USMNT gets drawn easier Gold Cup group than rivals

The United States men’s national team have found out their opponents in Group A of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Friday’s draw for this summer’s tournament didn’t, however, fill out the entire field just yet. Three nations will have to qualify from a separate Gold Cup Prelims competition. One of trio are set to feature alongside the USMNT in Group A.

Jamaica, Nicaragua drawn with the USMNT

Besides the undetermined prelim team, the Yanks were drawn with Jamaica and Nicaragua. Jamaica is currently ranked 63rd by FIFA and have struggled in recent matches. In fact, the Reggae Boyz have failed to win any of their previous eight competitive matches. Their last victory came against Suriname in June of 2022. The USMNT have faced Jamaica 31 times in their history and have won 19 of these games.

Nicaragua, unlike Jamaica, don’t have a lot of history against the Yanks. The two teams have actually only met competitively once. The USMNT beat the Central American side 3-0 in a 2017 Gold Cup Group B matchup. Nicaragua is ranked 140th, but has only lost one of their previous four matches.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the draw,” explained interim USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson in post-draw interview.

“I think Jamaica is a really tough team and our previous experience in this competition tells us that there are no easy opponents and every game is complicated. As we know, these teams are improving every year, and that’s good for everyone.”

Final Group A team to be determined in June

The final team in Group A will be either Curaçao, French Guiana, Sint Maarten, or St. Kitts and Nevis. The quartet is set to begin their prelim competition on June 16th, a week before the Gold Cup begins. Much like the official Gold Cup tournament, the prelims will also be held in the United States.

Mexico were drawn in Group B alongside Haiti, Honduras, and invited guests Qatar. Group C consists of Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and another prelim team. Canada slotted into Group D with Guatemala, Cuba, and the final prelim nation. The Gold Cup is set to kick-off on June 24th.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire