It is summer time on the soccer calendar and that means the sport’s biggest events are on the horizon. One those events is the semi-annual FIFA CONCACAF 2017 Gold Cup which showcases the best national teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. This year marks the 14th edition. The last edition was held in 2015 and won by Mexico. More importantly it decided the CONCACAF bid for this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. This year’s event however will be strictly for regional bragging rights.
With the United States hosting for the 11th time, the 2017 tournament will present a diverse pool of teams. Competition will range from the usual suspects (United States, Mexico, Canada), to first timers (Curacao, French Guiana), and perennial underdogs (Nicaragua, Martinique). In the process we’ll get the privilege and pleasure of seeing some of the world’s top and in some cases undiscovered talent. Every tourney has its share of veterans, role players and breakout stars. We canvassed all 12 teams participating in El Copa Oro and here are the players to watch.
United States
Christian Pulisic, Midfielder
At just 18-years-old, Pulisic has been heralded as the future of U.S. soccer. But he’s also been a driving force in 2017 with three international goals (against Honduras in March and two against Trinidad and Tobago in June) during World Cup qualifying games which has kept Team USA’s bid for an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance alive. His combination of youth, athleticism and exposure on the big stage could be what the USMNT needs to take home their sixth Gold Cup title (and first since 2013).
Mexico
Erick Gutierrez, Midfielder
With Mexico’s main squad playing in Russia for the Confederations Cup, the FMF is turning to “El Tri’s” B-team to repeat as Gold Cup champions. Having just turned 21, the Sinaloa native is considered a rising star in Mexico. He notched five caps and four goals for Mexico’s Under-23 team before getting his chance with the main national team earlier this year. He’ll have to be a major contributor if Mexico wants to keep the Gold Cup title in their trophy case.
Costa Rica
Bryan Ruiz, Forward
When you think about Costa Rica’s success over the last few years, Ruiz was there for every big moment. In 2011 it was reaching the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup and beating Bolivia in the Copa America. In 2013 it was winning the Copa Centro Americana, in 2014 he helped Costa Rica become a World Cup Cinderella, while 2015 saw Costa Rica reach the Gold Cup quarterfinals yet again and hold their own in friendlies against Russia, Venezuela, the United States, Uruguay and Mexico. With all these accomplishments, like it or not Ruiz is the face of this team.
Now Ruiz has to answer the question as to whether or not he can finally lead this team to a Gold Cup championship.
French Guiana
The Entire National Team
We aren’t kidding here. As one of the first time participants this year, this will be only the fourth significant international competition for this French territory (played in the Caribbean Cup in 1995, 2012 and 2014). Nobody on the current roster has scored an international goal, and this is a very young team that has only four players that are age 30 or older. If anything this will be a learning experience and a chance to gain some major exposure.
Honduras
Maynor Figueroa, Defender
This 34-year-old proves that experience counts. Figueroa has worn the blue and white for eight of the 13 Gold Cup appearances for this Central American nation, and has played in integral part in the fact that this team has made the semifinals in four of their last six trips (most recently in 2013). The stability he provides on the backline will be the key to take the Hondurans to the championship game for the first time since 1991.
Nicaragua
Juan Barrera, Midfielder
Nicaragua is playing in the Gold Cup for just the second time. Their first appearance was back in 2009 (eliminated in group stage) when Barrera was a rookie for the national team. But he has grown by leaps and bounds since then and will be more seasoned for the challenge this time around. The 28-year-old leads his team with 10 international goals, ranks second in caps (40), and the team as a whole is fresh off of winning the Copa Centro Americana back in January which gives them plenty of momentum heading into El Copa Oro.
Canada
Patrice Bernier, Midfielder
At 37-years-old -with 53 caps- this French-Canadian is his country’s most experienced player. The Canadians will need every ounce of experience that Bernier can give if they are to navigate a very competitive field and win their first Gold Cup since 2000.
Jamaica
Andre Blake, Goalkeeper
Since this event will be full of offense, it’s good to have to a dependable defensive player on hand. That’s exactly what “The Reggae Boyz” have with Blake in net. While he didn’t start during the 2015 Gold Cup (in which Jamaica finished as the runner-up to Mexico), he did man the net during last year’s Copa America Centenario in which they faced tough challenges from Mexico, Venezuela and Uruguay. He’s also guided the Jamaican team through World Cup qualifying and led them into this year’s Caribbean Cup. The question now is can he lead this team to another Gold Cup final?
Martinique
Kevin Parsemain, Striker
The French island will be making its fifth Gold Cup appearance this year. And for the second time they’ll take the field with Parsemain leading the way. While Martinique isn’t a full-fledged FIFA member, Parsemain does have 27 international goals to his credit since joining the team back in 2008. He’ll need an all-star effort if his country is to make it past the group stage for the first time since 2002.
El Salvador
Jaime Alas, Midfielder
Alas has 60 international appearances to his credit. He was on the field in both 2011 and 2013 when “La Selecta” made the Gold Cup quarterfinals. The Salvadorians will depend highly on his leadership and experience as they hope to reach the next level this time around.
Panama
Blas Perez, Forward
A 16-year veteran of the Panamanian national team, Perez has 106 caps and 38 international goals on his resume thus making him one of the most experienced players in this entire tournament. Perez has stood the test of time as he was on the field when Panama lost the 2005 Gold Cup title to Team USA, made it to the quarterfinals in both 2007 and 2009, reached the semifinals in 2011, came short against the United States again in 2013. Rest assured he will be ready to lead his country once again this year. Also rest assured that Panama will need him now more than ever.
Curacao
Felitciano Zschusschen and Shanon Carmelia
This small Dutch island is the other nation that’s playing in its first ever Copa de Oro. Zschusschen and Carmelia are the most experienced players on this roster. With a combined 40 caps and 12 goals between them, expect to hear the names of these two men get called quite often as this tournament unfolds.
While Mexico is a heavy favorite to repeat, and Team USA is always expected to make an impact, this year’s Gold Cup should be very competitive considering all of the talent playing from top to bottom.