CONCACAF Gold Cup '96
Chronicle of Continental Championship
An in-depth analysis of the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup, detailing the matches, teams, and pivotal moments that shaped North American football.
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Tournament Overview
Third Edition
The 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup marked the third iteration of the premier football championship for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). This edition saw a significant expansion and a shift in timing compared to its predecessor.
Host Nation and Venues
The tournament was hosted by the United States, with matches played across three distinct venues in California: Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This strategic choice leveraged existing infrastructure and a strong football following in the region.
Format and Participants
The competition featured nine national teams, divided into three groups of three. For the first time, a non-CONCACAF nation, Brazil (represented by their U-23 squad), was invited, adding an international dimension. The top team from each group, along with the best second-place finisher, advanced to the semifinals.
Host Cities and Stadiums
Anaheim Stadium
Located in Anaheim, California, this venue hosted several group stage matches and the final. With a capacity of 64,593, it provided a substantial stage for key fixtures.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
A historic venue with a vast capacity of 93,607, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum served as a primary site for group stage games and the crucial semi-final matches.
Jack Murphy Stadium
Situated in San Diego, California, this stadium, with a capacity of 60,836, also played host to group stage matches, contributing to the tournament's reach across Southern California.
Participating Nations
A total of nine national teams qualified for the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup, representing the confederation's diverse footballing landscape, alongside an invited guest nation.
Mexico
As defending champions and a regional powerhouse, Mexico automatically qualified. They were seeking their second consecutive Gold Cup title.
United States
Co-hosts and previous champions, the United States also qualified automatically, aiming to leverage home advantage.
Canada
The third automatic qualifier from the North American zone, Canada participated in their third consecutive Gold Cup.
Brazil (Invited)
Notably, Brazil, a global footballing giant, participated with their U-23 national team. This invitation underscored the growing prestige of the Gold Cup.
Honduras
Winners of the 1995 UNCAF Nations Cup, Honduras qualified from the Central American zone.
Guatemala
Runners-up in the 1995 UNCAF Nations Cup, Guatemala secured their spot in the tournament.
El Salvador
Finishing third in the UNCAF Nations Cup, El Salvador made their debut appearance in the Gold Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago
Winners of the 1995 Caribbean Cup, Trinidad and Tobago qualified from the Caribbean zone.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Runners-up in the 1995 Caribbean Cup, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines made their historic first appearance in the Gold Cup.
Group Stage Standings
The group stage set the stage for the knockout rounds, with teams battling for advancement.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mexico
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 6 | Advanced to knockout stage |
| 2 |  Guatemala
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 3 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | โ8 | 0 |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Brazil
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 6 | Advance to Knockout stage |
| 2 |  Canada
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | โ1 | 3 | |
| 3 |  Honduras
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | โ7 | 0 |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Advance to Knockout stage |
| 2 |  El Salvador
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | โ1 | 3 | |
| 3 |  Trinidad and Tobago
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | โ2 | 0 |
The Knockout Stage
The decisive phase of the tournament featured the top teams battling for continental supremacy.
Semi-finals
The semi-final matches determined the finalists and the participants for the third-place playoff.
Third Place Play-off
The match to determine third place showcased a competitive encounter between the semi-final losers.
| United States |
3โ0 | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
The Final
The championship match saw Mexico face off against Brazil in a highly anticipated contest for the Gold Cup title.
| Brazil |
0โ2 | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Tournament Statistics
Goal Scoring
A total of 42 goals were scored across the 13 matches played in the tournament, averaging approximately 3.23 goals per game, indicating an engaging and high-scoring competition.
Attendance Figures
The tournament drew a significant crowd, with a cumulative attendance of 487,439 spectators across all matches. This translates to an average attendance of 37,495 per game, reflecting strong fan engagement.
Individual Accolades
Golden Ball
Awarded to the tournament's most outstanding player, the Golden Ball recognized exceptional skill and contribution.
Raรบl Lara (Mexico)
Golden Boot
Presented to the top goal scorer of the tournament, highlighting offensive prowess.
Eric Wynalda (United States)
4 Goals
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References
References
- U-23 represented
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