Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Last updated

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's soccer and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the CONCACAF Championship was the regions' primary competition. It is currently held every two years. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States have hosted or co-hosted every tournament. Since then it has expanded to more countries in North America. [1]

Contents

From 1973 to 1989, the tournament doubled as the confederation's World Cup qualification. CONCACAF's representative team at the FIFA Confederations Cup was decided by a play-off between the winners of the last two tournament editions in 2015 via the CONCACAF Cup, but was then discontinued along with the Confederations Cup.

Since the inaugural tournament in 1963, the Gold Cup was held 27 times and has been won by seven different nations, most often by Mexico (12 titles).

Canada entered the tournament for the first time in 1973, and have qualified for 18 more tournaments since then. Often, they qualified automatically. Once, in 2015, Canada co-hosted the tournament. However, only two group matches were played in Toronto, and the rest at different venues within the United States. They again co-hosted in 2023, with a match played in Toronto like in 2015.

Canada is one of only four teams to have won the continental championship more than once. They won their first title in 1985, excluding Mexico (hosts) a year in which the tournament doubled as CONCACAF's qualification phase for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. [2] The second title was won in 2000, when Canada beat invitees Colombia 2–0 in the final in Los Angeles. [3] as well as Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago on route. Key to Canada’s success was Carlo Corazzin winning the golden boot and goalkeeper Craig Forrest winning best player, a rare accolade for a goalkeeper at an international tournament.

Overall record

CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup recordQualification record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquadPldWD*LGFGA
Flag of El Salvador.svg 1963 Did not enterDid not enter
Flag of Guatemala.svg 1965
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg 1967
Flag of Costa Rica.svg 1969
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg 1971
Flag of Haiti (1964-1986).svg 1973 Did not qualify411267
Flag of Mexico.svg 1977 Fourth place4th521278Squad522153
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg 1981 Fourth place4th513166Squad413043
1985 Champions1st8530114SquadQualified automatically
1989 Did not qualify210133
Flag of the United States.svg 1991 Group stage6th310269 Squad Qualified automatically
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 1993 Group stage6th3021311 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 Group stage5th210145 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 1998 WithdrewWithdrew
Flag of the United States.svg 2000 Champions1st532073 Squad 321042
Flag of the United States.svg 2002 Third place3rd522154 Squad Qualified automatically
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2003 Group stage9th210112 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2005 Group stage9th310224 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2007 Semi-finals3rd530295 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2009 Quarter-finals5th421143 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2011 Group stage9th311123 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2013 Group stage11th301203 Squad
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United States.svg 2015 Group stage10th302101 Squad
Flag of the United States.svg 2017 Quarter-finals6th412165 Squad
Flag of Costa Rica.svg Flag of Jamaica.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2019 Quarter-finals6th4202146 Squad 4400181
Flag of the United States.svg 2021 Semi-finals4th5302115 Squad 4301104
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United States.svg 2023 Quarter-finals6th413086 Squad 4301113
Total2 Titles19/2776302323106933017766126
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

1985 CONCACAF Championship

The 1985 Championship was played over a seven-month period. The nine teams played in three round-robin groups. The three winners played the final round-robin group in August and September. [4]

Thanks to Canada's away win in Honduras three weeks earlier, Canada was one point ahead in the group table before the final match. This meant the winner would win the tournament and qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Considering the following 2–1 victory over Honduras came hand-in-hand with Canada's first and only World Cup qualification, it can be considered Canada's greatest success in soccer history. However, they managed to avoid the "big two", Mexico and the United States, because Mexico did not participate as hosts of the 1986 World Cup and the U.S. were eliminated by Costa Rica in the first round. [5]

At the World Cup the following year, Canada was eliminated after three defeats in the Group Stage to France, Hungary and the Soviet Union. [6]

Match overview

RoundOpponentScoreResultVenueScorer(s)
First roundFlag of Haiti (1964-1986).svg  Haiti 2–0W Victoria, Canada I. Vrablic, M. Sweeney
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 2–1W Victoria, Canada D. Mitchell (2)
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 1–1D Guatemala City, Guatemala D. Mitchell
Flag of Haiti (1964-1986).svg  Haiti 2–0W Port-au-Prince, Haiti D. Mitchell, I. Vrablic
Final roundFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 1–1D Toronto, Canada P. James
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg  Honduras 1–0W Tegucigalpa, Honduras G. Pakos
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 0–0D San José, Costa Rica
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg  Honduras 2–1W St John's, Canada G. Pakos, I. Vrablic

2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup

At the 2000 Gold Cup, twelve nations were divided into four groups of three teams, the first two of which would qualify for the knock-out matches. With Colombia, Peru and South Korea, three Non-CONCACAF-members participated as invitees.

After all three matches of Canada's Group D ended as draws, a coin toss was needed to determine whether Canada or South Korea would advance to the knockout stage. Canada won the toss and eventually the tournament, eliminating Mexico on the way and winning the final 2–0 against Colombia. [7] [8]

The title victory allowed Canada to represent CONCACAF at the 2001 Confederations Cup, where they were eliminated in the Group Stage. [9]

Match overview

RoundOpponentScoreResultVenueScorer(s)
Group stageFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 2–2D San Diego, United States C. Corazzin (2)
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 0–0D Los Angeles, United States
Quarter-finalsFlag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2–1 ( a.e.t. )W San Diego, United States C. Corazzin, R. Hastings
Semi-finalsFlag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 1–0W Los Angeles, United States M. Watson
Final Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2–0W Los Angeles, United States J. de Vos, C. Corazzin

Top goalscorers

Three Canadians were awarded the Golden Boot for best goalscorer at a CONCACAF Gold Cup: Carlo Corazzin with 4 goals in 2000, Alphonso Davies with 3 goals in 2017 and Jonathan David with 6 goals in 2019.

Players in bold are still active with the national team.
RankPlayerGoalsGold Cup(s)
1 Dale Mitchell 71985 (4) and 1991 (3)
2 Dwayne De Rosario 62002 (1), 2007 (3) and 2011 (2)
Ali Gerba 2005 (1), 2007 (3) and 2009 (2)
Jonathan David 2019
Junior Hoilett 2017 (1), 2019 (2), 2021 (2) and 2023 (1)
Lucas Cavallini 2019 (5) and 2023 (1)
7 Tomasz Radzinski 51996 (1) and 2000 (4)
8 Buzz Parsons 31977
Igor Vrablic 1985
Kevin McKenna 2002
Alphonso Davies 2017
Stephen Eustáquio 1921
Cyle Larin 2021

See also

Related Research Articles

The CONMEBOL Copa América, known until 1975 as the South American Football Championship, is the top men's football tournament contested among national teams from South America. It is the oldest still-running continental football competition, as well as the third most watched in the world. The competition determines the champions of South America. Since the 1990s, teams from North America and Asia have also been invited to compete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CONCACAF Gold Cup</span> International football tournament in Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition of the men's national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the continental champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Gold Cup is held every two years. The tournament succeeded the CONCACAF Championship (1963–1989), with its inaugural edition being held in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CONCACAF</span> One of FIFAs six continental governing bodies for association football

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, abbreviated as CONCACAF, is one of FIFA's six continental governing bodies for association football. Its 41 member associations represent countries and territories mainly in North America, including the Caribbean and Central America, and, for geopolitical reasons, three nations from the Guianas subregion of South America—Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The CONCACAF's primary functions are to organize competitions for national teams and clubs, and to conduct the World Cup and Women's World Cup qualifying tournaments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States men's national soccer team</span> Mens national soccer team

The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) represents the United States in men's international soccer competitions. The team is governed by the United States Soccer Federation, which is a member of FIFA and CONCACAF.

The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions since 1924. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association, the governing body for soccer in Canada. They have been a member of FIFA since 1948 and a member of CONCACAF since 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico national football team</span> Mens national association football team representing Mexico

The Mexico national football team represents Mexico in international football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation. It competes as a member of CONCACAF.

The Canada women's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association, the governing body for soccer in Canada.

The CONCACAF W Championship is an association football competition organized by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) that often serves as the qualifying competition to the Women's World Cup, and recently the Olympics. In years when the tournament has been held outside the World Cup qualifying cycle, non-CONCACAF members have been invited. CONCACAF is the governing body for football for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The most successful country has been the United States, winning their ninth title in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Corazzin</span> Canadian soccer player (born 1971)

Giancarlo Michele "Carlo" Corazzin is a Canadian retired professional soccer player who played as a forward for Winnipeg Fury, Vancouver 86ers, Cambridge United, Plymouth Argyle, Northampton Town, Oldham Athletic and Vancouver Whitecaps at club level. At international level, he was capped 59 times for the Canada national team, scoring 11 goals.

The history of the United States men's national soccer team began with that team's first international match in 1916. Highlights from the team's early history include reaching the semifinals of the 1930 World Cup then FIFA recognized third place for the United States in 1986, and defeating England in a remarkable upset in the 1950 World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup final</span> Football match

The 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup final was a soccer match played on February 27, 2000 by Canada and Invited Guest Colombia, at the Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, to determine the winner of the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada beat Colombia 2–0. This was Canada's first Gold Cup title and its second major title, the first since the 1985 CONCACAF Championship. As the Gold Cup champions, Canada represented CONCACAF at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics</span> Association football played during the 2016 Olympic Summer Games

The association football tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics was held from 3 to 20 August in Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Grosso</span> Canadian soccer player (born 2000)

Julia Angela Grosso is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Serie A Femminile club Juventus FC and the Canada women's national team. She attained international prominence after scoring the title-winning penalty kick at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading Canada to its first gold medal.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecuador at the CONCACAF Gold Cup</span>

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Guiana at the CONCACAF Gold Cup</span>

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honduras at the CONCACAF Gold Cup</span>

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico at the CONCACAF Gold Cup</span> Mexico at North Americas major tournament

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's soccer and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panama at the CONCACAF Gold Cup</span>

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is North America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion. Until 1989, the tournament was known as CONCACAF Championship. It is currently held every two years. From 1996 to 2005, nations from other confederations have regularly joined the tournament as invitees. In earlier editions, the continental championship was held in different countries, but since the inception of the Gold Cup in 1991, the United States are constant hosts or co-hosts.

References

  1. "CONCACAF expands Gold Cup to 16 teams". ESPN. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  2. Moment 2: Canada wins CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada Soccer, June 2, 2012, retrieved February 21, 2019 via YouTube
  3. "Gold Cup: Fifteen years after historic title, why do Canada continue to lag behind CONCACAF powers?". Major League Soccer. July 8, 2015.
  4. "Canada ready to make mark at 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup". www.canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  5. "CCCF and Concacaf Championships". RSSSF . Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  6. "Remembering Canada's '86 World Cup team". CBC. July 1, 2020. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  7. "Canadian Champions Look Back On The 2000 Gold Cup". MLS Multiplex. 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  8. "CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2000". RSSSF . Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  9. "Moment 2: Canada wins CONCACAF Gold Cup". www.canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.