30 wins, one loss and three draws. That's the USMNT's record in group stage games at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. And overall, the Stars and
Ahead of the upcoming tournament, which sees the USA take on familiar foe Panama on Saturday, July 8th, we provide a list of five interesting facts about the team's excellent record - but believe it or not, they are not the most decorated side in this competition.
NOT the most decorated side? That's right...it's their southern rivals
So far, the USMNT has won this competition five times. The Yanks won the inaugural edition in 1991, but didn't win it again until 2002, followed by victories in 2005, 2007, and in 2013.
It's actually their familiar foes south of the border, Mexico, who are the most decorated side. El Tri have lifted the trophy on seven occasions, and that includes the recent edition in 2015, where the USMNT had an awful tournament by their esteemed standards and barely scraped into fourth spot.
It goes without saying that the USA will be loath to see Mexico win it yet again - especially since, unlike the last time where it was joint-hosted with Canada, the Stars and Stripes are the only hosts of the tournament. In 2011, they were beaten 4-2 by Mexico in an epic final.
2011 also happened to be a very notable year for the USMNT at Gold Cup competitions...and not necessarily for the right reasons, either.
Why? Let's take a look at fact number 2:
A nearly perfect record in Gold Cup group stage games...
...but not perfect. As noted before, the USMNT have a record of 30 wins, one loss, and three draws in group stage ties.
Who's that one team who managed to put a blemish on an otherwise impeccable record?
None other than upcoming opponents Panama. Back on June 11, 2011, Los Canaleros became the first - and so far only - team to defeat the USMNT in a Gold Cup group stage game.
Overall, the two sides have met nine times since their first clash in 1993. The USA have won six, including a penalty shoot-out in the 2005 final, whilst there have been one draw. Panama, meanwhile, in addition to the 2011 group stage win, have also won one penalty shoot-out, during the third-placed game in 2015.
An interesting reunion coming up between coach and former star
There's an interesting bit of history between the USA and Martinique, who will square off for the second time at a Gold Cup tournament.
The first meeting was back in 2005, and the USMNT won 2-0, thanks to a brace from Brian McBride. Now, Martinique are currently under the guidance of none other than David Regis. Regis, who was born in Martinique, became a US citizen through marriage and featured for the Stars and Stripes at two World Cups.
In fact, the majority of his 27 caps were earned under none other than Bruce Arena, who was in first spell in charge of the USMNT. We've seen plenty of instances where a former pupil takes on his teacher in football, and this Gold Cup clash will be very interesting to see indeed.
A frustrating final record...when it comes to facing Mexico
So far, the USMNT have lost eight times overall in Gold Cup tournaments. Four of those have been in finals. And all of those four defeats have been against Mexico.
In fact, the USA and Mexico have faced off in five Gold Cup finals. They have won one, a 2-1 result back in 2007, whilst losing on four occasions, in 1993, 1998, 2009, and 2011.
Their worst ever final? That infamous 5-0 drubbing in 2009, when El Tri got revenge on them for their 2-1 loss at the 2007 edition, and netted five goals (yes, five!) in the second half.
Fans and neutrals alike surely will be hoping to see another USA-Mexico clash in the final...as it's never short on entertainment value when these two bitter rivals meet.
2015...a dark year for the USMNT
As we noted before, 2015 saw the USMNT finish in fourth. That's their worst ever showing at a Gold Cup since 2000, and the first time since 2003 that they had failed to make the final.
Jurgen Klinsmann has now moved on, and Bruce Arena is back for his second spell. So far, he's won two Gold Cups (in 2002 and 2005) and will be keen on making his mark in this decade by steering the Stars and Stripes to what would be their sixth title as the tournament kicks off in a few days' time.
