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.