What is the Gold Cup? Even longtime fans of the U.S. men’s national soccer team are ambivalent about the CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) championship. Unlike the European championship, it’s contested every two years rather than every four, so it lacks a bit of prestige. Unlike Copa America, the South American championship that was held in the U.S. last summer, it lacks the star power of some of the world’s biggest players. And because of World Cup qualifiers, some of the bigger names on the U.S. squad are missing from the competition (Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, most of the U.S. players playing club soccer in Europe). Still, it’s what we’ve got. And for American fans who are looking ahead, it’s a chance to see some younger players fighting for a chance to make next year’s World Cup team, which will play in Russia. The tournament has been a launch pad for U.S. stars before. Will it be Kellyn Acosta or Paul Arriola this time? We’ll find out on Saturday. STEVE CAVENDISH
CONCACAF: U.S. vs. Panama
