It has been a very successful Gold Cup for MNUFC internationals and the U.S. national team. Francisco Calvo and Johan Venegas (Costa Rica), Jermaine Taylor (Jamaica) and the Yanks all went undefeated in the Group Stage and are moving on to the Quarterfinals this week. Here is a look ahead at the first round of knockout matches.
Costa Rica vs. Panama | Wednesday, July 19 | 5:00 p.m. CT | FS1
The Ticos rolled through Group A with two wins and a draw while only conceding once. That goal came from a 1-1 draw with Canada that saw Calvo head home the equalizer. Venegas has been absent from the squad after an early exit in the opening match due to injury and has been replaced on the roster heading into the knockout rounds. Panama also went undefeated with two wins and a draw, holding the U.S. to a 1-1 result in its first match. Panama has a deadly offense, and Costa Rica will have to contain it if it hopes to move on to the semis.
USA vs. El Salvador | Wednesday, July 19 | 8:00 p.m. CT | FS1
After their opening draw with Panama, the Yanks came alive and scored three goals in their next two matches to take first place in Group B. They struggled against Martinique, but were lights out against Nicaragua on Saturday. El Salvador snuck into the Quarterfinals as the third-place team in Group C. If the U.S. can put up a performance like it did against Nicaragua, it should stroll into the semifinals to face the winner of Costa Rica vs. Panama.
Jamaica vs. Canada | Thursday, July 20 | 6:30 p.m. CT | FS1
The undefeated Reggae Boyz were sound defensively in group play, which included a clean sheet against a surging Mexico side. Taylor has played every minute for the island nation this tournament and had a huge block in the final match of the group stage to help them reach the knockout rounds. Canada, led by 16-year-old phenom Alphonso Davies, have been the underdogs of the tournament putting up a spirited performance so far, and are outside favorites for their first Gold Cup title since 2000.
Mexico vs. Honduras | Thursday, July 20 | 9:30 p.m. CT | FS1
El Tri have been arguably the best team in Gold Cup so far. Fresh off a Confederations Cup run, they rolled through the group stage with only one stumble against Jamaica. Pompilio Paez has been serving as manager while regular Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio is serving a six-match suspension, leading to some struggles in the squad. Overall it hasn’t been much of an issue, and Mexico will look to dominate its matchup with Honduras, the other third-place team to qualify for the knockout stage. Honduras made it to the Quarterfinals thanks in part to French Guiana having to forfeit due to using an ineligible player in what would have been a 1-1 draw.
