OFFICIAL NAME | U.S. Soccer Federation |
FOUNDED | 1913 |
CONCACAF AFFILIATION | 1961 |
HEAD COACH | Bruce Arena (USA/EUA) |
QUALIFICATION METHOD | Automatic North American Entrant |
WEBSITE | http://www.ussoccer.com/ |
BEST FINISH | Champion-4 (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013) |
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES | 13 (1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 |
WINS | 51 |
DRAWS | 8 |
LOSSES | 8 |
GAMES PLAYED | 67 |
GOALS FOR | 134 |
GOALS AGAINST | 49 |
Only Mexico has enjoyed more success in the Gold Cup than the United States. The Americans have captured five titles -- two less than their rival to the south.
After winning the title in 2013, the U.S. finished fourth in 2015, which meant it needed to beat champion Mexico in the first-ever CONCACAF Cup to qualify for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. In a thrilling encounter, the Mexicans prevailed, 3-2 after extra time.
After head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. parted ways in November 2016, Bruce Arena was tabbed as his replacement. It’s a second spell in charge for Arena, who previously led the side to two Gold Cup titles (2002, 2005) and an historic quarterfinal finish in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, beating Portugal in their opening match and earning a 2-0 shutout against Mexico in the Round of 16.
The U.S. is led by forward Jozy Altidore, who was voted U.S. Soccer’s 2016 Male Player of the Year
Despite missing the Copa America Centenario with a hamstring injury, he led the team with six goals and two assists during 10 appearances in 2016. Four of Altidore's goals came in World Cup Qualifying, with his brace in the 4-0 win against Trinidad & Tobago on September 6 taking him to a team-record 16 qualifiers.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic is a rising star globally. At 17-years- and 193-days-old, he became the youngest competitor to appear for the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier, coming on as an 81st minute substitute in a 4-0 win over visiting Guatemala on March 29, 2016. Pulisic finished 2016 with three goals and two assists in 11 games.
It is not easy to defeat the U.S. at home in the Gold Cup’s group stage. In 34 games through the 2015 edition, the Americans have lost only once (2011: 2-1 v Panama in Tampa, Florida), while winning 28 times.
The U.S. owns the record for most wins in Gold Cup history (51).