The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament kicks off in a matter of hours, and Live Soccer TV brings you 10 facts that may refresh your minds upon the history of the competition.
1) The United States was the first country to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. USA emerged victorious in the first edition of the competition—then an 8-team contest—which they hosted in 1991. They defeated Honduras on July 7 that year at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, in front of nearly 40,000 spectators.
2) Bora Milutinović and Bruce Arena are the only coaches who can boast of having won the Gold Cup more than once. Both managers have two titles in their name: Bora won his first with the USA (1991) and his second with Mexico (1996), while Bruce won both with the United States (2002 &2005).
3) USA and Mexico are the only members of CONCACAF which have hosted the Gold Cup since the competition’s creation back in 1991. The current hosts, USA, have hosted all of the contest’s previous editions—with the 1993 and 2003 tournaments being co-hosted with Mexico.
4) Mexico is the most successful country in the history of the Gold Cup with 5 titles in their name. El Tri were champions in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2009. USA come second in the standings with a title less.
5) Luís Roberto Alves dos Santos Gavranic, also known as Zaguinho, is the all-time single-edition top scorer in the Gold Cup with 11 goals. The Mexican record-holder made this achievement in 1993.
6) Mexico and USA are the only countries who have participated in all Gold Cup editions.
7) South Korea and South Africa are the only countries outside the 2 American continents and after the Atlantic Ocean (eastward), to have ever participated in the Gold Cup. Korea Republic joined the 2002 contest as guests and finished in fourth position after losing 2-1 to Canada in the Third Place match. South Africa reached the quarterfinals in 2005 but were beaten by Panama 5-3 on penalties.
8) Cuba is one of the least successful CONCACAF members in the history of the Gold Cup. Their best run was in 2003, when they entered the quarterfinals.
9) USA is the team with the most wins in the Gold Cup, having 38 victories in the history of the competition. Mexico follow with 32, then Costa Rica come third with 13.
10) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the CONCACAF member with the worst record in the history of the Gold Cup. Vincy Heat, as they can be called, made their only appearance back in 1996, when they got disqualified in Round 1 after losing their 2 matches and conceding 8 goals in all, while being goalless.
2) Bora Milutinović and Bruce Arena are the only coaches who can boast of having won the Gold Cup more than once. Both managers have two titles in their name: Bora won his first with the USA (1991) and his second with Mexico (1996), while Bruce won both with the United States (2002 &2005).
3) USA and Mexico are the only members of CONCACAF which have hosted the Gold Cup since the competition’s creation back in 1991. The current hosts, USA, have hosted all of the contest’s previous editions—with the 1993 and 2003 tournaments being co-hosted with Mexico.
4) Mexico is the most successful country in the history of the Gold Cup with 5 titles in their name. El Tri were champions in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2009. USA come second in the standings with a title less.
5) Luís Roberto Alves dos Santos Gavranic, also known as Zaguinho, is the all-time single-edition top scorer in the Gold Cup with 11 goals. The Mexican record-holder made this achievement in 1993.
6) Mexico and USA are the only countries who have participated in all Gold Cup editions.
7) South Korea and South Africa are the only countries outside the 2 American continents and after the Atlantic Ocean (eastward), to have ever participated in the Gold Cup. Korea Republic joined the 2002 contest as guests and finished in fourth position after losing 2-1 to Canada in the Third Place match. South Africa reached the quarterfinals in 2005 but were beaten by Panama 5-3 on penalties.
8) Cuba is one of the least successful CONCACAF members in the history of the Gold Cup. Their best run was in 2003, when they entered the quarterfinals.
9) USA is the team with the most wins in the Gold Cup, having 38 victories in the history of the competition. Mexico follow with 32, then Costa Rica come third with 13.
10) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the CONCACAF member with the worst record in the history of the Gold Cup. Vincy Heat, as they can be called, made their only appearance back in 1996, when they got disqualified in Round 1 after losing their 2 matches and conceding 8 goals in all, while being goalless.
