CONCACAF GOLD CUP

[aja]

Here are the groupings and matches:

http://www.concacaf.com/graphics/pho...ldcup2003.html

Mexico and Brazil are grouped with a tough Honduran team, I guess you could Group A "El Grupo del Muerte". But the Brazilians are fielding even a weaker side than they did at the Confederations Cup...

Now I've got to reach out to my contacts and secure my seats for a potential US-Colombia encounter on July 23rd! Have we played Colombia in a meaningful event since the miraculous '94 WC encounter???

Here are my guesses for how each group will fare in the order of finish:

GROUP A - Brazil, Mexico, Honduras
GROUP B - Colombia, Jamaica, Guatamala
GROUP C - US, El Salvador, Martinique
GROUP D - Costa Rica, Canada, Cuba

Quarterfinal #1 - US over Canada
Quarterfinal #2 - Costa Rica over El Salvador
Quarterfinal #3 - Mexico over Jamaica**
Quarterfinal #4 - Colombia over Brazil**
** host country rule weirdness. See CONCACAF website.

Semi #1 - US over Colombia (Colombia's roster has fewer than half the players at the Confederations Cup - but will the Americans carry an enlarged photo of Andres Escobar during the pre-game warmup? ).

Semi #2 - Mexico over Costa Rica. No problema.

Final: Mexico over US in Mexico City (should be a testy game)!!!