CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 will go down as a memorable version of the championship for national teams in North and Central America, and the Caribbean. This thrilling event was held from June 6 until June 24, bringing together twelve teams to battle for the regional title and qualification in the FIFA Confederations Cup. How did the games all go, and which sides were impressed? This tournament will go down in infamy in CONCACAF history.
Format & Teams
In the United States, 25 matches were contested — a record for one country in a single confederation event. The six venues by state and city: The tourney itself was made up of four three-team groups, all from North and Central America/Caribbean. The two best group runners-up followed up the top two, with all eight sides pushing hard to become champions.
On closer inspection of the games, it is evident that intensity and passion characterized this tournament was from beginning to end.
Group Stage: Surprises Galore and Controversy
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 group stage delivered excitement and some unexpected scores. The United States and Mexico predictably had no trouble earning top spots in their own groups, but Canada and Guadeloupe came out of nowhere.
Group A: USWNT rules the roost
Head coach Bob Bradley had his USA team playing like group champions from the first whistle. They won their group by going 3–0, which included wins over Guatemala Trinidad and Tobago El Salvador. The mother nation of Donovan and Dempsey was also the only team in CONCACAF during that cycle capable of scoring goals.
In the group, Guatemala advanced in second place with a victory and draw but Trinidad & Tobago as well as El Salvador both faired terribly were eliminated without eventually winning a single game.
Group B: Canada Surprises
It was more competitive in Group B, where Canada went undefeated. They downed Costa Rica and Guadeloupe to punch their ticket to the knockout rounds. The contribution of Atiba Hutchinson — who scored the opener in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Costa Rica and set up several of the best chances against Haiti, as well a vintage goal from Dwayne De Rosario were also crucial.
Surprise package of the tournament, Guadeloupe finished second in the group. Their resilience and skill were on display in a surprise 2-1 win over Honduras. The giants of world football disappointed for the most part as Costa Rica lost to South Africa, albeit still qualifying after finishing third among the best-placed teams.
Group C: Mexico’s Slow Start
Mexico, one of the pre-tournament to stimulate up fans’ senses in a Group C game against Cuba but then labored through its draw vs. Panama as (a team which had lost five straight leading up to that match), got off slow-opening faces versus and here whatever you do for your results) The Mexicans found their stride in a 1-0 win over Honduras later that left them top of the group.
But they will need to keep themselves in check if they are to play for as long at this Gold Cup event — Panama, the 2005 runners-up and a solid finisher placed behind Cuba while Honduras moves on after being one of two third-place teams reached the next round. The Cuban Four, though ended with leaving no impression and finished in last place at the group stage.
Stage Knockout
CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 matches in the knockout rounds are unmissable. In the quarterfinals, United States; Canada; Mexico & Guadeloupe reach the semifinal.
Quarterfinal Highlights
Some of the quarterfinal action at this Gold Cup was surprising to say the least, as probably one person in a million had predicted Canada would blank Guatemala 3-0 (Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman, and Iain Hume). In the other game, the United States won 2-1 over Panama with goals from Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra.
In the following game, Mexico edged Costa Rica 1—0 in extra time on a Pavel Pardo penalty. That trend continued as Guadeloupe clinched a semifinal spot with a 2-1 victory against Honduras.
Semifinal: Intensity and defining moments
The semifinals had a good share of drama and excitment. The United States narrowly defeated Canada 2-1 in the first semi-final. Frankie Hejduk and Donovan put the U.S. up 2-0 before Iain Hume netted one for Canada, but that was as close to the final as Le Rouge could get — not that they ever were a threat (U-S-A!).
The other semifinal pitted the tournament’s surprise, Guadeloupe vs. Mexico Nery Castillo scored the lone goal and gave Mexico a 1-0 victory. Ending this magical run, Guadeloupe went down with pride for their part in the tournament.
CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 Final: U.S. vs. Mexico
The final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 was to be a showdown between arch-rivals (and co-hosts) the United States and Mexico. The final lived up to its hype after being played at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 24th, with both teams giving their all.
And no team scored in the first half until Mexico struck, thanks to Andrés Guardado who netted his goal in 44′. But the U.S. drew level in the second half through Landon Donovan, who successfully converted a penalty kick at 62 minutes to equalize. The number finally arrived in the 73rd minute when Benny “No Look” Feilhaber let fly with a scorcher of long-distance volley to hand Virgin’s United States side the lead at 2-1.
The U.S. retained its lead, winning its fourth CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. One of the most famous moments in U.S. soccer history, Benny Feilhaber’s goal against Mexico remains a must-see for American fans everywhere.
In Conclusion: An Unforgettable Tournament
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 was a riveting competition that produced many memorable moments, epic displays and plenty of animosity between the United States and Mexico. That win by the US team cemented their standing in a weak region and underdogs like Guadeloupe added magic to the tournament.
A tournament that to this day provides sources of inspiration for teams and players competing today, theCONCACAF Champions Cup 2007 is one not only worth remembering but remaining a part of football lore from North and Central America right up through the Caribbean.
