2025 Gold Cup: Reviewing Good & Bad Performances
Looking at the Good and Bad Teams who were eliminated from the Group Stage
The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage had some great games, tremendous finishes, and some disappointments at the same time. Some of the National Teams drawn into certain groups showed some disappointments, and now we can sit here and wonder how they will react to World Cup Qualifying this coming fall.
BAD PERFORMANCES
GROUP C: JAMAICA
It's surprising how much Jamaica continues to show a Jekyll & Hyde performance in different competitions. Since the arrival of English Head Coach Steve McClaren, the Reggae Boys looked fantastic in their second round of qualifying, sweeping the group and finishing in first place.
When the Gold Cup began, they couldn't find a goal against Guatemala, but they were able to find a victory over Guadeloupe. Facing Panama, they got destroyed. While the Canal Boys were the most difficult match for Jamaica to play, they should have done better against Guatemala, and that group opening match put them behind the eight ball.
GROUP B: CURACAO
Since Dick Advocaat joined this Dutch Island's Football Association, he has improved these players with better tactics, as the results have been coming from their Nations League Group in League B to their second round of World Cup Qualifying, but their group stage performance was lethargic.
While El Salvador was a difficult opponent to face, this Blue Stars side should have done better, and they should've had a goal or two in their first match at PayPal Park in San Jose. That scoreless draw was the start of their downfall, and then a gutty, gritty draw against Canada was keeping them alive in the group.
But in that match against Honduras, they were behind, even if they had the score leveled. A draw wasn't going to be enough for them to take over the second position in the knockout stage. While they will be ready for the final round of World Cup qualifying, there are new concerns.
GROUP C: GUADELOUPE
This national team, a non-FIFA member, has always played well in the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Their only trek to the Semi-Finals was in the 2007 edition when they lost to Mexico by a final of a goal to nil. Since then, when they have qualified for the tournament, they have been a dangerous side.
But in this edition of the Gold Cup, they were three and out by the snap of the fingers. When you get drawn with a Central American buzzsaw like Panama, just getting beaten by Jamaica, fighting for a good performance, but falling to Guatemala. This French island, which should be a FIFA member, sadly had a difficult Gold Cup.
Now, they must return to the drawing board and find another way through the Nations League to return in 2027. In my opinion, they must find redemption and make another run for the knockout stage.
GOOD PERFORMANCES
GROUP A: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
While they got eliminated at the group stage, the truth is that D.R. surprised many people with their strong performances. Playing Mexico in their first group stage match, many thought they would get wiped off the pitch in five seconds and get scored on with ease.
That never happened as they worked hard, defended hard, and showed composure every time they had the ball. To see them going toe-to-toe with Mexico and Costa Rica was a joy to watch. To see the analysts of ESPN Desportes looking upset and angry over a Mexico win because they didn't put their foot on the gas was fantastic.
Head Coach Marcelo Neveleff should be commended for doing an excellent job, getting these men prepared for battle against two of the top nations in CONCACAF, Mexico & Costa Rica. If they had a bit more quality, they would've had the draw against El Tri or the win against the Ticos.
Earning a point in their final match against Suriname is a positive to take home with them. They have time on their side to improve and get better for their next Nations League and hopefully their second Gold Cup.
GROUP A: SURINAME
Normally, Suriname is a nation that some of us would think wasn't going to last long in this tournament, but when they had their opening match against Costa Rica, they put a scare in the Ticos. After going down two goals to one, they found a way to fight back and took the lead in the second half.
But once again, not enough quality and poor decision-making cost them that game. Against Mexico, they held their own in the first half, keeping the match scoreless until one man showed fight and no quit from El Tri took down the Caribbean side with two goals. They showed great fighting and were able to battle against two of the top sides in this confederation.
But hopefully in their next Nations League, if they can get to the Gold Cup again, they can get more quality to start showing how dangerous they can be. They and the Dominican Republic have time on their hands to improve and show this region that they are a dangerous side for the future.
Those are my Bad and Good performances from this past Group Stage of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Let me know if you have any opinions that are equal to or different than mine. All thoughts are welcome.