The top team in Group A should be pretty self-explanatory. USA, the 34th ranked team in the world, highest in CONCACAF, and 5-time and defending Gold Cup champions, as well as the co-hosts, are easily the favorite to win this tournament. The Yanks' uniforms are simple ones from Nike: the same primary white kit as the one worn at last year's World Cup (which was worn in both of their games in this tournament so far), and a secondary blue jersey which is new for 2015. (Murica.)
The best chance for the USA to get knocked off of the top of the group comes courtesy of Panama, the 62nd-ranked team in the FIFA rankings. Panama were in the finals in 2013, falling to the United States by a score of 1-0 for their second finals loss. In this tournament, Los Canaleros will be wearing New Balance kits, with white and red options.
The underdog of Group A is Haiti, who sit at 79th in the world, even after being as high as 38 two years ago. Les Grenadiers have never made it past the quarterfinals, a trend they look to break this year. For Haiti, they will have two kit options from Joma this tournament: a primary blue outfit and a secondary red jersey option.
The lowest-ranked team in Group A is, somewhat surprisingly, Honduras, who enter 80th in the world. Los Catrachos qualified for the World Cup last year (although they did finish 31st out of 32 teams), but how far they have fallen is still a surprise, as they were the 12th and last team to qualify for this tournament. Honduras were runners-up in the first-ever Gold Cup, and have made the semifinals three tournaments running, but the odds are still against them to continue that run. At this Gold Cup, Honduras will have two kit options from Joma: a primary blue look as well as a secondary white getup.
Opening up Group B would be the co-hosts, Canada. The Canucks are the lowest-ranked team in the group, at 103rd, but did win the Gold Cup in 2000. This year, Canada has two new jerseys from Umbro: a secondary white kit and a primary red jersey. (Canada.)
If you are looking for a favorite in Group B the best bet would be Costa Rica. Los Ticos made a miracle run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, are ranked 41st in the world, and have appeared in all but one Gold Cup, including finishing as runners-up in 2002. This year marks Costa Rica's first year under New Balance, and they have new kits to go with it, in primary red and secondary white options.
The next-best team in Group B is easily Jamaica, who enter 76th in the world after winning the Caribbean Cup to earn qualification to this tournament. The Reggae Boyz's best finish in the Gold Cup came in 1993, when they placed third. Fresh off of a group-stage elimination in the Copa America, Jamaica do have new jerseys this year from Romai, in primary yellow and secondary green options.
The final team in Group B is El Salvador, who enter ranked 88th in the world. La Selecta have made the Gold Cup quarterfinals four times, including the last two tournaments, but never farther. El Salvador are the only team in this Gold Cup with Mitre jerseys, which feature a primary blue and secondary white options.
The unanimous favorites in Group C are Mexico, the six-time Gold Cup champions. El Tri made the knockout stages of the World Cup last year, and are entering the Gold Cup just weeks after appearing in the Copa America. They are looking for revenge this year after falling to Panama in the semifinals of the 2013 Gold Cup. This year's adidas jerseys for Mexico have caused a lot of controversy, in a sense, as there are only two options: a primary black and secondary white option, which noticeably does not include a green jersey, a staple of Mexican soccer for generations. The jersey issue notwithstanding, Mexico are still one of the top four favorites to win the Gold Cup.
Surprisingly to some, the team with the best odds to defeat Mexico in the group would be Trinidad and Tobago, who enter the Gold Cup ranked 64th in the world and making their 9th Gold Cup appearance, although their highest finish has been third place (in 2000), The Soca Warriors will be wearing Joma kits at this tournament, including a primary red and secondary white options.
In contrast to the other two teams in the group, the next two are the two worst-ranked teams in the tournament. Cuba enters 104th in the world, and their time in this tournament so far has been marred by two players defecting from the country and, before the team's opening game, six players and the head coach had their flight delayed and missed the game. The Leones del Caribe did make the quarterfinals in 2013, but the problems they have had so far don't seem to allow that again. Cuba will be outfitted by Joma at this tournament, wearing two kits: white and blue.
The worst team in Group C, and in all of the Gold Cup, would be Guatemala. Los Chapines are ranked 105th in the world and have never finished higher than 4th at a Gold Cup. At this Gold Cup, Guatemala will have two Umbro uniforms: a primary white and secondary blue option.
Yes, I know how late this was. Yes, I know it serves virtually no point now. But I had to get this off my back at some point. I'm still trying to figure out what I will be doing next, but a post about that should come sometime before August 15. Peace.
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