DCist Preview: 2009 Gold Cup
The CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off today, but the tournament hits D.C. next Wednesday when the US plays Honduras as part of a double-header.
United States
If ESPN hasn't convinced you that this American team is ready for the world stage, then you're either a cold, hard cynic or have been asleep for two weeks. After shocking Spain 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinals last week, the world-beater Yanks nearly went one better -- taking an early 2-0 lead on Brazil, before running out of steam and falling 3-2 in the final. It was arguably the first time in a long time that our supposed "best players" -- Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey -- looked the part, and the team's commitment in the defensive third is better than it has been for a decade. This American Gold Cup squad is a different one, however, featuring a mostly MLS-based team with a lot of international greenhorns. One of those will be D.C. United's own Santino Quaranta, who returns to the national team after a long and difficult absence. Quaranta's club form this year has been superb, and he should get a look even with several established attackers ahead of him in the pecking order. Perhaps the sentimentalist in coach Bob Bradley will see fit to give Santino a run on his home turf when the U.S. takes on Honduras next week at RFK. Regardless, the U.S. was boosted by a CONCACAF ruling that will allow the team to bring an extra seven players to help combat the fatigue of their lengthy Confederations Cup run in South Africa last week. Among those named are striker Jozy Altidore and midfielder Ricardo Clark, who both logged serious minutes throughout the South African campaign.
What to expect: Anything less than an appearance in the final will be considered a disappointment. Even without many key players, this team has the depth to compete against this level of competition. But watch out for Honduras -- they could pip the Americans and claim first spot in the group, especially after they gave the States a scare less than one month ago.
Why a neutral should root for them: A moot point. One suspects few, if any, neutrals will be rooting for the Americans. Fortunately, we're the ones hosting the tournament, so it should be less of an issue.
Haiti
Seen as something of a johnny-come-lately by qualifying for the tournament after Cuba -- who has a raft of players defect after each trip to the U.S. -- dropped out, Haitian expectations are predictably low. This is their fourth trip to the Cup, and they even picked up two credible draws with Costa Rica and Guadeloupe in the previous tournament. They've got a little footballing history of their own: Haiti is one of only three Caribbean nations to ever qualify for the World Cup (1974, an era known as the "Golden Age" of Haitian soccer) and recently lifted the 2007 Caribbean Cup. The vast majority of the squad plays professionally in Haiti, but there's a smattering of guys on the squad playing for jerkwater clubs all over the place. Leonel Saint-Preux and Jean Alexandre both make their living stateside (with USL-1's Minnesota Thunder and MLS's Real Salt Lake, respectively), while defender Judelin Aveska plays with storied Argentine side Independiente.
What to expect: The second round would be a shock result. If they can keep it close with Honduras and dispatch Grenada (Haiti, ironically enough, is known as "Les Grenadiers") in their second game, they could catch the U.S. fielding a second-tier squad and sneak a draw. That would probably be enough to see them into the next round -- a major success.
Why a neutral should root for them: Humanitarian reasons.
Grenada
D.C. United fans get a healthy dose of one Grenadian each season in the form of New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph. Once among MLS's top players, the tough-tackling Joseph has started to wear down and his passing isn't what it once was. Still, he's a player who routinely inspires the Revs to great things -- if Grenada are to do anything at all, he will be the man pulling the strings. Joseph will look to keep the supply lines open to Blackburn Rovers wrecking ball forward Jason Roberts. Roberts is strong in the air and regularly muscles his way past the best defenders in England and has scored 12 goals in 22 games for his country. Grenada will be playing in their first ever Gold Cup.
What to expect: The Spice Boyz (we couldn't make that up) will head home early. The two best third-place squads after group play make the knockout stages, and, as with Haiti, this would be a rousing success. But they have two bona-fide stars, the kind of game-changers that could snatch a positive result against Honduras.
Why a neutral should root for them: You work for Penzey's and see tremendous cross-marketing potential for the Boyz.
Honduras
Plenty of political turmoil back home, but it might just give this Honduras team the impetus it needs to make a serious run at the Gold Cup. The Americans barely squeaked past Los Catrachos in their previous World Cup qualifier, and there is plenty of firepower for this side to win Group B and make a run to the final. MLS fans will recognize their captain, Amado Guevara, from his time with numerous clubs; EPL fans are no doubt familiar with the midfield exploits of Tottenham's Wilson Palacios. Formerly of Wigan Athletic where up-and-coming defender Maynor Figueroa currently plies his trade, Palacios will try to supply Mexican-based striker Carlos Pavon, who struck an impressive early goal against the U.S. last month.
What to expect: A deep run. With the States' fielding a below-strength roster, the Hondurans will hope to boost confidence for their surging World Cup qualifying bid and are perfectly capable of beating the Americans. Expect them to at least make the semifinals.
Why a neutral should root for them: You have a serious hankering for some catrachitas.
Other Gold Cup Notes of Interest:
D.C. United Dejan Jakovic is having something of a breakout season, and it has earned him a spot on the Canadian team. Canada struggled mightily in World Cup qualifying and couldn't even make it to the hexagonal round, but there is enough talent there to repeat their semifinal run in the 2007 Gold Cup. The Canucks face El Salvador, red-hot Costa Rica, and Jamaica in Group A. ... Reeling Mexico got the gift of the draw in Group C, where they'll have minnows Guadeloupe, Panama, and Nicaragua. The seven-time Gold Cup champs have a relatively new coach in Javier Aguirre who will try desperately to get this team back in gear after a stuttering start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, which currently has El Tri on the outside looking in. ... For whatever reason, organizers decided to use 13 stadiums to host a 12-team tournament. This means the U.S. plays in Seattle, D.C., and Boston in the first round. The final will be played July 26 in the Jersey Meadowlands, the surface of which will be mercifully switched to natural grass just for the final.