CONCACAF Cup
The CONCACAF Cup (officially the CONCACAF Cup presented by Scotiabank for sponsorship reasons) was an international football play-off match to determine CONCACAF's entry into the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner United States played against the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner Mexico on 10 October 2015 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, United States.
| CONCACAF qualifying play-off for 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| After extra time | |||||||
| Date | 10 October 2015 | ||||||
| Venue | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California | ||||||
| Referee | Joel Aguilar (El Salvador) | ||||||
| Attendance | 93,723 | ||||||
| Weather | 36°C, Clear, 15 km/h WSW wind | ||||||
Mexico won the match 3–2 after extra time, therefore qualifying for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.[1]
Background
Even though the CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place on a biennial basis, under previous guidelines prior to 2013, only the winners of the Gold Cup that was held two years before the FIFA Confederations Cup qualified as CONCACAF's representative. For example, Mexico won the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualified for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. This, in turn, lowered the prestige of the alternating tournament, with CONCACAF teams fielding weaker rosters in the Gold Cup that was held on the same year as the Confederations Cup because the result would have no bearing on qualification for the Confederations Cup. Many teams that were also involved in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup during that year put less focus on the Gold Cup.[2]
CONCACAF announced the introduction of a play-off match on 5 April 2013.[3] Starting from the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the CONCACAF representative would be decided by a play-off between the two CONCACAF Gold Cup winners prior to the Confederations Cup. Then CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb stated this "will allow the Champion of every single Gold Cup edition to have the same competitive opportunity to represent CONCACAF at the international level."[3] In the case where the same national team wins both Gold Cup tournaments, no play-off is played, and the team qualifies directly to the Confederations Cup.[3]
Following CONCACAF's decision to end their affiliation with Traffic Sports USA due to the 2015 FIFA corruption case, Major League Soccer's sister company Soccer United Marketing was chosen as commercial representative for the match.[4]
Qualified teams
- United States qualified for the play-off by winning the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, after beating Panama 1–0 in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final on 28 July 2013.
- Mexico qualified for the play-off by winning the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, after beating Jamaica 3–1 in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final on 26 July 2015.
Format
CONCACAF originally announced on 23 July 2015 that the play-off would be played as a single match on 9 October 2015 in the United States.[5] After the conclusion of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup on 26 July 2015, CONCACAF announced the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as the venue.[6] The date was later amended to 10 October in order "to allow fans in attendance to enjoy a day-long of festivities, including Futbol Fiesta, a free, interactive fan zone outside the Rose Bowl."[7][8]
Ticketing
On 27 August 2015, CONCACAF announced the ticket allocation process for the match.[9] Both the United States Soccer Federation and the Mexican Football Federation received 30% of the tickets each, which was distributed through supporter groups. Another 30% was sold through a lottery where the general public could apply. The final 10% was given to local teams and sponsors. This system was to prevent the crowd being dominated by either team's supporters despite being on U.S. soil similar to previous Gold Cup finals.[10]
Squads
Each team could select up to 23 players for their squads. On 15 September 2015, CONCACAF announced the provisional team lists.[11] The final 23-player squads were announced by CONCACAF on 5 October 2015.[12]
Mexico
On 1 October, the final squad was announced.
Head coach: 
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Alfredo Talavera | 18 September 1982 (aged 33) | |
| 2 | DF | Israel Jiménez | 13 August 1989 (aged 26) | |
| 3 | DF | Arturo Rivas | 18 October 1984 (aged 30) | |
| 4 | DF | Rafael Márquez | 13 February 1979 (aged 36) |  |
| 5 | DF | Diego Reyes | 19 September 1992 (aged 23) |  |
| 6 | DF | Jorge Torres Nilo | 16 January 1988 (aged 27) | |
| 7 | DF | Miguel Layún | 25 June 1988 (aged 27) |  |
| 8 | MF | Jonathan dos Santos | 26 April 1990 (aged 25) | |
| 9 | FW | Raúl Jiménez | 5 May 1991 (aged 24) | |
| 10 | MF | Jesús Manuel Corona | 6 January 1993 (aged 22) | |
| 11 | FW | Carlos Vela | 1 March 1989 (aged 26) | |
| 12 | GK | Moisés Muñoz | 1 February 1980 (aged 35) | |
| 13 | GK | Jonathan Orozco | 12 May 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 14 | FW | Javier Hernández Balcázar | 1 June 1988 (aged 27) |  |
| 15 | DF | Héctor Moreno | 17 January 1988 (aged 27) |  |
| 16 | MF | Héctor Herrera | 19 April 1990 (aged 25) | |
| 17 | MF | Javier Güémez | 17 October 1991 (aged 23) | |
| 18 | MF | Andrés Guardado | 28 September 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 19 | FW | Oribe Peralta | 12 January 1984 (aged 31) | |
| 20 | MF | Javier Aquino | 11 February 1990 (aged 25) | |
| 21 | MF | Carlos Esquivel | 10 April 1982 (aged 33) | |
| 22 | DF | Paul Aguilar | 6 March 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 23 | MF | Elías Hernández | 29 April 1988 (aged 27) | |
United States
On 3 October, the final squad was announced. On 9 October, it was announced that Bobby Wood would replace Alejandro Bedoya due to illness.
Head coach:
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Brad Guzan | 9 September 1984 (aged 31) |  |
| 2 | MF | DeAndre Yedlin | 9 July 1993 (aged 22) | |
| 3 | DF | Brad Evans | 20 April 1985 (aged 30) |  |
| 4 | MF | Michael Bradley | 31 July 1987 (aged 28) | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| 5 | DF | Matt Besler | 11 February 1987 (aged 28) | |
| 6 | DF | Tim Ream | 5 October 1987 (aged 28) | |
| 7 | DF | DaMarcus Beasley | 24 May 1982 (aged 33) | |
| 8 | FW | Clint Dempsey | 9 March 1983 (aged 32) | |
| 9 | MF | Gyasi Zardes | 2 September 1991 (aged 24) | |
| 10 | MF | Danny Williams | 8 March 1989 (aged 26) | |
| 11 | FW | Bobby Wood | 15 November 1992 (aged 22) | |
| 12 | GK | Tim Howard | 6 March 1979 (aged 36) | |
| 13 | MF | Jermaine Jones | 3 November 1981 (aged 33) | |
| 14 | DF | Ventura Alvarado | 16 August 1992 (aged 23) | |
| 15 | MF | Kyle Beckerman | 23 April 1982 (aged 33) | |
| 16 | DF | Michael Orozco Fiscal | 7 February 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 17 | FW | Jozy Altidore | 6 November 1989 (aged 25) | |
| 18 | FW | Chris Wondolowski | 28 January 1983 (aged 32) | |
| 19 | MF | Graham Zusi | 18 August 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 20 | DF | Geoff Cameron | 11 July 1985 (aged 30) | |
| 21 | DF | Jonathan Spector | 1 March 1986 (aged 29) | |
| 22 | GK | Nick Rimando | 17 June 1979 (aged 36) | |
| 23 | MF | Fabian Johnson | 11 December 1987 (aged 27) | |
Match summary
| Mexico | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | |
|---|---|---|
J. Hernández  Peralta Aguilar |
Report | Cameron Wood |
          Mexico
|
    United States
|
|
Assistant referees:[13]
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Match rules
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Match notes
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Future and abolishment of Confederations Cup
A 2019 edition was initially planned, featuring the winners of the 2017 and 2019 tournaments. In November 2016, CONCACAF announced that the television rights for the 2019 edition have been sold to Fox Sports.[14] On 26 July 2017, with their victory in the final of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States ensured they would participate at a minimum in the 2019 CONCACAF Cup should they fail to win the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[15]
However, on 15 March 2019, FIFA announced that the Confederations Cup would be abolished, with the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup taking place instead.[16] This therefore also meant there would be no future editions of the CONCACAF Cup.
References
- "Mexico claim CONCACAF's spot at Confederations Cup". FIFA.com. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- "2013, 2015 Gold Cup winners will meet for 2017 Confederations Cup spot". Reuters. 5 April 2013.
- "Gold Cup Winner to Qualify to FIFA Confederations Cup™ Playoff Match". CONCACAF. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- Thomas, Ian (31 August 2015). "SUM To Serve As Commercial Rep For CONCACAF Cup Match". sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- "Match-ups Set for CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 Finals Weekend in Philadelphia July 25-26". CONCACAF.com. 23 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- "Playoff match for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 to be played between USA and Mexico on Oct. 9 at the Rose Bowl". CONCACAF.com. 26 July 2015.
- "Confederations Cup playoff game between USMNT and Mexico moved to October 10". MLSsoccer.com. 7 August 2015.
- "Playoff Match between USA and Mexico for FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 Berth to Be Played on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl". CONCACAF.com. 7 August 2015.
- "Ticket Lottery Details Announced for CONCACAF Cup Match between USA and Mexico on October 10 at the Rose Bowl". CONCACAF.com. 27 August 2015.
- Grant Wahl (27 August 2015). "CONCACAF determines split for more even USA-Mexico Rose Bowl crowd". Sports Illustrated.
- "CONCACAF Cup 2015 Provisional 35-Player Rosters Announced". 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- "Final 23-Player Rosters for CONCACAF Cup 2015 Chosen by Mexico and United States". CONCACAF.com. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- "CONCACAF Cup Game Notes: Mexico v USA". CONCACAF.com. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- "CONCACAF Extends Gold Cup Deal with FOX through 2019 Championship". CONCACAF.com. 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- "Stars and Stripes close gap on El Tri". FIFA.com. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- "FIFA Council votes for the introduction of a revamped FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA.com. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.