Nashville SC
FW Jacen Russel-Rowe Oct 11, 2005 Phoenix All Stars
FW Charles Andreas-Bryn Aug 8, 1998 FC Eindhoven
Cuba
After missing out on the 2021 Gold Cup due to COVID-19 restrictions forcing them to withdraw from qualifying, Cuba makes a return to the CONCACAF championship this year. They’re coming off friendly losses to Chile and Uruguay, but will hope to contend with Guatemala for the second spot in the group when all is said and done.
Guatemala
No. 116 Guatemala is making their second consecutive appearance in the Gold Cup after serving a two-year FIFA suspension over allegations of corruption by football’s governing body. They made a group stage exit in 2021 and will hope to fare better this year as they likely battle with Cuba for a second place finish.
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe qualified for their fifth-ever appearance in the group stage after defeating Guyana in the second round of prelims with a 2-0 victory. An own goal from Guyana’s Liam Gordon and another goal from Andrew Gravillon secured the 2-0 win for the country. They made an appearance in 2021 but lost all three of their matches as they exited after the group stage.
Odds to win Gold Cup
Canada: +550
Cuba: +10000
Guatemala: +10000
Guadeloupe: +15000
Group D Schedule
Tuesday, June 27
Canada v. Guadeloupe – 7 p.m. ET, FS1
Guatemala v. Cuba – 9 p.m. ET, FS1
Saturday, July 1
Cuba v. Guadeloupe – 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Guatemala v. Canada – 9:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Tuesday, July 4
Guadeloupe v. Guatemala – 6:30 p.m. ET, FS2
Canada v. Cuba – 6:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
