GOLD CUP: USA gets Group C, match-up with Canada

Without the slightest ounce of transparency, or the most minuscule hint of caring that people are onto them, the CONCACAF Gold Cup match-ups were announced.

The Stars and Stripes last won the Gold Cup in 2007.

Mexico gets to play in Dallas, Canada gets to play in Detroit, and the two Floridian venues will see a total of six different Central American and Caribbean teams.  Go figure.  Luckily, the tournament still seems to be arranged with a USA-Mexico final in mind.  That's corruption I can deal with.

The Yanks, who will feature their full-strength senior squad, "drew" Canada in Detroit, Panama in Tampa, and Guadeloupe in Kansas City, in Group C.  The quarterfinals will likely be in DC, with the semis and final in Houston and Pasadena, respectively.

In 2009, the last edition of the Gold Cup, a young American squad (Bradley rested the senior team after the Confederations Cup run) reached the final where they were embarrassed by Mexico 5-0 at Giants Stadium.

I know everyone at BigSoccer, namely Bill Archer, is going to have a field day with the Canada match-up.  Although I must admit, I want to throw my laptop across the room every time I see some dumb-fuck Canadian on a message board talk about soccer like they have something to brag about up there.  Get your own league.

I'll be back tomorrow with a look at the three group stage opponents, the US' chances at the tournament, as well as the new FIFA world rankings.

Group A: Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba
Group B: Honduras, Guatemala, Grenada, Jamaica
Group C: United States, Canada, Panama, Guadeloupe


***For the tournament schedule, click here.***