Concacaf football is back with all it's bizarre drama including diving as well as terrible refereeing, with that being said I still don't know what I would do without it. The tournament will be held in Panama City, Panama, with all matches being played at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez. I'm going to give the best team by team breakdown with my predictions at the end. Please comment if you would like to add to my analysis. With the an odd number of teams there is one group of 4 teams and the other one with just 3. The top 5 teams from this tournament will qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup.
Group A
Belize
Considered a minnow throughout the region, Belize's football passion will be the driving force behind there campaign to bring Gold Cup football to this tiny nation. As for Belize's roster, it's pretty unknown for the most part with most of the players coming from Belize's league. Luckily they don't have to play the Central American giants Costa Rica and Honduras in the group stage so they definitely have a chance to qualify for the Gold Cup. The Jaguars will still have the label of "dark horse" as I'm not sure they have the quality to get results.
El Salvador
Los Cuscatlecos are back again and will be one of the tournament favorites as they always seem to be. Unlike qualifying though they won't have the homefield advantage that Estadio Cuscatlan to help them out. Their counterattacking style will have to carry the day especially with the tough match against host Panama. There are 2 MLS players on the roster with former San Jose Earthquake Arturo Alvarez as well as Chicago Fire defender Deris Umanzor. Arturo Alvarez as well as former Chivas USA Osael Romero will have to carry the attacking load with the young strikers that have been included on their roster. Osael Romero needs to return to the form we saw from him back in World Cup Qualifying as he has been lack luster as of late. Overall, the Cuscatlecos have what it takes to win the tournament and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win, as they seem to always have the quality to punish teams.
Nicaragua
For many, Nicaragua was considered a minnow in CONCACAF, that was until they shocked everyone by beating Guatemala in 2009 to qualify for the 2009 Gold Cup. There they put on a poor showing but there's no doubt there a team to watch. They have shown they can play spoiler and I remember from the Gold Cup how they played very defensive minded and you can expect the same this time around. The one question I have for this team is whether they can find the attacking malice to put the ball in the back of the net. Overall, they Nicaragua may be able to pull of an upset but I just don't see them getting 3 points in any of their matches. They may be able to get 3 draws and maybe qualify for the Gold Cup with any luck, but I just don't see it.
Panama
The defending champion is also the host nation and Panama will be one of the tournament favorites and for good reason they have proven they are a quality CONCACAF nation by being a 2009 Gold Cup Quarterfinalist where they were eliminated by the USA. In 2009 they won this tournament and with them being the host nation they have a very good chance of repeating as champions. At Panama's disposal are 2 very talented strikers, Blas Perez and Roberto Brown. Blas Perez scored against the USA in the quarterfinal of the 2009 Gold Cup. With 2 very good strikers Panama should be able to win this group with 9 points. They will also have the blessing of having 32,000 fans on their side for every match they play.
Group B
Costa Rica
The Ticos are back with a new coach, Ricardo La Volpe the former Mexican manager from the 2006 World Cup. La Volpe is a very good manager and I think he will really help the Costa Ricans this cycle. Costa Rica is a Central American giant and they will be looking to win another title. La Volpe's roster doesn't include the sexy names like Twente's Bryan Ruiz and Alvaro Saborio but the future of Los Ticos will be definitely be on display. New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller will be the anchor at the back and his play will be vital if Costa Rica is to win this tournament. Without Navas in goal, I question whether Costa Rica has a reliable goalkeeper. Overall, Costa Rica's tournament fate will probably be decided in their opening match when they play Honduras, and they definitely have the quality to win this tournament but it will be interesting how this young team works together.
Honduras
Los Catrachos are back once again after their Cinderella run through World Cup Qualifying. Their showing at the World Cup was plagued by injuries as they were knocked out in the first round. The question for this tournament is whether or not the Honduras' young players can provide enough of a splash to win. I do like the two strikers for Honduras with the speedy Georgie Welcome and veteran Walter Martinez. And with Noel Valladares in goal for Honduras they will definitely have a good combination of veteran and young talent. The question is whether or not they will have the midfield power to get results without the services of Wilson Palacios and Amado Guevara. One player to keep an eye on is Leeds United's Ramon Nunez who will be looking to provide some quality to that midfield. Overall, the Catrachos definitely have the power to make a run but a possible matchup against host Panama in the semifinals looks very difficult.
Guatemala
After failing to qualify for the 2009 Gold Cup, Guatemala is going to try and make a run in this tournament to try and bring themselves back to CONCACAF relevance. Unfortunately, they are on the tough 3 team group with 2 of the Central America's best teams. It's safe to say that Guatemala's hope will rest on the back of Carlos Ruiz aka El Pescadito the little fish. Carlos Ruiz is also known as the biggest diver in all of CONCACAF and it's safe to say he would not be welcome on this blog, but there's no doubting his goal scoring prowess. Guatemala's team is mostly filled with Guatemalan league players with the exception of Ruiz. Guatemala is definitely a scrappy team and with El Pescadito with the squad you never know what can happen but the odds are definitely against them with those two giants in their group.
Predictions
Group A
1. Panama
2. El Salvador
3. Nicaragua
4. Belize
Group B
1. Costa Rica
2. Honduras
3. Guatemala
5th Place Game
Nicaragua vs Guatemala
Winner: Guatemala, In the rematch of 2009's 5th place game this time Guatemala with Ruiz will find a way to win and get themselves back into the Gold Cup and CONCACAF relevancy.
Semifinals
Costa Rica vs El Salvador
Winner: Costa Rica, This will be a very tight game especially with the youth on the field but the Ticos will find a way to win with their quality.
Panama vs Honduras
Winner: Panama, The goal scoring prowess of Perez will be too much for the Honduras defense, and the home crowd will be a big factor in this match.
Final
Panama vs Costa Rica
Champion: Panama, Panama wins to become repeat champions. The home crowd will be a big factor like I continue to say. And Blas Perez will be the tournament's leading scorer.
Group A
Belize
Considered a minnow throughout the region, Belize's football passion will be the driving force behind there campaign to bring Gold Cup football to this tiny nation. As for Belize's roster, it's pretty unknown for the most part with most of the players coming from Belize's league. Luckily they don't have to play the Central American giants Costa Rica and Honduras in the group stage so they definitely have a chance to qualify for the Gold Cup. The Jaguars will still have the label of "dark horse" as I'm not sure they have the quality to get results.
El Salvador
Los Cuscatlecos are back again and will be one of the tournament favorites as they always seem to be. Unlike qualifying though they won't have the homefield advantage that Estadio Cuscatlan to help them out. Their counterattacking style will have to carry the day especially with the tough match against host Panama. There are 2 MLS players on the roster with former San Jose Earthquake Arturo Alvarez as well as Chicago Fire defender Deris Umanzor. Arturo Alvarez as well as former Chivas USA Osael Romero will have to carry the attacking load with the young strikers that have been included on their roster. Osael Romero needs to return to the form we saw from him back in World Cup Qualifying as he has been lack luster as of late. Overall, the Cuscatlecos have what it takes to win the tournament and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win, as they seem to always have the quality to punish teams.
Nicaragua
For many, Nicaragua was considered a minnow in CONCACAF, that was until they shocked everyone by beating Guatemala in 2009 to qualify for the 2009 Gold Cup. There they put on a poor showing but there's no doubt there a team to watch. They have shown they can play spoiler and I remember from the Gold Cup how they played very defensive minded and you can expect the same this time around. The one question I have for this team is whether they can find the attacking malice to put the ball in the back of the net. Overall, they Nicaragua may be able to pull of an upset but I just don't see them getting 3 points in any of their matches. They may be able to get 3 draws and maybe qualify for the Gold Cup with any luck, but I just don't see it.
Panama
The defending champion is also the host nation and Panama will be one of the tournament favorites and for good reason they have proven they are a quality CONCACAF nation by being a 2009 Gold Cup Quarterfinalist where they were eliminated by the USA. In 2009 they won this tournament and with them being the host nation they have a very good chance of repeating as champions. At Panama's disposal are 2 very talented strikers, Blas Perez and Roberto Brown. Blas Perez scored against the USA in the quarterfinal of the 2009 Gold Cup. With 2 very good strikers Panama should be able to win this group with 9 points. They will also have the blessing of having 32,000 fans on their side for every match they play.
Group B
Costa Rica
The Ticos are back with a new coach, Ricardo La Volpe the former Mexican manager from the 2006 World Cup. La Volpe is a very good manager and I think he will really help the Costa Ricans this cycle. Costa Rica is a Central American giant and they will be looking to win another title. La Volpe's roster doesn't include the sexy names like Twente's Bryan Ruiz and Alvaro Saborio but the future of Los Ticos will be definitely be on display. New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller will be the anchor at the back and his play will be vital if Costa Rica is to win this tournament. Without Navas in goal, I question whether Costa Rica has a reliable goalkeeper. Overall, Costa Rica's tournament fate will probably be decided in their opening match when they play Honduras, and they definitely have the quality to win this tournament but it will be interesting how this young team works together.
Honduras
Los Catrachos are back once again after their Cinderella run through World Cup Qualifying. Their showing at the World Cup was plagued by injuries as they were knocked out in the first round. The question for this tournament is whether or not the Honduras' young players can provide enough of a splash to win. I do like the two strikers for Honduras with the speedy Georgie Welcome and veteran Walter Martinez. And with Noel Valladares in goal for Honduras they will definitely have a good combination of veteran and young talent. The question is whether or not they will have the midfield power to get results without the services of Wilson Palacios and Amado Guevara. One player to keep an eye on is Leeds United's Ramon Nunez who will be looking to provide some quality to that midfield. Overall, the Catrachos definitely have the power to make a run but a possible matchup against host Panama in the semifinals looks very difficult.
Guatemala
After failing to qualify for the 2009 Gold Cup, Guatemala is going to try and make a run in this tournament to try and bring themselves back to CONCACAF relevance. Unfortunately, they are on the tough 3 team group with 2 of the Central America's best teams. It's safe to say that Guatemala's hope will rest on the back of Carlos Ruiz aka El Pescadito the little fish. Carlos Ruiz is also known as the biggest diver in all of CONCACAF and it's safe to say he would not be welcome on this blog, but there's no doubting his goal scoring prowess. Guatemala's team is mostly filled with Guatemalan league players with the exception of Ruiz. Guatemala is definitely a scrappy team and with El Pescadito with the squad you never know what can happen but the odds are definitely against them with those two giants in their group.
Predictions
Group A
1. Panama
2. El Salvador
3. Nicaragua
4. Belize
Group B
1. Costa Rica
2. Honduras
3. Guatemala
5th Place Game
Nicaragua vs Guatemala
Winner: Guatemala, In the rematch of 2009's 5th place game this time Guatemala with Ruiz will find a way to win and get themselves back into the Gold Cup and CONCACAF relevancy.
Semifinals
Costa Rica vs El Salvador
Winner: Costa Rica, This will be a very tight game especially with the youth on the field but the Ticos will find a way to win with their quality.
Panama vs Honduras
Winner: Panama, The goal scoring prowess of Perez will be too much for the Honduras defense, and the home crowd will be a big factor in this match.
Final
Panama vs Costa Rica
Champion: Panama, Panama wins to become repeat champions. The home crowd will be a big factor like I continue to say. And Blas Perez will be the tournament's leading scorer.
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