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Group D of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be led by the host nation that is in need of some confidence. The United States Men’s National Team are struggling as they enter the biennial regional tournament and while they hope to defend their title, they will have to emerge from a group that contains Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. Will the Americans get it together and run through this group like they should? Or, will they be shocked by a team, including one that handed them their most embarrassing loss in program history?
Schedule
June 18
Panama vs. Trinidad and Tobago - 7:30pm ET
United States vs. Guyana - 10:00pm ET
June 22
Guyana vs. Panama - 5:30pm ET
United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago - 8:00pm ET
June 26
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guyana - 6:30pm ET
Panama vs. United States - 9:00pm ET
United States
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 30/33
Recent Record: The USMNT are 3-2-1 in 2019, with wins coming against Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. They drew Chile, while their two most recent matches were humiliating defeats to Jamaica and Venezuela.
Odds of Winning: In the Running
One to Watch: This is Christian Pulisic’s first Gold Cup, and if the team is going to make moves, he’s the guy that will lead them there with his play. The team needs to give fans hope that they’re ready to defend their title, and silly mistakes must be in their rearview for that to happen.
Panama
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 75/64
Recent Record: Panama is 0-3-2 in 2019, with draws coming against Brazil and Basque Country in an unofficial friendly. They have losses to the USMNT, Uruguay, and Colombia.
Odds of Winning: In the Running
One to Watch: Román Torres, who plays for the Seattle Sounders, is the man on the back line who will help organize Panama’s defense. He’s experienced, and his play can help boost the chances of a team that just recently went to its first World Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 92/95
Recent Record: Trinidad and Tobago are 0-1-2 in 2019, with losses to Canada and Wales and a draw against Japan.
Odds of Winning: Dark Horse
One to Watch: Kevin Molino of Minnesota United is their best player and the one that’s going to be important if the Soca Warriors want to shock some teams in this tournament. They’re going to need his goalscoring and creativity to put some points on the board.
Guyana
FIFA Rank/Elo Rating: 177/166
Recent Record: Guyana is 1-2-0 in 2019, their lone win coming against Belize in CONCACAF Nations League qualifying. They also have recent losses to Bermuda and Haiti.
Odds of Winning: Snowball’s Chance
One to Watch: Sheldon Holder is the most experienced goalscorer on a team that has only 3 players above 10 caps and only 6 players who have ever scored an international goal. They’re going to really need to bring the heat if they’re going to have any chance of getting out of the group.