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2021 Gold Cup Group B Preview: United States the big favorite to top group

The Americans are heavily favored in Group B to advance. Who could join them in the knockout stages of the 2021 Gold Cup?

By Chinmay Vaidya
Costa Rica v United States
Giovanni Reyna of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Costa Rica and USMNT at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 10, 2021 in Sandy, Utah.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Group B features North American neighbors United States and Canada along with developing soccer nations Martinique and Haiti. USMNT is heavily favored to win the group and will be expected to reach the Gold Cup final.

United States

This competition is more about finding the right group of players going forward for U.S. soccer. Gregg Berhalter’s team should have no problems advancing from the group stage, so the question is how the squad shapes up and gels together. A Gold Cup win will further boost the profile of what many feel could be the best USA soccer squad of all-time.

Canada

Canada famously drew a friendly with the United States back in 2012 and should be relatively comfortable advancing from the group. Alphonso Davies is a name to watch for Canada. The young star has already excelled on the club circuit with Bayern Munich; can he boost his country’s profile in this tournament? Jonathan Osorio and Lucas Cavallini are also players to watch.

Martinique

As you can expect, Martinique isn’t playing much international soccer. The squad will enter Gold Cup competition having played exactly zero matches in 2021. There is some experience on this team with four players having more than 50 international caps. Daniel Hérelle, Karl Vitulin and Stéphane Abaul are players to look out for here.

Haiti

Haiti also isn’t getting much attention in this group, but the country has a decent track record on the pitch of late. The team is 5-2 in 2021, but both losses have come against fellow group members Canada. Duckens Nazon and Frantzdy Pierrot are able to test defenses consistently, but the key will be how Haiti’s back line holds up against opponents. 11 players on the current roster have 10 or more international appearances, making this experienced squad capable of causing some trouble in Group B.

Odds to win group, finish second

United States: -500, OTB
Canada: +275, -500
Haiti: +2000, +350
Martinique: +3300, +500

Group B Schedule

  • Sunday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. Canada vs. Martinique (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS)
  • Sunday, July 11, 8:30 p.m. United States vs. Haiti (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS)
  • Thursday, July 15, 7:30 p.m. Haiti vs. Canada (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS)
  • Thursday, July 15, 9:30 p.m. Martinique vs. United States (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS)
  • Sunday, July 18, 5 p.m. Martinique vs. Haiti (Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX)
  • Sunday, July 18, 5 p.m. United States vs. Canada (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS)

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