CONCACAF W Gold Cup Preview: Canada should cruise to knockouts

The 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup kicks off on Tuesday, with eight senior women's national teams from the conference and four South American guest nations competing for the inaugural trophy.

This will be a telling tournament for Canada and Brazil, who are entering a new era without two of their legends, Christine Sinclair and Marta. This will also be an opportunity for Canada, Brazil and the United States to redeem themselves after lacklustre performances at the Women's World Cup and position themselves as medal contenders for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Eyes will surely be on these three powerhouse teams, but nations like Colombia and Panama should not be underestimated. Colombia, boasting 18-year-old sensation Linda Caicedo, shocked the world last summer by making it to the World Cup quarterfinals. Panama comes into this tournament with Yenith Bailey, an outstanding young goalkeeper, and a free-kick expert in Marta Cox. Considering this, Group B, featuring Brazil, Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico, is surely "the group of death."

Another goal-scoring youngster to watch is Olivia Moultrie, who will look to help USA top Group A. The Americans will be competing against Mexico and Argentina, two teams on the rise despite not having as much international success. The Dominican Republic completes the group as underdogs, but the team won't be short on confidence.

Finally, Group C sees Canada, Costa Rica, Paraguay and El Salvador go head-to-head. Canada should top of the group if it can remain aggressive on attack for the full 90. However, Canada has never faced El Salvador or Paraguay at the senior level, two darkhorses who should not be underestimated. Costa Rica has been rocky lately, but with the commanding Priscila Chinchilla in front of goal, anything is possible for Las Ticas.

GROUP A: United States, Mexico, Argentina, Dominican Republic

• Feb. 20: Mexico vs. Argentina, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 20: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 10:15 p.m. ET
• Feb. 23: Dominican Republic v.s Mexico, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 23: Argentina vs. USA, 10:15 p.m. ET
• Feb. 26: Argentina vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 26: USA vs. Mexico, 10:15 p.m ET
All matches will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

The Pulse: USA seeks redemption after disastrous Women's World Cup

The U.S. women's national team has won the most games in CONCACAF history (men's or women's), and is one of the favourites to claim the cup. However, the Americans crashed out of last summer's World Cup after a dramatic shootout loss to Sweden in the round of 16. That tournament was disappointing for the stars and stripes, especially from a goal-scoring front. But now, the U.S. is entering new ground with incoming manager Emma Hayes (from Chelsea FC Women). In the meantime, interim head coach Twila Kilgore will hope to create some better headlines heading into this summer’s Olympics in Paris.

Joining the U.S. in Group A is Mexico, a team that’s on the rise. After failing to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, the team fired coach Monica Vergara and appointed Pedro Lopez in the fall of 2022. Since the 44-year-old’s induction, El Tri Femenil went undefeated across all competitions in 2023 and made history by winning Mexico’s first Pan Am Games. However, despite positive recent results, this competition will be a tough test for the Mexicans, who have yet to face powerhouse teams like the U.S. in their new form.

Argentina will also have it tough against Kilgore's squad, but will add an interesting dynamic to the group. Over the next week-and-a-half, Germán Portanova's side will want to prove it can become one of the best teams in the Americas. Considering that La Albiceleste enter this tournament having finished third in the last two Copa América Femeninas, it just might be a possibility.

Rounding out the group is the Dominican Republic, who earned their spot after beating Guyana 1-0 in Saturday's preliminary round. Despite being the group's underdogs, they won't be short on confidence. This is Las Quisqueyanas' first major tournament, and they'll want to continue making history.

That said, expect the United States to top this group and the Dominican Republic to finish fourth. It's a toss-up whether Mexico or Argentina advances.

The X Factor: Olivia Moultrie, USA

One might expect American mainstays Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle or Sophia Smith to be the group's player to watch, but instead keep your eyes on youngster Olivia Moultrie. On Tuesday's first group match against Dominican Republic (USA won 5-0), the 18-year-old scored a brace in her first career start. Moultrie also became the third-youngest American woman to score in a competitive match behind Mallory Swanson and Tiffany Roberts.

GROUP B: Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico

• Feb. 21: Panama vs. Colombia, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 21: Brazil vs. Puerto Rico, 10:15 p.m. ET
• Feb. 24: Puerto Rico vs. Panama, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 24: Colombia vs. Brazil, 10:15 p.m. ET
• Feb. 27: Colombia vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 27: Brazil vs. Panama, 10:15 p.m. ET
All matches will take place at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

The Pulse: Who will escape the "group of death?"

Brazil could be the favourite on paper, but the team is in in a time of transition. This will be Brazil's first major tournament without the iconic Marta. The squad has a new manager, Arthur Elias, who was appointed in September following Brazil's shocking group-stage exit at the Women's World Cup. The Selecao also have a handful of players in the NWSL, who are in pre-season and therefore not in game-ready form. Despite being filled with star power (Ary Borges, Bia Zaneratto and Geyse, to name a few), Brazil can't waste time finding its footing.

Enter Brazil's CONMEBOL rivals Colombia, who are contenders to make a deep run for the cup. Colombia made history by making it all the way to the quarterfinals on the world stage last summer. Despite nobly losing to England 2-1, Colombia proved it can compete with finesse, precision and aggression against the world's best teams. Interim manager Angelo Marsiglia will be without star striker Mayra Ramirez, who will reportedly be staying with her club, Chelsea. Despite this loss, Carolina Arias, Catalina Usme, Manuela Vanegas and Linda Caicedo should have no problem finding the net.

Panama's inclusion in Group B makes it the "group of death." Over the years, Las Canaleras' profile has risen considerably. This will be their biggest event since their maiden appearance at the World Cup last summer, where goalkeeper Bailey and midfielder Cox made standout performances (Cox's free kick against France could easily have won goal of the tournament). Despite its talent, Panama is also a team that's filled with confidence and passion — which goes a long way against top teams.

Finally, Puerto Rico completes the group. Nat González's team can punch above its weight, which was demonstrated in the preliminary round; Puerto Rico defeated a tough Haitian side to solidify its place in this tournament. That said, Puerto Rico is the lowest-ranked team of the group and likely doesn't have enough star power to advance. Expect Puerto Rico to finish at the bottom, with Brazil and Colombia advancing after being threatened by Panama.

The X Factor: Linda Caicedo, Colombia

Caicedo, the 18-year-old sensation, is known for her quick feet, incredible speed and ability to create goal-scoring opportunities in unlikely scenarios. In December, the Real Madrid attacker received the 2023 Golden Girl award, given to the year's best young player. Off the field, Caicedo was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 15. In three short years, she beat the disease, joined one of the best clubs in the world, and had a breakout World Cup for her country, scoring the goal of the tournament. Caicedo is not to be underestimated.

GROUP C: Canada, Costa Rica, Paraguay, El Salvador

• Feb. 22: Costa Rica vs. Paraguay, 6:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 22: Canada vs. El Salvador, 9:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 25: Paraguay vs. Canada, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 25: El Salvador vs. Costa Rica, 8:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 28: Canada vs. Costa Rica, 6:00 p.m. ET
• Feb. 28: Paraguay vs. El Salvador, 9:00 p.m. ET
All matches will be played at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

The Pulse: Canada is favoured

Much like Brazil, Canada will look to improve upon its disheartening World Cup showing and break new ground without one of the greatest players of all time -- Sinclair. This is an exciting time for the reigning Olympic gold medallists, as coach Bev Priestman has signed a new contract ahead of the Paris Games. Young, fiery players like Olivia Smith, Simi Awujo and Marie-Yasmine Alidou have brought new dimension to their clubs and for Les Rouges, while mainstays Shelina Zadorsky, Cloé Lacasse, Adriana Leon and Kadeisha Buchanan are all having solid domestic seasons in England.

Canada is likely the favourite to advance, so the group stage could be a time for Priestman to evaluate different player combinations ahead of the knockouts. However, the wild card for Canada is that it has never faced El Salvador or Paraguay at the senior level. As such, the Canadians will need to be locked-in and aggressive on attack for the full 90 minutes, which they've struggled with in the past.

Canada will first face El Salvador, which made the group by beating Guatemala 3-1 in a qualifying match on Saturday. Undefeated in the last eight games, it is a squad with several dual nationals. Victoria Meza and Danielle Fuentes could play important roles for Eric Acuña's side, but El Salvador will have it tough as it hasn't had as much international exposure as teams like Canada or Costa Rica.

Speaking of Las Ticas, they haven't had the same recent success as El Salvador. With only four wins in its last 20 games, it is a very hot-and-cold side. However, Benito Rubido's squad could be considered the best the country has ever had thanks to veterans Rocky Rodriguez and Daniella Cruz, as well as commanding youngster Priscila Chinchilla on attack. If Costa Rica is on its game, it should advance alongside Canada.

Finishing off the group is Paraguay, who finished fourth at the 2022 Copa America Femenina and settled for fifth place at the 2023 Pan Am Games. Despite missing out on the 2023 World Cup, Paraguay could be a darkhorse alongside Costa Rica. However, the team hasn't had much success against squads of this calibre and lack a level of precision seen by countries like Canada and the U.S.. It will be difficult for Paraguay to make it out of the group.

The X Factor: Cloé Lacasse, Canada

While she might not be one of the most well-known players for Canada, Cloé Lacasse could be the most deadly. During her four-year spell with Benfica, Lacasse scored 102 goals in 131 games and helped the team earn three Portuguese league titles. Since switching to WSL giants Arsenal in 2023, the Sudbury, Ont.-native has been a go-to player for her pace and ball control. Lacasse is a clutch athlete, which will prove useful if Canada gets itself in a tight spot. The 30-year-old will likely want to use this tournament to prove to Priestman why she deserves to start in Paris this summer.