Gold Cup Final 4 Schedule & Preview: Mexico, Jamaica, USA & Panama Advance, Will Play For Championship
Just four teams remain in the 2015 Gold Cup.
Those four teams are the United States, Mexico, Panama and Jamaica. We began with 12 teams, but the semifinals are here at last. Four teams will enter, but only two will leave. Let's preview the semifinals matchups for this week.
USA vs. Jamaica
A 6-0 drubbing is just what this United States team needed. Not that beating a Cuban team that has had four defectors is extremely impressive, but it builds huge confidence. The U.S. easily won Group A over Haiti, and they are the top ranked team in all of CONCACAF. Against Cuba, Clint Dempsey recorded a hat trick. The U.S. has won this event five times, the second most ever. In 2013 they won the championship over Panama. If Panama can defeat Mexico, we will see a championship rematch.
Standing in the U.S.'s way is Jamaica. Jamaica dominated Group B over a disappointing Cost Rica, and they're here because they won the 2014 Caribbean Cup. Without a doubt the biggest reason Jamaica is where they are is because of their goaltending. Dwayne Miller and Ryan Thompson have each been phenomenal in net as Jamaica hasn't allowed a goal in three consecutive games. In the semifinals Jamaica defeated and eliminated Haiti 1-0 thanks to a goal from Giles Barnes in the sixth minute.
The U.S. enters the game as the favorites, but Jamaica's goalkeeping could force extra time where anything can happen. If Jamaica can pull off the upset, it would be their first ever championship appearance.
Schedule: Wednesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. EST on Fox Sports 1
Panama vs. Mexico
This game is pretty similar to the first one. Mexico is seeking their ninth championship appearance, whereas Panama is looking for their first trip to the big game. Mexico defeated Cost Rica when team captain Andres Guardado scored in extra time on a controversial penalty kick. Guardado has stepped up as the best player for Mexico in this tournament, especially with Javier Hernandez out and Giovani dos Santos hurting.
Panama's fans remember last year's loss in the finals to the U.S., and they want revenge. But first, they have to get through Mexico. Panama placed third in Group A, but they tied the U.S. to qualify for the knockout stage. Panama then defeated Trinidad and Tobago in a thrilling game that went into nine rounds of penalty kicks. Valentín Pimentel eventually sealed the deal on the final kick as Panama won penalty kicks, 6-5. In the 2013 Gold Cup, Panama beat Mexico in group play and later eliminated them in the semifinals.
If Mexico and the U.S. each win, it would be the sixth time they face off in the finals. Mexico is 4-1 against the U.S. in the championship round.
Schedule: Wednesday, July 22 at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox Sports 2
Who do you think advances to the finals? Vote in our fan poll below
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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