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Group C of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be an interesting set of matches, as Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Curaçao fight for the right to head to the knockout stage. While Honduras should be the favorites to win the group, the other teams are no easy outs. The winner of Group C will face the runner up from Group D, while the Group C runner up will face the winner of Group D in Philadelphia.
Schedule
June 17
Curaçao vs. El Salvador - 7:00pm ET
Jamaica vs. Honduras - 9:30pm ET
June 21
El Salvador vs. Jamaica - 7:00pm ET
Honduras vs. Curaçao - 9:30pm ET
June 25
Jamaica vs. Curaçao - 8:00pm ET
Honduras vs. El Salvador - 10:30pm ET
Honduras
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 60/61
Recent Record: Honduras is 0-1-2 in 2019, their last match being a 7-0 loss to Brazil June 9th. They drew Ecuador and Paraguay previously.
Odds of Winning: In the Running
One to Watch: Alberth Elis, who plays for the Houston Dynamo, is a 23-year-old striker that has the ability to score in bunches. He already has 34 caps for Honduras, and he will be called on to provide some offensive firepower for Los Catrachos as they try to shock some teams in this tournament.
Jamaica
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 56/68
Recent Record: The Reggae Boyz are 1-2-0 in 2019. Their lone win was against the United States on June 5th. They previously lost to Costa Rica and El Salvador, the latter coming in CONCACAF Nations League qualifying.
Odds of Winning: In the Running
One to Watch: Andre Blake is the best goalkeeper in the Gold Cup since Keylor Navas is being rested by Costa Rica. For Jamaica to make another run for the title (they have lost in the previous two Gold Cup finals), Blake will once again need to be at his best. If he is, Jamaica can advance far in this tournament.
El Salvador
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 71/71
Recent Record: El Salvador is 4-1-0 in 2019, their lone loss coming in their most recent match against Japan. They’ve defeated Guatemala, Jamaica, Peru, and Haiti, the Jamaica win coming in CONCACAF Nations League qualifying.
Odds of Winning: Dark Horse
One to Watch: Nelson Bonilla may play in Thailand at the club level, but he has punched quite a few goals for El Salvador. His play will be key for El Salvador to get past the others and advance out of the group.
Curaçao
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 82/129
Recent Record: Curaçao is 1-1-1 in 2019, with their win coming against India. They lost to Antigua and Barbuda and drew Vietnam.
Odds of Winning: Dark Horse
One to Watch: Leandro Bacuna plays for Cardiff City, and his experience led Curaçao to qualify for League A in the CONCACAF Nations League. If they want to shock the region, they’ll need to play the type of soccer they’ve been playing lately. They clearly have what it takes to get out of the group.