By FRANCO PANIZO
CONCACAF released the schedule for the upcoming Under-20 championship on Wednesday, and the tournament's opening day will see Mexico in action.
The U-20 championship in Guatemala kicks off with a doubleheader on Monday, March 28, starting with Canada-Guadeloupe and ending with Mexico-Cuba.
The second day of action will see the United States begin its quest to qualify for the U-20 World Cup when it faces Suriname. The Americans follow that up with the Group B finale on April 2 against Panama. Should the U.S. team advance from its group and reach the quarterfinals, it would play on April 6 with a World Cup berth on the line.
Here are the tournament's groups as well as the full slate of group matches with kickoff times (in Eastern time):
2011 CONCACAF U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP
Group A: Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica
Group B: United States, Panama, Suriname
Group C: Canada, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe
Group D: Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba
SCHEDULE
Monday, March 28
Canada vs. Guadeloupe, 8 p.m.
Cuba vs. Mexico, 10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29
Suriname vs. United States, 8 p.m.
Guatemala vs. Jamaica, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30
Guadeloupe vs. Costa Rica, 8 p.m.
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Cuba, 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 31
Panama vs. Suriname, 8 p.m.
Honduras vs. Jamaica, 10 p.m.
Friday, April 1
Costa Rica vs. Canada, 8 p.m.
Mexico vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 2
United States vs. Panama, 6 p.m.
Guatemala vs. Honduras, 8 p.m.
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What day of the U-20 championship intrigues you the most? Are you happy to see the United States opening up with Suriname?
Share your thoughts below.
OOOOooo, Suriname! FEEL THE EXCITEMENT!!!!
So is it top two from each group advances to quarters? And Group B (ours) will pair up with A?
I think they don’t get to qualify, or maybe it doesn’t apply to youth teams but I know that they are a French colony/territory so FIFA only recognizes them as such allowing them to compete in the highest continental tournament, the Gold Cup. But this is youth so it might allow Guadalupe to qualify for the U 20 World Cup? Hmmmmm
Avi or Sam any chance you guys can give us some input into this?
Doubt it, at least the 2nd day of matches might not be covered, both the US and Mexico play at the times almost exactly at the same time.
Maybe the weekend matches?
Are these games on TV?
Anyone know if there is any planned tv coverage for this? I would think at least Univision would pick it up.
I think I asked this question before; Does anyone know what the procedure is IF Guadeloupe qualifies and wins a quarter-final match?
Yeah but they got to play 3 games next 8 days? I was just saying in the news story about Gale Agbossoumonde, I hope they play the 1/4 final match vs either Guatemala or Honduras who I think will get out of group A, around April 4th or 5th & then maybe Gale can go back to Sweeden for his club’s 2nd game of the season. They open April 4th. I know we’ll face Mexico in the final if both hold true to history but I think this team is deep & can do without Gale despite being 1 of our best U20 guys!
Were the North American teams seeded or assigned the first slot in groups B, C, and D? It would appear that having four days between games would be a distinct advantage.
Guatemala…nevermind
where is the CONCACAF tournament being held?