MIAMI, Florida – This Friday at 7:00 PM ET, Concacaf will be airing a re-broadcast of two Concacaf Gold Cup classics, the first being the inaugural Gold Cup Final in 1991 between the United States and Honduras, followed by the 2019 Final between Mexico and the U.S. Both matches will be shown on Concacaf’s Facebook and YouTube pages, plus the Concacaf App.
Southern California was the place to be for the inaugural edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup in 1991, with the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena selected as the two sites to begin the tournament.
In Los Angeles, Mexico and Honduras kicked off the tournament in in Group A in style with respective victories over Canada (4-2) and Jamaica (4-1). Both El Tricolor and the Catrachos would roll to wins in their second matches to clinch spots in the knockout round, as Honduras downed Jamaica 5-0, while Mexico fended off a late challenge from Canada for a 3-1 triumph.
Canada completed their Gold Cup on a high note by taking a 3-2 final over Jamaica, giving way to the pivotal nightcap between Honduras and Mexico with first place in the group on the line. In the end, a 1-1 draw meant that Honduras earned top spot in Group B based on goal difference, while Mexico finished second.
Not far away in Pasadena, Group B saw the U.S., Costa Rica, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago enter the fray, and the Ticos enjoyed a bright start with a 2-0 win over the Chapines.
Things were far more difficult for the U.S., as they stared at a 1-0 deficit against the Soca Warriors heading into the final minutes, but goals in the 85’ and 87’ gave the U.S. a big three points.
After having their hearts broken by the U.S. in their opener, Trinidad and Tobago rebounded in similar fashion in their second contest and scored a game-winning goal in the 89’ to defeat Costa Rica 2-1. Meanwhile, the momentum from their opening win carried the U.S. to a decisive 3-0 triumph against Guatemala, sealing a place in the semifinals for the U.S.
Things stood on a knife’s edge for the second and final spot in the semifinals out of Group B, and a goal in the 89’ gave Guatemala their first win of the tournament against Trinidad and Tobago.
Second place would come down to goal difference, as the U.S. once again rallied from a one-goal deficit to win, beating Costa Rica 3-2. However, the result was enough to push the Ticos into the knockout round on goal difference, making Costa Rica, along with the U.S., Mexico and Honduras the first ever Gold Cup semifinalists.
