May CONCACAF Never Die: A Wild Start to The 2021 Gold Cup

The 2021 Gold Cup started with a bang! Before I get into the wild events that have taken place (at the time of writing, there were only had two full match days), I suggest you check out episode 192 of the MLSAces Podcast, where Jason Vevang, Sam Nelson and I broke down every nation and every group of the 2021 Gold Cup. There are some latest developments were missed in this episode, such as:

•  Alphonso Davies, one of if not the biggest name in the tournament, is out for Canada due to a training injury

• Curacao got dropped from the tournament due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests and were replaced by Guatemala

• Hirving “Chucky” Lozano got stretched out off the field vs Trinidad & Tobago and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament

• The opening match of the tournament, Mexico’s versus Trinidad & Tobago, ended in a scoreless draw

• Five Haitian players tested positive for COVID-19 before their game against the U.S.

• Despite the ejection of Curacao, CONCACAF allowed Haiti to play and remain in the tournament

• Canada beat up on Martinique, winning 4-1

• USA pulled out a narrow victory over Haiti, 1-0

• El Salvador beat Guatemala, 2-0

Formally known as The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, CONCACAF is like an old, college town dive bar that you remember fondly and probably will until your dying days. You know it’s kind of bad, you know it’s a little messy, but you overlook those things because of the memories and appreciation you have for it - whether it’s the $3 pitchers of beer or the time you got thrown out. CONCACAF is my college dive bar and I never want it to change. 

As we get into CONCACAF Gold Cup action, Let’s start with the bad. Seeing global stars like Alphonso Davies and Chucky Lazano or even the USA’s own Paul Arriola get knocked out of the Gold Cup downright sucks – there’s are no other way to describe it. These players are top talents that, more than likely, would have created some magical CONCACAF moments. Their injuries took that away from the tournament, their teammates, their coaches, and us. All I can say is I’m sending prayers to Phonzie, Chucky and Paul and I’m hoping they get well soon – I think I speak for all CONCACAF fans when I say that we want to see you playing for your respective countries as soon as possible. With that said, who will step up in their absence? Well, Tajon Buchanan and Junior Hoilett had a hell of an opening game for Canada versus Martinique. Though Mexico failed to score, maybe Lozano’s injury opens the door for Sporting KC’s Alan Pulido to get the start at the striker position. Nicholas Gioacchini subbed in for Arriola on the RW for USA and looked good – raw, but good. 

The Bad

“Seeing global stars like … Chucky Lazano … get knocked out of the Gold Cup downright sucks – there’s are no other way to describe it.”

  Let’s go from bad to worse. COVID-19 is still a thing and is still impacting our world: Curacao is a clear indication that. With the announcement of Curacao being dropped from the Gold Cup due to several positive COID-19 tests, many of their players and fans were crushed. A social media statement from Eloy Room clearly displayed this heart-breaking moment for the Curacao team - I hope for a full and speedy recovery for all those in and around the tournament with COVID. However, I would like to know what exactly was different between the situation in Curacao situation versus the one in Haiti, who also had multiple positive COVID cases. Maybe the Haitian Federation fought more to stay in? All I know is the COVID-19 quarantines and Haiti’s lack of depth likely hurt their chances against the U.S. 

Bad To Worse

“With … Curacao being dropped from the Gold Cup, many of their players and fans were crushed. A social media statement from Eloy Room clearly displayed this heart-breaking moment for the Curacao team.”

  We are, as of this writing, four games into this tournament, so I am going to hold off on any predictions or hot takes at this point. I will wait until we can get at least two games in for each squad for that. What I can say is this - maybe we will see some surprises in this Gold Cup maybe a surprising team will make it to the final if Mexico and the U.S. look this average.